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Thanksgiving recap

Here is a little recap of our thanksgiving!


We had a very long but great thanksgiving with family! We made the trip to Ohio last Wednesday night and was able to spend Thanksgiving day the Grogg and Shulaw's family!








 I was so thankful to have so many options for food this year! Ruthie made sure that everything was organic and we could not thank her enough! 

Here is what my plate looked like! 

Organic turkey, sweet potato, grandmas corn and a salad! (That salad was amazing!)


After a fun night of Black Friday shopping with the girls we heading back in Indiana to visit with my family!


My mom and I went a little overboard with pies this year! She made a Apple pie, I made two Pumpkin pies (One for Ohio, one for Indiana) and a Chocolate pecan pie.

My pies were made with all organic ingredients and sweetened with either honey, maple syrup, stevia or zucchini ... yes haha zucchini!

Recipes round up!

Chocolate pecan Pie : Healthful Pursuit

Pumpkin Pie : Paleo Mom

Stuffing : Deliciously Organic (We left out the sausage)

Mayo (Devil eggs) : Lexi's Clean Kitchen






Pretty bird. 


Here is what my plate looked like at my parents thanksgiving ...


Organic turkey, devil egg (with homemade mayo!) grain free stuffing, gravy (With our homemade bone broth!) and green beans!









What a great thanksgiving! We did miss spending time with the Smith side this year. But we know we do get to spend Christmas eve with them so we are looking forward to that!!

Bring on the next holiday!

Plan-a-header and first thanksgiving treat!



I'm a plan-a-header.

Someone who plans way in advance for no reason but to just have it planned out.

So Sunday night I decided to plan our Spring Break trip! (That's just 4 months in advance, not so bad!)

I was cleaning up the dinning room and took a glance at our new wooden map. Just a few days ago I filled in the places we have been together and though we have been a couple places together,  I knew I wanted to go more places! So as I stood there staring at this map I got to thinking when the right time would be for our next trip as husband and wife and where that would be...

I knew from past talks that Cain would love to make a trip to Washington DC to see all the memorials and to visit the White House. Although I have been there with my family I would love to go back because I don't remember it all and there were things we didn't see in our trip there I'm sure.

But ...I really would love to go to New York and visit Times Square. So why not put both on the "Places to go" list I thought!

I sat down and started planning!

Once Cain made it home I had it all sorted out and gave him the ideas and he loved it :)

So I think we've found our next road trip! For those who know me, know I love saving for things. If I don't have something in mind that I want to save for, I will spend money randomly. I have to have a goal, a set thing to save for. Now that I have something else to save for it makes me really excited for the trip to be here!


Right now I have been saving for Cain's new big TV ! Every penny has been set aside and put into his TV fund. I've never seen someone so excited about a larger screen. It must be a guy thing? Haha

Thanksgiving is coming, but not soon enough! I can't wait to spend it with family and some good quality food!

But before Thanksgiving is here and before Cain goes into battle for his larger screen, we have to get through the next couple of days of work and school.

Let's just say I'm truly thankful for this Thanksgiving break. We need some relaxing and family time!



I will be posting our thanksgiving meals after this holiday is over!

Last year I believe my goal was to stay grain free and of course only eat real food for thanksgiving! But I love to set new goals so this year I will be grain free, along with eating all whole foods and going to stick with only a little organic honey and maple syrup! (Meaning no other type of sugar!)

This is huge for me! I have been without any sugar (Unless coming from little starch such as a sweet potato) for almost 3 months now!

So organic honey and maple syrup is a special treat that I will enjoy with my pumpkin pie this year!

But that will be it! Everything else will be real organic food with no processed crap!

Here is a peek into something yummy I will be eating for thanksgiving! I just made these today and yes I did taste test :p These came from Healthful Pursuit! She is crazy good at what she does. These are called "Sugar-Free Coconut Almond Bark"

Check out this recipe and more HERE !





Wellness Family Summit

When I first heard about this summit I about took off the whole month from work just to ONLY watch these amazing people do what they do!

I won't take off work but I do plan on listening to what these speakers have to say and I would love you to come along side and do the same.

For those of you who have not yet heard of this online summit here is a short clip of what it's all about!



Okay so now that you've watched it I know what you're thinking. Another health food, chemical free talk that you don't want to have anything to do with it. I'm guessing it's because you're afraid that what you will find will be true and will have to admit your wrong! Am I close?

Or maybe you already know that what your feeding your family is wrong but don't care enough to do anything about it?

Or maybe you care.... but don't know how.

I hope it's the last one. That you do care and you want to try but are lost in the Google madness searching on HOW and WHAT to feed your family?

I hope you stick around and listen to what this Summit can teach yourself, family, community and of course my dream to show the world what a better life we all can have.

This summit has a total of 30 amazing people going to be speaking on a lot of different subjects with one goal in mind... to make it easier on you!

Here are just some of those things!

* How to get your family to eat real food without complaining

*How to fit nutrient dense foods in to a tight budget without breaking the bank

*How to start making your own personal care products to save money and avoid chemicals

*Foods to help kids concentrate

*"Healthy" foods that could still be causing health issues for your family

*If Gluten is really that bad or if it is ok in moderation

Those are just a few of the things that will be touched on through this summit.


I plan on listening to all of those amazing people each day, but if I miss one I will buy the summit! And have it to watch whenever I can. So let's say you would love to watch this summit but are to busy right now, don't worry there will be a place for you to get all the videos! I will be sharing that on my page as soon as I can!

Let's stay in touch while this is going on the next couple of weeks! Follow the Facebook group I've set up that way we all can learn together and talk about our favorite speakers and what they have to say :)

Facebook Link <

Mrs. Grogg

Smell those pretty roses?

Stop and smell the roses.

I don't have any roses around me. If you do, go around and smell them but if you don't, like me... then use this as a metaphor. 

Smell those roses. The sweet moments in life that die just too quick! 

I am trying to not only heal my body through the foods I do and don't eat. But I am also trying to relax and take it easy on myself. (Smelling those roses) 

Because I am always thinking about the next move, the next step, the next day... what's next is always on my mind!

From work, to making food, keeping the house clean, to spending time with my husband and family. I'm always on the go go go... because I want to get everything done right... yesterday! 

Cain has mastered the "relax" part of life. He can sit back anytime in the day and enjoy a movie or game. I just stare at him like he is CRAZY! I don't care if I have anything to do... I will find something to do! But that isn't always the right thing because I am putting my body through more stress then it can handle. 

When you go into stress mode your body starts craving foods to fuel itself because it knows that you will need something to keep you going! 

Those foods come in the form of junk food, sugar and just plain crap!

And while your mind is going 100 different ways (I'm talking to the females) the last thing it wants to think about is eating something that will actually benefit you. It wants what will comfort you, and for so many that is sugar (bread, cake, granola bars, cookies, fruit... yes even fruit) 

So my goal is to keep my body from over stressing and fueling it with the right foods so that I can finish my tasks without cravings.... and have time to sit and stare at those roses! 

Am I making sense? Haha

I write a list everyday of what needs done. And I make sure that I take at least an hour of the day to do something for me. 

Something I love and never seem to have time for. 

It has been so rewarding for myself doing this. 

___________________________________________________________________________

This past Sunday we had a special day. 

Cain was baptized! And who better then my dad to do the honors right? I think it's special to say both of us have been baptized by the same pastor :)





We were so happy to have Scott and our sweet little sister Alexis there to share in our special day. 

Looking forward to this weekend to come, I have some great pictures planned along with a date day with Cain :) Hope everyone enjoys their weekend also... and remember, try and relax and smell some roses along the way...

Mrs. Grogg

Inside my kitchen today...





Take a look into what a kitchen looks like when you make everything from scratch! 

It's amazing how much perperation you have to do when making "Real Food" every day. 

There is no "Babe will you run through Taco Bell before you get home, I had a bad day" Or "Let's get pizza tonight I don't feel like baking" 

 I decided this for myself and my family but I wanted to be very clear it's not always pretty! (like the picture above) There are hard days when making supper is the last thing I want to do. But when I have a clear list of what's for supper each week , it does make it easier. 

I do make everything from scratch because it's the best thing for our health. It also taste so much better then everything I've had, including taco bell! I'm not a perfect "Chef" if that's what you would call me. But I do put a lot of love into what I make (Newly wed thing) 

So here is what I made today!

First thing I needed to do was soak the dates for the dessert I was making for Cain to take to work tomorrow. 

Next I make Cain a Cream Cheese Chicken lettus wrap (Left over chicken from the "Whole Chicken (Crock Pot)" << Recipe

After that I made a quick trip to Kroger's. Around 8:00am they mark down the meat that is about to go bad. It's my favorite kind of meat... not because it's about to go bad but because it's cheaper!!! 

I found a awesome deal on pork tenderloin so I decided to change up my dinner plans and have pork. 

When I got home I needed to make a marinade for the pork that I've been wanting to make. That didn't take long but getting spices out and back out again can be a pain! Once my pork was in the fridge with the marinade I finished the dessert by processing the dates with unsweetened coconut and pecans. And after they were set I added chocolate!... They are called No Bake German Chocolate bits << Recipe 




All stored and ready for Cain to take when he leaves at 5:15am.... AM! I dislike waking up that early!

After taking Cain his lunch, doing a little apartment searching (Our lease is about up!) I went to my Biolife appointment then came home to start packing for the weekend.

Most every weekend we make our way to my parents house because we go to church with them on Sunday's. It makes it easier to be there Saturday night so we don't have to wake up extra early on Sundays.

I also schedule pictures for the weekend home too! I have a great session this Saturday! Along with the Notre Dame game... going to be a great weekend!

So not only do I have to pack clothes for a couple days worth for us. I have to prepare all the food I will be bringing for me to eat. I am a little more picky with my food then my mom or even Cain. Even though they do make great choices. I am really trying to heal my body from years of eating junk. So I no longer am eating sugar..... *Gasp! I know haha all sugar too! Even honey and maple syrup! The "Good" stuff right?

Well what I am finding out even more then ever is ... listen up.... this is good stuff...  Sugar is Sugar! If it comes in the form of table sugar or honey. It's sugar once it hits your blood stream. And one of the only ways to heal your cells is to stop eating what's damaging them.

Okay enough about that (UNLESS you want to know more about healing your body, then please email me and I would love to pass on some great information!)

I needed to make Cain's lunch for tomorrow so I went ahead and got that in the crock pot later this afternoon. It's one of our favorite meals ... Buffalo Meat Balls with Ranch sauce. I got the recipe from Maria Mind Body Health Slow Cooker book. It's been one of my favorite recipe books yet!

I even made her Sub Bread << today for Cain to have with the meat balls! A much better choice then eating Yoga mat! Yoga mat?! you might think. YES! That's what's in SubWay bread. Hopefully not much longer though thanks to Food Babe <<

So for tonight's supper I made Bacon wrapped Pork Tenderloin with a side of cucumber salad :) UM!



You can find this recipe pretty much anywhere but I got mine from Ruled Me << Meal plan.

Phew! With all food packed for Cain tomorrow, my food packed for the weekend and supper cleaned up I am ready to call it a night!

But just for the night, because its up bright and early to make Cain breakfast before he leaves for work tomorrow!

Even though, yes.. making food from scratch is more time consuming and can make a mess at times. It's all worth it when I know my body is happy with what's being put inside.

Mrs. Grogg







Why we eat Organic


Why organic?

Here is why, straight to the point no long story. (well maybe a little!)

Non organic food means it has GMO's (Genetically modified organism) The word "Modified" means (From Dictionary.com) "To change the form of qualities of; alter partially; amend:"

Hasn't our food always had GMO's?

No. It first came into our stores in the year 1994. And since then there has been more people facing food allergies, weight gain, health troubles even infertility.

Where are the GMO's?

More then 85 percent of corn and soy crops grown in the United States come from seeds whose DNA has been rejiggered. So look on the back of the boxed food or canned drink in your home and you'll find it.

Certified organic foods leave out GMO's along with pesticides and leave you with actual real food.

Why eat food that is modified, altered or change in quality?

It's cheaper, sorta. You see farmers who grow organic foods have to go through more trouble and money to get their food in stores then non organic companies.

I said sorta because yes it might be cheaper now to buy food that has pesticides or sugar that is causing cancer....  but one day you'll have to pay more in health care cost because of those choices. So pay the farmer now or the doctor later... it's your choice in the end.

So why do we eat Organic foods?

I think I've pretty much answered it already. But here is why.

August 2009

I don't want to be sick anymore. I may not have looked, acted or felt sick the years I was eating Taco Bell every day (Yes, everyday!) But inside my body was suffering. And down the road if I would have kept up, I know it would have affected me.

We want to live full lives. Not half of it. Because eating junk food doesn't mean you're "Living it up" because You Only Live Once.... (That's sad to hear) Cain says YOLO is Carpe Diem (Seize the day) for douche bags haha. Because it actually means you are putting yourself at risk for heart, liver, and digestive problems. And the older you get the more it will become aware of what's really happening to your insides and it will start showing on the outside through pain, headaches and weight gain.

I decided to eat Organic foods not just for myself but for my future kids. Just as I decided not to drink alcohol or smoke when I was just a teenager.  I wanted a healthy, pure lifestyle for my children and that's where it started... and then overtime I realized that I wanted to add a little more to a healthy lifestyle by what I was eating to what I was putting on my body.

Everyday I learn something new that is harmful to me. And I still am not perfect and mess up a lot. But what I want to get out of this is to see my children not suffer from allergies caused by processed foods and to have energy for playing sports, be able to focus while doing school and to live a fulfilling life.

Those things I listed can happen for my future sweet babies, by what I decide to feed them. Now when they are old enough to make their own food choices I hope I can show them what's best by teaching them,  but it's on them in the end. Just like it's on you, now.

We aren't perfect like I've already said. We make adjustments here and there to make it easier on our family and friends. But there is only so much I will give in too.

Have you heard or seen this pictures before?


What it means is what we are eating today, fast foods, GMO's and processed foods is shaping us into what we will be in the future.

Now I have said all that to say... I never have and will never judge or think less of you if you don't buy organic food or even make healthier options just in general. I love my family and close friends and they know where my husband and I stand when it comes to our food choices. They have made adjustments for us and we are so thankful for that.

What we would love to see one day is our families thrive off real food and see how awesome it is to say no to processed food... not because you "Can't" eat it... but because you "won't" eat it. There is a difference and I've learned to love that.

How do we afford Organic food you might ask? I will be sharing that in the next couple of weeks.

We are a very young, newly wed couple who have to make hard choices when it comes to where to spend the little money we work hard for. Priority comes into play when we divide what we make into a budget.

If I can help just a little bit on how to make healthier choices, it means the world to me.

So just be aware, be smart and be healthy.

Mrs. Grogg







How to pack healthy on the road...


When I hear that people say eating a paleo diet or just not eating processed food is a "Fad" .... I can just laugh at what little they know. You see... if you are eating a paleo or a whole foods diet for longer then ...let's say a week. It's no longer a fad because I'm telling you right now. Eating real food, isn't easy.... wells it's easy, it's just not as easy as running through a fast food resturant. We all know when "diets" aren't easy... you don't stick with it so that's how I know it isn't a "Fad"

This is a life style for me. And I am happy to say Cain too! This isn't a "I wanna look healthy so I'm going to eat a salad" life style. I'm all in and won't turn back, because I know what's good for my body. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what we are eating in America today is killing us inside.

And because our country hasn't cared about our food there is MORE unhealthy options then HEALTHY options when going out to eat or traveling. It's been a challenge you could say, just trying to go out with a family member or friend around our town.

So when we decided to make a last minute trip to Florida I joked that the Paleo wife in me was going into battle mode to make sure I had all the weapons and gear to insure that I and Cain wouldn't starve the five days we were gone. Because for me... I would rather starve then eat junk!

Cain has given himself a lot more freedom when it comes to the food choices he makes. When we go out to eat he makes the best choices he has there and gives himself the grace to eat something not so healthy sometimes. I give him that grace too because with him being in the Military he won't be given options for a healthy meal (MRE's) and his body should be adapted to that, I think just a little.

If I was to eat, let's say.. Canola Oil right now... my body would reject it and I would be in bed for at least two days. Canola Oil is in most processed food and is one of the worst Oils out there for you to have. Because I have been clean from it so long even the littlest bit of it will send my body into attack mode. It's not good haha


Chocolate covered organic peanuts

Lara Bars


Boiled eggs

Dried Mangos

Cashews, Pumpkin seeds, macadamia nuts 

Sunflower seed butter 

Homemade chocolate chip cookies


So here is what I packed for our short trip to Florida. (We knew we would have a fridge everyday but the days we were on the road, so that helped)

Breakfast: (Packed, store bought and organic restaurant)
Boiled Eggs
"Nut Cereal"
Mixed Fruit
Strawberry muffin
Pasteurized Eggs
Bacon
"Urban Juicer"

Lunch: (Packed and organic restaurants)
Ezekiel bread with my "Just Peanut Butter" and homemade strawberry jelly (Cain)
Deer burgers (thanks to Matt and Betsy!)
"Wild Cow"
Earth Fare's lunch buffet


Dinner: (Packed leftovers and organic restaurants)
PB&J sandwich (Cain)
Deer Burgers
"Burger Up"
"Burgerfi"
All natural Turkey with avocado

Snacks: (Packed)
Pineapple
Banana
Apple
Peanut Butter
Sunflower seed butter
Dried Mangos
Cashews
Sunflower seeds
Madamaon nuts
Grapes
Mixed Fruit
Homemade Chocolate chip cookies (Cain's favorite cookies... mine too!)
Homemade chocolate covered peanuts (Cain) (With enjoy life chocolate chips)
Lara Bars

Drinks: (packed)
Water
Coconut water

There you have it! Just pretty much sums up all that we had. Nothing grand, besides when we ate out.

coconut water

I would have packed more meat and veggies if I thought we wouldn't be able to be going out to eat. And like I said we had a fridge at both Cain's aunts house and Betsy's house so that was a plus for us.

Here < is the link to the post about our trip to Florida!





I want to encourage you to try and pack ahead on your next road trip, or family event. Don't wait to get there and hope there will be something good to eat. MAKE something good to eat and bring it.

Every healthy food choice you make is putting you one step closer to living a full life with less disease, heart troubles,  diabetes and so much more!



Be aware, be smart, be healthy!

Mrs. Grogg







Our Dinner and Making #1

So I feel as if I haven't stopped running around since the day we got back from the honeymoon! There has been so many things to get done and organized then I realized. But each day is a blessing with my husband and I could not be a happier wife! Just want things to slllloooooww down! Ha.

Tonight for supper I tried a new recipe.


with pale bread sticks...


 the heart was for cain ;)


It turned out amazing. I have gotten so lucky with everything I've made thus far. It helps to have an wonderful husband who will eat anything! :)

I have pictures scheduled for this week that I'm so excited about. It's been to long since I've been out taking pictures. I miss it dearly.

Also, Bobbi (the amazing photographer who took our engagement pictures) shared with me that we were posted on a website for the Top 10 Emotional Proposal Pictures! Ha. So crazy. Here is the website ...

I asked Cain when he got home tonight if he ever thought his proposal to me would be so amazing that it would be share by so many people? He said, "I just wanted it to be special for you" and for it to turn out the way it did... was just a plus I guess :)

I could not ask for a more perfect man in my life to do things to make me feel special and loved. Life with him is something I wouldn't trade in for money or treasures of this earth.

I can't wait for the day when we can have family pictures taken by Bobbi and just look back at how far we have come....

One day ;)

Mrs. Grogg