A Healthy & Easy Snack for the New Year

I am entering into my second week into my Christmas Break.  I would say that first week has been fairly successful.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Let me share some highlights with you:

1. I achieved my goal of baking allergy friendly treats that are really delicious and don't make me sick.
2. With the help of family, specifically my wonderful sister-in-law, Trisha, my blog has a new and improved look and name.
   
3. I have slept in until 8:30am every morning, instead of the usual 6am.
4. I learned to drive a remote control helicopter.
   
5. I discovered a really great place called Golden Ears Cheese Works.  Don't be fooled by the word cheese, it really is a cute country store and cafe that happens to make and sell cheese.  The best part is that their cafe has gluten free treats like muffins and even a dairy, wheat, & gluten free Oreo like cookie cookie. If you are in Maple Ridge, you must check this out!

Now onto week two, let's see what it brings.

So far I am off to a good start.  Tonight I learned to make a healthy snack that I have been avoiding because I thought it was way more complicated.

I have been seeing pins for "make microwave popcorn in a paper bag" all over pinterest for a while.  It is a great idea and I thank whoever first thought of it!

So when my husband shared with me that he really likes popcorn and would opt for this instead of cookies, I wondered why we have never had popcorn in the house and headed right for the store.

This is great if you are like me and don't have a popcorn popper and are too much in 'relaxation mode' to stand at the stove and pop popcorn in a pan.  Using the paper bag was so very easy, so if you are looking for a quick, easy, and healthy and allergy friendly snack, then give this a try.

Microwave Popcornserves 2-3

You will need:

• A brown paper bag & 3 small pieces of masking tape
• 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
• A microwave
• Your favorite topping...I put melted coconut oil and salt on mine.

Steps:

1. Place 1/3 cup of popcorn kernels in paper bag.  Tape shut & microwave for 2 minutes

2. Open carefully, and while it is cooling prepare your favorite topping*

3. Pour on your favorite topping and enjoy!

 *I melted a spoonful of coconut oil in the microwave for 30 seconds the poured it over and topped with salt.


Note:  I bet you have wondered, "what would happen if I put more popcorn in the bag".  I used a 1/2 cup instead of a 1/3.  My results:

By the way, what do you put on your popcorn?

What's in the Crockpot Tonight?

Currently I have one of our two favorite curry dishes in the slow-cooker.  Today has been a busy day, and as we are still recovering from the busyness of Christmas, a meal in the crock pot was very appealing.
  

Source

So tonight, we are having Durban Style Chicken Curry.  A friend found this recipe in the newspaper of all places and shared it with me- it has been a family favorite since.  

Like the Butter Chicken we serve it over Quinoa, but rice would do too.  This dish is also gluten, wheat, dairy, and egg free, but has been enjoyed by all!

You can find the recipe here.

Notes:   

• If you are very sensitive to gluten, make sure you use a gluten free curry powder, just in case there is some hidden in the various spices, starches, and/or flavorings.
  
  
• I only ever use 3 chicken thighs and shred the chicken before serving.  I find this to be more cost efficient and still satisfying.

• I freeze the leftovers with the leftover quinoa & veggies and send it with my hubby on days that he needs a dinner.  

 

   

Saving the Best for Last: Confetti Squares

I have two brothers-in-law and they love my baking.  In fact, they have been known to write me songs in exchange for it, which is pretty sweet since one of them is actually a musician.

In a moment I will too give you this recipe, but first a story.

This month, I was involved in a baking exchange.  So I made 7 dozen of these bad boys, and to the chagrin of my in-laws, I gave most of them away.  But in exchange I got these:

Sugar Cookies, Chocolate Shortbread, Ginger Sparkle Cookies, Egg Nog Cookies....

& my fav- Kahlua Rum Balls.

I wasn't able to eat any of the items, but the party was still fun and it stocked my freezer with a diversity of baked goods to bring to various Christmas-time events. 

I have a confession though, I cheated on the Kahlua Rum Balls...I ate all 7!!  I paid for it, but they did inspire me to figure out how to make them dairy free next year- perhaps with coconut milk.

Anyways, back to the Confetti Squares. I first got this recipe from my grandma's cookbook.  I am not sure where the original recipe came from since she was probably making these decades ago. 


Confetti Squares**- yields about 16 squares

1. Prepare a 9x9 pan by spraying with cooking spray or by lining with parchment paper.  

2. In a double broiler*, melt together while stirring frequently:

• 1 package of Hershey Butterscotch Chipits
• 1/4 cup margarine/butter
• 1/2 cup peanut butter

3. When melted, stir in:

• 2 cups of colored marshmallows

4. Spread in prepared pan & refrigerate until firm to the touch.    

Notes:  
* If you don't have a double broiler, just find a bowl that fits into a pot (without touching the bottom).  Boil water in the pot on low heat and watch your ingredients melt while stirring vigorously. 

**I think these are classified as egg & gluten free, but to be sure I would check the ingredient labels, especially for the coloring on the butterscotch chips. 

***These freeze really well.

Good Eating Starts with Good Ideas: Appies

Merry Christmas! 

I am about to start a two-week stint off of work (joys of working in a school!) and I have been thinking about appetizers.

Tomorrow I am going to take some time to plan some 'allergy friendly' Christmas Appetizers for part of our pre-Christmas feast, but I have been doing some research on Pinterest for many weeks. 

I myself haven't tried most of these, but here are the links of the ideas that have caught my eye.  If you try them, I'd love to hear how they turned out.   Some of these contain dairy & wheat but my plan is to use my favorite replacement ingredients , and I should be good to go.  

 

 

Beet Hummus

Curried Carrot Dip

Gluten Free Chips/Crackers- I bought mine at Costco

Hummus & Avocado Toasts

Roasted Carrot & Parsnip Fries

Pomegranate Goat Cheese Cucumber Bites

Bite Sized Greek Salad

Bacon Wrapped Caramelized Sesame Seed Asparagus

Lemon Goat-Cheese Dip

Grilled Zucchini Pizza Bites

 

Top 5 Performances on the Voice (Featuring a Special Guest Blogger)

Hello friends!  My name is Dan; I’m Tara’s husband.  Since she covers the baking/crafts/creative/girly things, I volunteered to cover the entertainment beat.  I might have my work cut out for me though, with all the baking and cooking going on around this blog.   

But I think it’s important, because if there’s one thing our culture values, it’s entertaining ourselves.  And today I shall entertain you by talking about entertainment.  Specifically, The Voice.  

Tara and I have been watching this show since its first season.  And we continue to put up with the sappy over-dramatization and severely contrived product placement because the music is so good!   The judges are pretty entertaining as well.  But the music!  So with that in mind I present to you our top 5 favourite performances from the Live shows of the Voice Season 3.  These are some of the performances that really inspired me.

5.  Cody Belew – “Crazy in Love”

This guy is pure entertainment.  One of my favourite moments on the show was when Ceelo turned around for him at the last second, and he cussed up a storm of celebration.  He just kept on getting more adventurous and more entertaining with each performance.  I think he should start his own Killers type band.  He’d be perfect for that type of thing.  This song was probably his best in terms of musical performance and entertainment value.

4. Amanda Brown - "Natural Woman"

Amanda Brown was probably the most talented female not to make it to the final three.  I think it's arguable that she has as much talent as Cassadee Pope (the winner of season 3), but they are vastly different in style and skill.  She had some incredible moments on the show, but this song really has it all: range, emotion, and a sweet choir.  Oh, and she nails an Aretha Franklin song.

3.  Nicholas David - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Nicholas had one of the most unique styles the show has ever seen, and he and Ceelo chose a lot of great songs with which to show it off.  This one is particularly special.  He really captures the spirit of the song, but gives it his own unique twist.

2.  Trevin Hunte - "When a Man Loves a Woman"

Trevin was definitely the most talented male that didn't make it to the final three.  His range is insane, and he packs so much emotion into his songs.  Perhaps he lacks a little versatility, preferring to stick mostly to R & B, but he does it so well!  He was one of my favourites (Tara was less of a fan).  I don't know if this was even his best moment on the show, but it was one of my favourite performances from him.

1.  Cassadee Pope - "Stupid Boy"

Cassadee Pope, eventual winner of Season 3, came in as a hard rocking singer.  But she really found her voice when Blake Shelton gave her Miranda Lambert's "Over You" to perform.  That one was great, but this one was better.  She just nailed everything about this song.  Powerful emotion, big moments, great stage presence.  This is the one song that I keep going back to listen to.  It's so good.

Thanks for reading folks!  I hope you enjoyed my little breakdown of the Voice.  Comments are welcome.  If you like me well enough, I may be back to cover more hard-hitting entertainment news.  Like, umm, the upcoming Puppy Bowl.

Snow Days & Comfort Meals: Butter Chicken

Today I got an early morning phone call telling me to go back to sleep- it was a snow day!  This was a welcomed surprise.  It meant that I could sleep in, stay in my PJ’s for way too long, and work on Christmas presents.  This year I am making about 90% of my gifts.  I am really proud of what I have been making and will share them with you after Christmas...I don’t want to give anything away!  

It also meant that I could share with you one of my family’s favorite meals Slow Cooker Butter Chicken.  It is dairy, wheat, egg & gluten free, but does contain nuts. The best part is that my very taste specific husband considers this his favourite meal, next to Chicken Nuggets of course.  

If you are thinking “I don’t like Indian food or curry”, I still suggest you give it a try.  The flavor is very subtle and doesn’t taste very curryish.  Rather it is just a warm, easy, comforting meal- especially for a Snow Day like today.

The original recipe can be found at the Canadian Living website.  Instead of typing it up, I will direct you to the RECIPE itself.

   

NOTES:

• I have substituted the butter for Earth Balance and sour cream for coconut milk to make it dairy free.  
• We serve it over Quinoa, but I bet it is good over rice too. 
• For sides we enjoy peas or green beans
• I usually only use 3 chicken thighs.  They shred in the Slow Cooker and are a nice accent.
• I add the chicken from the beginning, we like how it shreds.  This means we don't puree it, and it is still quite good.  If you prefer it pureed, remove the cooked chicken, shred on a plate, puree the sauce, then add all together again. 
• This meal freezes beautifully.  It usually feeds my husband and I and leaves enough leftovers for 4 more servings. 

Top 5 Ingredients I love!

People are frequently wanting to know replacements that I use and where I find them.  
Here is a list of my top 5 favorite and most used ingredients that allow me to eat like everyone else.

#5. Daiya meant that I can eat pizza again! Use it to replace cheese on pasta, pizza, nachos, I use:

Daiya Cheese

*You can buy Daiya at Save-on, Superstore, or any specialty food Stores

  

 #4. To replace butter and margarine in baking and cooking, I use: 

Earth Balance Vegan Spread

*You can buy Earth Balance anywhere, though I prefer to buy the large container at
Community Food Co-op in Bellingham, it's cheaper.

#3. I have tried a few different brands of Gluten Free bread, this one is by far my favorite. 

Udi's Gluten Free Bread & Buns

*You can buy it at most stores, but I like to get mine on sale or at Trader Joe's and freeze it

#2. I could live without coconut oil, but I don't want to.  I get mine at Trader Joe's, but it is sold in a lot of places.

I use it for all sorts of things: replacement for oil and butter in baking & cooking, spread on my bread and as a nightly face moisturizer.

Coconut Oil

* I came across this great post today on 52 uses for coconut Oil. 
Check it out here

#1. Quinoa.  I could not eat without Quinoa.  I eat it as is, as pasta and as flour.

Quinoa Flour, Quinoa, & Quinoa Pasta

* I buy the flour and pasta at Community Food Co-op and the bag of quinoa at Costco (4lbs for $9!).



I hope these ingredients can be as helpful in your kitchen as they are mine.