[mealplan : Lunchbox Ideas.]

It's halfway through the year ... and even with a break during Christmas, it doesn't take long to feel like I'm completely trapped with lunch-creativity LOL.

My children have no wheat, gluten or dairy sensitivities.  

Here are a few ideas that I do for lunches:

Pizza Pinwheels
Chocolate Zucchini Mini Muffins
Ham+cheese buns
Honey/Jam Rolls (tortillas spread with honey or jam, rolled and cut in two)
Crackers+cheese
Macaroni+cheese (thermos)
Soft Tacos (thermos for meat), small containers for tomatoes, cheese and avocado
Eggdrop soup
Leftovers from dinner *grin*

Cubed kiwi fruit
Apple slices
Cubed cantaloupe
Applesauce
Fruit snacks
Rice Krispie squares
Cucumber slices
Mini carrots
Dill pickles
Mandarin (cutie) oranges
Sticks and Stones (mini marshmallows + pretzel sticks)
Grapes
Berries (in season)
Popcorn twists

Ok ... that's all.

Got any ideas?  Would love to hear them!

Have a great one ...

[Eating Clean.]

For the last couple of months, I've been "clean eating".

What does that mean?  Well - basically, it's staying clear-away from processed foods.  My pantry looks MUCH different, and so does my fridge *smile*.    I go to the market at least twice a week to restock fruits and veggies - and have done my best to take all refined sugar out of my diet.

The standard rule is, if there are more than five ingredients on the package - I don't eat it.  If I don't know what the ingredient is, I don't eat it.   Period.

This has been a long, long journey for me to get here.  To figure out what works for me.  Between diets, and points, and no-sugar and no-wheat, and calorie counting ... I've been in bondage.  Angry at myself when I fail.  Angry when I don't see results fast enough.  Just basically, disappointed in myself.

"Why can't I be disciplined??" I would growl at myself.

So for me - clean eating ... it works.  How I do it, for me, it works.  

I'd love to tell you that I've lost 20lbs, grown four inches taller and now look like a 20year-old-super-star.  But alas, I'm still just me.  BUT.  I feeeeeel amazing.  I have lost 2.5inches around my waist in these past 8 weeks.  I've only lost a few pounds - but it's steadily declining and since I am living this way forever  ... my weight will be what it will be. 

I am FREE.

I have found something that works, that I can do.  What it looks like for me, the choices I make, may be different for someone else who eats "clean".  But I am happy with my choices, I am living far better than I have - ever.

And when I can't eat perfectly clean?  When we go to friends homes for dinner, or out for a meal?  I simply do my best.   I do not beat myself up, because I've made many right choices that allow me to be free when I cannot.  I'll ask the waitress to omit certain things, and still choose wisely.  No one needs to adjust their lives for me - I have relearned how to eat.  I am not allergic, although I am much much more sensitive to sugar and wheat.  I don't enjoy the sickening feeling from having ANYTHING with high-fructose-corn-syrup.  Did you know Menchie's has HFCS in their frozen yogurts??  I had just a sample and my face began to tingle.  TRUE.  

One point I will make, is that my skin is now detoxing.  It isn't fun.  Cystic acne (aren't I too old for this??) is painful ... but I know it will pass.  At least - it should, right??

I have a recipe site, called "Make - by Homemakingirl" ... today I posted a new recipe that I adapted from another website.  I have made it "clean" - go check it out and add it to your repertoire.   Totally worth it *smile*.    It's called :: Clean Eating Cocoa Applesauce Mini Muffins with Carrot Puree

So.  That's my story.  I still exercise when I can, but I am no longer bound to "I ate a bad dessert so I need to run 5km today".  I am living life ... and am enjoying it so much more in this new way of eating.  

If you have any questions - I'd be happy to answer.  And - let me also say - that my friend Char is who taught me SO much about this lifestyle as she started her journey with clean eating before me.  She has a blog of recipes as well - and I have tried most of them.  They're fantastic!!

Have a great one!

[lunchbox: Ideas #2 - Trail Mix Bars & Contest Clue #4]

I'm still pretty new at this - and having my son in kindergarten two days a week, REALLY isn't that difficult for lunches. But still ... it is.

Our school is a "nut free" school, which makes things a little more tricky. Actually - what it REALLY means, is that most things are homemade that go in his lunchbox - just to make sure. It's surprising how many pre-packaged food items say, "may contain traces of nuts".

Well - because there's recess and lunch, I try and give Tias good choices for both. Although, his recess snack has to be quick and simple. Here's something that I've just tried ... maybe you'll like to as well.

Trail Mix Bars

4 tbsp (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

3 tbsp honey

1 1/3 cups quick cooking oats

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

3/4 cup cheerios

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

1/4 cup chocolate chips

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325F. Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease.

Put butter and honey in a small saucepan. Heat gently until butter is melted. Set aside to cool.

Place remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Stir to combine. And the cooled butter mixture and mix well. Transfer to the prepared pan and press down firmly with a potato masher. Bake for 30 minutes or until the center is just firm to the touch.

Allow to cool for 15 minutes, then mark into eight bars using a sharp knife. Allow to cool completely before lifting from the pan. Store in an airtight container.

Now ... for today's question ... "My dad was on a missions trip when Katia was born. Name the two countries he visited." If you've missed the previous questions, or contest information, click "contest" on the sidebar and read up on what's going on 'round here.

Have a good one!

[lunchbox: Ideas #1]

WOW!!! I got a ton of responses yesterday, between comments, emails and FB. So - I'll be going ahead with the CONTEST. Here's a couple of hints ... it's going to START on MONDAY. And you'll be HUNTING around for five days. Each day will have an "answer". On the final day, you'll give me all five answers. The first one, with all five correct answers, will send me an email (I'll be posting that info on day four) ... and voila - we'll have a WINNER!

Sound like fun? Hope so!!

Ok - enough of that for now. Here's today's question: do you struggle with lunchbox ideas?? I sure do. And that was one thing I was worried about with Mattias heading off to kindergarten 2-3 full days a week.

For me, nothing says "I love you" more than a well prepared meal. So - I'm starting to come up with a repertoire for lunches, and I thought I'd post some ideas each week to inspire you beyond the sandwich. *grin*.

First off - I bought a great little book called "Lunch Boxes and Snacks". It has over 120 healthy recipes - from delicious sandwiches and salads, to hot soups and sweet treats. At least, that's what it says on the cover *grin*.

Here's today's idea: thermos noodles

"Mummy's Ramen Noodles" (makes 2 portions)

6oz fine Chinese-style egg noodles

1 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp dark soy sauce

1/3 cup frozen peas

1/2 cup canned/frozen corn

2/3 cup shredded chicken

1 scallion, thinly slices (optional)

1 tsp cornstarch

Directions: Cook the noodles according to the package (or use precooked noodles). Drain and set aside. Put the broth, soy sauce, peas, corn and chicken in saucepan over medium heat. Stir in scallion (if using). Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tsp cold water and add to the contents in the pan. Cook, stirring for 1 minute - or until liquid thickens slightly. Add the noodles and reheat briefly - stirring. Transfer to bowl to serve, or prepare into thermoses.

Truth is, you could put any variety of veggies or meat in this ...

Enjoy!! And have a great one!