Paleo Guacamole Egg Salad Lettuce Wraps with Crumbled Bacon

Whenever we have guests over for dinner I try not to make elaborate three course dinners, ain't nobody got time for that!  A lot of times we just have dinner and dessert and the thought of having to think about making an appetizer gives me a headache.

A couple weeks ago we had my brother in-law come spend the weekend with us.  To make his stay a little special I thought I'd make a delicious dinner in his honor and yes, I decided to make an appetizer.

A Thought on Memorial Day and an Amazing Turkey Feta Burger Recipe!

Yahoo!  Today is Memorial Day!  I hope y'all have had a wonderful weekend playing, having fun, doing house projects, and or relaxing!  This weekend has been full of work for us. I posted on Instagram a photo of us ripping out our old carpet in our living room.  We're installing new floors, baseboards, tile, and will be painting our doors.

Today is a day that a lot of us get together with close friends and family and remember those we lost who served our country.  Last year for Memorial Day my family and I visited my Grandpa's grave site.  I was really close with my Grandpa.  He served in WWII and was enlisted a month after my grandparents were married.  He was lucky enough to have survived lived until he was 92 and was married to my Grandma for almost 70 years.  He lived a long happy and fulfilling life, but it was still was hard to say goodbye.

On this Memorial Day I'm so grateful for those brave and strong men and women who have given up their lives to serve our country so that my family and I can live with the freedoms we have.  I know most of us take our freedoms for granted, I know I do.  I was thinking about how lucky I am to have the freedom to write my random thoughts and opinions on this blog.  That my family can practice our faith and religion, my children will be able to have an education, and that I have the opportunity to shape my future.  So thank you to all of those service women and men who have served our country!

If you're firing up the grill up today and want to make something that is easy, delicious, and healthy then you gotta make these Feta and Spinach Turkey Burgers. These are perfect if you're watching your carb intake, or trying to eat healthy.

Swig Sugar Cookie and Dirty Diet Coke Birthday Party

Last week was McKay's 31st birthday.  I kind of waited to the last minute to plan something for his birthday, like the day before.  So I didn't have much fun to prepare anything extravagant.  I love to throw get togethers with our friends, but I'm not the type of party planner who has exquisite looking centerpieces, arrangements, and food hutches like you see on Pinterest.  Nope, that's not me.  I try to strive for simplicity because seriously, all that people care about at a party is that there's good company and good food.  Nobody is going to care about the printables, matching colors, and goodie bag.  Last month we traveled to Southern Utah and fell in love with Swig and I thought it would be so fun to throw McKay a Swig themed party full of cold sugar cookies and dirty Coke's!  I texted a bunch of our neighborhood friends letting them know of the birthday party and we hung out in our backyard, ate, drank, the kiddies ran around while the men played basketball and the girls chit chatted.  It was the perfect, non stress, relaxing, and carefree birthday party.  This is a great last minute birthday party idea because it's so easy.

Paleo Chia Seed Energy Bars

T-minus one month until Caitlin's wedding and I've been trying hard to eating better, no sugar, limit grains and dairy, and eat tons of fruits, veggies, and lean protein so I can fit comfortably into the dress I'll be wearing to the wedding.  To keep me motivated I've had to do some research on some desserts that will satisfy my sweet tooth.  I found this recipe for Chia Seed Protein Bars from All Day I Dream About Food and didn't have the exact ingredients this recipe called for.  So I substituted some of them with what I had in my kitchen.  These Paleo Chia Seed Protein Bars turned out really good and they taste almost as sinful as a candy bar, but in a more healthy way.  These bars are dairy free, sugar free and paleo!   These are perfect for on the go, for a dessert, or a midday snack.

Almost Paleo Energy Breakfast Brownies

Not many of you know this, but I manage the social media for a site called My Recipe Magic.  It was created by the Six Sisters' (my fabulous bosses), it's like a Pinterest inspired place for all things food.  I was on there and found this breakfast brownies recipe from Eat. Drink. Love here, but a lot of the ingredients in the recipe I'm trying to avoid to eat more healthy.  So I thought I'd swap out some of the ingredients with Paleo friendly ones and tada, an all star Paleo recipe was created.  The reason why I call this recipe "Almost" is because there's one ingredient that's not 100% Paleo, and that's oats.  Sorry, I cannot live without some kind of grain in my diet.  It's not going to happen.  These bars are really moist, filling, and they have some energy boosting ingredients to make them the perfect way to start the morning.   

Leftover Corn Beef & Cabbage Melt on Irish Soda Bread

So St. Patrick's Day was over a week ago and I made A LOT of corn beef and cabbage this year because I love it and one of my favorite parts to having leftovers from this meal is making this delicious and savory sandwich.  It's so easy, savory, simple, and filling.  It's perfect for lunch or a busy night when you don't have time to cook.  If you don't have to Irish Soda Bread, you can use regular bread too, but if you really want to take it to the sandwich to the next level, go here to get the bread recipe.

 

Traditional Crusty Irish Soda Bread

I know St. Patrick's Day was earlier this week, but I want to share with you one of my favorite quick and easiest bread to make, and it just happens to be Irish and delicious.   This traditional Crusty Irish Soda Bread recipe I received from a friend several years ago is my go-to bread when I don't have time, which is becoming more the new normal.  It seriously takes 60 minutes to make and bake.  It's quick, foolproof, eggless, and in the end makes the perfect crusty and dense bread perfect for slathering butter and jam, dipping into oil, making sandwiches, toast, and anything your heart desires!

Paleo Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Last year I was on a quest to lose the 35 pounds I lost from having my first baby, Amelia.  I enrolled into this program called LeanMoms and pretty much changed my life when it came to understanding and learning how to eat healthy and exercise to lose weight.  One of my favorite recipes from this program was this decadent Chocolate Coconut Macaroon recipe!  This treat helped me to get through those times when I wanted to eat a dozen donuts or an entire carton of ice cream.  They're so delicious, sweet, and have the nicest hint of saltiness to them, I'm sure you'll fall in love with them too!  

Chocolate Raspberry Protein Packed Oatmeal by Maybe I Will

I'm so excited to be guest posting today @ Fry Sauce and Grits! I LOVE Courtney and her super cute sisters! It is a pleasure to be asked to stop by and share one of my favorite breakfasts! If you're like me mornings are crazy busy and I always seem to be in some sort of rush! Or if I do have time I am headed into a busy morning where I won't have the opportunity to eat or snack until lunch. Enter my secret weapon! These Protein Packed Oats will seriously keep you full for HOURS! I have a couple different flavors combos that I have whipped up that I rely on. Today I'm sharing my Chocolate Raspberry version! It is SOOO good and like I said will keep you FULL!

See how pretty! 

Chocolate Raspberry Protein Packed Oatmeal 

Andie Thueson of Maybe I Will

1/2 C Old Fashioned Rolled Oats 

1 C Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk 

1 C Water 

1/2 Scoop Chocolate Protein Powder 

1 Cup Fresh or Fresh Frozen Raspberries 

2 pkts Stevia - or to taste 

Top with a small handful of Dark Chocolate Chips (optional)

Stir Oats and Liquids until they come to a full boil. Reduce heat to a slow simmer. Let simmer for 10-12 minutes stirring occasionally. When you have about six minutes left whisk in protein powder. By whisking you'll avoid nasty protein clumps. (Trust me you don't want them!) Once the Protein has been whisked in add your raspberries.  Remove from heat and let stand for a couple minutes. Then top with dark chocolate chips and ENJOY!!! 

After adding the Liquids you're gonna think I'm crazy! 

It will seem like WAY too much! But trust it will all work out!

Whisk in your Protein Powder during the last 6 minutes of Cooking -- this will minimize the protein powder breakdown. 

Ahh yeah the best part enjoying your yummy oats! Between the raspberries, oatmeal, and protein powder this little gem is engineered to provide energy and lasting fullness! Enjoy!!! 

Want more of these types of recipes!?!?! That is what I do! I blog over at Maybe I Will

 I am always sharing healthy recipes, detox and diet reviews, fitness tips and routines, and every once in a while I get creative and share my crafty skills! Come Stalk Me!!! We'll have some fun I promise 

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Thanks again to the amazing sisters of Fry Sauce and Grits for letting me stop by and SHARE!!!

<3 Andie 

Avocado Toast Recipe

I want to share with you my new favorite snack/breakfast/treat.  I've been doing my best to eat well more consistently and I needed to switch things up from eating my protein powder for snacks everyday.  I introduce you to the Avocado Toast!

I posted this picture onto Instagram and had a flood of comments on how to take this snack into the next
level!

The Easiest Homemade Coconut Syrup Recipe

My Grandma Kathy on my mom's side has a recipe that is above all recipes.  It's a staple when we have waffles, pancakes, french toast, and crepes.  Breakfast without this recipe isn't the same.  It's rich, delicious, flavorful, takes your breakfast to the next level, and sadly it's not low in fat or sugar.  I wouldn't eat it everyday, but I do consume it on those special occasions.  I'm introducing you to the Easiest Homemade Coconut Syrup Recipe.

Christmas Tradition: Hot Wassail

First things first, Merry Christmas from the Sisters at Fry Sauce & Grits!
Here at the Craig home we have a Christmas tradition of making hot wassail every Christmas Eve. So I thought I'd share with you this family recipe -- it is the season of giving, afterall! I always grew up drinking this citrus-y drink every Christmas, and since, it has become a staple to the Christmas Season.

Pumpkin Pork Enchiladas

A couple of years I was in the mood for something chicken and pumpkin for dinner.  I searched on the internet and found this Pumpkin Chicken Enchilada recipe from Gluten Free Mommy.  Since then it's been my favorite enchilada recipe.  I started to experiment with this recipe and found that I like it even better with shredded pork!  This recipe is easy to make, fast, delicious, flavorful, and not loaded with calories like normal enchiladas are.  If you wanted to mix it up, instead of doing enchiladas you could make it into a layered casserole and swap out the pork for chicken!  Its very versatile!  I used up the rest of a pork loin we had the night before for dinner.  I got to use up boring leftovers in a new and delicious way.   It's a win-win for everyone!  

Gourmet Spinach & Artichoke Grilled Cheeze With My Main Squeeze

Hello y'all!

It's been awhile, so I thought I'd offer an update on my crazy life, and an easy new recipe!

Easy Quinoa Salad with Sesame Lime Dressing Recipe

I don't know about you but I sometimes get in a lunch rut.  My husband has been feeling the brunt of this rut (so sorry honey).  I LOVE peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but when you make them almost everyday you tend to go a little cray cray. 

At the beginning of the year I was able to lose the 35 pounds I gained from having Amelia in 2012.  It wasn't easy, it was a lot of work of waking at times no one should have to wake up at to go to the gym, eating the right kinds of foods and eating the right size portions.  

Healthy Chocolate and Coconut Oil Mug Muffin Recipe

I've been SO excited for fall to arrive this year!  Don't get me wrong, I love summer, but I've been getting tired of the heat.  I heart fall because it gets me all nostalgic of cool crisp weather, thick sweaters, wearing socks with boots, hot out of the oven pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, football games, school starting up, and the changing colors of the leaves.  During this festive time of year my biggest weakness comes out in full force and that is my sweet tooth.  Let's be honest, it can get a little out of control.  I inherited this very dominant gene from my mother.  

To help curb my sweet tooth I've been making healthy desserts to help me get through this time without having to go buy larger pants.   As I have been on this heath and fitness crusade I've found a bunch of healthy desserts I can enjoy and that satisfies my sweet tooth, but the one I'm sharing with you today is one of my favorites!  

2 Ingredient Ice Cream: No Ice Cream Maker Required!

Summer is almost over and as a last ditch effort to enjoy it, I want to eat all the peaches and ice cream I can in August!  Nom nom nom.

Some amazing ice cream connoisseur friends passed on this recipe to me, and I couldn't wait to try it!  (Thank you Alex & Elisa!) I've always wanted an ice cream maker, but haven't felt like I would use it enough to warrant the price tag.  Then in comes this delicious and ridiculously easy ice cream recipe.

I'm warning you--this is the most simple recipe ever!!

I actually made 2 different varieties.  A full fat one, and an experimental lower fat one.

Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Whipped Cream Frosting Recipe

This weekend, we celebrated a milestone in our lives.  Amelia had her first birthday and we had both sides of the families come over to our house to celebrate this special day with us.  We were surrounded by those we love, good food, and it was the perfect weather for a party.  It was a reminiscent day for me.  I remember a year ago how scared, excited, anxious, and ready I felt to do the whole labor thing.  I've been dreaming of this moment my entire life to meet, hold, and love this little baby.  A year has gone by so fast.

It's a tradition on my dad's side of family to make this a particular cake for birthdays.  I remember seeing pictures of my 92 year old grandma and my dad eating this cake for their birthday as children.  I grew up eating this cake too.  I wanted to keep the tradition alive for Amelia's birthday.  

This cake is a perfect dessert for a birthday or any kind celebration because it's light and not heavy, it's easy to make, and is absolutely delicious. If a cake recipe has been passed down for multiple generations, you know it's that good. 

Zucchini & Kale Savory Cakes

Hello, it's Caitlin here!
Last week I went to my local Saturday Farmer's Market, and I scored a bunch of kale, and a HUGE zucchini for just $2.00.  Talk about a deal!  I know that kale has been all the rage at the moment due to its high fiber, and nutrient content, so I was excited until I realized I wasn't sure how to prepare it...  Rookie mistake. Luckily my room mate, April, had shared her zucchini pancake recipe with me, and I thought, why not combine them both?

Mississippi Mud Cake

Hey, it's Melanie and guess what?!  Today is my birthday!  To celebrate this greand day I decided to make my own cake.  Is it tacky to bake your own birthday cake?  Well, either way, I'm glad I did!

I have been craving this delicious southern treat--Mississippi mud cake, and now I have a reason to make it.