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.  

Good things come in 3's!

I have gotten pretty used to passing on the sweets at parties.  It is rare that I show up somewhere and there are gluten and dairy free sweets.   

However, when I do show up and there is something that I can eat, I get really excited!!!  

I love giving others that same feeling.  That has been my inspiration this Christmas to find and create some delicious recipes that people with and without food sensitivities can enjoy.

My mission was completed this weekend.  I have found three great recipes that I can add to my Christmas Baking Regime guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.  It sure did to mine and the people I shared them with.  

Remember, you can always replace the allergy friendly ingredients with regular ones if dairy, eggs, or wheat aren't issues for you.

 * click on the names to get redirected to the recipes
  

#1: Gingersnap Cookies
gluten, wheat, egg & dairy free

#2: Mint Chocolate Brownies
gluten, wheat, egg & dairy free

#3: Sugar Cookies
gluten, wheat & dairy free

Sugar Cookies You'll Love!

Lately, my family members have been giving me Gluten Free Magazines for presents.  This is a really good thing because they are informative and inspiring.

This one inspired me to make cookies

This issue of Gluten Free Living had a great gluten free sugar cookie recipe in it.  I couldn't believe how easy the dough was to work with, how well they froze, and how delicious they were.

To cap off my Christmas Baking, and maybe yours too, here is the recipe for Gluten and Dairy Free Sugar Cookies.  I will definitely make these again!

Sugar Cookies by Jacqueline Mallorca (with my adaptations*)
(gluten free & dairy free)

1. In medium bowl, mix together:

• 1 1/2 cups sorghum flour
• 1 1/2 cups potato starch
• 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 3/4 tsp baking soda

2. In large bowl, beat together:

• 1 cup softened non-dairy butter (earth balance*)
• 1 cup white sugar (organic cane sugar*)

3. When butter and sugar are light and fluffy, add:

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten 

4. Beat at medium speed for about 4 minutes.  

5. Then separate into two chunks, wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.  Meanwhile, do something relaxing: drink some tea, watch a movie, make the icing, walk your dog...

 

6. After 2 hours, preheat oven to 375 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

7. Roll dough in some icing sugar then roll out in between two pieces of saran wrap.  

8. Cut cookies out using your favorite shapes and carefully transfer onto cookie sheet.  

9. When cookie sheet is full, bake for 9 minutes then let cool.

Mine weren't perfect...but the icing covered and you would never know!!

 
Sugar Cookie Icing from Dominosugar.com

• 4 cups Icing Sugar (Trader Joe's Organic Icing Sugar)
• 1/2 cup shortening (Earth Balance)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp vanilla (or any other flavoring you wish)
• Food Coloring (optional)   

Mix together, adding extra water if too dry.  Add color as desired and decorate to your heart's content.  

Pancake Day!

I have always loved pancakes.  When I was a kid I loved it when my school would have pancake day- it meant pancakes for lunch AND for dinner!

In my young adult years, I would mix up the typical boxed pancake mix, put it in a small pan covered in melted butter and smother it in syrup.  

I was pretty bummed when I stopped eating wheat- that meant no more pancakes!

But then I figured out how I can eat pancakes again!

I have tried a variety of gluten free pancake recipes and after a lot of experimenting I found one that is versatile and delicious!

I didn't find this one on the internet, or in a cookbook, but on the side of a Trader Joe's bag of flour.  After substituting for 'allergy friendly' ingredients and playing around a whole lot, I have found a good replacement for my old love.  And now, my pancake addiction continues.

Crispy Pancakes 
(gluten & wheat free, & easily dairy free too)
Makes about 12 pancakes

In a large bowl, mix together:

• 1 cup gluten free flour mix (I use Bob's Red Mill)
• 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
• 3 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp sugar (or try agave/honey/maple syrup)

Make a well in the dry ingredients and add:

• 1 1/4 (dairy free) milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsp melted coconut oil (or olive/canola oil or  melted butter)-optional
• 1 tsp vanilla (optional) 

I used coconut oil this time

1. Heat skillet over medium-low heat and melt butter or coconut oil.

2. Once the butter is melted, scoop batter with a 1/4 cup measure and let cook until bubbles form on top and it seems firm enough to flip.

3. Do the same of the other side and serve warm or cool on cookie rack and freeze for a quick breakfast.

Note: I make this recipe a lot. Sometimes they turn out light and fluffy and sometimes more like honey crullers.  So if they don't turn out great the first time, try again.

Variations

Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips to batter

Use Agave for sweetening and use as a topping

Add 2 tsp of cinnamon to batter

The options are are limitless!  What do you add to your pancakes?

A Productive Weekend

I have been in a super creative mood lately.  With Christmas only 3 weeks away, it was time to start turning that creativity into productivity.

Here are some snapshots of what I have been up to.  I find pictures inspiring- may these inspire you too!

Handmade Christmas Cards- so loving buttons right now!

Made a little pouch inside the cards with a Christmas Letter

Made some pillow cases to add some pattern to a tired looking comforter

Made the hubby some soups for lunch...one day I'll share the recipes

Made some Gluten, Wheat & Dairy Free pancakes- Recipe to come this week!

What's been inspiring you lately???