Spaghetti Squash

We took the plunge and tried spaghetti squash. It makes a visually different spaghetti, but it turned out very tasty. And it was EASIER than noodles!

I halved the squash (I used two) and threw it on a lightly oiled pan and baked it at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. I was shooting for 30 minutes, but life happened.

Then cooked up my beef (1.5 pounds)/jarred spaghetti sauce (1.5 jars) while shredding the insides of the squash.

Mixed it all together and let it simmer 5 minutes to soften up the squash the last little bit.

The husband B, notorious picky eater, ate it right up! And my kids were done before I had time to settle the twins. Next time I'll try to get a picture so you know what to expect. :)

Miraculous Nap = SNACKS!!

My children napped today. All four of them. I did an amazing thing. I put away clean dishes, I started a load of laundry... and I made snacks. Delicious snacks. Please excuse my horrible iPod photos... it was handy.

#1: No Bake Cookies

I used the recipe from here.

1 cup Almond Meal
1/4 cup Chocolate Chips
1/4 cup Coconut
2 Tbsp Ground Flax
2 Tbsp Honey
2 Tbsp Coconut oil.

Mix and form into balls. It made around a dozen... it is hard to know because I kept eating the dough...



#2: Coconut Fudge Truffles

Used the same recipe from a few weeks back. Adapted from here.

1/3 cup Coconut Oil
2/3 cup Almond Butter
1/2 cup Honey
1/2 cup Cocoa
1 tsp Vanilla
Shredded Coconut

Mix first five ingredients, refrigerate until mixture is slightly stiffened. Then form balls in (approximately 1 tsp) and roll in coconut. Store
in the freezer!

#3: Chia Seed Energy Bars

I've been reading energy bar recipes and this is a compilation of a bunch of them... so I don't have a base recipe I went off of.... 

25 Whole Dates (pitted) 
1/2 cup Whole Almonds
1/4 cup Chia Seeds
1/4 cup Cocoa Powder

Pulse all ingredients in food processor. Add more dates if the mixture is too dry. Press into a waxed paper lined container (I used a 6"x8" Pyrex) and chill. Cut when they are chilled. Mine were initially too crumbly, but I added more dates and they are a much better consistency! :)

Sick Kids = Toddler Fare

Today I have four kids with runny noses and coughs and general clingyness. This means easy food. And food I KNOW they will eat. AKA Toddler Fare.

Without much further ado...  

Chicken Nacho Bites

 Place Scoop Tostitos on pan. Voila!

Place Chicken in the scoops. About once a week I make a bunch of chicken seasoned with just salt and pepper in the crock pot. It is handy for salads, wraps, or other in a pinch meals and lunches.

Now for diced tomatoes. Nom. 













CHEEESE!!! Need I say more about this step.

Super healthy taco sauce *sarcasm*. Must make my own... Although if you used actual taco meat you could probably skip the sauce.

Bake for 10-15 minutes at 350°. 






 

Shredded Lettuce Time.

Viola! Teeny Nachos in 30 minutes.

Chicken Nacho Bites
Scoop Tortilla Chips
Cooked Chicken (or beef or beans)
Tomatoes (you could also do avadcado, olives, onions, jalapenos, etc.)
Shredded Cheese
Taco Sauce
Lettuce

Lay chips on cookie sheet, place a bite sized portion of chicken in the scoop. Top with tomatoes (and/or other toppings) and a pinch of cheese. Put a few drops of taco sauce on the chips. Bake until warmed and cheese has melted. (Approximately 10-15 minutes at 350°) Throw on some shredded lettuce and call it supper! or lunch. or breakfast. or snack.