JANUARY MENU - (For Paleo Challengers!!)

Hello My Friends!!!  January is right around the corner and so I got menu planning today!  There's no way (in my mind) to be successful in a Paleo challenge if you don't plan your meals ahead of time.  I actually plan my meals a month in advance always, but have slacked quite a bit in the month of December!  But for those of you in desperate need of some ideas, here are mine.  And yes, there is going to be some quite simple days!!!  Sometimes simple is the best way to go!!!  Oh, and I will be in Maui for a week and a half so there is going to be a week and a half worth of meals missing!  Sorry!, But Aloha!  And also, if any meals on this list show to serve over rice, or top with cheese, or use a tortilla, JUST DON'T USE THOSE INGREDIENTS!!  I know you can do it!!!  The ones with a link I have posted before, the ones without a link I hope to soon post!  And those of you emailing me ideas (hint, hint) I hope to put those on Februarys menu! Good Luck!  USE THIS LINK AS A REMINDER OF THE FOODS YOU CAN AND CANNOT EAT:  Paleo Foods
Jan 2-7 
Franks Red Hot Salad
Chicken & Pesto w/ Veggies
Chicken Fajitas (no tortilla)
Protein Shake
Stuffed Peppers
Jan 8-14
BBQ Chicken Salad
Omelet
Coconut Chicken Curry
Rumbi Chicken
Protein Shake
JAN 15-18
Chicken Caccitore
Leftovers
Grilled Chicken & Veggies
Protein Shake
JAN 29- 31
4 Packet Roast with Veggies
Leftovers
Protein Shake

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

 Hmmmmm, would you say I have a fascination with crushing up candy canes and sticking them in anthing that has chocolate on it?  Well, this popcorn is just yummy and very festive! It's smothered in Almond bark candy coating, peppermint, crushed candycanes and melted chocolate!  I added these to my plate of treats as well!  Enjoy!!!

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/12/peppermint-bark-popcorn/

Holiday Dipped Oreos

 These Dipped Oreos are very easy, and very fun to do!!  I kind of did a peppermint theme this year, these dipped oreos, peppermint bark, and peppermint bark popcorn that I will post tomorrow!!  It makes for cute gift baskets!!

http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2011/12/peppermint-dipped-oreos.html

30 Day Paleo Diet Challenge

So my friends, New Years is coming upon us fast. And as much as I LOVE holiday food, all this cooking and baking is not doing well on my figure!!! Sooo, Crossfit UAC is doing a 30 day Paleo Diet Challenge eating THESE kind of foods, starting Jan 2nd, and I of course, am IN!!!! I need your help though!!! If you have any fantastic Paleo recipes please email them to me at kariecoats@yahoo.com I will post my favorite recipes and hopefully gain a few more favorite recipes from you! And if anyone else wants to commit to this challenge then leave a comment and everyone is on their honor to do body fat tests before and after! It makes it sooo much real when you actually see the numbers!!! So if you have any recipes get them emailed to me and we can get started!!!
Check my Paleo Tab for some ideas :)

Pomegranate & Feta Salad

So I know that I say I don't create a lot of things, but I created this salad and fell right in love with it. It's a very festive salad for the holidays that is fun to serve as side salad, or you can add grilled chicken to the mix and have it be one of your main courses. I loved it both ways!

Mixed Greens

Feta Cheese

Walnuts (you can roast them or not)

Pomegranate

Poppyseed Dressing (I like Briannas brand best) or you can use Rasberry Vinaigrette (same brand)

Just layer as much of it as you want depending if you are doing a side salad or a full blown salad for everyone to share. Soooo yummy!

White Cake Cupcakes & Sugar Cone Trees

So I REALLY never should have learned how to make cupcakes other than out of the box. Because I did NOT like cupcakes out of a box. But now when I get all fancy and add stuff to the box, I literally crave them, just like when I posted these Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes. They just make them soooooooo moist and rich and thick like you were buying them from one of those fancy places like Temptations!!! Anyways, my Uncle Rick got married last night and my mom and I were in charge of the cupcakes. My Uncle is a simple man, who got married in a nice humble cabin and his wedding wasn't all about the ribbon and fancy stuff. So these Pine trees worked perfect for him. All it is, is the Sugar Cone Ice cream Cones, and you make homemade frosting like this one. (Store bought frosting doesn't harden up like homemade, and you need these to harden.) And you get a star shaped frosting tip and start at the bottom and work your way up, round and round! And yes, your hand gets tired!!! But super fun Idea!!!
You can give your cupcakes a big swirl, or...
A pretty ribbon effect...
http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/05/easy-white-cake/

Peppermint Bark

This my friends, is soooooo delicious. And once again, very easy! Are you seeing a pattern with me? I strive for easiness when it comes to cooking/baking because I love to cook but I don't have tons of time! This is a fun treat to give away in a Christmas Basket to a neighbor or friend. Or I gave it to the gals I visit teach this year! Yum! If you don't have a double broiler then just take a look at my make-shift double broiler, and it works perfectly! Just put an 8x8 glass pan over a pot of boiling water and your set!

12 oz white chocolate Bakers squares (You can use chips if in a crunch)

12 oz semi sweet chocolate Bakers squares

2 tsp vegetable oil (or flavorless oil) - divided

1/4 tsp peppermint extract (it will still taste good without it, but better with)

4 Crushed Candy canes (a guess)

Start with putting your brown chocolate in the "double broiler", with 1 tsp of oil and let it slowly melt, stirring occasionally. Once completely melted pour into a lined with parchment paper 9x13 cake pan, and stick in the freezer for 10 min or until hardened. Repeat with the white chocolate and 1 tsp of oil after you have given the brown chocolate enough time to harden. But after the white chocolate is completely melted take off of the heat and let it cool down to about room temperature. Then stir in your peppermint extract and about 1/3 of your candy canes. Pour over your brown chocolate then sprinkle the rest of your candy canes and lightly press down on them so that they get stuck in the white chocolate. Put in the freezer again and let harden, then take out and break apart! I like to keep mine in the refrigerator when I don't have them out for display!

Easy Taco Soup

So this could probably be the easiest soup you will ever make being that it is NOT a crockpot recipe. There is simply two steps to this process, Brown & Dump. Sounds enticing right? And it the taste you get out of a two step process truly brings a smile to your face! How can something soooo simple, taste just as great as those other 10 step taco soup recipes?!?!?!? Anyways, enjoy!
1 lb ground hamburger or turkey

1/2 of a small onion - chopped

1 can petite diced tomatoes (I like petite but you could use regular)

1 can corn -undrained

1 can kidney beans - undrained

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1 packet taco seasoning

Brown your burger in a a big soup pot so you only have one pan to clean :) Add you onions as you are browning your burger so that is is soft and translucent. Then literally take everything else and dump it in. Bring to a boil then let simmer for 10 minutes. And your done! Top with shredded cheddar cheese, green onions and sour cream and scoop with tortilla chips! YUM!

Pineapple & Pomegranate

I Really wish I knew how to work the lighting on my camera because this picture doesn't do it justice. This combination is soooo pretty, and sooooooooo full of taste! I absolutely love this combination. My SIL Richelle served this at a Christmas Party years ago, and I have been Hooked ever since. For a Party you probably would need to 2 Pineapples (I only had one here and it obviously didn't fill up the entire platter). And 1 Pomegranate. You might not even need to use the Pomegranate, just use your discretion. Enjoy!!!! I will be posting a YUMMY fruit dip next week that is great with Pineapple, Strawberries, etc....

Lasagna - Crockpot Style

Once again, I couldn't resist cooking up one of my fast and easy & Favorite crockpot recipes! I got this beauty from my adorable friend Amy a couple of years ago, and haven't cooked regular baked lasagna since. It's that good. If you have a favorite homemade spaghetti sauce go ahead and use that in place of the canned or jarred spaghetti sauce it calls for. But if your anything like me, if you are cooking a crockpot recipe it's because you don't have time for all the fuss. So I actually canned some yummy spaghetti sauce that I throw in this recipe!


1 lb ground beef (or turkey) browned

2-3 tsp Italian seasoning

16 oz tub of cottage cheese

25 oz jar of spaghetti sauce

2 Cups mozzarella cheese

1/3 Cup water

8 uncooked lasagna noodles

Brown your ground beef and drain the fat. Add in your Italian seasoning and mix in well. Then it's time to layer inside of your crockpot. I usually do 3 layers. Start with 1/3 of your uncooked lasagna noodles, then use 1/3 of your ground beef, then sauce, then cottage cheese, then mozzarella cheese. Repeat 2 more times. Pour 1/3 cup of water around the sides then cook on low for 5 hours. Delicious, and Simple!

Black Bean & Pumpkin Chili - Crockpot

So I know I should be posting Christmas recipes, and I will, right after one last pumpkin recipe. Yep, there is a whole can of pumpkin in this recipe and it is wonderful! It gives a smooth creamy texture, and to be honest you really can't even taste the pumpkin unless you are searching for it. It's just nice to have a few different and unique ways to cook up your chili since this is soup season! Enjoy. I do have to tell you that I like a little kick in my chili, so after it was all said and done, I added a bit of ketchup to my leftovers and loved it even more. So maybe when you are cooking the whole recipe add a 1/4 cup of ketchup. :)
http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/11/black-bean-pumpkin-chili.html