Turkey Meatloaf

Oh meatloaf.. who ever came up with this dinner anyways? It is literally a loaf of meat!! Come on! Now, if it were up to me, I would probably never make this, but it is my husband's favorite meal.. no joke! Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and canned corn. EWH! I'm a hater and I will admit it! That is not a meal I enjoy! BUTTTT, today was his birthday, so you know what that means? The man gets his fave! And, I will admit.. the meatloaf tonight was actually…. GOOD!!! Yes, I really did enjoy the meatloaf and my salad.. I still don't like canned corn ;) I am going to share the meatloaf recipe because like I said, it was really good and I made it super yummy!!! I encourage you all to give it a whirl! I added minced veggies to it too and no one even noticed ;) That's a bonus!


Turkey Meatloaf

1 lb. ground turkey
1 egg
1/2 sleeve saltine crackers
1/3 cup milk
1/2 onion-- finely chopped ( I put mine in my food processor and practically puree all of the veggies!)
1 whole zucchini- finely grated
2 carrots- finely grated
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 tsp. garlic powder (or mince your own!)

form into loaves and bake on 350 degrees for 50 minutes!!

SPECIAL SAUCE--
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 'squirt' mustard

bring to a boil in a saucepan for 1 minute. Pour over cooked meatloaf and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.

Slice and serve!

It really is GOOD!!! And you get your veggies in there too! :) :)

ENJOY!!!

Tacos

I must say.. Mexican Food is my ALL TIME FAVORITE! We seriously eat it about 3 times a week at my house. No joke! I really think that my family and I are going to someday turn into a taco!  One thing we really RARELY do is actually go out to eat mexican food though because of all the added sodium and fat in the fajitas, enchiladas, etc! So, I have learned how to make our favorite meals in a clean way that is equally delicious! Now, we prefer 'momma's cookin' over the real deal any day! So, here we go. One super simple easy dinner that my kids LITERALLY request every single day!

TACOS :)



Easy Peasy Turkey Tacos!

1 pound ground turkey
1 packet taco seasoning
1/3 cup water

1. Brown and chop up the turkey meat on the stove.
2. Add the taco seasoning and water.
3. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
4. EAT!!

Ummm… how easy is that?

We serve them on tortillas or hard shell tacos! My kids love the hard shells! We put lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, plain greek yogurt, black beans and taco sauce on ours. We really just load them up! It is a super healthy meal, so that is why we eat it so often! The black beans amp up the protein even more than just the meat alone and the fiber in the beans is always a plus! Lots of veggies is a must and I usually make some asparagus to go with them as a side.
Super yummy and FAST :)

ENJOY!!

Mini Pita Pizzas

MINI PITA PIZZAS


I am guessing that we are not the only family that has a love affair with pizza? My kids would literally eat it every single day! (Who am I kidding, so would I!!) So, with this recipe we can eat it and not feel crappy afterwards! My kids love it with or without the veggies.. it was a fight at first with vegetables, but now they don't even question them!! (Most of the time. KIDS ARE KIDS!! Sometimes they just want to argue ;) )

So, give these a try and I promise they won't disappoint!

Ingredients:

• 100% Whole Wheat Mini Pitas
• Olive oil
• Shredded Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese
• Natural Pizza Sauce
• Any veggies!!!!   I have used sauteed mushrooms, spinach, red peppers, garlic, red onions, fresh tomatoes and basil.  You can also experiment with sliced chicken, ground turkey, ect.

Arrange pitas on a cookie sheet and lightly brush with oil.  Top with pizza sauce, veggies and mozzarella.  Bake on 400 degrees until cheese is melted.  Enjoy as an appetizer, snack or meal!  We serve with a big side salad!

Coconut Chicken

Coconut Chicken

This is a great recipe and everyone ate it up! I am so ready to eat something other than Turkey today, so I am making this for my family!! I will make this and pair it with some green beans and maybe even some sweet potato fries! I am totally looking forward to dinner tonight!!

Ingredients:

1lb boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced into strips

½ cup egg whites or egg substitute

¾ cup Whole Wheat Panko breadcrumbs

1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp ground pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

½ tsp crushed red pepper

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 400 degress F.

In one bowl, combine Whole wheat Panko, coconut, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, salt and pepper.

In another bowl, add the egg white or substitute.

Cut chicken breast into strips (easier to eat and cooks through better)!

Dip strips into egg and then into breading mixture. Layer the strips so they are not overlapping each other.

Cook at 400 for 30 min or until crispy.

Clean Eating Sloppy Joes

I have been a lover of sloppy joes since I was a kid! But, my mom's recipe is definitely not the 'cleanest' and I have cut out added sugars in my family's food :) So, this is the best sloppy joe recipe I have found and I don't miss all of the other add ins!!

Clean Eating Sloppy Joe’s

These make about 8 sloppy Joes :) 

Ingredients

1 tbsp. olive oil

1-1/2 lbs. lean ground turkey meat 

1 (15 oz.) can organic tomato sauce, no sugar added

1/2 cup clean ketchup (I use simply heinz)

1 tbsp. dijon mustard

2 tsp. raw honey

1 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 medium green bell pepper

1 medium red bell pepper

Directions

Step 1 – Put your olive oil in a large pan, add the turkey meat and cook over medium heat.

Step 2 – Once the meat is cooked, add everything else. Stir until well blended and heated through.

Step 3 – Scoop however much you want onto a clean hamburger bun or ezekiel english muffin!!

CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

Cream of Mushroom Soup - cleaned up and homemade!



Makes approximately 1 cup, equivalent to one can.


3 Tbs of olive oil
3 Tbs whole grain flour (you can use rice flower if you need gluten free)
1/2 cup organic milk (almond milk)
1/2 cup organic or homemade broth 
Pinch of Himalayan pink salt
1/2 cup of chopped mushrooms (or more)

Heat the oil in a pot over medium to high heat.  when warmed and very thin, whisk in flower and let cook for 1 minute.  
Poor in liquids while still whisking.
Add salt and mushrooms (in this step you could add in anything you wanted to make a cream of... ____ soup. For example, broccoli, chicken, garlic, onions, ground mustard, cheese, nutmeg... ect)
Whisk until sauce comes to a boil, then turn off the heat.  

Mexican Lasagna

This is one of my all time recipes! (Okay, so I think that I say that about every single recipe!! But, they are all so good!)  My family loves this and that is always the kicker, right? All of you ladies out there know that it is a hit ONLY WHEN we can please EVERYONE at the dinner table!! I also take pride in knowing that I am creating clean, healthy food for my family to enjoy. No eating out every night for us, this momma cooks!! So, here it is. One of the best mexican dishes around!

MEXICAN LASAGNA

Ingredients:

• 1lb lean ground turkey
• 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (low fat)
• 1 cup of cottage cheese
• 1 cup of clean salsa
• 1/2 cup of black beans
• 1 small/medium onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp taco seasoning
• 4 low carb whole wheat tortillas, cut into strips (I like the santa fe wraps from costco)

1. Preheat over to 400 degrees.
2. In a skillet pan sprayed with nonstick spray, cook the ground turkey and onion until brown.  Once cooked turn to low and add salsa, black beans and taco seasoning and mix together.  Set aside
3. In a bowl, combine 3/4 cup of the cheddar cheese and the cup of cottage cheese.
4. In a baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray, line the pan with 1/2 of the tortilla strips.  Scoop 1/2 of the meat mixture on top and spread out, covering the tortillas.  Then add 1/2 of the cheese mix on top of the meat and spread.  Repeat the layers again with remaining strips, meat, and cottage cheese.  Top with remaining cheese.
5. Cover and bake for 40 minutes and enjoy!  Makes 4 servings at 350 calories each.

Zucchini Lasagna

Okay!! So, last night it was so cold and icky outside that I knew that we needed a warm, yummy, hearty meal!!! BUT, I also like to know that it isn't going to break all of the hard work that I do with my workouts and also with my clean eating for myself and my family! I have had this once before and it was yummy, but it has been awhile! So, I changed up last night's dinner plans and decided to make the Zucchini Lasagna again for my family!  SUCCESS!! I mean it was so delicious! I forgot how good it really is! I mean, after ONE BITE my four year old was telling my husband and I how YUMMY it was for her tummy and she wanted it for breakfast the next morning!! That is definitely music to any momma's ears! Healthy food can taste great! Just make it right!!  My husband loved it and my six year old (who gave me grief BEFORE trying it) ended up loving it too! WIN WIN!!
So, on to the recipe!!!

Zucchini Lasagna

Ingredients:

• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1 lb of lean ground turkey
• Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste
• 1 tsp garlic powder
•  4 small zucchini, sliced lengthwise
• 24 oz of low fat cottage cheese 
• 1 jar of no sugar added spaghetti sauce (I use whatever I find that is organic)
•  1 cup low fat mozzarella cheese

Directions:

• Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
• Combine onion, ground turkey, salt, pepper, garlic powder in a skillet and brown turkey until no longer pink.
• Layer Zucchini in the bottom of your pan, then spread a layer of cottage cheese, then a little bit of mozzarella cheese, follow that with a layer of ground turkey mixture, spread a layer of sauce on top.
• Repeat this over again.  Then layer one final row of zucchini on top and cover with sauce and a little sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.

• Cover with foil and bake in the oven for approximately 1 hour.
• Remove the foil and continue to bake for 10 more minutes then remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes.

Yes it will be a little bit runny due to the water in the zucchini, sauce and the cottage cheese.  I used a slotted spoon to scoop out the lasagna which allows the liquids to stay in the dish. 

It is honestly amazing!  I hope you enjoy it!!!

I know we will be having this as a weekly meal!! It is THAT GOOD!!! 

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

UNSTUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

Okay- this recipe is so good. I was a little 'leery' at first because my family can be picky at times, but that doesn't stop me from making a new recipes and trying new things!! So, I whipped this one up and MAN!! It is SO GOOD! My kids loved it, my hubby loved it and it has become a staple on our meal plans!! It is a perfect recipe for a cold fall/winter day and everyone will love it!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 to 2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey

1-1 1/2 tablespoons oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 small cabbage, chopped (I slice it up pretty thin and kind of chop it finely)

2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon sea salt

Preparation:

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion and cook, stirring, until ground beef is no longer pink and onion is tender.

Add the garlic and continue cooking for 1 minute.

Add the chopped cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until cabbage is tender.

I like to add some cooked brown rice to this too :) Yummy!!

Yield: Serves 6 to 8

CHILI- the healthy version!

THE BEST CHILI EVER!

Okay, so as soon as fall gets here I am all about soup! I want it all the time! A different kind every night of the week. No joke! How many of you feel the same way? So, chili is something that I have made for years. I have tried so many different recipes and each one that I have tried is good in its own way, but this one… MAN, I FINALLY nailed it! I made a cleaner version of chili that is so delicious that you won't even notice the missing fat content! I've tweaked it to perfection! Now, try it and let me know what you think!

MY FAVE CHILI RECIPE!!

1 pound lean ground turkey

1/2 pound chicken breast

1 59 ounce 'bottle' of tomato juice

1 big can of tomato sauce

1 1/2 cups chopped onions

1/2 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 cup chili powder

2 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp white organic sugar

1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper

2 cans dark kidney beans (RINSED!)

So, this is how I make mine. I will give you a few other 'options below!! I put the ground turkey and chicken in the crockpot and cook it for 4-5 hours on low when it is NOT frozen. If it is frozen meat, then I will cook it on high for about 5 hours.  In a big pot combine all of the other ingredients and cook on low/simmer for about 2 hours. I usually chop all of the veggies in a food processor. My family and I like everything chopped really fine. My kids don't like to see 'chunks' of veggies in their soup.. So, puree or chop very fine and they will never know!! After the meat is cooked, chop it up and shred the chicken then add it to the pot of sauce. Cook on low for about another 30 minutes then...Ready to go!!! :) Remember, the longer chili sits together the better it tastes!!

*I just put the chicken in there to try it and I LOVE it this way! It adds something and it is so good!!*

CROCKPOT CHICKEN TACOS

Okay everyone, this recipe is a MUST for your menu this week. If you've never tried it, just wait! It is seriously so delicious! My family and I usually have it once a week! It's almost funny because at this point friends who come over for dinner either request that I make it or they already know that it is probably what we are having for dinner that night anyways! A staple is an understatement and you will see why!

These are great served as a regular taco on either a soft whole wheat tortilla shell or even on a hard shell taco. They are great made into a quesadilla and it tastes wonderful served over a bed of lettuce! Whatever way you decide to make it, you won't be disappointed!

Here you go!

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

1 lb. chicken breasts
1 can of organic black beans
1 container of fresh salsa
1 packet taco seasoning
1/3 brick of cream cheese
1/2 cup water (only use water if chicken is thawed)

Put everything in the crockpot and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours! You can use frozen or fresh chicken breasts. But remember, if you are using frozen, omit the water :)  It makes it really runny if you use the water with the frozen chicken.
About 20 minutes before serving stir in the cream cheese! 
ENJOY!!

We usually have some salsa, tomatoes, onions and lettuce on ours. We also use greek yogurt in place of sour cream! If you have never tried to use plain greek yogurt instead of sour cream, you're missing out!! Try it! You can't even tell the difference, but greek yogurt is so much better for you!

Strawberry Zucchini Muffins

This recipe was so easy and SO GOOD! I mean come on, when you are craving a muffin then this should be a go to recipe. It is clean and you wouldn't even know it! I am for one all about making things healthy and this is the way to go! Make these as a special 'treat' to go along with dinner one night this week! Your family will love them!


Strawberry Zucchini Muffins


Ingredients:
1 cup shredded zucchini
8 eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (or oil)
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup strawberries, cut into small pieces, fresh or frozen
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine zucchini, eggs, applesauce (or oil), honey and vanilla in a large bowl. Mix well.
3. Add salt, coconut flour, and baking soda to wet ingredients. Mix until there are no coconut flour lumps.
4. Gently fold in strawberry pieces.
5. Fill muffin cups 3/4 of the way full (or more).
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-28 minutes for regular sized muffins and 15-18 minutes for mini muffins.
*Makes 12 regular muffins and 6-10 mini muffins depending on how full you fill them.