Crunchy Candy Bars

So this recipe came about because I was wanting a high protein healthy fat snack that wasn't super high in SWEET! ;)

Remember when I told you that my body hasn't been really thrilled with with overly sweet things. It's been to my benefit really because it keeps me from overdoing even the healthy treats and I think that's a good thing.

But in the late afternoon before dinner time I found my self pretty dang hungry and needing a good snack that didn't make me feel tired but fueled me on for the rest of my evening. Lately this has been my snack of choice. And it's one the whole family loves so I thought you might like too!

It actually kind of reminds me of those Krackle or Crunch bars....although it's been a very long time since I have had one of those so I'm not certain it can really compare but that's what these reminded me of.  ENJOY!

Crunchy Candy Bars

1/2 cup coconut oil
2 heaping Tablespoons almond butter
1 Tablespoon honey
2-3 Tablespoons carob powder
1/2 teaspoon Real Salt
1 cup brown rice crisps
1/2 cup oats
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1-2 Tablespoons chia seed (optional)

On very low heat melt the coconut oil, almond butter and honey together. Add the carob powder and salt, mix well. Remove from heat and add the rest of the ingredients. Spread into a 9 inch square pan covered with parchment paper and freeze until firm. Doesn't take very long.

My Weekly Meal Plan

This week was a wonderful week full of family, food and friends. We were a bit slow but we managed to put together some fun and simple neighbor gifts for our many friends and neighbors. It was a small thing but we hoped it spread a little Christmas Cheer!

Our Grinchy Christmas turned out to be lots of fun yet low key and simple.....I like that! We may have to try it again.

And would you believe.......we were not sure if there would be snow for Christmas but just like we have been all season it came last minute!

Oh we also loved spending much of our holiday with family, Grandparents, Cousins, Aunts and Uncles....my Sister even came and spent the afternoon one day this week so her kids could get some snow time too! Good times!

Ryan also had a birthday this past week and apparently........he turned 6! ;)

My Weekly Meal Plan 

Monday:
Spaghetti

Tuesday:
Lentil Soup

Wednesday:
New Year's Eve Menu

Thursday:
Leftovers

Friday:
Taco Sundays

Saturday:
Baked Potato Bar

Sunday:
Potato Soup

Vegetables and Garlic Sauce

This recipe has taken me quite a while to get just the way I wanted it. I was going for garlic sauce just like you get at the restaurant....I think I got pretty close especially since I was determined to make it soy free. I tend to have a bit of an allergy to soy so I try to stay away from it as much as possible. Although the fermented kind that you can get in shoyu etc. should be okay for me to have.....I have tried to just stay away from all of it as best I could this past year.

I actually think this recipe may be better with shoyu instead of the coconut aminos if that is what you want to use I would leave out the salt because shoyu is much saltier than the coconut aminos.

Also a word about the fish sauce. I searched and searched for a fish sauce with ingredients that I was happy with. I found this kind that is just salted and aged anchovies with no added sugars, MSG or anything else. I know some of you may not be very keen on anchovies (they are a very good source of calcium) so feel free to leave it out but you may want to add more salt because fish sauce is salty.

I have tried it so many different ways and just so you know every way was super yummy and got good reviews by my fam. But this recipe is the one that they all agreed (especially Ryan) was the most like you would get at a restaurant.

I love it for this time of year with all the garlic. Every time someone was saying that they were trying to get a sore throat I would say well I think I will try that garlic sauce recipe again tonight. It's a great way to get lots of garlic in and with the other spices it seems to be great to help with scratchy throats.

I hope you will enjoy it too!

Vegetables and Garlic Sauce

Sauce Ingredients:
1/2 cup Coconut Aminos
1 1/2 teaspoon Real Salt
1 cup water with 2 heaping teaspoons broth powder
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon fish sauce
2-3 Tablespoons Sucanat
1 Tablespoon coconut or sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8-10 clove garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons arrowroot powder mixed in 1/4 cup cold water
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Other Ingredients:
Favorite stir fry veggies
more coconut oil for stir frying


In medium sauce pan add first 10 ingredients. Bring to a medium boil then add the arrowroot powder mixed with water while stirring well. Stir until slightly thickened then add red pepper flakes if wanted.

In separate large frying pan or wok stir fry your favorite stir fry veggies in coconut oil (just a Tablespoon or two) until crisp tender add the garlic sauce and stir until well coated and everything is bubbling. Remove from heat

Serve over rice.

My Weekly Meal Plan

This week there wasn't as much at home time as I like to have but it was a fun week! Ry and my Dad took a quick road trip to Phoenix to look at a truck. It ended up taking them a bit longer but the younger kids and I spent good time with my Mom and Grandma. While the older kids I know enjoyed having the house to themselves.

We were late getting back but made it in time for the younger kids to have a  Christmas movie marathon and sleepover with cousins at Grandpa and Grandma Nelson's house! Then the next day we went down to my Sister's house for a Christmas Sing-a-long!

It was lots of fun we sang and laughed together.....don't you just love Emily's awesome socks!

We even went caroling and spread a little Christmas Cheer! The kids all had a ball and are already looking forward to next year. ;)

My Weekly Meal Plan

Monday:
Grilled Veggie Sandwiches


Tuesday:
Bean Burritos

Wednesday:
Christmas Dinner - This year we are keeping it really simple but fun by having a Grinch Dinner, there will be Roast Beast (still thinking on this one probably a little free range shredded BBQ turkey on a roll....maybe) Who Hash (mashed potatoes and gravy) Who Pudding (using this recipe only making parfait out of it and maybe coloring it green with liquid chlorophyll.) Grinchy Clause Kabobs, Grinchy Greens (a veggie tray with green veggies and a green salad) Some Who Punch (just our traditional Christmas Punch) There will also be some dips, like this one and this one and probably even this one.

For other Christmas Menu Ideas you can see our plan from last year here!


Thursday:
Leftovers


Friday:
Lentil Soup

Saturday:
Mongolian BBQ


Sunday:
Leftovers

Wishing everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
#ShareTheGift

My Weekly Meal Plan

So I just can't seem to put blogging at the top of my priority list lately except being sure to get my meal plan posted since well......I haven't figured out how to push eating off our priority list. ;) Some days oh I think it would be nice but meal prep doesn't take up too much time around here and no one seems to want to give up eating so it's here to stay.

I do have some recipes that are all perfected and ready for me to sit down and blog about and I will do it soon.....for now though I have just been trying to enjoy the holiday season and make lots of time for friends and family.

Last week Missy turned 18! Oh my heck everyone warned me how fast it goes but you kind of have to experience it for yourself to really know. I tell you I'm pretty sure I just turned 18! ;) She said she wanted peppermint bark for her "cake" so I tried making some with homemade coconut butter it turned out kind of grainy but tasty a recipe that needs work but has potential.

It was Ryan's brilliant idea to put 18 candles all together and set them in the middle since we couldn't stick them into it. The boys all thought it was a great idea we sang to her super speedy so she could hurry and get that torch blown out before it melted everything!

We also had a few Christmas parties to attend last week and Ryan was busy with his companies annual customer appreciation breakfasts at all of the branches.

All in all a good week!

My Weekly Meal Plan

Monday:
Grilled Veggie Sandwiches

Tuesday:
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Apple, Pecans and Cranberries


Wednesday:
Broccoli Cheese Soup


Thursday:
Minestrone Soup

Friday:
Chilaquiles


Saturday:
Leftovers


Sunday:
Super Simple Veggie Pot Pie

My Weekly Meal Plan

This week was kind of low key. The kids and their dad all took turns with a bit of a bug it wasn't bad.....mostly their Dad was hit the hardest (he isn't as diligent at taking his herbs) but was still only down for about 12 hours. The rest just had a bit of congestion.

Charly was the last to get hit but I knew something was up when I found her taking a nap in the sun one afternoon. She ran a bit of a fever that night but was up and running the next morning. I blame very short lived sickness on this Elderberry Syrup!

This week I have some leftover chickpeas that I plan to use up in our meals this week and then I think I'll make a pot of black beans to use during the rest of the week.

My Weekly Meal Plan:

Monday:
Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry

Tuesday:
Taco Sundays

Wednesday:
Taco Soup

Thursday:
Orange Veggie Stir Fry

Friday:
Quinoa and Sweet Potato Grilled Wrap

Saturday:
Leftovers

Sunday:
Baked Potato Bar

My Weekly Meal Plan

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This week was full of being grateful for the many loved ones that we call family! What a blessing they are in our lives I just wish I could have had them all in the same room at once for a picture....but that just didn't happen. ;)

We also grabbed a little time to put up our tree and the kids put the decorations on. I'm thinking the holiday decor will be on the very simple side this year with just the tree and maybe a nativity or two. Unless the kids want to put up the village I think it's okay to keep it in the box this year.

My Weekly Meal Plan

Monday: Sweet Potato and Chickpea Curry

Tuesday: Lentil Soup

Wednesday: Mac and Cheese

Thursday: Flatbread Falafel Sandwich

Friday:  Quesadillas

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Minestrone Soup