Recipes

Three Meals That Actually WORKED From Pinterest

April 11, 2019

I am all about easy but good meals, but I run out of ideas pretty quick and I find chicken and broccoli on our dinner table way more than I would like to admit. So as a challenge to myself, I find meals on the reg on Pinterest that look like something I could do… and then ACTUALLY DO IT. Sometimes, they’re too complicated or a fail. But here are three meals I have done recently that really did work!

GF Biscuits and Gravy: One night, I just really was craving it. I don’t know why… but I had to have biscuits and freaking gravy. This is my friend’s go-to recipe that we had at brunch a few weeks ago and DANG it was good. So I stole it!

Country Gravy, Drop Biscuits (Sub flour for all purpose 1-1 gluten free if needed!)

Orange Chicken: So. Dang. Good. I had never thought before to use orange jam to create orange chicken… but it made sense and was easy!

This recipe +you can get rice noodles in the ethnic food aisle at my grocery store!

Protein Banana Pancakes: 2 eggs, 1 banana, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp. chocolate protein powder, 1/4 c. gf pancake mix (We use Bob’s Red Mill)

Gluten-Free Friendly Restaurant Round-Up

March 21, 2019

Hey y’all! For those of you who don’t know, I have to eat gluten free. Five years ago, we found out about my gluten allergy. About three years ago, I saw a doctor who completely changed my life and finally diagnosed me allergic to gluten AND yeast. Seemingly simple diagnosis, right? Except growing up 15+ years ago, doctors only diagnosed Celiac Disease. I had an allergy, so all the blood-work they knew to do always came back “negative.” This left me for years undiagnosed, frustrated, and hurt by so many doctors turning me away. I would literally come in with lists of “weird things that happen to me”… and they would all count me out. I started to believe I was crazy. But nope. Just allergic to things. By the time I was diagnosed, my brain was swollen, I had yeast growth all over my back, and I couldn’t remember anything. Like, legit I thought I had Alzheimer’s at 22.

All that to say, I had to make a drastic change when I found out about my allergies. And for someone who’s ideal date is a fun new restaurant and a cupcake afterward… this sucked. It sucked BIG TIME. I have spent the last five years discovering restaurants that are tasty AND gluten free friendly. There are so many options, and I wanted to share some of my faves with you!

HG Sply Co.: In the heart of Dallas, this one remains one of my all-time favorite restaurants. We used to go almost every single week when we lived just down the road from it.
Mi Cocina: Fajitas are almost ALWAYS a go for GF! Just ask for corn tortillas!
Mesero’s at Legacy West: They have quite a few options for you and are INCREDIBLY accommodating to allergies. We love Mesero’s! I usually order the brisket tacos or Carne Asada (+ corn tortillas for my own fajitas!)
Del Frisco’s: Arguably the MOST accommodating incredible restaurant we’ve been to for allergies. They even have allergy free bread (dairy free, gluten free, corn free!). This is of course a very nice steakhouse… and it costs that. But it’s our favorite fancy date night spot.
True Food Kitchen: THE BEST. We love True Food! I get their Spaghetti Squash Casserole or Teriyaki Quinoa Bowl. But… you pretty much can’t go wrong with anything on this menu.
Fireside Pies: Favorite GF pizza place!! The burrata pizza pie has my whole heart.
Chipotle: Okay okay, yes. This is on the list because it’s one of my best fast food options. There are a ton of GF options! I do a bowl with brown rice + carnitas or steak usually!
Freshii: This place is SO DELISH and …well… fresh. But seriously. I feel healthy when I leave here. I always order the Bamboo Bowl! It’s a green curry sauce. Oh my word… I want this now after typing it out.
Butcher Board: This one is in downtown Mckinney! It’s tasty BBQ. I order their bowl (aka… a salad haha) with the Lemonette Dressing. I have tried it with pulled pork and brisket, and the pulled pork is my favorite thus far! Their potato salad is also out of this world.
Mod Market Eatery: This is a not quite fast food but not quite nice type of restaurant. They have a great pizza, but my favorite thing they make is an incredible sweet potato hash!
Up Inspired: This is in Frisco, and is one of Paul’s and my favorite places to go. I love breakfast! I order a Hash Bowl or the Acai Bowl with GF Granola from here usually. They also have gf biscuits and gravy called Biscuits and Groovy… and it’s amazing!
Tupelo Honey: SO.GOOD. I order the Sweet Tea Brined Chicken! And… Their drinks are equally as amazing.
PeiWei: Another “fast food” fave. They just expanded their gluten free options ten-fold, and I about lost my mind! The cauliflower fried rice is so good, and the ginger chicken and broccoli!
In-n-Out: Yup it’s on my list! I love In-n-Out (haters gonna hate, Whataburger ain’t that great). I love that I can eat a burger (protein style- without a bun!) and fries with a shake… and I don’t feel like I might die. The calorie counts aren’t atrocious and the grease is almost non-existent. If I want a true fast food fix… In-n-Out is it.
Patina on the Green: Another Downtown McKinney favorite! These sandwiches are THE BEST. I order their ham and peach jalapeño jam sandwich. This sandwich also happened to be my #1 craving during pregnancy.

A Week of Meals

January 23, 2019

Alright, so today’s post was between my new robo vac (don’t worry I will still be reviewing it!) and a week of meals. I let YOU guys vote for what you wanted, and majority rules- You want a week of meals!

You may remember, I shared our entire Costco haul a while back and basically all of those items are what made up this week of meals. I have a few new faves at Costco that are part of this week, but overall it’s the same things! Now listen. Don’t be too impressed with me… I don’t meal plan all of my meals every week, though I have every intention to ha. Mondays I go to the grocery store, and get my same list pretty much every week. But, having that set grocery list that I know has a wide variety of options as well as a fully stocked spice cabinet makes it really easy to do just about anything I want when dinner time rolls around. I often will go to Pinterest for inspiration, and then run wild with it. I use recipes as a “guide” more than anything. 😉

A Week of Meals

Breakfast:

2 eggs every morning + half an avocado with chili powder OR 2×2 inch oat protein bar

Lunch Options:

Left overs from night before
Veggie Burger Patty (Costco) + half an avocado + spinach & balsamic vinaigrette
2 Veggie Cakes (Costco) + Kale Turkey Patty (Costco)

Dinner:

Monday, Chicken Soup: 2 cans black beans, 2 cans Rotel and Green Chilis, 1 can corn, 4 chicken breast, 2 tomato sauce, chicken broth, chopped peppers, 1 c. green chili tomatillo salsa (combine all ingredients into one pot and simmer until chicken is fully cooked- shred chicken and serve!)

Tuesday, Cauli Bowl: Adielle Pineapple and Bacon Sausage (cook and slice), riced cauliflower with 1 tbsp. ricotta cheese and 1 tbsp. butter, fresh garlic, roasted asparagus + peppers

Wednesday, Southwest Ragu: Chickpea Bananza Pasta + one can corn, one can Rotel, 2 bell peppers chopped, salt and pepper, ground turkey (basically like Chili on pasta)

Thursday, Simple Night: Baked chicken breast, green beans with brown sugar, veggie cakes

Friday, Baked Potato: Roasted sweet potato (poke holes on top, place in oven at 425 with oil), top with leftover southwest ragu

Saturday, Simple Night 2: Chicken and diced sweet potato (same pan- 425), brown sugar and bacon brussel sprouts (in pan- chop bacon and sautee, add in brussel sprouts and 1 tbsp. brown sugar when bacon is about half way done)

Sunday, Free for all or Go Out

Chocolate Oat Protein Bar Recipe

January 14, 2019

Happy Tuesday, friends! I am so excited to share this recipe with you today. It’s perfect for a grab and go breakfast on your way to the gym or for an afternoon snack. It’s low calorie and packed full of protein and fiber! In the evenings, to cure a sweet tooth, I even will eat one heated up with peanut butter on top + a tbsp of chocolate chips.

I shared on Instagram and my devos that I am making myself go to a class 3 times a week at our gym to make me step out of my comfort zone, and I have had such a blast. I have done cycling, barre, and pilates so far! And, making it to classes in the morning is easier when I have a protein bar to grab and go out the door with Knoxy on my hip. Forcing myself to step into a room full of people I don’t know is at the top of my least favorite things to do (hello introvert!). But I have truly been pushed physically -I do SO much better in my workouts with a trainer and class setting- and I have met great people. Whether big or small, challenge yourself today!

Chocolate Oat Protein Bar

2 cups uncooked rolled oats (I use GF Bob’s Red Mill)

1 egg

1 1/4 cups almond milk

5 spoon fulls of protein powder (I use this one!)

3 tbsp. maple syrup

1/2 chopped pecans

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp. peanut butter (optional)

Preheat oven to 350

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a greased 9×9 pan

Bake for 35-40 minutes

Do something that stretches you today, friends!

xoxo,

Han

My bag: Fawn Design

Mama’s Christmas Breakfast Casserole

December 22, 2018

You know those things that absolutely HAVE to happen or else the holidays just didn’t feel quite right? That’s what this breakfast casserole is for me. It’s just not Christmas morning without it. For as long as I can remember, every single Christmas morning in my memory begins with a waft of spicy sausage sizzling in the skillet from the kitchen as mom gets it ready to place in the oven for us to devour after gift opening.

I am so excited to partner with Samsung Appliances today to share this easy yet absolutely delicious breakfast casserole, packed with cheesy goodness, for your own Christmas morning that has reigned a staple in our home for decades. As a bunch of you know, Paul and I moved into our first home last year. I have been slowly but surely knocking out projects room by room, but one of the things we were most excited about was that the previous owners had purchased a new oven and microwave before selling! Not having to worry about appliances was such a relief when we purchased our home. Sleek and clean appliances are a big deal to us, and I was so excited about this Samsung duo in our home. Plus, it meant one less thing we had to buy or replace! I know for a fact I can count on my Samsung Oven to cook my favorite family recipes perfectly, and that they will last a long time for us.

Mama’s Christmas Breakfast Casserole

Begin with a casserole dish and spray with a nonstick oil. I tend to use our smaller square dish for a fuller and fluffier final dish!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients

8 eggs

1 lb ground sausage, browned in the skillet (I prefer “hot” for more flavor!)

1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese (This is just a base… I poured in the entire bag for this specific casserole pictured and it was the BOMB.)

1 loaf of bread (I used 18 for this dish – 3 x 3 rows x’s 2 layers of Udi’s smaller slices. Depending on your loaf of bread used, it will vary due to slice sizes! The end goal is two layers of bread.)

8 eggs

2 cups of milk (we used almond, but any kind is perfect!)

1 tsp. mustard

Steps:

Brown your sausage in a skillet and set to the side. Layer the bottom of your casserole dish with the first layer of bread. Mix together your eggs, cheese, milk, and mustard. Pour half of the mixture on top of your bread and add half of the sausage atop the bread and egg mixture. Repeat for a second layer and top with shredded cheese.

Place in oven for 35 minutes. Remove and let cool. EAT UP! If you like spicy, you can even add salsa to the top of yours. We often do this, but make it optional for people who, like my grandma, think everything is too spicy. 😉

I told you it was easy! There is nothing better than sleepy eyes around a beautiful Christmas table in pajamas and usually a new toy in hand while devouring this casserole. It just says “Christmas for me”, and I hope it does the same for you!