Menu Plan 11/4

To better understand how we eat, look at What do we eat?  For the basics, we are a grain free, dairy free, egg free, Kosher family.

For this week (and the next several), it is just myself and the PaleoKidz as PaleoDad has already left for Atlanta.

Breakfast depends on our moods.  Either the kids choose or I make a decision based on what we have and what I feel like making.  Because we can't eat eggs, these may not be "perfectly Paleo," but it works for us, for now.

Lunches tend to be leftovers from the night before, if I'm lucky enough to have any or some kind of salad.

** are recipes that are new to us.  We will let you know what we thought of them next week.

This week's menu is:

Breakfast possibilities:
(I will also be trying to work more meat (beef bacon) into the kids' breakfasts, as they are constantly looking for snacks.  I'm hoping that the increased protein and fat will help with this.)

• Paleo Porridge from Practical Paleo, the PaleoKidz particularly like the Pumpkin Porridge.  
• Waffles from Eat Like a Dinosaur (made these Sunday and froze the leftovers) - 2 mornings
• the PaleoKidz like these made into sandwiches with Apple Butter
• Pumpkin Cranberry Scones from Caveman Feast
• Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies
• Cinnamon Pecan Crunch Cereal (no chocolate) **
• Sweet Potato and Apple Breakfast Patties (made with ground turkey) **
• Leftover Turkey Meatloaf and Chicken Thighs for me

Lunch

• Waldorf Tuna or Salmon Salad 
• using Almond Mayo (I use regular, peeled almonds) wrapped in Romaine leaves
• Apple Almond Butter Sandwiches
• Bugs on a Log
• Chicken Salad
• Leftovers

Dinner

• Sunday: 
• Honey Mustard Crockpot Chicken from Caveman Feast
• Roasted Broccolini
• Monday: 
• Spaghetti Squash with Spinach Pesto and Turkey Meatballs
• Tuesday: 
• Thai Turkey Burgers with Sunshine Sauce and lettuce
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Balsamic Eggplant
• Wednesday: 
• Fish, wild caught - Depends on what looks good
• Roasted Carrots
• Sautéed Green Kale
• Thursday:
• Tangerine Chicken
• Cauliflower Rice
• Carrots?
• Friday:
• Chicken Drumsticks
• Broccoli
• Another veggie
• Saturday:
• Chicken and Vegetable Soup (w/ Dumplings?) 

Snacks:

• Freeze dried fruit
• Fruit and Nut Bars
• Homemade Lara bars
• Fruit w/ Almond Butter
• Fruit
• Leftover Veggies
• Eggplant Chips **
• Anytime Cookies from Eat Like a Dinosaur

Check out my Pinterest Board for this week's recipes.

This Menu Plan will be linked up at OrgJunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.

Halloween

Our first Paleo Halloween was not that different from Halloweens in past years.  Last year PaleoGirl picked one or two pieces of candy and left the rest for the Great Pumpkin.  She in turn woke up in the morning to a new game.

PaleoGirl's stash is in the upper left and PaleoBoy's in the lower right.  He wasn't all that excited about the whole Trick or Treating thing.

This year she (and PaleoBoy) traded in the candy she collected from Trick or Treating at our local mall for gluten free rice crisp treats and a couple pieces of gluten free, dairy free chocolate.  Both kids had to "pay" for the new treats with their candy collection.  They each got a couple of the new treats and the rest of the candy went to trick or treaters who mobbed our house.  We had more trick or treaters this year than any year in the past and we ran out of candy.  Yes, I did buy real, rot your teeth, everything we can't eat filled chocolate for the Trick or Treaters.  I just couldn't bare having the label of being the house with the lousy candy.  I'll work on that for next year!

We did have an awesome Paleo dinner though.  I made an Apple Cider Beef Stew with sweet root vegetables.  I know, I know it's a little high in carbs, but I figure we needed some beneficial carbs to keep the kids from "indulging" in too many gluten free treats.  This was a great, filling fall dinner.  PaleoGirl told me how good it was as she finished off everything in her bowl.  PaleoBoy ate all the veggies happily and asked for more, but was not as excited about the meat.  I thought it was yummy, but am starting to question my relationship with beef.  But that is for another post.

Now that Halloween is over, it's time to plan for the events of the next month.  First is my birthday on the 4th.  Then a trip to go visit my family for Thanksgiving, and then we're moving!  Wow!  Busy month.  What is your favorite part of the November?

Chicken Stir Fry with Kelp Noodles

I was trying to make my menu plan for this week, and asked PaleoGirl what she wanted to eat this week for dinner.  She said kelp noodles.  Yes, my daughter really did ask for kelp noodles.  I thought we could eat these later in the week, but she had other ideas.  And since I really didn't feel like fighting with her last night, I adapted this recipe from NomNomPaleo, which the whole family loved when I made it the first time.  Be sure to check it out!

The nice thing about this recipe is that it is easily adaptable.  I thought that I would share my adaptation with you.

Chicken Stir Fry with Kelp Noodles

1 1/2 - 2  lbs of boneless, skinless Chicken Breast
2 large Carrots (I diced them, but julienned or matchsticks would probably have been better)
1 medium Onion, minced (or grated)
4 cloves Garlic
1/3 - 1/2 lb of Green beans, cut into 1" pieces (broccoli would work too)
1/4 - 1/3 cup Chicken Broth
Beet Greens, from 3 beets (spinach, bok choy, or another mild green would work too)
1 bag Kelp Noodles, I used these
2 1/2 tbsp Coconut Aminos (I used Bragg's as I'm trying to use up what I have)
1 1/2 tbsp Coconut Vinegar
1 tbsp Toasted Sesame Oil
Coconut Oil for pan, probably about 2-3 tbsp

1. Place chicken in freezer for 20-30 minutes.  (This will make it easier to slice thinly.)
2. Rinse the kelp noodles and let drain until you are ready for them.
3. Start julienning carrots, slicing onions and prepping other veggies.
4. Slice chicken thinly, I aimed for about 1/4" in thickness.
5. Heat pan over medium to medium high heat and add coconut oil. 
6. Add chicken, and cook until brown.  The flip and brown the other side.  Remove from pan.  (I had to do this in 2 batches.)
7. Add onions and carrots to pan until tender crisp.  Add more coconut oil if you need.
8. Next add the garlic and green beans.  Cook 2 minutes more.
9. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape all the yummy brown bits off the bottom of the pan.
10. Add the greens and saute until just wilted.
11. Then toss kelp noodles with veggies for 1-2 minutes, until they begin to soften.
12. Add chicken back to the pan until warm.
13. Then add coconut aminos, and coconut vinegar.
14. Remove pan from heat and finish with toasted sesame oil.

Menu Plan #1

This is the first menu plan I am posting to this blog.  And the first Paleo meal plan I am typing up.  To better understand how we eat, look at What do we eat?  For the basics, we are a grain free, dairy free, egg free, Kosher family.

For this week (and the next several), it is just myself and the CaveKidz as CaveDad has already left for Atlanta.

This week we will be getting a share from our organic buying club.  This means we are getting a great share of fruits and veggies.  This week's share will include Cameo and Honeycrisp apples, Bosc pears, grapes (a favorite with the PaleoKidz), bananas, tangerines, lemons, eggplant, asparagus, garlic, carrots, broccollete, broccoli, kale, Romaine lettuce, baby heirloom tomatoes and cucumbers.

Breakfast depends on our moods.  Either the kids choose or I make a decision based on what we have and what I feel like making.  Because we can't eat eggs, these may not be "perfectly Paleo," but it works for us, for now.

Lunches tend to be leftovers from the night before, if I'm lucky enough to have any or some kind of salad.

** are recipes that are new to us.  We will let you know what we thought of them next week.

This week's menu is:

Breakfast possibilities:

• Paleo Porridge from Practical Paleo, the PaleoKidz particularly like the Pumpkin Porridge.  
• Waffles from Eat Like a Dinosaur (made these Sunday and froze the leftovers) - 2 mornings
• the PaleoKidz like these made into sandwiches with Apple Butter
• Pumpkin Cranberry Scones from Caveman Feast
• Beef Bacon, Sweet Potato Hash (will post recipe after I get it perfected)
• Breakfast cookies  **
• Sweet Potato and Apple Breakfast Patties (made with ground turkey) **

Lunch

• Waldorf Tuna or Salmon Salad 
• using Almond Mayo (I use regular, peeled almonds) wrapped in Romaine leaves
• Apple Almond Butter Sandwiches
• Bugs on a Log
• Broccoli and Bacon Salad **
• Leftovers

Dinner

• Sunday: 
• Chicken and Kelp Noodle Stir Fry (I'm hoping to post the recipe variation I made this week)
• Monday: 
• Gold Rush Nuggets from Eat Like a Dinosaur
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Broccoli
• Tuesday: 
• Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs and Breasts
• Cauliflower Rice
• Grilled Balsamic Eggplant **
• Wednesday (Halloween!): 
• Crockpot Beef Stew
• Thursday:
• Maple Balsamic Salmon **
• Roasted Carrots
• Sautéed Greens w/beef bacon
• Friday:
• Turkey Legs based on Sage Roasted Turkey Legs from Practical Paleo from **
• Cucumber Salad
• Saturday:
• Spaghetti Squash with pesto and lamb meatballs

Snacks:

• Freeze dried fruit
• Fruit and Nut Bars
• Homemade Lara bars
• Fruit w/ Almond Butter
• Fruit
• Leftover Veggies

Check out my Pinterest Board for this week's recipes.

This Menu Plan will be linked up at OrgJunkie.com's Menu Plan Monday.

Next Sunday is my birthday, and I'm trying to decide what I want to make.  Yes, I actually like making my dinner on my birthday, but this is especially true when PaleoDad is away.  In the past, I have made cheese fondue.  Quite yummy, but obviously not Paleo and even the thought of it has my stomach doing flips.  Anyone have a suggestion?

What do we eat?

When people hear about the list of foods that came back on our intolerance testing, I am often asked.  What do you eat?  When people learn that we can't eat wheat/gluten, dairy or egg products, the thought can be very overwhelming.  And I understand it was overwhelming to me as well.  (Let me just note here that unless you are following the Autoimmune Protocol, eggs are fine for people living a Paleo lifestyle.  Paleo Parents do a great job of explaining what Autoimmunity is in a normal "people speak.")

In addition to eating Paleo, we are Kosher as well.  This means that we do not eat pork products or shellfish.  I am excited to have found beef bacon and sausages that we can eat.  We eat fish several times a week, chicken, lamb and beef.  PaleoGirl is very happy when "meat" is served.  PaleoGirl is especially happy when she gets to eat "meat on a stick." We eat a lot of fruit and vegetables.  These are favorites in this house.  We haven't found a fruit that PaleoGirl doesn't like, and PaleoBoy loves his fruit too.  He doesn't have many words that he says clearly, but "grapes" can be understood easily.  The PaleoKidz love winter squashes, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers and zucchini (especially when eaten in pasta form).  Greens, like kale and chard, are a favorite with the grown ups, but PaleoGirl likes them too.  PaleoBoy is a little more hesitant to eat them, but I keep trying.

I do make Paleo Waffles and baked goods, but am trying to limit these in our diet.  I have found that for us these help with breakfast as eggs are not an option and the PaleoKidz are still not accustomed to eating leftovers for breakfast.  This might be more my problem than theirs as a vegetarian diet would not consist of the typical items that would be eaten for a Paleo breakfast, especially without eggs.  I have always preferred atypical breakfast foods, so eating last night's dinner for breakfast is not unusual for me.

Be sure to check out the blogs in the sidebar to get some ideas for recipes.  The Paleo Mom, Paleo Parents, Everyday Paleo, Nom Nom Paleo and Civilized Caveman have been great resources for us.

I also love following books and strongly recommend anyone interested in living a Paleo lifestyle check out these books.  Eat Like a Dinosaur, Make It Paleo, Practical Paleo, Everyday Paleo, Paleo Comfort Foods and Paleo Indulgences.

Who are the Paleo Kidz?

Clipart courtesy of iclipart.com

Our family is still in the early phases of changing to a Paleo lifestyle.  We have been eating Paleo since early September.  This was a big change for our family as for most of my life I was a vegetarian.  So how did we get here?

Look at PaleoBoy go!

 In June, we had intolerance testing done on PaleoBoy.  He came back with a list of about 15-20 foods.  At first, this caused a bit of a panic for me, as it did mean pretty big changes for our diet.  He came back with intolerances to vanilla, yeast, egg yolk, gluten, cow's milk, white potato, corn and peanuts.  I knew that his intolerances came from somewhere and thought that I would follow along his dietary guidelines as well.  As I was still a vegetarian at this time, I was left to look for new recipes and replacements for so many of our normal go-to meals.  While doing searches for gluten free, potato free, corn free foods, I started to find some recipes that were labeled as "Paleo."  I pinned some of these recipes and didn't really think about it too much further.  At the time, PaleoBoy was drinking Goat's milk, and after a short period, I realized that this wasn't helping his stomach anymore than cow's milk did.  At this time, I decided to take dairy out of our diet too.

Around this time, I decided that I needed to have my own intolerance testing done.  While I was waiting for the test results to come back, those "Paleo" recipes just kept popping up.  I started looking at in more detail as I was trying to find the best way to feed our family.  A couple days before my test results came back, we took the jump and started to eat Paleo.  At this time, I ended my 17 years of being a pescitarian (a vegetarian who ate fish) and began eating chicken, beef and lamb again.  When my results did come back, the doctor who performed the test mentioned that he found my list of intolerances to be longer than most that he has seen.  My list of 39 items, was not overly different from my sons, though longer.  Keep in mind that my test also used more foods than PaleoBoy's did.  The benefit to the testing was that it confirmed my decision to change to a Paleo lifestyle.  The only roadblock on the test was that I also tested positive for an intolerance to beef and lamb.

PaleoGirl, the pirate, lost in a corn maze.

PaleoGirl has not had any testing done, but she does have eczema on her arms and has had digestive issues (though not like her brother or I).  When my testing came back, I told her that I wanted thought we had to change the foods she ate too.  Though this was tough for her in the beginning.  Stacy and Matt at Paleo Parents helped me a great deal with their book Eat Like a Dinosaur.  This book has a great story in the beginning to help kids who are trying to make the transition for dairy and gluten filled life to living without.  This was a big help for her, and now we eat "dino" everything!

PaleoDad has been incredibly supportive of the change, and I think it goes beyond the fact that he does get to eat more meat at home.  He has been sticking to Paleo at home, but when out has been eating as he chooses.  We are going through a major transition right now, as he just started a new job and is living away from the family.  He has mentioned that he is not as happy with his current diet, so I think he will be more serious about this once things settle down again.

We have all been feeling a lot better living this lifestyle.  The grown ups have lost some weight, without really trying.  Everyone seems to been enjoying better digestive health and it is rare that we really feel like we are missing out on something.  I am so proud of PaleoGirl who is very quick to tell us (and everyone else, including complete strangers) what she can and cannot eat.  She has adapted to this huge change like a champ and I love seeing her being so excited about what I serve for dinner and understanding why we are eating like we used to.  I know that our new lifestyle choices are not always easy or popular, but for right now I'm going to enjoy the ride.