Apple Fruit Leather

                       Check out my Tutorial Video here for my Apple Fruit Leather!!!

To start, if we can get our kids to eat whole natural fruit, that is our first option.  That being said, if you are looking for a fun way to get a little more fruit in their bellies, my Apple Fruit Leather is a nice back up plan.  A great little snack with no added sugar, all natural!  Even better, see if you can involve them in the process, it just may increase compliance.  These travel well, perfect for a lunch box, or after soccer snack...or quite frankly anytime of day!

Ingredients~

Apples

     Chop up Apples into small pieces, add to heavy duty blender.  I found it better to blend in small batches, about a 1/2 chopped Apple at a time in my Ninja produced the perfect consistency.  Pour onto a silpat lined cookie sheet, as much as desired to create a thin even layer.  Bake at 170 degrees for 4 hours, leaving oven door open a crack with a wooden spoon.  Remove, cool, cut into strips with a pizza cutter.  Meanwhile, prepare strips of wax paper, lay a strip of leather on top of wax paper, and roll up tightly, then twist the ends securely.  Store in fridge.  Enjoy :)

Ripe Avocados

 

 

                             Check out my tutorial here for Ripe Avocados!!!🥑

     

     Have you ever been in a pickle for a ripe Avocado…only to find all the ones at the store are rock hard!?  Whelp, I got you…keep reading!  Whether it’s Guac, Salads or Wraps that need a touch of green, an Avocado is always the perfect answer.  When you are in desperate pinch, here is an idea.  Bring a pot of water to a boil, drop your unripened Avocado in the boiling water for 15 minutes, remove, allow to cool, and use as desired!  I still prefer the natural ripening process, the flavor is better, much better.  I will only use this when I have no other options!  But every girl needs a few tricks up her sleeve when magic needs to happen!  👊🏻

Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner

 

     If you like easy, as well as easy clean up, on top of tasty and delicious…keep reading!  My Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner fills the bill on each of those things!  This one is quick and comes together in about an hour, baking time included!  Make as much as you want, or as little as a single serving.  Switch up the starch and the vegetables to meet your desire.  Let your taste buds be your guide, and enjoy less time in the kitchen tonight!😊

Ingredients~

Baby Potatoes

Diced Onion

Chopped Garlic

Olive Oil

Chopped Broccoli (I include the stems)

Sliced Red Bell Peppers

Colossal Peeled Raw Shrimp

Seasoning as desired

Lemon

     Toss the Potatoes, Onion, and Garlic with Olive Oil and place on parchment lined sheet pan, bake at 400 for 30 minutes.  Toss Broccoli and Peppers with Olive Oil, and add to pan after Potatoes are done, and put everything back in oven for another 10 minutes, lastly remove from oven one more time, toss Shrimp with Olive Oil and place in center of pan, bake all together another 5 minutes, or til pink, remove and squeeze Lemon over Shrimp and Broccoli.  Season as desired.  Feel free to sub with any Starch or Vegetable you prefer.  Enjoy 🥰

Shakshuka My Way

 

    When homegrown Tomatoes are aplenty (...even store bought works), then Shakshuka you must make!  Luckily my daughter has a garden with ample for sharing, as well as her Tomato Sauce she simply whips together!  And, if you are in the hankering to add a protein twist to the mix, adding a few Eggs becomes a divine treat.  Fortunately, you can use your own creativity to tweek this one any way you want, but here is what I did!...

Ingredients ~

Diced Tomatoes (preferably Homegrown)

Diced Onion 

Crushed Garlic

Olive Oil

Italian Seasoning as desired 

Basil as desired

Oregano as desired

Eggs 

Diced Bell Peppers

     Drizzle Tomatoes, Onions and Garlic with Olive Oil, and roast at 350 for 45min-hour, til roasted to your desire, season as preferred, add to blender and slightly blend for thicker sauce, or blend to smooth if you prefer a creamier texture.  If you have a large quantity like my daughter did, she divides hers up in batches and freezes any extras.  Add desired amount of sauce to a skillet, heat til simmering, break Eggs into skillet, add lid to help cook Eggs til desired level of done.  Garnish with Bell Peppers, if desired.  Enjoy ;)

Cherry Pecan Ice Cream

 

    See full Video Here!

   Well well well, Kristy from Life Unbinged has done it again!  I saw her put this baby together and knew immediately I had to give this one a try.  Once again, I was right.  #worthit This is a nice treat to enjoy every once in a while.  The entire batch is only 470 calories, 60g carbs, 7g fiber, 53g net carbs, 29g protein and 16g fat.  I would definitely use it as two servings, but you do you dawg.  This is a fun one to try during fresh Cherry season, but using frozen is always an option.  Enjoy ;)

Ingredients for two servings~

1 cup Cottage Cheese

1 rounded cup pitted Cherries (approximately 7oz), chopped to desired size

Ripe Medium Banana (approximately 4oz)

1 Tablespoon chopped Pecans

     Add Cottage Cheese and half the Cherries in a blender and whip til smooth.  In a tupperware, mash banana and stir in remaining Cherries, then pour Cottage Cheese into container and continue to blend, sprinkle top with Pecans, and place in freezer til set, approximately a couple hours.  Enjoy ;)

Chelsea's Tomato Sauce

                      Enjoy the full tutorial video on YouTube for Chelsea’s Tomato Sauce

     All my kids are good cooks, but only one of them have a Tomato garden.  Thanks to Chelsea, my youngest, I was able to enjoy this delicious homemade home grown Tomato Sauce.  I am hoping her older siblings are feeling the pressure to show her up and give mommy more gifts...I digress.  This is a very simple recipe, using as many ingredients from the back yard as possible.  There are no measurements, as well as no rules for consumption.  I made a Salad with my Sauce by topping Greens with Cottage Cheese, Beef Crumbles (Tempeh would be a great meatless protein option), Sauce and Green Bell Pepper Garnish.  It was delightful.  Hope you give this one a try!  :)

Ingredients ~

Diced Tomatoes (preferably Homegrown)

Diced Onion 

Crushed Garlic

Olive Oil

Diced Jalapeños as desired

Italian Seasoning as desired 

Basil as desired

Oregano as desired

     Drizzle Tomatoes, Onions and Garlic with Olive Oil, and roast at 425 for 45min-hour, til roasted to your desire, season as preferred, add to blender and slightly blend for thicker sauce, or blend to smooth if you prefer a creamier texture.  If you have a large quantity like my daughter did, she divides hers up in batches and freezes any extras.  Enjoy  :)

Everything Cottage Cheese Dip

 

     When you are in a pinch and need to be creative, my Everything Cottage Cheese Dip is one to try.  Perfect as a Potato Topper, or really any kind of vegetable would pair extremely well.  The entire thing is only 67 calories, 4g carbs, .7g fiber, 3.3g net carbs, 8.5g protein and 2.5g fat.  Super simple, so delicious, and the macros are friendly as well.  Try it, you'll like it!  ;)

Ingredients for one serving~

1/4 cup Cottage Cheese

2 teaspoons Nutritional Yeast (reduce to 1 teaspoon for a milder flavor)

Squeeze Lemon Juice, desired amount

Everything Bagel Seasoning, desired amount

     Add Cottage Cheese to blender and whip til smooth, stir in remaining ingredients til fully incorporated.  Combine with anything that suits your fancy.  Enjoy :)