Easiest EVER Broccoli Soup - THM FP, S or E

Hello everybody! So... as you know I am on a mission (involuntarily) to share very INEXPENSIVE recipes that are on plan (Trim Healthy Mama). I can never say it enough: YOU can be a Trim healthy Mama even with a Trim Unhealthy Wallet! And here's one of my favorite new additions in my menus... Broccoli soup! I know, I know... it doesn't seem like the "newest" or most creative of things... But soups (in my opinion) should never be overlooked or underestimated... They can be packed with nutrition, it's a great way to say "I love you" to your family and now that the cooler temperatures are close (I live in Texas so let this girl dream) I feel like soups are the perfect thing to incorporate to your meal, they can be very filling and satisfying!

This Soup can marvelously be made with 1 ingredient only! YES! You heard that right! My sister told me how she heard of this and tried it in total disbelief and how much she loved it even when she didn't even expect to do so! So... I had to taste it to believe it... and am I glad I did! I can make it in the blink of an eye! I am still shocked at how easy and yummy this is.

So... What do you need? BROCCOLI!

This soup can be adapted to eat in any of the Trim Healthy Mama settings! so... I love it for that!

Let's see how it works:

For an FP or E Setting:

Yield:
2 servings (but feel free to eat the whole thing away)

Ingredients:

• Broccoli Florets (about 8 florets or 1 medium sized broccoli crown)

Directions:

Cook the broccoli florets in 3 cups of water until the broccoli is fork tender but preferably make sure it still keeps some of its vibrant green color. Transfer the cooked broccoli to a blender, season with salt, pepper and even some garlic powder if desired, add about 1 cup of water where you cooked the broccoli (that's where all the flavor is) and blend away! add more of the liquid if needed to reach desired consistency/thickness. You can garnish this with a dollop of 0% greek yogurt... You could also use Fat Free vegetable/chicken broth to cook the broccoli and add more flavor but you'll be surprised even with just water! It's yummy!

When serving in an "FP" Setting make sure you eat this as a side, Enjoy it freely to fill you up when eating some extra lean protein such as Chicken Breast, wild caught salmon, extra lean deli meat, etc.)

If you are eating in an "E" Setting Make sure you add a good source of carbs, you could have a deli wrap using "on plan" Sprouted Wraps (like Ezekiel) and extra lean deli meats, you could also eat a yummy sandwich using extra lean meats, laughing cow cheese and lots of fresh veggies. Get creative!

For an S Setting:

Ingredients:

• Broccoli florets
• 1 tbsp. of grass-fed butter (I love salted Kerrygold)
• Shredded Cheddar cheese (garnish)
• Dollop of sour cream (garnish)

Directions:

Follow the directions given above and just add the butter when blending... season to your taste and top with the shredded cheese and sour cream. Enjoy with the protein of your choice, you can have any kind of meat you like (fatty or lean).

This soup was so successful that my 7 and 4 year old princesses are asking me to make it even for breakfast... and that is a huge thing to say for my 4 year old because while she does enjoy some green veggies, she is more of a fruit eating girl... and I am so happy to see her devour this like it's ice cream!

I hope your family will enjoy it just as much!

© Paloma K.

THM, Bible Studies and Wreaths

Hello everybody! It's been ages since I last blogged anything! I've been feeling totally disconnected and it's been hard to find my "blogging groove again" ... It doesn't mean I haven't had anything to blog about... You might not see me around as much but I am still on Trim Healthy Mama... It's still kind of a "my own THM plan" ... just because of some of my own thyroid needs but usually I adhere to the rules most of the time...  I do get some crossovers in... and I've had some low (very low moments, just this very last week) but I've also had great highs too! I just recently introduced weight lifting into my exercise routine and it's been great! I can actually see/feel changes starting to happen... and while those changes are NOTHING to some for me they've been huge given my thyroid issues. I do Trim Healthy Mama the 'easiest/cheapest' possible way my meals are easy and with "everyday" ingredients...  here are some pics of some of the things I've been eating to give you an idea:

As you can see I've been eating meals made with common ingredients:

• Spicy Roasted almonds ( THM -S-)
• Fried eggs with pan roasted veggies and avocado (S)
• Lightly breaded Chicken with buttered zoodles -used coconut flour for the breading- (S)
• Chicken Salad over romaine hearts, avocado, jalapeño peppers and strawberries on the side (S)
• Low fat cottage cheese with strawberries (FP)
• Chicken breast with veggies (FP) (or add a side of brown rice and make it an "E").

See? It doesn't have to be too fancy or complicated to be yummy and perfectly on plan.

... I have no budget for special ingredients,  But if you do go ahead and enjoy them! Trim Healthy mama has some special ingredients and others that are more common in their store... all of them at great prices here: Trim Healthy Mama Store

Now... what else has been going on with my life?

Well... This Summer I volunteered to translate a book from English to Spanish for our Bible Study... I highly recommend this study for you! You can suggest it in your church if they do studies like this, but if you don't have a Bible Study group you can still do it on your own... I highly recommend it:

  Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break by Kelly Minter

This Study is really amazing... I don't want to give much away but trust me... God can use it to change your life.

 

 

Another thing I've been busy with... interestingly have been crafts! I have been feeling crafty lately and I've been checking out the "wreath making" world, these are two wreaths I've made:

 

 

Burlap Wreath with Fall Foliage

Straw Wreath covered with Yarn, decorated with felt flowers, pine cones and ribbon



And last but not least... We've had a great response to hubby's First Book...

 

  Suffering Well: Job’'s Stubborn Faith  

 

 

I mentioned it before that it was finally published and we are so blessed to have great friends who have been praying with and for us! Our church family has been just as excited as we are and our Pastor and his wife hosted a beautiful celebration to dedicate the book, have a beautiful prayer time and some book signing of course.

 

Our Pastor's wife besides being a great support for her husband and all of us in church, she is also a great blogger, amazing hostess and a very creative homemaker... You have to check out her blog and you can see how she decorated for our Book Dedication Celebration here in her beautiful blog: Quite Simply - Gay Jeffries Blog.

Of course there's a lot more I could share but not without making this the longest blog post... So I will end it here.

I hope I can bring you some new recipes soon!

 



© Paloma K.

Does Trim Healthy Mama allow "questionable" ingredients?

Hello everybody! Here I am ... Today is day 19th of my 30 Day "Allergen Free" Challenge... If you've been reading my previous posts you know I've eliminated:

• Grains
• Dairy
• Sweeteners of any kind (including stevia)
• Peanuts
• Beans

This is just for 30 Days and I am praying to God I can finish... It's proving to be harder than I thought. This is something I decided to do with the purpose to "shock" my body... If you know me you know I've been following the Trim Healthy Mama Plan for a while... and it's helped me improve my health and it's given me hope to know that there's SOMETHING I can do for the rest of my life that should help me reach a healthy weight without having to feel deprived! In Trim Healthy Mama there's freedom to make it as "purist as you want" or as "relaxed" as you want to as well...

Some things I often read/hear is that Trim Healthy Mama is awesome, there are really amazing testimonies and shocking before/after pictures from beautiful ladies that share their own stories with tears of joy that are just contagious and encouraging for those around them...

Some other things that I hear/read are not so great and I often see people, who don't really know the plan yet... judging it by "one aspect or two" that they disagree with...

Today I am going to focus on the controversial topic of sweeteners!

Why Trim Healthy Mama allows sweeteners like "truvia" when there are so many "posts" out there and articles trying to say that stevia is not a good sweetener...

Well... I am going to tell you why... Trim Healthy Mama allows these sweeteners because... the sisters Serene and Pearl (authors and creators of the Trim Healthy Mama plan) are out to get us and want to make us as unhealthy as they can... (insert maniacally evil laughter here)

ehem... No... Obviously not...

Why is it then? If there's no evil plot in their minds to cause the destruction of the health of many women... why are they allowing such a "horrible thing like stevia" to be consumed by us?

Well... the truth is that these "questionable" ingredients... happen to be "questionable for some" and really AWESOME for others! If you've read things like "stevia sweeteners often contain other not good for you ingredients" you can rest assured that the Trim Healthy Mama Stevia is made with Non-GMO ingredients... My favorite is the Pure Stevia Extract (1 oz. pouch) ...  there's no other ingredients added to it and just a very tiny bit goes a long way!

There are many other concerns behind stevia... But... guess what? I am not even going to address them... 1st. of all because I disagree with many of them... 2nd. because some have been debunked and others are just myths... and 3rd. because  I am just going to tell you... You DON'T HAVE TO use it....

That's the main thing... The Trim Healthy Mama Plan can be done by people who have food allergies or sensitivities... and can also be followed by people who never want to have stevia in their lives...

See? We shouldn't debate so much whether stevia is bad or good for you... Do your own research, definitely ... But know that... interestingly the worst thing for us is OBESITY... now... that one will reduce years in our life for sure... and will also cause innumerable of issues while we're alive... But... if you come to the conclusion that you hate stevia and want to stay away from it... know that ... There are many people like you in the Trim Healthy Mama groups... and they're losing weight and getting healthier and they're not allowing *one ingredient* get in their way towards a lean/healthy life.

Just recently I came across a few posts of people who "quit" Trim Healthy Mama... and while we all have freedom to eat what we want to eat and do what we want to do.... I was just shocked at how they were misrepresenting the plan... I actually read some of those posts in the beginning of my journey and they scared me a lot... but I still decided to see for myself and form my own opinion about it...

Some of the things I read were statements from people being very concerned about ingredients that Trim Healthy Mama "promotes" like:

De-fatted peanut flour?

Egg beaters?

Low-carb pasta?

Reddi-Whip?

And they even add a comment like: "You've got to be kidding me"

... Well... The authors of such posts are entitled to their opinion about those ingredients but they don't have to "deceive" their readers with statements that make others believe that any of those ingredients are required to follow Trim Healthy Mama Plan... The truth is that... there is NOT ONE INGREDIENT that is *indispensable* in this plan... The truth is that, since I was already eating mostly whole foods before Trim Healthy Mama I didn't even have to introduce new ingredients to it! Actually ... my grocery list looks pretty much the same (except when I've decided to splurge and buy some Trim Healthy Mama Whey Protein or some Jay Robb Whey Protein... I've actually added more healthy ingredients to my pantry by stacking it full of Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil,Chia Seeds,Raw Hemp Hearts, Raw, Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar, Nutritional yeast and my VERY, VERY, NEWEST FAVORITE:

COCONUT AMINOS!!

I never buy Reddi Whip, I make my own whipped cream with real heavy cream, I absolutely never buy Low Carb Pasta... Instead I use spaghetti Squash for my "S" meals and Brown Rice Pasta for my "E" meals... I've used egg whites on occasion for a desert here and there and I do allow myself to use stevia for desserts because I figure that all the other good stuff, all my exercising and all the positive changes I've made outweigh any other concerns I might have about stevia!

As you can see I am about 80% Purist 20% Not!  (At least when I am on plan because when I fall off plan I am 100% not purist at all... ugh!)

So... should you use Stevia? Well.. it's up to you... But I just want to give you peace of mind... You don't have to if you don't want to! There's nothing that you are going to "have to eat" if you Join THM! Am I saying everyone should do THM? Well... everyone could... but everyone is different! I am not saying that THM is the "only" way to lose weight... I am not saying "the rest of the weight loss plans of the world are wrong and we own the absolute truth when it comes to weight loss" ... I am saying it's worth the try and for me it is the most sustainable thing to do for the long run! ...

And when it comes to sweeteners alone... You should know the whole list of on plan sweeteners... You might agree with some, disagree with others... but they are ALL on plan and which one(s) people use... it's up to each individual:

• Stevia
• Erythritol (sugar alcohol, not for people with a sensitive stomach)
• Non Gmo 100% Birch Xylitol (sugar alcohol)
• Monk Fruit Extract

And... if none of those are sweeteners that you feel comfortable with, then you don't have to use them... Some ladies have switched to some OFF PLAN sweeteners like honey or Organic Coconut Sugar when they have reached their goal weight or even before just because they are more comfortable using those... those are not "THM approved" sweeteners... but again... I am sharing what some decide to do.

I hope these helps dissipate some concerns about Trim Healthy Mama and the "approved ingredients" ...if you've read the book... You know that "approved" doesn't necessarily meant "encouraged" ... There are some ingredients that are "approved" with a warning... like certain low carb products that are definitely approved for convenience but not necessarily recommended, especially not to be used frequently.

Whew... that's it for today... Gotta go now... Thank you for staying tuned! 

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

30 Days Allergen Free - Trim Healthy Mama Challenge

Hello friends! As you know (maybe?) I started a 30 day challenge on My Facebook Page last week... Today is Day 9!  My new friend Sherry from I Like Rice A Lot has done great changes towards a healthier life and I was totally inspired by the things she was doing... I already follow a great plan...  Trim Healthy Mama but due to some health issues (thyroid, etc) I am trying to adapt my plan for 30 days (just for 30 days) and see how I feel and I hope to learn some things in the process... One of the crucial things of this 30 Day Challenge (besides excluding grains, dairy and beans) is NOT weighing/measuring and even when at times it is hard and I want to at least measure myself I am staying strong!

Today I am going to share with you a very simple and yummy recipe....

Salmon Salad with Homemade mayo

The recipe will be at the end of this post... FIRST... I want to share with you some of the things I've been eating to hopefully inspire you to jump on the "health wagon" and realize that you don't have to "miss out"

- Cauliflower Rice and Shrimp

 - Eggroll in a Bowl

-Grilled chicken with this delicious side salad (avocado, cucumbers, cilantro, onions, tomatoes, fresh squeezed lime juice, salt and pepper)

- I've been having eggs for breakfast, I know there are other grain free, dairy free, legume free options somewhere but I am so happy with eggs that I don't even look for anything else I just get creative how I prepare them:

And lots of yummy stuff that doesn't even let me miss dairy (ok... I miss it a little) and grains! Some of the meals I am eating are considered crossovers on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, crossovers are definitely on plan they just don't promote weight loss by themselves... but since I am not using some ingredients I am allowing myself to introduce some s-helpers and crossovers to hopefully help with my thyroid issues... I also want to share with you what I ate on Sunday...  we went to a picnic from hubby's work and this is what I ate there:

I used the veggies for the hamburgers as a salad and then just ate 1 hamburger patty and some pulled pork (without bbq sauce), I also had a larabar (only 3 whole ingredients YEAH!) It does contain dates which are not THM approved... YOU don't have to use them, they are off plan and I don't intend on abusing these, but since for these 30 days I am not even using stevia I am allowing myself to have a little bit of dates on extreme circumstances.

Now... let me share with you the Salmon Salad with Homemade Mayo recipe

Mayonnaise Recipe:

Don't get intimidated by mayo! You can make it super quickly! It's delicious and you are in full control of the stuff that goes in it... (slightly adapted from: Whole30 Mayo Recipe, all mayo recipes are very similar)

Mayonnaise was first created by chef of the Duke de Richelieu in 1756 so... basically the original credits go to him :)

Ingredients (for the mayo only):

• 1 1/4 cup -divided- of your favorite (on plan) Extra Light Oil -or a combination of two light oils- (avoid strong flavored oils like avocado oil or EVOO, you can use a light olive oil)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. of salt (or to taste) 
• 1/2 tsp. Dry Mustard
• lime or lemon to taste (about 1/2 to 1)

 Instructions:

• Place the egg and 1/4 of a cup of oil, salt and mustard in a bowl of a standing mixer (if you don't have a standing mixer you can use a blender or even food processor but I used a standing mixer and the results are fantastic).- I love my KitchenAid Standing Mixer and my Ninja Blender -
• Run the mixer (or whatever you are using) on high and while after about 30 seconds into it (and while it's running) carefully and very, VERY slowly drizzle the remaining oil (do not let the oil touch the blades if your blender is uncovered or whisk attachment or it can get messy).
• When you've added all the oil and the mixture has emulsified/thickened add the lime or lemon juice and mix for 5 more seconds just to incorporate.

Transfer to a glass container with a tight lid and store in the fridge... To know how long you can keep this mayo just use the expiration date of the egg you used.

Enjoy your homemade mayo! All the good stuff, none of the bad! Make the delicious salmon salad from the first picture.... I used:

Ingredients:

• 1 can (6oz) of wild caught salmon (I use Bear and Wolf Pink Salmon ) for my salads because it doesn't have any bones or skin already.
• 1/2 medium tomato (chopped)
• 3 tbsp. white onions (chopped)
• 1 stalk of celery (chopped)
• 2 tbsp. (or to taste) of your delicious homemade mayo
• salt and pepper to taste (I use this Himalayan Salt) ... Himalayan salt is great for you (not indispensable for this recipe) but the health benefits due to the many minerals in this salt are amazing. Hopefully you will try it.

Mix it all together with a fork, enjoy with cucumber slices instead of crackers!

This salad is an "S" on Trim Healthy Mama. 

Enjoy!

© Paloma K.

 Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

30 Allergen Free Days on Trim Healthy Mama - Day 1

Hello everyone... My first day on my 30 Day "Allergen Free" Challenge went great...Have you joined Trim Healthy Mama yet? Don't wait any longer! 

Now... if you don't have much healing to do ... you will probably just melt the pounds away on THM.... BUT if you need to heal... you might see the weight go down slower... either way, you will learn to beat food addiction and your relationship with food will become a healthier one where you realize you don't have to deprive yourself to be healthy... Plus there are fb groups specific to encourage everyone... whether you have allergies, lose weight slowly, are breastfeeding, etc... there's the right fit for you!

The recommendations:

• Don't be afraid of fats! They are indispensable for you! Coconut Oil is king! Avocado is thoroughly enjoyed!
• Protein is key to a healthier you! And it's the foundation of your meals
• Vegetables! Fill your plate up with it!
• Drink lots of water, stay active, don't go too long without eating.

What I am doing:

• NO Sweets! (Oh! how I miss thee THM desserts!). For 30 days I am not going to use any kinds of sweeteners and/or try to recreate sweets/treats/desserts.
• NO GRAINS allowed, at all... zip! zero! Nada!
• NO BEANS (except green/snap beans and sweet peas)...
• NO store-bought mayo, no dairy (cheese??? NOPE!) I am missing the delicious grassfed Kerrygold That I love so much!
• I am eating some meals that are "Crossovers" on THM ... I am combining some fats and carbs.
• If I want almond milk I will be making it... no store bought at all.
• No slips I will try to be strong and no off plan foods for these 30 days.

Here's what day 1 of 30 looked like to me:

Breakfast: 2 eggs with sauteed green beans, avocado and 1 mandarin

THM Bit: The breakfast above is considered an s-helper. The fats in this meal (from yolks and avocado) would be an S, but adding the fruit (which is always best in an "E" setting) is what takes it out of the S category. The carbs are not high enough for a full crossover though.

Lunch: Ground beef with broccoli, 1 small sweet potato with coconut butter and salt, 3 strawberries

THM Bit: This lunch would be a crossover because of the amount of carbs (sweet potato) mixed with the fats (S) from the coconut butter and olive oil I used.

Dinner: Chicken breast with lots of greens dressed with olive oil, fresh and lime juice. Avocado and tomato slices

THM Bit: This dinner would be an "S" on THM, (just watch the tomatoes and don't use too much of it, they're higher on sugar)... healthy fats are great for a healthy "S" meal on THM.

Now... of course I haven't weighed or measured myself... I can't do that for these 30 days either... that's a great thing... hopefully it will help me with that bad habit! I am more than a number!

As I said... I am trying to re-connect with my more "purist" side, and not abuse those wonderful ingredients that are allowed on THM but that should be used with caution. Taking a break from dairy and sweeteners will give me a chance to re-stock on the amazing THM protein Powder and their yummy sweeteners! (My favorite, always: Their pure stevia extract)... Get THM products HERE

Now... if you still don't know what I am talking about RUN... don't walk... RUN to join Trim Healthy Mama, it's not as strict as I am doing it... personal health issues are taking me to try a "no grains/no dairy" approach to see what happens... you WILL have the opportunity to make delicious desserts that are totally on plan and that will actually help you stay on course and continue to improve your health.

© Paloma K.

 Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

Trim Healthy Mama - when you can't lose weight

What's one supposed to do when you can't lose weight? When you see all the other happy Trim Healthy Mamas losing, celebrating and rejoicing enjoying their new bodies with their families, etc.? (and then on top of that they'll say "and I don't even do it 100%)

Well... you:

1. Rejoice with them
2. Cry a little for yourself
3. Shake it off, get up and make some changes! 
4. Quit? NEVER!!!

So... I've been doing the Trim Healthy Mama plan for possibly 1 1/2 years... and it's been great! I've learned a lot about food and about myself... my numbers (triglycerides, cholesterol, etc.) improved dramatically! and it led me to realize that part of my health issues is my thyroid... I went to a doctor and I finally was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease/Hypothyroidism... I am so thankful to this plan!

But...I am taking 30 days kick things up a notch..  I am challenging myself for 30 days... I am re-connecting with my more purist "side" and removing all things that could be the cause for my weight stall and also my not so great health. I am also watching portion sizes.

A friend of mine has a wonderful sister, her name is Sherry, she has a blog and even when she is doing a different temporary plan, I loved what I saw! She is sharing her wonderful motivational journey here

That gave me the idea to follow on her footsteps... and even when I will be doing pretty much exactly what she is doing I realized I don't need to "quit thm" to do so... On Trim Healthy Mama you have the freedom to be as "purist" or "non-purist" as you want... and I am choosing the "harder road" for these 30 days... I am allowing myself some crossovers to help with my adrenal gland exhaustion that I know I suffer and to support my thyroid as well.  I feel like I just need to hit a "reset" button.

During these 30 days I will NOT USE

Use:

• Grains of any kind
• Beans/Legumes (pinto/navy/black/white/fava beans, chickpeas, etc.) -exceptions: green beans, sugar snap peas, snow peas.
• Sweeteners of any kind (including stevia)
• Treats, desserts that "resemble" junk food but prepared with "compliant ingredients" - I am hoping to remove some addictions from the brain too -
• Dairy
• peanuts
• other vegetable oils (I am only using coconut and olive oil)
• The scale or measuring tape

And I think that kind of sums it up! 

So... While at first I thought I would need to take a break from THM I've come to realize that I can still stay on plan while removing the things that I suspect are causing some inflammation, etc. due to my personal health problems.

During these 30 days I will not be able to re-create desserts (because of my personal choice to avoid sweeteners) -let's see how long I can last-

A big thing about this 30 day challenge is the not weighing/measuring! Join me on FB where I am encouraging you to do whatever you're doing but NO SCALE/Measuring tape involved: The Coffee Shop on Facebook

 This is just a 30 Day "Learning Experience" You can try it too if you want! (You don't have to do the exact same thing I am doing... THM can be personalized to your very own needs)

Now... if you are not a Trim Healthy Mama yet, what are you waiting for? Trust me... it's worth it... Join US on Facebook and learn more about the plan you can do FOR LIFE... If you are already on on some temporary challenge (exercise or diet) and you don't know what to do "when it's over" you are on the perfect moment to start something for life:

Get their book and products HERE

 © Paloma K.

 Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.

Italian Sausage, Peppers and Mushrooms over Pasta - perfect to get back on plan

Hello friends! Sorry about the abandonment my blog has suffered! I just moved from an apartment to our new house and these days have just been too hectic and busy! Packing, unpacking, cleaning, etc... But it's all worth it! We're thankful, excited, happy and a bit scared like with every change!

Now if you are a Trim Healthy Mama like me... I will tell you some "THM related things ahead" if you're not... you can skip all my ranting/venting and go directly to the recipe! This is an "On plan" recipe but ANYBODY can enjoy it! If you love the recipe... then come back to learn more about this plan that is designed to help you improve your health, lose weight and enjoy food freedom!

Now... so... let's see some of the discoveries I made during this move and that I will share just for the sake of "keeping it real" and to show you that we are all on the same boat... yes this plan is easier for some than it is for others but it is definitely doable for everyone!

• I don't do very good with food when moving! I totally went off plan just because "I felt like it"... I just wanted to eat, eat and eat! I had lots of ice cream too!
• I am not like one of those people who find "sugar loaded things" horrible after they've been on plan for a while... ice cream tasted just as good as ever! (maybe even better? Don't know!)
• I could've totally stayed on plan if I had planned ahead... now... I don't plan on moving again but if it ever happens I will make sure I plan, cook and freeze meals ahead of time!
• Now... this is not "news" to me... but I will share it again! all that "off plan" food was definitely not worth it... Not only my shape is suffering the consequences but also my skin, mood and my poor stomach! I won't even go into details!

But the good news! This plan is for life... so ... we just pick up where we left off! After eating the way I did it's comforting to know that I can have fried eggs and bacon for my "first meal" when on plan again! And that's what I did! Don't "punish yourself" for going off plan! That's the problem with many diets! After you "sin" then you have to suffer through horrible "cleanses" or you feel like you should now eat less than 1400 calories a day and you spend your days eating "rabbit food" just because "you deserve it" for being such a bad girl! Who can live like that though? that "punishment" only makes you want to be "a bad girl" again and binge! That's not the case with THM! You can have really yummy, satisfying food that will make you realize you didn't even need to go off plan to begin with! So... that's my focus right now that I am on plan again! I am pretty much cooking Comfort Food "THM Style" and that's what I will be sharing with you today!

I am also making lots of delicious THM Smoothies with their amazing Pristine Whey Protein! I had been pacing myself when using it because it was out of stock but it's back along with all their amazing sweeteners (my favorite is their pure stevia extract) and their yummy peanut flour! You can find it all here:

Trim Healthy Mama Store 

And now... The recipe I promised: 

Italian Sausage, Peppers and Mushrooms over "Pasta" (S)
Yield: 4 generous servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. raw mild -or hot- (I use mild so my children can eat) Italian sausage (I use jennie-o Lean Turkey Italian Sausage)
• 1/2 large white onion (chopped)
• 1 large green bell pepper (seeded and cut into chunks)
• 2 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped.
• 2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tsp. dried oregano 
• 1/2 a can (14 oz.) can of fire roasted diced tomatoes (undrained) - you can also use regular diced tomatoes.
• 1/4 tsp. salt (I use Himalayan Salt)- or to taste -
• roughly chopped fresh basil for garnish (optional)
• Grated/Shredded Parmesan Cheese For topping

Directions for Stove Top:

• Using a large skillet, heat the oil over med-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sausages and turn occasionally making sure all sides are browned (this will take about 10-12 minutes). Stir in the oregano and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the onions and peppers and cook until the onions are translucent, add the garlic, stir and cook for about 2 more minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, mushrooms, season with salt, reduce heat to low and let it all simmer together while you cook the pasta (or cauliflower)

Directions for slow cooker: (I would double the recipe for the slow cooker)

• Using a large skillet, heat the oil over med-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sausages and turn occasionally making sure all sides are browned (this will take about 10-12 minutes). Stir in the oregano and cook for 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes with the juices, mushrooms and add some water (about 1/4 a cup), salt; simmer for 3 minutes.

In the bottom of a slow cooker arrange ONLY half of the onion-pepper mixture and then cover with half of the sausages and their sauce, cover with the rest of the onion-pepper mixture to form another layer and top it all with the rest of the sausage/sauce. Cover and cook for 4 hours on low.

Now... "The Pasta"

Instead of Pasta I use (for myself) steamed cauliflower (and then slightly "crushed" with a Potato Masher), while still hot I add some butter, garlic powder and salt to taste. I also use Roasted Spaghetti Squash (buttered as well and with garlic powder and salt)

For non-purists (I am not necessarily a purist but I am not fond of Frankenfoods if I can avoid them) but you could use 1 serving of Dreamfields Pasta) and still keep it an "S"

For a crossover for my family I use my very favorite (not-franken food) Tinkyada Brown Rice Pasta but that's an E so if you are going to use it with this stew it would be a crossover (great for you but not weight loss inducing)  
 
Right before serving remove the sausage links from your stew and cut them on a cutting board (carefully, they are hot!), return them to the skillet or slow cooker and stir! Serve your "pasta", top with the Italian sausage and garnish with fresh basil (optional). Top with grated parmesan!

Enjoy!!!

Now... I can't promise I'll be blogging again too often too soon.... another discovery I made is that I don't actually have a desk! Our apartment had built in desks and shelves so I am typing right now with the computer on my dresser in my bedroom using a chair from my dining set... trust me... it's as uncomfortable as it sounds!

I'll be back as soon as I can!

© Paloma K.

Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links, this means that you pay the same price, but I also receive a very small compensation. I recommend products I have tried and love.