Coffee

I keep on hearing about "bulletproof coffee" or basically coffee with butter in it. 

My first thought was, "EWWWWWWW!" but then people kept talking about how good it was...and they didn't stop!

I decided to try some "buttered coffee" at Picnik last weekend and kind of fell in love. Good fats and coffee immersed for life, what could be better?

Then, my mind started whirling and I thought of all of the things I could do. 

I could recreate a Cinnamon Dolce Latte and not get sick!

So I played around and came up with this. 

Doesn't it look good???

It smells like Fall and tastes like Nectar from God. 

Here's the recipe if you want to recreate this at home. 

In fact, I'm sipping one right now and will be writing a little e-book soon with more recipes!

Here's what you need: 

4 Tablespoons grassfed butter- I used Kerrygold

16 Ounces hot brewed coffee

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

1 Teaspoon Nutmeg

1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves

2 Teaspoons Vanilla

2 Tablespoons Grade B Maple Syrup

I placed all of the ingredients and whizzed them in the blender. This makes two servings. 

You might want to play with the Maple Syrup and find the right sweetness for you. I normally drink my coffee black so that is a point of reference for you.  If you don't do dairy you can use coconut oil for your good fat and creaminess. 

So tell me, do you like Bulletproof Coffee?

The Granilla Bar Review

Remember when you were a kid and you had a granola bar every day in your lunch box?  Certainly that wasn't just me, right?  Well, I was looking for something similar for my kids but I didn't want any weird junk in it.  Enter The Granilla Bar.  Seriously people these things are DIVINE! 

I kept seeing the name pop up after Paleo FX so I went to the website and ordered a box and my whole family ate them....in less than a week!

There are two flavors and both are equally amazing.  I can't even pick a favorite because that would be like having a favorite child, it's just that impossible!  

My kids have enjoyed eating them as a snack and maybe once or twice as breakfast.  My husband has taken them to work to eat as his on the go breakfast.  I enjoyed them as a sweet treat and have even crumbled them on top of my ice cream.  

So after eating these bars and falling in love with them, I contacted Denise and got a discount code to share with all of you; you're welcome!  

For the next week type in the code mom4ce for ten dollars off of your total order.  

Then, when you get your delivery try not to eat them all in one day.  

After you eat them come back and tell me how much you love them.  

Being True

I haven't wanted to admit this for a while because I hate labels and stereotypes.  

However, through a series of events I felt it was time to come clean. 

The Freese Family eats a mainly Paleo diet. 

There, I said it. 

I came clean. 

Most of you could care less how we eat.  I know that.  

In fact, I don't even believe that a Paleo diet is for everyone.  

Right now it works for us, I've played with other dietary theories and they never clicked. 

We started eating this way a little over two years ago and it just meshed.  I was doing research on diet and allergies and going gluten free and it all snowballed from there. 

There are days that we eat gluten and other junk; and then we pay for it in an allergy attack, mood swing, bloating, or something else.  Lately we haven't been "cheating" because the after effects are NOT worth it. 

However, the real reason I haven't wanted to admit to eating Paleo is a reason that a lot of Christians don't believe that you can eat Paleo and have a fulfilling walk with Christ.
The reasoning is that the Paleo theory focuses on how a "caveman" ate and that they believe in evolution.
To this is say, "phhhhtttt, whatever."
Like I said at the beginning it has taken me a long way to get to this point.
I don't think that God really cares what I'm eating as long as I'm spending time with HIM, my Creator, Giver of the food I put into my body.
I'm not focusing on the different beliefs behind it, I'm focusing on the fact that my family thrives on this eating style.  My son is not sick all of the time, my husband doesn't struggle with IBS, I have energy, and so much more!
And there you have it, I'm being true to myself and to all of you and you know that we are a Paleo family.  

Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Cake

I have been playing around in the kitchen lately and wanted to come up with a breakfast cake or muffin that I could make up and then have leftovers for the next morning.  I think I've finally found the recipe!  

My kids devoured this and everybody (including the super picky one) had seconds, in my house that's a winner.  

You will need: 

3/4 Cup Avocado Oil 

1/2 Cup Maple Syrup

4 Eggs

1/2 Cup Milk

1 tsp. Vanilla

1 1/2 Cup Almond Flour

1/2 Cup Coconut Flour

2 tsp Baking Soda

2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

2 Cup peeled and chopped Apples

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix everything except for apples.  Make sure that everything is incorporated really well.  Stir in apples.  Pour into a 9X13 oiled pan.  Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool 5-10 minutes and then ENJOY! 

21 DSD- It's Over Baby!

The 21 Day Sugar Detox ended for us yesterday and I'm so glad to have finished up and to have followed most of the guidelines.  Like I have admitted, there was a slip up or two but for the most part I stayed on plan.  It was a fun 21 days and I want to try it again when I'm not pregnant and berries are not making their debut.  Do you know how hard it is to NOT eat strawberries and pineapples when your kids are?

Tonight I had planned on making shrimp stir fry and quinoa but when I went to get started I realized that the package of shrimp I laid out to thaw was in fact steak; the steak that my son asked me to make on Thursday for his birthday dinner.  Yes, this kid has expensive taste!  So I quickly wrapped the steak up and opened my fridge waiting for something to jump out at me.  I looked down and saw a coupon that had come in the mail for pizza.  I picked up the coupon and then crumbled it up and decided that we were having breakfast for dinner.  Yes, that is what the 21 Day Sugar Detox has helped me with.  In the past I would have ordered a pizza, sent the husband for takeout, or something else not that great for us.  Those aren't bad things if they happen once in a blue moon but lately they had been taking place weekly or more often and we were all feeling the effects of it.  So I threw together some eggs and bacon and used some spotty bananas to whip together some pancakes.  We were all full, I didn't spend extra money, and none of us felt yucky afterwards!  Have you tried a 21 Day Sugar Detox?  Tell me about it? 

Banana Pancakes

5 Bananas

8 Eggs

1 Tablespoon Coconut Flour

1/2 Cup Almond Flour

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon 

1 Teaspoon Nutmeg

1-2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil

Mix all ingredients and pour by tablespoon onto a heated griddle or pan.  They will begin to bubble on the edges when ready to flip.  These are slightly more dense than a regular pancake.   Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. 

This recipe makes a TON of pancakes so you might want to cut it in half if you aren't a family of 6 with three hungry boys.  

21 DSD- Week 2

Week 2 started off great and kind of ended with a sugar high.  

We have had fun trying out new recipes and playing with old ones.  I've even been okay saying no to all of the berries that are on sale and I'm buying for my kids.  

Then, I had friends from out of town come over for dinner last night and decided to make cookies. 

Confession time here, I adore cookie dough.  Seriously, I can eat it by the spoonful and never get around to making cookies.  That could be one of the reasons I don't look like Jennifer Aniston....

So here is what I am figuring out and slowly dealing with. 

1. My sugar addiction is not going to go away overnight or maybe even in 21 days. 

2. I turn to food to deal with my problems.  

3. Sugar gives you a giant headache and hangover type feelings when you haven't had it in a while. 

So what now, you ask?

I have one more week on the 21 DSD and just because I had a setback does not mean I am going to quit. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next 7 days. 

When I have a sugar craving which is bound to happen, I am going to stop and deal with WHY I am turning to food versus dealing with my problems.  It typically happens after a rough day so I need to turn to God not food, after all there is a reason that God is called The Great Comforter.  

I also did something that I haven't done in a LONG time, I planned out my menu and prepped some veggies.  This is a must when you are on a 21 DSD and have always hungry kids.  No scrounging through the kitchen looking for breakfast or lunch, I am prepared and the kids can even help cook!  

Have you done a 21 Day Sugar Detox?  Do you want to?

21 DSD Check In- Week One

My husband and I have been on the 21 Day Sugar Detox for five days now and I will be honest with you, we haven't been perfect.  If you want perfection, well you might want to read another blog.  

I am not supposed to be eating honey but I use honey daily for my allergies.  After a morning of sneezing I caved and went back to my normal teaspoon of honey with peppermint, lemon, and lavender.  

Other than that, things have gone really well.  I have been able to keep cravings at bay and honestly, I keep waiting to go crazy for an ice cream binge but it hasn't happened.  

The book has a lot of recipes and I have used some of those as well as some that I already had.  

All of the recipes have been delicious!  My kids have even gone back for seconds several times.  

Here is a recipe for you to try out.

  

Yummy Veggie Fritatta

12 ounce package of bacon

2 squash or zuchinni 

3 cups spinach, kale, or mixture of both

1 teaspoon of ground mustard

1 teaspoon cumin

salt to taste

1 cup coconut milk (full fat)

9 eggs

Preheat oven to 425.  Cook bacon.  Add diced squash.  Once the squash is cooked add the spinach.  Whisk together milk and eggs.  Add ground mustard, cumin, and salt.  Pour eggs into pan with everything else and then place in the oven.  Cook for 10-20 minutes or until everything is set. 

Orange Honey Salmon

The other night my kids were hungry, I was tired, and I just wanted to make something quick and healthy.  I had salmon thawed but didn't have the stuff on hand that I normally cook it with so I decided to improvise and pray for the best.  I remember my aunt saying that you always need a sweet something to go on salmon so I grabbed some honey and drizzled it on top (don't drown it, just drizzle it!) and cut two oranges and poured the juice from the oranges onto the salmon.  I tossed it in a 425 degree oven and cooked it for fifteen minutes or so.  You want to cook it just until the thickest side of the salmon easily flakes with a fork. 

While my salmon cooked I took some green beans and diced mushrooms and three cloves of minced garlic and quickly sauteed them in a pan with some melted butter.  Butter, NOT margarine!  You want those good fats in your diet and the flavor is amazing.  I finished them off with some sea salt and fresh cracked pepper.  

In another pan I had a bag of frozen vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots) steaming.  I finished those off with salt, pepper, and melted butter when they were done.  

This took me fifteen minutes to get on the table and each and every one of my kids had seconds.  In fact the next morning they asked if I would make it for breakfast! 

Italian Salmon and Shrimp Spaghetti

The other night I had salmon on the menu.  The problem is I only had a small salmon and my kids have decided to eat EVERYTHING in sight.  Seriously, three boys going through growth spurts; imagine locusts if you don't have know what I'm talking about.  

I decided to thaw out the pound of shrimp that I had in the freezer and I would just kind of "wing it" when it came to dinner.  Yes, this is how I cook!  I try to plan out our meals but it is a very loose menu plan.  

I set the timer on my phone to go off at 4 to get the Spaghetti Squash roasting in the oven.  This is our family's answer to pasta, we all love it.  I literally put the whole thing in the oven for an hour at 400 degrees.  Once you can poke a fork in it it is done.  I've been told that you can also put it in the slow cooker but I haven't tried that yet.  

Once my squash was done I seasoned the salmon with Italian seasoning and salt and pepper and tossed it into the oven at 375.  Once it easily flakes it is done, takes about fifteen minutes.

 

I then, took out a tablespoon of ghee (you can also use butter) along with a diced onion, couple cloves of garlic, and some frozen broccoli.  I sauteed that until it was almost done and then added my peeled shrimp and my shredded Spaghetti squash.  Once the shrimp was pink I added a couple of sprinkles of Italian seasoning.  Shrimp cooks extremely fast so make sure you don't overcook it, then it's rubbery and gross.

Three out of my four kids had seconds (or thirds) so I would call that a success.  Besides the roasting of the squash dinner was done in fifteen minutes!