Trader Joes Mangoes

One more reason I love Trader Joes.  Mangoes are delicious, but I rarely buy them, they are kinda hard to peel, but especially difficult to get the fruit off the pit.  Found these mangoes at TJ's this week: peeled and sliced!  That is what I am talking about!  Much easier to add to smoothies and quick to serve up to kids, I think I may actually buy mangoes now!

Thank you Costco!

Costco just started carrying these 2 items and I am SO thankful!  Great deals on both!

We try to buy Valencia Peanut butter when we can.  It is usually pretty expensive, but Costco has the best deal I have seen.  My Chiropractor says eat peanut butter made from valencia peanuts since they are less likely to carry the mold: aflatoxin.  Found these two sites that have a little information on that: 

http://www.africangreys.com/articles/nutrition/peanuts.htm 

http://www.ettlt.com/tag/peanut-butter/ 

I have also heard that grapeseed oil has one of the highest smoke point levels, so it takes a lot of heat to turn it into a trans-fatty acid.  I usually cook in butter, grapeseed oil or coconut oil.  This is also the best deal I have seen on this oil.  

How To Cut An Avocado

I know most of you probably know all about avocados, but just in case there is a reader out there who isn't familiar with avocados (as was I when I was first married), I thought I would just share how I typically cut them up.

 Cut to the pit of the avocado, slice around the whole fruit.

Twist and pull apart.

Insert the knife swiftly into the pit.

Twist the knife to remove pit.  (It should stay attached to the knife.)

Pull of the knife and discard.

Insert a spoon, follow around the edge of the skin, and remove entire half.

Slice & serve or cut coarsely and make: Chunky Guacamole!  

Chicken Kabobs

Hi readers!  I just wanted to start this post off by saying sorry I have not been on here regularly.  I actually have this "pact" with God that I can not get on the internet until I have done my quiet time with Him everyday.  Some days I don't get to that till later in the evening and others it is done in the afternoon while the kids are napping.  I love waiting till after I have spent sometime with the Lord, it really helps me keep my priorities straight.  Sometimes I forget and I will start to get on and the Holy Spirit reminds me "hey, what are you doing?"  I always find it is best to listen to his prompting, definitely don't want to quench the Spirit. Also, summer is sooo busy, grad parties, birthdays and hosting family & friend parties, there has been a lot going over here!! So all that to say, by the end of the night sometimes I only have time to check my emails and then spend some time with my hubby.  I will post as often as I can!

So chicken kabobs...... there are a ton of versions of kabobs, and I think just about every time I make them they are different.  I just wanted to give you and idea for a different summer time meal.  Take advantage of the weather and the grills while you can!!!  Earlier in the day (or before you leave for work) cube some chicken and cut veggies of choice, throw them in a zip lock back with a marinade (Italian dressing works good if you are in a hurry), coat, and then let sit for a few hours, place on skewers and grill.  I know some people who skewer on the food first thing and just turn a few times so whatever is easier for ya. Super easy and really good!!

Recipe this time:
3 chicken breasts, thawed, cubed
1 green pepper, 1/2 orange pepper cut in chunks
1 small container of mushrooms
1 sweet onion, cut in chunks

Marinade:
1/4 cup grape seed oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar ( I used 18 yr. traditional, from Olive World Olive Press- AMAZING! www.oldworldolivepress.com)
1 teaspoon All American Season (This is my favorite seasoning, buy locally or at www.mickeysrubsandspices.com)

Throw the chicken and veggies in a one gallon zip lock back, mix the marinade together (I like to make my own so I know what is actually in it and approve of everything) and add to the bag.  Turn the bag over and use your hands to coat evenly.  Let marinade in the refrigerator as long as possible, 30 minutes is better than nothing, a couple of hours if possible.  Alternate veggies and meat on skewers, grill for about 5 minutes on each side, till chicken is cooked at about 350 degrees.  Serve over Rice or Quinoa and fresh fruit.  Wonderful light summer meal!  Serves 4

2 of our favorite ingredients.

Ingredients I Use to Cook With and Where to Buy

I can't afford to do everything organic, but I always try to do our meats and dairy.

Cook with Coconut Oil(Whole foods) & Grapeseed Oil (Trader Joes)
Use as salad dressing Olive Oil (expeller pressed-not sure who has the best deal)
Oils you should cook with and use http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/10/15/cooking-oil.aspx ( I became a member in order to have access to this site- very great "natural" advice)
Raw Cheese - (Trader Joes)
Raw Milk (Own a cow share) -just because it is milk in its natural form
Free range & Organic Chicken (kroger, trader joes (1.99 a pound for legs) or Whole Foods(Tuesday has the best deal on rotisserie at)
Free range beef (Whole Foods)
Wild caught fish- Salmon, Ocean Perch, Flounder at Aldi or Trader Joes frozen Cod fish tid-bits (wild caught- basically organic)

Organic butter (the highest amount of pesticides is stored in fat) (costco seems to be the best deal)
Organic whipping cream (Costco has the best deal)
Agave (a sweetener that I use in a lot of things instead of sugar/ syrup) Costco is the best deal by far
Xylitol (another sweetener, can be substituted for sugar in recipes- The Vitamin Shoppe, Whole Foods)
Veganaise brand Mayonaise (Whole Foods - its pricey, but is made from Grapeseed Oil & tastes good)

Bread- Udi Gluten Free Bread (Whole Foods) Food for Life Gluten Free Bread (Kroger, TJs or Whole Foods) Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Breads (Trader Joes, Kroger, Meijer, Whole Foods), Trader Joes sprouted grain brand or Trader Joes Gluten Free Bread [I try to avoid oil in breads]
Pasta-brown rice noodles (Trader Joes)
Quinoa is a great side, similar to rice or couscous but is a complete protein (Costco, Whole Foods TJs)
Organic broths (Kroger, Costco, TJs, Whole Foods)