April, 2018
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Cinco de Mayo Chocolate Spicy Cookie Recipe
Is it me, or does everyone else feel like it was just Christmas? Yet here I sit, getting ready to face Cinco de Mayo. Oh where does the time go? This year May 5th will be quite special. Well, there’s also May 4th. It’s a big Star Wars “holiday” (May The Fourth Be With You) and the kids like to celebrate. Back to the 5th. This year the Celiac Disease Foundation will be having their National Conference in Pasadena, and I’ll be speaking. They asked me about doing a demo, and since it’s Cinco de Mayo, of course there’s a tie in. So if you live in the SoCal area, be sure to come by. Here are the Conference details.
For this cookie, I opted to have the spice in the glaze. Knowing that there will be children at the event, I wanted to be sure they would enjoy the cookie as well. If you plan to serve this at an adult party, or one where everyone looooveees spice, be sure to add extra cayenne in the cookie batter.
Allergy Status: Wheat/Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Soy Free, Nut Free, Peanut Free, Yeast Free, Sesame Free, Legume Free, Vegan, Corn Free Compatible, Cane/Refined Sugar Free Compatible
For Corn Free: Use Spectrum Organic Shortening instead of dairy free butter.
For Cane/Refined Sugar Free: Use 3/4 cup Organic Maple Sugar instead of dark brown sugar. Create a glaze by combining Organic Maple Butter and Cayenne Pepper. Read More
Navitas Immunity Caramel Bars Recipe
We’ve partnered up with Navitas to bring you a few new recipes featuring their new Superfood Boosts, which are amazing. What’s even better is these boosts are organic, gluten free, and vegan, meaning they’re safe for many to enjoy. Today’s recipe features the Immunity Boost which is full of healthy fruits, vegetables, antioxidants, and enzymes.
Now, if you’ve been a long time reader of the blog, you know that I look at things totally different from those around me. Show me a product (and tell me what it should be used for) and I’ll imagine many other ways to use it. In fact, when I first met the Navitas rep and he showed me the Boosts, I said, “This would make a great cookie.” He was totally caught off guard as he had never thought to use it that way.
I share that to say this: don’t let food allergies and special diets stop you from creating awesome food. In fact, use your “weakness” as a strength. In the case of these Boosts, I wanted to make them the strength of a dessert 🙂
Allergy Status: Wheat/Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Soy Free, Peanut Free, Yeast Free, Cane/Refined Sugar Free, Sesame Free, Legume Free, Low Histamine, Diabetic Friendly, Paleo, Vegan, Nut Free Compatible, AIP Compatible, Corn Free Compatible
For Nut Free: Omit the coconut sugar and replace with additional maple sugar.
For AIP: Omit the flax seeds. You will need to add 1 extra Tablespoon of cassava to your filling. Also know that the removal of the flax creates a more crumbly bar (that still tastes delicious).
For Corn Free: You will need to assess if the Navitas powder is safe for you. All of the other ingredients are available from safe sources. Read More
No-Bake Cinnamon Cookie Recipe (and a Tasty Lunch Too)
I had a wonderful time at Expo West last month, which included spending time with the Don’t Go Nuts team. If you haven’t heard of this company, be sure to look them up. Their story is a lot like ours, and it’s one that a lot of food allergy and special diet families share. The products that they have on the market came from a personal need, and because of their dedication, everyone wins.
But wait, there’s more! They loaded me up with products to try (in a nifty bag) and I was able to share what the needs of our household are. Well, the lady I was speaking with made sure that we had the bar that was right for our allergy kid. Then she did the most amazing thing- she sent me a followup email to correct something she told me in person.
Guys, I was blown away by her determination to keep people safe, including our allergy kid. It had to do with facilities and equipment, but the fact that she met thousands of people and remembered our conversation, and then took the time to email me made her a total hero in my book. It’s not everyday that a company shows that much care for their customers.
So, let’s jump into the real reason you’re here: a tasty recipe. For those of you that know me well, you know that I think lunches should be fun, especially on a Friday. Not only is this a fun lunch for kids, but I created this cookie with all of you busy moms in mind. We get so caught up sometimes and don’t have the bandwidth to do much more. To help with that, these cookies only have a handful of ingredients, and come together in about 10 minutes. No joke.
(Cookie) Allergy Status: Wheat/Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Nut Free, Peanut Free, Yeast Free, Sesame Free, Nightshade Free, Vegan Read More
Meat Lover’s Brussels & Rice Recipe
Today I want to share with you something that the kids absolutely loved: Meat Lover’s Brussels & Rice. It was a quick lunch that I put together, but they went back for thirds. My favorite thing about this recipe: it incorporates Brussels Sprouts. I was surprised when they were much younger how much they liked meals that included sprouts, and have continued to add them when I can.
As some of you may know, we are a homeschooling family, so on rice days I’ll often start the rice cooker with veggies on top in the steaming insert before running an errand or taking the kids somewhere. When we get back, half of the meal is ready to go. This meal is no different.
Allergy Status: Gluten/Wheat Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Soy Free, Nut Free, Peanut Free, Yeast Free, Onion & Garlic Free, Allium Free, Sesame Free, Legume Free, Cane/Refined Sugar Free, Corn Free Compatible
For Corn Free: Source safe ingredients. This one is a bit of a stretch, but not impossible. Read More