a new journey {whole 30}

this week i started the #whole30 challenge because i knew that i was way past due to take control of the way that i have been eating and the way that i think about food.

i need to set an example for micah and have a healthy relationship with food. i need to change the way that i view food. i want to be able to view food as fuel and nourishment and not as a comfort or a way to deal with stress. one of my friends was about to start the challenge and asked if i wanted to join her so that we would both have support and encouragement over the next 30 days. i am so glad she asked because it was the motivation i needed to start this new journey to a healthier me.

i am so ready to have more energy and not feel so tired and sluggish. when i was pregnant fell into the 'baby gets what baby wants' and it led to some very unhealthy choices. now over a year later and i am still stuck in those unhealthy habits. i have so badly wanted to stop but found it far to overwhelming and hard to do on my own. i am not a 'dieter' but i needed a plan to stick to so that i could kick the cravings for sugar, carbs and bad fats i have been having. 

having a meal plan has saved me from caving many times this week. i am pretty flexible and if i'm not hungry for what i have on the menu that day i make something up or pick a different meal from the week. below are a few meals that i whipped up this week. if try and post my meals on instagram @cleaneats_amber if you want to follow along. if you want to know more about the whole 30 progam you can read about it here.

 so far day 4 and 5 have been the hardest for cravings but i can see changes in myself already and can notice how my thinking about food is changing. when i go to grab an afternoon snack i ask myself if i'm really hungry or if i'm just eating bust boredom? or do i need fuel for the rest of the afternoon?

my eyes have also been opened to the amount of additives in food and the insane amount of sugar added into so many food, not just sweet treats. i have always been aware of it just never really paid to much attention to the details of it. 

i am excited for the next 25 days but i know that it will not always be the easiest (hello easter next weekend) but i do know that it will be worth it in the end.

shop my pantry :: week 2

well week one went differently than expected. 

we ended up not being home most nights and eating at families places. 

this weeks menu

sunday: farmer sausage burgers with grilled asparagus 

monday: pan fried fish, rice & green beans

tuesday: one pot spaghetti with italian sausage

wednesday: stir fry

thursday: visiting family

friday: rice noodle bowls

we shall see how it goes! our pantry and freezers are looking a bit more cleaned out and we have been saving money but not getting groceries every week. i may have to fire up the oven to make some bread this week and i might make some cookies or muffins while i'm at it too.

what are some of your favorite meals?

shop my pantry :: week 1

please tell me i'm not the only one that stocks up on groceries when there is a good sale?

this little habit along with very giving grandparents has resulted in very full freezers and pantry

so i am challenging myself to shop my pantry and freezer for the next two weeks and 

maybe even stretch it to three weeks?!

the rules!

- in the next two week only milk / almond milk can be bought

- cook as clean as possible with the ingredients we have on hand

- use veggies that are growing in the garden

- be creative & go with the flow

- no eating out if i don't feel like cooking

 

i have found a few new recipes on pinterest that i hope to make.

so here is this weeks menu

monday - at my moms for canada day celebrations!

tuesday - bbq chicken quinoa salad

wednesday - create your own rice bowl :: a few different chicken rice bowl ideas here, here and here

thursday - tex mex mac and cheese :: using frozen chili and mixing it with homemade mac and cheese

friday - friends wedding!

saturday - crock pot chicken

so there are two cheat days but that's ok!

our lunches will be left overs from the day before.

recipe: cashew chicken

ingredients
6 chicken breast - chopped

1/2 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp canola oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup cashews - See more at: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/10/slow-cooker-cashew-chicken.html#sthash.02dWrwj1.dpuf

1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup soya sauce
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fish sauce
2 tbsp ketchup
2-3 cloves crushed garlic
1 tsp fresh ginger
2 cups water
red pepper flakes - as desired, they do add heat
cashews
4 cups cooked rice

directions
place first ten ingredients in slow cooker
turn on low to cook for 3-4 hours
if you want it a bit more saucy add:
 1/8 cup more soya sauce, 1/8 cup more red vinegar, 1/8 cup more fish sauce, 1 cup more water
serve on top of rice and top with cashews

steamed veggies (broccoli is my fav) on the side is really good with this.

enjoy

Recipe: Chicken Fajitas & Mexi Rice

i have said it before but quick, easy,  healthy meals are the best. 

here is a recipe that both clint and i really enjoyed. 

chicken fajitas & mexi rice

ingredients:

fajita filling  

1 tbsp olive oil 

1/2 onion - chopped

2 chicken breast - sliced

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp cilantro

2 bell peppers - sliced

1 tbsp lime juice

1/2 can black beans

tortilla wraps

salsa

sour cream

mexi rice

2 cups cooked rice (i use leftover rice)

1 tbsp olive oil

2 cups corn

1/2 can black beans

1 pint grandma's homemade salsa (or whatever you prefer because you probably don't have my grandmas homemade salsa)

2 tbsp cilantro

1 tbsp chili powder

what to do {fajita filling}

pour olive oil in frying pan on med high heat

add onion and cut up chicken once pan is hot. 

add in chili powder and cilantro.

stir it up and add a bit of water (1/4 cup) and put the lid on - i like doing this so the chicken stays moist but it's optional.

once chicken is almost done add in peppers and beans - we like our peppers a bit on the crunchy side so i put them in only for 1-2 mins but if you like to have yours softer cook them until they are the desired tenderness. squeeze lime over top before filling your tortilla wrap.

fill tortilla wrap and top with salsa and sour cream - if you wish.

what to do {mexi rice}

pour olive oil into frying pan on med heat 

add rice (if it's left over rice break it up a bit so it gets heat and flavor evenly distributed)

add salsa, cilantro and chili powder

add 1/4 off water and stir so that all the rice is covered with the juices.

add in corn and black beans

stir it all together and wait til corn and beans are hot (3-4 min)

serve on the side with fajitas or put it inside of your fajita 

enjoy! 

Coffee Date & Link Love

Good morning! Come on in! Take a seat, would you like coffee or tea? I made some of these cookies would you like 1 or 5? How are you doing these days? What's been on your mind? My mind has been taken over with baby prep. I am getting so antsy now and I still have 9 ish weeks left. This sweet little bundle in my tummy loves to squirm about and stretch out. I am just getting so excited to meet him or her soon. Do you have any advice do you have for a first time momma? I ordered this sweet print for the nursery, I am very excited to hang it up.

Valentines is coming up. What fun things do you have planned? Or do you enjoy the day to stay in and make the day special at home? Clint and I aren't much for making a big deal about Valentines. Do you decorate for Valentines? This is a fun way to leave your special someone a love note, or what about this cute print or this one? I made some cute valentines mug cozies if you want one just pop over here. Ill even give you a special discount code 'coffeelove' for 20% off.

This past weekend Clint and I were visiting family but it was storming so our plans changed a bit.  The freshly fallen snow made everything so crisp and clean! 

All this snow and cold have me thinking about soups and warm comfort food. Want to swap recipes? I am always on the look out for some good healthy recipes. What are some of your favorites? Lately I have really been wanting to go vegetarian again. We will see after baby comes if I can manage to do it. Clint will never become a vegetarian so it makes meal planning a bit more difficult. Here are a few vegetarian recipes I want to try out.

Coconut Red Lentil Soup

Mushroom Kale Stroganoff

Greek Lentil Soup

What are your plans for the rest of the week? Anything out of the ordinary happening? I have a survey going on right now. I would really appreciate it if you popped over and filled it out. There is also a giveaway going on over here if you want to win some hooked by amber goodies. I hope that you have enjoyed coffee or tea  with me and that we can do it again some time soon. 

recipe: slow cooker dilly potato soup

 i love coming home to the smell of food cooking, it is just so warm and inviting after being at work all day. i love soup especially in winter so this recipe is just too perfect.

what you need:

- 2 cups chicken broth

- 4 medium potatoes

- 2 celery stalks

- 1/2 large onion

- salt & pepper to taste

- handful fresh dill

- 1/4 cup flour

- 1 cup cream

what you do:

- chop up potatoes, onions, celery put them in the slow cooker add the chicken broth, salt & pepper

- turn on low and let it cook for 7-8 hours

- mix cream and flour together and stir into slow cooker mixture

- chop up dill and add that to slow cooker too

- let cook on low for 30 minutes 

- take lid off and let cook for 30 more minutes

this soup is so creamy and delish!

it was a huge hit with my hubby too!

crusty artisan bread

crusty artisan bread

i think this bread is the easiest and most delicious bread ever.

 it will probably be the only kind i make from now on.

crusty artisan bread recipe

2 cups - whole wheat flour

1 cup - white flour

1 1/2 tsp - salt

1/2 tsp - yeast

1 3/4 cups - water

mix wheat, salt and yeast together.

add water until its a sticky dough.

cover and let rise for 12 - 18 hours - i left mine over night

heat oven to 450 degrees

on a floured surface form dough into a ball or oval

place a dutch oven or that type of dish in the oven for 30 mins (needs to have a lid)

let dough rest while dish is warming up

remove and place dough ball in dish put lid on and bake for 30 mins

remove lid and bake 15 mins more

place bread on a cooling rack and enjoy once it is cool.

what do you like to cook in a skillet? {recipe}

fall is a time for good home cooked comfort meals.

i came home from work and had no idea what to make.

 so i just whipped up this recipe with stuff we had on hand.

im calling it mushroom pork chop skillet

ingredients

a bunch of mushrooms - i left ours whole but you can slice em' and dice em' if you want

dijon mustard

pork chops - i had three on hand but this skillet could have fit five or six

thyme

rosemary

cream of mushroom soup

butter or oil

water

pre-heat oven to 350

melt 1 tbsp butter or heat 1 tbsp oil in skillet

add in mushrooms - let them brown up a bit

throw in your pork chops 

squeeze dijon mustard all over the porkchops 2-3 tbsp in total

sprinkle thyme and rosemary on top - im pretty liberal but maybe a tbsp of each

after 3-5 mins flip your pork chops so they brown on the other side

add a can of mushroom soup and a can full of water

stir it up!

stick that puppy in the oven for 30-35 mins

i made rice on the side to go with it, so yummy!

 

i'm kind of go with the flow when it comes to cooking and rarely measure anything exactly.

if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

what do you like to cook in a skillet?

 

all things pumpkin

as the cool breeze blows in my window and i hear the geese flying south i am reminded that fall is upon us, and i couldn't be more excited!

i love the changing season and this season means pumpkins!

i am in love with all things pumpkin! 

clint keeps coming home and our pumpkin display has grown.

i just can't get enough.

are you ready for an all things pumpkin post??

well here it is!

 pumpkin cookies with caramel frosting. get in my belly!

 pumpkin spice pancakes! oh yummm-o!

 instead of carving pumpkins you can use cloves or metal brads to decorate your pumpkin.

 maple and pumpkin married together in tart form. pure bliss!

how about you treat yourself to some pumpkin spice sugar scrub?

 serve this yummy pumpkin soup in a pumpkin or squash bowl

 sweet little pumpkin candles would be perfect to decorate your table for a gather

pumpkin spice latte - vegan and non vegan recipe.

 

savory pumpkin feta muffins. let me just wipe the drool of my computer now.

 

 here are three great recipes to spice up those pumpkin seeds that would others wise get thrown out!

  

and to end it off with something super sweet.

pumpkin torte.

 

happy monday

hello friends! 

happy monday to you all hope you had a great weekend. i know i did. i got so much done on saturday and enjoy great times with friends. clint and i haven't had a weekend at home since we have been married and it felt great to not have to be anywhere and just relax, catch up on house work, and bake!

 i'm thinking that this 5 ingredients, 5 mins veggie laksa may be on the menu this week.

 this stamp would be so perfect for all the thank you cards that we i will be mailing out within the next couple weeks

i am loving this post and this post, love it when people keep it real. 

i will be making these yummy drinks this fall, bring on the cooler weather!

i would love to have this set and this set of lovely washi tape *wink, wink*

hope you all have a very lovely monday! 

linking up here, here, and here

homemade spaghetti sauce:: recipe

cooking is something that i really enjoy doing. when it comes to eating and cooking i try to eat as naturally and organically as possible as well as eating locally grown produce. this means that i try to cook everything that i can from scratch.

spaghetti sauce is one thing that is so easy and you can make in a huge batch and freeze it. 

here is my recipe for homemade spaghetti sauce

2 jar grandmas canned tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

10 mushrooms

1 onion

2 small zucchini

2 carrots

2 peppers

4 stalks celery

5-6 cloves of garlic

parsley

oregano

basil

red pepper flakes

pepper 

chop up the veggies and saute with garlic

pour in the canned tomatoes and tomato sauce

add in parsley, oregano, basil, pepper flakes and pepper. 

bring to a light boil then turn it down to simmer for an hour

ladle sauce into a blender (make use the blender lid is on tight because the sauce is still very hot// i may be speaking from experience, maybe)

pour into containers and freeze for future use

when making spaghetti i like to add lentils or chickpeas to the sauce or you can also add fresh veggies when warming up the sauce for more texture

for clint i will brown up some beef and add it in

enjoy!

  

iced coffee

iced coffee is probably one of my favorite summer drinks, 

it may be tied with homemade iced tea.

in order to save a buck this summer i have figured out the perfect way to make iced coffee at home.

this is how

3-4 tbsp coffee ground (fresh ground is best)

1 tbsp homemade coffee syrup

water

put the coffee grounds and syrup into a french press

fill with water (don't press it down)

let it sit in the fridge for 12 hours or over night

after 12 hours press it down pour over coffee ice cubes and milk of your choice (soy, almond, regular)

i like to do 1 part milk to three parts coffee. 

so there you have it my favorite iced coffee recipe.

what are some of your favorite summer recipes drinks or food?

homemade london fog

Homemade London Fog

pour 1/2 cup boiling water onto tea leaves 

let steep two minutes

mean while heat 1/2 cup milk/soy milk (i heat it in a pot on the stove because i don't have a fancy steaming machine or a microwave)

make sure you only heat the milk and you don't burn it by putting it on low to med heat

once milk is heated up, froth it with a battery frother or a small whisk (if you have a fancy steamer machine it will just do it automatically)

put milk into mug then pour tea on top (be sure to strain the leaves) 

top with the milk foam

enjoy!

yumm-o fruit smoothie

so i made a really yumm-o smoothie the other day! want to know what i put in it?

ingredients 

- frozen peach yogurt

- handful of frozen berry mixture (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)

- scope of vanilla yogurt (not frozen)

- splash of milk

twist it onto the magic bullet and vilo 

yummy goodness!

what are some of your favorite smoothies?

yumm-o brussel sprouts

i love brussel sprouts!

i could eat them for an entire meal .....
and maybe i do that sometimeshere is a super simple and yumm-o recipe for amazing brussel sprouts

2 cup fresh or frozen brussel sprouts
parm cheese
pepper

- steam brussel sprouts for a few minutes
- put them in a baking dish
- grate parm cheese over top
- sprinkle with some black pepper
- pop under the broiler for a min or two
- presto! yumm-o brussel sprouts ready to enjoy!

cooking substitutions

as you may have figured out by now i really enjoy cooking and baking
but
sometimes you don't have just what you need in the cupboard or fridge

so i have compiled a list of substitutions that work great

Pin It

hope they help you when you are in a pinch!

recipe: coffee syrups

so on friday i posted simple blessings in my life
one of which was being able to make my own coffee syrup

i had several people asking for the recipe
so here it is!
it is super duper simple and will allow you have more money in your pocket
instead of spending your hard earned cash on lattes
i also found this fun picture showing how to make some of my favorite coffee beverages.
hope you find it helpful as well.{source}

have a happy and lovely monday friends!

quick and easy lentils

as a vegetarian i need to get protein from other places.
lentils have quickly become a staple in my diet and i love them.
you can pretty much flavor them up how ever you like.here is one of my quick go to recipes

ingredients:
2 1/2 c water
1 c lentils
1 chopped carrot
1 chopped celery stalk
garlic, pepper, curry (to taste)

put everything in a pot bring to a boil let it simmer for 10 mins stirring occasionally.
if you want it less soupy use 2 c water

see super duper easy, quick and inexpensive!

enjoy!

quinoa and kale recipe

i love experimenting with recipes and new ingredients.
thankfully clint doesn't mind, although he usually cooks up some meat on the side.
this weekend clint was saying he really enjoys quinoa.
so i was looking for some yummy recipes and turned to my favorite recipe site.
i love love love 101 cookbooks site.
her recipes are super healthy, made with natural ingredients, pretty much everything is vegetarian and everything that i have tried has been delish! (huge smiley face because i love all those things)
so the recipe i'm about to share is a twist on this one.

ingredients
3 cups precooked quinoa
1/4 onion chopped
6-8 mushrooms chopped
1 cup corn
3 leaves kale chopped
2 tomatoes chopped
3 tbsp basil pesto
1/4 cup pine nuts

a glass of wine to enjoy as you cook.
1. on medium heat saute onion and mushrooms in 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a deep skillet (3-4 min or unitl they are just browning)
2. add in quinoa and corn stir occasionally (5 -6 min)
3. add in kale and tomatoes
4. stir around and let the kale wilt down, it also gets shiny once it is cooked (4-5 min)
5. once everything is cooked remove from heat
6. add pesto and pine nuts
7. stir thoroughly
8. enjoy!


happy cooking friends!