Fancy BLT Salad

Fancy BLT Salad {recipe via Simply Happenstance} #paleo #blt #salad

 :: Fancy BLT Salad ::

Nicole and I both have a thing for cookbooks… {Anyone with us, out there?} Although it’s fabulous that nowadays one can go on the internet and search for tasty recipes, I still love thumbing through traditional cookbooks.  I recently bought a new favorite a few weeks ago {which I highly recommend!}… Against All Grain by Danielle Walker. I first found her lovely paleo-friendly blog, and then bought her delectable cookbook. This Fancy BLT Salad was adapted from her Warm Spinach Salad with Bacon and Mushrooms recipe.

Fancy BLT Salad #paleo #blt #salad {via Simply Happenstance}

I am not crazy about two kinds of meat in my meals… so I left out the grilled chicken, but you could easily add that back in. I had leftover turkey bacon from breakfast that I had placed in the refrigerator. {I love being able to use extra ingredients that are already prepared and ready to go! It made this salad recipe so quick to make!} I reheated the bacon pieces in a skillet along with the mushrooms. I then tossed all the ingredients together and drizzled a homemade balsamic dressing over the top! Delicious, my friends… simply delicious!  [Read more…]

Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

 :: Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins ::

Oh, how a long school day can take the fun out of things! Okay I am only kidding, but it does take up the majority of our day, so why not make it a little fun with some Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins as a mid-day snack.  Yes, I know… muffins are just as wonderful paired with a cup of Joe, but these little mid-day treats make the day much more enjoyable!

Strawberry Banana Chip Muffins

Let me count the reasons why I love these muffins:

  1. They are made with ruby red strawberries.  Don’t they remind you of spring?
  2. This is actually a light recipe, so yes Mommy can have one…or two?
  3. Two {hidden} ripe bananas.
  4. Of course the piece of resistance….chocolate chips, yum!

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Banana Almond Smoothie with Chia Seeds

 

Banana Almond Smoothie with Chia Seeds {via Simply Happenstance} #smoothie #chia #almondbutter #banana.jpg.jpg.jpg:: Banana Almond Smoothie with Chia Seeds ::

{dairy-free + gluten-free}

Chia Seeds…. are you adding them into your smoothies, oatmeal, cereal, and baking recipes? If not… you may want to! These tiny little seeds are packed full of nutrition! I have to admit, I didn’t begin using them until recently, but now that I have… I have been sprinkling them into everything, and can’t imagine a smoothie without them! They don’t have a taste, but they do gel up, a bit like tapioca. They thicken smoothies and puddings nicely, if you allow them to soak for a while. 1 serving of Chia Seeds {1 tablespoon}, contains 6 grams of Fiber, 2.9 grams of Omega 3, and 3 grams of protein! Amazing, right?! Here are some more fantastic facts about Chia Seeds… making them incredibly enticing! 

  • Chia Seeds are gluten-free
  • They contain 20% of your Omega 3’s, making them heart healthy and a great brain food
  • They are quite high in Fiber, aiding in digestion
  • Chia Seeds are made up of 20% Protein
  • They are very high in Antioxidants
  • Chia Seeds help to balance your blood sugar levels {making them especially great for Diabetics}
  • They can be used as an egg replacement in baking recipes [Read more…]

Healthy Quinoa Salad

 

Healthy Quinoa Salad Recipe {via Simply Happenstance} #wheatfree #quinoa #salad.jpg

 :: Healthy Quinoa Salad ::

I’m sure by now, most of you have tried quinoa {pronounced KEEN-wah}. This superfood {which was discovered by the Incas, three to four thousand years ago} is one of my personal favorites! Although it is usually thought of as a whole grain, it is actually a seed. It takes less time to cook than whole grains, and tastes amazing on its own! It is a wheat-free, gluten-free, and cholesterol-free food, making it the perfect side dish or main course for vegetarians, vegans, and others with special dietary concerns. Here are some interesting healthy facts about quinoa:

  • It is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids.
  • It contains almost twice as much fiber as most other grains. Fiber helps prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and diabetes. It also lowers cholesterol and glucose levels. 
  • Quinoa contains lysine, which is essential to tissue growth and repair.
  • It is rich in magnesium, which helps to relax blood vessels and alleviate migraines. Additionally magnesium helps detoxify the body, provides energy, and helps with the formation of healthy bones and teeth. 
  • The gluten-free super seed is a good source of riboflavin {B2}, which is known to improve energy metabolism within the brain and muscle cells. 
  • Quinoa is rich in manganese {an antioxidant}. Manganese helps prevent damage of mitochondria during energy production and protects red blood cells from injury by free radicals. [Read more…]

Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake

Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake

:: Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake ::

My milkshake brings all the kids to door {that’s right you know the Missy Elliott Milkshake tune}….hum along and you will get the picture!  This Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake is pretty tasty and a fun family treat, made even better with the addition of Chocolate Scottie Dogs from Walkers Shortbread.  I made this fun shake as an ode to a Valentine’s shake that we missed having.  I promised the kids a fun homemade treat for Valentine’s, but as a family we went away for a couple nights {a fun mini trip, while we were doing a little work around the house}, so I wasn’t able to fully get into the Valentine’s Day spirit with our usual dine in tradition.  This shake would have been the dessert I would have enjoyed with my sweethearts.

Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake
Aren’t these the cutest little cookies you have ever seen?  Sara and I love that Walkers Shortbread made a special cookie that gives proceeds back to the ASPCA.  I thought these buttery chocolate chip infused Scottie Dogs would be the perfect ingredient to my milkshake, or should I call it malt? Oh my if I was working at Ruby’s, I might be corrected, as I combined my family’s favorite flavors of; malted vanilla ice cream, caramel, milk, and these little cookie gems. Homemade ice cream or store bought…you pick because this Malted Caramel Chocolate Shake is tastalicious! [Read more…]

Chicken Avocado Salad

Chicken Avocado Salad

:: Chicken Avocado Salad ::

This healthful Chicken Avocado Salad comes together quickly making it an instant favorite! Have you been running around too much lately? Not thinking logically on what you are consuming because the kids are busy and you haven’t had time to think?  Well, that describes my family to the T lately.  We have been anticipating some minor changes to our house.  We just revamped our flooring throughout the downstairs.  It’s funny because it was a choice or an elective situation that we had been planning to do since we moved to our home three years ago.  In that time frame we had some water damage, minor repairs, and life in general so it got put on the back burner.  But just like having a baby, we forgot the labor pains, and thus are trying to catch up from the mess. 

That mess caused a ripple effect like life does, and we have been eating quick thoughtless meals, or dining out.  It’s time to get back to the basics, and that means eating mindfully and enjoying it as well.  This Chicken Avocado Salad is rustic and fresh. Oh and by the way….. it’s healthy so that is a plus!

[Read more…]