Virgin Coconut Oil

I received Tropical Traditions Virgin Coconut Oil Book in December and there is a chapter in the book with hypothyroidism and the benefits of coconut oil. I purchased a jar off of Amazon and have been using Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil for 2 weeks now. Some of the benefits it stated from using coconut oil it helps with dry skin and puffy eyes which are a couple side effects of not having a working thyroid. You can take up to 3 tbsp. a day, but I am working my way up and I am taking 1 tbsp a day. I put it in my smoothies and I made banana bread with it and it was the moistest banana bread I have ever made. This week I noticed that my eyes were less puffy when I woke up (which I have tried every eye product out there for this, my feet are not as dry as they usually are and my my face is a lot smoother and soft. I also feel hungry all the time, but this may be due to me cutting out white flour and trying to avoid processed foods. I have replaced all my carbs with whole grains, whole wheat pasta and brown rice. The next products I want to try from them is their coconut flour which is gluten free and coconut oil hair treatment.

Here is a little information on coconut oil and if you want to check out their website go to TROPICAL TRADITIONS.

Virgin Coconut Oil is a food, and is one of the best cooking oils you can use. It has been a staple cooking oil for thousands of years in tropical climates. As a cooking oil, its chemical structure is kept in tact and therefore is resistant to mutations of fatty acid chains even when used in higher cooking temperatures, unlike most vegetable oils. Research shows that the medium chain fatty acids found in coconut oil boosts the body’s metabolism, raises body temperatures, and helps provide greater energy which can lead to weight loss.

One-Pan Wonder

Greek Style Halibut

This is simple and fast. I had it on the dinner table in 20 minutes.

Everything is cooked in one pan for easy clean up.

You can make this with any firm white fish.

Recipe:

2 tbsp olive oil, divided
4 halibut fillet or one large fillet
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 white or yellow onion sliced
2 garlic cloves minced
2 tbsp white wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 14.5 can diced tomatoes
1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
2 tbsp roughly chopped fresh oregano

1. Heat a 12" non-stick skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp of olive oil/ Rub halibut with 1/4 tsp of salt and pepper. Lightly brown the fish on one side only, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

2. Add remaining oil in the pan along with the onion and white wine. Scrape up the brown bits of fish from the pan. Add the garlic and saute for 2 more minutes. Add the chicken broth, tomatoes, chickpeas and oregano and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer add the rest of the salt and pepper and lay the halibut browned side up in the sauce and simmer until it is cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes.

It was very flavorful and the kids liked it too. I served it with hummus and flat bread and fruit.

Meal Plan Monday

Today I went grocery shopping without a list. I shopped the sales and I am basing my meals this week on what I bought. Oddly enough when I do this, I save money. I only buy what is on sale and what I have a coupon for. If you do not have a plan like this going in, then a list is better and will save you money. I was proud of what I bought today. I needed meat so I looked carefully at all the sales at Vons. I noticed some Foster Farms chicken drumsticks on a quick sale for 30% off. I checked the expiration date and they expire today (which I will cook today). When I went to check out I asked the manager if I could get 50% off because of the expiration date and he said no problem. That was the first time I have asked, so I got 2 packs of chicken for $4.00!

By the Ranchers Reserve meat I noticed a coupon book and in the coupon book I saw a $2.00 off Ranchers Reserve coupon! I bought some stir fry meat for $2.46, so I got it for .46! I also bought Jenny-O turkey sausage for 50% off. Everything I bought I had a coupon for or it was marked down. I spent $56.00 for a weeks worth of groceries at Vons.

I did head to the Grocery Outlet and scored Barbara Puffins cereal for $1.99 (same cereal $3.79 at Trader Joes), 2 cans of organic tomatoes for $1.79 and Nutella for $2.99. If you have not checked the Grocery Outlet out you should! (Thanks Vikki)

I cruised down Blackstone to Trader Joes and bought my Extra Virgin Olive Oil there since it is $5.49 for a huge bottle and my little missies supply of hummus and flat bread. I know some of you are saying that I am crazy for going to 3 stores, but they are close together and it only took me an hour and a half to go to all 3. It saves me money. I know how much I can save if I buy certain items from one store to the next since I price everything.

With that said, this is what I am making this week:

Sunday- BBQ chicken drumsticks, brown rice pilaf and green beans

Monday- Beef Stir Fry

Tuesday- Mediterranean Halibut

Wednesday- Eggs, Turkey Sausage and homestyle potatoes

Thursday- Lasagna, homemade bread and salad

Friday- Out to dinner

Saturday- Blackened Salmon with Fettucine Alfredo

I've raised a foodie!

My little man loves food! Last night when I was putting him to bed he said, "We have not gone out to lunch in a long time." Code meaning, I want to go to Geno's and have a hot pastrami sandwich and cheddar and sour cream chips.

On Thursday we went to Pismo's for dinner for hubbies b-day and little man ate so much that he turned down ice cream! He had, Asian style rib and sweet potato fries for appetizer, then clam chowder with a roll and fish and chips. He did top it off with chocolate cake and had to walk around the restaurant with dad so his tummy would feel better.

Here he is helping me make pie crust. He loves to bake with me and learned how to crack eggs when he was 3 years old.

This was a kids night where we eat on the floor in the living room and I make kid type food.

We were at Splash Cafe eating clam chowder and a corn dog. He loves going out to eat!

Mexican food, which we eat weekly. Both the kids love their chips and salsa. Salsa is where his little sister gets most of her veggie intake from. She will eat salsa by the spoonfuls.

It is fun to have a little one that enjoys watching the Food Network with me and his request for his birthday coming up is to go to Guy Fieri's restaurant in Santa Rosa.

Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta

My family loves Spaghetti and Meatballs! I make this a lot and always have pasta on hand for a quick meal. I have been trying to get away from regular pasta and trying healthier pastas. Tonight we tried Ronzoni Garden Delight pasta and you could not taste the veggies. The pasta has 1 serving of veggies per serving and 7 grams of protein. My family ate it up and did not notice a taste difference. I also like Ronzoni's Smart Taste pasta too.

Go HERE for coupons if you want to try these products.

Meal Plan Monday

As you can see I went back to school this past week. I did not post any new recipes though I did make a good chicken chili that I will post later. I have left over pork from my pork roast that I need to use up this week and I bought ground turkey since it was on sale. It will be a simple week since I have school and hubbies b-day is this week.

Monday- Baked pork chimichangas

Tuesday- Spaghetti and meatballs

Wednesday- I have to be at Break the Barriers at 5:30pm, so something quick or leftovers

Thursday- Out to dinner for hubbies b-day with his family (Pismo's)

Friday- Pork stir fry

Saturday- Out to dinner for a friends b-day (Mexican)

Nothing too exciting, but some weeks are like that!

Meal Plan Update *What I really made*

We are back at it this week. Hubby and little man go back to work and school and I have my classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. It has been a nice 3 weeks, but it is time to get back on a schedule.

Monday- Grilled Fish Tacos

Tuesday- Pork and black bean stew/ Roasted chicken, pilaf, veggies, hummus and flat bread

Wednesday- Chunky chicken white and green chile with grilled cheese sandwiches. I had left over chicken I wanted to use. Did not make the pork and black bean soup.

Thursday- Mediterranean fish/ Pork roast with mushroom gravy, brussel sprouts with fingerling potatoes.

Friday- Out to dinner

Saturday- Pizza at Shaver