2018 Holiday Gift Guide For MEN

We are officially in the Holiday Season! 
I don't think anyone realizes the joy I get when I walk into Wegmans and Christmas Music is playing... its unreal! 

I just love this time of year and while I usually bring you yummy recipes to cook up I thought some might need a little help in the "gift-idea-department". Especially for the men in our lives. 
There's a ton of videos about gift guides for woman and kids but what about the boys!? They're always my hardest to buy for so I compiled a list and here it is! All the links to the products are below as well. Happy December everyone!

-Kat

*Some links are affiliate links they do not affect you as a consumer but if purchased I do receive a small commission which helps support my channel*

Copy and paste the links below into your browser:

Digital Photo Frame: https://amzn.to/2PgpJ4Y

Picture Frame with Clips: https://www.michaels.com/white-savannah-window-frame-with-clips-by-studio-decor/10477363.html

Beard Trimmer: https://amzn.to/2KUGkuH

Sonicare Toothbrush-Mens: https://amzn.to/2StbzPT

Beats Pill: Old Model: https://amzn.to/2Suc3VQ

Beats Pill: New Model: https://amzn.to/2Qd9KKp

Bose Speaker: Old Model: https://amzn.to/2UerraH

Bose Speaker: New Model: https://amzn.to/2Eaqzis

Apple Air Pods: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEF2AM/A/airpods

Knock-Off Air Pods: https://amzn.to/2QzHr8a

Beats Wireless Headphones: https://amzn.to/2PjuiLZ

iHome Alarm Clock: https://amzn.to/2SsevMz

Under Armour Sweatshirt: https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/pid1320743-357-XL

Under Armour Beanie Hat: https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/pcid1219736-390-OSFA

North Face Slipper/Shoes: https://www.thenorthface.com/shop/shoes-mens-casual/mens-thermoball-traction-mules-iv-nf0a331e?variationId=5PY#hero=0

Kohls $15 Slippers: https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3393475/mens-urban-pipeline-felt-scuff-slippers.jsp?color=Light%20Gray&prdPV=14

Pottery Barn Robes: 

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/winslow-plaid-plush-robe/?pkey=e%7Crobe%7C77%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C48%7C%7C15&sku=1690051&group=1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH

https://www.potterybarn.com/products/cozy-fur-robe-gray-ombre/?pkey=e%7Crobes%7C77%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C48%7C%7C1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH

Silicone Wedding Rings: https://amzn.to/2PjILXY

Double Picture Frame: https://amzn.to/2UcOiU0

(Great quality!)

Conversation Cards: https://amzn.to/2SrUiGQ

low carb Herb Crusted Salmon

Sheet Pan Salmon- An easy and healthy dinner to get you through the Winter. I've been going 100 miles an hour lately between my baby turning 9 months in a few days to working full time to Christmas Prep, it's definitely the holiday season and I LOVE IT! But I need a quick and healthy meal to get me back to the important things like watching The Santa Clause and addressing my Christmas cards! If you also need a healthy dinner that is ready in a flash with minimal clean up then I got you covered!

**My recipe video and written recipe below are for one person but just double the recipe for 2 servings or multiple by however many people you need to serve. Just make sure your sheet pan is big enough to have all the vegetables on a single layer.

low carb Herb Crusted Salmon- Serves 1
6 oz portion of salmon, skin removed
3 oz mushrooms, sliced
1/3 cup red onion, roughly chopped
1/3 cup zucchini. sliced into circles or half moons
6 Asparagus spears, cut into thirds
1/3 cup crushed pork rinds
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 Tbsp fresh parsley
1/2 tsp fresh Thyme
1 clove garlic
Zest of one lemon (save lemon and slice for garnish)
1/4 tsp dried oregano
Salt and Pepper

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Place a piece of parchment paper on your baking sheet.
Place your vegetables (asparagus, onion, zucchini and mushrooms) on a single layer on top of the parchment paper.
Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Sprinkle on the dried oregano and a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper.
Mix well and put back on a single layer.
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes.

In a food processor add the garlic, pork rinds, parsley, thyme, lemon zest and pulse until everything is finely chopped then drizzle in the last 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper and pulse again a few times.
OR
You can chop the garlic, parsley, lemon zest and thyme all together and then add it to pork rinds that you have crushed by hand. Mix well in a small bowl and add in the last 1 tablespoon of olive oil along with a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper.

Once the vegetables timer goes off take them out and give them a toss.
Then put your salmon filet on top of the vegetables.
Take the pork rinds mixture and top your salmon, pushing down to make sure the crust sticks. Try to cover the entire top of the salmon evenly.
Place back in the oven for 15 additional minutes.
Once it is done squeeze on some lemon juice and ENJOY!

low carb Italian Wedding Soup

Soup season is officially here! This recipe is a classic you will want to keep at the ready for this time of the year. I love to make this soup and freeze it so that anytime I feel like some home cooked soup it is only one thaw away! The best part about this recipe is, you don't miss the carbs. The flavor steals the show and with how easy this soup comes together I know you will be making it again and again.

low carb Italian Wedding Soup- makes 10 cups

Meatballs:
1 lb ground chicken
2 Tbsp finely diced onion
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
1 egg
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper

Soup:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped (about 3 stalks)
1 cup cauliflower, riced (learn how to make your own HERE)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup white wine
6 cup chicken stock
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
3/4 tsp dried thyme
5oz baby spinach leaves
juice of 1/2 a lemon
extra parmesan cheese for topping

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Start by making the meatballs. In a large bowl add in all of the meatball ingredients and with clean hand mix well.
On a large baking sheet sprayed with non stick cooking spray drop 1-2 tsp size balls of the meatball mixture. They don't have to be perfect, or round, just drop them on the baking sheet.
This will make approximately 60 small meatballs. Bake for 20 minutes until they are cooked through and golden brown on the bottom.

In a heavy bottomed soup pot add in the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the onion and celery along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Saute these veggies for about 5 minutes until softened. Then add in the chopped garlic and cook an additional minute.
Then add in the wine, chicken stock, and dried thyme.
Raise the heat and bring to a boil.
Once the soup is boiling add in the cauliflower rice and cook for 6 minutes.
Then add in the cooked meatballs and allow to simmer for 2 minutes so the meatballs warm through.
Next add in the spinach and allow to cook and wilt down for 5 minutes.
Then squeeze in the lemon juice, taste for seasoning and add more salt or pepper if needed.
Ladle into a soup bowl, top with parmesan cheese and Enjoy!

low carb Chicken Parm Meatballs

Low carb comfort food is ready to awaken your taste buds with this recipe! One of my favorite high carb dinners is chicken parm and like I always say- surviving on a low carb diet is all about finding a healthy alternative to anything and everything that you're craving. This recipe will do just that. Serve these meatballs as a dinner or lunch prep with some zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash OR make smaller meatballs and pop some toothpicks in them and serve them as an appetizer or as a snack during game day! They are also a low calorie bite as well! Everyone will enjoy these so definitely try them out! Did I mention they're super easy?? You all know me by now and everything is delicious and super easy when it comes to cooking great food!

low carb Chicken Parm Meatballs- makes 12 medium sized meatballs
1 lb ground chicken
1 egg
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp red pepper flake (optional)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Pinch of salt and pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil

1 cup marinara sauce, I used Victoria Fradiavolo in this recipe
1 Tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl add the ground chicken, egg, onion powder, red pepper flake (if using), dried oregano, fresh parsley, chopped garlic, the 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese and a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper.
Using clean hands mix everything together until well combined.

In a 10 inch skillet (use a skillet that can go from the stove to the oven, I use THIS cast iron skillet)
and heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil over medium/ medium high heat.

Form the ground chicken mixture into meatballs and drop them onto the skillet. Let cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip over and cook another 1-2 minutes.

Turn off the heat.

Add in the sauce then top each meatball with the remaining Tbsp of parmesan cheese and the 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.

Bake in the oven 10-12 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.
*Be careful because the skillet will be very hot*
Enjoy!

Nutritional Info 

(for one meatball with sauce and cheese - when making 12 total)

113 Calories

1.2g of Net Carbs

11.5g Protein

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