Primal Artichoke & Chicken Casserole Goes To Graduation

My Graduate

Our son graduated yesterday.
Sigh...what a wonderful and bittersweet day it was.
He has made us so very proud.
It has not been easy to keep great grades while taking some of the hardest classes, but he's done it and graduated with honors.
We really enjoy the man he is turning into, and miss the sweet little boy he was.

How does a little boy like this turn into a man like this...

In the blink of an eye, that is what it seemed like.
I never thought it would go so quickly.
Now we turn our thoughts to the next big adventure...college!
He has decided on THE Ohio State University as his choice and has made it into the Honors Program.
Again we are amazingly proud of him.


It was a hectic week leading up to the big day.
There were exams to finish, graduation practice, and my husband's band had a gig this weekend also.
Time was tight so I decided to stock the fridge with a few things Primal that we could grab on the go.
I made my standards...coconut grilled chicken, veggies and fruit cut up and bagged, primal crackers, and a new casserole.
Artichoke Chicken Casserole, it was as good reheated as it was the day I made it!
Here is the recipe...

• 2 cups of cooked chicken, diced
• 8 ounces of cream cheese
• 1 cup of chopped marinated artichoke hearts
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup of grated sharp white cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup of marinated mushrooms
• 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of Penzeys chip and dip spice (you can use what you like)
• 1/2 teaspoon of pepper

Mix all ingredients together till blended.
Place in a greased baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes till warm and bubbly.

This could be used like a dip in other circumstances, I would use large carrot or celery slices to eat it with.
We enjoyed it as the main dish with a nice salad and some fresh strawberries.
Primal comfort food at it's best!
I hope you try this Artichoke Chicken Casserole and enjoy it too.

Prom Has Come and Gone...What a Blast!

My son and my mom before prom dinner

My son is a handsome and very kind man.
He knows how much I enjoy decorating and parties, and once again I was able to have prom dinner at our home.
Since this was senior prom I went all out, making an eight foot wall of hand cut flowers for them to stand in front of in pictures, The tables were decorated to the nines, and there was a canopy of hand cut flowers, birds, and butterflies floating above their heads at dinner.
I had a blast!!!
My mom was so great through all of this. She came down to help me several times in the month leading up to the big day, and the day of prom she helped me make all the desserts and with the final set up.

The big wall of flowers was made by using a 8x4 foam insulation board from Lowes (cost $8) and a pack of copy paper (cost $2.50) scissors, and clear tape.
I used straight pins to place the flowers on the board so that in the future I could add color or a different style of flower if I wanted to.

Here are close ups of the different flowers.

I looked at Pinterest for ideas to make different kinds of paper flowers.

If you live in Cincinnati and would like to borrow the wall...feel free to ask! I hate to think of it sitting doing nothing!

I made paper fan flowers to decorate the drink station from old scrapbook paper and tape. (whew...we need a new counter top!)

The flowers, birds and butterflies were strung on fishing line, and look static from this angle, but sitting under them was very pretty.

The dessert table was not Primal at all. It was pretty! Even though it was only jello, pudding, oreos, rice krispy treats, and brownie bites the kids were oohing and ahhing over it.

Oreos covered in white chocolate and sprinkles along with strawberry marshmallows dipped the same way, were simple but pretty to see.

Jello was poured into tall glasses and set slanted in the fridge. I mixed the remaining jello into cool whip and added it when the first layer was set. More cool whip and a strawberry completed the look.

I cut a circle of poster board and then cut out the middle of that to make the base for this paper wreath. It is copy paper and left over scrapbook paper cut into a leaf shape. I folded the bottom of the leaf together and taped it to the circle. A pretty welcome as the guests arrived.

I made large tissue paper flowers for the girls to hold as a fun extra. I was worried that they would think it was silly, but everyone seemed to love it.

All 20 kids had a great time and made it home safe the next morning, and that is what matters most.

Low Carb Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pudding in Chocolate cups

I wanted to make a WOW dessert for our dinner party this last Saturday night, but being Primal we don't eat very much sugar or carbs, which is the basis of all good desserts.
I had been looking through Pinterest for something visually pretty, and fell in love with the idea of making chocolate cups to hold something peanut buttery.
I had grandiose plans to make my own puddings and the chocolate cups, but as my day ran away from me, I sent the husband down to the grocery for sugar free Jello puddings and made some improvements to their boxed treat.

First I blew up six balloons and covered their bottoms with coconut oil.
This did not help them to not stick, I have no idea why, but maybe I will try Crisco the next time I make these.

I heated up simple chocolate almond bark in the microwave until it melted, and then waited for it to get cool to the touch.
It has to be completely cool or your balloon will burst and you will be cleaning bits of chocolate out of the cat's ears...the electric plugs...the light fixtures...you get the drift!
Dip them in the bowl coating the bottoms and up the sides well.
I had to take my spoon and add some chocolate in thinner places.
Let them sit for an hour to be completely set.
Take a needle and holding the neck of the balloon between your fingers prick it, only leave a tiny hole for the air to begin releasing.
If you pop the balloon too quickly the air will rush out and collapse the bowl in on itself.

Here the balloons are slowly leaking air and beginning to pull away.
You can tell that I had some breakage and even some holes in the bottom of the cups.

This was a fail...I just gave that one to me when I served dessert!

They were still pretty to look at, even if not perfect.

Peanut Butter Pudding:

2 packages of cook and stir sugar free vanilla pudding
3 cups of organic heavy cream
3 cups water
1 cup of smooth peanut butter

Mix the pudding, cream, and water in a medium sauce pan.
Stir continuously over a medium heat until thickened.
Add the peanut butter in and stir till it begins to slow boil.
Remove from heat and transfer into a bowl, cover, and store in the fridge till set.

Chocolate Mousse Pudding:

2 packages of instant sugar free chocolate pudding
3 cups of organic heavy cream
3 cups of ice cold water

Mix the pudding, cream, and cold water in a large bowl with a hand mixer until thick and fluffy.
It will look light colored while it sets, but turn a rich dark chocolate color upon setting.
Put in the fridge for several hours to set.

I put two large spoonfuls in each chocolate cup to serve.
The mixture of the peanut butter and chocolate flavors was delightful, and very rich.
My guests really enjoyed this yummy treat and I hope you try your hand at it and enjoy it too!

Primal Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs Go To A Dinner Party

We had an elegant dinner party last night with our friends.
It was classy and the food was well prepared.
Naw! Just fooling.
It looked more like this...

Our one set of friends came late to the party...and had to be punished.
We made them eat on the baby plates and drink out of the sippy cups.

They were good sports about the whole thing.
My husband even gave Carla a paddle...

But she loved it!
I decided to make Primal Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs and serve them in a red sauce.
Usually meatballs are made with breadcrumbs, and being Primal people we shun the bread and grains.
I decided to try using the coconut flour biscuits that we use as bread as the bread crumbs for our Primal Meatballs.
It worked out perfectly.
Here is the recipe for these moist cheesy delights.

Primal Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs:

Primal Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

 

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (I used basil flavored)
2 pounds grass fed ground sirloin
2 large eggs
1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
1/2 cup minced into small pieces coconut flour biscuits
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup organic heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
2 tablespoons oregano
2 tablespoons basil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
20-24 Mozzarella balls

Preheat oven to 35o degrees F. and grease 9×13-inch baking dish with oil.

Place beef, egg, onion, biscuit crumbs, Parmesan, cream, garlic, Worcestershire, mustard, spices, salt, pepper and garlic powder into a large mixing bowl, stirring until just combined.
Take a chunk of the beef mixture and press into center with your thumb to make room for cheese ball.
Place cheese in middle then cover with the beef, making sure the cheese is completely enveloped.   I rolled it around in my palm to be sure no cheese was showing.

Place meatballs into prepared baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until cooked through.
I let them rest for a half hour, then simmered them in some of my homemade roasted tomato sauce.
It made 24 large meatballs.

These were great, and gone too quickly.
I hope you make these Primal meatballs and enjoy them too!

Getting Enough When Eating So Little

I love this picture.
She represents what I am feeling right now.
Freedom and a new lightness of spirit.
Unencumbered by hunger and thoughts of food I have been focusing on the other big things happening in our lives.
My son is a senior and there is a flurry of crazy paper work, meetings, cap and gown fittings, getting him in honors housing at OSU, and to top it off I get to have Prom dinner at our house.
I am so happy about this...I get to decorate, design, and bake around a theme.
Good Lord do I love a theme!!
My son is very kind to let me do this because I can get obnoxious about the planing and decor.
I have chosen "Romantic Garden" as my dinner theme.
I have a whole Pinterest page devoted to what I want to make food and decoration wise.
My muse began with this one picture...

Isn't that cool?!
So far I have made two of my own for the girls to hold for an artsy type shot during prom pictures.

Jackie looks like a doll baby next to this massive bloom.

Now there are two! Hopefully I can pull off a few more in interesting designs and colors.
Next was this amazing wall of flowers as an inspiration for me...

It is stunning!!
How to pull that off without spending too much money (it is only crazy me throwing this shindig, no other mom's are crazy enough to want to get involved).
I bought a foam board at Lowes for $8, a pack of copy paper for $2.50, a pack of tape for $3, and began cutting and taping away!
This is what I have so far...

It's pretty, I can't wait till it's done.
I have had a ball working on it. Trying out different styles of flowers and designs.
But in the back of my head I still worry that I am doing the right thing eating wise.
I read today on Mark's Daily Apple about nutrient deficiencies and what to do about them.
It got me thinking...if I only eat once a day (truly...sometimes every other day) am I getting all the vitamins I need?
I have been trying to pick foods that are nutrient dense when I do eat, but am I doing enough?
I have to be honest...the weight is not flying off my body even though I eat very little.
I am sure that it has to do with the fact that mentally I can NOT make myself exercise yet.
I walk the dog, and try to stand more than sit, but I have not made that leap to do one of my exercise videos, or hop on my exercise bike, or even do my Total Gym (a cheap Craigslist purchase)
What the heck is my problem?
I am trying not to stress about it and focus on eating the right foods.

the one meal

When I do eat, I always choose spinach, leafy greens are a huge plus for vitamins.
I always have a protein, be it free range poultry or grass fed beef, protein is a must.
I chose the apple because of it's all around goodness for your body.
I also had a few kalamata olives for fun.
The only thing missing was a fat, so later I had my coconut oil mixed with a tablespoon of dark coco powder and a teaspoon of honey.
A yummy treat!

I hope you have a good day and eat Primal for your health.

Pesto Encrusted Salmon and Beachy Dreams

I have been slacking off lately.
Not only in cooking and blogging, but in housework and personal grooming.
We have a vacation scheduled to take our graduating son to Hawaii for his senior trip.
My husband is self employed which means vacations are few and hard to come by.
If he doesn't work...we don't eat...or pay the cable bill.
As Americans we love to eat and watch our TV!
That being said, I have really been dreaming about that trip.
I love the the ocean, the breezes, and the beauty of Hawaii.
I also look forward to not doing housework or all that comes with being mom.
I want to be Sarah.
I hardly know who Sarah is anymore, I have been mom for so long.
With the kids being 18 and 16 I am going to lighten up on being mom on this trip.
If your shorts and swim trunks need washed...then I guess you'll have to wash them.
If you want to have breakfast...cook it up kid...because Sarah only eats once a day.
I still cook and clean everything at home because as honor students and kids with jobs, I know it is hard for them to get their food and laundry done and keep on schedule.
So I help keep it all moving.
But in Hawaii...Sarah is on vacation.
The problem is...I wish it was here already.
I am having a hard time making myself do what I am supposed to do.
Cooking has been the same old trusted things I can put in the fridge for them, chicken, tilapia, turkey burgers, cauliflower, salads...nothing new...I just haven't felt like it.
When you are personally never hungry it's hard to get creative with food.
But I gave myself a kick in the pants and a pep talk yesterday...'You're still mom so get going!'
I made them Pesto Encrusted Salmon with green beans and mushrooms plus a big full salad.

Pesto Encrusted Salmon:

Salmon fillets ~ we used wild caught from Costco
Pesto ~ from Costco or you can make your own
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 cup) ~ made from raw milk; grated. From Costco

Turn on the oven to broil.
Place the salmon on foil or silpat lined baking sheet.
Spread with a generous amount of the pesto, you can coat the top and bottom if you love pesto.
Broil in the middle of the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the center has lost most of it's deep pink color.
When done I grated some of the Parmesan cheese over the top of each fillet.

Green Beans With Sauteed Mushrooms:

Fresh spring green beans ~ bought from Costco
White capped mushroom container ~ bought from Costco
Kerrygold butter ~ bought from Costco (getting the theme here?)

Steam the green beans for 10 to 12 minutes until fork tender.
While the beans steam, saute the mushrooms in a generous heap of Kerrygold butter until they reach the tenderness you desire.
When the beans were done I popped them into the mushrooms and got them coated with the butter too.

We also had a big spinach salad filled with walnuts, bacon, and hard boiled egg slices.

I hope you try the salmon recipe and love it as much as we do.

Gluten Free Breakfast Sandwich To Celebrate My New Designs

Isn't she pretty?
I have the amazing fortune to be friends with a gorgeous graphic artist named Eric Brown.
He and his brother have been friends of the family and my husband's band for years.
Eric has been kind enough in the past to design the t shirts for the band's gigs.
His brother Brian is a computer genius who has held my hand through different computer issues setting up this blog.
I can't thank them enough for all they have done for me this year...you guys are the best!
That being said I also owe them a crap load of beer now.
We loaded both designs onto CafePress (a company that helps you to design your own t shirts and gear to sell) and set up a shop.
My first goal was to order my shirts in smaller sizes and take pictures of me as I lose weight, a size at a time.
I ordered an xxl last night, which is pretty flipping great considering I was wearing a 3x when I went Primal back on December 25.

The front of the shirt I ordered has the martini on it...

The back of the shirt has the Pinup.

I also ordered my son something to take to college to sleep in.

Hopefully that will help him to make good food choices in the cafeteria...lol.

I ordered my daughter these because I know she would not be caught dead outside the house in Mom's website gear...I think they are darling!
I also ordered myself a new iphone cover...because dude...you gotta rep your brand...and my old one was falling apart!

This has been a fun process. 

I want to thank Eric and Brian again for being patient with me through this.

I want to thank my husband and kids for going Primal, even though it was not fun in the begining.

It has been the most rewarding thing I have done in many long years.

Health is more important than money, some would say, and I could not agree more!

To celebrate the release of my logos I made my family a filling and decadent breakfast sandwich that would please even the non Primal people I know.

Gluten Free Coconut Flour Breakfast Sandwich

Ingredients:


Batter:

6 eggs, room temperature if possible

1/2 cup of coconut flour

2 teaspoons of vanilla

4 tablespoons of grass fed butter

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup of almond or coconut milk or heavy cream ~ your choice

1/3 cup of honey

Rest Of The Sandwich:

Eggs, beaten to be cooked in the waffle iron
Organic cheese slices
Cooked Bacon

Beat the eggs with a fork.
Add in all the ingredients but the coconut flour and mix
Add in the coconut flour, mix and let sit for a few minutes.
The batter will be super lumpy, but if you let it sit and soak everything in and then mix again you will see it smooth right out.
I needed to add more liquid to mine, almost 4 tablespoons more, to make it the smoothness I wanted for the waffles.
Put batter into one of the wells of the iron and put seasoned beaten eggs into another well of the iron and watch them till they are done.
I place the waffle on the plate, put a piece of organic cheese on, then the egg, and add two pieces of hot bacon, and one more piece of cheese.

I then cook one more waffle and when it is done it goes on top of the pile.
I use a large serrated knife to cut it apart, and serve piping hot.

My family devoured their sandwiches in record time and LOVED them.
I hope you attempt these easy and healthy breakfast sandwiches and love them too.