Allerfree Recipes

Ahh vacation..! A time to relax, smell the salty sea air, lay in the warm sand letting the sun's ray wash over you, taking a cool dip in the ocean or pool when you get too hot. Cleaning up for the day and going to a nice relaxing dinner, lounging in the hot tub at night... BAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Just kidding! I have kids. And kids with allergies. so pretty much vacation is being home, at the beach, except not in your own zone. I cook, I do laundry, and I freak out when the baby crawls on the floor of the hotel, and wonder how much sand is a serving. But, it's nice to see the water as I run by or from the pool deck because someone doesn't want to touch sand. However, the beach is my Zen and it's been a very long time. We do always get a condo because we do not chance restaurants. This is hard for me, I'm use to vacation including being waited on and not doing all the work! But, for the kids, we do anything we need to eh? Not to mention, now that we are veganish AND have t...

It's been a very trying two weeks. Our car broke enough that we were forced to buy a new car that we neither wanted, nor were financially ready for. Our sweet friendly dog got sick, and after seeming to get better declined and died. Our baby had a random allergic reaction to what is apparently not the vets (as presumed at first by the doctor, but disproved after spending a lot of time there), and our air conditioner broke. Not been a cheap or happy week here. But this conversation happened.. 3year old (pointing to the olive oil container): are those bwueberries? me: nope, those are olives, it's olive oil. 3yo: but wook, they are bwueberries me: no sweetie, he's picking olives to squish into olive oil. 3yo: oh look he is picking bwueberries! me: still olives 3yo: olives taste like bwueberries me: sure honey. blueberries  .... We did also celebrate two birthdays during this week of joy. :) My husband's and the baby turned one, which was when we were sit...

Whether you forgot to buy eggs, used them all, or are allergic, there's always a moment when we want to make something that needs ("needs") eggs and we forget until we start mixing. There are so many different variations of replacements it's hard to know what to use where. Here's a start... Things like pancakes and muffins don't really need a replacement. If you feel seriously inclined to replace, try GROUND flax. The general method is 1 Tablespoon of ground flax plus 3 Tablespoons of water, equals one egg. ORRRRRRRRRRRRR.... you dump in anywhere from 1/4 to 1 cup of ground flax in everything because it has health benefits anyway... I should start a one bowl cooking series. I do nearly everything in one bowl, as fast as possible. Generally holding  a child. Other substitutes are 1/4 cup mashed banana, 1/4 applesauce. Chia gel. (but this adds a bit of a crunch, be aware). There are several products, Ener G, and some new vegan egg product. I tend to lean tow...

Where has a Year Gone? I clearly am the worst blogger in history! however, my day job keeps getting busier! In other words, in addition to homeschooling as keeps happening on odd years, we added a little lady to our family in August. Earlier than expected, but not too too much. That will teach daddy to add an extra pumpkin to the front step to be funny so I have to answer to the neighbors! He was surprised on New Years Day! (yet this year two extra ended up on the porch! Thank goodness it's not an odd year! but still, no holding hands!) Considering the rough pregnancy, I wasn't too upset. I think it would be helpful to get back on this though. It would have been impossible to consider food while pregnant last without vomiting on the computer. My eventual cravings were fresh herbs (particularly cilantro and parsley) and friend egg sandwiches (which got pretty expensive considering the eggs we buy! Vital farms, as we become more ethically aware, they seem like the nicest of...

I should add to the previous recipe that if you want granola bars, after you pat the granola flat in the cookie sheet (before baking) cut the granola so that when they are soft after baking you can take them out to harden in the fridge. Not that we have any left. Apparently my husband enjoyed the granola enough to eat the entire bag at work yesterday. I'd say his tastes have changed! It can happen! As soon as I can... I am going to post a bunch of recipes (non dairy (milk and egg), some gluten free, veganish - we do eat organic cage free eggs, and delicious enough for meat eaters!) Seriously, my parents (read father) are soo picky. My dad would generally eat only steak and potatoes if he had the choice, the occasional three pounds of shrimp and crab legs if available. However, I have a stuffed shells recipe that actually ASKED for! For real! With Tofu ricotta. (sacrilegious for us Italians, but what can ya do?!) And the best spring rolls you've ever tasted. My entire fa...

Ahhh Halloween! In a past life this was my favorite holiday for a few reasons. 1. my mom's birthday (and plenty of witchy jokes to go with that!) 2. I always enjoyed seeing creativity in costumes (my mom made me a spider once, best costume ever!!). and 3. A free pass to eat as much candy as I wanted! (and whatever kind I wanted when I could buy it myself! Trick or Treaters may or may not have been able to taste my favorites which may or may not have been stashed in the freezer or cupboards). And now it's a spooky holiday due to the fact that my children love trick or treating and my son could easily win an ER trip from it! We've changed a bit in order to not kill our son and keep it a more enjoyable holiday! Last year we carried a bucket and he held a bucket. We took whatever he couldn't touch and traded, if he didn't get something he could have. (I'm not even going to pretend I let the kids eat a ton of candy! it secretly disappeared and went to work with dad...

Since I last wrote we have had some major changes to our lives! We are now vegetarian due to a beef allergy (along with the milk allergy that has skyrocketed in severity) and to my four year old (now 5) realizing where meat comes from and being very upset. Oh, and our third child is SOMETHING!!!!! The baby hasn't sat down in the 16 months we have had him. Needless to say, blogging is not number 1. However, it's time to start again. More changes that I'd like to share in hopes of helping others. We are on a tight budget. Takes a lot of planning and trading because we also buy only organic. so... Dairy free, meat free, organic, on a budget! Yikes! (and I have picky children?!) I've done easier things than plan our menus for the week and get my kids to eat!! To be fair, due to allergy restrictions, at the beginning my husband and I ate whatever we wanted and made special things for our oldest. Seems that came back to bite me. and chomps down every night! thankfully, he...

Spring has sprung! Although, not sure we ever had winter... But, I am okay with that! If I had my way we'd live far enough south where winter was summer! It's been a busy season! The minute we get everyone better someone gets sick again. Thank you Gymboree! Anyway! I over bought strawberries, well technically Jake was putting stuff in the cart when i wasn't looking (with the help of his father)!Here's an easy fabulous recipe for Vegan, Possibly gluten free Pancakes. Strawberry Lemon Pancakes Whisk: 2 cups flour (i use whole wheat, white whole wheat is also good, as is spelt) 1 cup oatmeal 2 Tablespoons sugar (if desired) zest of 1 lemon 2 teaspoons of baking powder dash of salt Mix: 2 cups (plus a teech more if needed to think batter, I like mine fairly thick) of milk (i use rice) 4 Tablespoons of oil, or applesauce juice of 1 lemon (i actually prefer 2) dash of vanilla (optional) After you have separately mixed the dry and wet ingredients, add the ...