Whole 30 Favorites

A few months ago, Zeb and I did Whole 30 to see if we could figure out if I had any food triggers for Crohn's.  We were super strict and careful--the kids ate it at night because I only cook one dinner!  We had some really good food and I have had lots of people ask me for my favorite recipes.  I am going to try to put a couple on here every few days.

This first one we were having prior to Whole 30--we just had to cut out the feta or the mozzarella.  I don't have measurements for it--but it's easy to eyeball.  This is super easy to prep while the kids are in school and then it comes together in 15 minutes.  We eat this as a one dish meal.

Chicken with Zucchini Noodles:
Ingredients:
Spiralize Zucchini and put aside:  I usually do 4 small ones for my family and this step can be done
       earlier in the day.
Cut chicken in bite size pieces.  I do 3 chicken breasts and I do this earlier in the day.
Cherry Tomatoes
Olive Oil
Garlic, crushed or chopped small
S/P

Salt and Pepper the chicken and saute in olive oil in a dutch oven until cooked through. Pull the chicken out and set aside.  Add olive oil to the pan (I add a good bit).  Throw in cherry tomatoes.  I cook these until they are blistered.  When almost done I add  the garlic.  Then break up the tomatoes. Throw in the zucchini noodles.  Cook these as little or as long as you like.  My family likes them cooked until they are soft.  Add in chicken. Toss Together.    (If not doing whole 30-add in either fresh mozzarella or feta cheese)

This started out as Chicken Alfredo, but didn't end up that way!  This was probably my favorite.  It was so rich and creamy!  I don't even know what to call it.

Ingredients:  

Spaghetti Squash

butternut squash (I bought already cut up)

Chicken, 2 breasts

Bacon, 4 pieces chopped (I buy whole 30 approved at Whole Foods)

Can of Coconut Milk

S/P

Garlic powder

oregano

frozen peas, 1/2 bag

Cut spaghetti squash in half.  Sprinkle with olive oil and roast 45 minutes on 450 degrees.  Roast butternut squash for about 20 minutes.  

At the same time cook the chicken.  Sprinkle with salt/pepper and olive oil.  Cook for 20 minutes on 450 degrees and then pull out and cover in foil for 5 minutes. Shred or chop chicken.

Cook 4 pieces of chopped bacon and then wipe out (but not clean) the grease.  

Add the butternut squash and 3/4 can of coconut milk.  Salt and pepper it along with a good amount of garlic pepper.  Add a few dashes of oregano.  Mash with a potato masher.  

Throw in frozen peas, chopped chicken, bacon, spaghetti squash, and mix together.  

This can be served as a one pot meal or serve with a salad or vegetable.

A Big Weekend

We made the most of this long and gorgeous weekend! My grandparents took me to the fair and now my parents have continued the tradition.  The best we can remember, we've been going to the fair for 32 years.  Most years, my sister Elizabeth and her family are able to come!  This was one of those years.  

We got to the fair a few minutes before everyone else and jumped on a ride--well everyone but me.

Of course we hit up the petting zoo.

I found a cool spot to sit to give Ayres her bottle!

Millie Ruth's first fair ride--safe to say that she is hooked!

Someone got a little motion sick...

This was the first time we have gotten corn at the fair--it won't be the last.  That stuff is good!

Saturday morning we were up and going.  First off we had family pictures and then Sam had the last two soccer games!  Both girls finished a book on the fields.

Finishing the year with a  trophy!

After rest time we headed up to the farm.

All smiles leaving on the gator...

 and then we saw them walking back--ha ha.  The gator had broken down!

Sam spent a lot of the afternoon in my lap--poor guy--he had a 102 fever by the time we got home and no voice!

 Sam and I spent Sunday at home while everyone went to church and lunch.  That afternoon the girls went back to the farm to spend the night!  

I'm sad I missed the s'mores--maybe my favorite dessert!

Austin

About six weeks ago our sweet puppy of almost fourteen years died!  Zeb and I got her the day before Thanksgiving the first year we were married.  I don't even know how to put fourteen years worth of memories down ...so I will just pick some of our favorites!

Top 10 Memories of Austin:  (in no particular order)

1.  For the first two days we got her she only walked backwards.  We were very thankful when she finally started walking normal.

2.    She ate a Nilla Wafer every single night with Zeb.

3.  She could also jog 12 miles with Zeb.

4.  She caught a foot long catfish in our backyard in our first house.

5.  During Katrina she ran around our backyard snapping and biting at the wind.

(Austin wanted an excema check also.)

6.  For some crazy reason we thought it would be a good idea to hook Austin up to Sara Beth's wagon (SB was about 18 months old).  Austin pulled her straight into a mailbox!

7.  The countless hours the kids played with her, sang to her, and read to her!

8.  The time she jumped out of the window of a moving car.  Thankfully Zeb was in our neighborhood and had a leash on her.  He grabbed her leash, slowed the car, and slowly let her down on the ground.  (Also, glad she had a full body harness on and not just a regular collar--the story may not have ended the same.)

9.  These definitely  aren't our favorites memories of her--but they still are some of the most memorable.  We joked that she was like a cat with 9 lives!  

Once when Zeb was mowing, she jumped between Zeb's legs and the mower.  When Zeb looked down there was a water moccasin ready to strike his ankle--it bit her instead!

Also,  she got attacked by the dog down the street on Dec. 23, 2007 and ended up with something like 30 staples after surgery.  

10.  This picture is one of our favorite memories.  Sara Beth was laying on the bed in Zeb's office with her fists up like this and Austin jumped up right beside her with her "fists" in the same position.

Back to School--K, 3rd, 5th, and ICM

This is an extra big year in the Henson house!  All three kids are at the same school and Zeb started school again this year, too!

Zeb--teaching the Introduction to Clinical Medicine class for 2 year medical students

Sara Beth-5th

Leigh-3rd

Sam-K

We had our annual dinner on the Saturday before school started.  I always let the kids pick and I'm pretty sure they pick this meal every year--steak, shrimp, roasted broccoli, and homemade macaroni and cheese--and apple cookies from Beagle Bagel!

This year after watching the Olympics, we decided to add a sprititual element to our dinner.  We watched this clip of the silver medal divers saying that this medal was nice, but it wasn't their idenity. Zeb then tried to tie that in with our work and school.  I think he did a really good job because I have had several good discussions with Sara Beth since about how hard it is to work hard at something and not find our identity in the accomplishments or grades.  

 Morning of pictures...

And this picture...oh my...

Leigh has Mrs. Jones

Sam has Ms. Hutchinson

Sara Beth has Mrs. Ulmer

Ms. Hutchinson sent this picture of their first day!