day2day joys: A Day of Real Food {4 Recipes to Carry You through the Day}

Written by April, Contributing Writer

Two common misconceptions with eating real and whole foods is that it is expensive and time consuming. Eating real and whole foods doesn't have to cost a lot and it doesn't have to eat up all your spare time. Here are some recipes that are simple, frugal (and most importantly) tasty.

- Breakfast -

{ Oatmeal with Fresh Fruit }

This is one of my kids' favorite breakfasts in winter. There are so many ways to add variety to this filling breakfast.

Prepare oatmeal using steel cut or rolled oats. Sweeten with a touch of honey, maple syrup, blackstrap molasses or one of these tasty twists. Add a side of your favorite fruit.

- Lunch -

{ Seasoned Chicken Breast, Sweet Potato Fries & Salad Greens }

Chicken

Mix 1.5 teaspoons cumin, 1 to 1.5 teaspoons chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle over one or two chicken breasts and bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Sweet Potatoes

Wash one sweet potato per person. Cut potatoes in to 1/4 to 1/2-inch wide strips. Place sliced potatoes in mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil. Spread potatoes on baking dish. Sprinkle lightly with ground paprika. Bake at 425 until fries have reached desired doneness.

Salad

Choose your favorite greens and drizzle with your favorite homemade dressing. Here are 10 different make-at-home recipes.

- Snack -

{ No-Bake Energy Bites }

I have tried to photograph these after I make them but in our family of five they never seem to last long enough for me to! I first found the recipe here. This is one of our favorite on-the-go snacks. It's a high protein-high fiber snack, helping you feel full and satisfied longer. These also make a great dessert.

- Dinner -

{ Beef & Bean Chili }

Brown beef in a skillet with half and onion and half of a clove of garlic. Drain.

In a large pot warm 1 teaspoon salt and 2 cups of chicken stock (I use this recipe). Add beef and then 1.5 cups each of diced tomatoes and soaked black, great northern, red and kidney beans. Stir. Add 1 tablespoon each of ground cumin and paprika. Add 1-3 tablespoons chili powder (one-and-a-half tablespoons gives it flavor without being overly spicy).

Simmer 15-20 minutes to let flavors combine. Serve with a baked potato or side salad.

Freezes well.

April is editor and author of Holistic Homemaking, a blog dedicated to intentional living and the multi-dimensional life of homemakers. She is the wife of a campus minister and the homeschooling mom of three children.

Her passions are photography, herbal remedies, frugal living and the outdoors.

In addition to her blog you can also find April on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

So there you have it ... one day of real food. Are you full?

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