Good morning readers! Thanks for hanging in there with me the last few weeks. Life has been so crazy busy and I appreciate you taking the time to come visit me, even if I haven’t had the time to visit back.
So many topics to write about, I don’t know where to start! So, I’m going to start with one of my favorite topics… food.
If you’ve been following along, you know that I have auto immune issues, to include Hashimotos and Lupus… and most likely Celiac. My body does NOT like gluten. Or aspartame, or many processed ingredients, or dairy (so sadly!) So, in my quest to improve my health, regain some energy and brain function, I’ve been on a journey to change my lifestyle.
Some days I do really well, other days (like the last two months of hectic craziness!) I have been eating whatever I can find. And I have been eating Ilene’s granola (Tamara’s Blend to be precise) like it is the key to my salvation. Seriously people, 6 bags in the last month.
I successfully completed a month of clean eating (the Whole 30 program) during which time I felt AMAZING. Then, I resumed old habits and now I feel… well, less than amazing for sure.
I have been researching and reading a lot about food, the effects, the additives, etc, etc, and I’ve decided to start transitioning my family to a paleo like diet. I am realistic to know that we cannot be extreme. It’s too limiting, time consuming, and frustrating, especially when you’re at the mercy of other people for food. And I don’t think it’s a terrible thing to eat “bad stuff” periodically. But some things I am trying to eliminate entirely. Drinking cow milk is one of those things. I have almost completely switched my girls to Almond milk (which I love too) but my son is a little harder to persuade.
As a side note – I think it’s kind of funny that when some people try to persuade you to give up cow milk, they reference the fact that humans are the only animal to drink milk after being weaned. Well, I just learned the other day that humans are also the only mammal (other than the whale for some strange reason) that goes through menopause and can live when no longer able to reproduce. So, humans are not *just like* all other animals. And that’s not the reason we’re moving away from milk. The biggest factor is added hormones. And secondly, it makes me feel crappy.
So, back to transition the kids to Paleo-ish diets. I bought a book (affiliate link) called the Paleo Kid because I want some good ideas that my kids will actually eat – beyond just a meat, veggie, and fruit dinner. I want ideas for snacks, desserts, breakfasts. I haven’t tried any yet, but the recipes look amazing.
We have also been eating Gluten Free as often as possible. I swear I notice a big difference with gluten free. I made a delicious gluten free pizza, and I will do it again, but making good gluten free crust is time consuming. I have been experimenting with baking and making gluten free products, and have to say that Karina from Gluten Free Goddess has, hands down, the most tasty gluten free recipes.
Then last night I stumbled across a recipe for paleo mini meatloaves. Bacon wrapped mini meatloaves, to be precise. I wanted to make this, so that’s what we had for dinner last night. And it was AWESOME!
Bacon Wrapped Mini Meatloaves
I honestly could have eaten the entire pan of meatloves. They were so good.
I found the recipe here but I want to share my modifications. It is paleo, gluten free, and dairy free. And AMAZING!!!!
- 1lb ground meet (I used veal cause it was on sale that day)
- 1/8 c. coconut oil
- 1/8 c. almond milk
- 1-2 tsp sweet basil (dried)
- ground black pepper
- 2-3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 chopped red pepper
- 6 slices chopped bacon
- 8 slices whole bacon
- Such a quick and easy prep.
- Preheat oven to 400.
- Grease your pan – I used a square muffin pan. Any type of muffin or mini loaves pan will work.
- Put the oil, milk, spices, garlic, and ground meat in a large mixing bowl.
- Chop the six slices of bacon and add to mix.
- Chop the pepper and add to mix.
- Blend together well and form into the desired number of mini loaves. I made 8.
- Wrap the loaves with bacon and place in the pan.
- Cook 30 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Janine Huldie says
May 29, 2014 at 11:54 amThese look so good and need to try now myself. Hope you link this up to the Pin It Hop on my blog today when you can 🙂
katbiggie says
December 22, 2014 at 11:24 amI hope you tried them!!! I don’t think I got to link them up to that party, but I’ll link it up soon!
another jennifer says
May 29, 2014 at 12:31 pmYum! You had me at bacon…
katbiggie says
December 22, 2014 at 11:20 amWe are some bacon fans here too. Although, we also like pie, so, I guess there’s that! 🙂
Tamara says
May 29, 2014 at 5:11 pmThey do sound really good!
Kudos on the Tamara’s Blend! I got two bags two weeks ago, and my husband ate a whole bag by himself! How rude.
katbiggie says
December 22, 2014 at 11:19 amWell, I might agree, except I’ve been guilty of doing the same thing myself. One a day for like a week straight! YIKES.
Katie @ Pick Any Two says
May 29, 2014 at 6:31 pmThis looks like it would be a big hit in my household!
katbiggie says
December 22, 2014 at 11:19 amOoh I hope you try it. It was really yummy!
Dana says
May 29, 2014 at 8:37 pmLooks yummy – my kids don’t like meatloaf but if it’s wrapped in bacon I know they will try it!
I love milk and I don’t have any digestive problems relating to it, but I’m glad you’ve found a substitute. I have switched to almond milk in my coffee, but any non-cow milk just tastes watery to me. But like anything else, you can get used to it, right?
katbiggie says
December 22, 2014 at 11:19 amYou do get used to it, I suppose. Almond milk seems really creamy to me, especially the chocolate stuff. Coconut cream is also really creamy and works well in coffee.