Why I am a food snob!

I have always been a fan of healthy eating. I went to school in Physical Education and loved all the nutrition classes. I am a true believer in what we eat either feeds disease or fights it. My Family has lots of food sensitivities and the last couple of years I have struggled with stomach issues. I have a very sensitive stomach,  my mom is Celiac, and my sister is lactose and is sensitive to soy. We discovered the Paleo lifestyle and live it 90% of the time!  A lot of Paleo people say you can cheat, but you will be reminded of why you eat Paleo. I can attest to that! I have regretted many cheat days.
My 2 year old is gluten free, About a year ago she had diarrhea for weeks, her skin was like sandpaper, and she didn't sleep. It was miserable for everyone. We took her off gluten and things have been much better. I love finding meals that a 2 year old loves and can eat. So she has helped me become the food snob that I am.
I know that the food I feed my kids plays a major role in their behavior.I can tell the difference in my sons behavior when he eats sugars and carbs.  If he drinks sugary drinks it goes right through him and he has to pee in 5 minutes. When he has carb filled breakfasts he craves sugar all day long. He craves sugar and throws fits when I tell him he can't have a treat. He is his Fathers child, my husband is a crabaholic. If my husband didn't buy his own bread and gluten filled foods, we would be a gluten free home. Still trying to make my husband into a food snob. We are not on the same page yet! I am determined to win that Battle. I am a mom of 4 crazy kids and if I can help their behavior by feeding them healthy, wholesome food, I am all over that! I want my kids to live healthy, happy lives full of energy. I want to be the example to them of how to keep our bodies healthy. I love finding and creating recipes that my family loves. I secretly love Tuesdays! I love Sprouts and on Tuesday their ad comes out so I check the sale and create my menu around the sale. I love planning meals out for the week, and when you are Paleo it takes planning!

Paleo Almond Joy Muffins

I may have a slight obsession with paleo muffins! They are so yummy and my kids love them! They are getting protein, fiber and a good source of fat when they eat them. They make a great snack! You can't stop popping them in your mouth, when you make them mini!

Paleo Almond Joy Muffins
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. Baking soda
4 eggs
1/4 honey
1/4 cup coconut oil (sometimes I use butter)
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup chopped almonds

Mix ask ingredients in order. If the batter looks thick and dry add some coconut milk or almond milk for moisture. I use a mini muffin pan, scoop in 3/4 full. Bake at 350° for 15-20 min.

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Paleo chocolate Chip Cookies
2 cups almond meal
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup coconut flakes
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips(I use 63% cacoa)
Mix all ingredients. Scoop into 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet with parchment paper. Flatten balls and bake at 350° for 15 mins.





This little monkey climbed up on the counter and ate them all!

Shakeology

I love Shakeology! When I heard about Shakeology I did some research and I had to have it.  My body needs the nutrients and a better way of getting them than supplements. Shakeology has 70 superfoods in it! I could never keep a vitamin or prenatal down through all 4 pregnancies.  My body was depleted! I have been pregnant or nursing for the last 6 years. I NEED Shakeology! It is my daily dose of dense nutrition in 1 meal. I drink Shakeology everyday as a supplement. It is a nutrient dense shake. They dry the superfoods naturally and in temps below 115 degrees so they are still considered a raw food. You would have to take over 50 capsules to get all the vitamins, minerals antioxidants, probiotics, prebiotics, fiber, enzymes, calcium, iron, chromium, manganese, zinc, amino acids, cordyceps, ginkgo, super greens, flax, rose hips, bromelain, Goji, Camu-Camu and other super foods in Shakeology® instead of a delicious daily shake. Shakeology has also helped stomach issues with me, my daughter, and my sister. My daughter is gluten free, poor girl has had some bad reactions to gluten and it is harsh on her little body. Shakeology has helped regulate her digestive system. Thanks to all the enzymes and probiotics. Shakeology has been a blessing in my life, but don't just take my word for it. Here are some reviews. And go do some research!
www.shakeology.com/caitlitbrad




My Background: I've been pre-diabetic for the last ten years and my cholesterol was dangerously high. No matter what I did diet and exercise wise...the number on the scale only went up. A year ago, I was taking more medication than my 97 year-old grandmother! After just a month of Shakeology, my cholesterol has dropped significantly and my glucose number looks good too. I'm still pre-diabetic but I'm getting close to moving out of that range too! When I told the doctor I haven't been on any medication for a year...she was STUNNED! I wasn't... I could tell my blood sugar had started to regulate..now the numbers prove it! I feel so much better in the morning and in just 30 days! Not to mention, I'm finally starting to lose weight! Make the investment in yourself and order shakeology.
               MonicaChampagne
                   from Baton Rouge, La

Shakeology has different effects for everyone (that's what makes it so great) it's like it can find your weakness. For me, I have been taking my breakfast shake for over 2 yrs. now and never get sick! That's huge for me. I have always been that guy that could catch a cold just talking about it. Feed the body what it wants and you'll get out of it what you need.
                  Micks90DayFix
                         from Frisco, TX.

http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/caitlitbrad?bctid=2125497506001

Mango Salsa

I love this fresh mango salsa! It has so many of my favorite foods; mango, cilantro, garlic and lime. So yum! It is great over chicken or a top a salad. 

Mango Salsa

1 mango diced

1/2 cup onion diced red onion

3 tomatoes diced

3 cloves of garlic minced

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 lime squeezed

Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients, toss and enjoy!

Spicy Sausage Spaghetti with Zucchini Noodles

This is such a fresh yummy dish! I love Zucchini! I love the end of the summer when the garden is producing more zucchini  than we know what to do with! My favorite is zucchini and tomatoes. Everything in this dish comes fresh from the garden in the summer, I am missing those summer days.


Spicy Sausage Spaghetti with Zucchini Noodles
2 Tbs. Olive oil
3 cloves of garlic minced
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/2 cup diced onion
Handful of fresh chopped basil
32 ounces canned tomatoes
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
2 Zucchinis made into noodles. I use the Paderno veggie slicer.

Directions:
Saute
garlic, onion, red pepper and basil over medium heat till fragrant. Add tomatoes and seasoning let simmer for 5 mins. Toss in zucchini noodles. My husband thinks that it isn't a meal until it has meat on it, so I add sausage that I spoon into ball on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 15 to 20 mins.

Hot Sausage and Broccoli Soup

This is my all time FAVORITE soup!  love, love, love broccoli and I love the hot sausage from Sprouts. It is made fresh and is nitrate and preservative free. This recipe is fast, easy and a one pot meal! My cute little 2 year old loves this soup!

Hot Sausage and Broccoli Soup
1 lb. Hot Italian Sausage
1 Tbps. coconut oil
1/2 cup dice onion
2 cups chicken broth
1 can coconut milk
1 1/2 cup water
1 yukon gold potato diced
1 head of broccoli
2 handfuls of spinach
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Brown sausage in a large pot over medium heat with coconut oil. Add onion. When onion is brown add chicken stock, water and coconut milk. Add potato and broccoli. I like to cut up the stems and throw them in along with the florets. Add spinach cover and simmer for 20 mins.