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Virgin Coconut Oil is a staple in our house. I use it for everything from cooking chicken, adding good fat to my morning smoothie, making our own hand cream and lip balm, and best of all...

... in the Skinny Chocolate recipe from Trim Healthy Mama! This is the best, healthiest, yummiest chocolate you will ever eat! Guaranteed. We can't get enough of it and that's okay, because it's actually good for you!
Skinny Chocolate Recipe from Trim Healthy Mama, pg. 371

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup Virgin Coconut Oil
• NuNaturals (stevia) or other natural sweetener to taste

Tropical Traditions is America’s source for coconut oil. Their Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil is hand crafted in small batches by family producers, and it is the highest quality coconut oil they offer. You can read more about how virgin coconut oil is different from other coconut oils on their website: What is Virgin Coconut Oil?

You can also watch the video they produced about Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil:

Tropical Traditions also carries other varieties of affordable high quality coconut oil. Visit their website to check on current sales, to learn about the many uses of coconut oil, and to read about all the advantages of buying coconut oil online. Since the FDA does not want us to discuss the health benefits of coconut oil on a page where it is being sold or given away, here is the best website to read about the health benefits of coconut oil.

One of my many goals this year is to avoid unhealthy snacking, both for myself and for our kids. I have a huge weakness for chips and chocolate, and I fear I've passed my bad habits onto our kids. So, I'm taking extreme measures and have committed to not purchasing packaged snacks; if it's not in the house, we can't eat it!

Of course, that means we need to replace the junk with snacks of the healthy variety. In addition to these ideas, Coconut Oil Banana Muffins fit the bill perfectly! These muffins are moist, flavorful, and melt in your mouth. They're also egg-free and dairy-free.

Coconut Oil Banana Muffins
Time: 15 min. prep; 16 min baking (per batch).
Yield: 3 dozen
Egg-free, dairy-free

Ingredients:

• 2 cups organic all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon aluminum-free baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup melted coconut oil
• 1 cup coconut or almond milk
• 2 cups coconut sugar
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 5 very ripe, mashed bananas

1. Preheat oven to 385 F. Insert paper liners into muffin pan.
2. In a large bowl, sift and stir flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt. Set aside.
3. In a small saucepan, heat coconut oil and milk together until coconut oil has just liquefied. Pour into a large bowl and add coconut sugar and vanilla. Blend together
4. Mash bananas and stir into wet ingredients. Add dry mixture to wet mixture and fold together until just combined.
5. Fill muffin cups half way (this batter spreads!).
6. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool for 10 minutes before removing.
8. Freeze, or enjoy warm!

Are you making a conscious effort to snack healthier, too? What's your favorite resource for quick, budget-friendly, healthy treats (besides Pinterest, I mean)?

In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. Thank you for your support.
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If you love Indian cuisine, this dish will hit the spot while trimming your waistline! It's creamy, curryful (I just made that up), and very pretty too. Our whole family loved it.

Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6
Gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, dairy-free and Trim Healthy Mama friendly!
Ingredients:

• butter or coconut oil (I use Nuvita or Tropical Traditions) for sauteing. You could also use coconut butter ghee.
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 Tbsp curry powder (or to taste)
• 1 small cauliflower, in florets
• 3 carrots, sliced diagonally (use broccoli for a THM S meal)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 cups cooked chicken, sliced in 2" pieces
• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• Handful of spinach, chopped
• Sea salt and cayenne pepper to taste

Directions:
Saute onion, curry, cauliflower, and carrots in butter or coconut oil. When vegetables are tender-crisp, and garlic and chicken and saute briefly. Add coconut milk and spinach. Cover and bring to a simmer. Season with sea salt and cayenne pepper to taste.

You can make this in the morning and keep it warm in the crock pot all day.

For Trim Healthy Mamas, you can serve eat this on its own or serve over a bed of greens for a delicious, Satisfying meal. For a Crossover, serve with rice or quinoa, or enjoy inside a low-carb wrap such as Joseph's.

In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. Thank you for your continued support!
Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, The Better Mom, Frugally Sustainable, The Prairie Homestead, Stacy Makes Cents, Gluten-Free Wednesdays

Would you believe me if I told you these things help you lose weight? Seriously! Every time you reach for a cookie, grab a Peppermint Patty instead and the pounds will melt off.
They contain no sugar or dairy and are virtually carb-free. Yet, they're loaded with the kind of fat that's good for you (coconut oil) and helps burn off the bad stuff by improving your metabolism.
The best part? They're so decadent and flavorful, there's no way you'll feel deprived. I am addicted to them and keep a stash in the back of our freezer. But don't tell the rest of my family or they'll be gone!

Time: 15 min. plus cooling time Servings: 12 large patties or 24 small patties *For THMer's, this is a Satisfying dessert.
Ingredients: Chocolate:

• 1 cup virgin coconut oil (Tropical Traditions is my favorite)
• 1/2 cup pure cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp Truvia (or alternative sweetener)

• 1 cup finely shredded coconut, unsweetened
• 1 Tbsp Truvia (or alternative sweetener)
• 1/4 cup virgin coconut oil
• 1/4-1/2 tsp pure peppermint extract
• 1/8 tsp sea salt

Enjoy!

Little Natural Cottage, Stacy Makes Cents

The hardest part about being gluten-free, according to my dear husband, is missing out on baked goods that taste good. Bread, cake, cookies, donuts, muffins... nothing quite tastes as wonderful as things made with white flour.

Then I discovered the Easy Peasy Cinnamon Muffins in Trim Healthy Mama. Brad said he hadn't had a muffin that good since he started eating gluten-free two years ago! I've made a couple of alterations to the original recipe and apparently we have a winner! Brad takes two in his lunch every day to work and never tires of them. The kids love them too.

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Muffins (adapted from Trim Healthy Mama)
Time: 15 minutes plus baking
Servings: 24 small muffins or 12 large
Ingredients:

• 3 eggs and 3 egg whites
• 3/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp water
• 3 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups ground golden flax seed
• 1/2 cup finely shredded, unsweetened coconut
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 4 Tbsp. cinnamon (not a typo!)
• 12 tsp of Truvia (or 1 cup sugar)
• 1 cup raisins

Like many of you, we are a single-income, larger-than-average, (1.8 or more children), homeschooling family.

And both my husband and I come from a rich, Dutch heritage.

In other words, whether or not we need to be, we enjoy frugal living. I'm also a lover of nutritious, from-scratch, whole-food cooking. Overtime, we've found that you can have one and the other! Here's how we can enjoy a mainlywhole-food diet on a budget (we still eat take-out more often than I'd like to admit!).

Cheap foods that are good for you

1. Whole grains. Oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa are cheap! For ultimate nutritional value, choose any of these grains and soak them for a hearty breakfast that'll keep you energized all morning.

For a fabulously healthy, gluten-free, blueberry-muffin smelling breakfast, pour 1 cup of steel-cut oats, brown rice, OR quinoa in a crock-pot. Add 1 1/2 cups of almond milk, 1 1/2 cups water, 1-2 Tbsp of ground flax seed, 2-3 Tbsp butter or coconut oil, 1 cup fresh blueberries, cinnamon, sea salt, and sweetener (honey, maple syrup, stevia, or brown sugar) to taste. Stir. Cook on low overnight. Alternately, try using diced apple and a handful of walnut in place of blueberries.
2. Beans and legumes. Beans are one of the cheapest proteins available and can be used to replace meat in a meal. Given a good, over-night soak in purified water, they are a highly digestible form of fiber, complex carbohydrates, iron, and folate - ideal if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.

Our favorite way to enjoy beans are in chili, taco salad, and brownies (there's a Special Agent Brownie recipe in Trim Healthy Mama that's absolutely fabulous!).

3. Eggs. Eggs are one of the very few complete proteins available to us (they contain all 9 essential amino acids), contain only 70 calories, and are chock full of nutrition. Besides being excellent sources of protein and good cholesterol, they also contain iron, vitamins A, D, E, and B12, folate, selenium, and lutein.

Eggs can be cooked quickly in a variety of ways (hard or soft-boiled, fried, poached, scrambled) and provide great structure and texture when added to baked goods.

We enjoy them on their own and in omelettes, crepes, breakfasts bakes, and pizza crust.

Foods worth paying more for

No matter how tight our budget, there are certain foods I don't cheap out on as we feel the extra dollars are insignificant compared to the health benefits. We'd rather "pay the farmer than the pharmacy," as the saying goes.

1. Oil. It's a safe bet that anything you can get in a big plastic jug for $4 is not good for you. Vegetable oils and margarine derived from cheaply grown or genetically modified plants like sunflower, corn, soybean, canola, safflower have little nutrition to begin with and are chemically altered and deodorized in order to make them palatable. Our bodies were not meant to consume them.

Opt instead for healthy saturated fats that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids. These include butter (preferably organic), coconut, olive, and red palm oil.
2. Fresh, local, organic produce. We can't afford to purchase all of our produce this way, but we try our best to grow or purchase the infamous "Dirty Dozen" organically as these fruits and vegetables contain the highest pesticide residue otherwise:

• Peaches
• Apples
• Celery
• Peppers
• Nectarines
• Strawberries
• Pears
• Cherries
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Potatoes
• Grapes

• onions
• avocado
• sweet corn
• pineapples
• mango
• asparagus
• bananas
• cabbage
• broccoli
• papaya
• kiwi

Instead, we use coconut or almond milk. They contain high levels of vitamins A & D and are lactose free. They cost slightly more than pasteurized, hormone enhanced cow's milk, but since we rarely use it for more than our morning smoothie, we don't notice a difference in our grocery bill.

As our budget allows, we try to purchase higher quality dairy products like kefir, greek yogurt, cream and cottage cheese.
4. Meat. Cheaper cuts of meat are usually that way because they come from animals that are pumped full of genetically modified grain products, growth hormones, and antibiotics - the sole purpose of which is to fatten an animal up as quickly as possible for slaughter. Food Inc. is a fascinating documentary that explains how the food industry is making us sicker, fatter, and poorer through this process.

Although more expensive, grass-fed, locally raised, organic beef and chicken is a far more nutritious alternative and of much less consequence to your health.
5. Sweeteners. Sugar is cheap, appeals to our pallet, and is easy to come by. Consequently, diabetes, obesity, cancer, heart failure, and a host of other health concerns are also the norm. We stay away from refined sugar as much as possible and use raw honey, pure maple syrup, and stevia instead.

While they should still be used in small quantities, these sweeteners contain healthy enzymes and minerals which are difficult to get from other foods. They also have a healthier Glycemic Index which means they don't mess with your blood sugar levels in the same way refined sugar does.

Where to get healthy food for less

1. Garden. Anyone can grow their own produce, even a little bit. Be it a pot on the balcony of your apartment or a 3 acre market garden, all you need is some seed, soil, water, and sun and you're in business.

We put in a large raise bed last year for free - my husband made a tarp in exchange for a truckload of triple-mix and I used the gift cards I got for my birthday to purchase our seeds and plants.
2. Farmer's Market. Farmer's markets are great places to find local, seasonal produce, cure meats, eggs, honey and maple syrup at a fraction of the price you find in the store. Plus, farmers generally care about individual relationships with their customers and often offer a faithful buyer further discounts and "throw in a little extra."
3. Local Farmer. In the fall, we often purchase 1/4-1/2 a cow from a Christian farmer who grows his beef organically. We get to choose how we'd like it butchered and our freezer is well stocked for several months. We estimate purchasing our meat this way saves us 30% of the store price.

If we had the space for it, we'd love to keep our own chickens. We go through plenty of eggs around here! Thankfully, they are cheap to come by! We buy them from Brad's co-worker whose family keeps organically raised laying hens as a sideline business.

In the summer, we pick our own berries, freeze most of them, and turn some into sauce or jam. A relative of ours keeps a bountiful raspberry patch where we can come and go as we please.

It didn't work out last year because of pregnancy complications, but this summer, my mom, sisters, and I plan on putting up other produce from local farms that we don't grow ourselves: peaches, pears, carrots, pickles, etc.

4. Bulk Stores. I buy most of our grain from The Bulk Barn. We often receive coupons for $3.00 off a purchase of $10.00 or more (which I can easily spend in one visit!). I blend whole kernels with my Wondermill and the stuff I purchase pre-ground (flax), I purchase in small quantities as it goes rancid quickly. I purchase my organice herbs, teas, sea salt, and spices from The Bulk Herb Store.

I also purchase soap and other dried goods here like coconut, almonds, walnuts, and cranberries.
5. Grocery Store. You can save money at the grocery store by using coupons, ad-matching, checking the clearance shelf, and purchasing store-brand non-perishables like brown rice and tomato paste.

The clearance shelf where everything is ripe and ready, is a wonderful place to get greatly discounted produce. If you have a juicer, freeze your juice into Popsicles for a healthy summer treat or into ice cubes for slushies. Peppers and onions can be cut up and bagged for pizza toppings, apples turned into sauce, and mushrooms sauteed in butter for a fine steak topping.
6. Online. I must admit to rarely purchasing groceries online. I prefer to see the product myself. The exception to this is the extra virgin coconut oil I get from Tropical Traditions. The quality is truly remarkable. We use it a lot, especially in desserts like Chunky Cream Pops, Skinny Chocolate, and Peppermint Patties. I'm thankful it regularly goes on sale for 40-50% off.

In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. I humbly thank you for your support! Linking to: Mind Body Sole, Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Frugally Sustainable, Natural Living Raising Arrows, Time Warp Wife, Far Above Rubies, Homestead Barn Hop, The Better Mom,

I know you're not supposed to have addictions, but I must confess, this easy-peasy homemade granola is mine. Sometimes I have it 3 times a day. I tell myself it's better then indulging in a bag of chips because it is healthy, but alas, it's still an addiction. Try it and come along to Granolaholics Anonymous with me!

Honey Cinnamon Granola
Time: 10 minutes prep, 30-40 minutes baking
Yield: 9 cups

Ingredients:

• 4 cups gluten-free rolled oats
• 2 cups shredded coconut
• 2 cups almond flour
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 2 Tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup honey (local honey is healthier and usually cheaper)

Hint #1: The key to a golden, crispy granola is to bake it at a low temperature for a long period of time. If you try to rush it by using higher heat, you'll burn it. Don't ask me how I know.

Hint #2: If you like more clusters in your granola, run your oats through the blender, and use very finely shredded coconut. The finer your ingredients are, the more "chunks" you'll have.

Hint #3: This recipe makes a great base. Experiment by adding in other dried seeds, fruits, and nuts after baking 'til you find your favorite combo: Walnut & Banana, Apple and Cranberry; Blueberry and Pecan.

If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox.
Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, Time Warp Wife, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, The Prairie Homestead, We ARE That Family, Make Ahead Meals, Moms The Word, Allergy Free Wednesdays. Gluten Free Homemakers

Appetizers:

• All-Day Apple Butter GF
• Guilt-Free Peppermint Patties GF, THM
• "Just Like Wheat Thins" Crackers GF, THM
• Roasted Red Pepper Butter GF, THM

• Good Morning! Breakfast Smoothie GF

• Best Gluten-Free Pizza Crust EVER! GF, THM
• Cinnamon Raisin Bread
• Cinnamon Raisin Muffins GF, THM
• Coconut Oil Banana Muffins
• "Just Like Wheat Thins" Crackers GF, THM
• Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

• Good Morning! Breakfast Smoothie
• Honey Cinnamon Granola

• Grandma Kroesbergen's Cookies

• Cottage Berry Whip GF, THM
• Chunky Cream Pops GF, THM
• Cream Puffs
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake GF, THM
• Tuxedo Cream Dessert GF

• Boerenkool Met Worst GF
• Cheeseburger Pie GF, THM
• Chicken Broccoli Casserole
• Fooled Ya Pizza GF, THM
• Gourmet Mommy's Pizza Recipe
• Linguine with Garlic Sauce GF, THM
• Real-Good Chili GF, THM
• Spinach Quiche
• Spinach Bacon Breakfast Bake GF, THM

• Bacon-Cheese Topped Chicken GF, THM
• Coconut Curried Chicken GF, THM
• Classic Homemade Burgers GF, THM
• Easy Chicken Parmesan GF
• Homemade Sausage GF
• Honey-Mustard Lemon Chicken GF

• Broccoli Raisin Salad GF
• Crunchy Quinoa Salad GF, THM
• Sensational Salad and Dressing GF, THM
• Strawberry Spinach Salad GF, THM
• Taco Salad GF, THM

• Beautiful Beet Soup GF
• Cream Of Broccoli Soup GF
• Old-Fashioned Chicken Soup GF, THM
• Tomato Spice Soup GF, THM

• 3-Ingredient Chocolate Fudge
• 10 Healthy Snacks Children Love
• Cinnamon Raisin Muffins GF, THM
• Coconut Oil Banana Muffins
• Peanut Cream Cheese Squares GF, THM
• Pumpkin Sheet Cake
• Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
• Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
• Snicker Snackers GF
• Two-Bite Brownies GF THM

• How A Single-Income Family Can Afford A Whole-Food Diet
• How I lost 40 lbs Post-Partum
• How To Boil a Perfect Egg GF
• How To Give Your Baby A Healthy Start on Solid Foods GF
• How To Make Gluten-Free Cream Soups GF
• How To Make Your Own Taco Seasoning GF

It takes just a few minutes to whip up this exfoliating salt scrub that will leave your skin looking fresh and feeling smooth. It's also an easy and inexpensive gift idea for birthdays, Mother's day, or "just because." All you need is a pretty jar (the Dollar Store has many to choose from), and three ingredients.
Ingredients:

• Coarse Sea Salt (enough to fill your jar)
• Olive or melted Coconut Oil
• Lavender Essential Oil (a few drops)

It can be hard to cook healthy, tasty meals for your family during this busy season -especially if you're on a gluten-free diet. Here's an easy recipe that's quick to prepare, made with good-for-you ingredients, and, it's a great way to use up any leftover chicken!

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts (skin and bones removed)
• 1 tsp butter
• 2 tsp coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp mustard
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp Herbamare
• 1 tsp parsley

It took a few tries, but we finally made a lip balm that's "just right!" It's a combination that works to permanently heal your lips, rather than offer a short-term solution as is the case with many store-bought brands made from synthetic ingredients.
There are a variety of cute little containers to use at the Dollar Store, and if you really want to go all out, you can even design your own labels on the computer! (Do I smell a business potential here? If you're in the natural skin care business, this recipe is free to use.)
:-)
Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 Tbsp grated beeswax
• 1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
• 1 Tbsp Sweet Almond Oil
• 800 IU (2 capsules) Vitamin E
• 3 drops tea tree oil
• 4 drops spearmint oil

• Combine beeswax, coconut oil, and almond oil in a glass measuring cup (or a double boiler, if you have one).

• Add water to a small saucepan and set the measuring cup inside. Heat slowly until all the ingredients have melted together.

• Remove from heat. Pierce the vitamin E capsules (I used the tine of a fork) and squeeze into the oil mixture. Add the essential oils and stir together.

• Pour into a small container and let it stand for twenty minutes to cool and harden before using.

The following recipe is a variation on a breakfast smoothie we were introduced to during the LifeWatchers cooking class at Goodness Me. If awesome had a taste, I'm sure this would be it. Even better, the addition of essential fats and protein powder make it an easy, filling, and healthy alternative to cold breakfast cereal. Give it a try - you'll like it!
Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (I use blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries)
• 1 banana
• 2 servings (50 grams) of protein powder (whey or rice)
• 2 Tbsp Udo's Oil (or another high quality EFA/DHA oil like virgin coconut)
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1 cup full fat yogurt or kefir

I dislike wearing gloves when I garden. I prefer to feel the earth crumble in my hands and get soil underneath my fingernails. There's something utterly organic and romantic about having gardener's hands. But only while I'm gardening. When I'm done, I like nothing more then to freshen up and scrub every last particle of dirt away.

Of course, these actions are harsh on the skin and my hands end up requiring a little TLC. This hand cream recipe is hands down (pun intended) the most healing of all salves I've tried. Made with pure coconut oil, beeswax, lavender infused almond oil, a few essential oil drops, and enriched with Vitamin E, this balm is a treat for your hands. A few applications will have them soft and satiny in no time. A little goes a long way. This recipe will make a year's supply.

You'll need:

• 4 tablespoons coconut oil
• 4 tablespoons grated beeswax
• 8 tablespoons almond oil (I used lavender infused almond oil - recipe here)
• 4 capsules Vitamin E oil
• 25 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree oil
• 6 drops spearmint oil

Directions:
1. Add all ingredients except the essential oils into a glass measuring cup. Set measuring cup inside a larger bowl and pour boiling water between the dishes and stir until everything melts together. You may need to replace the boiling water a couple of times.
2. After the beeswax has melted completely, remove the measuring cup from the hot water and add the essential oils to your hand cream mixture.

3. Pour into an air-tight container and cool to harden. Refrigerate cream to speed up the process. I used an old Brie cheese tin to store mine:

Apply as needed to rough, dry, itchy, or sunburned skin. I also use it on my feet, rubbing it into my heals to keep them soft.
If you love this hand cream, you may enjoy making your this lip balm too.

The Round-up:

• Food - 4 out of 5
• Service - 3.5 out of 5
• Decor - 3.5 out of 5
• Total - 11 out of 15

1946 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK
306-352-8424

_______________________________________

When I first heard there was a Thai restaurant on Hamilton Street downtown, I have to admit I was a little skeptical.

I pictured a little hole-in-the-wall place that would see a lot of foot traffic during the day (but few actual customers) and almost no one at night (when Regina's downtown transforms into a semi-deserted ghost town).

Boy, was I wrong.

First of all, Hamilton Street is undergoing a huge makeover. Over the last couple of years, new shops and eateries are popping up and filling in the holes left by vacant storefronts. There are still a few gaps, but given time they'll fill in too.

Second of all, Regina's downtown office crowd loves the place. Pay a visit almost any weekday at lunch and you'll be lucky to get a table if you're not there right at noon.

If you're new to Thai food, Siam's lunch buffet is an excellent place to start. There's always a good selection of meat, vegetable, and noodle dishes (Pad Thai is a sure bet), along with a couple of appetizer and dessert items.

Best of all, you can be in and out of the place with a full belly in 30 minutes or less. And get this, the grand total for the lunch buffet comes to less than $10 per person, tax included. I know, shocking.

Hold on now, before you drop the laptop and run down to Hamilton Street I need to talk more about the food.

On a recent Saturday morning, a group of us paid a visit to Siam for a not-so-traditional brunch (there's no buffet on Saturdays, FYI). We got off to a rocky start when we showed up at 11 a.m. (opening time) and the doors were still locked for another 15 minutes.

This didn't sit well with me -- unlike my usual Saturday morning of sleep and relaxation, I'd already done two loads of laundry, shopped for groceries, and ran a couple of other errands. I was hung-ree.

Once we were seated, things went more smoothly. Our gracious waiter was patient with us as we waited for others to arrive and took our time figuring out what to eat.

We ordered a ton of food, by the way. Siam makes this relatively easy by including pictures in the menu and on nifty digital photo frames hung on the walls next to tables.

These are my top three picks, for the first-timer:

- Appetizer: Mieng Kham (Leaf Wraps): This dish is a pleasure to behold and to eat. Crispy fresh coconut, fresh ginger, red onion, Thai chili, lime, cashews, and plum sugar sauce, served on top of bok choy leaves that you roll up yourself, then pop in your mouth.

- Entrees: Larb Moo: This item technically falls under the Salad category on the menu, but its size and filling portion makes it more like a meal. Spicy ground pork is mixed with roasted rice, red onions, green onions, cilantro, and lime juice. It's got some heat but not so much as to scare the beginner away.

Pad Thai: You haven't truly lived until you've had this Thai classic. A bed of warm rice noodles is covered in fried tofu, bean sprouts, and shrimp, then layered with sauce. Practically everyone likes Pad Thai. If you're completely unsure of what to order, start here.

On the whole, Siam is one of downtown's best restaurants with a huge menu, good service, reasonable prices and decent opening hours.

OK, you're dismissed. Eat much and prosper.

www.siamrestaurant.ca

I had my doubts about this recipe. "Just Like Wheat Thins?!" Yeah, right. You need refined flour and sugar to achieve that kind of deliciousness, don't you? Apparently not. These crackers are amazing and taste like the real thing I can't seem to keep our house stocked though - they disappear quickly!

This recipe comes from Trim Healthy Mama and is reposted with permission fro the authors.
Ingredients

• 3/4 cup flax meal
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 2 egg whites
• 2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
• 1 Tbsp. parmeasan cheese
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• dash of black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp olive or coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Combine ingredients well and work into a dough ball with your hands. Place ball on parchment lined cookie sheet. Place another piece of parchment paper on top of dough ball and roll out into a slab the thickness of a cracker. Take off top piece and score into small squares. Bakes at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

Most women, myself included, get overwhelmed when they read Proverbs 31. There is no way in this world I could get done in one day what she got done in one chapter. That's why it's important to understand that her picture is a portrait of a lifetime, not a summary of Super Woman's day.

We go through seasons of life where we are able to engage in different things; right now I'm mothering through the little years where all the kids are still in car seats, they all need their shoes tied by an adult, and someone else to give them a bath. They aren't quite big enough to make their own beds, make dinner, or watch younger siblings when Mommy needs a nap.

It's busy, exhausting, and rewarding. I have to remind myself not to compare my Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 100. I'm not Martha Stewart. She can keep an immaculate home, tend glorious gardens, and grow every vegetable perfectly because she is at a different stage of life and her priorities are different than mine. She does not have three small children, nor does she homeschool. Of course she isn't any less of a person for that, but it would be silly of me to measure myself against her.

I'm responsible for using 24 hours wisely everyday. I use 7-8 of them for sleeping. That leaves me with 16 to manage well. Managing them well means learning how to prioritize and giving the most important things the most attention. In our house, that order looks like this:

1. God
2. Spouse
3. Children
4. House

My husband prefers a good meal to a clean house or an empty laundry basket, so if I have to choose between making dinner or cleaning the shower, the former takes priority.

We believe our primary purpose as parents is to raise our children in the fear of the Lord. It's a hard exhortation to remember when there are crumbs under the table and sticky fingerprints on the window, but if it seems the only thing I accomplish in a day is giving instruction, administering correction, breaking up squabbles, reminding our children of the necessity of their salvation, and teaching them to pray for a clean heart that hates evil and wants to do good, then the most important things have been given the most attention.

I'm told by seasoned mothers whose children have flown the nest that one day you will have time to bake, and sew, sell handmade goodies and keep a spotless house, but you'll probably wish you still had the company of several little people who think you're the world.

To help keep my priorities aligned properly, there are several good things that I just don't do. One day I'd like to do them, but right now I don't have enough time or attention to give them.

1. I don't cloth diaper. I know it's more eco-friendly, and I've heard it's no more work than disposables, but I haven't taken the time to build up a stash. My washing machine doesn't get much of a break as it is and I'm not sure how I'd find the time to keep a clean supply of diapers on hand or the stomach to slosh around poopy diapers in the toilet (or is that not required anymore?) When a pack of 136 diapers goes on sale for $17.99, I stock up.

2. I don't bake my own bread; partly because Brad eats gluten-free and I cannot seem to make a loaf that doesn't taste like a hockey puck, and partly because homemade bread isn't very high on our priority list. I don't eat much bread either. The kids eat store-bought sourdough bread at lunch time. One loaf lasts us a whole week, so the time and effort it takes to make my own doesn't save me any serious coin in the long run.

3. I don't iron. I recently pulled it out for the first time in three years to iron a blazer. Marveling at this new invention, our two-year-old son asked, "Why are you vacuuming your shirt, Mom?" Wrinkle-prone items get pulled from the dryer as soon as the cycle is finished. Sometimes they get hung up on hangers and hung neatly in the closet. Sometimes they lay on top of the dryer until I need to wear them.

4. I don't bath our kids every day. I don't even bath them every other day. We (usually Daddy) bath them when they're dirty (at least once a week, I assure you).

5. I don't use natural remedies for everything. I'm a vaccinated, formula fed kid and grew up taking Tylenol for headaches. I have a long way to go before I'm comfortable knowing what herb to give for what ailment, what homeopathic drops to pour into my baby's mouth when she's teething, and what essential oil to rub into my temples when my head is pounding. I want to though, and I'm slowly learning how, but you'll still find Tylenol in our medicine cupboard.

6. I don't grind my own flours. In fact, my electric grain mill is for sale if anyone is interested.

7. I don't have a large garden. There's not a great deal of room on our city lot. We grow tomatoes, peppers, onions, cucumbers, a few herbs, and whatever happens to seed itself through our compost. It's more of a teaching tool for the kids and it satisfies my gardening itch. I enjoy making Tomato Spice Soup from our produce, but I buy and preserve nearly everything else from local farms.

8. I don't can. I don't know how. It's on my list of things I want to learn. Thankfully, my friend Jill is a great teacher and my Mom is willing to hold my hand and walk me through the process. I'm terrified of things exploding in my face. For the past five summers, I've simply cleaned, cut, bagged, and thrown seasonal produce in the freezer. Gently, of course, so it doesn't get bruised. That much I understand about preserving.

9. I don't dust every week. It's really just a country accent anyway and we're honored when folks take the time to autograph our bookshelves. Kidding. Sort of. I make an effort to dust every Friday on "Housework Day," but sometimes it goes two weeks before it gets done. The kids each get a rag too, which means our carpet is probably due for an interesting homeschool science experiment...

10. I don't sew, knit, or scrapbook. At night, when the kids are in bed and I've got some time to relax, I write. Keeping a blog is the therapy that works for me. It's a fun way to interact and learn from a community of like-minded moms and a bonus to be able to contribute to our family income.

11. I don't coupon. I don't even look at flyers. They go from the mailbox to the recycle bin. I can purchase everything I need from three stores and they're all within 5 minutes of each other. It's quick, convenient, and just one afternoon in town (if you have three children in car seats, you get me).

12. I don't go to the Ladies Bible Study at church. We homeschool.

13. I don't have a phone. I don't want one either. I'm not sure I'd have the self-discipline necessary to give it the same amount of attention I give the non-existent one now. I'm sure it'd be handy one day if I were in a car accident or stranded on the side of the road. I'm relying on the generosity of those passing by and assuming they probably have one I could borrow.

14. I don't exercise. Not deliberately, at least. I've been blessed with a good metabolism and consider giving under-doggies to thirty-five pound toddlers on the swing for half an hour, and chasing our one-speed (fast) son around all day good enough.

15. I don't serve fancy meals. I like to cook a mainly whole food diet, but I don't go all Jacques Pepin on my family. Every morning we have the same smoothie for breakfast. Every afternoon we have the same sandwich for lunch. Snack-wise, I serve simple things I know our kids love. In the evenings, we typically enjoy healthy, low-fuss dinners like Cheeseburger Pie, Taco Salad, or Coconut Curried Chicken. Sometimes we have grilled cheese, or order pizza.

How 'bout you? Are there good things that you don't engage in because you simply don't have the time? What are they? What or who gets the bulk of your attention and what gets the leftovers?

Part 1: Keeping A Growing Home | A Management Series for Moms Part 2: Keeping A Growing Home | Know Your Role! Part 3: Keeping A Growing Home | Making Priorities & 15 Good Things I Don't Do Part 4: Keeping A Growing Home | Time-Saving Home Management Tips Part 5: Keeping A Growing Home | My Daily Schedule

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• 5 Ways To Stretch A Roast GF
• Bacon-Cheese Topped Chicken GF
• Classic Homemade Burgers GF, THM
• Coconut Curried Chicken GF
• Easy Chicken Parmesan GF
• Homemade Sausage GF
• Honey-Mustard Lemon Chicken GF
• Picnic Chicken

We learned how to make these raw energy bites in a Goodness Me! whole food cooking class. I still have a hard time believing they're good for you. Usually anything I get cravings for is unhealthy, but I find myself wanting these things all. the. time. They're right up there with chocolate. Charity fondly calls them "Timbits" (you might have to be Canadian to get that).
If you've committed to eating healthy (good for you!), Snicker Snackers are a guilt-free indulgence for when the urge to eat something rich is just too strong.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup seasame seeds
• 1/2 cup raw honey
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup cocoa or carob powder
• 1/4 cup ground flax
• 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut

Combine ingredients in blender. Roll into small balls (refrigerate mixture for 1/2 an hour if it's too soft). Store in an air-tight container and keep refrigerated.

If you love whole food recipes, you'll love the Cottage Mama's eBooks written by Kristy Howard. The Cottage Mama Plans Her Menu is a favorite in our house with 29 healthy, tasty, budget-friendly recipes and a 2-week menu plan. You can download it here for $3.00.

It's that time of year again where everything in the garden seems to be ready all at the same time and I can't keep up! This was our best year for growing tomatoes. They're a little late turning red because of the cooler weather we've been having, but all the rain at the beginning of the year has given us a bumper crop of large, juicy beefsteaks which we are thoroughly enjoying!

This soup is our favorite way to use up the abundance the Lord has blessed us with. It's so tasty, healthy, and simple to prepare. We even served it at our wedding!

Tomato Spice Soup (Recipe from Brad's Mom)
Time: 15 minutes, plus simmering (2 hours) Servings:8-10 Trim Healthy Mama: Fuel Pull! Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Soy-free, Nut-free, Egg-free

Ingredients:

• 2 large onions
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 c. butter or coconut oil
• 4lbs ripe tomatoes
• 6 c. chicken stock
• 4 tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt or Herbamare
• 1/2-1 tsp. white pepper
• 2 tbsp basil

Directions:

1. Chop onion. Mince garlic. Saute with butter until onions are clear in a large saucepan or stock pot.
2. Coarsely chop tomatoes. Add to pot with remaining ingredients. Bring to boil and simmer for an hour or two. Longer for a stronger flavor.
3. Cool and run entire mixture through blender. Strain to remove seeds and skins if desired. A cheesecloth works perfectly.
4. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil.

If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox.
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. Thank you for your continued support!
Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, Time Warp Wife, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, The Focused Homemaker, Stacy Makes Cents, Gluten-Free Wednesdays. The Prairie Homestead, Nourishing Joy

These recipes are reprinted with permission from the authors.

Just Like Wheat Thins Crackers | Trim Healthy Mama,
I had my doubts about this recipe. "Just Like Wheat Thins?!" Yeah, right. You need refined flour and sugar to achieve that kind of deliciousness, don't you? Apparently not. These crackers are amazing and taste like the real thing I can't seem to keep our house stocked though - they disappear quickly!

• 3/4 cup flax meal
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 2 egg whites
• 2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
• 1 Tbsp. parmeasan cheese
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• dash of black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp olive or coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Fooled Ya Pizza | Trim Healthy Mama,
I've always felt bad for Brad who used to eat cardboard-like gluten-free pizza crusts while we enjoyed the gluten packed version! I had heard rave reviews about this cauliflower crust from other mamas on the Trim Healthy Mama plan and decided to give it a try even though it sounded pretty gross. Boy, was I wrong! Our entire family enjoys it just as much as the real thing! You'd never know cauliflower was the magic ingredient!

• 1 bag (16 oz.) frozen cauliflower (I used fresh)
• 3/4 cup egg whites
• 2 cups skim mozzarella cheese
• sea salt and other seasonings (I used Epicure's Pizza seasoning blend)
• pizza sauce and other pizza toppings (I used pepperoni, green pepper, red onion, cheddar and mozzarella cheese)

Add egg whites and pulse again.
Add cheese and other seasonings (sea salt, Italian seasoning, onion and garlic powder). Mix ingredients together well with a spatula.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and grease well. Spread crust mixture evenly across cookie sheet. Bake at 450 for 20 minutes. Cool.
Add pizza sauce and toppings and broil until toppings are done (I baked it at 400 for 8-10 minutes).

Peanut Squares | Trim Healthy Mama,
These squares are so yummy! A combination of sweet and salty, we enjoy them as a snack and a dessert. They're gerat to give along with a meal to a new mom too.

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 tsp Truvia
• 1 pkg cream cheese, softened
• 10 tsp Truvia
• 2/3 cup peanut butter
• 3/4 cup whipping cream

While crust is baking, beat cream cheese and second measurement of Truvia together until light and fluffy. Add peanut butter and beat some more.

In a separate bowl, beat whipped cream. Fold into cream cheese mixture and spread over cooled crust.

Place in refrigerator to chill until set.

Cheeseburger Pie | Trim Healthy Mama,
This is probably our #1 favorite supper on the plan. It's all the goodness of a cheeseburger without the bun. You would never miss it! This is so satisfying and delicious. I make once a week in place of burgers on the barbie.

• 2 lbs of ground beef
• 3 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 6 oz. grated cheddar cheese
• pickles, tomatoes, red onion
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• sea salt
• ground pepper
• 6 oz. grated cheddar cheese

Chunky Cream Pops | Trim Healthy Mama,
This frozen dessert reminds me of my favorite ice cream, President's Choice Chocolate Fudge Crackle... except it's waaaay healthier, made with good fats and no sugar. We love this treat. It's Brad's favorite of all the desserts I've made from Trim Healthy Mama so far.

• 1 batch of Skinny Chocolate
• 2 8oz. blocks of cream cheese
• 10 tsp. Truvia
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 heaped Tbsp. peanut butter

Spicy Chicken Wings, pg. 323

Taco Salad, pg. 347

Special Agent Brownies, pg. 383

Trim Healthy Pancakes, pg. 223

In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Growing Home. I humbly thank you for your support.