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

Don't forget EVERYTHING in my shop is 50% off! I have never offered half off my ebooks before especially the bundles.....so if you have been wanting one, some or all of my recipe ebooks NOW would probably be a good time. When clicking on the add to cart button be sure to click on the blue part not the pinterest button that pops up.....sorry I'll fix it one day or maybe even higher someone more techy than myself. ;) Sale ends TONIGHT! Just use coupon code--
THANKFUL50

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

A few of the weekend sales that I pick!

I'm not a fan at all of going out and shopping on Black Friday! I would much rather spend time with loved ones and maybe putting up the Christmas tree.

Honestly I don't really love shopping much at anytime let alone when it's super noisy and crowded. I'm sure it's the introvert in me. I have made a habit though of watching my email and looking for some of the great sales that happens every year on this particular weekend.

There isn't usually a lot and I try to already have most of my gifts bought by now but I thought that I would share some of the sales that I have noticed and I am interested in taking advantage of. Also there are the things I have noticed that will be on sale that I already have and love and want to share.

Here they are in no particular order!


Vintage Remedies is having a sale on all their courses! Save $20-$200 depending on the course you choose. If I were getting myself a gift for Christmas It would be one or maybe all of these courses but I'm kind of a geeky when it comes to learning about herbs and natural remedies. ;) No coupon code needed prices are already marked down. Sale ends December 2nd.

Nina over at Shalom Mama is offering 50% off her ebooks DIY Natural Remedies and Simple Natural Health which I have and love.... maybe because I love all things DIY natural remedies. She also has discounted her new item the DIY Wellness Collection! She combined the two books above, plus her short guide, DIY Personal Care Products, into one discounted bundle. The bundle includes both the PDF and Kindle (.mobi) downloads. Any or all can be bought at 50% off using code--
BLACK50

Kristin over at Live Simply is giving away her Holiday Celebrations ebook with the purchase of The Real Food Planning Challenge. I enjoy the simple beauty and practicality of her ebooks. Check it out no code needed--offer ends December 31st.















The Blendtec Total Blender is my most used all time favorite small kitchen appliance. I use it at LEAST once every day. It has made my healthy living lifestyle so much more quick and convenient. I didn't want to spend the money for years....I just didn't think it would be worth it. Boy was I wrong It was worth every penny in fact I now own 2 I love it that much and I paid full price for both of them. I would for sure take advantage of this sale if I were you!  Again no code needed sale ends Monday!





I don't use my Excalibur Dehydrator near as much as my blender but I would not want to be without it. I used it this week to dry bread crumbs for stuffing. I have also been drying my almond meal from making almond milk and then I blend it into flour.... super cheap way to get almond flour! I use it almost nonstop during harvest season and it comes in handy when I forgot to get the tortillas out of the freezer and it's time to eat.  Remember this crunchy mama has no microwave. ;) Save 10% plus free shipping. Use code--
PREHOLIDAY




If you get dry winter skin or know someone who does you will want to check out MadeOn. Details of the sale are below. I "heart" hard lotion bars!

Here's what is going on at the store:

1. New! U-Pick Lip Balm. Choose any 10 lip balms for $40. That's a savings of up to $15!
2. New! Cocoa Butter Wafers. Whip up your favorite chocolate body mousse with easy-to-weigh cocoa butter wafers
3. New! The DIY kit now gives you the option to choose cocoa butter wafers instead of shea butter. You can replace the shea for cocoa in your skin care recipes with no change in amount. Perfect for the chocolate lover in your life.

Free Gifts!*

1. Free Peppermint Lip Balm with any purchase. Just add to cart on Friday, November 28th, and it's free.
2. Free 5 Pack of Natural Lip Balms on orders over $50. When your cart reaches $50, add a 5 pack to your cart, and they're free.
3. Free 5 Pack of Beesilk pocket size bars on orders over $100. When your cart reaches $100, add a 5 pack to cart, and they're free.

Then on Cyber Monday.... You can enjoy Free Shipping. So choose your shopping day, or go for both.





Of course there is nothing like the gift of a healthy mouth! Ora Wellness is offering 10% off your order and with every bottle of Heal Thy Mouth Blend you get a free Bass Toothbrush! Again I have both and love how clean and healthy my mouth feels. Perfect healthy stocking stuffer I'd say. Get free toothbrush automatically with order through December 15th. The 10% off is good now through cyber Monday! Just use coupon code--
HOLIDAY2014

And last but not least EVERYTHING in my shop is 50% off! I have never offered half off my ebooks before especially the bundles.....so if you have been wanting one, some or all of my recipe ebooks NOW would probably be a good time. When clicking on the add to cart button be sure to click on the blue part not the pinterest button that pops up.....sorry I'll fix it one day or maybe even higher someone more techy than myself. ;) Sale ends Monday night! Just use coupon code--
THANKFUL50















I'm sure there are many other sales going on throughout the internet this weekend but I chose just a few of my favorites because I figure you are already overwhelmed enough! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with lots of healthy....ish food, loved ones all around and much gratefulness for all our blessings!

My Weekly Meal Plan

Some of you may have noticed that no meal plan was posted last week. I didn't forget we just had a lot going on and I just didn't get time to sit down and get it typed out.

It's been a very fun and productive couple of weeks though! Some of our very dearest friends spent about 24 hours with us.....it was too short as always but so wonderful to see them! I wish we could figure out how to not let too much time go by in between visits. We did manage to get Ryan home from work before dark so Kenzi could do some family photos for us.

It's that time of year when there seems to be multiple things that fill the calendar all at the same time. I'm always trying to slow down and savor the season yet make fun memories and enjoy happy times and celebration together with friends and family. I try to choose wisely and I think I do pretty well but a lot of times I choose too much and end up overwhelmed. That's when I like to take a deep breath and turn off the lights and sit in a dimly lit warm room while the cold and hustle goes on outside. Usually with a good book and a loved one or three or more! ;)

We had an early get together last Monday with the Olive family and it was so great to see all the crew......sure love our crazy family......speaking of crazy we are looking forward to getting together with all of the Nelson family this week. So many wonderful people in our lives to be Thankful for!

Taking apart

Some exciting news around my kitchen is that Ryan finally convinced me to let him redo my pantry. I have put it off since it was brand new but it just wasn't as functional as I needed it to be which made making meals take longer than needed and not very fun. So a week ago Saturday he went to get a few needed supplies while I emptied the pantry.

Almost finished getting it all back together

Then in just a few hours he had it all tore out and new shelves up. It was late evening by then so we postponed caulking and painting it until later.....hopefully sooner than later but for sure not this week ;). It's already nicer to cook from though and I'll be sure to give you a tour when we finish or maybe before if I get the hankering. It will for sure LOOK nicer when it's all finished but it's just as functional now and I don't like trying to function with my pantry apart for days at a time so waiting to have it look nice is worth waiting for.

This past Thursday, Grandma and Grandpa Nelson got their mission call. It's a different kind of mission they actually will be living at home they were asking for a couple from every stake who could devote full time to helping with missionary work in their stake. We are all excited they get to serve like they have been wanting to and we still get to have them close by!

Alright menu plan......of course it will look a bit different this week with Thanksgiving and all and I'm sure it will get changed up a bit depending on my mood but here is the plan!

My Weekly Meal Plan

Monday:
Stuffed Acorn Squash

Tuesday:
Minestrone Soup

Wednesday:
Orange Veggie Stir Fry

Thursday:
Thanksgiving Dinner

Friday:
Leftovers

Saturday:
Leftovers

Sunday:
Lentil Soup

Seasoned Pumpkin Seeds

These are a super simple super healthy snack that the entire family loves. Pumpkin seeds are a super food in my mind they are high in  zinc that can sometimes be hard to get enough of. They are also anti-parasitic, cleansing and great for prostate health for men. And that's just off the top of my head. Search their many health benefits and you will see what I mean.

Since they are such a healthy little seed I like to find ways that we will want to eat them. I like to add them to granola whenever I can but I found that Charly didn't really like eating granola with pumpkin seeds. For some reason she doesn't like their flavor in granola (although I do give it a try) but she loves pumpkin seeds when I flavor them this way.

She even asked if I would be sure to make them this past Halloween to go with dinner! Quick and easy to make and they are great to just munch on, to add to a salad or top soups or stir fry and I'm sure other things I haven't thought of! ;)

Seasoned Pumpkin Seeds

3 cups raw pumpkin seeds (without hulls)
a few splashes of coconut aminos or lime juice (for chili lime flavor) just enough to lightly coat the seeds and make them damp
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Real Salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place pumpkin seed in bowl, add the coconut aminos or lime juice. Stir to coat the seeds. Add the seasonings stir well to coat again being sure all the seeds have a good amount of seasoning on them. Spread out on a single layer on a cookie sheet (may use parchment paper if desired) bake for about 20-30 minutes or until the seeds are dry, kind of puffed up and toasty. Be sure to stir about every 10 minutes while baking.

Roasted Roots

On Saturday, Ryan harvested most of the carrots and all of the beets and the few onions that where hiding. ;)

We had some nice looking beets even though it seemed like they were not doing all that well there are enough nice ones to make pickled beets with. But there were also quite a few little tiny beets that are not worth taking the time to try to peel when pickling them.

Ryan said, "I wonder what they would be like if we roasted them with some of the little potatoes that my Dad gave us from his garden." I told him that heck yes they would be good especially with some of those carrots and onions he had picked.

The best part is I knew that it would work to just wash them up and not worry about peeling them!

We also still have some chard hanging on in the garden so we cut up a bunch and I quickly sauteed it to go with dinner along with cooking some Quinoa. I have not cooked chard that way before but it was super quick and yummy so I added the recipe below too.

Just so you know picture quality for me always goes down in the winter because it is dark at dinner time.  Sorry I will try my best but artificial lighting just doesn't make as nice of pictures. ;) But it's still better than no picture I think!

Roasted Roots

3 pounds little round potatoes (we used gold ones but red or even russets would be good too)
1-2 pounds small beets (or you can just quarter some larger ones, same with the potatoes)
6-8 large carrots, cut into large chunks
2 large onions, cut into large chunks
2-4 Heaping Tablespoons coconut oil
Kosher Real Salt
Rosemary or herbs of choice (optional)

Place the veggies into two large bakers or cake pans or you could even use a cookie sheet. Blob the coconut oil on top of the veggies. Sprinkle the kosher salt (to taste) about 1/2 Tablespoon per pan. Sprinkle with as much herbs as you want we used just a nice little sprinkling of rosemary.

Bake for about 30-40 minutes as 400 degrees. Stir once or twice during cook time. Once the veggies started to turn golden brown I turned of the broiler and let them get a little crunchy on top just watch close so they don't burn I did 5-10 minutes.

Sauteed Chard

6-8 large leaves of chard, cut into thick ribbons stems removed
1-2 Tablespoons coconut oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Lemon juice to taste
Real Salt and pepper to taste

In a large frying pan (I love my cast iron one) melt coconut oil and saute the garlic then add the chard stir quickly while it sizzles and a few splashes of lemon juice and cook until just wilted and dark green. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Serve!

My Weekly Meal Plan

So the only pictures I took last week where pictures of food, I always feel like my priorities are a bit off when there aren't any pictures of other things......or of the best things that aren't even things....I swear I can see my kids growing I better be sure to take some pictures so I can remember this time in our life! Just thinking out loud here and making a note to myself.

The good news about only having food pictures is that I am having a fun creative time in the kitchen and that always means more yummy recipes to post and share!

Last week Curt spent a few days with his Grandparents and went to Thanksgiving point, the Aquarium and some other fun things. Grandpa did get some good pictures and videos of that time so we will have to get some of those from him.

In other news my computer bit the dust.....luckily I am able to get in on safe mode and transfer anything everything onto an external hard drive. That's going to take some time.....we have had that computer for over 10 years so it has A LOT of stuff on it. I'm not looking forward at all to the task. Then we aren't sure if we are going to try to fix it or upgrade.  I have been having to use the family laptop but hey it's better than nothing we just have to share.....it's all good!

Anyway.....we have all but a few more rows of carrots in the garden and some chard and kale that is still hanging in there. We harvested most of the beets and carrots.....well we meaning Ryan.....and I'm excited to make another batch or two of pickled beets and more carrot butter and also just enjoy the veggies raw and roasted. YUM!

My Weekly Meal Plan

Monday:
Stir Fry with Garlic Sauce (I think this is going to be the time when we say, "Write that down this recipe is a keeper!")

Tuesday:
Chickpea Tacos (another recipe work in progress)

Wednesday:
Sweet Potato Soup

Thursday:
Roasted Beets, Carrots, Potatoes with Sauteed Swiss Chard (posting recipe ASAP)

Friday:
Curried Red Lentil Soup with Chickpeas and Quinoa

Saturday:
Leftovers

Sunday:
Stuffed Acorn Squash with Apple, Pecans & Cranberries

Stuffed Acorn Squash with Apple, Pecans and Cranberries

We grew a few kinds of squash in our garden this year.....the butternut didn't do well, that is until the rains came but by then it was too late to have them ripen before the frost.  We determined that we did not have enough water getting to them for them to grow the way they are supposed to. We will remember better next year!

We also grew another kind that did pretty well even despite the squash bugs.....I don't even remember what it was called it is round and scalloped with a grayish color. We have had small ones that looked like it that you don't have to peel that are super tasty.....but these where not those. They had a very thick skin and got quite large and have a pretty much tasteless meat on the inside.  We may or may not try them again. ;)

In the past our acorn squash haven't done all that well and we have only gotten a few.....but we really like them. So we tried yet again and this year our plant was happy and produced lots of lovely acorn squash. So of course we had to come up with a fun stuffed acorn squash recipe. We love the flavors and just found this to be all around yummy. We still have more squash so we will for sure be making it again this fall!

Stuffed Acorn Squash with Apple, Pecans and Cranberries

5-8 acorn squash, cut in half the long way
4-6 cups cooked brown rice, wild rice blend and or quinoa
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
1 small purple onion, chopped
2 teaspoons vegetable broth powder
1 teaspoon Real Salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 large apple, diced
4 large leaves of chard or kale, sliced into thin ribbons, stems removed
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup pecan halves
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1 stalk celery, sliced (optional)
1 Tablespoon Shoyu or Coconut Aminos
Small drizzle of honey
2 leaves chopped fresh sage or 1/2 teaspoon rubbed
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, cut the acorn squash in half the long way and remove seeds with a spoon. Rub with a little coconut oil and sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper. Place and a cookie sheet and put in the oven to partially bake while making the filling.

In large frying pan melt the coconut oil and add the onion and garlic and lightly saute. Add the rice, celery and seasonings and stir fry until the rice is warn, add the pecans, cranberries and chard and cook just until the chard is wilted. Taste and add more seasoning if needed (this is what makes a good cook in my mind especially when cooking with real food)

Pull the squash out of the oven and stuff each half place back in the oven until the stuffing just starts to brown a little on top and the squash is nice and tender. ENJOY!

Check out my most favorite kitchen appliance of all time!!! The one I can honestly say I use at LEAST once a day usually a whole lot more. This is a GREAT price I spent more on the classic one then the designer one is going for. Looks like a perfect time to get yours! If I could choose to have only one small appliance in my kitchen......This would be it!