Clean Chicken Kale "Gumbo"

Who is ready for Fall?  >>This girl<<
For a while now I have been making a pot of soup either Sunday night or Monday morning to eat on through out the week. I try to keep it mixed up so I do not get bored. I have wanted to make Gumbo for some time but, I did not want to use what most traditional gumbos call for. I have seen some with bacon,ham hock, flour, butter,etc...I just wanted a clean eating gumbo. So I looked all around Pinterest, YouTube,etc.. and this is what I came up with .

What you will need:

2 tsp EVOO
White Onion
4 tsp minced onion
Pinch sea salt
1 boneless skinless chicken breast, diced small
1 tsp Oregano
1 tsp dried Thyme
1 tsp smoked Paprika
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 box organic low sodium Chicken Broth
1 28 oz petite diced Tomatoes
1 can OR 1 small bag frozen Corn
1 small bag frozen Okra
1 can Cannellini Beans,drained and rinsed
2 cups Kale,chopped
1 cup water (more if you prefer soupier)

1. Heat EVOO in dutch oven(or stock pot), add onion and garlic and pinch of salt. Cook for about 2-3 minutes. Until onions are translucent.

2. Add chicken, cook until no longer pink.

3. Add Oregano,Thyme,Paprika, and Garlic Powder. Mix well. Allow to cook for 1 minute.

4. Add  water,broth, tomatoes,corn,okra, and beans. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and add the Kale. Let simmer for about 30 minutes and then it's ready to eat :-)

*You can serve this over brown rice

*You can use creole seasoning instead of  the spices listed if you have it on hand.

*Add some cayenne pepper if you want to "kick it up a notch"  or just add hot sauce to individual bowls.

Y'all try this next time you want some Gumbo! :-)

What kind of soups do you make the most? Care to share some clean eating soups?

Back to Blogging,First Day of School and Some Lunches :-)

 Time to get back at it!
I took a little Bloggy break there for...err..almost a month! Thank you to those who wrote asking about us! We are still here! Been busying wrapping up Summer break and getting ready for school. We are in full swing so now, I can get back to blogging! I have had a few people write me about Menus so I will get back on that this Sunday :-)

Sissys first day of 3rd grade! She picked out everything with this outfit, down to the "A" necklace :-)

On to some snacks and lunches. We got a few new boxes and supplies this year! :-)

Friday:

First snack,as requested..Watermelon and Whole Grain pretzels

First lunch as requested.. Half ham and cheese sandwich,Cheez-Its, Trail Mix with Yogurt Cookie Star and Grapes. She took water to drink.

Monday:

Snack was 1 Suzies Rice Cake(She loves these things)  Sunflower Seeds, and Tangerine

On this day Sissy tried out the new laptop lunch box for lunch, she had, Air popped Popcorn,Ham and Cheese Sandwich,Carrots with "Ranch", Blackberries and Strawberries. She took water to drink.


Tuesday:

Snack she had Beef Jerky and Air Popped Popcorn

Lunch she had Rice Chex,Cheese Stick,Salami, Apple-Banana Crusher, Watermelon, and Trail Mix
Trying out those new square silicone cups! She had water to drink.

Toddler Lunch-

On this day Brother was trying out the new Lunchbots Trio box with the square silicone cups!
Watermelon,Whole Grain Pretzels,Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups, Dried Apples,Golden Raisins, and sunflower seeds. He had water to drink.

Wednesday:

Snack she had a  Vegan Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffin with tangerine

Lunch was Dried Apples with Trail Mix, 2 Rice Cakes, Pears, Cheese Cubes and Ham. She took water to drink.

Toddler Lunch:

On this day Brother had a PBJ Dino sandwich, Raisins, Apple-Strawberry Crusher, and Popcorn
He had water to drink.

Thursday:

Sissys lunch was Dried Apples and Trail Mix(left over from yesterdays lunch) Whole Grain pretzels, half ham and swiss sandwich, Apples. She took water to drink.
Behind the box there is a granola bar for snack, but I told her just to pick what she wanted between bar,apples, and trail mix, and save the rest for lunch.

Toddler Lunch:

Today Brother had, Cantaloupe, Applesauce,Half grilled cheese, and Teddy Grahams. He had water to drink.

I had to pull him away from this to eat his lunch...

Tomorrow Sissy is eating school lunch...the arrangement(per her request) was that I pack her lunch every day except 2 Fridays a month so she can have pizza! I'm OK with that  ;-)

Hope everyone is getting back in routine and having a great week! :-)

Unstuffed Zucchini

I do not like making zucchini boats because I know my kids will not eat the zucchini, just the "insides"(same with stuffed peppers) so this is a perfect alternative for us to get in all our veggies :-) 

You will need:

1lb ground turkey( could use spicy sausage, or whatever is your preference) 

1 large zucchini 

1 medium onion 

Small green pepper 

2 cloves garlic, minced 

1 Tbsp Olive Oil 

Red Potatoes(Your preference, about 1 1/2-2 cups)

3 Roma tomatoes,chopped 

Oregano,Thyme,Sage (1/2tsp each optional)

Salt and Pepper 

1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese 


1. Add turkey to pan and top with seasoning of your choice( I used Rachel Rays 24/7 seasoning grinder)let cook until no longer pink and drain(leave in colander) 

2. Heat Olive Oil in the pan,add potatoes and allow to start browning on all sides

3. Add zucchini,onion,pepper, garlic, and salt and pepper. Allow to cook until onions are translucent.

4. Add turkey back to pan and add tomatoes.Add spices and stir to combine. Cover and simmer 25 minutes, stirring often. 

5. Turn off stove, add cheese to the top and add cover back to melt cheese just for a few seconds.

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins(Vegan)

I love Zucchini Bread/Muffins! Great way to use up zucchini from the garden, and a great way to get some veggies in my kids with out a fight! :-) 
This recipe is very simple and so moist and yummy! 

You will need:

• 1.5 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup of grated zucchini
• 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 medium bananas, mashed
• 1 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350. 

2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Mix together well, then stir in the zucchini and chocolate chips. 

3. In another bowl using a hand mixer or blender,mix together the canola oil,sugar,bananas,and vanilla. Add this mixture to the first and stir until it's an even batter.

4. Pour into a greased/lined muffin tin and bake for about 25 minutes.(Or pour into a greased loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes.

Found this recipe at One Happy Table she has some great ideas over there! 

*For a sugar-free version

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1.5 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups grated zucchini (about 3 medium zucchini)
• 2 large bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, plus a little for greasing the muffin tin
• 1 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 

2. Lightly grease a muffin tin with coconut oil.

3. In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. 

4. In another bowl, mix together the grated zucchini, mashed banana, coconut oil and vanilla. 

5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix until just combined into an even batter. 

6. Spoon into the muffin tin and bake for 25 minutes.

Cheesy Summer Veggie Pasta

Trying to use up all those veggies from the garden can be hard, I love recipes like this though,it brings everything together, and who doesn't love cheese?

Ingredients: 

1 Zucchini
1 Yellow Squash
1 white onion
Olive Oil
3 cups pasta(I used rotelle because that's what I had on hand)
1 egg
1/4 cup Ricotta Cheese
1 medium tomato
2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup Mozzarella cheese(divided)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese(divided)
Basil
Oregano
 3/4 Salt(divided)
1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
Cooking Spray

1.Cook Pasta according to directions.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

3. Beat 1 egg in a small bowl and add Ricotta and 1/4tsp salt, set aside.

4. Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat. Add zucchini,Squash, and Onion. Saute for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes.

5. Remove from Heat.  Add Pasta, Ricotta and Egg mixture, 1/2 Mozzarella Cheese, 1/2 Parmesan Cheese, and remaining spices. Mix well.

6. Pour mixture into a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.

7. Add remaining cheese. Bake for 15 minutes until browned and bubbly!

Yum Yum Y'all! This will be added to my "Summer Meals" list!

P.S. My 3 year old gobbled this up with no complaints! :-)

Turkey Kielbasa and Summer Veggies

I love this "summer meal"  it's so versatile, just throw in whatever you have on hand that night!

Hubby usually takes me to Aldi's once a month and there are a few things I make sure I get every time, one of them is this Turkey Kielbasa!

Ingredients-

Turkey Kielbasa
Sweet Potato
Yellow Squash
White Onion
Peppers
Olive Oil
Butter(optional, helps potatoes brown a little and not turn to mush)
I used Rachel Rays 24/7 seasoning on mine. It is a grinder and it has sea salt, coriander seeds,garlic,black peppercorns,red bell peppers, chili, cumin seeds.

Can also use-
Red Potato/Russet Potato
Summer Sausage
Marinated Chicken
Zucchini
Broccoli

Salt and Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, etc...  Season it to suit your family!

1. Chop all veggies and kielbasa and add to large bowl.

2.Add Olive Oil and seasoning and mix well
3. Melt butter in pan, once hot add the mixture to the pan. It's done when the potatoes are tender.(about 10-15 minutes)

Y'all try this tonight and use up some of those garden veggies!

What are some of your favorite "Summer Meals"? 

Chocolate Chess Pie

This is my favorite pie! Sugary top and ooey gooey filling. This is a great pie to make for "get-togethers", potlucks, and holidays!

*1 cup sugar
*3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
*2 eggs
*2/3 cup Evaporated Milk
*1/4 cup melted butter(half stick)
*1 tsp vanilla
*1 pie crust (Can use refrigerated or frozen) ,unbaked

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees

*Mix sugar and cocoa together, set aside.

*Using an electric mixer beat the eggs,then add the cocoa mixture. Beat in the milk,butter,and vanilla.

*Pour mixture into pie shell.

*Bake for 45 minutes

**Do not over bake, the center will be jiggly and the top cracked when you take it out of oven, it will set as it sits and cools. Let cook completely before serving!(You have to let it cool completely or it will be runny!) The pie will also puff up in the oven and then settle back down upon cooling.

Summer Salad and BBQ in Crock-pot

SUMMER SALAD - CORN, AVOCADO, TOMATO, FETA, CUCUMBER & RED ONION WITH A CILANTRO VINAIGRETTE

- 4 ears corn, cooked ( put mine in oven on 350 for 25 minutes. Then let cool, shuck,and cut kernels off into the bowl)
- 2 avocados, diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered 
- 1/2 an English cucumber,diced, skin on
- 1/3  C. crumbled feta
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced

Cilantro Vinaigrette
- 1 tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. salt 
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
- 6 tbsp. EVOO

-Chop the avocados, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion, then add to the bowl. Add the feta.

-For the vinaigrette, combine the first 5 ingredients (so the seasonings react with the vinegar), then add the cilantro and the EVOO. Shake it up.

-Gently mix all the salad ingredients together. When ready to serve, add the dressing and stir to combine.

This is so good and a great cook-out side dish! 

**BBQ in Crock-pot**
 I wanted to make BBQ sandwiches to go with the salad. I got on Pinterest to find a recipe for BBQ Pork in the crock-pot and all I could find were ones that involved Root Beer,Dr Pepper, or Coke. I definitely wasn't doing that...

*I just put the pork roast in the crock pot, I had about 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce in the bottom of a bottle so I added a little water and shook it up and added that in with the pork. I let it cook all day (about 8 hours). 
Delicious!! Next time I think I will make it with Papas homemade BBQ sauce though! :-) 

YaYa's Tuna Casserole

Here is another comfort food for y'all! YaYa made this all the time when we were kids and now my kids love it. It's super easy and a great quick busy night meal!

Here is what you will need:

1 bag egg noodles
1 can tuna(2 if you want)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup milk
1/2 block of cream cheese
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Fried Onions for topping

*Boil Noodles according to direction on bag,drain

*Add cream cheese, cheese, tuna,milk, and soup to pot. Return to heat and let melt and combine.

*Add Noodles back in and stir until mixed well. Add Salt and Pepper.

*Pour into a casserole dish and top with fried onions.

*Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until onion are dark and crispy.

We usually have peas with ours

Making Slime

We loved this project and it was very simple!

Here is what you will need

Liquid Starch
2 Clear Glue
Food Coloring(only need 1 drop, per bowl...trust me)

Add the 2 bottles of glue to the bowl then fill a glue bottle up 2 times with the liquid starch and add those to the bowl.
Begin to stir together, then divide the mixture between 4 bowls, add the food coloring, and use your hands to squish(and squish and squish, this takes awhile) to the right consistency.

I then put it out on a aluminum foil covered sheet for them...

Stretchy

Brother wasn't a big fan because he isn't crazy with getting his hands wet or dirty... haha

Squishy!

"Look Ma! Lips!"

It gets smoother and firmer the longer it sits.

**Note- this is VERY messy if you have young kids you may want to mix it all together and then let them play with it after its mixed and had time to sit a few minutes. :-)