Winter is officially back in Wisconsin. There was a huge snow storm yesterday that lasted through the night leaving us with a winter wonderland outside. Snow falls are always pretty, but not in April. Nope. I am ready for green grass, budding trees and all of the sun-rays! Honestly though, the biggest reason I need warmer temperatures is so I can start wearing the maxi and sun dresses I bought for my growing belly. Jeans are getting real tight these days! I may or may not be sitting at my desk with my jeans unbuttoned….
Something that has gotten away from me lately is practicing my daily affirmations and gratitude which has lead to some self belittling, comparison and crappy moods. Just like proper eating habits and workout routines, when you fall off track all you have to do is hop back on. When I am consistent with practicing gratitude and speaking to myself in a positive manner I am happier and more confident, I question myself less, and I am able to help way more people. Now that I have another human to care for it is even more important to me to have a strong healthy mind so I can pass those positive thoughts and feelings off to the babe. Baby is to the point where he/she can hear my voice and feel what I am feeling. I want this baby to hear and feel the love I have for myself and it is only up to me to do that. We all have reasons to be our best self’s everyday and it is up to us to make that happen. If you’re like me and have been struggling with this lately, know you are not alone. Spend some time alone with yourself and reflect on everything in your life you have to be thankful for. Write them down even so you can look back at them. Tell yourself three positive things a day and truly believe them. Our minds are one of the main foundations of a healthy life and we must not forget about it!
If you need a boost of happiness or nostalgia, make these Paleo Chicken Strips! As a kid, and even adult I loved me some chicken strips and fries. I couldn’t tell you that last time I ate a real chicken strip but these certainly did the trick and gave me the warm fuzzies of my childhood. If you have kiddos, have them help you make them! These are also great to make for meal prep because it makes a lot and the reheat really well.
- 1½ - 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
- ⅓ cup coconut flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tbsp nut milk (I used cashew)
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup tapioca flour
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Grab three shallow bowls. Add the coconut flour to one bowl. Add the eggs and nut milk to another bowl and whisk until combined. Add the almond flour, tapioca flour, salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika to the third bowl. Mix well.
- Individually dip each tenderloin in the coconut flour, fully coating both sides. Transfer the tenderloin to the egg mixture and coat on both sides letting any excess run off. Transfer the tenderloin to the almond flour mixture and fully coat on both sides. Place the tenderloin on the baking sheet. Repeat this process until all tenderloins are coated.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven for 10 minutes. Flip each piece of chicken and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Optional: raise the oven temperature to 500 degrees and bake for an additional 5 minutes to get more of a golden brown color.
- Enjoy!