A Surprise Delight- Paleo Slow Cooker Sausage, Pepper & Onions

School is back in! (Enter: Hallelujah chorus)

And with that starting back up this week, I wanted to focus on easy,  simple, but delicious and healthy dinners. So, after scouring my cookbooks, Google and Pinterest, I made up a meal plan for a week's worth of dinners. 

All starring, the ever-amazing, crock pot (or slow cooker)!  

Let's face it. My life runs just a little bit smoother when I meal plan, and using the crock pot on top of that makes it a little more simple. Which I need with a husband and three children to look after! 

I made two lists. One list was the seven meals that I'd be making every day. Complete with the website or cookbook and page number that I found the recipe so I could go back and look up when it was time to put that meal together. 

The second list was my grocery list. 

And then I was ready to go! With list number two in hand, I bought all my groceries and headed back home to start meal number one. 

Last night was meal two and it was a new one for us. My husband is working nights right now (gotta love shift work) and I was unsure if my picky children were even going to eat it, but I was shocked and thrilled when they all loved it! My three year old ate up her plate and asked for more. My extremely picky five year old ate without complaint...or gagging. And my eleven year old gobbled up his plate with hardly a breath between bites. And I clearly will need to double the recipe next time I make it. It was gone in a flash!

This meal is a keeper and so I thought I'd share it with you guys as well! Its healthy, grain-free, and super yummy!

 Paleo Slow Cooker Sausage, Pepper & Onions

                                

Ingredients: 

• 1 12-16 ounce package of sausage (I used Italian Style sausage) 
• 1 red, green & yellow bell pepper 
• 1 small yellow onion 
• 15 oz can diced tomatoes 
• 4-6 garlic cloves minced 
• Italian Seasoning 
• salt and pepper  

Directions: Cook on LOW in slow cooker for 8 hours

This meal can easily be freezer for cooking at a later time as well. Just combine all the ingredients in a ziplock and freeze. When it comes time to cook, no thaw is needed. 

Also, while I didn't serve it with anything else, you could easily serve this over rice as well. 

Easy peasy.

Let me know if you decide to try it out! Hope you enjoy!

  

Braised Chicken in Artichoke-Mushroom Sauce

Against All Grain by Danielle Walker, page 132

I tried out a second paleo recipe tonight and it was a really big hit! I listened to my oldest son "mmm" repeatedly throughout the meal. We had one piece of chicken left over when it was all done. 

I posted a picture of my meal on Facebook and had requests for the recipe so here it is! 

It came out of the same cookbook (Against All Grain) that my last blog post for the Korean Beef Noodle Bowls recipe came from.  

Again, I had to substitute a couple of ingredients. Until I can make it to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, I have to make do with what I have available to me. In this case, I sent my husband to the store, so I had to make do with what he brought back to me. Ha! 

Braised Chicken in Artichoke-Mushroom Sauce

prep time: 45 minutes   cooking time: 60 minutes    yields: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

6 tbsp bacon fat, ghee, or unsalted butter, divided

2 lbs chicken leg quarters 

2 lbs chicken drumsticks

1 tea sea salt, plus more for finishing

1/4 tea cracked black pepper

1/2 tea paprika, plus more for finishing

1/2 lb sliced cremini mushrooms, stems removed 

3/4 cup chicken broth

1&1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tea honey

1 tbsp coconut flour

2 cups marinated artichoke hearts

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2.Place 4 tbsp bacon fat (I used butter) in a large Dutch oven or stockpot and heat over medium-high heat.

3.Rinse and dry all the chicken, then sprinkle with the salt, pepper, and paprika.

4.Add the chicken to the pot and cook for 8 minutes, turning every 2 minutes to brown evenly on all sides.

5.Remove chicken and set aside.

6.Add the remaining 2 tbsp of bacon fat (I used butter) to the pot, then add the mushrooms, and sauté for 5 minutes.

7.Stir in the broth, vinegar, honey, and coconut flour and simmer for 10 minutes.

8.Return the chicken to the pot, and then scatter the artichoke hearts around it.

9.Spoon a bit of the sauce over the top of the chicken and artichokes, cover, and place in oven to bake for 40 minutes.

10.Remove from the oven and finish with a pinch of salt and paprika. 

I hope you try it and enjoy!! I know we did! 

My dinner ready to eat! 

Korean Beef Noodle Bowls

Against All Grain by Danielle Walker, page 184

   Recently, I've started to educate myself a little of the Paleo diet. (Or, lifestyle, as I prefer to call it.)   Basically, the Paleo lifestyle is based on the notion of going back to a "caveman" mentality in regards to food, to achieve optimal health.  Cavemen ate whatever they could hunt or scrounge for. There was no processed food.  So with eating a paleo diet, we go back to eating real, whole, unprocessed food that are far more healthful rather than harmful to our bodies. 

I'm still learning. But while I am, I am starting to cook grain free, gluten free, paleo recipes. My first one was last night and was a huge success! So much so, that I wanted to share the recipe with you! 

First off, I found it in a new recipe book I recently bought. I came across her Facebook page thru my mom. Danielle Walker overcame an autoimmune disease by removing all grains, lactose, and legumes from her diet. You can read her story on her website. 

Against All Grain by Danielle Walker

Without further ado... here's the recipe! 

I did have to tweak a couple ingredients because I couldn't find coconut amines or shitake mushrooms. (I'll be making a trip to Whole Foods or Trader Joe's soon!) 

Korean Beef Noodle Bowls

prep time: 20 min + 6 hours marinating time

cooking time: 20 minutes  yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

MEAT:

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

2 tablespoons coconut aminos (I used liquid aminos)

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 pound flank steak, sliced against the grain into thin strips

NOODLE BOWL:

4 large zucchini

1 teaspoon sea salt, divided

1 & 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided

1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced 

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

1 tablespoon coconut crystals or honey

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup coconut aminos (again, I used liquid aminos)

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup shitake mushrooms, stems removed and halved (I used white mushrooms) 

3 cups baby spinach

1 cup shredded carrots

sesame seeds

Directions:

1.Prepare the meat. Place all ingredients , except the meat, in a bowl to combine. Place the flank steak in a shallow dish, pour the marinade over it, and refrigerate for at least 6 hours. Or up to 24 hours.

2.Peel the zucchini and use a spiral slicer or julienne peeler to create long noodles, discarding the seeded portions. (I used a regular peeler because I'm not fancy! Haha!) Lay the noodles on a tray lined with paper towels, and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Set aside to "sweat" out the excess liquid.

3.Place 2 teaspoons of sesame oil in a deep sauté pan or wok and heat over medium-high heat. Pat the marinated beef dry with paper towels and add to the pan and cook for 5 minutes, until browned. Remove from the pan, drain the liquid, and set aside. 

4. Add the remaining sesame oil to the pan, and heat on medium-high. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. 

5.Add the coconut crystals, vinegar, amines, red pepper flakes, and remaining salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, then add the mushrooms, spinach, and carrots and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the vegetables are soft. Toss in the zucchini noodles, and let them cook for 5 minutes, until soft. 

6.Serve garnished with sesame seeds

It was delicious and will be a meal we do again and again!! 

Hope you all enjoy!

Call Me Crazy, Call Me a Runner

It all began one evening

I remember hanging out at my friend, Shellie's, around May or June of 2013. The subject of running came up, as it tends to do when you're surrounded by runners. 

I was an occasional runner. I had run several 5k races up to this point. I didn't make running a priority, or a true part of my life. I wanted to, though. And I had a pipe dream... to run a half marathon at one point in my life. 

I made mention of that last one, to my friends that night. Shortly after that, I was tagged in a post on Facebook. It was from my friend, Thelma. It was time to sign up for the Chevron Houston Marathon for 2014. Seven months away. 

I thought about it. Could I really do this? It would require major training, commitment, and discipline; something I really struggle with. 

I debated. I was crazy to think this would happen! 

I signed up. For my first half marathon.

Training

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Creative Commons

I'd like to say I started up training immediately.

But that's not the case. 

It was summer and blazing hot. Plus, I went to worship school in California for two weeks, shortly after signing up for the half marathon.

It wasn't until around September or October that I got serious about training. (I don't recommend waiting that long to start when you're basically starting from the beginning.) 

To my complete surprise, a small group formed. I found other friends of mine who wanted to run. And so, Misty, Mikella, Bobby, Brenda, and I started off.  Slowly, but steadily.  Without meaning to, they all started training with me. Which meant, when mileage increased for me, it did for them as well.  

Our support system was and still is amazing. It kept us going. Kept us encouraged. 

We battled obstacles: shin splints, feet issues, breathing, husbands working shift work, children, cold weather, holidays..... but we persevered. And refused to give up. 

And before I knew it.... it was time.

Race Day!

I was a complete bundle of nerves on race day. I attempted to go to sleep early the night before, but failed. My mind just wouldn't stop. I had one of my running buddies, Mikella, and my best friend, Brittany come with me. They prayed over me and gave me a hug before I got in my corral. 

And then I waited. Waited until the start of the race. And then until my corral was released. 

My GPS watch was primed and ready. I had my belt on with all my essentials that I'd need. My playlist was already running and my headphones where in place.  My nerves were starting to calm down and in its place, adrenaline came rushing in.

 I could DO this! I was ready. I had trained the best I could. 

           and off I went! 

I kept a very steady pace. I enjoyed the crowds. People shouting my name (Because it was on my bib) telling me to keep going. The signs people held up. They were hilarious. 

I loved every minute of it. At my halfway point, I felt amazing. I grabbed my phone and texted my husband, Brittany, and Mikella to let them know.  Even when I started getting tired, I pressed on.  

I was amazed at all the runners around me. Old and young. People from different states and countries. All of us, running together. With one goal: to finish.

And Finish I did!

I completed my first half marathon in 2 hours and 49 minutes. And I couldn't be more proud of myself. 

And its not just about the running. 

Like I said earlier: discipline has been an issue for me for a long time. And still is. I'm getting better, day by day. By signing up for this race and seeing it through to completion, without throwing in the towel, is a huge step in the right direction. 

It proved to me that I CAN do something if I believe it. If I make it a priority. If I discipline myself to get out there and do what needs to be done in order to achieve what may seem like the impossible. 

And 8 months ago, completing a half marathon did seem impossible. But with the help of my family, friends, and the Lord, I did it. And that is something I will never forget. Its something I will remember the next time something feels like its too much to complete. 

I can. And YOU can. Be it a race or something else completely. 

Many may say I'm crazy for running. I say, I'm only half crazy. 

21 Day Fix: New Beachbody program launched!

As a Beachbody coach, I'm super excited about this new fitness program that Beachbody launched today. For both myself and for others wanting to meet their fitness goals.  I'm going to be starting up as soon as my order gets here! So, I wanted to share what the program is and what makes it special.

What is 21 Day Fix?

21 Day Fix is a nutrition and fitness program that makes losing weight so simple,

anyone can do it. Easy-to-follow portion control and 30-minute workouts take

the guesswork out of losing weight to help you see results fast—up to 15 pounds

in just 21 days!

Whether you want to lose a few pounds before your next vacation or jump-start a

bigger weight-loss goal, 21 Day Fix is the program for you. It’s simple, it’s fast, and

it works. If you’re ready to get serious, 21 Day Fix can help you lose the weight.

Why is 21 Day Fix effective?

Because it’s so simple! You don’t have to count calories, points, or log your food

into diet software. With 21 Day Fix, everything is laid out for you. All you have to

do is use the specially designed portion-control containers and do one 30-minute

workout per day. Commit to it for 21 days, and you’re going to love your results.  

What makes 21 Day Fix unique?

It’s the only fitness and nutrition program that combines portion-control

containers and world-class workouts. By placing equal emphasis on fitness and

healthy portion control, 21 Day Fix can help anyone lose weight—and keep it

off—in a way that’s simple and sustainable. Whether you want to lose 10 pounds

or 100 pounds, you can do it with this program.

How does 21 Day Fix work? 

With the 21 Day Fix container system,

you’ll learn how to create healthy portions

simply and intuitively. It shows you how

to eat whatever you want, in the right

amounts, so you can reach your goals fast.

No guesswork, and no calorie counting!

The 21 Day Fix workouts are designed

to burn a lot of calories in only 30 minutes.

Any fitness level can do them. If you’re a

beginner, follow the on-screen modifier.

And if you’re an advanced exerciser looking

to shed those last few pounds, dial up

the intensity and challenge yourself to

push harder.

Autumn Calabrese is your personal trainer

Autumn Calabrese is a celebrity fitness trainer, busy mom, and national-level bikini

competitor. She came up with the idea of a portion-control container system

after watching a client eat an entire 1,300-calorie salad in one sitting because it

was “healthy.” Autumn realized that supersized portions were hurting her clients’

weight-loss success because they were eating too much without knowing it. So she

developed portion-control containers to help people see how simple it is to eat the

right amounts and lose weight easily. And as a single mother, Autumn understands

how hard it can be to fit exercise and healthy eating into a jam-packed schedule.

So she created short but effective workouts that take only 30 minutes a day, along

with a simple eating plan that doesn’t require you to spend hours in the kitchen.

What do you get with 21 Day Fix?

Essential Package:

• 7 color-coded portion-control containers

• Shakeology® shaker cup

• 6 easy-to-follow 30-minute workouts

• 21 Day Fix Start Here quickstart guide and workout calendar

• 21 Day Fix Eating Plan that shows you exactly what to do

• 3 Day Quick Fix Guide, Autumn's secret weapon for fast weight loss

• Dirty 30 bonus workout

 Equipment needed

• Dumbbells or a resistance band are used in some workouts.
• A yoga mat and the Beachbody® miniMAT are helpful, but not required.

Do I have to do the workouts, or can I just follow the portion-control Eating Plan?

• Both the workouts and Eating Plan are essential to get the best results in 21 days.
• If you're worried about being out of shape, we suggest you follow the modifier and do
what you can, rather than skipping the workouts entirely. You'll feel stronger in no time.

Can I use other containers I have at home?

• No, these are custom-designed for 21 Day Fix. Other containers may have the wrong
 proportions and you will not be successful unless you follow the Eating Plan using
 these containers.
• Very few (if any) other containers come in the variety of sizes needed for 21 Day Fix.

Can I eat out at restaurants when I do 21 Day Fix?

• Yes! The Eating Plan includes a restaurant guide that shows you how to practice portion control at your favorite restaurants.

What does it mean when you say "no off-limit foods"?

• The 21 Day Fix Eating Plan shows you how to incorporate treats (like chocolate and wine) into the plan . . . and you can still lose weight.

What makes the 21 Day Fix workouts so effective?

• 21 Day Fix takes all of the guesswork out of working out. You know which workout to do
 each day and can be confident you're working your whole body efficiently in just 30 minutes a day.
• The workouts yield consistent calorie-burning results, unlike a treadmill workout that can have very inconsistent and inaccurate calorie counts.
• The 30-minute boot-camp style workouts keep your heart rate up throughout, so you have an effective and efficient workout that burns maximum calories.
• There's a modifier in every workout to show you how to take down the intensity while still getting awesome results.
• Trainer Autumn Calabrese created a 7-day-a-week schedule to give you the best results
 in just 21 days. Each day of the week is a different workout, all perfectly designed to avoid overtraining and keep you injury-free.

Interested?

I hope this has sparked some motivation in you! I know that it sure has for me. I can't wait to get started. If you'd like to join me in this, please contact me! We can get you set up and we can do this together! 

Contact Me

Email me at: lauraleigh80@gmail.com

Message me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.hargrave

Or order directly from my website: www.beachbodycoach.com/lauraleigh80

Crock Pot Brisket? Um..Yes, please!

Hickory Smoked Brisket

Since I just shared my favorite turkey meatloaf recipe, I thought, why not share another family favorite recipe?

I had no clue just how much of a hit this one would be when I made it for the first time. My family drooled over it. My oldest son requests this meal often. And with how easy it is to put together, I always oblige! 

Best part? You make it in the crock pot! 

It started with a cookbook

An awesome cookbook, at that. A year or so ago, I stumbled across this cookbook. Every recipe in it is done in a slow cooker..or crock pot. I bought it and it is amazing! It has everything from appetizers all the way to desserts and drinks. You should check it out. If you love cooking with a slow cooker, this is for you. They're all easy to make and gluten-free! Not to mention, delicious.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Hickory Smoked Brisket Recipe

Ingredients:

3 to 4 pounds beef brisket, or chuck roast (I always buy the chuck roast)

½ tablespoon celery salt

½ tablespoon garlic powder

½ tea black pepper

¼ cup A-1 steak sauce

1 to 2 tablespoons hickory liquid smoke

Directions:

In a 4-qt slow cooker, put the meat into the stoneware and rub the spices on all sides. Add the A-1 sauce and liquid smoke. (I rub this in as well) Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 6 hours. However, low is better. 

Your house will smell SO good! And your mouth will thank you when you eat it! I always make loaded red mashed potatos to accompany this. And usually green beans, as well. 

And there you have it! Another recipe that I hope you all try out! You have to let me know what you think! It literally takes me about 5 minutes, if that, to throw this together. The longest part is making the mashed potatoes and green beans, come dinner time. 

Hmm..I may have to make this for dinner tomorrow!

Ma! We want the Meatloaf!

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

A Family Favorite

I love me some meatloaf. Like…really love it! 

So, when I started trying to eat clean and I came across a clean version of it, I was all over it! Its really delicious and its a huge hit here at the house. Its become a staple. 

I've had several people ask for the recipe and so I thought I'd share it here in a blog post! Hope you enjoy! You're welcome, by the way!

Turkey Meatloaf

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey

1½ cup chopped onion (this is actually a little more than I prefer so I do less)

3 cloves garlic, minced   

¾ cup old fashioned oats

1 egg

¾ cup ketchup

2 tea worcestershire sauce

1 tea salt

½ tea ground pepper

2 tbsp ground flax seed 

olive oil spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl (You can sauté the onion and garlic first if you prefer) 

Form your meatloaf and place in a baking dish.

Bake in oven for 1 hour or until its no longer pink in the center. 

Optional: Drizzle ketchup over the top to keep moist.

Yum time!

And that's it! Its an easy meal to put together. All you have left to add is sides of your choice. 

Again, I hope you try it and enjoy it!