Paleo Cream of Chicken Soup

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Tonight I was searching for something to make for our Whole30 Day 18 dinner... I had chicken soup on my mind, it just sounded yummy.  I found this recipe for Paleo Cream of Chicken Soup and I had all the ingredients...perfect!  

I was able to whip this up in about 30 minutes.  It makes about 6 servings, so I cut this recipe in half tonight because it's just my husband and I.  Now that I know how good it tastes...I'll make the full recipe next time and save the rest.  :)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil, olive oil (I used coconut oil)
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 2 medium carrots, finely diced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup arrowroot
• 1/2 cup cool water
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons salt (less if your broth is salted)
• 3 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded (I used shredded Rotisserie...so easy!)
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk (1 can unsweetened full-fat canned or homemade)

Instructions:

1. Place oil in a large soup pot over medium heat.  Add the celery and carrots.  Cook, stirring occasionally until soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Add broth.  Place the arrowroot and 1/2 cup cool water in a small bowl or jar and whisk or shake to combine.  Add to pot along with parsley, thyme, bay leaf, and salt.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbly and thickened.
3. Reduce heat, just enough to maintain a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes.
4. Stir in coconut milk and chicken and heat through. This is a fairly thick soup; if you like it thinner, add more water, broth, or coconut milk and heat through. Remove bay leaf just before serving. Leftovers may be frozen.

Step 1...

Step 2...& 3

Step 4...

Finished!  My husband loved this homemade Paleo Cream of Chicken Soup!  Next time I might put some diced avocado on top and maybe a little cilantro!  This definitely is not thecanned Cream of Chicken Soup you may remember as a kid!  This is the real deal.  :)

-This recipe is originally from everyoneeatsright.com.

What's in my Fridge?

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What's in my fridge?  The more important question is... What's in your fridge?  Do you keep things hanging around that tempt you each and every time you open your fridge or pantry?  Is it food that leaves you unsatisfied...only wanting more?  Or...is it filled with healthy, nutritious ingredients that satiate you? I heard the Whole30 Challenge would get me more organized...it has.  I feel like I shop and cook more efficiently than ever before.  I've cleaned out all the junk (so it's a little empty) but now, when we open our organized fridge and pantry it's filled with all this amazing, nutritious, delicious food we get to eat!

So, what's in my fridge?  I'm going to give you a list of what I like to keep on hand at all times...

• Eggs, lots of eggs... I used to buy a dozen at a time, that doesn't cut it anymore.  I have 31 eggs in my fridge right now.
• Hard boiled eggs... Great for an on-the-go breakfast or snack, salads, deviled eggs.  I only have 1 in my fridge right now, so I know what I will be doing with some of the above;)
• Coconut Milk... Not the carton.  The canned, real, unsweetened kind.  I pour it into a glass jar with a pour spout and glass lid that holds 1 can perfectly.  We use it in coffee and pour on berries or a banana as a snack.  (Crate & Barrel is where I got the jar...I love it;)
• Ghee... great alternative for butter, for cooking
• Lots of veggies in the fridge, crisper & pantry...right now I have greens, kale, tomatoes, broccoli, brussel sprouts, scallions, beets (I like getting the "I Love Beets" at Costco, so easy), cilantro, parsley, onions, garlic, carrots, celery, sweet potatoes and sweet peppers.  I like having spaghetti squash, asparagus, artichokes and cauliflower also.
• A cooked stew or chili.  I don't have either in my fridge right now, I'm making chili tomorrow;)  So great to have one of these you can heat up...they just get better as they sit.  You can make double and freeze half.
• A prepared, ready to eat salad.  I like having a grain-free Tabbouleh or a Tuscan Kale salad ready to go...
• A cooked meat.  Right now I have a shredded Italian Pork Roast to eat off of this week.
• A Rotisserie chicken.  I just make sure it's an organic, good quality one...these are great to keep in the fridge as "go-to" protein.  Or I'll cook chicken thighs to have on hand.
• Bacon...nitrate free, high quality bacon (sugar free is best if you can find it.)
• I'm making fish soon, so I have 2 Petrale Sole fillets I'm going to dip in egg and roll in almond flour and fry in coconut oil;)  I packaged the rest separately and put them in the freezer.
• Berries... right now i have strawberries, blueberries and blackberries.  I also have bananas and berries in the freezer.
• Citrus fruits...lemons and limes.
• A homemade cooked soup.
• Ground meat...good quality beef, elk or venison...for burger patties.  My freezer in the garage is stocked;)
• Kombucha drinks and sparkling water.
• Homemade Mayonnaise.
• Other condiments:  mustard (I don't like it, but my husband does), hot sauce (sugar-free), coconut aminos (a healthy replacement for soy sauce), Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar (for mayo), olives, sauerkraut and homemade salsa.
• See that empty spot in my fridge above the eggs?  A bottle of chilled Champagne usually lives there;)  After the Whole30, that'll be back...a girl's gotta have some fun, and an occasional glass of bubbly makes me happy.  That's the beauty of the Whole30...after the 30 days they teach you how to choose things that may not be as healthy wisely.  It's a Whole30...not a Whole365;)

It's also good to organize your pantry to have healthy snacks that are eye level and readily available.

We honestly don't snack much these days because our meals are much more satisfying.  Nutritious food doesn't leave you wanting more, where unhealthy foods that lack nutrition have "no brakes".  Ever eat something and feel like you could eat the whole box...or bag?  'Nuf said.

With that said, I always have raw nuts or Whole30 approved bars available in a pinch. (The only bars I get now are RxBars which have 12g protein from egg whites, and Lara Bars which have simple ingredients, but lower protein.  As you can see, "Stella's" snacks are ready too;)  Canned foods that I do keep on hand are diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tuna or chicken in water or olive oil, coconut milk and some pure pumpkin.  I also keep chicken broth and beef broth's for soups and such.

As far as my oils and baking items, etc... I always keep:

• Coconut Oil... I go through a lot of this.  I also use Coconut Oil Spray.
• Almond Butter... unsweetened from raw almonds.
• Almond flour... I add to burgers, heathy baking, and use it as I would bread crumbs.
• Coconut Flour... when I'm not on the Whole30, because I'm not baking "paleo-friendly" treats while on it.
• Raw honey... not Whole30 approved.
• Grade B Maple syrup... not Whole30 approved.

I also now am the proud owner of many spices.  They add so much flavor to my life!

The things I don't keep around anymore... unhealthy oils, milk, bread, sugar, regular flour, yogurt, cheese, beans, rice, pasta, oatmeal, most "packaged foods", just to name a few.  They are honestly just bad news.  I also read labels, the ingredients only.  Not calories, fat, etc... what matters is the ingredients.  If it has a lot of junk and sugar in it, I just don't buy it.  Period.

I encourage you to clean out your fridge from junk food.  It will probably be empty when you're done!  That's okay!  Restock it with foods that will heal your body and make it healthier, not unhealthier.  I used to think I was eating healthy.  I wasn't.  If you really want to clean up your body, clean up your fridge!

Are you ready to make a positive change in your life...for the rest of your life?  Are you sick and tired of dieting...and "yo-yo-ing"?  Are you ready to learn how to stop depriving yourself and eat your ass off??  I have your answer in 3 steps:

1. Read "It Starts With Food".
2. Do the Whole30 Challenge.
3. Take what you've learned, remember how your body feels, make smart choices for your body....and just eat!

You can make excuses... or make a change.  The choice is yours;)

Still not convinced?  Check out 30 Reasons to Whole30!

For more information on the Whole30 Program, visit whole30.com

Never stop being your husband's girlfriend...

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Never stop being your husband's girlfriend.  What an interesting quote.  When I saw this on Pinterest the other day...it really resonated with me.

As 'girlfriends', we put in some serious work toward our relationships.  This should not stop when we become wives.  Sadly, it often does...

My husband and I are starting out 2015 better than ever.  We have been together for more than a decade...married for almost 5 years...and I love him just as much as the day I married him.  With that said, all marriages ebb and flow a little, some a lot.  The one thing I know that is not a strong suit, for both of us, is really voicing our minds when it comes to our wants and needs from the other person.  Our life coach often tells me to "state your case and claim your space!"  He's always known that it's something I need to work on.  So many times, as women, we think that our body language or tone completely communicates what we want or need.  We think our husband's should be able to read our minds...we should know by now that doesn't work.

Lately, I asked my husband to talk because I could feel us "coasting" a little too much in our marriage.  NOT to say we weren't happy by any means...but could we do better?  Yes, yes we can.  We are people that don't tolerate mediocrity from ourselves...we want to be the best we can be.  We both have to remember that starts at home...with us.

Marriage takes work.  Sometimes we forget to put in that work and start taking the other person for granted.  I never thought that would be me.  I didn't get married until I was 38 years old because I was waiting for my perfect man.  I'm so grateful to have him as my husband.  He's such an amazing man, wonderful father, and is my very best friend.  I've never stopped feeling that, but I need to remember to tell him...show him...every day.

That talk we had wasn't easy.  But something has happened since that talk that has turned a light on in our marriage again that had felt a little dim.  I feel like we've started out 2015 with a new beginning.  I feel like the couple we want to be again.  I can tell that we are both putting in the work, every day, and it's been wonderful.  It's amazing how such a small shift can make such a huge difference.

This quote is something I am going to add to my goal board because it will act as a small daily reminder...to never "coast" again.

....If you're reading this right now, take a moment to ask yourself, "Am I coasting in my marriage?"  Think back to the early days of your relationship when you really put the work into letting that other person know how much you cared.  What could you do to get back there?  The great thing is, it's usually not a huge gesture that's missing.  It's the love note left for them when they're not expecting it....the small gift for no reason that shows that you were thinking of them...the undivided attention you give them (get off your phone!)...the loving touch or snuggle (that doesn't always lead to sex)...the genuine compliments...the encouragement they still need to hear...it's all these small things that make them feel loved.  I told my husband I needed to feel loved again.  Since then, I've made sure I've made him feel loved every day,and guess what?...he's making sure I feel loved too.

Your spouse is the most important person in your life.  They should be your best friend...taking on the world together as a team.  Don't let life with them slip into "autopilot".  Marriage is meant to be extraordinary...not blah and redundant.  Don't "coast" any longer...and never stop being your husband's girlfriend.

Frenchie Friday

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Happy Frenchie Friday... it doesn't take long for "Stella" to relax...

...after she approved her post, of course..."Yep, I look cute."

So, this happened over on Instagram this week!  Does she look upset?... I think she thinks I copied her fashion sense.  LOL.

Deviled Eggs

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My husband loves Deviled Eggs.  If I want to score some points with him...I just have to surprise him with this little appetizer when he gets home from work.  But it's not about scoring points...I do it because I love him;)  I don't make them very often though, so it's special. My mom used to make these and I learned from her the simple way to do it.  Some deviled eggs are super fancy with all kinds of stuff in them...but we tend to like them simple around here.  I am going to have to try some bacon crumbles on top though...everything's better with bacon, right?  :)

Ingredients:

• 12 Hard Steamed Eggs
• 1/2 cup Homemade Mayo
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• salt and pepper, to taste
• paprika and chives, optional

If you want to adjust the amount, that's fine, just adjust the amounts accordingly. I usually make about 6 at a time...12 halves...so I'd cut the other amounts in half;)

Directions:

1. Peel your hard boiled eggs and cut them in half, lengthwise.
2. Pop out the yolks carefully into a bowl, arrange the whites on a pretty plate.
3. You can mix the filling by hand, my mom always did, or you can use a food processor.  The difference being, you'll have more lumps by hand and have a very smooth filling with a food processor.  Add the mayonnaise and mustard, salt and pepper.  Mix well, or pulse until smooth.  Taste, and adjust to your liking.
4. Spoon or pipe the filling into the each egg white.
5. I like to sprinkle a little paprika and chives on top just because it makes them look fancy;)

Too simple for you?  Need toppings?  Nom Nom Paleo invented "Lazy Devils" that you just add to the halved eggs...no popping out the yolks!  These are some ideas for mouth-watering toppings...

• Spread Ranch Dressing, top with Bacon, Tomato and Sprouts
• Spread Sriracha Mayo, top with Prosciutto, Chives and Fleur de sel
• Spread Guacamole, top with Crab, finely chopped apple and lime juice
• Spread Mayo, top with shredded Pork, Pineapple, Cilantro and sea salt

Ok, I'm going to have to give these toppings a try...they sound and look too yummy!  Here's a teaser from Nom Nom's cookbook...

How To Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

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I know, making hard boiled eggs is a super simple thing to do, right?  Wrong!  I've seen all kinds of ugly, smelly, gray colored hard boiled eggs with powdery yolks.  There's a right way and a wrong way to do this...trust me.  If you follow these steps, you'll get happy, pretty, bright-yellow yolks like the ones I made above;) You'll need:

• A dozen large eggs (or less if you want) preferably ones that are at least a week old so the shells come off easily.
• 6-8 cups cold water, enough to cover the eggs by 1 inch.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda also makes them easier to peel.

Directions:

• Put the eggs in a large pot in a single layer and add the water and baking soda.  Again, make sure the eggs are at least 1 inch below the water level.
• Turn the heat to high on the stove and bring to a boil.  As soon as the water comes to a boil, set a timer for 1 minute.  When the minute's up, move the pot off the heat, cover with a lid and set a timer for 10 minutes, letting the eggs sit in the hot water.
• While you're waiting, fill a large bowl with water and ice.  When the timer goes off, transfer the eggs carefully to the ice bath and leave them in there for 5 minutes.  This will stop them from cooking.  I use a pasta spoon to transfer the eggs...makes it super easy;)
• After 5 minutes, take the eggs out and tap against the counter to crack them.  Start peeling them from he bottom where you poked the hole.  The shells should come off easily.

Hard boiled eggs can be kept in the fridge for up to a week!  I hope you enjoy these perfectly cooked eggs for all kinds of recipes and ready-made healthy snacking!

How to make simple Deviled Eggs... my husband's favorite.