You've Been Eating What?

Since committing to cut out processed foods from our meals, we've had plenty of people asking us what we've been eating. Although we still indulge in processed foods when we visit other people's houses for meals, we're keeping our pantry and fridge "clean" with these recipes. Most of my ideas come from 100daysofrealfood.com where Lisa Leake, the founder of this website, has posted her tips and recipes. Her blog is worth a visit, by the way, I get on several times a week.

Whole Wheat Biscuits
These are easier than you think to make, and so fluffy and flaky like you wouldn't believe. We eat them at breakfast with turkey bacon and honey. Tonight we ate them with homemade Tomato Basil Bisque. The options are endless.

2 cups whole wheat flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 cup milk(any kind, we use skim)

In medium mixing bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut butter into tiny pea sized pieces. With a fork, cut butter into flour mixture. It's okay if the butter stays the same size as when you first put it in. Pour in milk and mix until dough forms. Knead dough 8-10 times, then pull apart and roll into a ball the size of your palm. Bake at 450 for 8-10 minutes if baking on a cookie sheet. I used an iron skillet this morning and baked them for about 15 minutes until golden brown on the bottom. The ones I baked in the iron skillet came out fluffier with a crunchier bottom than the ones I've done on the baking sheet.

Peanut Butter Banana Protein Smoothie
We drink these for breakfast, a snack, and could even be used as dessert. They are that good!

2 cups milk (we use skim)
2 tbsp peanut butter (Jiff's Natural Peanut Butter is a whole food)
1/2 frozen banana
2 tbsp plain nonfat yogurt
1 scoop Whey protein powder( we use chocolate flavor)

Combine all ingredients in blender and crush for 20-30 seconds. The addition of the yogurt is an extra burst of protein and makes the smoothie a little creamier. You can of course do this without the protein powder too.

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot
I never realized how much meat you can get from buying a whole chicken for about $6. One whole chicken done this way will last us 2-3 meals, and sometimes we have enough left over that we freeze either the breasts or the legs and thighs. This is so easy to do, takes no time, tastes great, and goes with just about anything you put with it.

1 whole chicken, giblets removed
1 onion, quartered
Rub:
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp black pepper

Mix the rub and rub it all over the chicken. You can even get into the cavity and under the skin on the breasts. Place quartered onion in the bottom of your crock pot and place chicken on top. Do not add any liquid. Cook on high 5-6 hours.
We use the breasts in fajitas and the leg and thigh meat in chicken tortilla soup. Or we just eat a breast with steamed veggies and half a sweet potato.

Tomato Basil Bisque
This makes a huge batch of soup. I usually freeze half for another time. Michael's cousin gave us this recipe, and it's the best tomato soup I've ever had. I love discovering that old recipes qualify to be a whole food!!

1 onion
2 28 oz cans diced tomatoes
2 tbsp dried basil leaves
1 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste

Saute onion in butter. Add tomatoes and basil and simmer for 20 minutes. With immersion blender (or transfer to food processor), blend until all chunks are broken up. Add milk and salt and pepper and simmer another 5-10 minutes. Serve warm with a little grated cheese on top. You could also saute turkey bacon with the onion. I have not done this, but have heard that it adds another layer of flavor to the soup. The longer this sits, the better it gets.

We don't eat much dessert, although since it's the Christmas season that has changed for right now. Holiday desserts only come once a year, and we can't pass those up! Since beginning our whole foods lifestyle, Michael has lost 13 pounds and 3 inches, and I'm down to the weight I was in high school. We have more energy and just feel better about ourselves overall.