Chicago Expo!

I know that it is pushing the limits of the Expo but there is some great things happening that I want you to know about. Holy Crap! is the sponsor of the bloggers lounge this weekend and they have a few giveaways that they are doing.

The first 25 people into the Expo each day will receive a bag of their cereal. (Free stuff!!)

Second they are having a drawing each day of the Expo for a great prize package. It includes a Holy Crap apron, a bag of Holy Crap cereal, Kathy Smart's Gluten Free Book: Live the Smart Way (signed!), and an official space pen. Holy Crap cereal is served at the International Space Station, thus a pen that has been up there with them. How cool is that?!

My bags are packed and so is the car. I will see you tomorrow at the Expo!

DIY Slow Spill Cups

I wasn't exactly sure what to call this but I wanted to share with you something that has helped my family out. Caden no longer wants "baby" cups (sippy cups) but he would sometimes spill regular cups. After thinking over the problem for a few days, this is what I came up with. It makes him happy that he has a regular cup and I'm happy because it doesn't spill as easy. It will still leak if knocked over but it is a slower leak through the straw.

What you need:
Press 'n Seal
Cup
Straw
Sharp knife
                                                 

Step 1
Fill the cup with desired drink and cover with the Press 'n Seal.

Step 2
Take the sharp knife and poke a small hole in the middle of the Press 'n Seal. Ideally you want the hole to be smaller then the straw so you can wiggle the straw in for a tight fit.

Step 3
Place the straw in the hole.

I hope this tip helps your family keep the peace as much as it has helped mine!

I'm so excited!!

I am so excited that I am going to the Gluten & Allergen Expo in Chicago April 20-21!! This year I am part of the official Chicago GFAF Expo blogger team! (Can you tell I'm excited?!)
I had a blast last year and I'm sure this year will be just as fun. I loved the ability to talk to both companies that I am familiar with as well as new companies selling gluten free items. Many companies have samples that you can try of current and new products. I loved the fact that I was able to try out so many different products free! I also brought my boys with me and I loved that I was able to have them try out products. This saves wasted money on buying products that they won't eat.
It was also great to be able to see and try new products. I was then able to request that my local stores carry the new products. While some products have taken almost a year to make it to stores near me, it was worth the wait. Can you say allergy friendly pop tarts! My kids are in heaven and enjoying their treat.
One unique treat of having so many companies in one place is the ability to talk to the companies. It was so beneficial to talk face to face to different companies and ask questions. This year I will be asking about GMO's, how they are preventing cross contamination in their factory and how can I get some of their products to you.
Another great benifit to coming to the Expo is the speakers. These are people who know what they are talking about when it comes to what we are all going through. I learned so much last year from the speakers and I am excited to learn even more this year. You can follow the Gluten & Allergen Expo on Facebook or Twitter to keep up to date on speakers, what companies will be at the vender fair and which bloggers will be there.
I can't wait for the Expo and I hope to see you there!

Major Changes

I'm back and I have lots to share with you about changes my family has made and where we are going. We have eliminated more foods, had a big change in our daily life and I have some exciting news for you! I also have tons of tasty recipes coming your way I promise!
We are now a gluten, dairy, food coloring and gmo corn free family. I have also found that I react to citric acid. I know weird right?! Through much trial and error we have found that my boys react to gmo corn the same way the react to gluten. If you are unsure what a gmo is check here.
On the home front after many struggles, tummy aches and getting picked on I have pulled Cameron from school. It had gotten to the point where he was constantly getting cross contaminated at school from everything it seemed like. The school tried hard but there is so many rewards at school that involve food that it became an uphill battle. Cameron would detox over the weekend and do alright the first few days but by the end of the week he was a mess. We are still detoxing but my guy is starting to come back to himself.
As for the changes coming to the blog I want to know what you want to see. Do you want to know about our homeschooling or would you rather just have the yummy recipes?

Rudi's Giveaway!!

I love Rudi's and use them in my daily life. You can read about their tortilla shells here. Right now Rudi's is having a contest to have people go on a hunt to find Soft & Fluffy. We all know that when it comes to gluten free breads soft and fluffy are often two things that are missing.
Rudi's new bread is to offer gluten free bread that is soft and fluffy. (Yea!) To help you find Soft & Fluffy Rudi's is giving away a package of tools to one lucky reader that will help you find Soft & Fluffy. (This package is awesome!)

To help with you quest here is the package from Rudi's that one of you, my lucky readers will win!

* Compass
* Field Notebook
* Organic Trail Mix (My kids love this one!)
* Peter Rabbit organic fruit snack
* Kelty Backpack
* Stainless steel water bottle

To enter leave a comment on this post saying where you think Soft & Fluffy can be found.
What creative places do you think you can find Soft & Fluffy?

This giveaway will end  January 30th at midnight.





Contest is now close. The winner is kjsmoma!! Thanks for entering everyone!

The Crazy things of life

Hello, is anyone still out there? Things have been crazy here lately and I don't know where the time is going. We have been doing some major house cleaning and reorganizing which has left me no time to do much. Look for big changes coming in the form of several giveaways and new recipes! I am so excited to get back to sharing with all of you about some of the yummy dishes I have made. Here is some of the recipes I have made while I was away.

Paleo "goldfish"
Paleo "ranch" crackers
Low sugar Fruit and Nut cookies
Vegan tacos
No-Cheese, Cheese Sauce
Chicken Freezer Cooking
More canning
Forgotten cookies
Dog treats
Cherry Walnut Cookies

And I have a bulk buying trip to an Amish store coming up too!

What have you been up to?

Multi colored cupcakes - no artificial food coloring

For Cameron's 6th birthday party he wanted multi colored cupcakes like the traditional Funfetti© cake mixes. Since those are out on many levels I set out to make my own. And while I was at it I figured why not make each color a different flavor? They were a hit at the party and Cameron was able to have fun cupcakes that wouldn't bother him.

Multi Colored Cupcakes

What you need:

3 eggs or egg replacer (I used EnerG) 

2 cups sugar (I used organic)

1 cup oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups gluten free flour mix of choice (make sure it has xanthum gum or guar gum)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups shredded zucchini 
natural food colors (I use these)

Directions:
If using egg replacer, combine with water according to directions and let sit. 

Combine in a mixer bowl, the eggs or egg replacer, sugar, oil and vanilla. Sift together the flour mix, baking soda and salt. Add the sifter flour mix to the mixer bowl and stir until combined. Add in the zucchini and mix well. If using frozen zucchini, let thaw and add both the zucchini and the extra water from the zucchini. Divide the batter into three or four bowl, one for each color. Natural red does not work well for this but the other colors work. Add the natural food coloring to each bowl until desired color is reached. Oil three or four 8x8 pans and add one color to each pan. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Turn out colors and let cool. Once cooled cut into bit size pieces and set aside. 

My Birthday Boy!

To make colored cupcakes make another recipe of the above cake but don't add the food coloring. Line 24 muffin tins with papers and add enough batter to each liner to cover the bottom. Add in the cooked and cooled colored cake bites and top with remaining batter. Bake 18 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Make sure when you toothpick them that you don't hit a already cooked color piece. Remove from pans and let cool completely before icing. 

Finished Cake