Posts by admin:
- 3-piece Batch Bowl
- Power Base
- 6 Food Storage Pots
- Freezer Tray with Stay Fresh Lid
- Steaming Basket
- Short Cup with Stay Fresh Lid
- Blending Blade
- Milling Blade
- 2 Long Handle Spoons
- User Manual and Cookbook
- Nutrition Pocket Guide
- 1 cup Tarantas Tempranillo wine, divided
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 cup brewed hibiscus tea
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 1/2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 1 Tbsp orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon NuNaturals NoCarbs Blend (stevia + erythritol blend) or 2 Tbsp Truvia
- 3 cups half and half
- 1 1/2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 teaspoon NuNaturals NoCarbs Blend or 2 teaspoons Truvia
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons NuNaturals NoCarbs Blend
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder or starch
- In a bowl, dissolve the gelatin with the hibiscus tea, orange juice, and 1/2 cup of wine.
- Add to a small non-stick pan and bring liquid to a low boil.
- Add the sweetener,blueberries, zest, cinnamon, vanilla.
- Boil for 5-7 minutes, stirring with a spoon.
- Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
- Add the remaining 1/2 cup red wine.
- Grease 6 mini (1-cup) molds of choice with non-stick spray.
- Add 1/2 cup red wine gelatin to each mold and place molds on baking sheet and in fridge.
- Cool for 45 min to an hour.
- In a small bowl dissolve and whisk in gelatin into the 3 cups of half and half.
- Place mixture in a small pot and bring to a low boil.
- Add the vanilla bean paste and sweetener and boil for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and slightly cool.
- Remove the molds from fridge and add 1/2 cup of cream to each mini mold.
- Return to fridge until set.
- In a small non-stick pan, add the orange juice and dissolved starch.
- Turn on heat to medium until the mixture start boiling.
- When it thickens add the vanilla extract and remove from heat.
- Allow to completely cool.
- On a small plate add 2-3 Tablespoons of orange sauce.
- Invert each mold onto a small plate and garnish with whipped cream and some blueberries.
- 1 cup, Oat Flour ( ground 1 1/2 cups of gluten-free oats to make flour)
- 2 Tablespoons NuNaturals Oat Fiber
- 1/2 teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasonings
- 2 Tbsp Viva Labs Flax Seed Meal
- 2 Tablespoon Braggs Nutritional Yeast Seasoning
- 1/2 cup, Liquid Egg Whites
- 4 Tablespoons Water
- 4 slices, Canadian Bacon Sliced, chopped
- 1/2 cup, Pizza Sauce, sugar free
- 2/3 cups, Shredded Mozz. Part Skim
- 1/3 cup, Canned crushed Pineapple, juice drained
- 3 ounces Roasted Sweet Red Bell Peppers, in water, not oil
- sprinkle with oregano
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- To make oat flour, simply grind your oats in a blender, food processor, or coffee grinder until the oats are all ground up.
- In a medium bowl, add the oat flour and dry ingredients and mix well.
- Add the egg whites and water and mix into the dry ingredients and mix until it resembles a combined dough.
- Spread the dough on the parchment paper with a spatula and then with your fingers.
- Dust some oat fiber on your fingers so the dough does not stick on your fingers.
- Flatten dough until 1/2 inch thick.
- Cook crust for 5 minutes in the oven.
- Remove from oven and add pizza toppings.
- Add pizza sauce, half the cheese, Canadian bacon, crushed pineapple, red bell pepper and then sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
- Bake in the oven for 12 minutes on the middle rack.
- Then raise rack in oven and broil on high for a 1 minute until the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with oregano.
Growing Family. Growing Appetites. {Giveaway}
February 25th, 2016
My husband and I have been married almost 8 years and we have lots to show for it. We have three beautiful girls under the age of 5 to raise, a home to maintain, busy jobs, and more. I always thought it would be easy to remember everything I did with each daughter but alas I learned what mommy brain truly means.
Maybe this is why everyone has a baby book so that they can write down what they do with each baby. I am not that person unfortunately. I can take photos and those solely work as my memory bank. I guess the more we add to our memory bank, the more it shoves those memories into hard to remember crannies. You get me? HA.
When our third baby girl turned 6 months ago in January I wondered if I would wait off introducing solids to her. She seemed content with solely nursing but the more she sat near us at every meal, the more we started hearing her be more vocal about food. Could she be ready?
Our daughter was clearly noticing meal time and we started introducing first foods to her to see if she would embrace it. While her tongue was not ready, her mind was ready and she seemed really excited and eager to taste. One thing is for sure that I remember is that I loved the concept of baby-led weaning with foods cut up in small pieces so they could mash in their gums.
I totally think our little one is still not ready with that even though her little hands are able to pick up puffs so I have been focusing solely on puree. I started working with avocados, bananas, zucchini as her first foods and blending them individually so she could savor and register what she liked.
Now at almost 7 months, Natalie is loving foods that are combined like sweet potato and squash, or apples and oatmeal. She really has not rejected ANY food except for mushy banana. I definitely think she prefers puree for now and eats really well three times a day. We have seen no teeth emerge but we foresee that changing soon.
So going back to what I said in the beginning, while I love making my own foods for my baby it is not always possible due to busy schedules, but the goal is to make an effort to make puree and to freeze in bulk in order to have some ready in advance. I recently was able to try the Nuby Garden Fresh Mighty Blender, a all-in-one baby food prep system.
The systems includes a 22-piece set that includes the following:
It is geared to make homemade perfect puree for babies starting at 4-6 months and older or chopped baby food for 7 months and older and even mini meals for babies 10 months and older. There is are two types of blades that help blend foods for each feeding stage. There is even a steaming basket that fits into a batch bowl with a lid in order to microwave the fruits and veggies. Included in the kit is a user manual instructing how long to steam the desired fruits and veggies. It was really simple!
I have one cabinet that I gear to baby and kids cups, bowls and such so this whole set fit in our cabinet. It worked well because there are many pieces but as long as it is placed in a basket that fits in an assigned area, it is easy to grab and plug in. While I do have a high-powdered blender and food processor, sometimes those appliances are just too big for even food to freeze in the small freezer trays.
I liked using this blenders because it not only served making baby food, but I could make smoothies for my toddlers and ahem, even myself during my snack time. Smoothie for one ya’ll!
This would be a great appliance and then hand down to another mama so they can experience the joys of homemade baby food without the guilt of always having to buy prepared foods. I know it helps me! If you want to try this, enter the giveaway below or find the products to purchase.
You can find this product on Amazon or BuyBabyDirect.
Check out Nuby on Twitter and on Facebook.
Disclosure: I received this product to review and giveaway is provided by Nuby.
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Mini Berry and Red Wine Panna Cotta Jello with Orange Sauce {Sugar-Free} + Contest
February 24th, 2016
I am so excited to share this recipe with you because it means I was in the kitchen cooking!!! You know we all lead very busy lives but it is just important to spend time doing what we enjoy the most.
When I get in the kitchen, I get inspired, giddy and excited. Did you know I took chemistry in college? I actually have a minor in chemistry in addition to my music degree.
Yeah, I know. That does not make sense but I was working on my pre-requisites for pharmacy school and then decided I was not going to pursue that anymore and then ended up with a lot of chemistry under my belt. The fact is, is that I love to mix and create. I get ideas, test them and then enjoy them. Sometimes it means I have made something unique and fun and other times, it ends up being a flop but at least I enjoy it.
Have you seen Chopped on Food Network? It is one of my favorite shows to watch because there is the challenge of creating one of kind dishes using unique food items or a creative combination of foods. You should hear me yelling at the TV to the contestants what they should be creating. I love it!
My kitchen creating looks like an episode of Chopped. I take the ingredients I have available in my fridge or pantry and I create. While I like following recipes, I hardly EVER follow them to a T. I always change them up or add to them because, well, this is how I function.
So what happens when I receive goodies in the mail to create recipes? Over several days I think about ideas, flavors, tasting notes and then when I cannot stop thinking of an idea, I go for it and create.
Tarantas Red Wine has sent out a challenge to all to create unique recipes using their wine and that pair well with their wines. The Tarantas brand name and label was inspired by the free-flowing, open art form of Flamenco song and dance of the same name, celebrated in Southeast Spain. “Pure wines capturing the essence of Spain in every glass,” Tarantas Wines are made with 100% certified organic grapes.
I personally did not know about tarantas being an art form of flamenco. I have seen flamenco dancing in while in Spain many years back and fell in love with it! I have also seen friends play flamenco songs. It easily transports you and relaxes you. If you are not familiar with flamenco, here is Paco de Lucia, a well-known artist, playing a taranta.
I was inspired to make a gelatin mold using berries, hibiscus tea, and wine and then created a simple Panna cotta as a second layer. I then added an orange sauce to the dessert that sealed the deal. A glass of Tarantas Tempranillo was used for the berry layer since the tasting notes include flavors of cranberries and blackberries with a crisp honeyed dried citrus finish.
I really had fun with this recipe especially since the task for me was to make it sugar-free. I used NuNaturals Low-carb sweetener with every layer. The dessert would definitely go well with a glass of the red wine after finishing a heavier meal.
Tarantas Wines is excited to launch this national recipe contest as a way to introduce American wine lovers to the concept of Tarantas Tiene Cuerpo y Alma ~ Wine with Body and
Soul from the Heart of Spain.
Tarantas Taste of Spain Recipe Contest entries will be accepted in five categories: 1) Small Plates/Tapas, 2) Main Dish, 3) Side Dish, Soup or Salad, 4) Dessert, 5) Wine-Based Craft Cocktail.
All entrants are required to include a Tarantas wine pairing recommendation for their dish and the use of a Tarantas wine as an ingredient is required in the Wine-Based Craft Cocktail category. Entry form includes a list of the eligible Tarantas wines.
Recipe instructions and ingredients along with the photo should be submitted to www.tarantaswines.com/recipes no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 15, 2016. Creative cooks can find the complete contest rules on the website. Must be a U.S. citizen over 21 years of age to enter. All accepted entries will be featured on the Tarantas Wines website and select recipes will be featured across the company’s social media channels.
Disclosure: I have not been compensated for this post but is mainly used for review of the wine and promoting of recipe.
While this is a sugar-free dessert, feel free to sub regular sugar. Instead of the measurements listed, use 1/3 cup of sugar for the red wine layer, 1/4 cup for the panna cotta layer, and 2 teaspoons of sugar for the orange sauce.
**For dairy free, you can make with full fat coconut milk, but calories will increase.
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
it sets for 45 mins for 1st half and second half.
28 net carbs
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Transitioning Your Home to be more Green + Giveaway #MomsMeet #MurchisonHume
February 23rd, 2016
There is one fact that many should know about me. I love cooking.
Whoops. I think you know that one. Ha. How about something that is not my favorite to do.
Cleaning up. If there was someone to do my cleaning after I finished cooking and even someone to clean my home, then I would make them part of my home and life.
When I first got married, I had the regular cleaning solutions in my home. I worried about the chemicals, dyes, and fumes, but I really did not focus on it as much. I replaced my hand soap and my dish liquid but nothing really else was of urgency. I really disliked many of the fumes in my toilet cleaner and shower cleaner so I usually refrained using anything or used them occasionally.
I then started having children and everything seemed to be different. Why did I want toxic cleaners in my home that could expose my kids and even myself? While I was not consistent, I tried incorporating more natural cleaners on the market. Later I learned I could use my own kitchen essentials to make natural cleaners, but even that seemed to be a lot of work.
My husband was not convinced because natural cleaners did not seem to have the powerful cleaners to DISINFECT the important areas of our home. Even so, I was determined to continue to find products that did the job while keeping our family safe.
While I use a variety of brands that are natural, I always like discovering new ones to see how they leave my home. As a mom ambassador for Moms Meet, we always get a chance to be exposed to new brands. I recently was introduced to Murchison-Hume and received a start kit which included a Bathroom Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Everyday Furniture & Upholstery Cleaner, Effortless Floor Cleaner, Spit & Polish Stainless Steel Cleaner, Counter Safe All Purpose Cleaner, and Murchison-Hume Jute Tote.
Murchison-Hume are made in the USA and are 99% or more natural and are always free of ammonias, bleach, dyes, formaldehyde, parabens, and phthalates. Their products rapidly biodegrade into harmless by-products after drain disposal. I love the fact that they are powerful, natural germ fighters and also eliminate odors without the use of harsh chemicals. You know what I like the best is the fact that the company makes available refill and bulk buy options that can be delivered right to my door at significant savings every day.
I am halfway through my Starter Kit! I’ve used the products all over my home with no reactions or allergy to the products which was usually an indicator to me of harsh chemicals included in products. I also had a lady who comes every 6 weeks to do the tougher areas and I asked her to use the kit. I was pleased with how everything looked shiny and clean, especially the floors! I especially love the simple clean scent that each produce has! What a plus.
I used the Effortless Floor Cleaner with my mop with a rag and cleaned my floors pretty nicely without any residue. I also really enjoyed the Everyday Furniture and Upholstery Cleaner because there is usually several cleaners on the market for JUST furniture and JUST upholstery. One cleaner is best for me!
Have I convinced you to give it a try? The starter kit is only $59 and if you desire to give it a go you can save 20% on any order at murchison-hume.com! Simply enter the code MomsMeet20 at checkout. (Valid through March 31, 2016)
You can also enter my giveaway too thanks to the company for hosting! *Giveaway is open to US customers only and Murchison-Hume cannot ship to P.O. boxes or APO.
Disclosure: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet blogger, I agree to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group
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Family Inspiration and Support #HSFstories
February 22nd, 2016This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HSFstories #cbias #CollectiveBias
This weekend we hosted two families in our home and were thankful that we had space to have a total of 10 people including little ones. My husband and I have learned that getting to know people is better in a home with a homemade meal than in a noisy restaurant. In our conversations, I learned that one of the ladies used to be a career adviser for high school students that would be 1st generation college students. From what I remember it sounded like many of them were from Hispanic. It was inspiring to hear that these kids were making the step to continue their education with the help of people like this adviser.
While I never had anyone like that in my life, my mother was my true adviser. While she nor my father were able to finish college, I remember my mother encouraging us in our studies. She made sure we were in the right schools and even my grandmother was happy to hear about our great grades in school.
When I started sixth grade and was having trouble in my public school because of the rough environment, my mother sought advice and was encouraged to place me in a Christian private school that focused on many college preparatory classes. I thrived and enjoyed learning in my new environment and am forever blessed and grateful for my mother.
During my sophomore and junior year of high school we started talking about college and where I would be going. It was natural to talk about it and it was exciting to start the process of applying to schools. Even though we were not financially able to afford college, my mother encouraged me to seek aid through scholarships and government aid seeing that I came from a Mexican / Chilean background.
Looking back, I know that my mother was guided by God to lead her to encourage me because I received support from various sources including support from The Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Being Hispanic was an advantage because there were many companies supportive of families seeking a higher education for their children. This is what my mother wanted and she was a great encouragement because my sister and I were able to graduate from college.
Because we graduated, we both were able to find jobs and continue our education in the fields we enjoyed and thrived in. I am so thankful that we had the opportunity and the blessing of receiving support. Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. is an official partner with The Hispanic Scholarship Fund to raise awareness to anyone who might need support to continue their higher education. If you know of someone who might benefit from financial support and scholarships, please forward them this post or send them my link about The Hispanic Scholarship Fund so that it might be possible to encourage those students and kids wavering to continue their education.
I look forward encouraging my girls to love to learn and to desire to continue to higher education knowing there are organizations like The Hispanic Scholarship Fund to assist if needed.
What is your story? Do you have someone special who encouraged you to go to college despite being in a tight spot?
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Hawaiian Pizza with Oat Crust {Sugar Free, Gluten Free}
February 11th, 2016Oats are great besides consuming in oatmeal. An oat crust can make a great substitution for those watching their carbs. We’re working on our fourth week going sugar-free and gluten-free. In essence, we never decided to exactly go gluten-free but we decided my husband and I decided we needed to take action with our health. While I was cooking a lot of delicious foods using whole foods, the food combinations and food portions were not healthy.
Lifestyle
When people think about cutting out foods, like my hubby, for example, it can seem so extreme and depressing to rid of the foods we most enjoy. While it has been a little tough, I personally have enjoyed the challenge to eat well while having fun at the same time.
I am an artist. I am a performer. It is how God created me.
I can make simple meals but I have to add my own flair, and I do not think it is an issue. I like the challenge.
As I have been learning again about food combining eating healthy carbs and fats, I also have been figuring what foods my hubby and I can enjoy in a healthier way.
Pizza
In comes pizza. Pizza is definitely comfort food at its peak and it is one of my husband’s favorite. Goodness, he is a true Midwesterner and has perfected a deep dish recipe. So how do we enjoy pizza in a healthy setting?
I am not saying we can’t have pizza ever but for someone who wants to focus on consistency in a healthy journey, I rather create something that will not have me falling off the bandwagon. So I created an oat crust full of protein and fiber topped with delicious ingredients.
I was recently was asked to create a pizza that is inspired by one of the Las Vegas Hotels. While it might seem random, it is not because the Annual International Pizza Expo is located in Vegas from March 8th to the 10th. How amazing would that be to attend? Either way, I was inspired by the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas because all of this cold weather made me imagine hanging by the pool, enjoying a cocktail and some sunshine.
Flamingo Hotel is decorated pink with a pink flamingos being their decorative scheme. It has a tropical attitude and is themed as an island paradise. Seriously, does this not sound nice?
Hawaiian Pizza with an Oat Crust
I told you I am meant to be a Westerner. I can count on my hands the amount of times I’ve gotten to lounge. Either way, a girl can dream right? This is why I created the Hawaiian Pizza with an Oat Crust. For every 2 slices there are 28 net carbs and 9 grams of fat. The fat comes from the mozzarella and the flax-seed meal and the carbs from the oat flour and fiber. The beauty of this recipe is that it boasts 20 grams of protein.
Enjoy Canadian bacon, pineapple and cheese on a hearty crust that is firm, crispy and thin without any crumbles! You have the best of both worlds. You can enjoy 2 slices with a large salad on the side and call it a complete meal while sipping a delicious sugar-free fizzy drink, like Honest Orange Fizz or Zevia.
For more nutritional info visit my recipe on Fitness Pal: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/view/243822805118381
Ingredients
Instructions
