Homemade Cough Medicine

Homemade Cough and Cold Syrup.

Yes. You read that correctly.

Have you ever really read the ingredients in cough and cold medicine??

Dayquil Liquid Tabs:

Active Ingredients (in each LiquiCap®) (Purpose)

Acetaminophen 325 mg (Pain reliever/fever reducer)

Dextromethorphan HBr 10 mg (Cough suppressant)

Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg (Nasal decongestant)

Inactive Ingredients

FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 6, Gelatin, Glycerin, Polyethylene Glycol, Povidone, Propylene Glycol, Purified Water, Sorbitol Special, Titanium Dioxide

And I was even more shocked that my son's medicine had High Fructose Corn Syrup in it... No thank you!

After my son and husband got over their colds, it finally came to me. Luckily I started taking this medicine as soon as I started to feel yucky.

While I still have the sniffles, I have seen such a quick improvement from when I used to get sick. It's not the best tasting medicine (what medicine is though right?!) BUT, it works! And it's natural. 

I know all the ingredients that are in my cough medicine, can you say the same??

3 Tbs Raw Honey

2 Tbs Coconut Oil, Melted

1 Lemon, Juiced

1 tsp Cinnamon

Mix until smooth. Take 1-2 tsp 3-5 times a day.

Jambalaya

I've never made Jambalaya. 

I was always hesitant because my husband and I aren't really spicy food people...

But, this recipe was delicious and I would definitely make it again.

The best part about it is that you can add in any meats or vegetables that you have on hand.

I also made my own Creole Seasoning and I'll put that recipe at the end of this entry.

My 15 month old son actually devoured his bowl. 

I didn't think he would even try it, let alone like it as much as he did.

This recipe was inspired by www.100daysofrealfood.com

Organic Butter, Organic Italian Sausage, Organic Red Pepper, Organic Red Onion, Organic Celery, Organic Garlic, Creole Seasoning, S & P, Organic Tomatoes, Organic Shrimp, Bay Leaves, Organic Brown Rice, Organic Vegetable Stock, Organic Scallions

Combine 2 Tbs butter and 1/2 pound of sausage in a large saucepan over high heat. 

Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the 1 large bell pepper, 1 onion, 3 celery ribs, 1 small head of garlic (I always grate mine), and Creole seasoning.

Saute over high heat for about 10 minutes, or until the veggies have browned and caramelized.

Add 2 large tomatoes, 3/4 pound shrimp, and 2 bay leaves and stir for a couple of minutes.

Add the 1 1/2 cups rice, 2 cups broth, and 1 cup water.

Stir the mixture to make sure it is not sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover.

Simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

Garnish with scallions and serve!

Emeril's Essence Creole Seasoning:

2 1/2 Tbs paprika

2 Tbs salt

2 Tbs garlic powder

1 Tbs black pepper

1 Tbs onion powder

1 Tbs cayenne pepper

1 Tbs dried oregano

1 Tbs dried thyme

Combine all ingredients.

Homemade Tomato Sauce

Growing up with a very Italian father, pasta sauce or tomato sauce was always known as Gravy.

My dad made his own gravy every couple of months and canned it. He would cringe at the thought of buying a gravy in the store.

Even though he never used organic product, now I know why he would make his own gravy.

The things these sauce companies put in their products is insane. Just like any processed and canned/boxed items, there are so many unnecessary added items.

I've made red gravy or sauce a couple different ways throughout the years. I have still yet to get my dad's recipe (I should really get on that haha) but I have found some other pretty good ones.

It is very simple, not many ingredients and clean and healthy.

This is a recipe I found through www.100dayofrealfood.com

Kosher Salt, EVOO, Organic Tomatoes, Organic Celery, Organic Carrots, Organic Red Onion

Add about 2 pounds tomatoes to boiling water and boil for a minute and drain.

Let the tomatoes cool until you can handle them.

Peel the skin off, this should be easy now.

Place the tomatoes, 2/3 cup chopped onion, 2/3 cup chopped celery, 2/3 cup chopped or shredded carrots in a large pot.

Cook uncovered at a slow simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add 3 Tbs EVOO and bring to a slightly stronger simmer for 15 minutes more.

Stir frequently and mash tomatoes with the back of a spoon.

Taste and add salt as needed.

 Serve with your favorite organic whole wheat pasta and Parmesan cheese!

Slacker

The past few days I've been feeling a little down and disappointed with myself.

 I'm not getting the results that I want and I think it has to be due to my eating habits still.

I haven't been 100% committing to it all and I know I can do better.

I could make a ton of excuses...I'm a Mom. A wife. I'm tired. I have my period. I'm getting sick. Wahh Wahh Wahh. But, I just need to commit and do it. No excuses.

Since I missed blogging for a couple of days, I'm going to just post some of my favorite meals from Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday  :)

My Mom came over on Wednesday since I had a doctor appointment and she went with D and me to Wegmans for my weekly food shopping afterward. I LOVE Sushi and I got a Veggie Roll with Avocado, Carrots, Cucumber, Seaweed, and Brown Rice.

I've never had Collard Greens before so when I decided to try this recipe I only bought a small bunch of the greens.

 I WILL be making this recipe again and I'll be making double greens to the rest of the ingredients. 

I may or may not have eaten the whole bowl myself...

(Organic Collard Greens, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic 100% Pure Maple Syrup, Organic Red Onion, Organic Uncured Hickory Smoked Bacon)

Satay the with a couple Tbs of water until the greens are wilted.

Remove from the pan and wipe it clean.

In the same pan, cook the bacon until brown and crispy.

Remove from pan and let cool on a paper towel.

Crumble into small pieces once cool.

 Leave the bacon grease in the pan.

Add the chopped onion and saute until tender.

Then, place the collard greens back in the pan, 1 Tbs Apple Cider Vinegar, and 1 Tbs Maple Syrup.

Saute for a few minutes and then added the crumbled bacon.

This was such a filling meal.

I little high is fat because of the bacon, so it would be a great lunch option, after a good workout.

Or you could just have a small amount as a side, if you can resist it's yumminess!!

I got these Triscuit-Like Cracker and now I'm obsessed with them!

They are made by Natures Promise and they're made with only Organic Whole Wheat Flour and Salt. 

I topped the crackers with Organic Unpasteurized American Cheese.

RASPBERRIES!

I think raspberries have become my favorite fruit.

I literally can wash and eat the whole container...unless I have to share with my son!

One of my favorite smoothies so far:

Organic Frozen Strawberries, Frozen Mangoes, Organic Shredded Coconut, OJ

Recipes Inspired By: www.100daysofrealfood.com

Figuring Things Out

I'm still figuring out this whole healthy-eating, workout thing.

I'm struggling with finding that good balance between eating what's right and not feeling deprived or like I'm missing something.

I'm starting to really enjoy my daily smoothies and eating fruit for a snack, but I'm having a hard time parting with certain foods. The same foods that I know are not good for me, but they trick me with their sugary, carb goodness.

I'm sure this will always be a daily struggle for me, something I will really need to work at.

But, I think I can do it if I stick to it and don't let the fear and "hunger" take over my mind.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Breakfast: 

Homemade Banana Pancakes with Organic Butter and Organic 100% Pure Maple Syrup

Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie

(Organic Strawberries, Organic Pineapple, Organic Kiwi, Organic Coconut Water, Ice

Snack:

Banana and Nuts

(Organic Banana, Peanuts, and Almonds)

Lunch:

Leftover Almond Encrusted Cod with Organic Steamed Asparagus

Snack:

Cheese and Crackers

(Unpasteurized Organic American Cheese with Organic Whole Wheat Crackers)

Dinner:

Breakfast for Dinner

(Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes with Organic Maple Syrup, Organic Butter, Organic Chicken Spinach and Garlic Sausage, Fried Organic Egg)

Recipes Inspired and Provided By: www.100daysofrealfood.com

A New Week

Happy Monday Y'all!!

It's the start of a new week and some new things are going on in the MacQueen household.

My husband has decided to start the Daily Burn workouts! Since he has a different set of goals his routine will be different than mine, but I'm excited for him to start it. I love it so much and I know he will too!

We've also devised a new daily routine, in general, for the house which should make things run more smoothly around here. (Here's hoping!)

I'm hoping we finish off the leftovers the beginning of the week because I have some yummy recipes I'm looking forward to making.

As I said in my last blog, I did a lot of cooking yesterday and I'll be sharing some of the recipes over the next couple of days.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week!

Monday, February 16, 2014

Breakfast: Smoothie

(Organic Kale, Organic Avocado, Organic Mango, Organic Apple, Organic Coconut Water)

Homemade Granola with Organic 2% Milk and Organic Strawberries

Lunch:

Organic Chicken, Homemade Gravy, and an Organic Salad

Snack: Hard Boiled Eggs

Organic Strawberries and Organic Kiwi

Dinner: Almond Encrusted Cod with Organic Steamed Asparagus and Organic Sweet Potatoes

Recipes Inspired and Provided By: www.100daysofrealfood.com

Weekend Update

I never thought I would be a smoothie person. The thought of having one each day sounded boring to me.

But, now that I've been having a different one every morning...I'm loving them!

Sometimes I follow a recipe that I've found on Pinterest or I create my own concoction with whatever fruits/vegetables that I have on hand!

It's also a great way to use up any fruits/vegetables before they go bad.

I've definitely been getting a workout with all this snow that's been hitting the east coast and the Daily Burn has been kicking my butt. I woke up so sore this morning, but the show must go on and I have to just push through the pain!

After shopping at Wegman's I brought home sushi for lunch and I ended up eating it for dinner too!
Yum...I LOVE Sushi!

Sunday I did a TON of cooking. We ate leftovers for lunch and dinner and hopefully the rest of the leftovers will be gone the beginning of the week.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Breakfast: Vegetable Omelet

(2 Organic Eggs, 1 Yolk, Organic Spinach, Organic Green Pepper, Organic Mushrooms, Cherry Tomatoes, Parmesan Cheese)

Almond Butter & Banana Smoothie

(Organic Almond Butter, Banana, Organic Chia Seeds, Organic Shredded Coconut, Almond Milk)

Snack: Organic Fruit Salad

Lunch and Dinner: Sushi
(Rice Paper Rolls, Veggie and Shrimp)

(Brown Rice California Rolls, Rice Paper Rolls)

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Breakfast: Smoothie
(Organic Spinach, Organic Avocado, Organic Mangoes, Organic Raspberries, Organic Apple, Almond Milk)

Lunch: Organic Chicken Fajitas on a Potato Bun with Organic Salad

Dinner: Organic Crock Pot Chicken, Homemade Gravy, and Organic Salad

Recipes Inspired By: www.100daysofrealfood.com