4 Ingredient Potato Salad (VEGAN)

 

I am trying to blog more – I really am!  I’ve been updating sections of my blog, and am thinking of doing a total blog overhaul in the next little bit to clean it up, add things like PIN IT buttons and just to give it new life!   Please let me know if you have any suggestions!  If anyone has any tips on moving from blogger – wordpress please contact me!!!

 

Ok moving on!

We were so lucky this summer to head out on our friend’s boat.  We spent the day out on the water enjoying the sunshine and the company – we even got to see some Orca whales towards the end of the evening – even though I’ve lived on the coast my whole life, I have never seen Orca’s up close and personal – check out a few of the photos I took!  Amazing!

Plus there was an incredible sunset that night…

Amazing. 

Anyways onto the food!  We had a BBQ on the boat and our friends made this awesome potato salad that I had to share!  With only 4 ingredients – it’s easy as can be!

 

4 Ingredient Vegan Pesto Potato Salad

2lbs potatoes of choice – cut into cubes

3/4 cup Veganise Pesto Mayonnaise

Juice from 1/2 lemon

1 cup frozen peas

Optional – daiya cheddar shreds.

 

Directions

Boil potatoes until soft about 10 minutes

Put frozen peas into a strainer

Pour the potatoes and the hot water over the peas

Let potatoes and peas cool.

Once cooled – add veganise and lemon juice (and any extras you choose – I added 1/4 red pepper and chives for added color and crunch – but it’s great as is also!)  Mix together.

Add salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Our friends also added daiya cheddar shreds which added even more creaminess to this – but totally optional!

 

There you have it – super simple and perfect for a BBQ or potluck – or a quick easy addition to dinner!

Lucky us – we got to enjoy this while gazing at this beautiful view.

Hope you enjoyed this quick and easy recipe!  Coming up in the next few days – a post about a few of my new favorite (and not so favorite) things!

Much love,

Jessica

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars & a GIVEAWAY

 

One of my favorite things about blogging (other than being able to hopefully help people out) is that publishing companies often offer me up free review copies of their new cookbooks that have just or are about to be published!  When BenBella Books, Inc contacted me this time to check out the China Study Cookbook by T. Colin Campbell, PHD, I was super excited!

I read the China Study a few years ago – if you have not read this book please do.  It’s very eye opening.  From the website;

“In The China Study, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Professor Emeritus at Cornell University, details the connection between nutrition and heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Recognized as the most comprehensive nutritional study ever conducted on the relationship between diet and the risk of developing disease, The China Study cuts through the haze of misinformation and examines the source of nutritional confusion produced by government entities, lobbies, and opportunistic scientists.”

After reading the book, I felt inspired to follow the ideas laid out in the book, I remember wishing that there were recipes at the end – so I could take steps towards living a more whole food, plant based life.

Fast forward a few years and they now have published a book that is the “Official Companion to the China Study” and I’m lucky enough to be able to share one of the yummy recipes with you & offer a giveaway for the cookbook for anyone in the US or Canada!

It was a natural choice for me to choose a peanut butter/chocolate recipe – because let’s face it – that combo cannot be beat!   Check out the recipe and see below for the giveaway!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Preparation time: 15 minutes | Chilling time: 1 hour

Makes 9 servings

These bars are rich, creamy, sweet, and satisfying—everything a dessert should be!

1 cup low-fat graham crackers, crushed

1/4 cup crushed walnuts

1/2 cup reduced-fat, unsweetened coconut

1/3 cup natural peanut butter

1/4 cup nondairy milk

1 cup nondairy chocolate chips

5 tablespoons rice or almond milk

1 | Crush graham crackers in food processor. In separate bowl, add walnuts, coconut, and peanut butter. Stir in crushed graham crackers.

2 | Slowly add milk and mix. If mixture does not hold together, continue adding additional milk until all ingredients stick together. However, don't make it too soft, and, if necessary, use your hands.

3 | Spread mixture evenly into a 9 × 9 nonstick baking dish.

4 | In a saucepan, melt chocolate chips together with rice or almond milk over medium heat. Stir until smooth.

5 | Spread chocolate mixture on top of peanut butter mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until hardened. Cut into squares and enjoy!

 

To Enter the Giveaway

Leave a comment telling me about your favourite plant based recipe OR why you would want to win this book!   That’s it!  One Entry per person*****

Contest Closes Wednesday September 18th at 8pm! Winner will be announced on facebook and have 2 days to provide me with their address!

 

  *****YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A BLOG TO ENTER!!  Just use the NAME/URL option and type in your name and your email address (which will never be shared!)

 

*Permission to publish recipe and use photo were given by BenBella Books, Inc

Dairy Free Pizza Ideas

 

Hey guys!

So I don’t know about you but I love pizza!  We probably eat pizza a few times a month, sometimes take out but often I make it at home – I like to get creative, and don’t often use the regular “pizza sauce & toppings” So I thought I’d come up with a dairy free pizza guide!  How do you like your pizza pie?

While simple is usually best – let’s have some fun!

my most drool worthy pizza to date – hummus and roasted veggie.

CRUST IDEAS

~ make your own pizza dough – this is what I use – it’s simple and easy and you likely have the ingredients in your cupboards all ready -  Jazz it up with some spices, nutritional yeast  or onion/garlic powder in the dough.  Make a big batch and freeze some too!

~Pitas – perfect for a quick dinner

~ Naan Bread (Char’s idea)

~ Flat bread (Tasha gets a great one at Costco)

~English Muffins

~Portabella Mushrooms

~Polenta

~Tortillas

 

SAUCE IDEAS

Forgo your ideas that pizza has to be topped with tomato just for a second and get creative

~Hummus (awesome sub if you aren’t adding cheese)

~Pesto (watch for dairy ingredients but you can find some out there without dairy)

~BBQ Sauce

~Peanut sauce (think Thai pizza) I mix equal parts peanut butter to sweet chilli sauce

~Thick curry sauce

~Chutney

~Simple olive oil, garlic, salt and spices

~Salsa

 

“CHEESE” IDEAS

~If you use hummus as your base – you don’t even need cheese

~Daiya – the trick is to only use a bit, don’t go overboard!

~If you can tolerate it – goat cheese *thanks Cami

~Nutritional Yeast

~Sparkle Rae from facebook loves “Sheese Mozerella:

~Grated nuts – use a lemon zester (and watch your fingers) try grinding hazelnuts or brasil nuts – they brown up nicely on top.

 

TOPPINGS YOU MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF…

Of course there are the regular toppings – veggies, meats etc… but what about these “outside the box ideas…”

Salad – a long time ago Noelle from Singer in the Kitchen posted that she put salad ON TOP of her pizza after it was baked – check it out…  I’ve been a huge fan every since.  Use whatever greens you have and even a simple balsamic vinegar dressing does wonders to a “dry, cheeseless pizza”

Herbs – think outside the basil box and think cilantro, parsley maybe even mint?  Some are great cooked right into the crust like rosemary and sage.  Some are better sprinkled on after…

Nuts – chop them up and add them in… think apple, fennel and hazelnut.

Fruit – besides pineapple.  Try fresh figs with salted meats.

Eggs – why not do a bacon and egg pizza.  The oozyness (is that a word) of the egg will take the place of cheese – sprinkle with fresh herbs after cooking

Don’t forget you can add ingredients after it’s cooked also – they add a great texture and sometimes can balance.  Avocado, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, salsa

 

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER NOW…

Thai pizza (one of my favs) Choose your crust, add peanut sauce, chicken or prawns, grated or julienned carrots, bean sprouts and small sprinkling of daiya mozza – serve with a lime wedge & crushed peanuts.

Hummus & Roasted Veg -  pre-roast your favorite veggies (think peppers, zuchinni, onion, mushrooms)  top crust with a generous amount of hummus, sprinkle on italian spice and nutritional yeast – top with roasted veggies & cook – make sure to broil for the last few seconds to get the hummus bubbling!   *sundried tomatoes would be awesome too!

BBQ Chicken – BBQ Sauce, chicken, corn, black beans, cilantro

From Jess on facebook – Cranberry Chicken  -  Cranberry sauce (she makes her own), smoked chicken and pinenuts…

My BFF did a blog post  (on her new blog – make sure to check it out) about Pizza – check it out – she has links to great suggestions such as – Chicken Tandoori, Roasted Beet & Cashew “Goat Cheese”, BBQ Black Bean Pita Pizza etc… *DROOOOL*

Or a fun idea is to go to a pizza places website and see what fun ideas they use and try to recreate them using dairy free ingredients. Check out my favourite pizza place’s menu – fun ideas like taco, chicken club, butter chicken, jambalya. fajita…  basically think of your favorite thing – dissect it, and put in on a pizza!

So fun…  now tell me what great ideas you have?

 

______________________SIDE NOTE_____________________________

Thanks for sticking around and for many many wonderful emails – I always want to be here to help and I try to always answer facebook messages and emails within a few days! So send away…  I do spend a lot of time chatting it up on facebook so if you want more day to day banter – join me there!

Hard to believe but my baby boy is 6 months old today and keeping me busy busy!  Being a mom is so wonderful but doesn’t leave me with much time to sit down and write! I hope you forgive me!!  Here’s a little picture of him since it’s been forever since I posted about him!  Having carrots for the first time – hahaha I think he enjoyed them!!

Love him!

Thanks again guys – I truly appreciate your support.

 

Jessica 

Fiesta Quinoa Salad

Well hello…

It’s been SO long since I posted an actual – made by me recipe – I actually don’t know where to start!

Ever since having baby boy (3.5 months ago now) I’ve been struggling with finding inspiration to eat healthier – as many moms/busy people know – sometimes, you have to grab and eat whatever you can just to fill the void.  On top of that, I just had 0 inspiration to create or play around with recipes! (or even cook if I’m being honest) 

The other day during nap time, I was flipping through documentaries on Netflix and found “Forks Over Knives” watched it and proceeded to watch the Engine 2 Diet documentary afterwards and felt totally inspired by Rip.  I felt so inspired.  Plant strong… ok I can do this!  Not saying that I’ll follow it 100% but I will try to make “plant base”choices as much as possible. 

So guess what – I’ve been making recipes like crazy (kale, lemon and cilantro sandwhich – YUM).  And I even created one of mine own – check out this beauty.

Fiesta Quinoa Salad

• 1 cup dry quinoa
• 2 cups water or broth
• 1 can corn drained
• 1 can rinsed and drained black beans
• 1/2 purple onion diced
• 5 tomatoes diced (seeded if you want it less runny)
• 1/2 bunch of cilantro (or more if you are a cilantro loving fool) – washed, de-stemmed and chopped
• 1 TBSP chili powder
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• Lime and zest from 2 limes
• Salt to taste

Directions – cook quinoa in water (broth) as per package instructions.

Toss together all ingredients and let sit for a few hours for the flavours to mix!

Done and done!  This makes a large portion perfect for a BBQ or pot luck!

Would be awesome;

• stuffed into a pepper and baked
• Served with lettuce for lettuce wrapped
• with avocado added
• with nacho chips

There you have it – a recipe from yours truly!

Hope you are all well!!  Loving the facebook interaction as always! Thank you for your support and I hope to start creating a bit more!  Summer and sunshine is always a good inspiration too!!

And a baby picture just for fun! Isn’t he the cutest!?

Ohhh I could just kiss those lil cheeks !

Dairy Free in Victoria Part II

Victoria, BC is one of my very favourite places to visit!   Not only is it a gorgeous, city with a funky hippy vibe but it also has the small town feel to it! (which this small town girl loves)!!

I’ve posted before about my dairy free adventures in Victoria and this time was no different. This city has OODLES of great dairy free (and vegan) options!

One tip about travelling dairy free is to check out places that are vegan or vegan friendly.  This usually means they will have options for you!  A few different things I use is the URBAN SPOON APP and the HAPPY COW app (or www.happycow.net)!  Also for Victoria – you can check out Sarah’s Vegan Guide to the City here.  This is a fantastic resource for anyone dairy free, vegan or even gluten free!

So first up – Green Cuisine!  Located in Market Square on Johnson Street this place is 100% Vegan (aka everything is dairy free)…

<source>

I first went in because I was told they have awesome cookies and desserts.  I grabbed 5 cookies (that were the size of my hand) for under $10!  Now we all know that being dairy free has it challenges, and over priced treats is one of them!  These were SO reasonable!  Take a look at how good they look… and they tasted amazing (I recommend the Maui Wowie soooooo good)!

 

I went back the next day for lunch – and let me tell you it was SO good!  Even my very meat and dairy eating husband said he would eat there next time!   It’s pay by weight $1.99 per 100 grams.   I had this huge plate of goodies and a cookie for $14.00. 

 

(mmmm the focaccia bread on the left was SO good)

I loved the buffet style service, because you could choose as much or as little as you wanted!  Plus everything had all the ingredients listed – so you could really cater to any allergy!

I am looking forward to heading back to Victoria JUST so I can eat here! MMMMMmmmmm

________________________________________________________________

I feel bad for my hubby – whenever we travel, I do choose the restaurants most of the time! (happy wife = happy life)

Most of the time he doesn’t mind – but sometimes he just wants to choose – so he did… and much to my surprise it turned out to be awesome!

We were walking down the street and found a pizza place with a stone oven and thin crust authentic Italian style pizzas. Famoso’s.

We decided to try it, and I figured I’d just get a pizza with no cheese!  MUCH to my surprise – they offer daiya cheese for their pizzas! (YES!)  (not sure if this is true for all locations)

The menu was dripping with pizza goodness from margarita pizzas, to the Sicilian to a Thai pizza – this place was drool worthy.  I had a hard time deciding between a mushroom pizza with truffle oil and the Thai… I asked the waitress to surprise me and choose between the two!

Thai it was!  (this is just my left overs)

SOOOOOO good – peanut sauce, chicken, bean sprouts, cilantro, carrots, crushed peanuts , white daiya cheese and a lime wedge!

Not only did they have dairy free cheese, but also dairy free dessert! I was too fully to have any – but it sounded delicious!

What I didn’t realize is it’s actually a chain – so check out the other British Columbia locations here.

__________________________________________

It’s so much fun to go to a restaurant and actually be able to eat (AND ENJOY) a meal!   Victoria is such a great place to go for this and if I could be teleported down there for every meal I’d do it in a heart beat!

Do you have a favourite Victoria restaurant?

Someone also mentioned on facebook that if you order ahead of time, you can do high tea at the Empress Hotel and they will make it vegan (or gluten free) for you!  We plan to do that in the future for sure.

From their website  -

DIETARY NEEDS
The Fairmont Empress is pleased to accommodate dietary needs including vegan, gluten free and diabetic. Please advise of all food allergies and dietary needs at the time of reservation.”

_______________________________________

I LOVE that being dairy free is starting to be less challenging and much more fun!

I hope you enjoyed these reviews!!

 

Much love,

Jessica

Please note I received nothing for any of these reviews and paid for everything 100% myself. As always this opinion is completely mine!

Baby Bean Update!

Hey guys,

So I got a lovely note from a reader asking for a baby update!  I’m so sorry that I haven’t posted anything in forever, but I do actually have a few blog posts up my sleeve – including recent eats on a trip to Victoria, BC!   We had amazing food and I just love how accommodating Victoria is for dairy free folks!   More on that later!

 

So baby bean update -  for those of you not on facebook we had a baby boy on February 24!  His name is Finley Douglas and he is our absolute pride and joy!!  I always heard moms saying it was the best job ever, but I didn’t really “get” it until now!  I am more in love and happier than I’ve ever been!!

He’s already 11.5 weeks old and spends his days smiling away.  He has a total personality already and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this little man!!

Here are a few of my fav pics!

Thanks so much for sticking around even when I’m not posting!!  A lot more action happens on facebook so come follow Dairy Free Betty there!

 

Up next Dairy Free in Victoria BC – part II

Baby Bean Update Week 39

Hiya,

So we just got our maternity photos back and thought I would share with you a little sneak peak!!  They were taken at 37 weeks, and as of tomorrow I am 39 weeks – but thought you might like to see anyways!  The photos were taken by the lovely Carrie Olney!

 

He was trying to kiss my belly, but it just wasn’t working!  Turned out to be one of my favorite shots!

Now send us lots of baby dust, let’s get this show on the road!  

 

Much love,

Jessica

My Healthy Surprise!

 

Sorry for long time no post!   Being 37+ weeks preggo is taking more out of me than thought! I am enjoying it though and getting very excited!! I have been cooking lots but always other people’s recipes – because I don’t have the energy to mess around with creating!  If you follow me on facebook I’ve been sharing lots of info there!

Speaking of facebook – I saw a little side bar pop up with an advertisement for Healthy Surprise! Looking around their website I was super excited to see that this company not only ships to Canada (and the US), but they provide dairy free, vegan, gluten free, soy free natural snacks & even better, they show up at your door step!  What more could you ask for!?

I emailed the company questioning if they provided free shipping to Canada on their 2nd size box – much to my surprise, the shipping for the box is only $5 extra to get to Canada! YES! 

The company sent me out a trial package of the “Healthy Box” size to check it out!

I was floored by what I received!

The box arrived very quickly – within a few days and was HUGE!

(it was packaged nicer than this, but I couldn’t help but take a sneak peak before taking pictures)

The top layer included so many tasty treats – all full servings packages – not just sample packs.

The second layer had even more goodies.

All together now…  what I really loved is it was a good mix between sweet and savory snacks!

This box normally costs $66 and is well worth the $ – especially when you think a bag of kale chips is typically around $6 per bag (in my neck of the woods at least!)

Check out this quick video for more info on how it works!

Plus one of my favourite features (besides the fact they ship to Canada!) is that they have a 100% Money Back  Guarantee if you are not happy!

While I haven’t gotten around to tasting everything yet (a lot of it’s packed for the hospital!) everything I have tried so far has been SUPER fresh and tasty!   My favorites (so far) being Skinny Crips, and Hall Merry Chocolate Macaroons!

I don’t know about you, but it’s SO refreshing to have a whole bunch of snacks stacked up in the cupboard that I know I can eat without getting sick!   They have 3 different options for their box sizes as well, check it out – 2 of the 3 offer free shipping (+ $5 for Canada).  Plus there is an option to send it as a gift!! (How awesome would that be to receive?!)

I am overly impressed with this company on many levels and while I received this box free of charge, my opinion is 100% my own.

I highly recommend checking these guys out if you are looking for quality (dairy free) snacks for yourself, your family or anything else!  Check out their website for all the details. 

 

The search for safe dairy free snacks is over & can be delivered directly to your door – it doesn’t get much better than that!!

 

If you’d like more info on any of the individual snacks I received please let me know. 

 

Jessica

33 Weeks & Counting

Hey guys!

So the count down is on!   Two of my lovely blogger friends have had their babies in the last few weeks!  Make sure to congratulate Robyn and Jesse on their GORGEOUS baby girls!  The last blogger baby mama friend is Noelle and then it’s us!  (EEK!) 

33 weeks!

I got this fun pregnancy update thing from Natalie at Will Jog for Food – she’s expecting too!  (Hope you don’t mind me borrowing it!)  PS.  I love my pregnant (and new mama blog friends – they have been such a great support system!!)

________________________________________________________

Baby’s Size: Pineapple – around 4.5 pounds!

Currently Craving: Water w/ice & salad rolls with peanut sauce!  (And feta cheese – my entire pregnancy, but of course I haven’t had any * sigh*)

Sleep & Dreams: Sleep – more or less good!  Baby boy tends to wake up between 4am-5am – I’m guessing he’s getting me ready for the future!

How I am feeling: Great for the most part!  Luckily I haven’t put on much weight and have been able to stay active (for the most part).  He sits very low, so some days I’m really uncomfortable.

Evidence of Pregnancy Brain: Brought everything to make sushi over to my friends house – forgot the nori…. duh….  we ended up making salad rolls which spurred my obsession with salad rolls this week.

Movement: He is a party animal! Kicking, rolling and doesn’t like a single inch of his space taken up, or I get a big uncomfty boot in the belly.

Appointments: I’m down to the wire now, so midwife visits every two weeks!   Choosing a midwife was possibly the best choice I’ve made.

Exercise: Walking is about all I can muster up these days! Or should I call it waddling. I’m still coaching my Special Olympic athletes too!  I’m just having to rely more more on my assistant coaches support and understanding! ha

Innie or outie: Innie (so far – I don’t think it’s going to pop!)

Stretch marks: Natta! Yes!

Rings on or off: off at home – but I can still wear them – I put them on when I go out!

Maternity wear: I’m still mostly in pre-pregnancy shirts, but wear mostly maternity jeans (which I LOVE), and my regular lululemons!   My jacket and vest (although fairly tight) still fit!

Baby related purchases: I made a carseat cover this week! Bought “glow in the dark barrel of monkey’s fabric” so fun!

I don’t have anything fun and food related for you today – but we chat lots on facebook so make sure to join us there!  I’m trying to post a question, thought, or recipe every day – we’ve had some good discussion – would love to have you join!

Just waiting on a few more things and then I’ll be posting baby nursery photos!!

 

Much love,

Jessica

Newfoundland Christmas Dinner

So I was lucky enough to marry a man from Newfoundland!   For anyone that’s not familiar people from Newfoundland are incredible – they are warm, caring funny people, who have their own (often very funny) slang for day to day words and terms that are just so great! 

Plus it’s absolutely beautiful there as soon as the plane touches down, you know why they are so proud of their province.

The first time I went back to Newfoundland with my hubby (the boyfriend at the time) my biggest concern was “the food”…  To me the idea of cooked meat, boiled vegetables and meals like pea soup had me shaken in my booties!

   <it’s possible I am the only person ever that has not seen a moose in Newfoundland – even after countless hours of driving all over the province… it’s become a bit of a family joke!>

I often joke with my mother in law now about how I’m a hippie…  but now proudly wear a badge of honour for becoming  an honorary “Newfie hippy” because not only did I love the food, I now crave it and try to replicate it often & have lost part of my heart to my East Coast home!

(minus the lobster – I’m not really a fan)

The first Christmas dinner is what did it for me.  I’ve had some good turkey dinner’s in my past – but this meal took the cake.

There was typical turkey and then everything else…

 <source – I hope they don’t mind me borrowing, I’ve never take a picture of the dinner – but this is always what it looks like>

Pretty much everything is boiled with salt beef which granted is not healthy on any level, but it tastes oh so good! 

I am no where near the calibre that my mother in law, or Dave’s nan was at cooking, so I’ll just share links to the recipes!  All of which are making an appearance at our Christmas dinner tomorrow!

Jiggs Dinner with Pea’s Pudding and Boiled Veggies! (just sub butter for your favourite dairy free alternative!)  Make sure to have pudding bags for the pea’s pudding!  (We use carrots, turnip potatoes & green cabbage)

Dressing (not my favourite, but loved by many – the next day it’s common to have the dressing over french fries with gravy) (not pictured in above photo)

Then there are “puddings” my mother in law has me hooked on onion and cranberry spice.  While I am no expert – I couldn’t find a recipe for it anywhere, so I’ll try to break it down!  (Ps. the final product doesn’t look very good, but I promise it’s tasty!)

Onion Pudding

• 1/2 loaf of plain bread (I usually use whole wheat) – must be stale – I usually leave it out for a day or two.
• 1 onion – chopped
• 1 tablespoons of butter (I use Earth Balance)
• pinch of sugar
• 1/4 cup (give or take) of flour
• Pudding bag with string

Soak bread in water & then squish all the liquid out of bread.  Try to get it as dry as possible – so it makes a dough.  Place in a bowl.

Sautee onion in butter – add to bread mixture – add in sugar and mix together.   Add flour as needed until you have a non sticky piece of dough.   Place dough in a pudding bag and tie.  Boil for 1 – 2 hours with salt beef (or very salty water).

 

Cranberry and Spice Pudding

• 1/2 loaf of plain bread (I usually use whole wheat) – must be stale – I usually leave it out for a day or two.
• 1 – 2 table spoons of dried cranberries
• 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nut meg.
• pinch of sugar
• 1/4 cup (give or take) of flour
• Pudding bag with string

Soak bread in water & then squish all the liquid out of bread.  Try to get it as dry as possible – so it makes a dough.  Place in a bowl.

Add in sugar, cranberries, spices and mix together.   Add flour as needed until you have a non sticky peice of dough.   Place dough in a pudding bag and tie.  Boil for 1 – 2 hours with salt beef (or very salty water).

__________________________________________________

Then of course there is usually a jar of pickled beets, fresh homemade bread and butter!

 

For the next day it’s pretty typical to make a “hash” out of some of the left overs for breakfast or lunch!   Sometimes I think this is one of my favorite parts!!   This is pretty typical of what it looks like!

Just writing about this meal (while having all the ingredients in the next room especially) makes me drool.  Yes of course you must drink 16 gallons of water the next day to counter balance all the salt…  and your blood pressure will be a bit high for a day or two… it’s worth it – it’s Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas to each of you!! Thank you for making my blog and facebook page so enjoyable! Wishing you and your families a safe and happy Christmas   (full of lots of good dairy free treats!)

xo

Jessica

Dairy Free Nuts & Bolts

 

Hi!

Long time no chat!   Hopefully you are following DFB on facebook – because I try to check in every day with questions, tips, suggestions, product reviews etc.!   There has been some great chatter about dairy free hot chocolate suggestions, cheese substitutions, cookbook suggestions etc.!  Don’t miss out!

Anyways, moving on!

I have been a total slacker with creating recipes!  So many great recipes out there that are easier to follow!  

However, I always make a few alterations & with it being Christmas Season and all I have made a few tasty treats!

So far I’ve made…

1. Turtles (aka caramel, nuts and chocolate!) – I use this recipe and it’s incredible!
2. Chocolate Covered Oreos  - sounds as easy as it is!  You just roll and oreo (dairy free!) in chocolate – and sprinkle with well… SPRINKLES! ha
3. I’ve also made Christmas “crack” but I don’t like the name, so I’ll come up with a new name and post the recipe!

 

Now in all that sweetness – this preggo chick (29 weeks today!) needed some salt in her life! That’s where Nuts & Bolts comes in!  The recipe comes from a dear friend – when we visited them October – I couldn’t stop eating this – it’s salty, savoury and crunchy, what more can you ask for?  And it’s cute to package up in little baggies or mason jars as gifts!

Dairy Free Nuts & Bolts!

• 1 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2TBSP Worcestershire sauce
• 8 cups plain cheerios
• 5 cups shreddies
• 4 cups pretzels (I would personally add more, they were my favorite)
• 2 1/4 cup peanuts (I used almonds!)
• 1 tsp celery salt (I used seasoning salt)
• 1/4 cup dried onions
• 1-2 tsp garlic powder

Mix canola, Worcestershire sauce, celery salt, dried onions and garlic powder together in a small bowl.    Mix the rest of the ingredients in a very large bowl.    Pour sauce over and mix until everything is covered!

Bake at 200 for 1.5 hours – stirring occasionally!  (This part is really hard, I had to taste test a few times!)

Remove from heat and let cool completely, transfer into a air tight container!

_______________________________________________________________

Of course you can play around with this recipe – a few things I thought of after that would be good to add…

• Plain Popcorn
• Chex cereal
• Seeds (sunflower and pumpkin)
• If you are a sweet/salty, after it’s all cooled you could add in some crasins or chocolate chips!
• Pine nuts

Hope you enjoyed this recipe – up next – Christmas “crack” will appear with a new name!

Jessica

Pink or Blue?

Hiya guys!

So once again it’s been forever since I’ve posted! (so sorry!)   I’ve had a few messages from YOU asking about a baby update!!     I realize I haven’t said much since we announced it!

I’m almost 25 weeks now! (Time FLIES!)

My friend took some photos last week!!    

So fun!!  I still forget I’m pregnant – until I get a little punch or kick!  hahaha

We also found out that we’re having a BOY!!!!

I always always pictured myself having a whole bunch of little girls running around – however, we are sooooooo excited about a little boy!!  Name is all picked out, tons of cute “little man” clothing has been purchased and I’m working on the nursery!

It’s been a lot of fun as well because a few of my blogger friends are pregnant too!  We’ve been swapping stories, advice and enjoying the process of being pregnant together (in cyber space!)  Love the people I’ve met through blogging!

_______________________________________________

Anyways I’ve been cooking lots, but mostly other people’s recipes – but the holiday season is fast  approaching, and I have a bit more time on my hands coming up, so I foresee sweets &  treats  and yummy recipes on the horizon!!   Pintrest makes it hard to create your own recipes when they show you things like “salted caramel brownies” that are already dairy free (I die…) but I’ll see what I can come up with!

_____________________________________________

Hoping you are all doing fantastic – although I don’t do blog posts often, I try to do a lot of chatting on facebook – so join me there for recipes, tips and tidbits and more!  And of course, I love getting emails so feel free to always email me if you have questions about living dairy free!

Take care & Much Love!

Jessica