Busy Day Beef Stroganoff

Today is a busy day of school, appointments and violin lessons.

For this recipe I used leftover pot roast and the crock pot for a hot yummy meal as soon as we all arrive home.

Here's what you'll need:

• Leftover beef pot roast

• 10 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onions or shallots
• 1 pound small button mushrooms, thickly sliced
• 1 cup canned beef or chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Cognac or white wine
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 12 ounces wide egg noodles
• 1 tablespoon paprika
  
  
  
  
  Place the leftover beef in the crock pot and set on low.
  Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. 
  Add chopped shallots and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. 
  Add mushrooms. 
  Sprinkle with pepper and sauté until liquid evaporates, about 12 minutes. 
  Add beef broth, then Cognac. 
  Simmer until liquid thickens and just coats mushrooms, about 14 minutes. 
  Stir in sour cream and Dijon mustard. 
  Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  Pour the mixture over the beef in the crock pot.
  When you get home, cook noodles in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 8 minutes. 
  Drain. 
  Transfer to bowl. 
  Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. 
  Divide noodles among plates. Top with beef and sauce. Sprinkle with paprika.
  
  
  
  

Leftover Stew

What?????

Yes, I discovered Leftover Stew when I came home starving and found the frig full of little leftover containers of meat and veggies.

In a saute pan I added some coconut oil, and the leftover veggies and some leftover chicken.

I topped this with coconut milk and heated it all through. This was a fantastic lunch for a hungry wife.

Now, on the weekends I do the same thing with the leftovers; however I always make a fresh pot of Basmati rice.

This is a great way to be thrifty which blesses HubbyHubby a lot.

Be in health.

Leftover Stir Fry

Being thrifty really makes HubbyHubby happy.  It shows him that I am thankful and appreciative of what we have and that I do my best to make the most of it.

At our house we eat lots and lots of veggies and some protein and some starch.

At the end of the week when there are leftover veggies and protein in abundance, I make Leftover Stirfry.

In a large skillet heat up some coconut oil.

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a 1/2 of teaspoon of ginger and 1 teaspoon of turmeric.  Cook for 1 minute.  (Turmeric is very healthy for HubbyHubby and the whole family.)

Add the veggies and protein and heat through.

Add leftover rice or make a fresh pot if you don't have any.

Serve with soy sauce.

Be thrifty and be in health.

Halloween Soup

Every Halloween I make Halloween Soup.

When the kids come home from school we carve pumpkins and get ready for tricke-or-treating.

Here's what you'll need for the evening of fun:

2 tablespoons of coconut oil
2 tablespoons of butter
2 carrots, coarsely chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
salt and pepper
1-2 cups chicken broth
1 medium butternut squash
1 medium pie pumpkin

Cut squash and pumpkin in half and scoop out seeds.  Place seeds in a bowl for latter.

Rub each cut half with coconut oil.  Place cut side down on a baking sheet and bake on 350 for 1 hour.

In a large soup pot, melt butter and coconut oil and sauté carrots, celery an onion on medium heat until soft.  Season with salt and pepper.

Scoop out the butternut squash and the pumpkin and add to the soup pot.

Add one cup chicken broth.

Blend with hand held mixing wand.  Add extra chicken broth to desired consistency.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

HubbyHubby doesn't like it completely blended because he says it reminds him of baby food.

Ask your hubby how he likes the soup.  He'll be happy that you care enough to ask.

Be in health.

Sweet Potato & Beet Chips

Most grocery store chips are made with the wrong oil.

Some oils are bad for HubbyHubby right from the start and some oils are good from the start, but turn bad for you after being heated too high.

These chips are supper good for HubbyHubby because, 1. they are made from healthy veggies and 2.  they are baked with coconut oil.

Here's what you'll need:

4 sweet potatoes
3 beets
1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
salt & pepper

Here's what to do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Wash and pat dry veggies.
 Slice using a mandolin ( 1/6" - 1/18").

Sprinkle lightly with salt on both sides to remove liquid.
Let the veggies rest for 30 minutes.
Rinse in cold water and pat dry.
Toss veggies in 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake on a cookie sheet in a single layer with no overlap for 15-20 minutes, until slightly brown.

Be in health.

This recipe was adapted from Ideal Market.

Sloppy Joes

On game day or a cold winter day, HubbyHubby loves warm hearty crockpot meals.

Sloppy Joes are one of his favorites.

Here's what you need to make enough for game day and have leftovers for lunch boxes the next day.

2 tablespoons of coconut oil
2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
2 celery stalk, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 pounds ground beef
2 cans (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
8 onion buns or hamburger buns split

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic; season with salt and pepper.  Cook 5-7 minutes.

Add ground beef to skillet and break up until crumbled.  Cook 6-8 minutes.

Place all the above in the crockpot and stir in tomato sauce, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve in soft onion buns.

Adapted from MarthaStewart.com

Be in health.

What sport, hobby, activity does your hubby love?  How can you participate, show a genuine interest and adapt yourself to his extra curricular fun?

Chicken Stock

Chicken stock is so very, very healthy for HubbyHubby and the whole family. 

On a cold winter day, I heat it up and add whatever veggies I have on hand for a quick nutrient dense meal.

Here's what you need:

one whole free-range chicken or 2 to 3 pounds of bony chicken parts, such as necks, backs, breastbones and wings
feet and head from chicken (optional)
2 tablespoons of vinegar 
one onion, peeled and quartered
3 carrots broken in half
2 celery stalks cut in half
1 bulb of garlic pealed and crushed
1 bunch of Italian parsley

Here's what to do:

In a large stock pot place the chicken and cover with cold water.
Add the vinegar and let sit for 1/2 hour.  This pulls out the minerals and calcium.
Next add all the veggies except for the parsley.
Bring to a boil.
Turn down to a simmer and cook, covered for 6 to 24 hours.
About 10 minutes before the stock is done, add the parsley.  This adds extra minerals to the stock.

Adapted from Nourishing Traditions 

Italian Meatballs & Sauce

Hubbyhubby loves to make meatballs and
sauce with me on Sundays.  He pours two glasses of wine
and makes a nice charcuterie board of salami, cheese and olives.  We snack, drink wine and cook together.

Here's what you'll need:

1/4 cup lard or coconut oil
1/2 onion chopped
4 cloves garlic chopped
4 teaspoons Italian seasoning or fresh oregano, rosemary, thyme, savory, marjoram and basil finely chopped
1 bay leaf
2 jars crushed tomatoes
2 jars chopped tomatoes
1 tube tomato paste

Here's what to do:
Saute onions in lard or oil until soft in an 8 quart stock pot
Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrent
Stir in tomato paste and Italian seasoning, salt and pepper
Stir in crushed tomatoes and chopped tomatoes
Stir in 4 cups water
Bring to a boil then turn down and simmer for 3 or until desired consistency.
If you are short on time add less water.

 Next:

3 pounds of grass fed ground beef or any combination of ground beef, veal, pork, lamb
1/2 cup Italian parsley chopped
1/2 onion and 4 cloves of garlic chopped and sauteed until soft, set aside to cool (in a pinch use 2 teaspoons dried garlic and dried onion)
3/4 cup of Pecorino Romano cheese
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
lard or coconut oil

Here's what to do:
In a large skillet melt enough lard or oil to come up 1/2 way on the pan
Mix all of the above ingredients together.
Form meatballs and cook until brown on the outside, but uncooked on the inside.
After each meatball browns drop into the hot sauce.  This cooks the inside.

What domestic task can you turn into romantic date time?

Enjoy and be in health.

This recipe was adapted with love from my grandma Anna Ciccarelli

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Here's a fun recipe for Tuna Noodle Casserole.  Simple, easy and it makes for great lunch leftover too.

Here's what you'll need:

12 oz rice pasta, gluten free pasta or egg noodles
2 cans of tuna
4 tablespoons of butter
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup flour or arrowroot
1 cup milk or coconut milk
3/4 cup grated cheese (optional)
6 oz frozen peas, spinach, kale, or broccoli
1-2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon of lemon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Herbamare
1 tablespoon relish
1/2 lemon jucied
dash Worcestershire
salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
Parmesan cheese

Here's what to do:
Cook pasta according to package directions.
While pasta is cooking saute chopped veggies in butter until soft.
Stir in 1/4 cup flour and whisk for 1 min.
Whisk in milk.
Cook 10 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add seasonings, peas (or other veggies) and tuna.
Heat through and add cheese, relish, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce.
Pour cooked pasta into a 9 X 13 baking dish.
Mix in 4 table spoon butter and stir.
Add tuna mixture to pasta and stir.
Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Be in health.

This recipe was borrowed from The Baine's family.

Pumpkin Pie

HubbyHubby LOVES Pumpkin Pie.

You'll need:

1 frozen pie crust
(It saves me a ton of time and it always turns out great.  The energy and time I save here, I use to be happy, fresh and rested for HubbyHubby.)

2 cups pumpkin puree
2/3 cup coconut sugar or sucanat

9oz coconut milk - Use the thick creamy part not the coconut water.
I use this brand because it has no BPA in the lining of the can.
3 eggs

2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground clove
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ginger
a pinch of black pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons brandy (optional)

Prick the pie crust with a fork a few times.
Bake the pie crust for 15 minutes.

In the standing mixer whisk the pumpkin, eggs and coconut milk.

In a small bowl mix the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and black pepper.

Now add the sugar mixture to the pumpkin mixture.

Add the brandy (if ya like).

Bake on 375 for 40 minutes or until the butter knife comes out clean.

Be in health.

What is your hubby's favorite treat?  When was the last time you made it for him or picked it up at the store and served it with a special garnish like whipped cream and a sprig of mint on a fancy plate with a heart cut out of a piece of wax paper?

Dinner For A King

HubbyHubby loves steak.  Here's a super healthy dinner for your man.

Here's what you'll need:

1 dry aged rib eye
salt and pepper
2 tablespoon butter
1 bunch asparagus, stems removed
2 sweet potatoes peeled and chopped

Here's what to do:
Season rib eye with salt and pepper
Let sit on counter, covered, for 1/2 half hour
Boil potatoes for 8 minutes or until soft.

Turn the gas grill on high.
Sear both sides of steak for 2 minutes each at the front of the grill.
Turn the front of the grill off.
Cook steak until thermometer reads 135.
Remove steak to a serving dish and place 2 tablespoons butter on to of steak and tent with foil.
While steak rests for 5 minutes, steam asparagus in boiling water.
Serve the potatoes and asparagus with butter and salt and pepper.

Wine paring: Zolo Reserve 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Argentina


Be in health.

Green Eggs And...

Protein and veggies are a great way to start HubbyHubby's
day.

This quick and easy breakfast will keep him strong and focused until lunch.

Here's what you'll need:
3 table spoon butter
2 free range eggs scrambled
1/2 cup frozen or fresh greens (spinach, kale or chard)

Here's what to do:
Saute greens in melted butter for 5 or 6 minutes.
Move the greens to the side of the pan.
Add the eggs to the other side of the pan.
Move eggs around gently until cooked through.
Season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy and be in health.

How To Cook The Best Rib Eye Steak Ever

HubbyHubby loves rib eye steak.  He's tried them all and always asks for rib eye.

Here's what you'll need:
1 dry aged, grass fed rib eye
2 tablespoons butter

Here's what to do:
Season steak with salt and pepper.
Let it sit out for a 1/2 hour or so.
Light gas grill on high.
Sear steak for 3 minutes on each side.
Turn off front of grill, and leave steak for 3 more minutes.
When thermometer reads 135 transfer steak to a plate.
Top with butter and tent.
Let rest for 5 minutes.

Enjoy and be in health.

Coconut Curry Shrimp

I'm always thinking of yummy healthy meals and snacks for HubbyHubby.

Today I made him Coconut Curry Shrimp.

I used leftover veggies, a can of coconut milk and sauteed shrimp.

The veggies I had on hand were, carrots, kale, onion and broccoli.

Here's what to do:

Heat up 2 tablespoons of coconut oil on medium heat.
Add the left over veggies and heat through.
Add a can of full fat coconut milk.
Add 2 teaspoons of turmeric or curry.
Salt and pepper to taste.

In a separate skillet heat up 2 tablespoons of coconut oil on medium-high heat.
Add 2 pounds of thawed shrimp.
Season with salt and pepper.
Cook until opaque.

Serve hot shrimp over coconut curry veggies.

Be in health.

What is the Primary Reason for Marriage?

The primary reason for marriage is companionship.

Yes, that's right, companionship.

"The good feeling that comes from being with someone else." M-W.com

For HubbyHubby and I this means we are together a lot. We love to do things together. We plan to be together.

Here are some example of being together:

• I'm aware of which room he's in, and that's were I usually am. 
• When he is relaxing or watching TV, I'm sitting next to him reading or writing. 
• We cook dinner together. 
• I keep my schedule free on the weekends or ask him what he wants to do. 
• I make time for him. 
• I make sure I'm free when he's available. 

How do I do all this? It's a decision.  I decide to be with HubbyHubby, spend time with him and make that time feel good. I also know if he needs guy time or alone time or down time. This comes with time and experience of being his wife and paying attention to his needs.

This week make a list of all the time/times you can spend with your hubby.  Schedule that time into your week and keep him your number one priority.

Don't know? Ask him.  He'll tell you. :)

Weekly Meal Plan #1

Life for a wife is non-stop.

Enjoy this weekly meal plan so you can focus on the man you love.

Monday:  Beef Stroganoff
Tuesday:  Baked russet or sweet potatoes
Wednesday:  Cream of vegetable soup
Thursday:  Baked salmon and broccoli
Friday:  Date night, kids get Pad Thai from a box w/ added broccoli and scrambled eggs
Saturday:  Leftovers or eat out with the family
Sunday:  Game day sloppy joes

I usually go shopping on Monday after everyone is off to school and work.

Sunday, after lunch or dinner, I grab my notebook and pen and ask HubbyHubby what he'd like to have for the weeks dinners and lunches.

The kiddos chime in too.

I take all suggestions into consideration along with what we already have in the freezer, what's in season, after school activities, and what's on sale.

Blueberry Smoothie

What you'll need:

1 Cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 Cup milk or yogurt of your choice
1 Raw egg
1 Teaspoon vitamin C powder
small handful of goji berries

Blend in VitaMix until smooth.
Add water to desired consistency.

Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants which keeps HubbyHubby healthy and happy.

Goji Sun Salad

What you'll need:

Romaine lettuce
1 avocado cut into bite size pieces
1 plum tomato cut into bite size pieces
1/2 carrot shredded or thinly sliced
1/2 celery thinly sliced
small handful of cilantro chopped
small handful of sunflower seeds
small handful of goji berries

Olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.

Recently, I had a hair analysis done only to find out my mercury was way too high.  In the process of researching having my mercury fillings removed, my good friend and Ayurvedic doctor told me to eat a lot of cilantro.  HubbyHubby has way more mercury fillings than me, so I put cilantro on all his salads.  Yum!

Strawberry Goji Smoothie

What you'll need:

1 Cup fresh or frozen strawberries
1 Cup kefir, yogurt or milk of your choice
1 raw egg (make sure you know the source and they are good healthy free range chickens)
1 small handful of goji berries
1 teaspoon of vitamin C powder
drizzle of maple syrup or a drop or two of stevia to taste

Mix all the ingredients in a VitaMix until smooth.
Add water to adjust consistency to your liking.

Kefir is loaded with tons of amazing healthy bacteria.  So healthy for HubbyHubby.

Prosciutto Wrapped Melon

Hubbyhubby & I love Prosciutto.  Every time he goes to the grocery store he buys it for me.  I'm always so surprised and I always make a big fuss about it and thank him with giggles, hugs, kisses and thank yous.

You may ask... "really, Alicia, you go silly happy with hugs, kisses, giggles and thank yous over ham?"  Yes, and this is how I show HubbyHubby how thankful I am and how I appreciate his gift to me.

Was it a 3 carat diamond ring, a new car, a new house?  No. But I always make sure to say 'thank you' for the things that HubbyHubby does for me.  Even if it's ham.

Being thankful and appreciative is a HUGE key to treating your man like a king.

For a quick Paleo snack I make him Prosciutto wrapped melon.

Here's what you'll need:

1/2 pound Prosciutto Di Parma
1 ripe honeydew or cantaloupe cut into cubes

Here's what to do:

Wrap melon pieces with one slice of Prosciutto and secure with a toothpick.

Serve with a wonderful Italian red wine.

A thrifty wife, can buy a whole Prosciutto from Costco.  If you do this, make sure you have a fantastic sharp knife for carving.  This one is my fav.

Avocado Tomato Salad

Avocados are very healthy for HubbyHubby.  This is a great quick and easy summer salad to accompany any meal.
What you'll need:

1 Cup cherry tomatoes halved
1 Avocado scooped out and roughly chopped
1 Roasted beats cut into bite size pieces
1/2 Cucumber peeled and sliced
1/2 Carrots thinly sliced or shredded

Optional add ons:
Sunflower seeds
Goji berries
Pecans or cashews

Mix all veggies together and drizzle with olive oil, vinegar, Herbamare and pepper to taste.  Enjoy and be in health.

Coconut Potatoes

What you'll need:

5 Yukon Gold potatoes washed and cut into bite size cubes
2 T. coconut oil
salt and pepper to taste

Dice up potatoes and toss to coat with coconut oil.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Spread on baking sheet and bake on 350 for 25 minutes or until crispy brown to your liking.

HubbyHubby is a meat and potatoes man.  I tend to eat 99.9% Paleo.  Coconut oil is great to bake with because it can handel the high heat and is super healthy for HubbyHubby.  This recipe can be made with 1/2 Yukon Gold potatoes and 1/2 sweet potatoes.  This way we are both happy happy.

Sauteed Sage Pork Chops and Pan Sauce

What you'll need:

4 bone in pork chops
1 table spoon coconut oil
1/4 cup wine (white or red) or chicken stock or water
2 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon of dijon mustard

Day before:
Soak pork chops in vinegar overnight.

Next day, 1 hour before cooking, pat pork chops dry.
Season with salt, pepper and sage.
Let them sit out to come to room temp.

Heat oil in a large skillet.
Sear pork chops on each side for about 3-4 minutes.
Pork chops are done when internal temp is 145 degrees.

While the pork chops are resting.  Here's how to make a kick ass pan sauce.
In the same pan as the pork chops, add the wine and scrape the bottom of the pan while on medium high heat.

Next add the dijon mustard and butter and whisk until you see a nice sauce to your liking.

Serve with your favorite veggies and homemade apple sauce.

HubbyHubby loves meat and potatoes.  I make veggies the center of the meal and serve the meat in smaller portions.  I'm always thinking of what HubbyHubby likes and what's good for his health.

Grilled Porter House Steak

Here's what you'll need:

2 Dry Aged Porter House Steaks
salt and pepper to taste
2 table spoons butter

One hour before your ready to cook, salt and pepper steaks and let sit out to come to room temp.

When steaks are at room temp. heat grill to high heat.

Sear steaks on each side for minutes each.  Turn off front burner (where steaks are) and keep back burner on high and let the smoke and heat circulate until internal temp. reaches 145 degrees.

At 145 degrees remove steaks.  Add a pat off butter to each and tent with foil.  Let steaks rest for 5 minutes.

HubbyHubby has tried EVERY steak at Whole Foods.  His all time fav. is the Porter House.  Serve with a nice veggie salad and sweet potatoes fries.

Italian Salad

Here's what you'll need:

Salad:
1 head of your favorite lettuces chopped.
1 cup of tomatoes chopped
1 cucumber peeled and sliced
1 carrot grated

Dressing:
In a glass measuring cup measure 1/3 Braggs Vinegar.
Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and some ground pepper.
Whisk.
Add 2 cloves smashed garlic.
Pour in 2/3 cups olive oil.

Stir dressing and drizzle over salad.

Garlic is super healthy for HubbyHubby. It kills all kinds of bugs and as my grandmother says "it's good for the blood".
I keep HubbyHubby healthy with a nice veggie salad with garlic dressing.

Mixed Berry Smoothie

Hubbyhubby and I decided to have each day of the week designated to a different breakfast.

For example:
Monday - scrambled eggs
Tuesday - fruit smoothie
Wednesday- oatmeal
Thursday - fruit smoothie
Friday - over easy eggs & toast
Saturday - pancakes
Sunday - spinach omelets

Why?  You ask.  This way our three children know what to expect and it eliminates morning craziness of "what's for breakfast?"  or "eggs.... yuck, I don't want eggs".




Mixed Berry Smoothie

Here's what you'll need:
1 cup frozen mixed berries
2 egg yolks
1 cup milk of your choice
1 T. vitamin C powder
1 frozen Acai berry packet
1 small hand full of goji berries

Blend all ingredients in a Vitamix and add water or milk to desired consistency.

Enjoy and be in health.

"Treat your husband like a king and your life will be better."

My good friend at the gym loves her hubby a ton. When I told her about HubbyHubby.com she said, "Treat your husband like a king and your life will be better." I couldn't agree more.

Here are some practical ways I treat HubbyHubby like a king:
1.  I keep the attractiveness of our home - especially the bedroom.
2.  I keep his favorite coffee in stock.
3.  I massage his shoulders at night.
4.  I thank him when he does something for me - big or small.
5.  I speak sweetly to him with a kind tone of voice.
6.  I put love notes or lace panties in his lunch box.
7.  I have and enjoy sex with him lots.
8.  I'm courteous and appreciative of him.
9.  I don't nag, criticize, or attempt to remake him - especially in front of others.
10.  I keep my attractiveness personally.
11.  I spoil him outrageously.
12.  I'm practical with my time, money and expectations.

 How does this make my life better?

When I treat HubbyHubby like a king, he is built up, encouraged and strong. Like a victorious king who can and will conqueror any task for his woman.

You are the ONLY person on the planet who can treat your man like a king. You, and ONLY you, can love, appreciate, admire, praise and adore him.

This week write down 3 things that you will do to treat your hubby like a king.
Don't know what he wants? Ask him. He'll tell you.
In return, your life will be better.