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Crockpot White Bean Chicken Chili

September 24, 2012 in dinner, entrees, Frugality, main dishes, Recipes, soup

The weather here has recently cooled off a little and with the first days of autumn creeping in, nothing sounded better for dinner than one of my favorites: piping hot White Bean Chicken Chili made easy in the crockpot! This dish is quick to prepare on Sunday morning before church (as I did yesterday) or any other time when you only have 5-10 minutes to get a meal together.

Ingredients
- 16 oz homemade chicken stock*
- 1 white onion*
- 1 3 cloves garlic*
- 3 small or 1 large jalapeno peppers* (from my garden)
- 2 anaheim peppers* (from my garden)
- 2 cups shredded & cooked free-range chicken*
- 3-4 cups soaked white/navy beans*
- 2 tbsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp celtic sea salt
- black pepper to taste
- 32-48 oz filtered water

*I used organic

Directions
1. Chop onions, garlic & peppers & place in crockpot
2. Add beans & chicken to crockpot
3. Pour chicken stock & water into crockpot
4. Stir in cumin, sea salt & pepper
5. Set crockpot on high for 4 hours

After 4 hours, it’s ready to serve! My favorite way to serve it is with shredded raw cheddar cheese on top and homemade whole wheat rolls… mmmmm!!! It’s absolutely spicy & delicious! If you don’t like spicy, leave out one or more of the jalapenos. This soup is frugal, packed with nutrients & bacteria/virus fighting foods such as garlic, onions, homemade chicken stock & hot peppers. It makes a great meal for when you’re feeling “under the weather.”

What is your favorite soup for the cooler months?

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No Mayo Chicken Salad (GF / Egg Free / Nut Free Option)

August 17, 2012 in Recipes

 

Chicken salad makes an excellent meal for a hot summer day, but the mayo factor makes it a real food problem for those of us who don’t keep homemade mayo around. The store bought stuff is loaded with unhealthy, rancid, GMO oils and fats & in my humble opinion, not very tasty either. Well, here’s one super easy & healthy real food recipe for chicken salad that is full of GOOD ingredients & easy to pack up in a cooler for an on-the-go lunch. For those with allergies, this recipe is also easy to adapt.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups shredded or cubed organic, free-range chicken
  • 3 heaping tbsp plain whole milk yogurt (I like Nancy’s brand if we aren’t using homemade)
  • Dijon mustard
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped almonds (or sunflower seeds for those with nut allergies)
  • 2 kosher dill pickles, diced (I like Bubbie’s brand)
  • 1/4 cup organic raisins
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Other additional ideas: fresh chopped apples, fresh cut grapes, boiled eggs (for those not allergic), chia seeds
Instructions
  1. Place chicken, celery, almonds (or sunflower seeds), pickles, raisins, and any additional ingredients to a large bowl and mix well
  2. Add yogurt, a few large squirts of Dijon mustard, salt & pepper to taste and mix well
  3. Serve on Ezekiel bread, celery sticks, carrot sticks, apple slices, or homemade tortillas & enjoy!

 

The mixed up final product.

 

Sweet hubby had no idea that there was no mayo in his chicken salad sandwich, but he said he loved it!

 

What’s your favorite easy, real food go-to summer recipe?

 

Shared on: Monday Mania, Mangia Mondays, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Real Food Wednesday

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Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Dip – GF / Egg Free / HEALTHY!

August 10, 2012 in Recipes

Tonight we are attending a get together with several couple friends. Everyone will be bringing a dessert, so since there will be many rich, decadent dessert options, I thought I would bring something a little healthier and lighter. What better way to coax autumn to hurry up than oatmeal raisin cookies? Mmmm! Better yet, since the weather is still hot, how about a cool, fall flavored Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Dip?

Gluten free / egg free / almost dairy free. Packed with lots of healthy nutrients & super easy to make without dirtying too many dishes! Can you believe this dessert is healthy?!?

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup organic milk (sub for almond or coconut if you wish)
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tsp gluten free old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 8oz organic cream cheese
  • 1.5 cups chickpeas (1 can), drained and rinsed
  • 1/3 cup raw honey
  • 3 tsp homemade vanilla extract
  • 3 tsp cinnamon (plus more for garnish)
  • 1 cup organic raisins
Instructions
  1. Drain and rinse beans.
  2. Add milk, 1/4 cup oats, cream cheese, chickpeas, raw honey, vanilla & cinnamon to the food processor. Blend until a smooth texture is achieved, scraping ingredients off the side as needed.
  3. Spoon dip into a serving bowl, then mix in raisins and 2 tsp of oats. Stir well, then sprinkle a few more oats, raisins & cinnamon for garnish.
  4. Serve with cinnamon tortilla strips, apple slices, or hard pretzels. Enjoy!

 

Shared on: New Nostalgia, Hearth And Soul, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Allergy Free Wednesday, Gluten Free Friday

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Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream (Dairy Free)

August 4, 2012 in Recipes

 

This summer has been one of the hottest, most rainless summers I can remember. Desperate times like these call for desperate measures, and that means ice cream for breakfast! Since it is illegal to purchase raw milk in Arkansas, we have to substitute for the next best thing and that is pure coconut milk. This ice cream comes out thick and creamy and with the brand of coconut milk I purchase, it does not have a coconut flavor. I dare say it tastes very similar to ice cream made with cow milk. You can adjust the sweetener to fit your preference. The recipe below will render a deep, rich flavored, creamy product that is not as sweet as store bought ice cream.

 

 

Ingredients

- One 14oz can coconut milk (I like Native Forest since it is pure organic coconut milk without additives & BPA free)
- 1/3 cup grade B maple syrup (or honey, adjust sweetener for preferred taste)
- 1 whole pastured egg (you can leave this out if you have allergies or if raw eggs bother you)
- 1 tbsp vanilla (I use homemade)
- a pinch of celtic sea salt

 

Directions

Whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl, pour into frozen ice cream maker bowl & follow your maker’s directions. Mine took 35 minutes.

 

The finished product should look nice and creamy.

 

Top with your favorite toppings, or eat as is. Makes about 4 servings… except at our house it just made enough for breakfast for the two of us!

 

Enjoy!!!

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Have you used coconut milk to make nourishing ice cream? What is your favorite recipe?

 

Shared on: Hearth And Soul, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways

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Super Simple Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

March 6, 2012 in bread, Recipes

Mmm, warm bread fresh out of the oven is so tasty! A sweet friend of mine shared this recipe with me and we have been enjoying it at our house, so I thought I would share it with you today. It’s a very easy recipe that is hard to mess up, doesn’t require a bread maker or any special tools, and only takes 6 ingredients that you probably already have on hand in your whole foods pantry.

Super Simple Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients
6-7 cups whole white wheat flour

3/4 tbsp. yeast
2 1/4 cups warm water
1 tbsp. sea salt
1/4 cup rapadura sugar
1/3 cup coconut oil
Directions
1. In a large bowl mix 3 cups flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Melt coconut oil in pan over stove
3. Add warm water and oil to dry ingredients bowl, mix well.
4. Add additional flour to make soft dough and knead in bowl until smooth.
5. Leave in bowl and cover with tea towel for 15 minutes.
6. Divide into 2 loaves, place in greased bread pans and let rise until double (about 30-50 min).
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until crust is golden brown.

Slice and serve with butter or as sandwich bread. Toasts well. Makes 2 loaves.

Cost breakdown (generous rough estimate):
6-7 cups whole white wheat flour ($1.50)

3/4 tbsp. yeast ($0.10)
2 1/4 cups warm water (almost free)
1 tbsp. sea salt($0.10)
1/4 cup rapadura sugar ($0.20)
1/3 cup coconut oil ($1)

$2.90 for 2 loaves with 18 slices each =  $1.45/loaf or 36 slices = $0.08/slice or less!

How’s that for healthy and cost effective?

Linked to Traditional Tuesdays, Fat Tuesday

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31 Recipes I Want To Try

March 6, 2012 in Recipes

Black Bean and Pineapple Salsa from The Nourishing Gourmet

 
I needed some recipe inspiration, so I searched my favorite real food blogs to find some creative and delicious recipes to try. Here are 31 real food recipes that look absolutely delicious! Enjoy!

Breakfast / Breads
1. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free Oat Flour Banana Bread
2. Poptarts
3. Five Minute Artisan Bread
4. French Bread (Modify)
5. Whole Wheat Cornbread
6. Gluten-Free Coffee Cake
7. Breakfast Quesadilla

Meaty Main Dishes
8. Chicken Nuggets 
9. Tamale Pie
10. Layered Cheesy Salsa Enchiladas
11. Smothered “Aussie” Chicken
12. Chocolate Chip Chili

Meatless Main Dishes
13. Cheesy Vegetable Lasagna
14. Healthy Mac & Cheese
15. Wildrice Stuffing
16. Indonesian Fried Rice
17. Mexican Black Bean Burgers
18. Herb Ravioli
19. Sweet and Sour Lentils

Snacks / Side Items
20. Crackers
21. Whole Wheat Graham Crackers
22. Fruit Juice Gelatin
23. Black Bean & Pineapple Salsa
24. Crockpot Baked Beans
25. Cinnamon Crackers

Treats / Desserts
26. Chocolate Coconut Fudge
27. Healthy Lemon Bars
28. Chocolate Pudding
29. Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream
30. Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
31. Apple Crisp

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Melt-In-Your-Mouth Orange Chocolate Fudge

February 29, 2012 in dessert, Recipes

Happy Leap Day! To celebrate this day that only comes around once every four years, I have a recipe that you should definitely make more often than that!

Orange Chocolate Fudge
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1/2 cup honey
10 drops orange essential oil (therapeutic grade only, safe for internal use: Young Living or doTERRA)

In a small sauce pan, melt coconut oil. Add cocoa powder and honey, mix well. Take pan off of heat, add orange essential oil and mix well. Pour mixture into a pyrex dish, allow to cool for a few minutes, then place in freezer for an hour or refrigerator for 4-6 hours (until hardened). Slice into bite sized pieces & enjoy!!!

This stuff is seriously addicting & a great way to get in healthy raw coconut oil & local honey (good for the immune system). “Honey, can you pass me the fudge… it’s healthy!” ;)

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