Archive for May, 2011

Asian Chicken Salad

Salad Suggestions:
  • Chopped Romain Lettuce
  • Spring Salad Mix
  • Chopped Cilantro
  • Grilled Asian Chicken
  • Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
  • Sesame Seeds (I used sunflower seeds)
  • Mandarin Oranges
  • Chow Mein Noodles (For your non-allergic friends)
Dressing:
Boil the leftover Asian Chicken Marinade to reduce.  It will be thin.

 

 

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Printable Coupons: $1/1 Gluten Free or Dream Product and More

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Thanks The Greenbacks Gal!

 

Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe

I served this chicken for Mother’s Day dinner.  Most of the men ate the chicken as is while the ladies enjoyed their chicken as the feature of their Asian Chicken Salad.  I reduced the leftover marinade to use as a salad dressing.  This makes enough marinade for about 6 chicken breasts.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Cup White Vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Tamari Sauce (Soy-free recipes here and here)
  • 3/4 cup Honey or 1 cup White Sugar (I bet sucanat or brown sugar would be really good!  You would need to heat it to dissolve the sugar.)

 

Directions:

1.  Blend ingredients.
2. Marinade chicken at least 30 minutes.
3.  Grill as usual.
4.  Reduce the marinade to use as salad dressing for your Asain Chicken Salad and/or seasoning for your Asian Stir Fry.

You might also enjoy Grilled Pantry Pork Chops, Ginger-Lime Marinade for Chicken and Honey Mustard Chicken.

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This post is part of Tackle it Tuesday, Domestically Divine, Tasty Tuesdays, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, What’s Cooking Wednesday, What’s on the Menu, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, Real Food Wednesdays, What’s on Your Plate, Made it on Monday, Hunk of Meat Monday, Mingle Monday, Penny Worthy Project, Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mangia Monday

Photo Credit: Candy TX’s

More Allergy-Friendly Amazon Deals…

I found a few more deals to add to the HUGE allergy-friendly Amazon sale list.  The prices listed below are assuming you sign up for subscribe and save and use the appropriate promo code at check out. When you select subscribe and save you not only get a discount but you also get FREE shipping!

 

If you decide you don’t want to have the item automatically shipped to you, you can cancel at any time.  Simply log into Amazon, go to “My Account,” click “manage subscribe and save items” and cancel the subscription.  I have been known to sign up for the discount and cancel my subscription the day my first order ships.

 

Don’t forget, to save even more money, use your free Amazon gift card from swagbucks!

 

Peeled Snacks much-ado-about-Mango, 1.40-Ounce Bags (Pack of 10)Use Subscribe and Save and Promo Code PEELEDO5 $14.40 or $1.44 each

 

Pacific Natural Foods Hemp Milk, Original, 32-Ounce Containers (Pack of 12) Use Subscribe and Save and Promo Code PACIFCF3 $30.08 or $2.51 each

While you’re shopping, don’t forget about the rice milk and hempseed deals.

Sign up for Real Food Allergy Free updates or become a fan of our brand new facebook page in the side bar so you don’t miss any new allergy-friendly deals.  We’d love for you to join us!

 

Honey Mustard Chicken/Pork Marinade

 

I love that this recipe uses ingredients I keep on hand. The meat doesn’t need to marinade very long, making it ideal for last minute company.  I haven’t tried this marinade on pork, but I’m sure it would be awesome!  Make sure you grill extra to top a salad for tomorrow’s lunch! This makes enough marinade for 1 pound of chicken breasts.

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup Honey
  • 1/2 cup Dijon Mustard
  • 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 tsp Salt

 

Directions:
1. Blend ingredients.
2. Marinade meat for at least 30 minutes.
3. Grill or bake as usual.

 

I have mentioned before that I like to double or triple the recipe and freeze the marinade and chicken in gallon size baggies for later. When the chicken defrosts it marinades!

 

 

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How to make 5 jars of spaghetti sauce in 5 minutes for around $3

I love a truly from scratch sauce with fresh tomatoes from my garden.  In fact, I’ll be posting my favorite garden fresh sauce recipe this summer. But this time of year, I am happy to compromise with this sauce.  It tastes way better than any store bought sauce I’ve tried.

Store bought spaghetti sauce contain ingredients like corn syrup and “natural flavors” which we all know can mean just about anything, including MSG.  It can also be difficult for those of us dealing with allergies to find a jar of sauce that does not contain cheese and soy.

I am thrilled to share with you my secret to making 5 jars of spaghetti sauce in 5 minutes for around $3! I buy the large can of tomato sauce at Sam’s (or Costco) for $2.33.  I also buy the spices in bulk at Sam’s or Costco.

The hardest part of this recipe is opening the large can!  A regular electric opener won’t work.  I use a manual can opener.  Once I have the can open, I add the spices directly to the can and mix with a cheap immersion blender (like this one).  That’s it! It’s ready to be added to cooked ground meat or frozen for later.

But, you ask, doesn’t spaghetti sauce need to simmer?  I used to simmer it before adding it to the jars but I find that cooking the sauce with ground meat is enough simmering time to combine the flavors.

Bella enjoys this sauce over Mrs. Leeper’s Rice Shapes For Kids.  I have enjoyed this sauce in spaghetti, ravioli and lasagna.  We are meat sauce people.  If you prefer to go vegetarian, you probably need to add olive oil. Becca wrote this in the comment section:

As a vegetarian, I have to say: Adding olive oil will not give you the good flavor of adding something cooked in the oil.  This is really easy to do with kale, even if it is frozen, because it cooks so fast–give it 3 minutes in olive oil in the bottom of the pot, maybe with a clove of crushed garlic or some bits of onion, and then add the sauce and heat it up.  Kale is crazily nutritious and cheap, too!

Thank you so much Becca!

As a side note, my family of six really needs two pounds of beef in their spaghetti sauce to fill them up.  I buy organic, grass-fed beef from a local farmer which is a little pricier than store bought beef.  I can’t stand to use two pounds of beef in one meal, so I add a can of rinsed black beans to stretch the beef.  At first my kids acted like I was torturing them with beans, but they have gotten used to it.  If you want to try adding beans, don’t blame me if your kids won’t eat their dinner!  🙂

Ingredients:

  • Contadina Tomato Sauce – 105 oz. can  (I buy this from Sam’s for $2.33.)
  • 3 cloves of Garlic, minced or 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder or 1 Tbsp Dried Onion Flakes
  • 1 Tbsp Salt
  • 1 Tbsp Oregano
  • 2 tsp Basil
  • 1 tsp Pepper

Directions:

1.  Open the can of tomato sauce.

2.  Add the seasonings directly to the can.

3.  Blend with an immersion blender or long spoon.

4.  Divide sauce between 5 recycled spaghetti sauce jars or storage baggies.

5.  Store sauce in the freezer.

You may also enjoy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

This recipe was shared at Melt in Your Mouth Mondays, Mangia Monday, Monday Mania, Make a Food”e” Friend, Mingle Monday, Weekend Gourmet Blog Carnival, Mouthwatering Monday, Just Another Meatless Monday, Made By You Monday, My Meatless Mondays, Made From Scratch Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tuesday Night Supper Club, Delectable Tuesday, $5 Dinner Challenge, It’s a Blog Party, Tip Me Tuesday, 2 Maids a Baking, Tuesdays at the Table, Hearth and Soul Hop, Tackle it Tuesday, Domestically Divine, Tasty Tuesdays, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, What’s Cooking Wednesday, What’s on the Menu, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Show and Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, Real Food Wednesdays, What’s on Your Plate, Made it on Monday, Thrilling Thursday, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursday, Creative Juice Thursday, PennywisePlatter Thursday, Tip Day Thursday, It’s a Keeper Thursdays, Recipe Swap Thursday, Frugal Food Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday,Real Food Weekly, Foodie Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Foodie Friday, Friday Potluck, Friday Favorites, Fresh Bites Friday, Fight Back Friday, Fat Camp Friday, Fun with Food Friday, Allergy Friendly Friday, Friday Food Linky, Seasonal Saturday, Sugar Free Sunday, Seasonal Sunday, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, These Chicks CookedReal food, low cost challenge

 

Which is better: Flaxseed vs Chia Seed?

Anne at Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy asked the following questions on my chia egg substitute post:

“How does it [chia egg] compare health-wise to flax gel (which I use almost 100% of the time as my egg sub)? And cost?”

What great questions! 

Let’s start with flaxseeds…

Pros:

  • Flaxseeds are known for containing high levels of omega-3’s.  Omega-3’s can help reduce inflammation, prevent and control high blood pressure and lower cholesterol.
  • Taking 40 mg of flaxseed can help with symptoms of menopause.
  • Flaxseeds are high in fiber, manganese, magnesium, folate and antioxidants.

Cons:

  • Grinding the seed is necessary in order to absorb it’s nutrients.
  • Grinding the seed is necessary in order to make flax eggs.
  • Whole flax seeds can be stored for at least a year but once the seed is ground it will quickly oxidize or turn rancid.
  • Flaxseeds are high in phytic acid. Some believe phytic acid is good for us. Others believe it is an anti-nutrient that must be avoided.
  • Flaxseeds contain phytoestrogens.  This can be beneficial to postmenopausal women or women with certain hormonal imbalances.  However, since most of us already have more estrogen than we need and not enough progesterone, we should probably limit our flax consumption.  Men might consider avoiding it all together.  It is also important to note that one study shows pregnant women who consume flax oil quadrupled their rates of premature labor.

Price: The best price currently available at Amazon is Bob’s Red Mill Golden Flaxseed.  If you sign-up for Subscribe and Save you can get them for $.13 per ounce.

And now for chia seed…

Pros:

  • Chia seed is higher in Omega-3s than flaxseed.  Chia seed oil is more than 60% omega-3 making it one of the highest commercially available source.
  • Chia seed is higher in fiber than flaxseed.  Three tablespoons of chia seeds contain fifteen grams of fiber while three tablespoons of flaxseeds contain nine grams of fiber. Chia seeds are often recommended for diabetics because the balance of soluble and insoluble fiber slows the absorption of glucose.
  • Chia seeds have one of the highest levels of antioxidants in a whole food.
  • Chia is a wonderful source for calcium.  Three tablespoons contains 307 milligrams of calcium.
  • Chia seed is easily digested and does not need to be ground.
  • Chia seed will store up to two years in a dry place.

Cons:

  • Due to their high fiber content, chia seeds can cause bloating and stomach issues.
  • The high content of omega-3s can thin blood and lower blood pressure.  Those who are on blood pressure medication or blood thinners should limit or avoid chia.
  • Some people have allergic reactions to chia.  Those who are allergic to sesame or mustard seeds are more likely to have an allergic reaction to chia.

Price: The best price currently available at Amazon is Alive and Aware Chia Seeds.  They are $.98 per ounce.

 

The Bottom Line:

There are benefits to eating both flaxseed and chia seed.  For this busy mom, chia seeds are the winner because they can be used whole.  However, I don’t feel using either of them exclusively is a good idea.  The key to a healthy and balanced diet is variety.

Chia Photo Credit: Little Blue Hen, Flaxseed Photo Credit: AlishaV

Gratituesday: Our New Puppies!

Meet our new puppies, Blue and Jet!

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Roasted Asparagus and Artichoke Salad

When I saw this salad on Simply Recipes, I knew I had to make it.  I can’t resist artichoke and I love that asparagus is currently in season.  This salad is fresh.  It’s beautiful.  It’s quick and it’s allergen-friendly.

Ingredients

  • 1 large shallot, sliced thin (can sub a few thin slices of red onion or some sliced spring onion)
  • 2-3 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 pounds thick asparagus, rinsed, tough ends broken off and discarded (or saved for stock)
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
  • Salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 1 15-ounce jar of good quality marinated artichoke hearts, quartered or cut in half (depending on the size of the artichokes)

Method

1 Soak the sliced shallots in the lemon juice as you get ready to make the rest of the salad.
2a To roast the asparagus, preheat the oven to 400°F. Coat the asparagus spears with 1 Tbsp of olive oil, and salt them well. Lay in a single layer in a foil-lined roasting pan, and cook for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned and fork tender.
2b To grill the asparagus, prepare your charcoal or gas grill for high direct heat. Coat the asparagus with 1 Tbsp of olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Grill them until nicely charred and fork tender, between 5 to 10 minutes.
Remove the asparagus from the oven or grill and cut into bite-sized pieces.
3 Put the asparagus and all the remaining ingredients into a large bowl and mix to combine. Add as much of the marinating liquid from the jarred artichokes as you like.  Serve chilled or at room temperature.
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This post is part of Melt in Your Mouth Monday, My Meatless Mondays, Mouthwatering MondayMonday Mania, Make a Food”e” Friend, Mingle Monday, Mangia Monday, Just Another Meatless Monday, Made By You Monday, $5 Dinner Challenge, Tuesdays at the Table, Tip Me Tuesday, Tuesday Night Supper Club, Hearth and Soul Hop, Tasty Tuesdays, Made From Scratch Tuesday,Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays, {TITUS 2}SDAYS, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, What’s Cooking Wednesday, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Whatcha Makin’ Wednesdays, What’s on the Menu, Real Food Wednesdays, Made it on Monday, What’s on Your Plate, Strut Your Stuff, Full Plate Thursday, It’s a Keeper Thursdays, Tip Day Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Frugal Food Thursday, Pennywise Platter Thursday, Thrilling Thursday, Food Trip Friday, Fight Back Friday, Friday Potluck, Foodie Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Fat Camp Friday, Foodie Friday, Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday, Friday Food, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Sugar Free Sunday, Seasonal Sunday, Allergy Friendly Friday

Amazon: Shelled Hempseed for $2.79

When you eliminate eggs, dairy, nuts and/or soy from your diet, you can feel pretty limited in your choices for protein.  Three tablespoons of hempseed boasts 11 grams of protein. They are also a great source for omega oils, iron, zinc, phosphorus and magnesium.

Hempseed has a slightly nutty flavor similar to pine nuts.  They can be added to cereal, yogurt, salads, veggies and smoothies.

Through the month of May, Nutiva Shelled Hempseed, 8-Ounce Bag (Pack of 3) are on sale for $8.37 ($2.79 each) at Amazon!

To get this price, sign up for subscribe and save and use promo code NUTIHEMP at check out. When you select subscribe and save you not only get a discount but you also get FREE shipping!

 

If you decide you don’t want to have the item automatically shipped to you, you can cancel at any time.  Simply log into Amazon, go to “My Account,” click “manage subscribe and save items” and cancel the subscription.  I have been known to sign up for the discount and cancel my subscription the day my first order ships.

 

Don’t forget to use swagbucks search engine to earn free Amazon gift cards!

 

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