Keepin' it Simple

It amazes me that I used to LOVE to cook and always wanted to try new recipes. I spent most weekends making homemade gluten free bread and all sorts of other goodies. Getting a new food magazine in the mail was like Christmas to me! Now, I have NO desire to cook~zero!!!! A lot has changed with my health since the days that I cooked all the time. I used to be really good about making a menu and sticking to it. In fact, I felt lost without it. Now, a menu stresses me out! I spend all this time making the menu and shopping for all the stuff and then when it comes time for me to cook what's on the menu, I have NO energy for it. I have also learned that buying fresh veggies is a waste of money for me~gasp! I know, why would I not want to buy fresh veggies? Simple~because I let them rot! I throw more veggies in the trash than I actually use. Obviously I don't do this just out of pure carelessness, I just don't have the energy to mess with them. I have zucchini and cabbage in my fridge right now that need to be used, but I have had a BAD last couple of days and I am not about to cut veggies!

So, to make sure I am getting some veggies and fairly healthy meals without having to slave in the kitchen, I am buying frozen veggies and keeping meals simple. For breakfast today, I had a PureFit bar. It was the first one I had ever had and I liked it well enough that I will buy more. Simple breakfast~check:)

For lunch I had this:

Chicken breast, steamed veggies and gluten free toast

All I had to do was steam the frozen veggies, toss the chicken in the skillet and the toast in the oven. I bought a box of all natural chicken breast that are individually wrapped so I can take one out when I want and not have to cook the whole bag at once. Totally yummy! Simple lunch~check:)

Then for dinner I had this:

Homemade beans and 'weanies'

I had some leftover beans that I cooked the other day. I cooked up an Applegate Organic sausage and added it to the beans for a very filling dinner. I also munched on some kettle corn (LOVE this stuff!) while the sausage was cooking. I have a full tummy and I didn't kill myself cooking. Now that's the kind of meals I like!:)

Do you like to fix complicated gourmet meals or keep things simple? Simple can be yummy and healthy!

Sweet Potato Pancakes

Yesterday for lunch I made myself some sweet potato pancakes. I have been wanting to make them for the last week and just now got around to it. My mom used to make potato cakes when I was growing up and I loved them! These are so simple and yummy!

Sweet Potato Pancakes
1 sweet potato (1 lb.)
2 eggs
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk
2 Tbs. gluten free flour
1 Tbs. agave (or more if you like sweeter)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
cinnamon ( I didn't measure)

1~Cook, peel and mash sweet potato
2~Mix everything together until blended well.
3~Measure out 1/4 cup of batter and place in oiled skillet. Spread with spatula.
4~Cook until both sides are brown.
5~Eat and Enjoy!
Makes 8 pancakes

I had mine along side some black bean soup for a very satisfying lunch! Then I had another for a bedtime snack with a little dairy free butter and agave~yummy!

Pumpkin Walnut Muffins

Happy Monday everyone!! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I had a quiet one but it was good. I actually had a birthday Saturday:) My husband was going to take me on a day trip, but I wasn't feeling up to it so we stayed home. I made a trip to the health food store and then spent the rest of the day piddling at home. We ended up going out for my birthday to one of my favorite restaurants Sunday night.

I want to share a recipe with you today. I made these muffins last week and have really been enjoying them! I put half of them in the freezer in case I couldn't eat them fast enough, but they are almost gone! My favorite way to eat one is with a little almond butter on top~yummy!

I got this recipe from the Tropical Traditions website. There are TONS of recipes using coconut flour on the site! I changed a few minor details to suit me and below is what I did. Hope you enjoy:)

Coconut Walnut Muffins

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp allspice

1/2 cup pumpkin

5 eggs

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup honey (I think-maybe a little more)

pinch of salt

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

I simply placed everything in the mixing bowl and mixed with mixer until well blended. Line muffin pan with foil muffin liners (I hate paper ones!) and bake at 325 until toothpick comes out clean. My oven took about 15 minutes, but it cooks fast and burns the tops of things if I'm not careful. Makes 12 yummy muffins.