Stuffed Chicken - When you're bored of your normal food fair!

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts (this allows one each for dinner or left overs if there are only 2 of you)
2 slices of Bread (home made on plan)
1 purple onion cubed
6 slices of well cooked bacon
bacon fat
1 large spoonful of goat cheese


Directions:

1. Pound your chicken breasts flat.
2. Take the next 4 ingredients and put them in your food processor. Process until it's a fine mix (really fine, not chunky)
3. Take the last ingredient and in a bowl add to the processed 4. This will make a paste.
4. Spread the paste onto the chicken breasts
5. Roll your chicken and stick it together with tooth picks
6. Fry chicken on both sides
7. Pop in oven at 350 degrees until totally cooked (about 20-30 mins)

Serve with a side of Brussel sprouts and Salad with home made dressing (honey mustard is good).

This was super yummy and half eaten already - haha
Over Eager!

Tomato Soup - from scratch

Tomato soup:

•2 cans of whole tomatoes
•3-6 fresh tomatoes
•1-2 cubes of chicken broth
•Salt and pepper
•3 cups if water (may use less or none if adding chicken broth vs. boullion cubes)
1-2 onions diced and sautéed in butter
1 cup of almond milk

Boil all the ingredients with bullets for about 30 or so mins.
Meanwhile sauté the onions then add once soft and keep boiling for at least another 10-15 mins.
Purée everything till smooth
Add in milk and bring to simmer
Add s/p to taste (lots if pepper)

Cool, serve and enjoy!

A WEEK IN THE FOOD LIFE OF LAURA (and RAYMOND)

TITLES AND PICTURES

A WEEKS WORTH OF MENU ITEMS AT THE OOSTEROM HOUSE

I had a request for a week of titles and pictures of what I'm eating (maybe it will help you with your weight loss journey or give you some creative ideas on meals, snacks, or examples of different foods that you wouldn't have thought to try before).

Anyway as I am just starting the week (today is Sunday, May 19, 2013) there won't be any pictures with titles until the end of the day!

I hope you enjoy and have fun following along with me as I give a little insight into my world of food!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Lunch & snack — I was so full!

BREAKFAST: One cup of tea and two cups of coffee (this isn't normal for me but I was on the worship team this AM and we had to be there super early and so my usual breakfast didn't happen - ladies and gentlemen, don't do this to yourself... PREPARE!)

LUNCH: SALAD ON BREAD!

DINNER: SALAD ON BREAD cont. IT WAS TOO MUCH FOOD          THE FIRST TIME TO FINISH AT LUNCH!

SNACK 1: APPLE PIECES AND PEANUT BUTTER

Monday, May 20, 2013

BREAKFAST: 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter and apple stropp
one mug of warm apple cider



LUNCH: 1 Huge Salad: lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, pickles, shaved roast beef, cheddar cheese, and avocado - I added home made mayonnaise and mustard for the dressing
1 Large Glass of lime water



DINNER: Honey Garlic Chicken (fry the chicken in garlic and butter then drizzle honey over when serving).
Steamed broccoli and cauliflower with butter and melted cheese

SNACK1: Apple slices with peanut butter

THE REST OF THE WEEK INCLUDED THESE MEALS!

Home Made Taco Shell
with Cheese and Almond Flour

Home Made Butternut Squash Fries
and
Honey Mustard Mayo Dipping Sauce

Home Made Tacos
(turned into more of a salad)

Raymond made Fried Chicken
Carrots and Cauliflower
One night

Stir Fry (honey garlic)

Home made chips with
guacamole dip

Salad!

SALAD

Cheesey Onion Omelet 

Waffle (Almond Flour) with
Yogurt and fresh pear and
cinnamon on top with honey
drizzel 

Apple Pear (Yummy)

Coffee with honey and
Cinnamon Drizzle
(home made almond milk)

Peanut Butter and Apples!
My favorite snack.

Pineapple chicken stir fry

Breakfast:
Coffee, Shake, Toast with
Home made Jam and
Clean Peanut Butter

MORNING SHAKES!

BREAD (grain free - tastes good)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of coconut flour

1 1/4 cups almond flour

1/4 cup ground chia seeds or flax seeds (i ground my chia seeds up in the magic bullet)

5 eggs

1/4 tsp sea salt

4 TBSP coconut oil (heat up to liquid form in microwave then cool off)

1 TBSP apple cider vinigar

2 Tbsp honey

1/2 tsp baking soda

*This makes a smaller loaf of bread so you will want to double it if you're hoping 

for a normal sized loaf

Directions:

1. Blend all dry ingredients in a bowl and in a separate bowl all the wet ingredients

2. Make sure to blend the eggs till frothy, about 3 minutes THEN stir the honey and vinegar into the eggs.

3. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet

4. Scoop your batter into a well greased loaf pan

I cut the loaf in half and then sliced the wrong way

5. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes (until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean)

6. Cool and Serve

This recipe enables you to have sandwiches, buns for burgers or toast in the morning while on the SCD

FROZEN MANGO SORBET (DAIRY AND SUGAR FREE)

FROZEN MANGO SORBET 

(DAIRY AND SUGAR FREE)

INGREDIENTS:

2 mangoes

2 cups of lactose free yogurt

3 TBSP honey (or more, depends on how sweet you like it)

1-2 tsp pure vanilla extract

APPLIANCE:

1 ice cream maker ready to go per instructions

1 magic bullet or blender of some kind

DIRECTIONS:

1. peel and pit your mangoes. place the flesh in the magic bullet and puree

2. take your yogurt, honey and vanilla, place all 3 ingredients in the magic bullet (a new cup) and puree until mixed.

3. pour both the mango puree and the yogurt into the ice cream maker and let it mix for 30 minutes until it's ice cream consistency.

THUMB PRINT COOKIES

THUMB PRINT COOKIES 

With Home Made Jam and Coconut Whip Cream!

Uncooked, After the Jam is Added

Ingredients:

Before the Jam is Added

For the Macaroons

2 Cups of Coconut (unsweetened, flaked)

1.5 Cups of Almond Flour

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 - 3/4 Cup of Honey (depends on how sweet you like them)

2.5 TBSP Coconut oil / 2 - 3 TBSP Butter

I made Blueberry Jam

For the Chia Seed Jam

3 Cups of Frozen Berries (Raspberry, Blueberry or Blackberry)

1/4 Cup of Honey (this jam isn't very sweet)

2 Tbsp Chia Seeds

1 TBSP pure vanilla extract

Instructions:

• For the Chia Seed Jam; Put the frozen or fresh berries in a pot, add the honey and stir until liquidy with a few berries (should look like jam). Bring the pot to a simmer; after 5 minutes add the chia seeds and cook down the mixture for about 15 minutes (should thicken) - STIR FREQUENTLY TO AVOID BURNING YOUR JAM! Remove from heat, stir in your vanilla and put in the fridge to chill.

Baked till golden brown

• Preheat the oven to 275F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a non stick mat. 
• In a large bowl combine all the ingredients together for the macaroon recipe. Using your electric beaters mix all the ingredients together. The dough is wet and sticky but this is normal.
• Grab a large spoonful of the dough, roll it into a ball and place it onto the lined tray. Using your thumb, make a print in the middle of the cookie. Repeat this process until the tray is full - PUT YOUR TRAY IN THE FRIDGE SO THEY FIRM UP.
• When you are ready to bake, first spoon your jam mixture into the holes in the cookies and then put them into the oven. 
• Bake at 275 for 20 minutes then rotate the pan and bake for another 20 minutes. 
• These cookies should be golden brown when fully baked and after a couple of minutes on the pan, firm enough to transfer them onto a cooling rack and then into the fridge.

Coconut Whip Cream:

Ingredients:

1 Can of coconut Cream

1 tsp of pure vanilla extract

1-2 Tbsp Honey

1/4 of a vanilla pod (optional - really adds to the vanilla flavoring and color)

Directions:

CHILL YOUR MIXING BOWL IN THE FREEZER!

• Open your can of Coconut cream, drain off the liquid (keep for shakes later) and keep the cream.
• Put your cream in your chilled mixing bowl (the bowl should be freezing) and mix on 3-4 speed with your electric beaters.
• When it's whip cream texture add the vanilla, honey and vanilla seeds (in the pod, scrape them out - don't put the pod itself into the cream) and whip it again.
• Put the cream in the fridge (taste it first, you may want to add more honey or vanilla extract)

When you are ready to serve your cookies, put a cookie on the plate, pour some cream over the top (or purposefully place with a spoon) and add a dollop of jam in the center of the cream. Serve with a fork and a cup of tea or coffee! ENJOY!

STEAK, ASPARAGUS AND CESAR SALAD - Anybody want to lose 34 pounds with me?!

Tonight for Dinner I Had...

So tonight for dinner I made and ate a large cesar salad with delicious creamy dressing (made from scratch), steak, fried onions, pan fried asparagus in butter and garlic. For dessert I ate apple slices dipped in peanut butter and for my drink I stuck to water as I had already had a glass of orange juice during the cooking process. 

I have lost a total of 34 pounds (I am down to 146 pounds as of this week) and it has been 100% to diet. In my diet I do not eat sugar, grains, starch or dairy (although I have brought cream back with my coffee - it's my only exception). Because of the weight loss I have much more energy and so for the past few weeks my husband and I have done one fun outing every Saturday whether it be a hike, snow shoeing and today was ice skating. I lasted for an hour and fifteen minutes before I decided my socks were digging too deep into my skin due to rental skates. It was so much fun!

Due to my Mary Kay skin regime I have a clear face and that has been such a bonus to my weight loss. I feel so confident, joyful, energetic and I feel... Like myself again. For a couple of years I had lost myself. I gained 40+ pounds which changed so much more than my appearance. My energy flagged, my personality altered, I was sad and depressed, lethargic and a far cry from the happy, bouncing, beautiful woman my husband told me he had married. 

I've been on this journey since November 2012 which makes it 5 months ago that I gave all my food away and never looked back. It has changed my life and the life of my husband. He has been struggling health wise lately but he has kept on his weight and the relapse has looked different. He feels hopeful which is so important!

Here is a snap shot of tonights dinner that my husband took today. 

If we can do it, so can you, I believe it.

EGGPLANT BURGERS!

WHO KNEW EGGPLANT COULD TASTE SO GOOD!

ALL YOU NEED IS A PANINI GRILL

INGREDIENTS:

1 EGGPLANT - keep skin on and cut into rounds

Home made Mayonaise

Cheddar Cheese Sliced

White or Yellow Onions Cut into Rings

Tomatoes Cut into Thick Rings

Butter about 1/4 - 1/3  cup

Garlic - Fresh, Crush

Directions:

Dip your veggies in a garlic / butter mixture (melt 1/3 cup of butter and add 2-3 freshly crushed pieces of garlic, mix).

Grill them on the panini grill in stages (first the eggplant, then the tomatoes, next onions) 

Layer them.

1. Eggplant

2. Mayo

3. Cheese (should melt because veggies are hot)

4. Onion

5. Tomato

I served these with a side of pickles and pan fried garlic chicken. To make the chicken just cut up 1-3 chicken breasts into cubes (boneless and skinless are the easiest). Fry them in butter, coconut oil and 3 crushed pieces of fresh garlic till fully cooked. 

The chicken is also amazing on salad the next day or with a side of veggies!

This is a panini grill

This is pan fried chicken

This is to show the layers

The finished product! Yummy!

COCONUT FLOUR MINT COOKIES

MINT SHORTBREAD

Ingredients:

1 1/4 Cup Coconut Flour
1 Egg
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Pure Mint Extract
1/4 - 1/2 Cup of Honey
1/3 - 1/2 Cup of Butter (Partly Melted - from fridge, 30 sec in microwave)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together (beat the egg first, then add the rest of the wet and last mix in the dry)
Bake for 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees
Cool

Enjoy!

It's like a mint short bread - I rolled them into balls and pressed down with a fork the same as I would do for peanut butter cookies. VERY GOOD and doesn't have that almond flavor you can't escape when baking with almond flour.

EGGPLANT NOODLES

EGGPLANT NOODLES ARE YUMMY!

INGREDIENTS:

Eggplant (1-2)

Salt

DIRECTIONS:

Peel your eggplant

Cut length wise (a thicker strip)

Take each piece and cut them into thin strips (noodle size)

Put them in a bowl and sprinkle salt on them

Let them sit (they will sweat) for about 15 minutes

PUT THE NOODLES IN A TEA TOWEL AND SQUEEZE ALL THE REMAINING WATER OUT 

Either you can saute them in coconut oil until they are soft or you can boil them till soft. I sauteed them and haven't tried boiling yet. Saute until the "raw" texture is gone (or for as long as you like).

VEGETABLES:

I made a stir fry of vegetables to go with mine. Broccoli, Kale, Spinach, Red and Yellow Peppers, Mushrooms, Purple Onion,  and if you want some grated Carrot would be nice as well.

SAUCE:

For the sauce I used 1 can of coconut milk (no guar gum), 1 pkg of herbed goat cheese, 1-2 tsp green Thai curry and a little butter. I brought this to a boil and stirred until it was thick and all melted together. Then I mixed my veggies in it (yum yum)!

EGGPLANT LASAGNA

Eggplant Lasagna

Looks Good and Tastes Great!

Ingredients:

Sauce: 1 Can of Tomato Sauce (Crushed Tomato's, Italian)

             6 Fresh Basil Leaves Diced

             S/P to taste

Mix together and set a side

Noodles: 1-2 Large Eggplants; Peel, cut length wise and lay on parchment paper on baking sheet. 

Bake in pre-heated 400 degree oven for 15 minutes.

Cheese Filling: 1/2 - 1 Container of Dry Curd Cottage Cheese

                           1/3 of the Tubes of Goat Cheese (mix well with the dry curd cheese)

                           Spinach (Saute in butter and mix with cheese)

                           1 Yellow Onion (chop, saute with butter and s/p - mix while hot into the cheese mix)

Meat: 4 Chicken Breasts - Flatten with a meat pounder, sprinkle with s/p and crushed garlic

          Fry in Frying Pan

         1 Package of Ground Beef - Fry in Pan with s/p and crushed garlic

** Choose either chicken or beef, don't use both

Layer: Bottom of pan to top layer

Tomato Sauce

Eggplant

Cheese Mix

Meat

Repeat

Very Top Layer Sprinkle some Tomato Sauce and cover with your favorite hard cheese

Bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes YUMMY!!!

NOTES:

I put a piece of saran wrap over my chicken before I flattened it so that it wouldn't splatter everywhere. You have to pound it pretty hard as you want it quite flat. Don't put holes in it, just flatten it out.

DINNER IDEAS

Steak - Grilled, fried, add salt and pepper and sauteed mushrooms and onions YUMMY!

Chicken - Make a peanut sauce or honey mustard sauce to compliment this main course. You can BBQ chicken, fry it, bake it or use it in a stir fry, on a pizza or simply by itself.

Fish - Try putting home made mayonnaise on your pan fried fish with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a sprinkle of fresh dill

Roast - This is great by itself. Put it in the slow cooker with some broth, garlic, salt and pepper, cranberries, butter and a couple of bay leaves. Leave it for 8 hours and come home to a dish that will literally fall apart in your mouth!

Chicken Soup from scratch - Chicken stock (pre made by you), salt and pepper, a couple of bay leaves, carrots, celery, sauteed yellow or white onion - all simmered together for 2-4 hours on low. Makes a delicious lunch or light dinner, it's really up to you!

Beef Stew - Pre fry your beef cubes, put them in the slow cooker, add broth, bay leaves, 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar, salt and pepper, peas, sauteed onions and let it cook for 6-8 hours. Come home to a hearty soup waiting to be served!

Salad (any kind) - There are too many options for salads, it's limitless really. If you need more details or ideas just ask!

Veggies - Grilled, steamed, roasted or baked. Add a little butter and salt and pepper. Melt cheese on top or make a cheese sauce to drizzle over your dish. You can eat them plain, cooked or uncooked, by themselves or in a salad. It's really up to you!

DESSERT:

Frozen yogurt; vanilla, lemon, honey, plain, peppermint, any flavor of your choice. Make a batch of yogurt, add your flavoring, nuts, candy pieces (whatever you want) and put it in your ice cream maker. In about 20 minutes you will have full flavored frozen yogurt with NO preservatives or sugars.

WAFFLEs with yogurt, cinnamon and bananas

Spaghetti Squash and Fish with Home Made TarTar Sauce

Roast before its been cooked

Roast with Cauliflower and Cheese sauce

Stir Fried Veggies

Steak

Cauliflower Crust Pizza - TOPPINGS

TOPPINGS (TIPS)

Choose your favorite toppings. I like: peppers, chicken, onion, tomatoes, goat cheese, mushrooms, steak, olives, spinach, Cheddar Cheese, bacon etc.

Make sure you precook your toppings before putting them on your pizza!

• Saute the onions in a bit of oil with s/p (you can put them on raw if you like them crunchy)
• Fry up your mushrooms with a bit of butter or with your bacon
• Saute your red or yellow peppers
• Precook any MEATS you are going to add as a topping: chicken, steak, bacon etc.

Things like; spinach, goat cheese, tomatoes, olives, cheddar cheese, or pineapple DO NOT PRE COOK.

1. Make your crust.
2. Cook your toppings.
3. Take your cooked crust, add your toppings and cheese, then put the whole pizza in the oven at 400 F until your cheese is melted and it's bubbly and brown.
4. Take out and EAT!

Extra Bonus:

Pizza Sauce - 2 large, firm tomatoes. 3 Fresh basil leaves. S/P to taste. BLEND together. Strain off any extra juice. Spread over your ALREADY COOKED pizza crust. Add Toppings. Bake. Eat.