The BEST meatballs EVER. It's just extra super awesome they are Paleo. {Chicken & Spinach Meatballs and some Paleo Treats}

Chicken & Spinach Paleo Meatballs

Happy Wednesday!  Well, down another 3 as of Monday's weigh in.... that's 11 total.  Not too shabby.  Better than a poke in the eye.  Not sure where I'll head after Thursday when the 18 Day Challenge is up but whatever we do I've made some delicious discoveries that I'm not giving up....



Paleo Krunch
by Steve's Paleo

Grainless Granola
by Steve's Paleo. 
OMG delicious and Paleo!
That with a little almond milk
and I'm good for the morning. 

 

Rao's Homemade....

this is the best

jarred marinara

I've ever had

and yup.

All natural.

All Paleo.

Dates rolled in Coconut.  It's a flippin' Paleo candy bar.  I bought in the bulk section of my health food store.  YUM.



Chicken & Spinach Meatballs

But the BESTEST discovery is these meatballs.  Thanks to my PPC [Paleo Partner in Crime] Debra for developing these..... huge hit and I live amongst some serious spinach haters.

CHICKEN & SPINACH MEATBALLS

what you need:
3 slices of Paleo coconut bread
3 pounds ground chicken
2 eggs
1 box frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed well
1 TBSP worcestershire
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano 

what you do:
Process the coconut bread in the food processor to create bread crumbs instead of using regular bread crumbs; then mix everything together in a bowl [use your hands there's no other way. 
I formed into 30 healthy sized meatballs and put on a jelly roll tray covered in parchment. 
Once they were done I generously sprinkled them with Dancer Dust, which is a spice mix I get from a local restaurant but you could sprinkle with whatever taste you are in LOVE with.
Then bake uncovered for 45 minutes at 350 F.

I served over Rao's Marinara and a pinch of Parmesan.... SO. GOOD. 

NOTE: I made lots so as to have some left over for lunch [3 or 4 was a nice serving] and boy was I glad.

Last weigh in Friday a.m. I'll let you know [I'd say cross your fingers but there is no luck involved I've decided]!

You're Doing What??? The Paleo Grasshopper



This is Non-Paleo Heidi,
not necessarily an unhappy girl LOL

 

Hello and HAPPY MONDAY... and not so happy Daylight Savings time!  Just wanted to check in because even though I've not been sharing all the yummy food I've been eating I'm still here.  I think the problem is that I've eating too much and therefore have no time to post. sigh.

 

So what've I been doing of late?  Well, scroll back a bit and....  In September David & I started a weight loss journey, I was over 200 lbs!  EEK.  We decided enough was enough we were killing ourselves, so, no fancy diet just trying to clean up our act and get moving again.  We did great.  I lost 24 pounds in those first few months. 

 

Then the holidays hit..... put 9 back on.  sigh. But not all is lost, after the new year got back on it thanks to a Family Biggest Loser Challenge [which we did not "win"] I lost that 9 again and a few more.  But with the end of the challenge and Girl Scout Cookie Season..... well,  let's just say, it's not pretty.   We decided need something more defined to get us rolling again and a few years ago we had some success with the Paleo diet.  Fast Forward.... we are going Caveman.  My recall of our last Paleo Challenge is the biggest benefit was feeling better and stronger because it cleansed your body of all the "crap" we consume and after 2 weeks of binging on Girl Scout Cookies I need a little cleansing!

 

What is Paleo? I'm no expert but it's also called the Caveman Diet.... I always think to myself: "Did this exist for a caveman?" if not probably NOT OK to eat! This little chart sums it up best, I found it unattributed but I think it originated with Rob Wolff who is Mr. Paleo.   So, this is all fascinating I know but why am I here? Well, if I have great success you will surely want to know and I'm certain we will have great success so I'm looping you early.  Also, I'm hoping to share a few yummy recipes along the way too and didn't want you to be like WTF is Paleo and why is Young Grasshopper posting Paleo instead of yummy cocktails?!?!  That said, I also don't want to torture you all unnecessarily if you are not interested in this divergence of mine so  but have set up a group on Facebook:  The Paleo Grasshopper if you are wanting to see EVERYTHING we eat and what our successes are on the side street as they happen....

 

Now you are all caught up and we are all weighed in and ready to go, see you soon!

 

Best meal last week! {Tilapia in Foil}

Tilapia in Foil

Have I mentioned we are dieting? I know, UGH.  But it hasn't been that bad.... just cleaning up our diet, getting off the couch, curbing my alcoholism :)  you know, the basics.  Someone asked if that was why I've not been blogging and it's really not.  I'm still making all sorts of yumminess over here..... but since I haven't really been sharing much of my journey I thought I'd start.  I'm not turning into a health blog but I figured I'd share my menu and favorite recipe from last week.



Chez Webb menu last week:

Sunday: Whole Wheat Lasagna Rolls

Monday Tilapia in Foil

Tuesday: Chicken Enciladas

Wednesday: Pad Thai Stir Fry

Thursday: Baked Chicken Divan from Eat Yourself Skinny

Friday: Thai Green Curry at Zen Bistro

Saturday: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

 

See? no deprivation over here and I am down 21 lbs since mid-October [34 if you count the 6 I gained back over the holidays and have now lost again LOL]!

 Anyhow, my favorite meal last week was the Tilapia.  It's not a big complicated recipe but more a technique that would work with just about any fillet and it was a huge hit.

WHAT YOU NEED:
Tilapia fillets [1 per person]
optional: 1/2 cup patagonian scallops
veggies: I used green beans, asparagus & carrots
1/2 teaspoon Herbs de Provence per fillet
1 TBSP butter per fillet
Kosher salt and freshly ground black peppercooking spray
foil

WHAT YOU DO:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

 Blanch your veggies for 3 minutes [the only veggie I did not blanch from my selection were the asparagus tops].

Lay out a large square of foil for each fillet;  lightly spray with cooking spray where the fillet will go.

 Lay each fillet out on its own piece of foil.

 

Sprinkle your herbs on the fillet.

 Add your veggies and set your butter on top [you could sub a drizzle of olive oil but I just really love butter!]

Lightly salt & pepper

Bring two sides of foil up and Fold over the fillet and roll up the edges to create a seal. I label mine with a Sharpie as I customize somewhat.... only David & I got scallops, Dylan extra carrots, etc.

Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

I serve the foil on the plate.... be careful as you open as the steam is HOT.

Bonus:  ZERO clean up. 

ENJOY!

Random Yumminess I captured during the week

Whole Wheat Lasagna Rolls
with ground chicken marinara
[I'll post recipe another day]

Baked Chicken Divan
from Eat Yourself Skinny

Featured Five

It's that time of the week!  That's right....
 Young Grasshopper's Featured Five
of all the many awesome posts and recipes I saw this week I just want to raise my beer {remember, Saturday was National Beer Day} to some and of course share them in case you missed them. As always,  I could come up with dozens but these are my TOP FIVE for the week ending April 13th 2012 {listed in chronological order, no favoritism among my favorites!}:

Emily at She Makes & Bakes posted a beautiful bit of simplicity with her Nutella Strawberries.... so, so beautiful!

Tina at The Flour Trader really caught my eye with an Austrian Springtime favorite.... Berry Meringue Slices.  Love Sweet & Tart!

Heather  at the Sweet & Savory Tooth hit the mark with the maple and cornbread combo.... remember my Madagascar Corn Bread?  Well, here's another keeper for sure! Maple Cornbread, YUM!

Crystal from Mrs. Happy Homemaker speaks the language of love..... Bacon Stuffed Waffles??? Shut. The. Front. Door.

p.s. check out my Ham & Cheese Waffles of yesteryear, it's a problem for me :)

I really thought this post from Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean was awesome and not for any particular recipe {although all look awesome} but more conceptually.... we all run out of ideas and I so love someone sharing their "day in the life" ideas to add some ammo to the arsenal! Thanks for How To Eat Healthy During The Week!

    




And of course..... My ONE FOR GOOD LUCK!

This certainly is a lucky one.... Thanks Kelly at Eat Yourself Skinny for testing & reporting the

Pinterest Diet Coke Brownie recipe....

cannot wait to try this one!

****ALL PHOTO CREDITS TO THE POST REFERENCED,

HUGE Thank you to all for letting me repost****

Happy National PB&J Day {Almond Butter & Banana Sandwich}

I thought I'd take this moment to give a shout to my new favorite Lunch on the go.... KINDA like a PB&J sans any sugar :)
It's the Almond Butter & Banana HANDwich hahaha


I saw a picture similar to mine in a post about something unrelated to the actual sandwich and just had to try and it was love at 1st bite.
{I couldn't re-locate that site to give a shout :(} Unlike the classic PB&J... mine has loads of PROTEIN and no processed sugar {I'm told that rocks!}


HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED: 
1 Slice Arnold's Nutty Grain Bread
1 TBSP Almond Butter
1 small banana
WHAT YOU DO?
I think you can manage that part.... try it, super yummy.

You Can Eat Anything You Want.... but NOT THAT! {Low Everything & Something Free Chocolate Cake Recipe}

On our You Can Eat Anything You Want.... but NOT THAT Diet {as we like to call it} they offered up a diet "brownie" recipe made with ingredients that had to be imported from Mars.... my Gluten Free, Vegan, Health Conscious, Nutritionist friends out there are cringing I'm sure.... but this is new ground in Chez Webb.... We have an altar of butter we bow to every morning.... or at least we did until it started to bow under the pressure of our weight.  So, we are trying.  And what looked like the PERFECT diet is day by day removing any semblance of our former eating "style" but alas some changes needed to be made.  Now, don't get me wrong.... this isn't going to become Heidi's Diet Blog.  But, if I find a few yummy "diet" foods along the way, I will share them.  And I may tweak a few of my tried & true to see how the fare with no butter for instance.... so, don't get skerred.  I'm still here.  Anyhow, the "brownie" was NOT a brownie but it is pretty yummy cake :)


"Fat Loss" Chocolate Cake

Who says Diet is a 4 letter word? {Panko Chicken with Roasted Romaine Recipe}

o.k. maybe diet is too strong of a word..... but we are taking baby steps and trying to clean it up around here.  I found this awesome recipe on Bon Appetit and it was a real crowd pleaser at Chez Webb and to David's joy its a one dish/one pan meal..... freed up time for him to work out instead of being stuck in the kitchen cleaning!  Darn, I think I forgot to tell him that part..... NEXT time :)

Parmesan Panko Chicken with Roasted Romaine

Here's what you need to serve 4:

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Romano blend
• 1/2 cup Panko 
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley [1 TBSP dried]
• 1 garlic clove, diced, divided
• 2 large hearts of romaine, halved lengthwise
• Olive oil & garlic salt to sprinkle, spritz and/or drizzle on your romaine {or garlic infused olive oil if you have}

Preheat oven to 450°. 

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. Season chicken with salt and pepper; place on prepared sheet. Combine cheese, Panko, 2 Tbsp. oil, parsley, and 1 garlic clove in a medium bowl. Pat Panko mixture onto breasts. Roast chicken until crumbs begin to turn golden, about 10 minutes.

Drizzle romaine with 1 Tbsp. oil {I used my Misto} and sprinkle with garlic salt. Season with salt and pepper. Remove sheet from oven; place romaine around chicken. Roast until chicken is cooked through and lettuce is browned at edges, about 5-7 minutes more. 

ENJOY :)

Don't tell anyone but this MIGHT be healthy.... {Chicken Meatball Yakitori Recipe}

I LOVED this recipe but my husband would disagree.... I would be correct though so ignore him.  It came from my most recent Food & Wine, although I modified it based on what I had {I had never even heard of some of the ingredients WTH is a YUZU?}, as well as "fixed" what I perceived as a flaw, they would not form into cohesive "balls".... Panko did the trick! I'm thinkin' pretty healthy and trust me, a lot of YUM!

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED:
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup raw sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons mirin {available at Publix}
6 boneless chicken breasts coarsely diced 
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 medium onion, minced
1/4 cup Panko Bread crumbs
Finely grated zest of 1 orange
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
NOTE:  If using wooden skewers, soak them in cold water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.

In a saucepan, combine the wine, soy sauce, sugar and 1/4 cup of the mirin; boil until reduced to 3/4 cup, 3 minutes. Let cool.

Preheat the oven to 375°. In a bowl, combine the chicken [really dice the heck out of it], salt, onion, zest, Panko and the remaining 2 tablespoons of mirin. Spray your rimmed baking sheet with non-stick spray. Form the chicken mixture into 24 meatballs. Brush the meatballs with the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil and arrange them on the baking sheet. Bake for about 6 minutes, until the meatballs are barely cooked through.

Heat your grill on high. Thread the meatballs onto 8 bamboo skewers and grill over moderately high heat, turning, until lightly charred, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and brush the meatballs with the sauce. Grill, turning and brushing, until glazed, 30 seconds longer. 

Serve with the remaining sauce and some sauteed veggies or a light salad.

Where Fancy Meets Easy {Oven Eggs "Benedict" Recipe}

While I'm on a breakfast kick, these are super easy and cute...

Oven Benedicts

4 Ramekins [small oven proof dishes]

4 large eggs

1 medium tomato sliced into 4 thick pieces

4 pieces of bacon

Cook Bacon in pan for 3 minutes.... barely bubbling.  I used Applewood because a thicker bacon is easier to work with.

LIGHTLY spray ramekins with Pam

wrap a piece of bacon on the inside of each cup

slide a nice thick slice of fresh tomato to bottom

put one egg in each ramekin

bake at 325F for 20-30 minutes until white is set.

loosen with a small spatula and they should come out very easily, serve with fresh fruit. 

Enjoy :)

Something Yummy & Healthy [Winter Fruit with Baby Greens and Champagne Vinaigrette]

Since everyone else is posting Superbowl YUMMINESS, I thought I'd post something we can all enjoy for Monday night to try to undo where we will no doubt go tomorrow!
Beauty & Brains as they say.

This is a fabulous salad, a lot going on but super easy and everything is in season.  That said, I'm not going to lie... I use bagged lettuce.  There really is no cost effective way to get a fabulous assortment of lettuces otherwise in my opinion.  I own it.  


This recipe is a dinner salad for 4..... that doesn't mean a grilled chicken breast wouldn't accompany it beautifully if you need some protein.

Winter Fruit with Baby Greens Salad

1 bag assorted baby lettuce

1 bag baby spinach

2 clementines peeled, sectioned and then cut in half

1/2 pint strawberries sliced

1 kiwi thin sliced [and cut into heart shapes with a canape cutter if you are a loon like me]

1/2 cup candied almond slivers [Click Here for recipe from yesterday]

Champagne Vinaigrette

1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4 cup champagne vinegar

2 TBSP lemon juice

2 TBSP honey

1 clove garlic minced

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

I toss the lettuce with the vinaigrette THEN toss the fruit in..... but that's just me.  ENJOY!  Guilt free :)


p.s. I've been challenged to bake the WOW Red Velvet Brownie.... tomorrow is going to be REALLY fattening!