Sprouted Fried Rice and Asian Chicken Skewers

We use the grill A LOT. So coming up with fun and interesting marinades and side dishes can sometimes be daunting.

We LOVE Asian inspired cuisine and while nothing will be as delicious as that greasy, New York City style Chinese food, this came pretty close to perfect. Oh, and actually healthy!

I grew up eating the packet seasonings, want Chinese food, no problem here is a packet! Mexican food? packet. Steak marinade? packet. When you eliminate processed foods, chemicals and additives form your families diet, those packets turn into poison. You don't need them, I promise!

I advocate using organic meat, produce and groceries as much as your families budget can allow, a great rule of thumb is the EWG's clean 15 if you have to pick and choose what to buy organic versus conventional. Also, the NON-GMO project verification seal is just as good if not better than a USDA organic seal.

Chicken Breast Skewers: (feeds 2 adults &2 very hungry kiddos)

2 organic chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4cup organic rice vinegar
1/8 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon saigon cracked black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon minced organic garlic
4-5 drops hot chili oil (or more if you love spicy!)

Assemble skewers and mix all ingredients together. Marinade can be mixed and stored overnight in a bag with your skewers, we marinated for 1.5 hours and it was tender, moist and delicious!

Grill for 10-15 minutes at medium heat (outside is nice and charred while inside remains juicy)

Sprouted Brown Rice:
Step 1
1/2 cup organic sprouted brown rice (rinsed and drained)
1 cup organic chicken broth
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 
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Directions: Cook rice according to package or Lundberg's family fool proof recipe of 45 minutes on low and 10 minutes with heat off "steaming".

Step 2
1/2 cup soy sauce
5 organic baby carrots
1 cup cooked organic green beans
1/4 organic white onion
1 organic egg
4 tablespoons Ghee
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Directions:
chop green beans, carrots and onions into tiny bite size pieces (roughly double the size of the grain of rice) and saute in your melted ghee using a heavy bottom or cast iron pan.

once your veggies are tender add in cooked rice and soy sauce and simmer for 6-8 minutes on medium heat until your rice has absorbed the excess moisture. Add in your egg and saute until egg is cooked through and rice is fluffy.

ENJOY!

What's your favorite take out to make at home?  I'd love to hear about it!

xo-J

Running like a .....snail? turtle?

Have you heard the term- "Run Like a Mother?" For me, this term is not only adorable, but its inspiring, motivating and up-lifting. Yes, I'm a mom, I don't sleep much, I take care of my self last and I can RUN!

Well... For me, I cannot run. But I am going to try. For now I'll go by the phrase WALK like a Mother. And that is OK. For now.

Exercise has always been a really important part of my life, even through injuries, very uncomfortable pregnancies and mommy-hood I've always placed a high importance on getting those exercise endorphins pumping.

But I've always been tied to the 4 walls of a gym. It's time for a change. I live in beautiful Colorado and I should be seeing the world around me. So I'm pausing my cozy corner of yoga and pilates and expanding to outdoor walk/running. With the help of my friend and fitness guru through Fit4Mom FrontRange.

Was I the slowest mama? YEP. Did I feel like I was dying? YEP. Was I embarrassed? A little.  But totally worth it.

Eating organic, healthy and real foods is only 1 part of the equation. Being OUTDOORS is so important to overall health and well-being. Waking to sunlight proves to aid in weight loss and folks who spend time outdoors are better sleepers, less depressed and the list goes on.

So along with my goals for the summer, exercising OUTDOORS is one of my biggest priorities. Then I can come home and reward myself with one of these delicious smoothies.

Summer Snack Picks & House Of J Updates.

While I sometimes wish I lived a completely Zen life style, "Busy" seems to be our middle name lately. It's been insanely quiet on the House Of J blog lately. With family, our businesses, community outreach and of course my little darlings, I just haven't had a chance to "blog". But I miss it, and will try to make updating a higher priority.

If you're interested in guest blogging for House Of J with healthy family recipes shoot me an email :)

In the mean time- check out a few of my blogger "it" lists.

www.whimsicallydetailed.com- One of my faves- party posts, gorgeous kids clothes and much much more.

www.danisuedreams.com- Local Fort Collins mama who is passionate about community outreach, custom jewelry and so much more.

http://fitfoodiemom.com- A lady after my own heart, healthy living, great recipes, and lots more! She even featured a House Of J favorite here- http://fitfoodiemom.com/2014/02/25/cauliflower-pizza-crust-house-of-j-recipe/

Summer time is here and that means picnics, fun in the sun and being on the run. Activities can keep us moms so busy that we end up at the drive thru for coffee and if you are anything like me, give in to an almond milk chocolate milk for the kiddos every once in a while. But chocolate milk (even with almonds) is not very nutritious, so what is a busy mama with a car full of snacking littles supposed to do?

I find that sticking to organic and non-gmo goodies on the go is the hardest.
#1 they are SO expensive, especially feeding a very hungry 2 year old and a growing 4.
#2 you have to watch out or there is as much processed junk in there as non-organic snack foods

I was recently sent a DELICIOUS pack of Ladera granola- It was delicious, with really great ingredients and my kiddos ate it up, I think the entire bag lasted us about 3 days.

My kids love yogurt but with the greek yogurt controversies  and the sky rocketing prices of dairy, I can honestly say that the yogurt is optional.

Their ingredients are California grown and they are a small business company that prides themselves on wholesome ingredients.

Check out their website and order a bag or two, or three :)

Another snack of choice is my supreme go-to because guess what-- the HUBBY loves them! YEP! Total family score, The vanilla-raspberry is AHHH-mazing and so are all the other flavors. I even made a CAKE out of my Natures Bakery Fig Bars. And my local Costco has them, which is a huge savings.

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I take pride in giving my honest opinion and assessment of all the products that are submitted to me and experiences I may be given. I reserve the right to opt out of publishing a review if I do not feel that I can be fair about my opinion.As the owner of this blog, I may accept forms of cash advertising, or sponsorship. There might also be paid topic insertions. I will and do accept and keep free products, services, travel, event tickets, and other forms of compensation from companies and organizations. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog..I believe in honesty and integrity therefore I will always give my personal opinion-whether or not it shows a product or company in a favorable light.  Compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.The views and opinions expressed in this blog are purely and entirely my own. I do not claim to be nor make an effort to be an expert on a certain topic, product or service.  I will only endorse companies, products and services that I believe, based on my own experiences, are worthy of endorsement.  All product or service claims should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.