Tomato Free Chili 2

Tomato Free Chili 

Ingredients:

1 lb ground meat
1 can Black beans, drained
1 can Kidney Beans, drained
1 medium Onions, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 large Carrot, diced
1 stalk Celery, diced
2 c Tomato Free Sauce (click here)
2 Tbsp Chili powder (leave out if nightshade free)
1 tsp Cumin (increase to 2 tsp if leaving out chili powder)
1 Tbsp Cilantro
1/2 tsp Oregano
1 tsp Salt
black pepper to taste
Olive Oil
Water

Instructions:

Heat oil.

Add meat onion, vegetables, salt, peper and garlic until browned.

Add tomato free Sauce and seasonings.

Heat until bubbling, the reduce heat and simmer.

Add water to desired thickness and simmer until veggies are tender and flavors are set.


Makes 6 servings.

Coconutty Cacao Yum!

Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

So our life seems to always be changing.  Changing job, changing houses, changing activities, changing ages, changing stomach issues.... Lately, the honey man seems to be having more gut issues and we have been tweaking some dietary things. I've been experimenting with some raw foods and no-grain "cooking" for a while and trying all kinds of fun new things. Coconut flour, coconut sugar, almond flour, flax seed meal as flour, and cocoa nibs are some fun new things. 

So honey loves him some dark chocolate but does not need the dairy and sugar. We were eating at a fellow gluten-free-ers home one night when she whips out these scones with little flecks of chocolate in them! (You should be drooling about now.) After inquiring a little to the ingredients we all pretty much cleared off that plate of scones. Then we asked, "What did you do for the chocolate?"  And the answer was, "cacao nibs." 

A little research on these wonderful little crisps showed some pretty amazing benefits. (Click here for a link to some great info on Cacao Nibs.) 

So, for those who "NEED" a fast chocolate fix in your life without the diary and mounds of sugar...

Coconutty Cacao Yum

1     tsp Organic Cacao Nibs
1-2  tbsp Coconut Oil
Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (to taste)

Mix together in a small bowl and roll out into balls or spread on some yummy GF toast.


NOTE:  Well, of course, you can add sugar if you want. And feel free to double up the recipe and share!!!

No Tomato BBQ Sauce #2

Since first publishing a link to a tomato free BBQ sauce [here], it continues to be one of the most visited post.

Since everyone likes a little change, thought I'd "kick it up a notch" and give you an alternate BBQ sauce recipe that still contains no tomatoes! Whoo hoo!!! Enjoy.

Ingredients:
1 cup gluten free yellow mustard
1/3 c molasses
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon Lea & Perin (gluten free) Worcestershire sauce *
1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
1 teaspoon cayenne** (OK, so this make it not nightshade free.... so if that's OK for you, "kick it up a notch", if not.... leave it out)
Preparation:
Mix all ingredients together and simmer over a low heat for 30 minutes. If your making this sauce for a whole hog multiple the ingredients by about 8.

Makes about 2 cups.


* To make a homemade gluten free, soy free, corn free Worcestershire sauce, check out Gluten Free Mom's blog here. (Just make sure you leave out the red pepper to make it nightshade free!)
** A milder alternative to cayenne is paprika.

No Tomato Chili

For those looking to avoid night shades to avoid any inflammation they made contribute to....

No, it's not "the same" as "real chili"... but it sure is nice and yummy on a cold winter night!

No Tomato Chili

1 lb of ground meat (lean turkey, beef, chicken)
2 cans of beans (light/dark red kidney beans or mix one can of black with one can kidneys)
1 small onion (if tolerated)
1 Tbsp garlic
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cilantro
salt (to taste)
black pepper (to taste) 
1 15 ounce can of pumpkin (or carrots)
1 15 ounce can of beets
1 small can mushrooms (optional, if tolerated)
Extra water

1) In an adequate sized pot, brown ground meat, onion, and garlic in a skillet on med/high heat.
2) While meat is browning, place canned pumpkin and beets in a food processor and puree'.
3) Add seasonings into pot with the browned meat mixture.
4) Finally, mix in pumpkin mixture and simmer on low heat until seasonings blend through.

Helpful Hints:
*For those unable to use canned ingredients or those just wanting to save $$$, dried beans can be soaked and cooked ahead to add to this recipe. Also, fresh pumpkin/carrots/beets can be steamed and pureed for the  sauce.

*We like our chili rather "stew-ish."  You may prefer a chili with more liquid (hence the "Extra Water" in the ingredient list). Do what works for your pallet! 

*You will note that there is no chili seasoning in this chili. That is because of the nightshades in the red pepper  in the seasonings. If you can tolerate night-shades, by all means add in chili seasoning! It adds to the flavor immensely.

Grain Free, dairy free, egg free Pancakes

One of my latest muses has been working towards less grain in our diets. Yes, we are already gluten-free, but my dear husband seems to be reacting to oats. A friend introduced me to coconut flour a while back and I gotta say it has been a fun addition to our diet. Not only do you increase your fiber without increasing your glycemic load, it's yummy!

Since pancakes and waffles seem to be a weekly necessity at our house, I'm experimenting with a recipe that works with no eggs.  

Ingredients:

1/2 c. coconut flour

1 tsp baking soda (gluten free)

1/4 tsp salt

8 Tbsp warm water

4 Tbsp milled flax seed

3/4 c. coconut milk/almond milk (my favorite is the mixed one)

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp honey or aguave

coconut oil/olive oil

1) Place milled flax seed and warm water in mixer. Whip until frothy.

2) In separate bowl mix dry ingredients together.

3) Gently mix wet ingredients into dry mixture, then add in flax seed mixture.

4) Preheat griddle and lightly grease with oil, drop approximately 3 tablespoons of mixture onto griddle and flatten out to shape pancake. Lightly brown one side then flip and brown second side.

Try them and let me know what you think! 

No Tomato, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, No Nightshades Pizza!!

Just wanted to share a little encouragement for families with multiple food allergies! 

In celebration of being able to go out and actually eat as a family (without telling someone, when we get home I'll feed you more...), "Your Pie!"

Yes we had a gluten-free, dairy-free, nightshade-free, soy free, egg free, etc. pizza!!! And some dessert to boot.  Yes... I just typed those words. It can happen folks....

Our very sweet server who kindly allowed us to snap a shot on phone of her bringing our first ever family pizza meal at a restaurant.  [I think she may have thought we were a bit loopy and way too excited to just be eating pizza.]

They make an awesome pesto (green) sauce and use Daiya "Cheese" along with choices for vegetarian and fresh meats (instead of processed, preservative-laden sausages). 

Here are some links for you to check out:

http://www.yourpie.com/

http://www.yourpie.com/your-menu/gluten-free

http://www.daiyafoods.com/our-products

No worries.... I am not giving up on homemade pizza. Green Pesto sauce is in my future... I can smell it! :o)

No Bake Cookies (Revisited)

I've been away from the blogging world for a while. School and a major move consumed my time. But I haven't been away from learning about a world of new ingredients and foods to make life more palatable around here. So I'm back....

Coconut Oil! Yum, and good for you... just can't beat it. So in my fun one day (and lack of dairy products in my house at the time) I tried something and it just improved what was already really, REALLY, GOOD! So let's talk cookies...

Note: A friend asked for this recipe this past weekend saying that it was "Better than that expensive confection 'thing' they were selling at a local health food store that they always run out of because they only make so many each week." (This from my friend who is not a big sugar fan and knows so much more than me about lots of amazing ingredients. I was shocked to even know she liked my cookies! Hmmmm.....)  

"Gluten-free No Bake Cookies"

2/3 c. sugar

1/4 c. butter (or g-f margarine) softened

¼ c. coconut oil

1 1/2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa

1/2 tsp. g-f vanilla

2-3 c. g-f oatmeal  (I used the old fashioned kind)

"The Powdered Icing"

1/4 c. confectioners(powdered) sugar

1/4 c. coconut flour (optional... you can just use the powdered sugar)

1) In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar, cocoa and vanilla.
2) Add oats and mix well
3) Squish together about a tablespoon size into a ball, then roll the ball around in the "powdered icing" and place on wax paper.  [Makes about 40 balls]

*** I'm just warning you... go ahead and make a double batch... those little things pop into your mouth and disappear before you know it! 

Options:  You can add things to this recipe like coconut or peanut butter or some flavoring.  You can even roll them in nuts also if you like.

No pictures today dearies.... the cookies go as fast as we can roll them out around here and the camera woman wasn't fast enough. Another day. Hugs. :o)

No Tomato BBQ Sauce

I am sooo excited! Something happened today that had my #3 child jumping for joy.

We have searched and tried for quite some time to find BBQ sauce without tomatoes that is palatable for a child. (There's a reason they put sugar in the ketchup.) Since nightshades and additives are a big "no-no", store bought sauces have not worked for us. Today we had a roast in our old friend the crockpot and a some serious hankering for BBQ.

Once again I googled and searched. Then viola'!!!  There was this allergy friendly recipe made with common household items. (What a concept!) I cut, paste and printed that bad boy then handed the recipes to my hubby. "Have at it," I said. "Let us see how it turns out."

Umm.... YUM, it was!
Thank you Mr. Riches at About.com for making one night-shade free kid happy and his mama proud.


(By Derrick Riches, About.com Guide)

Sweet Mustard Barbecue Sauce

This is a mustard-based barbecue sauce, which might sound strange to a few people, but is actually a delicious Southern barbecue sauce. The combination of mustard and molasses gives barbecued meats a sweet and sour flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: Makes about 2 cups

Ingredients:
• 1 cup prepared mustard
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/4 teaspoon powdered oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon powdered thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (we left out the cayenne, because we think it's a nightshade and it was totally yummy without it)

Preparation:

Combine dry ingredients in a saucepan. Add enough vinegar to make a mixable paste. Mix well. Place over high heat and add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
-------------
NOTE: throw this stuff in with your roast and let is simmer on slow.... melt in your mouth BBQ shall ensue.

Quick Rice YUM!

This recipe was born out of a need to make something quick with what was on hand. Also, I was truly hankering for some recipes with some coconut flavor but lacked some ingredients. So I played around and it turned out great!

Quick RICE Yum

2-3 c. cooked brown rice (sweet is yum)
2 Tbsp oil
1 tsp sesame seeds
1 large carrot, shredded
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic, powdered (or use fresh)
1/2 tsp curry
1 tsp cilantro
1 tsp salt
1/4 c. dates, chopped (or raisins)
1/4 c. chopped almonds
2-3 c. water (or you could use coconut milk and omit coconut flour)
1 c. green beans (already cooked)
1 c. kidney beans (already cooked)
¼ c. coconut flour

In a skillet, heat oil and add sesame seeds. When they begin to pop, stir in onion and carrot shavings. Cook for a few minutes until the onions begin to get soft, then stir in curry, garlic, cilantro and salt. Combine well, then add rice, beans, nuts and dates. Add the water and stir well. Cover, bring to a boil, then simmer on low until flavor is cooked through.

Serves 4-6

The fun part of this recipe if that you can vary the beans/vegetables. You can omit the coconut if it’s not your thing. You can cook the rice/fresh green beans with all the seasonings on low (or use your handy, dandy crockpot). Have fun!

Rice Yogurt! Coconut Yogurt!

I just love discovering new things.  I've always been a yogurt fan... long before it was cool and people even knew what "probiotics" were.  After we found out about the diary allergies we switched to soy yogurt for the kids.  However, my hubby and now forth child just can't do soy.  (Little man breaks out in hives!)  So yogurt has only been snuck into the house when no one was looking and eaten behind closed doors.(Seriously.... it's sad... I know...)

Until now....
Viola'!  Rice Yogurt!  Coconut Yogurt!!!! 
I soooo am digging out some cake recipes that use yogurt in them!  Just wait.... they are coming soon! However, smoothies will take on a new meaning.... fruit and yogurt swirled together, maybe even some agave nectar.... ummmm......

Sorry, I must go pull out the blender!

Have fun...
http://www.ricerafoods.com/
http://www.turtlemountain.com/products/coconut_yogurt.html

Easy Watermelon Sorbet

Sometimes, I just want to go to the store and buy some ice cream! Or sorbet! Or some frozen dessert that is allergy friendly and not loaded with lots of chemicals!  Sure, I can head off to the health food store and find something... but when you have to pay a ginormous price for an eensy-weensy cup of dessert... well, with four kids... that just doesn't go very far. 

So I had a watermelons and some hungry chitlins wanting some "zert" [i.e. what my four year old calls dessert].  Sorbet sounded wonderful to me... but I had to look around and experiment a bit to find something that worked without alcohol or corn syrup.  There are tons of marvelous recipes out there if corn or alcohol or dairy isn't an issue for you.

Easy Watermelon Sorbet

Watermelon
1 c. Water
1 c. Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 tbsp. Lime Juice




1. Take the equal amounts of sugar and water and stir them together.  Heat them in a microwave to bring them to a boil (stir every minute or so to keep the sugar dissolving).  You are basically making a sugar syrup out of this.  Once you have this nice sticky syrup... let it cool down.
2. seed and chop up some watermelon (or buy seedless)
3. puree the watermelon (you need 4-6 cups of puree)
4. add the syrup, vanilla and lime juice to the blender/food processor and make it nice and slushy. 
5. Immediately put in a covered freezer container to freeze. 

Takes 4+ hours to freeze, then you scoop and serve!!!

Tip:  I didn't let my "syrup" cool down enough and my sorbet didn't want to freeze.  My kids were dying to have some, so I took out have of the slush mixture, put it in the blender with some ice and made one awesome slushy/sorbet mixture.  It really froze up nicely with the ice added.... yum!!!  But very sweet!

Praise the Lord and pass the Pepper!!!!

... The BLACK pepper that is!

For those who may not know, we have been avoiding the night-shades family of foods the last couple of years.  You know... tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, egg plant and anything with nitrates and nitrites in it [preservatives... in bacon and lunch meats, etc.]

We started doing this after much research and exhausting many other means of helping our dear son through a bout of what the docs considered to be juvenile arthritis.  Even though we had diligently been following our gluten free, dairy free, et. al. life style... little man just kept not feeling well.  We would have to drag him out of the bed in the morning.  Honestly, we thought he was just having growing pains.  Then one day we finally noticed how swollen he knee was! 

Months later.... and many doctor visits, x-rays, two knee taps and and MRI later... a dear PA friend was chatting with a specialist in Atlanta about JA (Juvenile Arthritis).  The specialist was rambling on about the many things they seemed to notice we somehow linked to the onset of JA.... gluten enteropathy being one of them.  Our friend told the specialist... "Funny you should mention that... You should know his family history..."

So off we went to do more research and tweak on little man's diet.  We sort of "accidentally" discovered the preservative/night shade link up.  All I know is that after months of being preservative and night shades free... little man was on the mends!  [Here are some links to some research in this area.  Many of the current research are still being studied and aren't really available publicly.]

You can look up info about Juvenile Arthritis here.

So there I am surfing the web and viola'!  Somehow, I had missed that black pepper [the kind you keep on the table with your salt] was not a factor in the arthritis situation. 

Tonight.... the pepper shaker goes back on the table baby!  Little man is gonna' love his grits in the morning!!!

Southern Grits (Polenta)

We don't buy the major name brand names in the regular aisles of the store.  They have preservatives.... and little man can't have those.  They have great options in the health food section though.

1 c. old fashioned corn grits
2 c. water
2 tbsp. real butter or oil
salt/pepper to taste

Dump it in the pot, bring the water to a boil, then turn it down to simmer and leave the lid on.  Go dry your hair... then come back and serve it up with some sausage and OJ!

Northern Grits (kinda like cream of wheat, but corn/rice)

1 c. old fashioned corn grits or rice grits
2 c. water OR 2 c. rice/almond milk
brown sugar or honey or fruit preserves

Dump everything in but the sweetener, bring to a boil, turn it down to simmer with the lid on it.  Stir in the sweetener when you are ready to serve it.

Chocolate Belgian Waffle Recipe

I was in a funky mood.

My sweet daughter (my morning child... which she does NOT get from her mother) comes to my bedroom the other morning.  She sweetly asks me if I would like for her to make waffles.  I smile.  (I mean really! Who would not want someone else to make them homemade waffles from scratch..... seriously!)  She asks me, "Blueberries or no blueberries???" 

I look at her and think of the little containers of fresh strawberries I had bought the day before..... "Hey, sweetie.... Do you think you could make mine with some strawberries on top?"

She looks at me and says, "Sure, Mom."

Then I thought about the other things I had bought at the store, the days gone by when we could actually visit a restaurant that serves breakfast and had this incredibly wild hair.... "Hey, sweeeeetieeeee."  [with all the sweetness I could muster that early in the morning] 

She says, "Yeeesssss???"

I say, "What do you think about adding some cocoa powder in there and making them chocolate.  Then I could cut up the strawberries for a sauce on the top and then sprinkle it with powered sugar!"

She looks at me as if I had lost my mind.... [we do not typically serve sugar as a breakfast item around our house].... "What???" 

I crawl out of bed, tell her to get the ingredients out while I run a toothbrush over my morning breath, drag myself to kitchen,  and sweetie pie and I began our concoction.......

Chocolate Belgian Waffles

1 c. white rice flour

1 c. brown rice flour

1 c. corn starch (or potato or tapioca starch)

4 tsp. baking powder

3 Tbsp. cocoa (more or less to taste)

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. xanthan gum

1/2 c. oil

1 Tbsp. vinegar

2 tsp. vanilla

3 c. water

3 Tbsp. flax meal + 1 tsp. gelatin (heat this in a microwave and stir for about a minute)

Topping:

Strawberries (washed and chopped or make into a gel with some tapioca & water and puree)

Powdered sugar

Heat the waffle iron and coat with a cooking spray.  In a small bowl, sift together flours, baking powder, salt and sugar. 

Beat flax mixture (like an egg replacer) in large bowl.  Add in oil, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and the sifted dry ingredients.  Beat just until blended.

Pour 1/4 of the batter onto the heated waffle iron.  Close and bake until steaming stops.  Repeat with remaining batter.  Makes about 6 waffles (depending on the size of your waffle iron)

Note: you can also drizzle chocolate syrup across the tops instead of syrup.

Warning: Pretty much be prepared to have hyper children after this breakfast!

Addictive Gluten Free No Bake Cookies!!!

These lasted, oh... 5 minutes!

Warning: this post my be addictive to your taste buds, proceed with caution and lots of calorie reducing jogging.

So a few weeks ago I was having a conversation with some friends about "no bake cookies".  They were talking [and salivating] about how much they "loved" no bake cookies.  I heard them describe their late night kitchen excursions to make the craved for cookies.  I felt left out.  I don't recall ever having eaten "no-bake" cookies that tasted soooo good that I craved making them 20 years later after having been lovingly served them by my mother as a child. [What was I missing in life?  I've got to talk with my mom!]

I inquired about ingredients and cooking methods [confirming my suspicions that we would definitely have to make some substitutions].  Plus, those "no bake" cookies actually had to be heated up in a pot on the stove.  [So technically they were not baked... but did require some form of heating.  Hmmm...]  So, I did what I always do when my taste buds are piqued.... I went home and researched. 

Could there be a TRUE no-bake cookie that didn't require eggs or anything to make it rise while baking?  Was there a cookie that could be held together by something other than peanut butter?  Could it be made gluten-free?  Would it taste like something other than unbaked cardboard?  What about the usual cost factor?  Hmmmm.....

I have to tell you.... [jumping up and down at the computer right now]... what I came up with was phenomenal.... easy.... made with common ingredients... and totally addictive!!!!  They are light, yummy with a hint of chocolate and practically melt in your mouth!  Does telling you that we made them three times in the past week and a half help you understand?  [Mom... how could you have not ever made something like this for your precious darling daughter so many years ago??? It's o.k.... really.... it probably saved me many pounds on my torso... so I forgive you mom.]

Without further adieu....

"Gluten-free No Bake Cookies"

before being "rolled & powdered"

2/3 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter (or g-f margarine) softened

1 1/2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa

1/2 tsp. g-f vanilla

2 c. g-f oatmeal  (I used the old fashioned kind)

"The Powdered Icing"

1/4 c. confectioners sugar

1/4 c. coconut flour (optional... you can just use the powdered sugar)

1) In a large bowl, cream the butter with the sugar, cocoa and vanilla.
2) Add oats and mix well
3) Squish together about a tablespoon size into a ball, then roll the ball around in the "powdered icing" and place on wax paper.  [Makes about 40 balls]

*** I'm just warning you... go ahead and make a double batch... those little things pop into your mouth and disappear before you know it! 

Options:  You can add things to this recipe like coconut or peanut butter or some flavoring.  You can even roll them in nuts also if you like.

New Computer... new recipes... new fun!

Yes!  The move and house remodeling are complete.  The old computer has been replaced with one that allows me to blog again.  Life is good!  I'm back..... [miss me?]

I've been learning where all the health food stores are here and what they carry.  I've been finding fun new blogs and companies that carry gluten-free foods/recipes.  I think mainstream corporate industry is finally catching on to the g-f market.  Hooray!  [Even Bisquick is on board!]

My dilemma still remains that families [like mine] with multiple food allergies still struggle to find allergy-safe foods in this modern convenience mentality world we live in.  Sigh.... Our favorite g-f cookies and 0pancake mixes have potato starch/flour in them.  Most of the really yummy bread recipes still use eggs and many use dairy.  What's a cornbread lovin' gal to do???

In the words of Dory from "Finding Nemo", "Just keep swimming... just keep swimming... ah, ha, ha. haaa...." [well maybe I should say, "Just keep baking..."]

So, my dear patient readers.... until Betty Crocker and other famous brands can make our meals more convenient, here is my offering of love to you.  A quick dessert I throw together when we need a sugar rush or unexpected company comes or just when I need to use up some ripening fruit!

Quick Fruit Cobbler
2 cups fresh fruit you have on hand (peaches, strawberries, blueberries, apples, or pears work great)
     or  2 cups of frozen fruit (obviously defrosted)
1 cup sugar [agave if you like less sweet]
1 tbsp. tapioca [optional]
1 cup g-f flour (sorghum with a little buckwheat is yummy)
2 cups g-f oatmeal
1 stick butter (or dairy free margarine)

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Filling:
I have a favorite stoneware pan I love to make this in, but you can just use a pie or casserole dish. 
Prepare the fruit (peel, chop, core or whatever is appropriate for the particular fruit you use).  Spread fruit evenly in the bottom of pie pan.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar and tapioca over fruit and let stand while preparing "crust".  If you are using a "dry", fresh fruit (like a green apple) you may need to add a bit of water to the filling. 

Clyde the Camel likes cobbler!

Crust:

In a medium bowl, combine flour, oatmeal, remaining sugar.   "Shake" the crust evenly over the top of the filling, using a spoon to spread if necessary.  Some people like to "cut in" their butter/margarine in the flour mixture before spreading it, I prefer to melt mine and drizzle it over the top of the crust. 

Bake for approximately 30 minutes until filling is bubbling through the crust.  Serve with your favorite non-dairy "ice cream" or whipped topping.

Note:  If you like more cake-like topping, switch the amounts of flour/oatmeal ratios.  You may need to add a bit of water/liquid to the filling to keep it from being quite to dry.

Gluten Free Birthday (Part 1)

It is that time again.  "What time??" you ask.  PARTY TIME!

Oh, yes... I probably don't have to explain to all your "allergy moms" out there how much of an issue it can be to deal with parties when your child has multiple food allergies.  We tend to take our own cupcakes and snacks whenever we go to someone else's party.  It is just easier and I assure the mom we are totaly used to doing this.  For our own parties... I have tended to have them at home where we could control all the food issues and still have fun. 

This year, however, we recently moved [read: there are still boxes in my house] and decided on a pool party at a local indoor pool.  The problem was that pizza came included in the package.  So I had to decide... Do I just nix the whole pizza idea?  Or do I serve the pizza to the other kids and bring allergy free pizza for my family??  We decided to go with the second idea.  [Something to do with one less thing for me to prepare.]

I'm going to share some of our favorite party food recipes over the next several posts.  Maybe it will help you not have to go through as much trail and error as we did on our journey.

Let's just start with the best stuff.....
The ICING (Oh yea!)
4 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. real butter/ or spectrum butter
1/2 c. coconut "oil" [the consistency of shortening]
dash of salt (optional)
2 tbsp. rice milk/water
1 tsp. vanilla

This is a basic buttercream icing, but without the regular shortening (which is soy based).  Store bought icings always seem o have either soy or wheat starch in them.

Cream the coconut shortening and butter together.  Add in the vanilla.  then add in powdered sugar one cup at a time.  Add in milk as you go to keep the consistency right.  Add food coloring if needed and you can tollerate them.

You can make this ahead and store in an air tight container in the fridge. 

Raw Foods??

I've been reading a lot about this lately.  We probably eat more veggies than your average family... but we still have lots of room for improvement in that area. During the past year I have discussed the whole "raw foods" craze with a couple of friends who actually eat this way.  They like it and are so much healthier because of it.  My big worry over this form of eating for us was that we simply cannot eat some of the foods because of allergies/sensitivities.  Even so, I have kept my eyes and ears open to learning more about this new eating lifestyle and how it might help us. [It's really hard for a "cornbread" girl like me to give up her hot, slow cooked veggie way of life.]

Then, it happend.  A box arrived on my porch last month.  My mother calls and says... "I want you to be healthy!"  She had sent us one of those super-sonic-juice-anything-you-put-in-it juicers!  Well... I can't have a new fun toy and not use it. I started immeadiately learning how to operate the big black machine that now occupied a large portion of my counterspace. 

Viola'!  Juicing.  I love it!  I love dumping 3 or 4 kinds of fruit in the thing with some distilled water and a few veggies and watching it swirl!  [It's kinda loud... but you adjust.]  I even made hot soup in the "health machine".  It's better than a V8.  It's fresh and RAW!  I have arrived into the raw foods world through the back door of juicing. And I'm o.k. with it!

"The Kids Favorite Juice"
1 c. frozen sliced strawberries (you could use fresh)
2 large oranges (peeled, we like seedless)
2-3 carrots (we like to peel ours... less gritty)
2 stalks of celery
2 c. distilled water

Dump it in, turn it on... dance around the kitchen... then serve it to your babies with a smile! 
Note: It isn't necessary to tell them it actually has veggies in there.

Gluten Free on a Diet??

It January.  I think every ad I see right now has to do with taxes or diets.  Sigh....

I read an article quite a while back that stated an interesting fact.  It said that family memebers who were not gluten intollerant, but ate the gluten free diet tended to gain weight. So that explains it!  (And I thought it was all the GF cookies I made. Ha!)  The gluten free diet can tend to have more calories that a standard diet because of the extra protein and good fats (nuts, oils, seeds).  I have to say that I am much healthier having gone through this whole process with my family (and a bit heavier also). 

So these past couple of weeks I have been working on menus that included recipes that I could pull out my portion and then let the family have at the rest.  I picked up a "Weight Watchers" 5 ingredient/15 minute recipe book (sounds about my speed most days) actually had a slew of recipes that I could prepare for my family!  Recipes like "Lemony Broccoli", "Pears and Greens Salad", "Orange Chicken" and even a quinoa recipe!  I did have to leave off some cheese here or there.  It was so nice not to have to fix me a seperate "diet" meal.

It inspired me!  I have an old Weight Watchers Points counter.  So I'm attempting to become more aware of the portions I eat with my family.

Here's a little something for you...

"Baked Salmon"

1.5 pounds salmon (usually sectioned into fillets)
1/3 c. lemon juice
salt & pepper (to taste)

Preheat your lovely oven to 400.  Arrange fish, skin side down, on pan (I like my stoneware pan).  Salt and pepper fish.   Drizzle the juice on top. Lay a piece of foil over the top of the dish.  Bake approximately 20 minutes.

Servings: 4
Points: 7 per serving

Serve with a big salad and some rice prepared the way you like... Better than a resturant!