For a while now, I've been toying with the idea of putting myself on a Gluten Free diet. No real reason really. Just want to see if I feel any different when eliminating gluten. And here is a recipe that will be on the menu when (if ever) I decide to make that leap. Red Quinoa with Avocado, Black Beans and Corn Superb, easy, and Gluten Free! 1 cup red quinoa … [Read more...]
Grocery Budget Makeover – Kid Food Allergies
Marisa writes... We are a family of 7 on one income and I spend about $200/week on food, not including diapers from Costco. We have 5 kids.. 1 with dairy, egg and peanut allergies 1 with HFA (high functioning autism) with severe tactile issues so he only eats about 5 foods 1 more with peanut allergies. I am a big time short order cook and I think that is why … [Read more...]
Teriyaki Chicken Kebabs
Twitter knows everything. It even knows what you're having for dinner tonight. (Well, only if you ask.) It really does. It's never let me down. A recent tweet of mine: "Looking for a dinner idea for tonight that involves chicken and a grill...anyone?" And I liked Carrie's idea best. Teriyaki Chicken Kebabs it is! Would someone please tell me how to spell KEBABS?!? … [Read more...]
Beef & Bean Burgers
A few notes about this lovely meal. These were SO GOOD, but they were super crumbly...from the beans...so I would add an egg to hold the burgers together. The cilantro and lettuce are from the garden. The bread...because I had no buns in the house. And ran out of time to make them from scratch. The salsa is homemade from last year's garden. (Canned, of course.) … [Read more...]
What are Your Lunch Hour Frustrations???
This is what lunch usually looks like for me. A salad with leftovers (grilled chicken and peppers, in this case). Or just plain leftovers. And if I'm really feeling unmotivated. PBJ. For me, lunch has always been the "most frustrating meal," and I have come up with quite a few tips and tricks to help streamline the whole lunch prep and experience for us. But we are each … [Read more...]
Braised Chicken with Radishes, Carrots, and Peppers
I was quite surprised at how few recipes I came across for radishes in my search, but in the end I settled on a recipe in last month's Real Simple Magazine: Braised Chicken with Spring Vegetables. I also love my recipe for Radish & Cucumber Bites! I made a few adaptations and substitutions...and in the end, I was quite impressed with how this turned … [Read more...]
Creamy Chicken Taco Pasta
Multitasking. I usually don't have trouble with multitasking. I can chat on the phone with my mom about the latest while sprinkling Critter Ridder powder all over my garden. (Pesky chipmunks.) I can be uploading photographs of dinner while reading a story to the boys. I can read emails while waiting in the drop off line at school (parked, and car turned off). I … [Read more...]
Black Bean Brownies
I think I only got a few shots of these little beauties before little people hands started showing up in the viewfinder of my camera. (See below!) Let's talk about these brownies for a minute. While some of you have probably been making brownies with black beans for years, I have just been enlightened. My mouth thanks you Pam, not so much my waistline! Pam's version … [Read more...]
Repurposing: Brown Rice
I have the perfectly easy recipe, if you are looking for options of how to repurpose brown rice! Brown rice. It's my preferred rice. We have white rice on occasion, usually when I'm running behind and forget to start the brown rice in time to cook (it takes at least 45 minutes to cook.) But I have found that I only like brown rice "fresh." Therefore, I typically … [Read more...]
Grocery Budget Makeover – Meal Planning
Amanda writes... I am in the process of trying to "makeover" my grocery budget. Â I started a couple of weeks ago to find and use more coupons, make a grocery list and meal plan, and track prices of items so I can buy them/stock up when they are on the greatest sale. Â It has been challenging and a little overwhelming here at the start! Â I love the idea of meal planning, … [Read more...]