40 Paleo Crockpot Freezer meals!

I was surfing the "internets" one day a few months ago and came upon this glorious blog about 40 Crock-pot meals in 4 hours from Who Needs a Cape .  My first thought was 4 hours? WOW! Then more to the point, can I make this Paleo? Or at least REALLY Close.  The answer was YES. Over the next few months I took each recipe and altered a few ingredients to fit into our diet.  I also bought up ingredients when they went on sale.  I ended up spending $332 total for 40 Paleo Meals.  That is $8.30 per meal with each meal having 4-6 servings.  HUGE savings for trying to feed your family healthy meals on a budget.  You could go cheaper than this if you wanted to cut corners and not buy organic.  You could also go more expensive if you lean more toward the Grass Fed Meats.  I try to stay middle of the road because our family is on a strict budget.

But ONTO THE MEALS!! Here is the Master List. As you can see I make 2 of each recipe unless it says to Make 3. Then we just triple it.

Main Dish (Will make two of each unless otherwise noted)	Make it Paleo!!	Links
Crockpot Applesauce BBQ Chicken	Use Paleo BBQ Sauce, and use coconut Sugar instead of brown sugar.	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/01/crockpot-applesauce-bbq-chicken/
		http://paleonewbie.com/tangy-paleo-bbq-sauce/
Buffalo Chicken	Use Paleo Ranch Seasoning	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/01/crock-pot-buffalo-chicken/
		http://cavegirlinthecity.com/paleo-ranch-seasoning/[1]
Garlic Pesto chicken(Only make chicken parts)	Use Paleo Italian Dressing (instead of Lawry's)	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/01/crockpot-garlic-pesto-chicken-with-pasta-in-a-tomato-cream-sauce/
		http://www.paleocupboard.com/italian-dressing.html
Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs (Make 3 meals)	Use White Wine Vinegar instead of Rice Wine	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/01/crock-pot-maple-dijon-chicken-thighs/
Cilantro Lime Chicken	Omit Corn and beans if you want (We eat corn)	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/08/slow-cooker-cilantro-lime-chicken/
Green Chile Pork Stew	Use Tapioca Flour instead of All Purpose	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/01/crockpot-green-chile-pork-stew/
Easy Pulled Pork		http://whoneedsacape.com/2014/02/easy-pulled-pork/
Mongolian Beef (Make 3 meals)	Use Coconut Aminos instead of Soy Sauce, Use Coconut Sugar instead of Brown Sugar, and Use Paleo Hoisin Sauce	http://whoneedsacape.com/2012/11/easy-crockpot-mongolian-beef/
		http://primalfeeding.com/paleo-hoisin-sauce-recipe/
Chicken Tacos	Paleo Taco Seasoning	http://whoneedsacape.com/2012/10/crockpot-chicken-tacos/
		http://thedomesticman.com/2011/03/12/easy-cheap-homemade-taco-seasoning/
Ranch chicken Tacos	Paleo Ranch Seasoning and Paleo Taco Seasoning	http://whoneedsacape.com/2014/04/slow-cooker-ranch-chicken-tacos/
		http://cavegirlinthecity.com/paleo-ranch-seasoning/
		http://thedomesticman.com/2011/03/12/easy-cheap-homemade-taco-seasoning/
Island Chicken	Use coconut Aminos instead of Soy Sauce	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/02/island-chicken/
Chicken Cacciatore	Do not freeze with pasta.  When making to eat use Tapioca or Sweet Potato Noodles	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/08/slow-cooker-chicken-cacciatore/
Chunky Beef Stew (Make 3 meals)	Omit Potatoes (If want can use sweet potatoes)	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/07/chunky-beef-stew/
Balsamic Chicken Legs (Make 3 meals)	Use coconut Aminos instead of Tamari	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/01/crockpot-balsamic-glazed-drumsticks/
Orange Chicken	Use coconut Aminos instead of Soy Sauce	http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/02/crock-pot-orange-chicken/
Terriyaki Chicken (Make 3 meals)		http://www.rubiesandradishes.com/2014/03/13/slow-cooker-paleo-teriyaki-chicken/
Crockpot Fajitas (Make 3 Meals)		http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/02/crock-pot-fajitas/

First thing I did was make up all the Sauces and Spice Mixes I would need to make myself.  Some sauces such as BBQ sauce etc is easier to make Paleo than buy.  This way you control the ingredients:

Zippy Tangy Paleo BBQ Sauce
Paleo Hoisin Sauce
Paleo Ranch Seasoning
Paleo Italian Dressing
Paleo Taco Seasoning

Here is that BBQ sauce in all its glory.  As you can see it looks like ketchup, and don't think I'm not going to try to turn it into ketchup.  I have still not been able to give up ketchup. I LOVE it.  LOVE LOVE LOVE, OK maybe LUST for it....

Once the sauces and seasonings were made I went ahead and pulled out all my dry and canned ingredients to get them ready and organized for the big day.

 I also went ahead and pulled out the 40 Gallon freezer bags I would need and labeled each with the recipe that would go into them. All of this took me about 1 hour. I tried to space it out so I was doesn't doing too much at once. I am 34 weeks pregnant WE MUST REST!


Onto Day 2: Make the Dang Meals

I woke up, ate some breakfast (hey a girl has to eat!) and set to work on my meals.  I started with first placing the meat in each bag. This way I could go ahead and Clorox down my counter tops. I hate the thought of raw meat sitting on my counter. I just can't even deal with it.  SO, this is what I did.

I then decided to pull out all my veggies.  I didn't chop them, I just got them out of the fridge. If you want, you can go ahead and chop all the veggies so its all done.  I was just lazy. After I was finished with this, my husband walks in and says he will help! WOOT WOOT!!! We each grabbed a recipe and got to work.  I had each recipe labeled with how many meals of each we would make.  I doubled all except a few I said to triple. This was to make up the 40 meals total.  Once complete (about 2.5 hours later) my husband and I placed everything in the freezer,

It is a relief to know that I have 40 healthy meals ready to go, especially over my maternity leave.  All I have to do is pull a bag out at night and put in the fridge. I wake up, pull out my crock pot, and put the meal into it. It will be that easy.

These are just the main courses, so side dishes will have to be made fresh. But Hey!! That's the easy part.  Make a salad, steam some veggies, or make your kids favorite side dish!

We tried one this weekend. The Cilantro Lime Chicken was delicious. This was paired with a Steamer bag of Brussel Sprouts for me and my husband, and couscous for the kids.

Yes that's a cheap looking container my food is in. It is a portion I made out to take to work.  We don't take our good Tupperware to work!

We will be doing this again for sure! I'm going to take the next month and try to build up a list of some more recipes to try. I think making the list of recipes around 15 and then doubling or tripling them really saves on the time.  If people enjoy this post then I will post it again! Heck I prob will anyways so I can go back to it later.

The original plan takes about 4 hours to make. My plan will take around 6 hours.  It will be less if you can get you a kitchen helper.  Let me know how you enjoy the recipes if you try!!!!

ENJOY!
~ Lauren

Passion of the Crust

Not that I would compare pizza to my Lord and Savior, but I believe this is a staple up in heaven. I mean how can it not be? Delicious crust, flavorful toppings, melty cheese.  Geez.....Where is my pizza? I know when I start to try to eat healthier I need to find a way to eat my favorite food of all time!  Either that, or I will have to overlook the emotional and physical affair I have with Pizza. My diet will understand. :)

Over a year ago, I came to my husband and said "I think I will start us on a Paleo diet." And he responded "Ok, but if it tastes like crap I'm going to McDonalds."  I can feel the love now.  But since I do most of the cooking he is generally along for the ride.

My best friend was already on Paleo, and we were searching high and low for a good crust recipe.  She shares my love affair with pizza.  We found one that used sweet potatoes that was pretty good but was labor intensive.  Everything Paleo sometimes seems labor intensive.

Then, the clouds parted, a single ray of sunshine shined down on my computer and a single dove took flight into the sky!!!! I found a general recipe for 2 ingredient pizza dough.  I brought this to my friend and said "Do you think, is it possible, is it true?? Can we make this Paleo?"  And make it we did.  It tastes delicious. Both of my kids eat it like its reg pizza dough.  My husband says even if he wasn't eating paleo he would eat this pizza crust.  It is so simple as well. I make this usually at least once a month.

One disclaimer, my family eats Dairy.  Yes dairy.  I know, I know, some view it as not Paleo, but our bodies tolerate it well, and I shouldn't have to say more than...cheese...  But, when you buy Dairy, please make it good quality!

So we move onto, the recipe

Paleo Pizza Crust

1 to 1 1/2 Cups Paleo Self Rising Flour
1 Cup Greek Yogurt***
Spices of your choosing.

Paleo All Purpose Flour Mix
2 Cups Blanched Almond Flour
1 1/3 Cups Tapioca Flour
2/3 Cups Coconut Flour

To make your All Purpose Flour into Self Rising add 1 1/2 tsp of Baking Soda to each 1 1/2 Cup of flour.

Directions:
Combine Self Rising Flour and Greek yogurt in a bowl. I then add the seasonings I want to flavor my crust with.  This includes some salt, garlic Powder, onion powder, and Italian seasonings.  I think this adds a special flavor to the crust (Don't worry about the amount, but if you are scared start with small amounts and add more if needed.).  Mix until well combined. The dough will be sticky.  I let it sit for 5 minutes to let the coconut flour Soak up the moisture.  The batter will still be sticky.  I leave it usually, but if its too wet for you add a Tablespoon of Tapioca flour at a time until its to your liking. We eat this pizza in individual sized crusts. This is because all 4 of us usually wants different items on our pizzas.  It also is easy to make leftovers to take to work with individual pizzas.

I then use a measuring cup (1/3rd of a cup) to scoop out the pizza dough onto my parchment paper.

As you can see its pretty sticky.  I lay of piece of plastic wrap over the dough and shape into a biscuit shape.

I use my rolling pin now to roll it out about 1/4th an inch thick.  You can roll it out to be as thin, or as thick as you like.  We like thinner crusts, so if I get it 1/4th of an inch or less I can get it crispier in the oven. ;) Notice also, its not perfect in shape. I think this gives my pizza character.  And, shows I'm too lazy to care what shape my pizza is in.

I continue on doing this until I have used up all my pizza dough.  This recipe can be easily doubled tripled etc.  The Paleo All Purpose Mix above makes for cups, so I buy 4 cups of Greek Yogurt and make the Full batch.  We can eat half of this at one sitting.   This will make around 15 individual sized pizzas and I can eat 2 pizzas at one sitting.  My husband can too.   Each kid eats around one.

I now place the parchment paper and crust on my cookie sheets and bake for around 10-12 minutes. (Sometimes I go closer to 15 minutes if I have 2 cookie sheets in the oven. I will check to see if its like the pic below.) It is ok if it is not ALL the way done because you will add toppings and bake more. This recipe is forgiving.  If after 12 minutes you think to yourself, "This woman is nuts, this pizza crust is raw." Then please place back in the oven and bake in 2-3 minute increments until it is to your liking.

You can immediately top your crust with your favorite toppings.  After this, place back in the oven for 10-15 more minutes at 425 degrees.  Check after 10 to see if it is cooked to your liking.  I go more for 15 minutes because I want a  nice golden brown on my cheese.

I generally make my pizza crusts a day or two in advance.  I take out of the oven (without toppings) and allow to cool.  I then place in plastic bags and put in the fridge.  During the week, when I get home from work, all I have to do is top our pizzas and bake.  Easy, fresh meal!

Here is our latest creation.  This pizza has a pesto sauce, fresh diced tomatoes (from the garden), a mix of garlic powder and Italian seasoning sprinkled on top,

I then added the pepperoni and cheese.  And baked...  Mmmmmmmmm....Heaven!!!  

You can make this crust with any toppings you have. Sometimes we have "Leftover" pizza which will be whatever toppings we can find in the fridge.  I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have! 

*** If you are dairy free, replace the Greek Yogurt with a Non Dairy Alternative.  Also, instead of topping your pizza with cheese use more veggies.  For example, caramelize some onions and use that as your "cheese."  Or buy some non-dairy Daiya cheese.