Simply Cream of Chicken

Sometimes you just don't know what your missing until you try it. If you buy canned cream of chicken, please STOP! Besides being filled with really bad(really bad) things, it just doesn't compare to homemade cream of chicken.

 Where have you been all my life?! I know I used to stock those cans in my pantry because our fav farm meal, Homemade Chicken Pot Pie, calls for it. As I journeyed into saving money , eating clean and balanced and cooking from stratch I realized that not only does it take 5 minutes to make, but it tastes INCREDIBLE. I'll never go back. So give it a try! I promise it won't disappoint. Enjoy!!

PS I am sending out my chicken pot pie recipe ONLY to my newsletter subscriber!! So if you haven't subscribed yet, leave a comment with your email and I'll add you! 

1 3/4  cup chicken stock

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup flour or arrowroot

Sea salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp of thyme OR 1/4 tsp celery seed(optional)

Heat chicken stock in a sauce pan. Mix the milk and flour together in a small bowl. Stir until there are no lumps. Slowly whisk in the milk/flour mixture into the warm chicken stock and stir until consistent(no lumps) Add seasonings and cook over medium heat until thick. You can add more milk if it gets to thick or add more flour/milk mixture of you want it thicker! 

I told you! Easy! And simply, delicious!  

Simply, Jen 

Simply Hot Cocoa

November brisk breezes, tree is up and Christmas music fills the home. It's the perfect treat for your little ones. I like to keep things simple. Throw these ingredients in the blender, pour into a mason jar and top with marshmallow. I have a great recipe for those, but today, I just used some I had left over in the pantry. Enjoy. 

24 oz raw milk or whole milk

3 tbsp cocoa 

2 tbsp maple syrup 

1/2 tsp vanilla 

Pinch of sea salt

Blend on high(our vitamix heats it up-or you can heat up after)

Serve in mason jar with marshmallow. Curl up in a blanket and enjoy the season! 

Simply Perfect Pumpkin Bars

Choices. Small choices can make the biggest impact. So this week is Thanksgiving and I plan on making some delicious foods. Eating right and balanced DOESN'T equal bland and boring. Ask my kids..they NEVER complain! 

Take for instance this yummy chocolate chip(no soy) pumpkin bar. Instead of loading it with refined sugar that holds NO nutritional value, I sub either local honey and cut the measurement in HALF!  And use spelt or whole wheat flour. I took two not so healthy ingredients and exchanged them for two that will work FOR me and not against me. Yes, of course fresh juice or a raw apple are the BEST choice...but if we stick to making BETTER choices this holiday, then we are ahead of the game! 

Simply Pumpkin Bars

2 cups spelt or whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tap baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cloves

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 cup raw honey or muscovado sugar

3/4 cup organic salted butter

2 eggs 

1 can of pumpkin

1 cup of chocolate chips

Preheat to 325 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl. In another bowl, I use my Kitchen Aide, mix the butter, sugar, pumpkin and one egg at a time. Slowly add dry ingredients to the pumpkin mix and combine. Hand mix in the chocolate chips if you want a TASTY treat! 

Greese a 9x13 pan and put batter into 

pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Check with toothpick. It will come out clean when done. Do NOT overlook. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes! Serve warm. 

Simply Pumpkin Spiced Latte{or vanilla}

I love fall. I love pumpkins and golden orange and red leaves and crisp breezes and woodstoves with a red kettle of water always warming for good tea and better coffee. 

I love this recipe because it is easy to make, doesn't have yucky ingredients and can be guilt free! Balance is everything and if you are only using a little pure maple syrup then no need to worry! 

Add a tbsp of pumpkin spice{or 1/4 tsp on pure vanilla in your brew} to your coffee grounds when brewing! 

Heat your milk on the stove and use a hand lender to froth it all up! 

Mix your coffee with a pinch of sea salt and a tsp of pure maple syrup! 

Add steamed milk and use a spoon to scoop foam on the top! Drizzle with maple syrup(optional but oh so FUN) and sprinkle with cinnamon! Enjoy with your favorite book and warm blanket! 

Move over Starbucks-pumpkin spiced latte on the farm wins...we have a better view too! 

PS- I <3 Starbucks 

Simply Poppyseed Dressing

By far this is my go to homemade salad dressing! It is simply devine on any salad! Cobb, autumn salads, or just a simple cucumber and tomato salad. Super easy to make. I double and triple this recipe and store in a quart mason jar. A fun one for your kids too! Have them add all the ingredients, put on the kid and let them shake it up!! For the best flavor, I let chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes! You're welcome in advance! 

Simply Nut Butter Popcorn

It's a family favorite. Made at LEAST once a week for the kids and every time it is like I just pulled out ice cream! Score! I love this recipe because of all of the health benefits the ingredients have. Every ingredient has a purpose and I love how when combined it not only gives you a mouth full of YUMMY, but nutrients for my kiddos...and me ;) 

Super simple 

6 cups popped popcorn 

1/4 organic coconut oil

1/4 nut butter

1/4-1/2 tsp of sea salt(or to taste) 

1/2 tsp vanilla 

2-3 tbsp local raw honey 

Mix ingredients on a low heat until smooth. Drizzle over and enjoy this farm family favorite!! 

PS I have a video over on my health/fitness Facebook page! I explain all the benefits of the ingredients and I had my 2 year along for the shoot! So. Much. Cuteness!! Here are some still shots of the video. Be sure to head over there and LIKE my page :) 

Facebook.com/jengamblefitness 

Simply Homemade Orange Julius

It may be fall y'all, but here on the ranch it is a blazing 98 degrees!!! Good gracious! This afternoon, I was desperate to cool down and I knew the battle of the "after school snack" was knocking quickly at the door. After picking up the kids down the lane, I needed to make a quick run into our cute little country town for ice and water as we are still waiting test results back on our spring water. I contemplated a quick drive through smoothie for the kids..but you know they are LOADED with sugar. Every once in a while is fun, but with Dad away...I decided to skip the sugar high! I grabbed a couple ingredients at the store for half the price of 5 smoothies and headed back to the ranch. 

This is always a winner with my kids! Plus it is packed with vitamin C, protein and omegas. You can even added some chia or flax seeds for an extra nutrient kick! When we have fresh farm eggs, I'll throw a raw one in too...oh now things are getting real! My Orange Julius is low in sugar AND they beat both  the price and decliousness of the Mall version. Win! Win! Win! 

Gamble's Orange Julius 

3 cups ice

4 peeled large oranges

2-3tbsp of raw local honey or pure maple syrup 

1tsp pure vanilla 

1 pinch of sea salt 

3-4 cups of organic milk

Blend, throw in a mason jar with a straw and ENJOY!