Many Recipes, One Post

Yesterday I worked from home so I had a moment to throw some cookies in the oven.  The only problem with these cookies is that they are FABULOUS!  And ADDICTING!  I really have to stop myself from eating them all.  It's like eating a flat macaroon.  All chewy, coconutty goodness.  Making me want one!  Stop it!  So here is the link to those, just to get that out of the way!  Coconut Cashew Cookies I am telling you, if you like coconut macaroons, you will not be disappointed in the flavor!


I'm sure I have mentioned it a hundred times, but we picked up this year's side of beef last weekend.  Now my freezer is full again!  Hooray!  We have made a couple of things out of it already and, you know, awesome as usual.  There is just nothing like local-farm-raised-grass-fed beef.  And I know not everyone can source it, or afford that up front cost.  But think about this... if you stashed $20 a week, this time next year, you could afford it!  We lay out about $1000 for an entire side of beef, cut and wrapped to our specifications.  It works out to just over $6 a pound.  That's the price of really good hamburger, but includes steaks, roasts, chipped steak, hamburger patties....  Seriously.  Think about it.  And if a half is too much for your freezer our your wallet, think about buying a quarter.  So very worth it!

Things are a little up in the air for us this week, so I'm not sure how many meals I need to plan for.  I guess what I will do is make sure I have the staples around, almond milk, tomato paste, tomato sauce, eggs, etc., and just wing it from there.  I may have to do another grocery run this week depending on how things pan out.  This is another benefit to having a freezer full of meat!  At least I have protein!

Instead of my regular weekly menu plan, I will just share some of my all-time favorites!

Granola - One thing I make every Saturday morning (just about) is granola.  MR likes to mix it into his plain Greek yogurt.  I like to pour a little almond milk on it and heat it up for breakfast.

Three Recipes on One Blog! At this link you will find three of my favorites.  It's like winning the trifecta... .lucky you!  Rosemary Pot Roast, Sarah's Marinara, and Pesto Chicken Sandwiches are all really amazing recipes that you need to try.  Really! Neeeeeeeed to!

Another Three-fer!  Oh!  Here's another one that has at least three really great recipes.  Pepperoncini brisket just really couldn't be any easier, apple pie balls are the bomb, and MR's famous steel cut oat recipe is perfect for make ahead breakfast that you can have all week!

Wow!  That's a lot of recipes.  I know you will find something yummy... and clean... to eat!  Hope you have an ab-fab week!  And keep it clean!

Called the Doctor, Doctor Said...

I'm really working on not letting things annoy me.  But, gosh, sometimes it's really hard!  Case in point, a friend recently mentioned that his doctor wants him to lose weight.  The doctor advised he do a no sugar, no flour, no processed foods diet.  So far, so good.  Unfortunately, the doc couldn't stop there.  He said, essentially, this is going to be really really hard.  Seriously?!  How about applying a little psychology here?  First of all, it's not "really really hard."  I would say, depending on the person, it may be a big change.  But I would also say that you don't have to do a full immersion like I did.  You can start with baby steps.  Start with not buying processed foods, perhaps.  Making your own food from scratch.  Then start subbing in whole grains for the flour.  Cut back on the sugar, or replace it altogether with a good alternative.  It can be done.  I've done it. I know other people who have done it.  You can do it!

You know my doc said something similar when I told her a couple years ago that I was very unhappy with my weight.  She basically said, well, not much you can do about it.  WHAT?!  Okay, maybe she did employ some psychology there, because if you tell me I can't, I surely will!  Just to prove a point.  In this case, it was a good point to prove, as it turns out.  She was astonished at the difference just a year later.  MR's doc was also amazed.  All his numbers were so improved after transitioning to clean eating.

Before I go any further, my personal opinion is that different eating lifestyles (not a diet!) work for different people.  I know people who have done very well on any number of eating plans.  Clean eating is what works for me.  The nice thing about clean eating is you can really can just try it for 30 days and see if it makes you feel better.  If weight loss is your goal, it probably won't be fast, but it should be consistent.  Bonuses for me include better sleep and just generally feeling good!

I'm sure there are some very well informed professionals out there.  It just annoys me that some of them just don't seem to be as helpful as they could be or should be.  We all know that obesity is epidemic in our country.  It's important to help patients make smart choices.  I have known of people who are diagnosed with something that might be helped by diet, but not referred to a dietitian or given an eating plan, just told general things like avoid sweets.  Oh, okay, let me go load up on Diet Coke then!  (I don't drink pop, and if I do, just give me the real sugar stuff.  No chemicals required.)

I have many blog and Facebook followers say to me, Just tell me what to eat!  So that's what I try to do!  I am not here to say you can or cannot have something, but if you want to make good choices for clean eating, I will do all I can to help you find a recipe.  This morning I made some DEE-lightful cashew coconut cookies.  From protein to veggies to sweets, I am all about clean eating.  If you have a recipe you'd like cleaned up, let me know.  I will do my best to either find one for you, or clean it up.

And because you are all such loyal readers, here's that Cashew Coconut Cookies recipe:

1 cup cashew meal (or sub almond meal)
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
1-1/2 tsp vanilla
Pinch of sea salt

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.  Drop from tablespoon onto a non-stick cookie sheet.  Pat down to flatten somewhat.  Bake in a preheated 325 oven for about 10 minutes.  When the edges are very golden brown they are ready, even if the center seems soft.  Allow to cool on the cookie sheet until completely cooled.  Do not overbake.  Do not try to pick them up while still warm (they will crumble).
Also, I haven't yet tried to store these but something tells me putting parchment paper between the cookies might be a good idea.