Day 1

Sloppy Super Joes

My usual sloppy joe sauce is basically ketchup, Dijon mustard and brown sugar-delicious but I thought I could healthify it a bit. Last night I had an "a-ha" moment...DATE PUREE!  It has the caramel flavor I crave from brown sugar but it is much healthier.

The addition of greens adds so much nutrition but doesn't change the flavor, win-win!

1 tsp olive, coconut or avocado oil

1 small onion-chopped

1 lb ground meat (I used grass-fed beef but ground turkey or veggie burger is fine too)

1 cup frozen kale or spinach-thawed and chopped

2 Tbs red wine vinegar

4 Tbs tomato paste

1/4-1/2 cup date puree

1 Tbs Dijon mustard

2 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

In a deep skillet heat 1 tsp oil and then saute onion at med-high about 10 minutes.  

Add the ground meat and continue to saute,stirring often until cooked through.

Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer for at least 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

Add more date puree if you like your Joes sweeter.  I love to add chipotle pepper for a smoky flavor and chopped pickles for extra tang and crunch...chopped mushrooms are also a deliciously healthy addition without changing the flavor or texture. 

I'm sick

Lemon, ginger and leek egg drop soup made with chicken bone broth, I feel better already!

ZucNoodles with egg, scallion, bacon and feta.

Part fried rice part breakfast hash all delicious!

Fry a piece or two of bacon (sausage is great too), remove it from the pan and crumble it.  Saute "noodles" and sliced green onion in the bacon fat until softened, add bacon back to pan and also add an egg.  Stir until egg is cooked (like you would with fried rice).  Top with feta and season with salt and pepper.

My favorite way to quick cook meat and fish

Salt and pepper the fish, boneless chicken breast/thigh, pork chop, steak, etc.

Sear each side in a hot pan for 2-3 minutes on each side, you want the meat to be browned.  While you are searing the second side add herbs and spices (garlic powder and herbes de provence are my favorites) and after the second side is seared, carefully pour in 1/4 cup water and 2 Tbs lemon juice (lime juice or any vinegar also works).  Immediately cover and steam for an additional 5 minutes or until the meat is done and water has mostly evaporated.  Uncover and add a Tbs butter to create a sauce out of the drippings and reduced lemon juice.

My cucumber salad here is made with a dressing of:

1/2 cup mayo

3 Tbs white vinegar

1 Tbs honey

1 Tbs dried dill

Salt and pepper

I also poured some of the dressing over my potato, YUM!!!

This is kind of a big deal...

Chicken Puttanesca

Yummy and a nice change of pace! I seared (salt and peppered) boneless skinless thighs (other pieces and/or bone in will work too) in a big cast iron pan with 2 Tbs oil...cut a lemon on half, squeezed it over the top and then threw in the squeezed lemon halves....added a handful of chopped black and green olives, 2 Tbs capers, a cup of whole cherry tomatoes, half a sliced onion, 4 cloves of chopped garlic and a handful of chopped fresh italian parsley (and red pepper flakes if you want it a little spicy). Roast at 450 for about 30 minutes or until browned and the chicken is cooked. Top with 2 Tbs butter and more fresh parsley. Stir together and serve.