Chicken Strips

It is fourth of July and we were watching the fireworks... on T.V. Yep, we're so cool. It was about 10:30 and we realized we forgot to eat dinner! Seriously? Of course there's no snackie foods in our house, as everything has to be made from scratch. So we decided to make chicken strips! Easy!!

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
Almond flour
Pinch of sea salt
Pepper
Paprika
2 eggs
Coconut Oil

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350
2. Mix almond flour, salt, pepper, paprika and put on a plate
3. whisk eggs in a bowl
4. Cut chicken into strips/chunks
5. Heat skillet and add coconut oil
6. Dip chicken in egg, coat in flour mixture, brown on each side
7. Bake for 10 minutes or until cooked through

* You can leave them to cook in the skillet (like I did this time), however after a while, the almond flour was sticking to the pan and well, that's the best part! I'd rather put it in the oven so I can have that crusty outside!

YUM!!

Almond Pancakes

Pancake recipes are kinda tricky, as they don't flip very well. Even with this one I sometimes end up with broken pancakes or they mush. But once you get the hang of how long you let the first side cook, they get easier to manage. The honey in this recipe makes these sooooo good!

Ingredients:

1 cup almond flour
1 pinch sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
4 eggs
1/4 cup raw honey
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients into bowl and whisk until well blended.
2. Pour batter onto skillet and flip (carefully) when edges look solid.

Happy Breakfast!




* I have yet to find almond flour in any store, so I order it online at www.nuts.com.

Turkey Vegetable Stew

This one is delicious with so many fresh ingredients. It makes a large pot and lasts us a few days. I am looking forward to Fall when I can make this more often since summer time and stew don't mix -  for me anyway! Frank would disagree since it's his favorite!


Ingredients:
2 Tbs coconut oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground chipotle
2 tsp sea salt (optional)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic salt
2 lbs ground turkey or beef stew meat, cut into 1"x1" chunks
2 (28 oz) cans diced tomatoes
2 (4 oz) can diced green chilis
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
1 bay leaf
2 medium carrots, sliced
2 medium zucchini, diced
1 yellow zucchini, diced
1 large red pepper, diced
4-6 large kale leaves, shredded
green onions for garnish
1 dollop of organic sour cream if desired

Directions:
1. Heat large soup pot over medium-high heat.
2. When hot, add coconut oil and onion to pot and brown slightly.
3. Meanwhile, combine chili powder, sea salt, cumin and garlic salt in a   small dish. If using ground turkey, add spices to turkey once in pot. If using beef, roll raw beef stew meat in the mixture to coat on all sides.
4. When onions have browned slightly, add turkey or beef and brown on all sides.
5. Add the diced tomatoes. Fill the empty can with water and add to the pot. Add green chilis, chipotle peppers, carrots, oregano, thyme and bay leaf. Turn heat down to medium and cook for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add zucchini and red pepper, and cook for another 20 minutes.
7. Add kale and finish cooking for 10 more minutes. Season with sea salt if desired.
8. Serve with sliced green onions, and a dollop of organic sour cream.

Banana Blueberry Muffins

Ok, this recipe was originally a pancake recipe, however, I had the worst time trying to get them to flip without turning into a pile of mush. It smelled so good that I couldn't toss the whole thing; so I made them into muffins! The taste of coconut flour takes some getting used to, as it has a different texture, but we've gotten used to it and we love them!
 

Ingredients:
2 bananas
2 eggs
1-2 tbsp. almond butter
fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 cup walnuts (or nut of your choice), chopped

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease muffin tray
2. Mash bananas in a bowl
3. Add eggs, flour, almond butter, blueberries, and nuts and whisk until well blended
3. Poor directly into muffin tray, not paper cups
4. Bake approx. 20 minutes

Tacos... always easy!

We used to buy the packet of taco seasoning at the store for our tacos, but why do that when there's plenty of spices to choose from without consuming the extra sodium!

Ingredients:

Ground beef or turkey
Spices to taste:
   Garlic powder
   Onion powder
   Red pepper flakes
   Oregano
   Paprika
   Ground cumin
   Sea Salt
   Pepper
Large lettuce leaves
Toppings as desired: chopped avocado, organic sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, tomato, etc.

Directions:
1. Brown the meat
2. Add all spices and 1/4 cup water
3. Serve on lettuce leaves.

Pizza!!

A good slice of pizza is definitely something we have missed over the last few
months! When we found this recipe, it became our new Saturday lunch favorite. It makes for a fun "date" too! We put on our aprons and enjoy creating our own pizzas!

Ingredients:
1/3 cup Coconut flour, sifted
1/2 cup Coconut milk
1/3 cup Golden flax meal
4 eggs
1 can organic tomato sauce
1 can organic tomato paste
Seasoning (ex. oregano, basil, garlic, sea salt)
Mozzarella
Whatever pizza topping you want

 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F

2. Place parchment paper over top pizza pan or large cookie sheet

3. In bowl, mix dry ingredients together (including spices)

4. In another bowl, mix wet ingredients

5. Thoroughly mix all ingredients together until it looks like pancake batter

6. Evenly spread batter onto parchment paper in shape desired

7. Bake for 10 minutes and then flip crust

8. Bake additional 10 minutes and remove crust

9. Add toppings to crust and then place back in oven and broil until cheese is melted

 

*This will make one small pizza, so if you want leftovers, double the recipe.

Gingery Beef & Broccoli

I make this when we are thinking, "oh, Chinese food would be so good tonight!" Ginger Beef is Frank's all-time favorite!

Ingredients:
2 tbsp coconut oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 lb petite sirloin steak, cut into very thin strips
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp flax meal
2 tsp freshly grated ginger
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 to 1/2 cup organic chicken broth
2 cups broccoli, cut into flowerets
1 green onion, thinly sliced

Directions:
1.Heat the 1 tbsp coconut oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the sliced beef and 1/4 tsp sea salt, and brown. Remove beef from pan to a side dish, and get rid of excess juice left in pan.
3. In a small bowl mix lemon juice, flax meal, grated ginger, freshly ground black pepper and red pepper flakes with 1/4 cup broth.
4. Heat pan again over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp coconut oil when pan is hot.
5. Add broccoli to pan. Pour liquid ingredients on top and toss to coat.
6. Cook over medium heat until broccoli is tender.
7. Return the beef to the pan and add the green onions. Add the extra chicken broth if preferred.
8. Stir beef in until it's coated with sauce, and let simmer for a few minutes until beef warmed through.

Chicken Parmesan.... mmmmmm!!!

Chicken Parmesan is a weekly favorite for us!! Instead of using bread crumbs, try almond meal. It tastes good and I have found that it stays on the chicken a lot better. Coating the chicken gets messy as the almond meal mushes more than the bread crumbs... but really, who cares.

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (1 to 1½ lbs total)

2 cups blanched almond flour or almond meal

2 eggs, whisked

6 tablespoons salted butter

2 (7 ounce) cans Organic Tomato Paste

2 cups water

1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence

6 cloves garlic, sliced

Mozzarella cheese, enough to sprinkle over the top (1/2 small bag)

 

Directions:

1. Cut chicken breasts in half for thinner cutlets; pat dry
2. Dip cutlets in egg, let excess run off then coat with almond flour or almond meal
3. Melt butter over medium heat; then sauté chicken cutlets until deep golden brown on both sides
4. For tomato sauce combine tomato paste, water, Herbes de Provence and garlic in a pan; simmer for 15 minutes
5. Place ½ cup tomato sauce on bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish
6. Spread cutlets out in a single layer; cover with remaining tomato sauce, then layer with mozzarella
7. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes

I cut the chicken in half for thinner pieces so they stay moist, cook faster, and it allows for leftovers for lunch the next day! Isn't that always the goal?

* Most stores do not carry almond flour; it has to be special ordered. That's why almond meal is an good substitute as it is still better than bread crumbs.
*If you really wanted to do it right, you make your own tomato paste.... but I don't have time for that yet! Cans of organic will just have to do.

Blackened Chicken

oooooo spicey! I've only made this once and my husband loved it (cuz he loves spicey food!)... I'll have to try it again!

Ingredients:
2 tbsp smoked paprika
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil
4 boneless skinless chicken breast

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400
2. Mix spices
3. Dredge chicken in spices
4. Melt oil in large skillet over medium-high heat
5. Saute chicken for 3 minutes on each side
6. Transfer to shallow pan and cook 5-10 minutes or until cooked through.

Turkey Vegetable Meatballs

We love this Turkey Meatball recipe! It is easy, and although it seems like a lot of details, it is fairly fast. You can prepare the mixture ahead of time so that when you're ready for dinner, you just mix in the meat.

Ingredients:
1 lb ground turkey or chicken
2 medium carrots (or a handful of baby carrots)

1 red or green bell pepper
1 handful of fresh parsley
1/2 yellow onion
1 clove garlic
2 tsp granulated garlic (garlic salt)
2 tbsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
2. Combine carrots, bell pepper, onion, garlic, and seasonings in a food processor and blend until well chopped.
3. Empty the food processor into a large bowl, add the ground turkey and mix together completely.
4. Form meatballs and place on a non-greased baking sheet (about 1 1/2" - 2" each).  Bake for about 25 minutes, or until completely cooked.

This usually makes about 25 meatballs so there's plenty left for lunch the next day!! These go great with brown rice, so if you make extra, it is perfect for the next day's lunch! I love when cleaning up from dinner means packing lunches!

Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

These Hawaiian skewers are really good and are a nice change from the "usual's"! Plus, the grilling is done outside so nothing is heating the kitchen!

Ingredients:
3 cups pineapple, cut into chunks
1 cup pineapple, diced for food processor

1 tbsp cilantro, minced
1 tbsp. ginger root, minced
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 whole lemon, juice
2 chicken breasts, cut in chunks

Directions:
1. Combine diced pineapple, olive oil, garlic, ginger, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl.
2. Puree mixture in a blender or food processor.
3. Pour back into small mixing bowl and stir in minced cilantro. Set aside to use as glaze during grilling.
4. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil grill as skewers can get sticky.
5. Skewer pieces of chicken and pineapple.
6. Brush with glaze periodically while grilling.

Add a salad or some brown rice and enjoy!

A little this, a little that...

I feel like that is all I do now... add a little this and a little that... and all those little things are adding up to a whole lotta goodness! We are one month into our new life now, and I have to say, we have never felt better! (I can speak for my hubby, too :) In cutting out all the "extras", we have so much more energy, clear thoughts, gooooood sleep, and have each lost about 18 pounds! I'd say we are doing pretty well!

Here's tonight's dinner... have you ever cooked with fennel? I had never even heard of it until today! It looks a tad bit crazy, but it sure added a good flavor!

             Fennel                                 Italian Braised Chicken w/ Fennel & Cannellini

 

As delicious as this "new" food is, and as great as it makes me feel, it is still difficult at times to stick with it. I don't really crave sugars and what not anymore, but when you find yourself somewhere surrounded by yummy desserts, you remember how tasty they are and it is tempting. And in that, I have found a strength and determination inside that is continually growing. Now I know, that might seem a little extreme when just talking about dessert, but it is a big deal! If I say, "Oh I can have just a little bit right now, I have done so well..." it will put me back 10 steps. Yes, down the road a ways, I will be able to enjoy those things on special occasions, but for the sake of what we are trying to accomplish, I am not willing to move backwards. For the sake of creating a healthy environment and someday being able to hold my baby in my arms, a sweet dessert becomes easy to say no to. And that is exactlty what I say when that temptation comes... would I rather have this or my baby? I have to be that extreme right now!

 

It gets tiring, very tiring, because I am learning. I know it won't be this "intense" forever, but for now, it's alot! But one thing the Lord always reminds me of when I get overwhelmed:

 

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary,  and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:29-31

 

Those who hope in the Lord... that is what this whole adventure comes down to... our hope in the Lord. Our hope that He knows everything we have been through; our hope that He has a good plan for our future; our hope that He will take all of these pieces and thread them together to make one beautiful display of His love.

So Far So Good!

 

 



And our most favorite... milk in a glass jar!



Cleanin' Out the Cupboards

I guess it had been a while since cleaning my cupboards, but gosh, so much stuff! This was more than just a re-organization, however. Suited up with our lists in hand, Frank and I took a trip to Whole Foods in Sacramento to stock our shelves and refrigerator with the fresh foods that we would need to be successful in our new lifestyle. Yes, new lifestyle. Not diet. Lifestyle. Diets don't work. We are changing our mindset and being real about what we put into our bodies.

Out went the flour, sugar, crackers, chips, breads, canned goods, and Crystal Light! In went the coconut flour, almonds, sunflower seeds, Quinoa, Organic coconut flakes, vinegar, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, and more spices than I can count!



It took a few days to get used to the empty cupboards, but now, I hardly even open them, as I realize that most everything I need is fresh in the frig.... and I'm lovin' it.

                         

                                       
 


 

 oh.... and since I never finished updating my blog back in the chemo days (I know, I know, I'm so inconsistent!!).... I finished and I have checked out perfectly healthy ever since!!



The Countdown Begins......

10 more days and I will be DONE WITH CHEMOTHERAPY!!!! 10 days!!!!

It feels like just yesterday that I was in the hospital, healing from surgery, and learning and anticipating the "what ifs" of my medication. Countless times, as I was posted on my spot on the couch, we would say out loud, "ok... June, July, August, September, October...", as if saying the months might make time go faster. There were days when I felt like time was crawling, and days like today where I am stopped in my tracks thinking, "How in the world did this go so fast?!?" The pharmacy called the other day to ask if I was ready for a refill on my medication and I cannot even express the excitement as I got to say, "Oh thanks for calling but I won't be needing any more medication! My treatment will be complete on October 23rd." 

10 days...

40 pills...

I can sooooo do this!!!

Hebews 10:23 - Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

How He Loves Us

I woke up this morning with this song in my heart. It is a beautiful song about the love that our Father has for us. As I was singing the words, I was reminded at how truly amazing God's love for us is. We didn't do anything to earn His love, yet He gives it so abundantly; and we can't do anything to make Him stop loving us. What an incredible gift!

Often times we go through seasons in our lives, good or bad, and we fail to remember that God's love for us is at the core of every situation. When it's a season of blessing and prosperity, we are engulfed in joy and the feelings of love and thanksgiving. And rightfully so! Remember to thank God for them. But what about the seasons of need, of heartache, of disaster, or sickness? We need to thank God for those times as well! Hard to do? Sometimes. But it is in those times that God can draw us closer to Him. When there is nothing else to lean on, He can teach us to lean on Him and trust Him. It is the times of deserate need that we are reminded of God's unfailing love.

He always has our best in mind! Even in this crazy cancer journey of mine! How in the world is God's love at the core of this sickness? It is! He didn't cause this disease to plague my body, but He sure has used it to teach me things and bring me closer to Him. I have found his love for me with every step, around every corner. God cares about the littlest details of our lives - every desire, every feeling, every need.

Matthew 6:25-29 - “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you? "

I love that example of God's love for us! If He cares that deeply about birds and flowers, how much more does He care about us, His children, the ones He came to earth and died for! Again, what a tremendous gift! So no matter what we are facing, victory or hardship, our Father loves us....

Oh how He loves us....

Steps

Everything around our house these days is "one day at a time..." and even more so, "one step at a time." And it really is! I cannot predict how a day is going to pan out, or make solid plans for upcoming days. During this cycle of chemo, my days have been all over the map (as well as my emotions; just ask my husband...sorry babe). One day I will wake up exhausted and sick, while the very next day I will be up and at 'em, painting my family room! We never know what a day will bring, but I guess that is what makes this a journey...

Our whole life is a journey, one step at a time. Each of us have our own path and can look back at the steps that led us to where we are at today; and each of us will take steps that form the life ahead of us. The steps on our journey are so varied. Sometimes our steps are through grassy meadows, along cool, sandy shores, or through lakes of milk chocolate (mmmmm, gotta throw the chocolate in there, just cuz!). But often times our steps are along rocky paths,  or through scortched deserts, or sludgy swamps. Life has so many seasons and we have to walk through each of them. It's not always easy, especially during the hard times, but it is do-able!

Yes, it is do-able! Not by our own plans or by our own strength, but by God's! God promises us in Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way..." That tells me that whichever step I am on in my journey of life, God knows! I am not just wandering around in the middle of nowhere, blindly trying to find my way. Rather I am always right where God wants me to be. Because I trust in Him with everything that I am, I can be confident that even if I am stomping around in sludge, it is for my good. Such a season will make me a stronger person, teach me what I need to add to my character, bring me to my next step, and give me compassion for someone else along the way. It says in Isaiah 43:19, " Behold I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." That means that our difficult season is not forever! As we trust him through the muddy parts of our life, He WILL bring us to the green pasture that is right around the corner.

It is not easy, it is tiring, and it can be painful. But if we just hold on a little bit longer, we will find our rest. And how great it is to look back over steps on our journey and see God's faithfulness. So much to be thankful for.

Stonger!

At the very beginning, my dear little friend, Julia Noble (age 8), was driving with her mom in the car when this song came on the radio. She was singing along and suddenly shouted, "Mom! This is shundi's song!!!" (shundi is our nickname). Later, Julia called to make sure I was recovering well and told me that this was my song because they were praying for me and God was with me. Thank you, Ju, for your childlike faith and encouragment to me. I sing this song everyday :) I love you miniature shundi!

NEED Him

My husband got me a devotional for my birthday and it is so powerful. I read the days' entry every morning and we read it together every night. Many of you have probably heard of it! It's called, "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. Today's word has been ruminating in my heart so I thought I would share it...

"Expect to encounter adversity in your life., remembering that you live in a deeply fallen world. Stop trying to find a way that circumvents difficulties. The main problem with an easy life is that it masks your need for Me. When you became a Christian, I infused My very Life into you, empowering you to live on a supernatural plane by depending on me.

Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities; situations totally beyond your ability to handle. This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade. It is precisely where I want you-the best place to encounter Me in My Glory and Power. When you see armies of problems marching toward you, cry out to Me! Allow Me to fight for you. Watch Me working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of My Almighty Presence."

I can say that I have had a fairly "easy" life. I have always known God on a personal level and have lived the life he has given me to the best of my ability; trusting him and knowing that He will lead me as I go. I do not take the Lord and his blessings in my life for granted, and this journey that I am on only magnifies my desire to always NEED Him. I had no control over having cancer in my body, I have no control over this chemotherapy, and I have no control over what will come in the days that follow. All I can do is face what is in front of me in the present and then step aside and let God control it for me. And ya know... it is so much easier to let Him worry about all of the why's and how's; it sure saves me a lot of suffering. Instead, I get to rest and be comforted and at peace, knowing that my life will be much better off with Him handling it anyway.

Psalm 91:1-2, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Cycle 3... oh cycle 3...

Yaaaaaaaaaaaa, cycle 3.....

This cycle of chemo has been another story. I was puttin' along just fine but these past seven days hit me pretty hard. It started with the usual fatigue on Thursday evening and escalated from there. I cannot even begin to describe the exhaustion and weakness that I have felt. I have literally layed on the couch and in bed for seven days straight! I had those moments where I said, "ok, I'm done now! Time to feel good and move on!" But even standing for two minutes to do a few dishes made me feel as though I would fall over. So I gave in and stayed down! I had a few bouts of nausia and actually had to take one of my nausia pills. Ugh.

The hardest part was when some of my hair started falling out :(  I have plenty of hair to spare so you can't even tell, it was just a weird, creepy feeling. Whenever I put it in a pony tail, wash it, or brush it, I end up with a small clump in my hand. sigh. It catches me off gaurd when it happens, but there's not much I can do so I keep going. I know I'm not going to lose all of my hair, so I'm not too worried, but I don't like seeing so many strands...

Overall this has been a pretty stinky week but that's ok. God is still answering our prayers and covering us with his peace and provision. All of this is to bring me the health that I need and I will get there one day at a time.

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."