Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Monday, February 25, 2013
Zuchini lasagne
I saw a pinterest post for this so I had to try it. We can't have the regular lasagne since the pasta has wheat so this looks like the ticket. Not only does this give my gluten free one her italian fix but it sneaks vegetables to my youngest. Bwa ha ha! Love it.
So I grilled the sliced zuchini (thank you God for my mandolin- watch the fingers) and made a meaty sauce. It took one whole zuchini per layer and I used a small dish (8x8). So anyway. I also didn't have mozzarella. I substituted colby cuz that's what I had.
Let the record show that I think I have an illness or syndrome. I can never NEVER follow a recipe exactly as written. What is wrong with me?
My family loved it. I would post a picture of the finished project but the family dug in so fast, I couldn't.
Try a new recipe this week. Enjoy!
So I grilled the sliced zuchini (thank you God for my mandolin- watch the fingers) and made a meaty sauce. It took one whole zuchini per layer and I used a small dish (8x8). So anyway. I also didn't have mozzarella. I substituted colby cuz that's what I had.
Let the record show that I think I have an illness or syndrome. I can never NEVER follow a recipe exactly as written. What is wrong with me?
My family loved it. I would post a picture of the finished project but the family dug in so fast, I couldn't.
Try a new recipe this week. Enjoy!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Tropical cupcakes
I was given the priviledge of making a cake and cupcakes for my niece-to-be's Bridal Shower. We love her dearly and I was so jazzed about doing it. So, my soon-to-be niece also happens to be Lactose Intolerant. So, I put on my Baker's hat and wanted to make a really tasty and really unexpected. So after scouring recipes, and websites and doing some research on Lactose free substitutions, I went to bed. I had a very interesting dream that night about making cupcakes and the next day, I made the cupcakes! They were really good so I decided to make them again for every-woman friendly. I tend to bake from scratch, but not everyone does so simple and cheap is what I'm going for.
First I started with a very simple cheap white cake mix from my local discount superstore! Then I got a can of pineapple, some vanilla extract, coconut and my splurge fancy brand eggs. That's all I used in the making of these cupcakes.
So, instead of 4 egg whites per the box instructions, I used 2 whole eggs. I added the can of pineapple with juice, and about 1/2 -2/3 cup coconut. I added 1 tsp of vanilla extract and mixed well, scraping once with a rubber spatula since the coconut and pineapple like to stick to the paddle on the mixer. I did not have to add water or oil or any of the other stuff that you usually add to cake mix.
It made about 20 cupcakes.
So, I baked them for about 30 minutes at 350. I made a simple buttercream without butter...
They were so good! I took a batch to Bible Study and everyone raved. (If I do say so myself!)
So moist, and yummy and low in fat (except the frosting, because why make low fat frosting!)
I am going to try them again without the egg to see if I can make them totally vegan! Then will try them again without gluten. I used almond milk in the frosting and it was good and creamy and was still nice and white for when you need "White" frosting. If you try these, then let me know what you do differently and how you liked it. I'd love to hear back from you.
First I started with a very simple cheap white cake mix from my local discount superstore! Then I got a can of pineapple, some vanilla extract, coconut and my splurge fancy brand eggs. That's all I used in the making of these cupcakes.
So, instead of 4 egg whites per the box instructions, I used 2 whole eggs. I added the can of pineapple with juice, and about 1/2 -2/3 cup coconut. I added 1 tsp of vanilla extract and mixed well, scraping once with a rubber spatula since the coconut and pineapple like to stick to the paddle on the mixer. I did not have to add water or oil or any of the other stuff that you usually add to cake mix.
It made about 20 cupcakes.
So, I baked them for about 30 minutes at 350. I made a simple buttercream without butter...
They were so good! I took a batch to Bible Study and everyone raved. (If I do say so myself!)
So moist, and yummy and low in fat (except the frosting, because why make low fat frosting!)
I am going to try them again without the egg to see if I can make them totally vegan! Then will try them again without gluten. I used almond milk in the frosting and it was good and creamy and was still nice and white for when you need "White" frosting. If you try these, then let me know what you do differently and how you liked it. I'd love to hear back from you.
Friday, February 15, 2013
And We're Back~
I know, it's been a while, but I've been kinda busy. We made it through the holidays, (the first without my Dad) and it was kinda tough, but we did it. Then there was my oldest's birthday! She's 15! I don't know how that happened, yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital! Then within days, it was the 1 year anniversary of my Dad's passing! We made it through that too.
As many of you know, (I say "many" as if there are more than 2 people who even check in here) my husband was in a pretty bad car accident fall of 2011 where he suffered a pretty solid brain injury! He's still working on the healing from that. Last week, my oldest was in gym class and got banged on the head twice, rather severely! The school nurse called and said, I should come and get her. Her speech was v-e-r-y v-e-r-y- s-l-o-w. (which is NOT like her!) She's a pretty typical teenager and talks a mile a minute! So off to the ER we go. I'd been through this once before and was not going to miss this diagnosis and immediate treatment. In the words of the ER Doc. She "Got her Bell Rung" and was restricted from all screen time for 48 hours. No, tv, computer, cell phone, no texting, to text. He stops there and looks at me with my kindle out, and her with her book in her lap and says. "Any text. No Reading!" Ah, now see that's a challenge! She was not liking the tv/computer thing, but he lost her at no reading!
Well, we survived the 48 hours by sleeping! Lots of sleeping! She went back to school after the 2 days and now has about 5 quizes to make up and 15+ hours of homework to catch up!
Oh, and on top of that, I have a wedding shower cake and cupcakes to do for this weekend. I'll try to post pictures!
As many of you know, (I say "many" as if there are more than 2 people who even check in here) my husband was in a pretty bad car accident fall of 2011 where he suffered a pretty solid brain injury! He's still working on the healing from that. Last week, my oldest was in gym class and got banged on the head twice, rather severely! The school nurse called and said, I should come and get her. Her speech was v-e-r-y v-e-r-y- s-l-o-w. (which is NOT like her!) She's a pretty typical teenager and talks a mile a minute! So off to the ER we go. I'd been through this once before and was not going to miss this diagnosis and immediate treatment. In the words of the ER Doc. She "Got her Bell Rung" and was restricted from all screen time for 48 hours. No, tv, computer, cell phone, no texting, to text. He stops there and looks at me with my kindle out, and her with her book in her lap and says. "Any text. No Reading!" Ah, now see that's a challenge! She was not liking the tv/computer thing, but he lost her at no reading!
Well, we survived the 48 hours by sleeping! Lots of sleeping! She went back to school after the 2 days and now has about 5 quizes to make up and 15+ hours of homework to catch up!
Oh, and on top of that, I have a wedding shower cake and cupcakes to do for this weekend. I'll try to post pictures!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Gluten Free Goodness. Frito Lay style.
I was at the local supermarket this morning, and had a hankering for some good salty chips, and some homemade guacamole! Mmm! (it was good too!) As we know my oldest is gluten free, so by association the rest of us are gluten light. Solidarity! So, when I buy groceries for the family, I keep it gluten free. I just didn't want the lovely rice/sweet potato/blue corn exotic chips found on the GF aisle. So there I stand on the plain old Chip Aisle reading the ingredients on bags and bags. So, I came home and decided to check out the website and Frito Lay is so GF friendly! Hooray!!!
So for your snacking pleasure I have linked to their list of GF free chips and snacks! Enjoy!
U.S. Gluten Free Products and Products Not Containing Gluten Ingredients | Frito-Lay
Thursday, January 10, 2013
New Obsession
Ok, so I very easily get obsessed with new things. I was into scrapbooking for a while and collected all this stuff. I did a couple of albums and even set up my own scrapbooking area in our house when we moved about 6 years ago, and haven't scrapped since. Pathetic! I know!
Anyway, thanks to Pinterest I'm trying things I haven't ever wanted to do. I am all about making my own laundry detergent, fabric softener etc. My friend gave me a recipe and I got one from Pinterest. Since, I'm me, and I never just follow a recipe, I made my first batch with some alterations.
The first recipe from Pinterest actually comes from this Blog post. http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/08/make-a-years-worth-of-laundry-soap.html
Jillee has a pretty cool blog and I'm excited about all the ideas I've gotten so far. Here is the basic recipe.
1 box Borax
1 box Washing Soda
2 cups Baking Soda
2 containers Oxyclean
3 bars Fels-Naphta (grated)
1-2 containers Purex fabric softener crystals.
My friend Lori, who is FABULOUS and all things natural, and Zen gave me this recipe.
1 box Borax
4 lb Box Washing Soda
4 lb Baking Soda
2 lb. oxyclean
3 bars Fels-Naphta or 2 bars Zote
I made the recipe given to me by my friend. Because, I'm nothing if not Loyal! However, I did adjust it a little. I couldn't find the bars of Zote, and the Fels-Naphta had too strong a scent. So, I used Bars of Ivory instead.
It was great, I do think I got the measurement per load wrong though. I have been severely oversoaping my laundry. Even so, my clothes are clean and smell faintly good.
I can't have perfumes in my detergent, activates my allergies so much that I can't even go into my laundry room. Bummer!
My next batch will be the Pinterest/Jillee recipe except for the Fels/Naphta adn the Purex fabric softener crystals. I'll leave the crystals out altogether and substitute Ivory, unless I can find an unscented Fels-Naphta bar.
Is there a detergent recipe that you have used? How did you like it? Feel free to share!
Anyway, thanks to Pinterest I'm trying things I haven't ever wanted to do. I am all about making my own laundry detergent, fabric softener etc. My friend gave me a recipe and I got one from Pinterest. Since, I'm me, and I never just follow a recipe, I made my first batch with some alterations.
The first recipe from Pinterest actually comes from this Blog post. http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/08/make-a-years-worth-of-laundry-soap.html
Jillee has a pretty cool blog and I'm excited about all the ideas I've gotten so far. Here is the basic recipe.
1 box Borax
1 box Washing Soda
2 cups Baking Soda
2 containers Oxyclean
3 bars Fels-Naphta (grated)
1-2 containers Purex fabric softener crystals.
My friend Lori, who is FABULOUS and all things natural, and Zen gave me this recipe.
1 box Borax
4 lb Box Washing Soda
4 lb Baking Soda
2 lb. oxyclean
3 bars Fels-Naphta or 2 bars Zote
I made the recipe given to me by my friend. Because, I'm nothing if not Loyal! However, I did adjust it a little. I couldn't find the bars of Zote, and the Fels-Naphta had too strong a scent. So, I used Bars of Ivory instead.
It was great, I do think I got the measurement per load wrong though. I have been severely oversoaping my laundry. Even so, my clothes are clean and smell faintly good.
I can't have perfumes in my detergent, activates my allergies so much that I can't even go into my laundry room. Bummer!
My next batch will be the Pinterest/Jillee recipe except for the Fels/Naphta adn the Purex fabric softener crystals. I'll leave the crystals out altogether and substitute Ivory, unless I can find an unscented Fels-Naphta bar.
Is there a detergent recipe that you have used? How did you like it? Feel free to share!
Auntie Beth's Dog Sitting Service
Boys and Girls, this is Auntie Beth, the Carpoolqueen's alter ego.
I am Babysitting my mom's 2 Cairn Terriers, Bonnie and Gus, since she is having surgery this week. I couldn't be there with her, so I'm taking care of her babies.
We are having an interesting time. I have 3 dogs. A black lab named Zeus, who is a Momma's boy, a beagle named Xena who is our alpha dog, and Zoey who we rescued last summer. We think she is a miniature labradoodle. She is a hoot and always ready to wrestle. Gus and Bonnie, lead a life of leisure in the country. Gus, is ok, with my girls (Xena and Zoey) but not so much with Zeus. Can you say Napoleon Complex?
Last night, we were home catching up on homework, and rest since Uncle D (aka CarpoolKing) has the flu! Yay! When my oldest daughter opened the front door to go get the sports drink from the truck, a bird flew into the house. It's been raining a lot and I guess our uninvited guest wanted to get dry. Ok, I now have 5 dogs in the house, and all of them decide to go crazy! There was much barking, and running around and jumping. I finally got all the critters into their kennels, since they'd chase Mr. Bird all around the house and follow him outside and down the street and keep after him.
So, now Mr. Bird, is wondering why we don't want to share our warm dry house with him? So, we got 2 brooms and tied a flat sheet to the handles to make a "wall" so we can escort him outside. Hmm, guess who landed on our "wall" and flew right over? Oh, yea! So, we got the mop and long handled dustpan and made another wall. Imagine our surprise when he kept flying back and forth.
30 minutes later, a dozen failed attempts and much barking and whining later we finally got him to leave. When we finally let the dogs back out, they had to search every corner of the house to make sure there weren't any feathered friends still lurking about.
I am Babysitting my mom's 2 Cairn Terriers, Bonnie and Gus, since she is having surgery this week. I couldn't be there with her, so I'm taking care of her babies.
We are having an interesting time. I have 3 dogs. A black lab named Zeus, who is a Momma's boy, a beagle named Xena who is our alpha dog, and Zoey who we rescued last summer. We think she is a miniature labradoodle. She is a hoot and always ready to wrestle. Gus and Bonnie, lead a life of leisure in the country. Gus, is ok, with my girls (Xena and Zoey) but not so much with Zeus. Can you say Napoleon Complex?
Last night, we were home catching up on homework, and rest since Uncle D (aka CarpoolKing) has the flu! Yay! When my oldest daughter opened the front door to go get the sports drink from the truck, a bird flew into the house. It's been raining a lot and I guess our uninvited guest wanted to get dry. Ok, I now have 5 dogs in the house, and all of them decide to go crazy! There was much barking, and running around and jumping. I finally got all the critters into their kennels, since they'd chase Mr. Bird all around the house and follow him outside and down the street and keep after him.
So, now Mr. Bird, is wondering why we don't want to share our warm dry house with him? So, we got 2 brooms and tied a flat sheet to the handles to make a "wall" so we can escort him outside. Hmm, guess who landed on our "wall" and flew right over? Oh, yea! So, we got the mop and long handled dustpan and made another wall. Imagine our surprise when he kept flying back and forth.
30 minutes later, a dozen failed attempts and much barking and whining later we finally got him to leave. When we finally let the dogs back out, they had to search every corner of the house to make sure there weren't any feathered friends still lurking about.
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