Easy Lemon Dressing - Quick Farm Salad

 Last week was my birthday...along with about 5 other people that I know and love.  I had a fantastic time celebrating with friends, making new friends, spending time with family and just having a good time!  It was a pretty busy week filled with typical things like hockey, basketball and gymnastics but there were also several days of dinners and outings thrown in there too.  

  As much as I tried to stick to a paleo diet there were certain things that I couldn't pass up.  See, I have always been a foodie. I seriously love food.  I have watched cooking shows since I was a kid.  I'll always have fond memories of watching Julia Child with my grandfather on PBS. I remember thinking I can't understand what she or her french chef guests are saying but the food looks delicious. Food is an amazing art!  So it became near impossible to resist some of these dishes when I went to several amazing restaurants this past week/weekend. I look back and it was well worth it but my body hated me.  I typically don't weigh myself but I decided before I went out I would do a little experiment. I logged my weight right before I went out on Friday and then on Sunday evening I weighed myself again...8 whole lbs.  I literally gained 8 lbs in a couple of days!!  I'm not kidding...8 FREAKING POUNDS!!!  I'm only 5'3", so that's a lot. Hell...that's a lot for anyone in 3-4 days. I'm still in shock at that number but that doesn't compare to the bloating I had in my stomach, the gas and discomfort I was experiencing, the aches in my joints, the tightness of my clothes, and the fog that had come over me.  I started to feel like a different person and I didn't like it.  Who knew three days would do so much damage!  But truth is, I haven't deviated from the paleo lifestyle for that many days in a row in quite some time.

  Luckily my sons, Lucca and Kaine, only participated in one meal.  It was a cheat day for my birthday and they were able to partake.  But after three days of bad eating my body was different and it solidified why our family eats the way we do.  See, my oldest son, Lucca, has PANDAS. We decided to go hard core paleo once he was diagnosed.  The paleo lifestyle helps to keep inflammation down in the body.  It also helps keep him healthy and keeps the flare ups at bay or at least to a minimum (Our Story). But the thing is, I forgot how much I had experienced these horrible feelings in my body a while back.  Prior to eating paleo, I was a little overweight, woke up every morning sore (you think it just comes with age), had a bloated belly, had several different sizes in clothing depending on the day, didn't have energy, and just felt under the weather, tired or just in a weird brain fog.  Food is our fuel and you definitely get what you put in.  If you eat a donut or have a soda and crap all day, you feel sluggish and out of it.  Not to mention you will likely put on a couple of pounds (or 8!!!).  If you eat a salad and some lean meat while snacking on nuts, fruits and veggies, you are likely to have more energy and be more alert.  You just feel better!!  

 Here's the thing that people don't realize....paleo food and healthy food CAN TASTE GOOD!!!  Paleo food is not hard to find, there are lots of things that are paleo friendly.  Finding food is easy.  The hard part is sticking to it and resisting the bad food.  Believe me, I get it!  I clearly had a hard time this past week and boy did my body feel it. Now, will I likely cheat again?  Sure.  But probably not three days in a row!  I don't want to feel this way and I don't want to spend a week trying to get back to my old paleo self.  It's much easier for your body to bounce back after one cheat meal than it is three. Plus, I feel bad.  I feel bad that I have the option to eat this way and my son doesn't.  Technically, he can eat anyway he wants to.  But it's what is best for his body and we decided as a family we would eat paleo. It isn't fair to him that he sticks to something that I don't.  Lesson learned.  Guilt and bad body feelings are not a fun combo.  

  In order for me to get back to feeling better, I started with salads and veggies.  Contrary to what most people think about paleo,  our main dish is not meat.  Meat tends to be the side dish to our main course...Veggies!  Vegetables are important.  The meat/protein is what gives you the energy but the vegetables are what gives you the vitamins and nutrients that you need to stay healthy. Plus, they help fill you up.  I of course made the Kale Krack Salad but I needed something easier too.  The Farm Salad. Our kids call this the farm salad because when we went on a farm stay this past summer it was the salad that came with our first meal.  It was delicious, simple, fresh and easy.  As Julia Child once said "You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." This salad is just that, fresh arugula with lemon and olive oil with a little salt and pepper. Ever since the farm stay, my kids will eat this salad up pretty regularly. Personally, I think it brings back fond memories for all of us.  We can't wait to go back this summer! There are times I change it up a bit but I always keep this dressing on hand.  I may add some avocado, cucumbers, onions and chicken to make it a big salad meal. But most times I just put it on arugula (like at the farm), micro greens, mixed lettuce or any greens I have in the fridge.  It's the perfect side salad to make your dish complete.  After 3 days of being back on paleo I have lost 5 of the 8 lbs.  I am starting to feel much better, which is what I really wanted.  I really don't count the pounds, it's about how my clothes fit and how I feel.  I just want to get out of bed in the morning, have some energy and not have my whole body ache. Well, and for PANDAS to go away and maybe be on the farm again. Oh and winning the lottery would be nice too.  Maybe not having to work anymore and traveling to a bunch of beaches... crap, this list could get pretty long if I really think about it.  I should just stick with getting out of bed, at least that one is possible.
Happy Cooking and Eating!

Easy Lemon Dressing

Serves:a little over 1/4 cup 

Prep Time:2 minutes

Cook Time:0 minutes

Total Time:2 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 1/2 to 5 TBSP fresh lemon juice**
• dash of salt and pepper

 **I like it a bit more tart so I use 5 but if you don't want it that lemony do 3 1/2. 

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a small dressing container or whisk together in a bowl.  

Dipping Sauces - Paleo BBQ Sauce and Paleo Honey Mustard Sauce

  Everybody has certain things in their fridge that are staples.  Well, these are two that I like to have on hand all the time. The BBQ sauce originally stems from my ribs recipe which will come soon, I promise. I just altered it a bit by adding veggie stock (beef would be good too) instead of the juices from my ribs and a little bit more seasonings. What's great is the base of this sauce is tangy/mustardy/vinegary (or whatever you want to call it) but you can mellow it out with some honey and make it more on the sweet side.  My kids tend to lean on the sweeter side while my husband, Damon, and I lean more towards the tang. So I can alter it to make it how everyone likes it. 

  The Honey Mustard is similar to the BBQ sauce in the sense I can alter it to the likings of my kids.  Again, it's a great base and you can go from there. You don't have to make it as sweet or you can add some amazing mayo to make it more creamy.  Lucca doesn't like it creamy but Kaine does. See it all works out for everyone, with minimal work from Mom. Whooo Hooo! Winner winner chicken dinner!  Speaking of chicken, both of these sauces go well with the Paleo Chicken Fingers. 

Paleo BBQ Sauce

Serves:Approx 2 Cups

Prep Time:10 minutes

Cook Time:25 minutes

Total Time:35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups veggie stock, or beef stock
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6-7 ounces of tomato paste
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup of dijon mustard
• 3 TBSP of honey *optional, add less if you don't want it sweet
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground coffee
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp cayenne *optional
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Sauté garlic in stock for about 5 minutes. 
2. Whisk in remaining ingredients.
3. Let simmer on low for about 25-30 minutes.

Paleo Honey Mustard 

Serves:Approx 1/2 cup

Prep Time:2 minutes
Cook Time:0 minutes
Total Time:2 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 TBSP mustard, I use dijon
• 3 tsp honey (real honey!)
• 1 tsp Amazing Mayo * optional if you want to make it creamy

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. 
2. That's it!

  

  

Broccoli with Lemon Garlic Aioli

  After a while, I admit it, vegetables can get a little boring.  Especially when it comes to kids. They get bored real fast!  So, I am always looking for ways to change things up a bit. Now that Lucca, our oldest, has received treatment for PANDAS and is on the road to recovery he is much better at eating. There was a time when he barely ate and couldn't sit still long enough to eat.  He has come a long way and has gotten really good with veggies and will typically try anything. It's great and I love it! Kaine, our youngest, on the other hand changes his mind on what veggies he likes and when he likes it.  He is pretty indecisive and is pretty stubborn to the point that he can do the gag reflex on command.  If he has it in his mind that it is gross, the minute it enters his mouth he will start gagging.  It sucks and I do NOT love it.  The only thing Kaine will consistently eat is cucumbers.  The kid freaking loves cucumbers! 

  Kaine always gets cucumbers for lunch. I know it won't be an issue at school, so that's what he gets. But dinner is a constant guessing game of "Will Kaine eat this tonight?". Broccoli is normally a pretty safe veggie and Kaine will typically eat his "green trees", but it's not always a given. The other night, I decided I would add a sauce to the side of the broccoli and it turned out to be a big hit with both boys. SCORE! Mommy-3, Kaine-4, at least for this week.  In fact, both boys asked for more broccoli with the sauce on top.  I immediately thought to myself....I have got to write this one down!  

  Of course I used what was on hand, which was dried parsley.  But hey, if you don't like parsley, use dried or fresh chives. Or use dried or fresh dill.  Any of these would taste great.  You could also eliminate it all together.  I quickly broiled the broccoli but this would be great on grilled or steamed broccoli too.  Hell, if you don't like broccoli, try asparagus. Basically feel free to change it up to suit your taste buds. None of this is set in stone.  Cooking is about making stuff you like.  Or in my case...trying to find stuff my kids will eat!

Now go eat your veggies!!

  

Broccoli with Lemon Garlic Aioli

Serves:Makes about 4 TBSP

Prep Time:5 minutes

Cook Time:5 minutes

Total Time:10 minutes

Ingredients:

• couple bunches of broccoli, trimmed and stalks peeled
• 1/4-1/2 tsp of olive oil
• 4 TBSP Amazing Mayo
• 2 3/4 tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 small garlic clove, pressed or finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp lemon zest
• 1/4 tsp dried parsley, dill or chives (your choice)

Instructions:

1. Combine last 5 ingredients (not broccoli and olive oil) in small bowl and set aside. 
2. Cut broccoli into "little trees" and peel the hard layer off the stalks.
3. Massage a little olive oil on each piece of broccoli and place on broiler safe pan (I use parchment paper for easy clean up, but be careful it can catch on fire if there are loose edges). You just want a thin layer of oil on the broccoli to prevent it from drying out.
4. Place under med/high heat broiler for about 2-3 minutes.  Flip and return to broiler for additional 2-3 minutes.  We like a little crunch to the broccoli.  Basically, just long enough to soften a little bit and get a little char on the outside.
5. Once broccoli is cooked to your liking, place on a plate or bowl and top with a little sauce.

Amazing Mayo

  

  I sometimes question my sanity.  I often take on way too much and think I have more time in my day.  I get a little bit over ambitious.  Why I thought starting a blog at the beginning of the school year would be a good idea is beyond me.  I clearly didn't think this one through and I have no one to blame but myself!  Honestly I wish I had more time in the day and I definitely like working on the blog.  So, I need to muscle through this, suck it up and deal with it!  

  Its been a little challenging for everyone to get into the new school/morning routines but we are slowly getting there.  The morning really isn't the problem, it's everything else that is the issue.  If you throw in baseball, ice hockey, gymnastics and soccer I now have another full time job of being a chauffeur and scheduler. Not to mention my actual real full time job!  Needless to say, we are all getting used to the new schedules and trying to make it all work.  Somehow I need to work in some sleep because it might be helpful, right? 

  Being a grown up is tough and it isn't always fun. As children we rush to be an adult. Once we get there I think many of us question why.  Why did we think all this stuff would be fun?  Paying bills, being responsible, being the bad guy and saying no to your kids, making dinner while kids are whining....none of those were in my mind while I was dreaming of being a grown up. It was going to be easy and perfect and no problems would ever come into play, right? Well, nothing is perfect and everyone has problems.  Now I just need to figure out the best solutions and roll with the punches.  

  One way is to try and be prepared. I try to make some things ahead of time or have certain essentials on hand.  If you have the basics you can create any meal.  Mayo is one of those amazing things I love to have in the fridge at all times.  The store bought mayos typically have soybean oil or other bad oils, so I don't like to use them.  This mayo is thick and creamy and super easy to make!  All you need is an emulsion hand blender.  The emulsion blender will pretty much make this full proof.  If you don't already have one, go out and get one NOW!  It is probably one of my favorite kitchen tools and I use it quite often.  I would go with the stainless steel version because it is great for hot soups as well.  Just you wait until the fall and winter. I will be making soups galore. The only problem will be making sure I have enough time to actually write about it on the blog.  Hopefully we will all be used to the schedule by then.  Fingers crossed!

Amazing Mayo

Serves:Approx 1 cup

Cook Time:0 minutes

Prep Time:3 minutes

Total Time:3 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 whole egg, room temperature (very important!). I use a whole egg, but you could use just the yolk if you prefer.
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• 1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• dash cayenne
• dash paprika
• 1 cup avocado oil

Instructions:

1. Start with egg and add all ingredients to tall container.  I use the container that came with our emulsion blender.
2. Place emulsion blender all the way to the bottom of the container and keep it there while you blend. Blend until it starts to thicken then slowly move the blender up to combine it all.  Keep in air tight container in fridge.