Greek Tacos

After our last trip, to the best gyros in the city of Milwaukee Oakland Gyros, I had an idea for a new recipe...a greek taco. Maddy was very skeptical, but she actually ended up eating the most. We tried making lamb burgers on one other occasion and it just was not good. So, this time I chose to double the meat and do 1 lb. ground turkey and 1 lb. ground lamb. This combination was a winner. You could taste the lamb, but it did not overpower anything. Complete with my version of cucumber sauce, this recipe is good! Maddy asked if we could have it every week. She also came up the with the idea of different tacos every week...a normal taco, a greek taco, and indian taco. My little culinary protege:)  The recipe listed is for 2 nights worth of meat, so you can freeze half of the meat right away or just have it 2 days in the week. I appologize up front for my lack of true measurements. It really was a shake of this and a shake of that. 

Greek Tacos
Meat Portion
1 lb. ground lamb
1 lb. ground turkey
4 cloves of garlic diced
few shakes of salt
few shakes of cinnamon
few shakes of oregano
shake of thyme
shake of parsley
You dont want the flavor to overpower, just to be subtle, so continue to add spices to your taste.
Cook meat with 1 tbsp. olive or oil of choice. Add seasonings and cook until done.

Cucumber Sauce
1/2 cup goat (or cow) milk yogurt
1/2 of a cucumber, peeled, deseeded and chopped into teeny tiny pieces
3 cloves of garlic finely diced
shake of garlic powder
few squeezes of a lemon
Mix all ingrediants together and let sit in the fridge for a few hours

Extras
Goats milk Feta (its the only true feta afterall)
sliced cucumbers
sliced onions
sliced tomatoes
Pitas (or do a naked taco over rice)

Assemble meat with extras in pita shell and add cucumber sauce. There ya go...Opa!

*Wondering why we are consuming goat's milk products now? Check out this link:
http://www.mtcapra.com/benefits-of-goat-milk-vs-cow-milk/

Blessings All Around

Yesterday my new naturopath doctor emailed me the greatest news....Jackson, 100%,  has a gluten sensitivity and candida. We did some diagnostic testing on him to give us the diagnosis. I have been trying to figure this out, on my own for 3 1/2 years now. I always had a sneaking suspicion that he shouldn't be eating gluten. But, always allowed "cheats" here and there. It's hard for a 7 year old to turn down the class birthday treat or to ALWAYS take food with me everywhere! But, cheat no more. We need to get his gut back to optimal health. If anyone knows me well, they know that Jackson hates vegetables, most protein, and loves fruit. So, this yeast thing will not be an easy road to treat either. However, he has been trying new foods everyday. Even just a teaspoon of them is better than none. There is finally hope on the horizon and that is why this is a blessing. So, this week we are down to 1 fruit a day, and one gluten free carbohydrate a day. Sounds impossible, I know, seeing that his menu is already limited.  I did find this awesome breakfast idea that fits the bill. It has protein, good fats, and it's full of fiber...plus it's really good. Jackson even commented that he could be creative with it...by adding different stuff to it. Anything to get him involved in the process helps. It's called a mug muffin. I found a recipe online but, as always, put my own spin on it. I realize that my picture doesn't make it look uber appetizing because part of it dripped over the side in the microwave, but I promise you, it is yummy and very soft and moist inside. Almost cupcake like. The dripping on the front of it actually looks like a kinda creepy smiley face:)

Coconut/Blueberry "Muggin"
2 eggs
2 Tbsp coconut flour
2 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 packet of Better Than Stevia sweetener
1/2 tsp. baking powder
handful of blueberries or any fruit
1/4 cup coconut milk
2 Tbsp melted coconut oil
1/4 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt

Combine/Mix all together in a coffee mug and put in the microwave for 3-5 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Mine took 4 minutes. I spread coconut butter on top and a slight drizzle of honey. If you are on a non-specific diet you can use any variety of milk, sweetener, and flour. Whip cream 
on top, whatever...BE CREATIVE!

Tonight I am trying sweet potato and cinnamon latkes with coconut cream....if I can pull this one off, it will be a miracle...wish me luck!

Top Of the Mornin' To Ya'

Kids asked me if I was doing anything special for St. Patty's Day.....we are only a teeny bit Irish but a good exuse to get them to eat some greens and have a little fun...so YES! I made them a homemade Shamrock Smoothie for breakfast this morning. It is very similar to my Kavacado smoothie but with a few exceptions:

"Shamrock" Smoothie
1/2 banana
1 cup of ice
1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 cup of coconut or regular water
3 romaine lettuce leaves
1 handful of frozen kale
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. mint extract
1 tbsp pumpkin seed powder (or any other protein powder you may have)

Blend and enjoy. It was a huge hit. I topped it with a little Truwhip 
(if you havent heard of it, check it out) http://www.truwhip.com/

When Maddy finished it she said in a Leprechan (more like a pirate accent) 
"A nice way for the kiddies to get their greens."

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss: Green Grinch Soup

In honor of Dr. Seuss' Birthday I found a recipe for green soup online that I just had to try. Of course, I manipulated the recipe a little bit and came up with my own version of it. I have tried green soup before and it lacked in taste and seemed too watery. This one however was a winner! Yummy, creamy, and SO good for you. Probably a good soup if you have a cold, are going through the winter blahs, or just  to give you an immune boost in these last glorious weeks of winter. 

Green Grinch Soup

1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped
1 cup leeks, chopped
1 cups brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 1/5 cups spinach
2 cups vegetable or chicken stock

- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion for a minute or two, then add the garlic and sauté for another minute. 
- Add the spinich,broccoli, leeks and brussels sprouts, and stir. Let cook for a few minutes, 
stirring occasionally.
- Add the broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and let cook for 15-20 minutes or until the 
veggies are soft
- Put it all into a food processor, blender, or Vitamix and blend until smooth. Add 1/2 cup coconut milk (actually any milk will do)

Season with salt and pepper as you please. I found I needed nothing. It was perfect. Makes about 3 bowls full. Enough to make at the beginning of the week and have for lunch a few days. I paired mine with some sauteed garlic shrimp and a cabbage steak. Sounds weird to come, but seriously yummy to me:)

Eat and Enjoy!

My new favorite smoothie...The Kavacado!

I have been bombarding my body lately with chlorophyll! Sounds odd, I know. Just bumping up my intake of green vegetables in general, less fruit, no wheat. I have been doing this now for 2 weeks and feel unbelievable. My anxiety is 95% gone, I feel more clear headed, no headaches, I have tons of energy, and I didn't even have 1 cramp when my monthly friend came to visit...amazing!  Avacado is my new best friend. I love avacado, so I have no problem eating one a day. I was missing my fruit smoothies and most green smoothies sounded disgusting. I like green juice, but a chunky smoothie did not sound appetizing. However, I went out on a limb and tried an avacado one...which I put my spin on my adding kale. I prefer it to a fruit smoothie and it has been kid approved. So, you know if my picky Jackson is drinking it that it must be good. Here it is:

Kavacado Smoothie
- 1/2 of an avacado
- 1 1/2 cups of coconut milk (I can't say how almond, rice, hemp, or cow's milk would make it taste, 
                                              but I am sure any one would be fine)
- 2 big handfulls of frozen, chopped kale (such a good thing to keep in your freezer to add to 
                                                                  any smoothie....can't even taste it)
- 1/2 cup crushed ice
- 1 or 2 packs stevia or sweetner of choice (stevia works wonders at balancing your blood sugar)
- 1 Tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 Tsp. almond extract
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1/2 Tbsp. chia or flax seeds

Blend and enjoy. If it seems too thick, add some more milk or water. Tastes very much like pistacio:)
Everything beyond the basics are optional. If you don't have any protein powder, chia, or coconut oil...not a big deal. Without them this is an extremely nutritious smoothie, but with them it is a powerhouse!

Stinkies & Thieves

Jackson working hard alphabetizing my oils.

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I cannot sleep at night without my "stinkie." It's technically a rice sock. My mom made one for me at one time and Don simply could not stand the lavenderish smell, so from than on they became known as "my stinkies".  Heat it up in the microwave and it is a great soother for a sore tummy or muscles. It can also be put in the freezer for injured muscles. It, honestly, calms me down at the end of the day. Some, of which I am sure, is the fact that it makes me think about my mom. Kinda like a hug from her at the end of the day:) They are WAY to easy to make and you can totally personalize them. We like to buy holiday socks on sale to fill ours and since pairs are 2, you get 2 for the price of one! So many fun patterns to choose from as well. Plus, the also give me a chance to play with my aromatherapy collection. Jackson is home and on the mend from an earache today, so he was my helper. We made Sleepy Stinkies and Sad Day Stinkies. Aromatherapy has been proven to have all kinds of beneficial effects on the body. So, why not try another solution to calming down your kids before bed or helping them come out of a bad day? Even if you do not have all the oils listed, a simple lavender or grapefruit sock would be lovely as well. Here are the things you need:

Sleepy Stinkies:
1 knee high sock
2 1/2 cups of non-instant rice
few drops of lavender essential oil
few drops of sage essential oil
few drops of bergamont essential oil
few drops of marjoram
(I buy So Essential Oils ay Health Hut)

Mix uncooked rice with oils in bowl and funnel into sock. Tie end of sock...DONE!
Heat for 1 minute or more to your liking.

These oils are good for calming down or relaxing.

Sad Day Stinkies:

1 knee high sock

2 1/2 cups of non-instant rice

few drops of lemon essential oil

few drops of grapefruit essential oil

few drops of mint essential oil

few drops of sweet orange

(I buy So Essential Oils ay Health Hut)

Mix uncooked rice with oils in bowl and funnel into sock. Tie end of sock...DONE!

Heat for 1 minute or more to your liking or this one can just be room temp.

These oils are uplifting oils good for bringing up moods or enhancing alertness.

I also made my own Thieves Blend. Anyone who has ever heard of Young Living Oils knows Thieves. I think it is the most popular oil in the brand. Known for it's immune boosting and sanitizing properties...but SUPER expensive. So, of course, I found the recipe online and I made that up today too. I can't take credit for this one, but here is the recipe if you are interested and there is also a list of the million things it can help with listed on the site:

http://www.natural-aromatherapy-benefits.com/thievesoilrecipe.html

The Plump Pomegranate

The Pomegranate: The food of the Gods. They believed that it was the secret to their immortality. It very well may have been. They are rich in antioxidents and beneficial in so many realms such as preventing cancer, keeping osteoarthritis at bay, keeping your skin beautiful, and many many more. I, myself, didn't start eating them until last year. The method to get the seeds out was intimidating to me. But, it really is easy. Just cut the fruit in half. Hold 1/2 over a bowl and hit it on the skin side with a meat tendorizer or small hammer. The seeds will just fall into the bowl. Here are 2 dishes that I have had this last week that include this beautiful jewel of a fruit. They are both side dishes,
rich in color, and delicious this time of year.

Triple P Salad: Pomegranate, Pear, and Pecan
1 head of organic romaine (chopped)
1 head of organic spinich (chopped)
1/2 cucumber (chopped)
1 onion (diced)
1 pear
1/2 cup chopped pecans
pomegranate seeds
feta cheese to your liking
*Poppyseed Dressing:
4 packets of Sweetleaf Stevia or 1/3 c. sugar
5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 1/2 tsp. poppy seeds
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. grapeseed oil or your oil of choice

Assemble salad and mix dressing in canning jar. Apply as liberally as you like.
Dressing will stay fresh in canning jar for a week.


Asian Slaw Side
1 purple cabbage (chopped)
1 bunch of green onion tops
pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (or omit if you dont like it)
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/8 cup sesame seeds
1 bag shredded carrots
*Dressing:
1 tbsp. sesame oil
1/4 c. grapeseed oil or oil of choice
3 tbsp. rice vinegar
juice of 1/2 an orange
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
1 packet of stevia or 1 tbsp. sugar

Assemble slaw ingrediants and mix dressing. Pour dressing over slaw ingrediants and
let sit for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Bon Appetit!