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Posted on February 10, 2012 by Cook

Did you have any moments of frugality this week?  :)  That question kind of makes me laugh.  Anyway….I was so excited to find 3 – 3lb bags of organic apples at Meijer marked down to $2.50 each.  They also had organic bananas marked down to 44cents per pound.  If you live near a Meijer, I’m telling you that you need to frequent their discounted produce.  Ask the manager the time(s) that they put out their mark downs.  It is so worth it!

Whole Foods

• Deals for the Week of February 8-14
• One Day Deal is Coldwater Lobster Tails, $5.99 each (save $3)

Tropical Traditions

• Grass-Fed Beef – Bottom Round Steaks, 6 steaks (approx.6lbs) on sale – $38.00
• Organic Raw Honey, 17.6oz on sale – $9.99
• All Tropical Traditions Weekly Sales

Printable Coupons

(There aren’t many coupons this week, but the So-Delicious Almond is a great one to print.)

Non-Food Deals

 

 

 

 

 

I’m working on trying to find more deals for Frugal Fridays.  If you know of any that aren’t mentioned here, please share in the comments.  I try to keep it to allergy-friendly (and non-food)  items.  Thanks!

Posted in Budget Tips | 2 Comments

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Cook

No-Bake Energy Bites are all the rave these days. With great reason; they are delicious and quite nutritious!  I told you on Tuesday that I made a modified recipe for my friend with extensive food allergies.  Well, here you go…Banana Nut Butter Balls!

Banana Nut Butter Balls does not contain oats like the aforementioned recipe because my friend has an oat allergy.  I like the addition of the oats in the Energy Balls though, so if you’re allowed to have them, I’d add up to 1 cup in the below recipe.  However, it is not necessary, particularly if you’re paying the high price for certified gluten-free oats.  Because I did not use oats here, I chose to use a crunchy peanut butter to add a little more texture.  (Yes, I did use peanut butter.  My friend is allergic to some tree nuts, but not peanuts.  I was happy to give her this added protein punch.)  You can find many non-peanut nut butters that are crunchy.  Finally, the addition of a banana is a very nice touch to this recipe and I do not recommend leaving it out.  It gives it a nice hint of banana, and who doesn’t like bananas, chocolate, honey, and so on?

The next time you want a treat with a little extra energy and protein punch, whip up some Banana Nut Butter Balls.  I promise that you’ll enjoy them!

Banana Nut Butter Balls

Recipe adapted from smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com - No Bake Energy Bites. If oats allowed, I recommend adding 1/2-1 cup to the recipe below.

Ingredients

• 1 bananas
• 1/2 cups Nut Butter (peanut, almond, sunflower seed, cashew, etc.)
• 1/3 cups honey
• 1 teaspoons vanilla
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
• 3/4 cups coconut, shredded
• 1/3-1/2 cups mini chocolate chips (like Enjoy Life)

Instructions

1. Throw all the ingredients into a mixer. (I recommend using a "crunchy" nut butter to add more texture, but it's not necessary.)

2. Mix on medium-high until ingredients well combined.

3. Put mixing bowl in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or until mixture chills and stiffens up enough to roll into balls.

4. Roll into about 1-inch balls and keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Recipe shared at Allergy-Friendly Friday, Simple Lives Thursday, Sweet Tooth Friday, Allergy-Friendly Lunchbox Love, and Full Plate Thursday.

Posted in Allergy Cooking, Recipes | 3 Comments

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Cook

Welcome to Allergy-Free Wednesdays!

We had another great week of recipe submissions last week!  I still stand amazed at all the ways people are adapting everyday life with food allergies to good eating.  It’s certainly not what it used to be…for the better.  Thanks to each and every one of you for your contribution to the allergy-friendly community!

 

Here are the highlights from last week’s Allergy-Free Wednesdays…

The Willing Cook’s Featured Favorites:

• Black Bean & Yam Stew with Cilantro Cabbage Slaw from Itchy Little World (There is something about sweet potatoes and black beans that appeals to me. If you noticed, a similar recipe was one my favorite last week I love the use of slaw to top off the stew.)
• Homemade Fruit Jello-O from Fresh 4 Five (My family loves jello but I’m not crazy about the sugar loaded boxed jello we always use. I love this idea and can’t wait to try it with our handpicked blueberries.)  I also loved Fresh 4 Five’s submission of Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups.  Homemade fruit leather has been on my radar for years, so now I just need to make it.
• Allergen-Free Crispy Rice Treats has to be on our menu in the near future.  My husband would love these since he’s been without this sort of treat for a very long time.

Reader Favorites:

• Quinoa Flatbread Pizza from Hobby & More
• Our Family’s Battle with Eczema from It’s an Itchy Little World
• Easy Cheesy Kid’s Favorite Mac and Cheese from Maple Hill 101

Feel free to grab the Allergy-Free Wednesdays button below and share it on your post.  Be sure to check out the other blog hop hosts to see what recipes they chose as their featured favorites.

——————————————————-

Allergy-Free Wednesdays is a blog hop dedicated to allergy-free living and eating.  You can share your allergy-free recipes, knowledge about allergy-related topics/issues, and connect with others within the allergy community.  We hope you will glean much from your time spent here.

This blog hop is hosted by myself and four other allergy-friendly bloggers.  When you link up your post below, it will automatically appear on all 5 blogs! Each of us will choose a favorite recipe/post to feature each week, so be sure to check in every Wednesday.  Allergy-Free Wednesdays is hosted by…

Amber @ The Tasty Alternative

Laura @ Gluten Free Pantry

Michelle @ The Willing Cook (that’s me!)

Nancy @ Real Food, Allergy Free

Tessa @ Tessa the Domestic Diva

Allergy-Free Wednesday Guidelines

• Any linked recipes should be allergy-friendly in some way.
• Provide a link directly to your post, not your homepage.
• Please link back to this site.  It’s good blogging etiquette.  Feel free to grab the bottom below to display on your post.  In order to be featured next week, you must link back.
• Current and past recipes/posts are welcome.
• It’s helpful if you provide a little description with your recipe (i.e., GF, DF, EF, Paleo, GAPS, etc.).
• You can link-up as many as 3 posts weekly.
• No giveaways, please!
• Leave a comment telling us about your submission, and visit other bloggers submissions too! It makes us all feel loved.
• Entries that do not comply with these guidelines will be kindly removed.

<br /> <div align=”center”><a class=”willingcook.com” _mce_class=”willingcook.com” target=”_blank”><img alt=”willingcook” src="/img/spacer.gif"> </div> </ul> <p><br />  </p> <div style="text-align:left; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" ><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> <span style="px; margin-left:3px; color: #55750C;">Print Friendly</span></div> </div> <div> <span> <span>Posted in</span> Allergy-Free Wednesdays </span> <span>|</span> <span>5 Comments</span> </div> </div> <div id="post-3412"> <h2>Meals-for-Hire & Our Food Allergy Meal Plan</h2> <div> <span>Posted on</span> <span>February 7, 2012</span> <span>by</span> <span>Cook</span> </div> <div> <p>Over the past year, I have been hired a few times to make allergy-friendly desserts for traditionally non-allergy families.  Whether it’s for company with dietary restrictions or just a desire to cut back on certain foods, like gluten or dairy, I have tried to meet their needs.  It’s not so easy for a person to walk into a regular bakery and request muffins that do not contain egg or dairy.  Not many of those type of bakeries exist.</p> <p>Upon doing some research, I discovered that there is a whole world out there of personal chefs of various sorts.  In recent years there have even been store fronts to open that supply home cooked meals to order.  But again, these services do not typically work around food allergies (although you may be able to find a personal chef with some experience.)</p> <p><img alt="spacer" title="Tree Branches on Window" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p>While I’ve tinkered with occasional desserts, I am now venturing into a whole new realm of “meals-for-hire”.  The friend of whom I spoke in yesterday’s post has hired me to cook one meal for her family and one snack for her every week.  Her food allergies and sensitivities are so complex that she can’t see the forest for the trees.  I truly hope that I’m able to serve her in this capacity.  Admittedly, I’m a bit nervous.  It’s not going to be an easy task for me either.  I want the food to taste good, of course, but I also want her to remain safe.  I praying for success for both of us!</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800000;">My question for you today:  Have you either been hired or hired others in any sort of capacity to cook meals for you?  If so, I’d love any sort of tip you can give me regarding preparation, packaging, pricing, and so on?</span></h3> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #008000;">—————————————</span></p> <h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #008000;">Our Food Allergy Meal for the week of February 5, 2012</span></h2> <p><span style="color: #008000;">Sunday</span>:  Baked Salmon, Rice Pilaf, Steamed Vegetable Medley</p> <p><span style="color: #008000;">Monday</span>:  English Roast, Roasted Red Potatoes, Asparagus</p> <p><span style="color: #008000;">Tuesday</span>:  Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, Homemade Bread & Jam</p> <p><span style="color: #008000;">Wednesday</span>:  Baked Ham, Green Beans, Baked Apples & Pears</p> <p><span style="color: #008000;">Thursday</span>:  Bean Soup, Salad</p> <p><span style="color: #008000;">Friday</span>:  Chicken Tacos</p> <p><span style="color: #008000;">Saturday</span>:  Refrigerator Round-up</p> <p><span style="color: #008000;">Dessert</span>:  Lemonberry Muffins — I made this grain-free version egg & dairy-free as well.  These muffins were delicious, by the way.  I’ll post the adapted recipe next week.</p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800000;">Do you have any meal plans this week? I’d love for you to share, allergy-friendly or not.</span></h3> <div style="text-align:left; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" ><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> <span style="px; margin-left:3px; color: #55750C;">Print Friendly</span></div> </div> <div> <span> <span>Posted in</span> Meal Planning </span> <span>|</span> <span>3 Comments</span> </div> </div> <div id="post-3331"> <h2>Enjoying Pretty Things</h2> <div> <span>Posted on</span> <span>February 6, 2012</span> <span>by</span> <span>Cook</span> </div> <div> <p>I like pretty things.  Who doesn’t, right? When we finally got a portion of our kitchen remodel done, I just stood there looking at my open shelving, clapping my hands, and repeating, “Pretty, pretty, pretty.”  (My husband thought me rather strange.)  But our home seems to be in a constant state of remodel (we bought it with that intention), so any semblance of beauty is precious to me.</p> <p><img alt="spacer" title="new kitchen open shelving" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p>Is it wrong to enjoy the pretty things around us?  Of course not, but it also depends what we do with that enjoyment.  Do we make it an idol? Are we constantly seeking to fill our lives with pretty things, or do we enjoy the sparks of beauty that pop up around us?  God made the sunset beautiful — we should certainly enjoy it.  But not worship it!  God made the delicate, pretty crocuses to be the first flower that blesses us in the spring, after a few cold, bleak winter months.  We are to enjoy them and be grateful to the Creator for the blessing of them.</p> <p>The same goes for the everyday around us.  There is so much sadness, sorrow, trouble, disease, and on and on in everyone’s life.  When we can find that speck of beauty in an otherwise dark day or week, month or year, what a blessing.  We can’t help but to enjoy it!  If there is something that I can do for another to facilitate the enjoyment of pretty things, I want to do that.  I have to keep that in check though.  Am I doing it for their applause or to bless them as God has blessed me with the beauty of His grace? One of the posts that was linked up on last week’s grace laced mondays, “Do It Anyway,” made me ponder that a bit more.</p> <p>Last Monday, I had the pleasure of meeting with a friend who is going through a very difficult time dealing with newly discovered, extensive food allergies.  With this new frontier comes depression, sadness, and despair.  (When taking on such a significant change in one’s food routine, our body literally goes through a period of detox.  It can show us how intertwined the body and mind really are.)  I wanted to bring a little hope to my friend with our discussion of what she can and can’t eat, but also that there can be beauty found even in this foreign, and often dark, land of altered eating.</p> <p><img alt="spacer" title="Banana Nut Balls" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p>I made up a little treat that I thought she would enjoy. (I actually goofed on the ingredients and she wasn’t able to have it afterall, but oh well, I think her family enjoyed it <img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> )  I find it’s the simple and pretty things that can bring us much joy, so I boxed the treat up and decorated it simply.  Just as Christ showers us with his simple Grace in the everyday — in the sunset, in the crocuses, in kitchen shelving, in pretty packages — so can we shower others with pretty things as well.</p> <p><img alt="spacer" title="pretty package" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ff6600;">How do you enjoy beauty around you?  How do you share this beauty with others?  And specifically, how do you find beauty even in the ugliness that inevitably surrounds us all, food allergies or otherwise?</span></h3> <div align="center"><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </div> <p><span style="color: #333333;">Linking up with grace laced mondays again this week.  I encourage you to click on the link and see how others are experiencing grace in the everyday.  Thank you, Ruth!</span></p> <div style="text-align:left; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" ><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> <span style="px; margin-left:3px; color: #55750C;">Print Friendly</span></div> </div> <div> <span> <span>Posted in</span> Grace Laced Mondays </span> <span>|</span> <span>12 Comments</span> </div> </div> <div id="post-3373"> <h2>Frugal Fridays, 2/3/12</h2> <div> <span>Posted on</span> <span>February 3, 2012</span> <span>by</span> <span>Cook</span> </div> <div> <p><img alt="spacer" title="Frugal Fridays" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p>It’s a new month for coupon sites.  They load many new coupons at the beginning of the month, so you’re sure to find a few coupons worth printing.  Below are the most popular sites…<br /> <img alt="spacer" title="redplum-coupons" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p>Coupons.com</p> <p>Smartsource.com</p> <h2><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Grocery Deals</strong></span></h2> <ul> <li>Kroger stores (may vary by location) have Blue Diamond Almond Milk for $1.99 when you buy 10 participating items.  Many stores have the “blinkie” coupons on the store shelf with $0.55 off (some stores may increase to $1.00).  Coupon in recent Sunday insert saves $1.00 off 2 Blue Diamond Almond Milk.  Pay $0.99 to $1.49 per carton of Blue Diamond Almond Milk.</li> <li>Whole Foods One Day Deal is California Organic Navel Oranges for $0.79/lb.</li> </ul> <h2><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Tropical Traditions</span></strong></h2> <ul> <li>Virgin Coconut Oil, Gold Label, 2-jar pack – 2 quarts – Buy 1 Get 1 Free! (This is a great deal!)</li> </ul> <h2><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Food Coupons</strong></span></h2> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <h2><span style="color: #008000;"><strong>Non-Food Deals</strong></span></h2> <p><img alt="spacer" title="cpvalent300250" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p>Canvas People deal expires tonight.  The $37 includes shipping!</p> <p><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> <img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p><img alt="spacer" title="vo468a" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p>(This post contains affiliate links.)</p> <div style="text-align:left; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;" ><img alt="spacer" src="/img/spacer.gif"> <span style="px; margin-left:3px; color: #55750C;">Print Friendly</span></div> </div> <div> <span> <span>Posted in</span> Budget Tips </span> <span>|</span> <span>2 Comments</span> </div> </div> <div id="post-3356"> <h2>Recipe: Maple Syrup Brussels Sprouts with Pecans</h2> <div> <span>Posted on</span> <span>February 2, 2012</span> <span>by</span> <span>Cook</span> </div> <div> <p>Having discussed the benefits of brussels sprouts on Monday, I figured I should expand my recipe repertoire a bit.  I’m so glad that I had all the ingredients on hand to whip up this delicious side dish for dinner this week.</p> <p>The original recipe, Brown Butter and Maple Brussels Sprouts with Pecans, called for browning butter.  So that I could make them dairy, soy, and corn-free (I have not found a butter substitute that does not contain at least one of these allergens.), I substituted coconut oil for the butter.  I followed the original instructions with the coconut oil as if it was butter.  That was an interesting way to approach it.  I have adjusted the instructions below to better fit the use of a different oil.</p> <p>I highly recommend using pecans in this dish.  However, if you’re not allowed to have pecans, just simply leave them out.  You could try replacing them with a dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or dates.</p> <p>So, if you’ve never tried brussels sprouts before, this recipe is a great place to start.  I’d love to hear some feedback from anyone that tries it!</p> <p><span style="color: #0000ff;">Free of All Top Allergens (when pecans left out)</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="spacer" title="Maple Syrup Brussels Sprouts w/ Pecans" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <h1>Maple Syrup Brussels Sprouts with Pecans</h1> <p>Recipe adapted from schnoodlesoup.com.</p> <h2>Ingredients</h2> <ul><li>2 tablespoons pecans</li> <li>1 pounds brussels sprouts</li> <li>1 tablespoons olive oil, extra-virgin</li> <li>1/2 teaspoons kosher salt</li> <li>1/4 teaspoons black pepper</li> <li>4 tablespoons coconut oil</li> <li>2 tablespoons maple syrup</li> </ul> <h2>Instructions</h2> <p>1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. While oven is preheating, spread out chopped pecans in a glass baking dish and put in the oven. After about 3 minutes, remove the pecans from the oven and place in a small bowl.<br /> <br /> 2. Cut brussels sprouts in half. Place in baking sheet; drizzle on olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss around so that all is evenly distributed. Lay brussels sprouts out in a single layer, cut side down on baking sheet.<br /> <br /> 3. Bake 15-20 minutes. Do not cook much longer than this time, even if they are not brown, as they will get mushy.<br /> <br /> 4. When there is about 5 minutes of baking time left, start melting coconut oil in a small pan over medium-low heat. Whisk until just before the oil starts to pop. Carefully add the maple syrup to the oil and whisk. Bring to a boil and remove from heat before it boils over. Add pecans into the maple syrup mixture and mix up a bit more.<br /> <br /> 5. Once the brussels sprouts are cooked, remove them from the oven. Pour on the maple syrup and pecans, and coat to cover. Add additional salt and pepper, if necessary.<br /> <br /> Enjoy!</p> <p><img alt="spacer" title="Maple Syrup w/ Pecans" src="/img/spacer.gif"> <img alt="spacer" title="Roasted Brussels Sprouts" src="/img/spacer.gif"> <img alt="spacer" title="Maple Syrup Brussels Sprouts w/ Pecans2" src="/img/spacer.gif"> </p> <p>Recipe shared at Monday Mania,  Homestead Barn Hop, Real Food 101, Fat Tuesday, Traditional Tuesdays, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Hearth and Soul Blog Hop, Real Food Wednesday, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, and <a"> </div></div></div></div></div></div> <div style="position:absolute; z-index:98; top:0px; width:100%; padding-top:2px; background-color:#fafafa; border-bottom: 1px solid #bbb; -webkit-box-shadow: 0 4px 4px -2px #ccc; -moz-box-shadow: 0 4px 4px -2px #ccc; box-shadow: 0 4px 4px -2px #ccc;" class="container" id="h9xt2"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-3"> <form name="src" id="src" action="/index.php" method="post"> <div id="ricerca" class="ricerca"> <table style="margin: 9px 0 9px 0;"> <tr> <td> <a href="https://search.gipoco.com" title="free experimental uncensored search engine - home page"> <img src="/img/logo_mini.png" alt="free experimental uncensored search engine" class="logo"> </a> </td><td> <input type="button" id="srcbtn" value="🔍" alias-label="open search form" style="margin:5px 5px 5px 16px; color:#000;" onclick="document.getElementById('srcform').style.display='block';document.getElementById('srcbtn').style.display='none'"> </td><td> <div style="margin:4px 4px 4px 4px"> <a href="https://stats.gipoco.com" title="view page-rank and visitors counter and free website stats"> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ document.write('<img src="https://stats.gipoco.com/stat.php?c00=188&c01=188&c02=188&c30=170&c20=255&c21=0&l=&m=&refr=&x='+screen.width+'&y='+screen.height+'" alt="visitors counter and page-rank checker and web-site statistics" style="margin-left:9px; width:70px; height:26px; border: 1px solid #fff" />'); /* ]]> */ </script> </a> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <table style="margin: 9px 0 9px 0; display:none" id="srcform"> <tr> <td> SEARCH: </td> <td> <input type="text" name="txt" aria-label="type something to search" size="11" style="margin-left:5px; color:#000;"> <input type="submit" value="🔍" alias-label="press to search" style="margin-left:5px; color:#000;"> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </form> </div> <div class="col-md-3"> <div style="margin-top:3px; font-size:16px; padding-bottom:15px;"> Related searches: <br/><a href="https://search.gipoco.com/search/allergy/" title="allergy" style="margin:4px;"><b> allergy </b></a> <a href="https://search.gipoco.com/search/recipe/" title="recipe" style="margin:4px;"><b> recipe </b></a> <a href="https://search.gipoco.com/search/friendly/" title="friendly" style="margin:4px;"><b> friendly </b></a> <a href="https://search.gipoco.com/search/butter/" title="butter" style="margin:4px;"><b> butter </b></a> <a href="https://search.gipoco.com/search/posted/" title="posted" style="margin:4px;"><b> posted </b></a> </div> </div> <div class="col-md-5"> <div class="hidden-xs" style="margin-top:10px; font-size:13px;"> <strong>gipoco.com</strong> is neither affiliated with the authors of this page or responsible <br> for its contents. 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