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Cooking

Menu Plan Monday

mushroomsMeal Planning:  My husband continues his diet.  No gluten, dairy, nightshade vegs and no red meat.  So Easter I made a sweet potato mash we masked rutabaga with it also .  It was good and gone by the end of the Easter meal.   I have found we have been steering more towards pasta lately because it is easy.  We really need to do more vegetables and fruits so this week we are re focusing,  Easter candy needs to go.

Meal Planning:

Monday : Gluten Free meatloaf muffins, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes (Gluten Free)

Tuesday: Pirogi and Onions

Wednesday: Chicken and Lemon Soup (Gluten Free Noodles)

Thursday: Rice Crispy Chicken

Friday: Taco Night

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Cooking, Crafting

Easy Easter Treats: Chocolate Birds Nest

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chocolate birds nestEasy Easter Treats:  Birds Nest I decided to make these treat for the kids for Easter.  These are a chow main treat done loose and deconstructed.  I choose to do them more deconstructed.  Traditionally there chow main noodles are tossed in melted butterscotch chips.  I like chocolate so I make a loose nest.  My daughter helped to make these Easy Easter Treats nests.  I am not sure if they will last it to Easter.  They  are so easy I made batch in about 20 minutes.

Easy Easter Treats: Birds Nests

Makes 15 treatschow main,chocolate,cadbury eggs

Ingredients:

  • 1 bag of Chow main noodles Found in Asian section of grocery store
  • 1 bag of milk chocolate candy melting chips or 2 bags of milk chocolate chips
  • 1 bag of mini eggs  chocolate they look like robins eggs

Tools:

  • wax paper
  • 2 cookie sheets
  • Glass Pyrex measuring cup
  • pot
  • water
  1. Melt 1/2 of the bag chocolate I use a Pyrex 2 cup measuring cup, in a pot of water 1″ of water in a pot (double boiler method) or microwave chocolate in Pyrex cub starting at 30 seconds then 5 second intervalsdoubl boiler method chocolate
  2. Using a spoon drop a quarter size drop of melted chocolate on wax paperdroping chocolate on wax paper
  3. Place chow main noodles on chocolate,  pat down slightlychw main on chocolate
  4. Place a smaller dot of chocolate on top to hold eggs
  5. Place 3 mini eggs on topeggs on chocolate
  6. Repeat till tray is filled and place in refrigerator till chocolate  is hard.chocolate birds nests

This is a great Easter treat to make with the kids,  add peeps to the plate and the peeps now have a place to lay there eggs.girl helping make treat

My daughter age 9 loved make these Easy Easter Treats.  If you child is younger just have them place the eggs since the chocolate is hot.

Happy Easter!chocolate birds nest

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Cooking

Menu Plan Monday

mushroomsThis week the kids are off of school for a spring holiday.  It so it is a busy week.  My daughter is doing a play at church and Easter is here. My son is  away down the shore with friends for a few day. I also have family coming town so on Friday I am doing an early Easter, prior to my daughters play.

Monday : Out to dinner for Gluten Free Date night

Tuesday: Pork Spring Rolls  and Potstickers

Wednesday: Backed Chicken and mack and cheese

Thursday: Fried Rice with shrimp

Friday Baked Ham, mash potatoes, glazed carrots

Saturday: Fend for yourself

Sunday: Veggies and salad,  Dad making the meat

 

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Cooking

Menu Plan Monday

mushroomsMeal Plan Monday:  My adventure in feeding my family and providing my husband a Gluten, Dairy, Nightshade veggie, and red meat free diet.  My husband Jeff has auto immune The reason because of his severe  psoriasis. He has been doing this very limited and avoiding diet since January, there has been improvement.  It does pose some challenges as a family,  while I try to cook for everyone at once it doesn’t always work.  I am always on the search for creative ways to make the same food different.

Mostly I get tired of the physical dishes/pots (I hate washing them)  and I miss going out for real pizza.  It is probably better Pizza Hut  and I are no longer friends. I would like a break from time to time.  Is it bad I get excited when is working late?  Because I love an unplanned pizza night.   The other real issue is eating at others homes.  I try to bring something for him when we visit other,  people tend to think well what can he eat??  More but less than you think.. removing the Nightshades is the hardest for flavor.. because cause tomatoes, pepers and white potatoes are out.

I really miss the red meat.. which he says is his biggest issues as well.  I could buy it and cook it for the kids and I but, then I feel guilty eating it in front of him. I was doing his diet it would be the cheese,  yea soy based cheese it kinda sucks.

What does he eat a lot of :

  • Mushrooms
  • Onions
  • Green veggies (not in pepper family
  • Cauliflower try my roasted cauliflower recipe simple
  • sweet potatoes
  • turnips, beets,
  • fruit
  • gluten free pasta
  • quinoa
  • polenta
  • rice
  • chicken
  • fish/seafood
  • pork
  • Jello

So what is on the meal this week:

Menu Planning: Gluten, Dairy, Nightshade, veggie, and red meat free diet

Monday: Sweet potato chicken soup

Tuesday: Beginners Baked chicken, broccoli, and rice with kalamata olives

Wednesday: White turkey chilli-  Use cumin, wasabi, and white pepper for heat

Thursday: langostino lobster  scampi Gluten free pasta and reg pasta

Friday: Turkey Taco night with gluten free re-fried beans

Linking up to Organizing Junkies Meal Plan Monday :

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Cooking

Chicken Taco Salad with Avocado Dressing #FreshTake sponsored

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disclousure statementtaco salad Every night I am always looking for a new Fresh Take on dinner  that is healthy and a crowd pleaser for my family.  When #CollectiveBias asked me to try Kraft Fresh Take Meal Kit and create a family meal that we would enjoy. I was excited create a Chicken Taco Salad with creamy Avocado Dressing using Kraft Fresh Take Southwest Three Cheese.   This meal was a favorite with my whole tribe,  great tasting chicken with veggies and homemade baked tortilla chips.    I was pleased dinner took a 1/2 hour from start to finish to make. Another plus is the kids could build the salad themselves, so were little chefs also.   All left satisfied and happy.

Chicken Taco Salad with Avocado Dressing

  • 1 package of Kraft Southwest Three Cheese
  • 1 1/2 lb of chicken(4-5) breasts  thawed or fresh
  • 1 head lettuce or your choice of mixed greens in a bag
  • 1 can of sliced olives drained
  • 1 can of corn drained
  • 1 can black beans drain and rinsed
  • 1 pepper (green, yellow, orange or red the color of your choice)
  • 2 cups of cooked rice optional
  • 4 tortilla  (or a bag of chips)
  • oilingrediants
  1. Open the package of Fresh Takes,  the breadcrumb side and cheese sides are separated so they stay fresh.  When you open and pull apart  the bag separator  then blending the 2 sides.fresh takes
  2. Take your chicken moisten (with water or egg) and place in bag, seal shake to coat.fresh takes
  3. Place on baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. fresh take on chicken
  4. Cook as directed on package. Discard leftover coating. cooked fresh take
  5. While the Fresh Take Southwest Chicken is cooking,  Make the taco chips.  Cut the tortilla chips into strips.
  6. Brush with oil, season with salt and pepper, bake in oven for 10 minutes. tortilla chipsTo make the avocado dressing

Avocado Dressing

  • 1/4 cup of mayo
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 ripe avocado peeled
  • 2 tablespoons of lime or lemon juice
  • salt / pepper
  • Milk 1/2 cup of more depending on how thin you want your dressing

Blend in a food processor until smooth .. or mush the avocado into the other ingredients.avocado dressing

  1. Now it is time to build your salad  with the amazing Fresh Take Southwest Three Cheese Chicken.
  2. Stack the tortillas, lettuce, rice, black beans, olives, corn, tomatoes, peppers, and chicken.
  3. Add dressing and enjoy.

The Result:  The chicken is a little spicy,  the dressing added a cooling and dipping factor.    My children loved the build your own aspect of this dinner.  My daughter version on the chicken taco salad .. a taco man .. then he had a brother,  she ate 2 helpings.  I consider that a winning meal, thanks Kraft Fresh Takes Meal kit. kids taco salad

Kraft Fresh takes was very easy to use and all the instruction were located right on the package. You can also use the #FreshTake with other proteins like pork or fish.   The Kraft Fresh Take was so easy to find at my local Walmart it was located in with the shredded cheese in the dairy area. Kraft Fresh takes location at walmartWant a Deal ? Also Kraft and Walmart are offering a coupon so you could save and try $1 off the purchase of fresh chicken and Fresh Take at Walmartkraft fresh take couponChicken Taco saladHave a great week.

Cooking

10 Egg Muffin Recipes #Pinspiration

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egg muffinsSo Last the week of PSSA the Pennsylvanian  standard testing for the kids the school stress the importance of a great breakfast  meal for the kids.  So I have been making a more elaborate meal than normal  for my kids.  So at 6:15 am while my husband was prying my 13 year old out of bed.  I was looking at Pinterest.   I cam across the Egg in muffin tins recipes,  so at 6:30 I got up to make these great breakfast treats.

 

10 Egg Muffin Recipes

  1. My pinspiration came from As a Verb Toast, Cheddar and Bacon
  2. Spinach Bacon Egg Muffins from Country Spoon
  3. Egg Muffin with Taco Seasoning ham  and Veggies  from Rachel Schultz
  4. Egg Muffins with Broccoli and Pepper Paleo friendly from Primal Plate
  5. Egg Muffins with Spinach, Roasted Red peppers, from fortmillscliving.
  6. Tomato and spinich muffin tops
  7. Blue Berry Banana Egg Muffin from LiveRightBeHealthy
  8. Muffuletta Egg from Sonoma Farms
  9. Spice Kale and Egg cups from Green Little Bites
  10. Egg Muffins with Peppers, egg whites and cottage cheese under 80 calories  from muscleandfitnesshers.com

 

What is also great about egg muffins is they are great on the go.  You can Individually package in a plastic bag or wax paper. Remove from Fridge or Freeze and a quick affordable breakfast for you family.

I find paying upwards of  $6.00 for 4 frozen sandwiches is crazy when I can make them at home for pennies. Eggs cost as low as $1.00,  bacon on sale is $3.89-  and you can get 12  muffins for under $5 in 30 minutes.

 

I am linking up to #Pinspiration this week at All things Chic .

Follow me Sherry Aikens on Pinterest for other great Pins I find.
Visit Sherry’s profile on Pinterest.
egg muffins

Cooking

Menu Plan Monday

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mushroomsMy husband I were met to be together, because we both like odd food not always the same food but we love. Love liverwurst and my husband loves sardines.  My sons favorite vegetable is Brussels sprouts and spinach.  My daughter loves cabbage and lima beans.   My son comes home from school every day and makes fish for a snack.   Tonight my son decided he also like Liverwurst,  so the apple does not fall far from the tree.

Monday: Chicken Taco salad (corn tortilla ) Gluten free

Tuesday Split Pea Soup Gluten free

Wednesday:  Pulled pork, cabbage, and potatos

Thursday: Mango Fish, Rice, Green beans

Friday:   Shrimp and Pasta

Linking up with Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie

 

 

Cooking, Psoriasis

Sweet Potato Chicken Soup

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Sweet Potato Chicken Soup : Sweet Potato Chicken Soup recipe that is Gluten free, red meat, night shade vegetable, and dairy free to help Psoriasis diet and Psoriatic arthritis. Also my weekly meal planning.  My husband diet has made me come with new recipes food that help is extreme  Psoriasis diet and Psoriatic arthritis by reducing inflammation. This soup satisfy the entire family and is east to make.

sweet potato soupSweet Potato Chicken Soup

  • chicken chopped 3 cups ( or 1 rotisserie chicken Picked)
  • 3-4 sweet potatoes pealed and diced
  • 1 onion diced
  • 4 carrots pealed and chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 10 mushrooms cleaned and chopped
  • 3 cups of water or chicken broth
  • 2 table spoon of oil
  1. In a 6-8 quart pot add oil  add onions cook fir 5 minutes
  2. Add carrots and mushrooms, cook until carrots tender   (salt to taste)
  3. Add 3 cups of water or broth
  4. Add bay leaf
  5. Add sweet potatoes cook for 20 minutes med low
  6. Stir often
  7. Add  chicken cook for another 20 minutes
  8. Potatoes will break down and thicken up soup add more broth if needed

Turn off  the heat alow to sit for 5 minutes  and enjoy

Printable Version of Sweet Potato Chicken Soupsweet potato soup

 Meal Plan

My meal plan we have been planning in the last few weeks is  that is Gluten free, red meat, night shade vegetable, and dairy free. We have a busy week planning birthdays and My son is starting water polo.

Monday : Corned Beef and cabbage (cook corned beef in a slow cooker 1 bottle or beer and 1 cup of water cook for 6-8 hours , hour 5-6 add potatoes and cabbage)

Tuesday: Rice Krispie chicken with roasted cauliflower

Wednesday : Shrimp with Spinach  cous cous   and polenta (gluten free)

Thursday: Linguini and clam sauce

Friday: Tacos, re-fried beans, rice

Enjoy your week

Linking up to Menu plan Monday at Organizing Junkie

Cooking

Roasted Cauliflower and Meal Planning

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Roasted CauliflowerRoasted Cauliflower :  as my family eats healthier do to our change in diet.  For my husbands healthy I have been trying new ways to prepare many of our favorites foods with more flavor.  Since my Husband Jeff is Gluten, Dairy, Red meat, Night shade vegetable free.  I can’t use many of our standard seasoning to flavor our meals and I have to find new ways to create depth.

Roasted Cauliflower:

  • 1 head of Cauliflower
  • 1/4 cup of olive oil
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tablespoon of mince garlic
  • salt pepper
  • cumin
  1. Wash Cauliflower head dry  cut away leaves
  2. Place in an oven safe bowlCauliflower
  3. Place onion in bottom and full head of cauliflower on top off onions
  4. Season head with salt pepper cumin and garlic
  5. Cover with tin foil cook 375 for 45 minutes .. remove cover and roast another 20 minutes  till golden.
  6. Eat as roasted or mash for a cauliflower puree..
  7. Note you might want to make more then one at a time,  Roasted_Cauliflower_013_001-31

Also I recommend while roasting also roast garlic bulb at the same time-  Just cut off the the top drizzle with oil wrap in tin foil.. If you have the oven on might as well do a garlic.  They keep well in he fridge for future use. roasted_garlic_001

Weekly meal Plan:

Monday: Polenta and shrimp

Tuesday : spaghetti squash Alfredo

Wednesday: stirfry  and rice

Thursday: pork tenderloin with spinach

Friday: Tacos bake, homemade re-fried beans, corn tortillas

Linking up to Menu plan Monday at Organizing Junkie

 

Here are some great other Posts to check out:

All Meatloafs should be served as a muffin

This Pea Salad will make you crave it .. (Bacon)

Easy Beginner Chicken in 3 Steps that will make you MIL ask for the recipe

How to Fix Fitted sheets to stay in place DIY

DYI Raised Pallet Garden


 

Cooking

Ninja Cooker Recipe Ham and Meal Planning

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Ninja cooker disclosure affiliateNinja Cooker Recipe: Ham an easy recipe that fits my family’s dietary restrictions and a summary of how is it going with my family changing our diet. Our changed include making  family friendly Gluten, red meat, dairy, and night shade vegetable free.   Our Food Progress: I am doing better at making meals that please all of us in cluding my husband with his restricted diet.   Last week it was better,   I am asking my husband to help with cooking more because of my schedule and his dietary need.

My Ninja Cooker a Year Later: It has been a year since I 1st review my Ninja Cooker.  I really must say this in one appliance that has never left my counter.  I use it at least once a week,  it make life easy and is a great size for my family of 4 (note one is a teenage boy, and both my kids are competitive swimmers.)   I really do recommend it often to friends and family.  So if you are looking for a new crock pot but want more function them just a crock pot.  Look in to a Ninja cooker.

Sunday night was a case in point where I need an easy meal,  my daughter had a concert at church at 4pm.   I quickly came home after dropping her off at 2 for rehersals  and put dinner in the Ninja cooker and used the timer on the stove for my sides.  I made a smoked ham that was not not overly salty.  My husband did eat ham so I was happy,  because I wanted him to enjoy the Sunday night meal as well.  Why did I choose the Ninja instead of putting the ham in the oven. Was because I want the ham to cook longer and not dry out. So with the side cooking an hour the oven would shut off and the Ninja would cook the ham for the full 3-4 hours until we returned.

Ninja Cooker Recipe : Crock pot ham

  • Bone in ham 7-14 lb (I used a 8lb to feed my family of 4 with enough left over for soup)
  • 1 can crushed Pineapple
  • 1 cup from brown sugar
  • 1 can of coke or soda full sugar
  1. Trim the fat , Score the ham or ham skin in a crisscross pattern
  2. Place ham in your Ninja Cooker I took a bone in ham placing the largest size down  so the bone was
  3. Rub ,packing,pushing brown sugar in score
  4. Pour the can of pineapple
  5. Cook on high for 3-4 hours in a Ninja cooker on crock pot setting using
  • Side Spaghetti Squash sliced 1/2 clean out seeds and place face done in glass dish add 2-3 water cover with tin foil and bake in over for 400 degress for 1 hour
  • Side baked sweet potato  1 hour 400 degrees 1 hour

This weeks meal plan:

Monday: Split Pea soup (soup bone from ham)

Tuesday:Chicken: Chicken Pot Pie-  Making a gluten Free crust with rice flour

Wednesday : Ash Wednesday I am make Easy Seafood chowder at church and Fresh Bread in a Bag 10 loaves

easy seafood chowderbread in a bag

Thursday: Veg Pizza for my husband and Pizza for the kids

Friday: Tacos corn tortillas, rice and homemade re-fried beans

Linking up to

Linking up to Menu plan monday at Organizing Junkie

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