Not Your Mama’s Chocolate Shake

This chocolaty beverage is no ordinary chocolate milk (or shake, since it is thick)!  It is hiding some power house nutrients. It would make a great after school snack for kids.   And parents will like it just as much!  After all, we need these nutrients too!   So what is hiding in this chocolate milk beverage?  Butternut squash!  After using squash in my apple pie smoothie, and liking the...

Vegan Ranch Dressing

Two and a half years.  That is how long I have been milk free.  And that is how long I went without Ranch dressing.  I always intended to come up with a recipe for it.  But somehow I never got around to it.  Then a few weeks ago I got a real hankering for it.    Rather than do it myself, I thought I would look for a recipe on another blog.  Surely, someone had come up with a good Ranch...

Allergy Free Grocery Shopping – Part 3

In this last post about Allergy Free Grocery Shopping, I will address some ideas for those of you who do not have access to a Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.  Here is what I would do.  Scour the internet for anything that is not perishable.  If I did not have a Whole Foods, I would probably purchase all my flours and starches online and probably even pasta.  Here are several resources for...

Allergy Free Grocery Shopping – Part 2

The last post was a summary of my grocery shopping for allergy free foods.  (You may want to re-read it as I added some new information). Today I will talk about my weekly shopping and how I keep costs down.   I hit two stores each week.  I head to Aldi and my list is pretty long for there.   At one point I typed up a list of everything I buy at Aldi for a friend.  While I still have the...

Allergy Free Grocery Shopping – Part 1

Allergy free eating is not cheap.  But that is okay; there are ways to make it more affordable.   By eliminating your food allergens you will invariably start cooking more whole foods and less processed food.  Processed food is expensive, so you will cut out that expense.  But you are also cutting out food that is chuck full of sodium, additives, gmo’s and so much more non-food food. Since...

“Nutella Like” Chocolate Spread

Move over Nutella.  Welcome a newer, healthier version. Actually I made a chocolate spread before.  You can read about it here.  It’s made with sunflower seeds so it is the best option for people with tree nut allergies.  But I can eat pecans so I tend to make this one more frequently than the sunflower seed one.  I think this is a bit creamier. It goes well on toast, rice cakes, celery...

Dairy Free and Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream

Many moons ago I was given an ice cream maker.  At the time I did not know what I would do with it.  Little did I know that several years after that, I would be going milk free.  And lo and behold, the ice cream maker came in handy.  I am glad I kept it all those years. I do not make ice cream all that often.  I honestly do not miss it much.  But it is so easy and simple and makes for a...

Italian Green Beans

While this recipe would be great in the summer months when green beans are fresh and plentiful, it works just as well in the winter months with frozen green beans if necessary.  Sprucing up your vegetables will take out the boring factor that often accompanies vegetables for many people.  If they are a little more “fun” I think it’s more likely they will get eaten.   So, if you like...

Leafy Greens and Fruit Salad

Leafy greens plus fruit equals delicious salad!  Make your own dressing and there will be no worries about food allergies.  Plus, this salad would simply not do with a store bought dressing.  This dressing is a hit with everyone; even little ones. So, next time you are thinking of making a leafy salad, go for the fruit!  You will not be disappointed. I adapted this recipe from The Everything...

The Best Way To Prepare Cauliflower

I’ll be the first to admit that I used to have a strong dislike for cauliflower.  I would rarely buy it, and when I did, I would put off cooking it.  But not anymore.  I found the absolute best way to prepare cauliflower that I think anyone will like.  I now buy it frequently and am eager to eat it!   Prepared this special way, cauliflower is delicious.   It has a mild and a sweet...