Wholesome Dinner Tonight: March 2015

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Light and Lean Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's pie is a classic Irish comfort food that we love! This is my healthier version with lean ground turkey and extra veggies beyond the traditional peas and carrots. Creamy potatoes on top make this a delicious comfort food, perfect for dinner tonight! Click over to www.type2diabetes.com to see my recipe. ...click here for the recipe!

Chicken Meatball and Noodle Soup {Gluten-Free}

This soup is a fun spin on the classic chicken noodle. The meatballs are fun to eat and really easy to make and add so much flavor to the soup. We used gluten-free brown rice noodles for ours and they held up well, even the next day for leftovers. Click over to type2diabetes.com to see my recipe. ...click here for the recipe!

Monday, March 30, 2015

Berries and Greens Smoothie

Love this smoothie! Super easy to make and a great way to get in some extra greens. Spinach is really mild and doesn't overpower this at all. Choose any frozen berries you like. When fresh, sweet berries are in season, I tend to overbuy. Sometimes we eat them all but if we don't it's really easy to wash and trims the tops and freeze them for a delicious smoothie another day. The addition of yogurt and almond milk add extra protein without adding a ton of carbs. You can also use Greek yogurt for more protein but it tends to be more bitter so if that's not your thing a squirt of agave nectar can help! Click over to type2diabetes.com to see my recipe. Enjoy! ...click here for the recipe!

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Gluten-Free No-bake Granola Bars {cooking with kids}

These are a great homemade alternative to packaged granola bars. It's nice to know all of the ingredients and get the kids involved in making them. They store really well and the kids loved them! I still occasionally buy store bought bars but these are so tasty I think we'll be having them more often.

Recipe: (makes 12-18 bars)
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Coconut Oil
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 teaspoons Chia Seeds
2 teaspoons water
1/2 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
2 cups oats
1 3/4 cups Koala Crisp Cereal
1/4 cup dried fruit, chopped

Directions:
1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut oil, brown sugar, honey, peanut butter, salt and vanilla and stir occasionally until well combined and heated through, about 3-5 minutes.

2. In a small dish combine chia seeds with 2 teaspoons of water, let soak briefly
3. In a large mixing bowl combine soaked Chia seeds, coconut, oats, crisp cereal and dried fruit, let the kids measure and mix ingredients.

4. Have an adult pour the warm peanut butter and honey mixture over the top of the dry ingredients and stir gently to coat. If mixture seems too wet, add another 1/4 cup of oats.
5. Spread mixture on a Silpat-lined, rimmed baking sheet or glass pan. Using the back of a spatula, spread and flatten mixture trying to keep it uniform in thickness. Place pan in the refrigerator to chill.

6. Once chilled through, slice with a butter knife into bars or squares. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

*this post includes affiliate links

...click here for the recipe!

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Lunch Ideas and Inspiration

Everyone can use some inspiration for lunch ideas, right? For adults and kids. Having a fun and varied lunch is more enticing and eating a variety of healthy foods is a great way to meet our nutritional needs.

We are a homeschooling family but our oldest goes to a co-op one day per week and brings his lunch. Before we made our move across the country, a year ago, he was in public school and took his lunch most days. I started taking pictures of the lunches I made him as inspiration for myself week to week. He often helps or now makes his own lunch (with our guidance).

I totally get it that our three boys are BIG eaters (they often each as much or more than me) and they are not picky and will eat most anything. If these portions seem too much for your kiddo, just edit it down to meet your needs, you know your kids best. These ideas are great for adults as well! A more grown up Bento Box such as Easy Lunch Boxes is a wonderful way to keep portions in check.

In Sugarbooger Divided Lunch Box :

Almond butter and honey sandwich on whole wheat bread

apple slices

cheddar cheese cubes with Bento Pick for fun

Graham bunnies with dried cranberries and two candy corns in a Silicone Cupcake Liner

Green leaf lettuce with baby carrots

Lunch Cube Box:
Almond Butter and Raspberry Jam sandwich on whole wheat bread

Goldfish crackers

raisins

Sunflower seeds and a candy corn pumpkin in a Silicone Cupcake Liner

Fresh raspberries and cubed watermelon

Fresh spinach, baby carrots and small container of poppyseed dressing (I rinse and save any little containers we get from ordering take-out for this)

Trader Joe's Organic Strawberry yogurt

We love Easy Lunch boxes. They have the best sealing lids and three generous compartments. Easy Lunch Boxes makes the perfect EasyLunchboxes Insulated Lunch Box Cooler Bag that works great for one box and a drink or up to three Easy Lunch Boxes can fit at a time! Love that!

In Easy Lunch box :

Wheat crackers and two chocolate covered blueberries in a silicone cupcake liner

Fresh strawberries

hard boiled egg

Laughing Cow Light Spreadable cheese to spread on crackers

fresh watermelon cubes

Romaine lettuce with cubes of leftover chicken and croutons with side of Ranch dressing

In Easy Lunch box :

Wheat crackers

Roasted pistachios

Organic honey ham rolls

Organic White Cheddar cheese sticks

Fresh Mandarin Orange

Graham bunny crackers with two sour skittles in a silicone cupcake liner

Fresh strawberries

Leftover steamed broccoli from last night's dinner

In an Easy Lunch box :

Turkey Sandwich with lettuce, red onion, cheese and mustard on whole wheat bread

Trader Joe's Alphabet crackers, dried mango slices, two candy corns

Fresh grapes

Trader Joe's Organic Strawberry yogurt

In a Lunch Cube:

Almond butter and raspberry jam on an English Muffin

Mandarin orange

Cascadian Farms Organic mini granola bar

Hummus in a Silicone Cupcake Liner with English cucumber slices

Honey Chex and Goldfish crackers

Organic applesauce cup

Organic Honey ham rolls

...click here for the recipe!

Mushroom Quinoa {Gluten-Free}

This mushroom quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) makes a great side dish and pairs really well with chicken or turkey! It has more protein than other grains and is a good source of fiber. Click over to type2diabetes.com to see my recipe. Enjoy! ...click here for the recipe!