January | 2016 | livelycravings

These meatballs are for kids and they can customize them for their lunch. They will feel proud and actually eat them. I’m always trying to get the kids involved in lunch making. Every ingredient is optional so make them any way you want. Adults will enjoy these meatballs too.

Cheeseburger meatballs

Ground meat

1 egg

Heaping spoonful of ketchup

small Spoonful of mustard

Spoonful of relish

Equal amounts of diced pickles, diced onion, diced cooked bacon,

and shredded cheese

Large dash of garlic powder

Dash of salt and pepper

As a side – serve with ketchup, pickles, veggies and plain chips.

Why not make a cheeseburger meatball sub or a salad with meatballs? Dress your salad with a mixture of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard and relish.

Taco meatballs

Ground meat

1 Egg

Equal amounts of diced onion, diced red pepper and shredded cheese.

Jalapeños, optional

Spoonful of tomato paste

Many large dashes of chili powder

Couple dashes of paprika, cumin and oregano

Dash of garlic powder, all spice, salt and pepper

As a side – serve with salsa, red pepper, avocado and nacho chips. Try a Taco meatball salad too! So Yummy!

Shepherd’s pie meatballs

Ground meat

1 Egg

Equal amounts of diced onion, corn, shredded potato,

and shredded cheese

A few large dashes of parsley

Dash of marjoram, optional

Dash of sage, garlic powder, salt and pepper

As a side – serve with ketchup, veggies and roasted potato.

Prepare a broiler pan with parchment paper and cut slits in the paper for the fat to fall through.

Mix the egg and all the ingredients then add the meat; mix until combined.

Bake at 375 for about 20-25 minutes. Cooking time depends on the size of the meatballs. I use a meat thermometer until it reaches 170 degrees.

Shredded cheese makes a mess when it melts so do not use too much. I cubed some cheese and moulded the meat around it but it still leaked out.

Remember everything is optional so be creative and add anything you like.

Why not try adding quinoa, cabbage or oatmeal in your meatballs.

Have fun!

I never used to believe in new years resolutions because I had to give something up or make a unrealistic goal. I now make a goal that makes me a happier person.

In 2013 my new years resolution was not to go crazy over little things. I did most things half ass and I didn’t worry about what needed to be done because I had a one, five and seven year old. For me to be a good mom I had to relax and not stress. For 2014 I decided to expand my perspectives and 2015 was to get organized, I stayed on top of things the best I could and well I didn’t get it all done I am still very proud of myself. When you do the best you can you should have no regrets! I am very excited for 2016 because I resolve to follow my passions and live for the fun of life. Cheers to optimism!

My recipe today is to start each day with lemon juice because it helps the digestive system and a healthy gut is a happy mind. My passion is to our earth and to prevent autoimmune diseases and cancer by illuminating and trying new foods. So I will tell you why you should start your day with lemon juice and maybe that would be a realistic resolution.

Squeeze a small lemon or one-half of a large lemon and drink it straight down. It is best done on an empty stomach so first thing in the morning and never at night. Try to drink it like a shot or a straw because it can strip the enamel on teeth. After drink a glass of room temperature water and it’s best not to eat for 20 minutes unless it’s fruit. Lemon juice is a good stomach acidifier which helps with digesting. It also kills the bacteria in the throat so you are less likely to get a sore throat. It is most effective to take it for a week to 3 weeks in a row because it is a expeller of heavy metals from the body. The heavy metals come up in the mouth for the body to eliminate so gargle with sea salt or swish with coconut oil for 5 – 10 minutes.