Garlic Sweet Potatoe Chips and Burgers

After a very long week and a busy day. I did some landscaping, grocery shopping and got the kids to get all their chores done.  That alone may have been the most exhausting part of my day. I had a rough week and haven't been feeling good, so tonight I decided to make something easy and that my family loves. Garlic Sweet Potatoes Chips and Burgers.  This is an easy meal to fix early and through it on when your family is ready to eat.  My husband and I wrap our burgers in a lettuce wrap instead of a bun to make it more Paleo friendly.

Slice your sweet potatoes fries with a slicer on a number 1 or a 2.  Cover your cookie sheet with coconut oil lay out your sweet potatoes.  Spray the sweet potatoes with coconut oil and then sprinkle garlic sea salt on top.  Cook on 350 for about 15-20 minutes.  My daughter likes them almost burnt and my other likes them a little soft.  We love them and sweet potatoes are a good source of  carbs along with an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene). They are also a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid and vitamin B6. Additionally, they are a good source of potassium, dietary fiber, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and phosphorus.
http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?dbid=64&tname=foodspice

Paleo Burger

2 pounds ground meat

1 egg

1/4 cup Gluten Free Oats

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tablespoon RedHot

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon pepper

I used one pound of ground turkey burger and one pound of ground chicken. I mix the two together with one egg, 1/4 cup Gluten Free Oats, 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce, 1 Tablespoon RedHot, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon pepper. This made 6 large burgers.  I put them in the fridge until we were ready to cook them.

Vanilla Chai Energy Bites

I have been reading about how much positive things Chai seeds have.  Fiber, protein, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids and many other positive nutrients.  This in turn could assist with weight loss, as well as other health benefits. I decided the easiest way to try them is add them to my energy bites.  I decided I wanted to make this weeks energy bites with even more protein. The chai seeds add a bit of crunch and texture to the bites.  They had a lot of flavor. Enjoy!

Vanilla Chai Energy Bites

1/2 cup Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
3/4 cup Almond Butter
1/8 cup Honey
1/8 cup Maple Syrup (pure)
1/4 cup Flaxseed, ground (you can also do half and half wheat germ)
1/4 cup Vanilla Protein Powder
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut shreds
2 Tablespoon Chai Seeds
1/4 cup Enjoy Life Semi Sweet Chocolate Mini Chips

Mix all together and roll small balls.

Taco casserole

I got a new phone this last week and uploaded the Blogger app.  I was super tired on Thursday night, so I thought I'll quickly write my blog, save it and come back and finish it later.  I think it is harder to type out on the app, even though I have the amazing new Galaxy S8.  Yep, I love the infinity screen.  Anyway, went back to finish the blog yesterday and well it didn't save, so here I am writing this blog again.

We are a crazy busy family, trying to eat healthy and inexpensively.  One of the ways I find to cut cost and keep us eating healthy is to plan our weekly meals.  Depending upon our week, sometimes my husband has dinner he cooks, or I put something on the list my girls can get started if I am running a bit late.  More on meal planning for another blog.

This past week Thursday was a day where I needed to prep early and make it ready to go. Taco Casserole is the perfect meal for that.  I cut up the onions, peppers and cook up the meat ahead of time.  Then the casserole can be put in the oven at any time and it is only 15-20 minutes till dinner is served.  Which my husband can just turn on the oven if it is  his night.  This recipe also allows for it to be changed up and you can add any add ins your family might enjoy. One thing my husband and I like is crumbling up chips as the first layer of the casserole.  It gives it a wonderful texture.  My kids don't love it though, so I do it every couple times.  Oh you have to love a family of picky eaters, mix in kiddos that have allergies and it is loads of fun to cook.  I got to the point of hating it, until I decided to look at it like it was a challenge, hence the blog.

Paleo Taco Casserole

1. 25 pound lean ground turkey meat
 1 pound grown chicken meat
1 pepper
1 onion
3/4 cup salsa
1 can sliced onions

Taco Seasoning
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/46653/taco-seasoning-i/?lnkid=usspnt

1 Tablespoon Chili Powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon paprika

1 1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon sea salt

Add all ingredients to a small container that has a lid then shake until mixed.  You can make each recipe, as spicy as your family likes, by adding more or less of the seasoning.  I use this for any recipe that ask for taco seasoning.  I normally have this mixed up all the time, so it is read to go.  The problem is, I got tired looking up the recipe each time, so I wrote it on my taco seasoning container.

Cook up the ground turkey and chicken, then drain.  Add the taco seasoning, chopped onion, pepper and salsa.  Cook until stirred well.  Put in a casserole dish.  Remember you can put a layer of crushed chips if you want first.  Add the meat mixture, then spread out the olives on top. Layer on any other toppings you may like such as jalapenos, tomatoes, or cheese. Cook on 350 for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.

As you can see in mine, I added cheese to half of it for my son, daughter and ok I admit, myself too.  Oh I love my cheese! I normally serve with chips, although you could put out soft tacos to wrap the casserole in.  We also set the table with verde and all the many hot sauces my husband and daughter love! Be creative and let your family each choose what they want to add to make it their own.