Our Knight Life https://ourknightlife.com Las Vegas Mom Blogger | Family, Fitness, Product Reviews Mon, 02 Nov 2015 02:50:47 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.6.1 https://ourknightlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Favicon.png Our Knight Life https://ourknightlife.com 32 32 Pumpkin Spice Banana Breakfast https://ourknightlife.com/2015/11/pumpkin-spice-banana-breakfast.html https://ourknightlife.com/2015/11/pumpkin-spice-banana-breakfast.html#comments Sun, 01 Nov 2015 20:48:15 +0000 http://www.familylifeinlv.com/?p=20027 "Pumpkin Spice Banana Breakfast" "Healthy Pumpkin Breakfast" "Pumpkin spice recipe" "Pumpkin Banana Recipe" "paleo"

Pumpkin Spice Banana Breakfast if full of healthy and flavorful fall ingredients but I feel like the title of this is a little deceiving. Yes, this makes a wonderful breakfast, but it was originally created out of a need to give my son a healthy “dessert” after dinner one night, and after one bite it became an instant hit.

I’m not a pie person, but I’m thinking this would be a great alternative when everyone is chowing down on pie at the holidays and you want to stick with your goals. I actually ate it prior to my last long training run, and it was the perfect balance of sugar, fat, and fuel for me.

I love anything pumpkin (except pumpkin pie – I know I’m weird), and it appears that I have passed on that love to my oldest son. He loves this and is always asking for it. I added Maple Syrup to this, but you could easily substitute local honey or agave if you were looking for something even a bit healthier.

You could also substitute raisins for dried cranberries or cherries for a brighter flavor.

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So you decide if this Pumpkin Spice Banana breakfast will be a breakfast, snack, or dessert – because no matter when you eat it, I promise you will love it!


Try this delicious healthy pumpkin spice banana breakfast #recipe
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When I put together this recipe – I pretty much eyeball it, but here is a rough idea of what I do.

Pumpkin Spice Banana Breakfast
 
Emily K.:
Serves: 1
Prep time:
Total time:
 
Ingredients
  • 1 Banana
  • ½ cup of raisins
  • 1-2 T of shredded coconut
  • 1-2 T of chopped walnuts (or any nut)
  • 1 drizzle of Maple Syrup
  • Generous sprinkle of Pumpkin Spice
Instructions
  1. Cut banana
  2. Add raisins, coconut, and nuts, and maple syrup
  3. Mix up
  4. Top with Pumpkin Spice
  5. Enjoy!

 

Did you try my Pumpkin Spice Banana Breakfast recipe? Let me know what you think!

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How To Make Perfectly Crumbled Ground Beef! #TheHacksofLife https://ourknightlife.com/2014/10/perfectly-crumbled-ground-beef.html https://ourknightlife.com/2014/10/perfectly-crumbled-ground-beef.html#comments Sun, 12 Oct 2014 15:36:46 +0000 http://www.familylifeinlv.com/?p=18717


As a busy mom I am always on the lookout for tips and tricks to make my life easier. I love a good “Hack” when it comes to work I have to do anyway, so when asked me to share one of my favorite cooking hacks and include it on their Pinterest board “Hacks of Life” I was knew just what to share!

When life keeps you going all day long, the last thing you want to do at the end of the day is spend a ton of time in the kitchen. My family loves Taco Night and so do I! It’s a quick, easy, and healthy meal that we can all customize to our specific tastes. A few years ago I learned a tip that made Taco night even better!

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It used to be that when we cooked ground beef there were always some chunks that were bigger than others. This always annoyed me because inevitably those chunks either missed the seasoning all together, or got a big clump of it. Either way it wasn’t very palatable.

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Did you know there is one tool in your kitchen that can not only make perfectly crumbled ground beef every time, but it can also speed up the cooking time of your beef?

The trick to perfectly crumbled ground beef that is also perfectly seasoned and cook is a potato masher!

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That’s right! Don’t reach for your trusty spatula or even that old wooden spoon, all you need to make perfectly crumbled ground beef is this trusty tool!

It’s super easy to use do!


So next time you are having a family taco night don’t forget to grab the potato masher!

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Paleo Tacos served with creamy avocado dressing!

Don’t forget this cooking hack will work with the ground meat of your choice, and it’s not just for tacos! It’s perfect for spaghetti, casseroles, and stuffed peppers too!

We love shopping at Fresh & Easy because it’s pretty much a giant life hack disguised as a grocery store! They supply “fast food” without compromising price or quality!

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You may remember this isn’t my first time writing about my love for Fresh & Easy and how they help to make my life easier. The store filled with fresh, organic, food at crazy affordable prices.

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I love that I always know that their product is all natural – guaranteed to be free of artificial colors, flavors, and any other other gross stuff we shouldn’t be eating.

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Additionally, I love that they have so many on-the-go, fresh, organic, affordable meals for easy breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Plus, when I’m looking for lunch ideas or snack ideas for kids I know I’m always going to find what I need at !

So now is the time I should tell you that you need to head over to . It’s filled with a TON of genius cooking hacks.

Plus you can enter Fresh & Easy’s Holiday Sweepstakes to win $150 in groceries or $300 cash!

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To Enter:

  1. Visit Pinterest.com/freshandeasy/the-hacks-of-life.
  2. Pin your favorite kitchen hack. http://www.Pinterest.com/freshandeasy/the-hacks-of-life
    You can pin your own image, you can pin MY image (thank you!!), or you can pin any image on their board!
    "TheHacksofLife" "Cooking Hacks" "Kitchen Hack" "Perfectly Crumbled Ground Beef" "How to Cook Ground Beef" "Fresh & Easy"The images you select will not impact odds of winning the Sweepstakes so it’s totally up to you.  You only need to pin one image to gain entry into the Sweepstakes; multiple pins will not gain additional entries into the Sweepstakes.
  3. Make sure to include #HacksSweepstakes in the description of the pin they submit for the Sweepstakes so they can find your pin!

For more information, see the terms and conditions for entering the giveaway.

Now, I want to know WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KITCHEN HACK!

Let me know in the comments below!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Fresh & Easy.
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Happy National Trail Mix Day | 11 Trail Mix Recipes https://ourknightlife.com/2014/08/trail-mix-recipes.html https://ourknightlife.com/2014/08/trail-mix-recipes.html#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2014 05:30:08 +0000 http://www.familylifeinlv.com/?p=18487 Did you know National Trail Mix Day is August 31st? Why not celebrate by making some fun, adventurous, indulgent, easy, or healthy trail mixes for your family to enjoy all week long! I’ve put together 11 of my favorite trail mix recipes from some awesome bloggers!

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11 Trail Mix Recipes

  1. Chocolate Blueberry Acai Trail Mix: Loaded with flavor and antioxidants this is one trail mix you need to try!
  2. Paleo Trail Mix: Don’t eat grains? No problem! This paleo trail mix is full of flavor and easy to make!
  3. Road Trip Trail Mix: Hit the open road with this tasty trail mix perfect for keeping your whole family fueled up!
  4. Healthy Candy Trail Mix: We have all seen those candy trail mix options that are oh-so-tempting. Why ruin all your hard work when you can eat this “not so trashy” candy trail mix without trashing your day!
  5. Vegan Chewy Trail Mix Bars: As if trail mix wasn’t already portable, these bars make trail mix an even easier grab and go option! Plus it’s vegan!
  6. Pumpkin Cranberry Trail Mix: Mix, grab, and go! It doesn’t get much easier than this recipe!
  7. Peanut Butter Trail Mix Bites: Another super portable option, these trail mix bites take easy to a whole new level!
  8. Pistachio Trail Mix with Homemade Cheez-Its: A creative combination of pistachios, cranberries, and cheese crackers. (PLUS – Homemade Cheez-It’s Recipe)
  9. Goji Berry Trail Mix: Short of time, but want to something super filling? This super-food trail mix is packed with super nutrients that makes this a great snack anytime!
  10. Tropical Trail Mix: While we can’t always just escape to the beach, this trail mix will leave you just about as happy as if you had your toes in the sand!
  11. Kid Approved Trail Mix: This mix is one your kids can help you make and they will be asking for all the time! Perfect for lunches and after school snacks!

I hope you enjoyed these 11 trail mix recipes from some amazing bloggers! There are so many tasty choices, luckily just because it’s National Trail Mix Day today, doesn’t mean you can’t reach for this healthy and portable snack anytime of the year!

Which recipe would you like to try first?

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10 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar https://ourknightlife.com/2014/08/10-ways-to-use-apple-cider-vinegar.html https://ourknightlife.com/2014/08/10-ways-to-use-apple-cider-vinegar.html#comments Fri, 15 Aug 2014 19:46:59 +0000 http://www.familylifeinlv.com/?p=18491 "10 uses for apple cider vinegar" "10 Ways to use Apple Cider Vinegar" "Apple Cider Vinegar Health Benefits" "How to use apple cider vinegar" "apple cider vinegar uses"

Do you ever have a moment when you say to yourself “Why on Earth did I wait so long to try that”? When I switched over to the Paleo approach to eating I discovered I loved foods and ingredients I’d previously shied away from.

One of those things being Apple Cider Vinegar. I love my Braggs and I pretty much use it daily. There are seriously so many ways you can use Apple Cider Vinegar, and incorporating even just a few of these will benefit you in ways you might not have previously thought of.

Before we get into all the great ways you can use apple cider vinegar I wanted to mention why it’s important to by the organic apple cider vinegar that comes with the ‘mother’.  The ‘mother’ is made up of enzymes like connected protein molecules with living nutrients and bacteria. This is where you get the most health benefits from the vinegar.  Apple cider vinegar can be very strong. Always dilute it before drinking or putting it on your skin. Additionally if you don’t like the taste of it at first you can always add honey, a small amount of pure maple syrup, or even fruit juice to make it more palatable.

10 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

  1. For Weight Loss – Add two tablespoons in an 16 oz glass of water every morning. I like to drink it first thing, but others prefer to sip it through out the day. Apple cider vinegar has shown to help fight cravings, lower blood sugar, and has been shown to reduce belly fat and body weight in some studies."young living essential oils" "Young Living Lemon Oil" "Ingesting Lemon Oil" "Detox with Apple cider vinegar" "apple cider vinegar"
  2. Stay Regular – Drinking it daily can help to keep your body moving regularly and flush out toxins that keep you backed up.
  3. Make Your Hair Shine – Re-purpose an old shampoo bottle by filling it with 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 water. Put onto your hair several times a week after shampooing to use it as a rinse. It will boost your hair’s body and shine!
  4. Incorporate it into Foods for More Flavor – My absolute favorite way to do this is as a dressing on salads, but adding apple cider vinegar to sauces gives them a fresh and new taste. See Recipe Below for my super easy and tasty Apple Cider Vinaigrette!
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  5. Clean Produce – Using a mixture of 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide will remove pesticides and other chemicals from fruits and vegetables.
  6. Soothe Sunburns – Add a cup of apple cider vinegar to your bath and soak for 10 minutes to help reduce the sting of a sunburn.
  7. Unclog Your Drains – Mix together 1/2 cup table salt and 1/2 cup of baking soda and pour the mixture down your clogged drain. Next add 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar. The vinegar will react with the previous mixture giving off a harmless gas. Let sit for 2 hours and flush with hot or boiling water.
  8. Fight Acne and Blemishes – Use it as a toner to help fight break outs. Be sure to dilute the apple cider vinegar first. Typically a 1 part ACV to 2 parts water would work, but if your skin is very sensitive you may have to dilute it more.
  9. Wash Windows – Use apple cider vinegar to get a very clean streak free shine. Use 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 water. Some people prefer to use alcohol in place of water, but I find that water does just fine.
  10. Brighten Teeth – Get rid of stains on your teeth by using apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball rubbed directly on your teeth. Rinse well afterwards or even brush to remove the acid from your teeth.

I have to say my favorite way to use apple cider vinegar is a toss up between drinking it and cooking with it. Recently I’ve been making a lot of this super easy Apple Cider Vinaigrette. It’s more flavorful than any dressing I’ve bought at the store, and it’s made with clean, fresh, and paleo and 21 Day Sugar Detox approved ingredients. I use it as a dressing or a marinate for chicken, fish, or vegetables!

4.7 from 7 reviews
Basic Apple Cider Vinaigrette
 
Emily K.:
Cuisine: American
 
A super easy and very flavorful apple cider vinaigrette perfect for salads or as a marinade!
Ingredients
  • 3-4 T Olive Oil
  • 2 T Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg)
  • ½ T Honey (optional)
  • ½ T Flavor God Garlic Lovers Seasonings
Instructions
  1. Mix all ingredients with a whisk and serve
Notes
Flavor God Seasoning is paleo friendly and made fresh at ordering. Feel free to substitute your favorite seasoning combination.
I don't every measure my ingredients anymore. I just use what looks right. Adjust the ratios as needed.

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I know what I’m having for lunch! Doesn’t that look so delicious!

What is your favorite way to use Apple Cider Vinegar?

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21 Day Sugar Detox Week 3 Recap + Meal Ideas https://ourknightlife.com/2014/08/21-day-sugar-detox-week-3-recap-meal-ideas.html https://ourknightlife.com/2014/08/21-day-sugar-detox-week-3-recap-meal-ideas.html#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2014 05:04:30 +0000 http://www.familylifeinlv.com/?p=18437 "21 Day Sugar Detox" "21DSD" "21 Day Sugar Detox Meal" "21 Day Sugar Detox Food" "21 Day Sugar Detox Review"

If there was ever a super easy week on the 21 Day Sugar Detox it would be week 3. I was feeling great, in the groove, and already thinking about doing another detox!

If you don’t know what the 21 Day Sugar Detox is or you would like more information check out Diane Sanfilippo’s book out. It’s called The 21 Day Sugar Detox. The goal is to spend 21 days as close to sugar free as possible. There is also a great Facebook Page that has lots of tips, tricks, and AMAZING support!

Additionally, you may want to catch up with my Week 1 and Week 2  21 Day Sugar Detox recaps. Bonus: They all have 21 meal ideas as well!

Day 15:
I’m in a breakfast rut!

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  • Breakfast: Monkey Salad.
  • Lunch: Leftover Kahlua pork and cabbage with 2 scrambled eggs.
  • Dinner: Shredded chicken, pea pods, mushrooms, kale, celery, cabbage, carrots, onions, and a stir fry sauce

Day 16:
My hubs has been out of town for a while and I’m basically just eating what’s quick and easy at this point. Most days I’m not getting dinner until the kids are sleeping. #momlyfe However, I’m not fighting awful cravings anymore. It’s awesome to not feel like I’m going to crawl out of my skin if I don’t snack at night.

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  • Breakfast: Coconut milk, banana, 1/2 avocado, cinnamon smoothie.
  • Lunch: Garlic/Artichoke sausage, onions, & peppers with @flavorgod garlic lovers and 1/2 avocado, tomato salad.
  • Dinner: leftover chicken and veggies. I accidentally left my sauce from the night before out all night and I’m out of coconut aminos! Added cauliflower rice.

Day 17:
Feeling GREAT! I’m not starving between meals, on busy days I’m not breaking down and stuffing my face if I go too long between meals.

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  • Breakfast: 3 hard boiled eggs, lettuce, tomatoes, celery, cucumber, olive oil/vinegar dressing.
  • Lunch: I had to use up the salad before it turned… Lettuce, cucumber, celery, mushrooms, olives, chicken, ACV/mustard dressing.
  • Dinner: Turkey burger, bacon, onion, mushrooms, butter lettuce, mustard.

Day 18:
Wasn’t hungry at breakfast… Drank water with lemon and ACV.

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  • Brunch: 2 hard boiled eggs, mushrooms, bacon.
  • Dinner: Was supposed to be meat sauce with zoodles, but my zucchini was rotten.  So… Meat sauce with mushrooms and onions over broccoli. It got the job done.

Day 19:
I can’t believe I’ve only got 2 days left!!

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  • Breakfast: Recycled my picture from the other day. Coconut milk, almond butter, 1/2 avocado, banana, cinnamon.
  • Lunch: We went to a water park with the family. They didn’t have chicken for my salad… I ordered a burger instead. They said it was all ground beef… I’m not sure, but I tried my best. Salad with burger, carrots, tomatoes, celery, and mustard.
  • Dinner: I may be a little obsessed with #hotdogisthebun … Garlic artichoke sausage, with onions and mustard. Served with cucumber tomato salad!

Day 20:
Only one more day!

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  • Breakfast: Cauliflower rice, onion, hard boiled egg, bacon.
  • Lunch: Lettuce, red pepper, tomato, cucumber, mushrooms, onions, and turkey burger w/ red wine vinegar.
  • Dinner: Chipotle salad with pork.

Day 21:
Can I get a woot woot?!! Note to self… Don’t schedule day 21 during a road trip.

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  • Breakfast: Bacon, egg, banana.
  • Lunch: We were in the car all day so we stopped at a diner for lunch. Not sure if my bacon was sugar free, but I did my best. Eggs, bacon, tomatoes. (Pickles were for my son). Normally I wouldn’t double up bacon/eggs, but it seemed the only feasible choice on the menu.
  • Dinner: Left the olives/nuts in the car. Oops! Turkey, carrots, tomatoes. Except the turkey smelled weird. It was also really late when we got to the hotel so I just went with the veggies.

Thoughts on Week 3:

As I said earlier, this was BY FAR the easiest week. I may have gotten stuck in a few repetitive meals, but overall I felt amazing and super focused. I wish I would have planned the last day of my detox better – I certainly wouldn’t want to do it for a road trip again unless I had to, and if I did I’d pack more food choices.

Life After the 21 Day Sugar Detox:

I have to admit – I can’t wait to be eating watermelon and cherries again, but I’m hoping to stick to this way of living for my daily meals.  I am a very emotional eater, and this really helped keep my night cravings in check. I didn’t feel like I was going to crawl out of my skin at night. That alone was amazing. I will likely do this again in August. I think it will be a great way to start the school year.
Are you interested in learning more about the 21 Day Sugar Detox? Click HERE to learn more and get started!

Recommended Reading & Products:

These are affiliate links as are some of the links above. I don’t recommend what I don’t personally use. If you do buy via these links I get a very small percentage back.

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Kid Friendly Paleo Granola Recipe https://ourknightlife.com/2014/06/kid-friendly-paleo-granola-recipe.html https://ourknightlife.com/2014/06/kid-friendly-paleo-granola-recipe.html#comments Thu, 05 Jun 2014 20:02:09 +0000 http://www.familylifeinlv.com/?p=18260  

My son is at the age where he loves to help in the kitchen.  This Paleo granola recipe is a recipe that is really easy and a lot of fun to have kids help with.

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When I switched to the Paleo diet I found that I had a lot of trouble with finding a really good filling breakfast other than eggs and bacon. I love eggs and bacon, but I could only have that on so many days!  I also missed the crunch of cereal. I used to love eating granola, so I set out to find a good granola recipe.

While I found some good ones out there, (like this tropical paleo granola from Nom Nom Paleo) I wanted something a little more simple that I could make weekly.  So I ended up just mixing and experimenting with my own recipe until it came out how I wanted.

You don’t need to be eating a Paleo diet to enjoy this recipe. It’s a great cereal and it’s also gluten free!

The recipe below is for cereal, but I have also used it to make grain free granola bars for my son. I simply added more honey and coconut oil as well as some more kid friendly ingredients such as chocolate chips.

Check out how my son and I make Paleo Granola!


5.0 from 4 reviews
Paleo Granola Recipe
 
Recipe type: Paleo, Gluten Free
Cuisine: Breakfast
Serves: 6
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
 
Ingredients
  • 3 Cups chopped walnuts, pecans, cashews, and pumpkin seeds
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 4 T flax seeds
  • 4 T chia seeds
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup coconut oil
Instructions
  1. Combine coconut oil and honey in a pot on low/medium hit. Once it has melted together add spices and vanilla
  2. Stir well
  3. Set aside
  4. Pour nuts, seeds, flax, chia, and raisins into a large bowl
  5. Mix well
  6. Pour honey mixture over top and stir until combined
  7. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper spread the granola until even
  8. Put in the oven at 350 for 10-15 or until granola is golden brown
  9. Cool until set (This could take a hour or two, if you are short on time put it in the freezer for 30 mins)
  10. Break granola into pieces
  11. Enjoy!

Don’t forget to print out my printable Paleo Grocery List – it will make getting all the ingredients really easy!

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I like to enjoy mine with fresh seasonal fruit and almond milk.  I love that this is high in good fats and protein.  It keeps me full for hours until I finally get to sit down for lunch! Plus, it’s a great snack for my son without all the extra and unwanted added sugar!

What would you add to your granola?

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Family Friendly Paleo Menu Plan https://ourknightlife.com/2014/06/family-friendly-paleo-menu-plan.html https://ourknightlife.com/2014/06/family-friendly-paleo-menu-plan.html#comments Tue, 03 Jun 2014 07:33:00 +0000 http://www.familylifeinlv.com/?p=18238  

Hey everyone! I know I missed a few weeks of my menu plans… and this one is going up very late on a Monday night…

I try to stay on top of my blog, but honestly life is so chaotic these days it often takes a back seat.  My priorities are my family, my fitness, my paid work, and then my blog… I’ve realized over the last few months that I really need to focus more on my boys and my health. In order to do that, something has to give. I won’t be absent, and I’m doing lots on YouTube these days too.

What I’m Loving Right Now:

Lemon and Apple Cider Vinegar in warm water to start my day every single day.

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The first time I tried essential oil in my water I hated it. However, I just started using Young Living Essential Oils and I’m sold on taste alone! This tastes amazing! Using oil in place of actual lemon not only has all the benefits of detoxing your body and boosting your immune system, but also since it is cold pressed from the rinds which basically means that they aren’t acidic so you will not have to worry about hurting the enamel on your teeth from drinking lemon water.  (They do however, dissolve petro-chemicals so you should never use citrus oil in a plastic glass.)  The ACV (apple cider vinegar) is also detoxing, helps your body use fat instead of storing it (aka good for weight loss), and supports healthy blood sugars.

——> Interesting in learning more about essential oils and their uses? Check out this post and feel free to shoot me a message if you are wanting help with specific issues!

Next up after my workout in the am I’m juicing.  I LOVE this easy and basic green juice recipe!

Then I have some eggs and sausage or bacon with fruit OR if I’m crunched for time I’ve been turning to my new favorite snack and breakfast food homemade paleo granola. (Stay tuned for the recipe!!)

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Finally – this is my GO-TO dinner lately.  In the past it was chicken sausage, and I’m still loving that, but for some reason I can’t get over this.  I think it may be the rosemary in the Turkey burger combined with the caramelized onions/mushrooms.

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I know you can’t see it… But there is the most delicious Trader Joes rosemary turkey burger underneath some caramelized onions, mushrooms, avocado, and tomatoes.  Served with sweet potato wedges on the side.

Anyways… You probably just came for the menu plan…

Weekly Paleo Menu Plan!

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Also since I’ve been asked this a few times before…

No my husband or son are not paleo. However they eat what I cook.  Occasionally I will add cheese to their plates, or cook white potatoes for my husband.  That said, we are likely going to transition my son to gluten-free/paleo for some health stuff he’s dealing with.

What’s on your menu plan this week?

As always, if something in my menu plan looks appealing to you, please let me know in the comments.

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Easy Paleo Dinners! Weekly Paleo Menu Plan https://ourknightlife.com/2014/05/easy-paleo-dinners-with-menu-plan.html https://ourknightlife.com/2014/05/easy-paleo-dinners-with-menu-plan.html#comments Tue, 13 May 2014 06:14:09 +0000 http://www.familylifeinlv.com/?p=18166  

Oh man you guys!! Last week was a 1/2 success, and a 1/2 fail.  I did some things great.

  1. I made getting back on track a priority.
  2. I got the hubs on board with being better about our food.
  3. I planned ahead.
  4. Broc-Cauli Chowder with Bacon
    "Broc-Cauli Bacon Chowder" "Practical Paleo Cookbook"
    OMG that was SO good!!  I blended it in my blendtec on the soup setting and it ended up SO creamy my husband was convinced I added cream to it.  That will FOR SURE me making an appearance on our menu plans again soon! I love my Practical Paleo cookbook!

However, life as it so often does got super chaotic and we found ourselves short on time.  I didn’t meal prep very well last week so when life threw a curve ball I didn’t have much to step in to catch it with.  I never got to do the Turkey Legs or even the Beef Stir Fry from last week’s menu plan.  (It’s likely the turkey legs will be on next week’s menu plan.)  I also never got over to the local butcher shop in our neighborhood or into Whole Foods for bones to try bone broth.  Lesson’s learned?  I need to meal prep a LOT better and have some stuff in the freezer for easy Paleo dinners…

This week I am keeping it SUPER simple.  We have a few extra things going on, and I have some deadlines to meet, so I call this menu plan the “I’m Short On Time!” menu plan.

"Quick Dinners" "Fast Dinner Ideas" "Paleo menu Plan" "Paleo Recipes" "Meal Planning" "Paleo Meal Planning" "Eat Paleo" "Paleo Diet"

I’ve got 12 eggs ready to be hard boiled.  I’m going to roast a bunch of veggies at once to have on hand for breakfast hash, quick lunches/dinners, and I’ve got 5 pre-made smoothies ready to blend in my freezer!

Speaking of short on time… I’m super excited because my hubs ordered me T25 for Mother’s Day. I can make time for 25 minutes!!

Here is to an awesome week!! 7 days, 7 winning days!!

Don’t forget to download my Paleo Grocery List to make shopping a whole lot easier and more organized!  (Follow this link to get your own copy!)

What are your go to “Short On Time” meals?

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Weekly Paleo Menu Plan #MealPlanning https://ourknightlife.com/2014/05/weekly-paleo-menu-plan-mealplanning.html https://ourknightlife.com/2014/05/weekly-paleo-menu-plan-mealplanning.html#comments Mon, 05 May 2014 15:35:12 +0000 http://www.familylifeinlv.com/?p=18151 "Meal Planning" "Paleo" "Paleo Meal Plan"

It’s back!! Funny how when the meal plans stop I tend to get so off track… Although I don’t think anyone wants to blog that they fell off the bandwagon and their meal plans consisted of crap, crap, and more crap.

Like most people when I have a plan, I tend to stick to my health and fitness goals.  Plus I spend a whole lot LESS money on food when I menu plan.  So I started off this Monday with a new menu plan full of meals my family and I picked together, and a fitness schedule for the next 30 days!

Operation LOSE THE WEIGHT is back on.  Since I have been off plan I not only put on weight, but I’m feeling like CRAP (which is how I have been eating so I shouldn’t be surprised…)  I’m bloated, have had a headache for the past 30 days, and my skin is GROSS!  Looking forward to getting back to what I know works for me and hopefully flushing this crappy food and mood out of my system.

This week’s meal plan I pulled out all my Paleo cookbooks, but ended up taking all the recipes from Practical Paleo.  I have had this book for months, and still have SO many recipes I want to try.  Plus if you don’t like doing meal plans, then you should check out this book because she put together several 30 day menu plans for different focuses. (Thyroid Issues, Strict Paleo, Blood Sugar Regulation, Fat Loss and more!) I really can’t recommend this book more! It’s worth the price!!

This Week’s Menu Plan:

"Paleo menu Plan" "Paleo Recipes" "Meal Planning" "Paleo Meal Planning" "Eat Paleo" "Paleo Diet"

This week I am also going to attempt to make Bone Broth for the first time!! Hopefully I will have pictures for you next week!

What’s on your menu plan this week?

Don’t forget to download my Paleo Grocery List to make shopping a whole lot easier and more organized!  (Follow this link to get your own copy!)

I shared this menu plan on this Monday Meal Plan link up.

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Go Green! Nutty Green Breakfast Smoothie Recipe + #FFMarchMiles Update https://ourknightlife.com/2014/03/green-breakfast-smoothie-recipe.html https://ourknightlife.com/2014/03/green-breakfast-smoothie-recipe.html#comments Mon, 17 Mar 2014 10:08:34 +0000 http://www.familylifeinlv.com/?p=18021  

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

In the spirit of this green holiday I thought we could all start off our morning green with my Nutty Green Breakfast Smoothie! It’s packed with protein and a delicious way to start your day and add some green into your diet!

"Green Breakfast Smoothie" "Green Smoothie" "Green Protein Smoothie" 'Smoothie Recipe" "St. Patrick's Day Recipe"

This smoothie is really simple to make and you can easily swap out whatever nuts or fruit you have on hand.  Depending on the morning sometimes I even make this with coconut water instead of almond/coconut milk.  My preschooler loves this smoothie so much he’s been asking me to bring him a glass after his morning school!

5.0 from 8 reviews
Nutty Green Breakfast Smoothie
 
Recipe type: Smoothie
Cuisine: Paleo
Serves: 1
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
 
Easy to make and super full of protein to keep you full all morning!
Ingredients
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • ⅛ cup pecans
  • ½ cup frozen mango
  • 1 handful spinach
  • 1 medium-large banana
  • Ice - Optional
Instructions
  1. In a blender add milk, spinach, frozen fruit, nuts, and banana. Add ice if you prefer your smoothies really cold.
  2. Blend until smooth.
  3. Enjoy.

This smoothie is not only paleo, but it’s also child friendly.  The mango and banana make this drink pretty sweet and mask most/all of the spinach taste.  It’s the perfect smoothie to start off the week and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a ton of protein to get your through your morning!

Do you have kids?  Don’t miss this fun and SUPER easy St. Patrick’s Day rainbow shamrock craft!

#FFMarchMiles Update!

Oops! I didn’t get a Fitness Friday post up.. Motivational Monday anyone?  (If you are wondering what #FFMarchMiles is check out my #FFMarchMiles week 1!)

It’s been another chaotic week, complete with food poisoning this weekend!  I spent most of my Saturday alternating between the bathroom and the couch, but since the hubby was deployed I still obviously had to take care of the kiddos.  So that day was virtually a no-mile day for me.  Tuesday was also crazy and I barely got over a mile in.  I never realized how much I don’t move unless I make it an effort to get my sweat on.  Having the polar loop has been a real wake up call for me just seeing the miles add up on my wrist. Since my job is writing, I sit a ton.  I’m really enjoying this challenge and it’s for sure getting me moving more!!

So… How did I do?? 

"Motivational Monday" "FitFluential" "Reebok" "FFMarchMiles" "100 Miles in March" "Workout at home" "workout with kids"

I thought for sure I was going to be behind due to two really bad days of virtually no miles, but I was excited to see that I am actually right on track thanks to kicking it up a notch towards the end of the week.  You may remember that I haven’t been able to sign up at the gym due to a daycare issue, so I’ve been really reliant on walking to and from school each morning with the boys.  My older son is really enjoying it.  In fact this week we started a game where we run from light post to light post and race.  I’m not a good runner, and he’s not even 5 yet so it’s actually a pretty even race!

"Motivational Monday" "FitFluential" "Reebok" "FFMarchMiles" "100 Miles in March" "Workout at home" "workout with kids" "Polar Ft40"
(I couldn’t get the heart strap on my new bluetooth polar to work so I used my Polar FT 40 to track my workout – the polar loop still tracked my steps.)

So overall not a bad week last week! Hoping to keep my miles up this week! I hope you all have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day and let me know if you enjoy my nutty green breakfast smoothie!  I’m always experimenting with my breakfast smoothies so if you let me know you liked this one I will keep sharing more!

Disclosure: This post does contain some affiliate links. They allow me to keep doing what I love and that is sharing awesome products and my day to day with you! Don’t worry – you don’t have to click on them!!

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