Healthy Inspirations

I haven't posted any snack recipes or ideas yet, but they are coming! These are not Paleo, however, they are fairly healthy, gluten free and TASTY "Energy Bites." The best thing about these, is my boys will eat them and love them. I'm thrilled that they do, because they are so much better than pre-packaged granola bars! Daniel loves these at work during a 12 hour shift and he doesn't have time to stop and eat much.  There's all sorts of variations of Energy Bites on Pinterest, and I modified one to make it "mine."  Energy Bites Ingredients: 1 cup natural peanut butter (I buy mine from Costco or Aldi) 2/3 cup honey 2 tsp vanilla 2 cups gluten free oats 1 cup ground flaxseed  2/3 cup chocolate chips (this recipe is dairy free if you use dairy free chips) Directions:      Step 1: Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl with a wooden spoon.     Step 2: Form into balls to the size of your liking, place on a pan and

          Are you ready for a GOOD paleo dessert recipe? These chocolate chip cookies are deliciously chewy. They come from (of course) Against All Grain.   My cookies tasted wonderful (especially with a cup of coffee, as seen below), but they turned out a little brown and flat. After making them, I found some pointers that Danielle gives on her blog to perfecting this cookie recipe. Please read through it HERE , if you decide to make them!  Paleo Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients:  1 large egg white 1/3 cup coconut crystals 3 Tbsps honey 1/2 cup tahini (stirred very well to incorporate the oil)  1/4 cup arrowroot powder 1.5 tsps vanilla extract 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp baking soda 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate 1/4 cup dairy and soy free chocolate chips (I use the "Enjoy Life" brand) Directions:       Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.     Step 2: In the bowl of a stand mixer or using an electric hand mixer, beat the egg white,

Ok guys, these are my favorite muffins to date! Boy are they delicious with a cup of coffee! Soo good and moist.. and best of all, they are so so easy! I highly recommend these.. sorry for no pictures. Even though I've made them two weeks in a row, we must have eaten them too fast! 😄  This recipe comes from Just Jessie B. Chocolate Zucchini Muffins Yields: 11-12 muffins Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups almond flour 1 /4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used just the typical cocoa powder, but next time I want to try the real cacao to see how it tastes) 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp sea salt 3 eggs 1 cup grated zucchini 1/4 cup maple syrup 2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted chocolate chips (optional) (I used just a few of the dairy free, "enjoy life" brand) Directions:      Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees     Step 2: In a large bowl, add the dry ingredients followed by the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.     Step 3: Line a 12-cup muffin ti

This is for all you casserole lovers out there. Which includes us! My boys love them and always eat them better than just plain meat, so I try to make one a week. This recipe comes from Against All Grain . My favorite blog/website. :) It truly tastes like pizza... and there's no cheese in it! I posted her original recipe, but wrote in what I did instead. That way it gives you options with what ingredients you use. :) Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Ingredients: 4 ounces salami, diced (I used Applegate brand)**See Notes 3/4 pound mild Italian Sausage** See Notes 3 cups stemmed and coarsely chopped kale (I used a spinach, chard & kale mix) 3/4 tsp sea salt 3 pounds yellow squash (I used zucchini because I had it on hand) 3/4 cup tomato paste 1 to 3 Tbsps water (Mine didn't take any extra water, probably because I used zucchini)  1 Tbsp nutritional yeast 2 tsp oregano  Directions:      Step 1:  Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the pepperoni and c

Another delicious but quick and easy recipe! Thanks to my Mom for introducing this one to me. It comes from Mel's blog. .. and takes just 20 minutes! The original recipe was not paleo, but I made a couple of changes to make it that way! This is amazing with some broccoli...  I didn't have any that night, so I used a Stir-Fry mix to pair with the chicken. Skillet Honey Garlic Chicken Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed (this is the best with thighs.. it's not nearly as dry!) 3/4 cup chicken broth 6 garlic cloves, finely minced  2 Tbsp honey 2 Tbsp coconut aminos 1 tsp arrowroot powder (you may need more than 1 tsp. Add as the sauce needs thickening. I used about 3 total, but added it in little by little as it was cooking because my sauce was still runny) pinch red pepper flakes 1 Tbsp olive oil Directions:      Step 1: Lightly season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.        Step 2: Whisk together the broth, ga

Henry's favorite breakfast are waffles. I used to use a regular waffle recipe, and use a gluten free flour blend in place of the regular flour. However, I've been on a hunt for a good Paleo waffle recipe, that's nice and crispy on the outside, but soft in the inside. Not to mention, much healthier! Well folks, I think I found it! THIS recipe comes from "nurture my gut's website." It's the best Paleo waffle recipe I've tried. Paleo Waffles Ingredients: 1 cup almond flour 1 cup tapioca flour 2 Tbsp coconut flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp salt 2 eggs 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or grapeseed oil (I used refined coconut oil, for less coconut taste) 1 tsp apple cider vinegar 1 cup almond milk 1/2 tsp vanilla  2 Tbsp coconut sugar* *Note on the sugar. I misread coconut flour.. and put coconut sugar in it instead...and the flour too of course. 🙈 So I guess you could consider the sugar as an optional ingredient. :) Directions:

Here is another simple, one dish meal! My boys ate this no problem, which I was thrilled about... it has lots of hidden veggies! The key is lots of seasonings and salt.. more than what is listed in the ingredients. It will make it much better. I wouldn't say this is my favorite meal, but I do think it's delicious for how little time I spent on it. This recipe comes from Just Jessie B again! Beef Enchilada Bake Ingredients: 24 oz. riced cauliflower (I used frozen stuff, slightly thawed for this, and it worked well) 1.5-2 lbs ground beef 1 onion, diced 1 red or green bell pepper, diced 1 jalapeno, minced (seeds removed) 5 eggs 14.5 oz tomato sauce 2 Tbsp chili powder 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp oregano salt & pepper to taste.... be sure and use plenty! The cauliflower needs lots. Optional garnish: Avocado slices or guacamole, salsa, cilantro, hot sauce, lime wedges Directions:      Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees  

Yum.... Alfredo Chicken. This stuff was sooo good, and it's even Whole 30 approved! This recipe comes from Just Jessie B.  It's so easy, fast, a sheet pan recipe, and it's delicious. You can't go wrong with this dinner. I failed to take a picture... because we were in a hurry to leave when it was time for dinner. 🙈 But click on the link for a picture and where the recipe comes from. I made my own roasted broccoli on a different sheet pan, instead of pouring the sauce on top of it.  Sheet Pan Alfredo Chicken & Broccoli Ingredients: 1 to 1.5 lbs chicken breast tenders (I sliced my breasts into smaller pieces) 12 oz bag of broccoli (or 4 to 5 cups) 1 Tbsp olive oil, for drizzling  For the Sauce: 1/2 cup raw cashews 1/2 cup coconut milk 1/2 cup chicken broth or water 1/4 of a white onion, minced 2 to 3 tsp minced garlic 1 Tbsp ghee or olive oil 1/2 tsp each of: Italian seasoning, salt & pepper Directions:        Step 1: Prehea