5. Tell us about the last time you slept on a couch. Continue reading “Early Morning Cuddles”
Month: March 2017
5 of My Favorite Gluten Free Snacks
These are a snack that I have loved for a long time not just since I went gluten free. When my father-in-law was trying to watch his sugar, I introduced him to these bars. When I tried them myself, I fell in love with them.
I do have a recipe for homemade coconut cream Larabars.
2. LiveGFree Pretzels
These are part of the Aldi gluten free line of products. These taste just like regular pretzel sticks. Yum!
At $1.89 a bag at my local Aldi, that’s not bad for a gluten free snack.
I also like Aldi for their gluten free goodies. They have a caramel apple snack bar that is so good.
Aldi also clearly label items that are gluten free or naturally gluten free. It makes it so much easier to find food that is safe for me to eat.
3. Blue Tortilla Chips and Salsa
My students eat lunch with me. They know that I usually have a yogurt, blue tortilla chips salsa, and mini sweet peppers.
There are two different brands of blue tortilla chips that I absolutely love: Frontera and Garden of Eatin’. Both are gluten free.
I can get both at Fresh Thyme which is one of my favorite grocery stores.
I enjoy salsas that contain fruit flavors. Currently my two favorite are Heritage Streetfood’s Apple Salsa and Fresh Thyme’s Tequila Lime Salsa. I find the Apple Salsa at Kroger’s in the natural foods area and the tequila lime salsa at Fresh Thyme.
4. Apples and Nut Butter
I core the apples and then cut them into slices. I dip the apples into a nut butter such as peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
If I want freshly ground nut butter, I go to Fresh Thyme and get it there. However if I want to be budget friendly, I get it at Aldi. I can get the cashew butter for about 5 dollars a jar.
I have a recipe for almond joy apple bites which is another way to use apples and nut butter.
5. Puffcorn
When I was growing up, my mom would get Mikesell’s Puffcorn for us. We would enjoy it as a special treat.
She still loves Puffcorn. Her favorite flavor is the Salted Caramel Puffcorn. My favorite is the Movie Theater flavored Puffcorn. The Wee One is beginning to like Puffcorn.
Aldi has a Simple Nature White Cheddar flavor that is also delicious.
I hope these help with your gluten free snacking.
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Freezer Slow Cooker Kits – March 27, 2017
This weekend, I did some spring cleaning in my chest freezer. I cleaned it out. Then I made some freezer slow cooker kits.
What are freezer slow cooker kits? The kits are ready to go into the slow cooker. You may or may not need to add some extra ingredients to the slow cooker.
I ended up making 11 different kits this weekend. My goal is to use 2 of them each week for the next 5 weeks. During the 6th week, I will use the remaining freezer kit.
During those 6 weeks, I’ll plan for 2 to 3 additional meals. So much easier to plan during the busy last weeks of school.
I went to New Leaf Wellness for the recipes for the freezer slow cooker kits. Kelly and her team have created different lists of freezer meal kits. I ended up following the Gluten free Aldi plan. I made all of the them except for the sausage stuffed mini peppers. I would have enjoyed the meal, however; the rest of the family would not like it.
Here is a list of the recipes I made:
- White Chicken Chili
- Strawberry Balsamic Chicken
- Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscano
- Chicken Sausage and Peppers
- Ham and Sweet Potato Soup
- Italian Chicken with Spinach
- Beef and Black Bean Chili
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
I also made some recipes from the Whole 30 Meal Plan.
Here are the list of the recipes I made from that plan.
- Garlic and Mint Pork Roast
- Citrus Chicken
- Beef and Cabbage Soup
To keep me accountable here is when I plan to use the various kits.
Week of April 3 –
- Strawberry Balsamic Chicken
- Beef and Black Bean Chili
Week of April 10 –
- Garlic and Mint Pork Roast
- Chicken Sausage and Peppers
Week of April 17 –
- Citrus Chicken
- Ham and Sweet Potato Soup
Week of April 24 –
- Beef and Cabbage Soup
- Italian Chicken with Spinach
Week of May 1 –
- Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscano
- White Chicken Chili
Week of May 8 –
- Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
I spent around $100 at Aldi and then $28 at Target getting the items for the freezer kits. About $20 of the Aldi’s grocery haul and about $20 of the Target haul were for the freezer kits. So I ended up spending about $88 for all 11 freezer slow cooker kits which equals about $8 per meal. Not bad.
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Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes (Gluten Free)
This weekend was the Wee One’s first Boy Scout camp out. His camp out was located 20 minutes from our house so it was not that far away. He’s always been our homebody. When he was in Cub Scouts, he would be the first one in the tent when there was any hint of darkness. He would not emerge from his tent until it was daylight outside.
Continue reading “Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes (Gluten Free)”
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Art of Animation
Join me on Saturdays to see photos from our Universal Studios/ Walt Disney Resort vacation during Thanksgiving.
Continue reading “Art of Animation”
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One More Day . . .
Write a list of your 5 favorite singers growing up…do they still make your top 5 list?
5. You have one wish…what do you wish for?
Almost seven months ago, my sister left this Earth for her Heavenly home. It was sudden. I never got to say good-bye to her.
My wish is that I could spend one more day with her. I would love to tell her how much she is loved. How much I miss her.
During that day, I would do what I am known for – being unpredictable. We would go on a road trip with no real destination. I would take a million billion photos of our adventure. Later I would smile when I would remember that one more day I spent with her.
We would talk about our youth and laugh our butts off. Backstreet Boys or New Kids on the Block would be playing on my radio.
We would call my mom and pretend that some random Hispanic guy or a guy with a bad haircut was calling to ask her on the date.
If I had one wish, I would want more day with my sister. As Trace Adkins sings “You’re Gonna Miss This,” I truly do miss her and the times we spent together.
Have a magical day!
Traci
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Menu Plan Monday – March 20, 2017
Pork Roast, Potatoes, Carrots
Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries with homemade whipped cream for dessert
Orange grilled chicken, Roasted Potatoes, Corn
Pistachio crusted chicken, Mac and Cheese (Gluten Free), Veggies
Apple Coated Pork Chops, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans
Beef Tacos, Tomatoes
Leftovers – Sandwiches – Both boys have plans.
I don’t plan for Saturdays. There won’t be a menu for next week. I’ll be cooking only on Monday and Tuesday. Hubby is in charge of dinner for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Since I have a dental appointment on Monday, I’ll probably just make potato soup for our dinner. Tuesday might be breakfast for dinner.
Have a magical day,
Traci
For other dinner inspirations, visit I’m an Organizing Junkie.
