Meatballs and Cheesecake... of course!

Things have been going better for me on the clean eating front lately.  I don't know why, when we have all the tools and we know what works, we (me!) still manage to get off track.  But I've definitely been more intentional about what I put in my face for the last 6 months and it's really making a difference. I am amazed at how well I am sleeping and how much better I feel in general.  We hiked 7 miles one day last weekend and my hips weren't crabby at all!  In the past, my hips and sometimes my knees have been very clear on how they feel about me walking more than a couple miles.  And I attribute it all to better eating.  We did have one day where all  bets were off.  Baby Girl took us to dinner for Mother's Day at an Italian place that makes everything fresh in house, including their own pasta.  I don't eat any sugar or grains usually, but I made an exception.  I figured, if it isn't loaded with added junk then one meal wouldn't hurt me!  The food was outstanding and was my only real indulgence in all this time, so it's ok.  At least it was real and not over-processed!

So this week I brought out an old favorite... meatballs!  I love this recipe and it makes a lot so I always freeze some for another day.  I had canned a triple batch of marinara in the fall, so we paired that with meatballs.  MR eats grains so he had whole wheat penne.  I sautéed sweet potato ribbons for my "noodles."  You can use zoodles or whatever you prefer.  There are also links down below to some other recipes I've tried and love, including cheesecake and dark chocolate mug cake!  For sweetener, I prefer monk fruit.  A lot of what I am reading is saying that any sweetener will impact insulin levels and weight loss.  I don't doubt it, as I am not a doctor or scientist of any kind, and I also know that I can't eat treats every day.  They are called treats for a reason... it shouldn't be an every day occurrence.  But sometimes I just want chocolate, and for special occasions I like to have a special dessert that I can also have.  I sure don't make a whole cheesecake when it's just the two of us!

Before you get to the recipes, in case you've never read my blog before, you should know that I believe it's okay to use canned or frozen foods, as long as the ingredients are just real food.  Because while I want to eat healthy, I also have a life.  I work, I serve, I play! I don't have time right now to grow everything fresh myself. The ingredients on the crushed tomatoes I buy are: crushed tomatoes, sea salt, citric acid, basil leaf, and oregano.  Read the labels! Know what you're putting in your belly.

Let's see what's on the menu!

Mama's Marinara

2 - 28 ounce cans crushed tomatoes
2 TBSP olive oil
1 small chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 cup fresh or frozen mixed peppers, chopped
1/2 cup red wine (optional)
1-2 TBSP Italian seasoning
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan.  Add chopped onion.  Saute until onion is tender.
Add crushed garlic.  Saute another minute or two.
Add mixed peppers.  Saute until tender.
Stir in red wine, if using.  (I highly recommend using it.  It adds a great depth of flavor!)
Ad crushed tomatoes.
Add Italian seasoning.
Stir and simmer, stirring occasionally.  Simmer at least 30 minutes, but longer if possible.

Serve with Meatballs! for a winning combination.

More recipes I love:

Egg Roll Stir-Fry

Instant Pot barbacoa beef

Cheesecake

Dark chocolate mug cake

What are you eating this week?  Whatever it is... Keep it Clean!

Cheesecake

Dark chocolate mug cake