Archive for the ‘Kid Eats’ Category

Picnic in a Jar: Easy Quinoa Salad With Spinach and Tomatoes

Thursday, July 7th, 2016

Quinoa-Salad-In-A-Jar

Summertime means a lot of eating on-the-go for our family. It isn’t the running to and from activities like the school year, but the good stuff like picnics with my people, poolside lounging and road trips to the neighboring Michigan beaches.

Thankfully, the fresh produce and deliciously grown convenience food that we all love is in season. A container of cherries shared by the pool, bunches of grapes on our car trips, and strawberries by the fistful in the sunshine until we think we might turn into berries ourselves. It’s all such good stuff, isn’t it?

Salads are my go-to in the summer thanks to their amazing portability factor. Not only do I love fresh green salads made with romaine or spinach, but I adore a healthy topping of quinoa on top for that protein punch.

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Quinoa is one of my favorite summertime ingredients because it is filling and gluten-free. Have you had quinoa before? It couldn’t be easier to prepare or more delicious!

Quinoa, pronounced (KEEN-wah) is a very nutritious gluten-free seed that originates from the Andean region of South America. It’s a fantastic source of protein, contains all eight amino acids, is a good source of dietary fiber, and it contains B Vitamins and iron.

Though it is smaller than rice, barley, farro and bulgur, quinoa looks like a grain, thanks to its neutral coloring and hard exterior. In reality, it is actually a seed that originates from the cousin of the spinach plant. When cooked, these seeds expand rapidly and significantly, becoming tender but chewy, and expelling spirals that boast the slightest crunch.

To add more flavor to my quinoa I love to cook it in veggie or chicken broth.

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To make these salads portable, I layer the salads in jars. You want to layer the salads in a way that everything stays fresh and delicious for as long as possible.

For these salads, I start with a scoop of cooked quinoa and add a drizzle of olive oil and squirt of lemon. I then allow that all to cool completely and then start the layer of veggies. The tomatoes go in first and then I fill the jar up to the tippy top with as much spinach as possible. I learned a lot from all those episodes of Popeye as a kid!

quinoa-salads-in-a-jar-tutorial

Picnic in a Jar: Easy Quinoa Salad With Spinach and Tomatoes
Recipe Type: Salads
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Take these along on your next family outing for a filling, easy meal!
Ingredients
  • 1 pound spinach
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1-2 lemons
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa (follow the instructions for preparation on the packaging)
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
Instructions
  1. Prepare quinoa as directed on package (it’s just like rice with a 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid ratio- veggie broth, chicken broth, or water all work in this one). Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Halve grape or cherry tomatoes with a paring knife and add them to the mixing bowl.
  3. Once the quinoa is done, scoop it into equal amounts into four jars. Squirt the juice of your lemons on top of the quinoa and add a light drizzle of olive oil to each one. Allow these to cool fully before adding the rest of your ingredients.
  4. Next layer on your tomatoes and then add your layer of spinach.
  5. Lid your jar and store in your fridge for up to five days. Eat directly out of the jar or pour into a bowl for an easy picnic feast!

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For a sweet little picnic touch, use a little twine to tie on forks or tape a plastic fork with washi tape on your lids. You now have the makings for the perfect summertime lunch wherever your summer adventures might take you!

 

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Make-Ahead Sleepover Breakfast Buffet

Monday, June 20th, 2016

Make-Ahead Sleepover Breakfast Buffet from MomAdvice.com

When I was a little girl, one of my favorite sleepovers ever included a beautiful breakfast buffet for us in the morning. The parents got up early to make stacks of waffles and laid out a variety of toppings to make our own waffle creation. It was the stuff that little girl’s dreams are made of,  piled high with whipped cream, strawberries, and unlimited syrup.

I want to be that mom who rises early and makes these sleepover dreams come true, but often I am the mom dragging her tail out of bed after telling the kids to PLEASE, FOR THE LOVE, GO TO SLEEP IT IS THREE IN THE MORNING mom.

Are you her too?

That’s why I wanted to create a REALISTIC buffet that can be made in advance so you can just stumble into kitchen, put everything on the table, and curl up with a cup of coffee in bed with a little sweet silence.

Make-Ahead Sleepover Breakfast Buffet from MomAdvice.com

Today I am partnering with  Florida Department of Citrus to show you how to make this fun make-ahead sleepover breakfast buffet table complete with glasses of  FLOJ for everyone at the party.  Although waffle parties are fun, I wanted to create a healthy breakfast complete with a glass of Florida Orange Juice that provides 5 amazing nutrients in every glass for our guests. Not only are we loading our table with fresh fruit, but we are also getting, in just one single 8-ounce glass of 100% orange juice,  our daily recommended serving of fruit! Winning!

Make-Ahead Sleepover Breakfast Buffet from MomAdvice.com

Make-Ahead Sleepover Breakfast Buffet from MomAdvice.com

Instead of spending your morning flipping pancakes, take a peek at my make-ahead recipe for breakfast burritos. This recipe yields eighteen delicious burritos and you can even make them gluten-free with the use of a gluten-free wrap. They are filled with eggs, turkey sausage, spiced potatoes, and cheese- yum!

Make these ahead and tuck them in your fridge or use these instructions for popping them in the freezer until the morning. The beauty in this one is that no matter what time they rise, each person can have a hot breakfast!

Make-Ahead Sleepover Breakfast Buffet from MomAdvice.com

I made a simple breakfast bar with burrito toppings like olives, sour cream tomatoes, avocado, salsa, and sriracha. You can just chop and set this in the fridge on a cookie sheet for the big morning.  

Make-Ahead Sleepover Breakfast Buffet from MomAdvice.com

Make-Ahead Sleepover Breakfast Buffet from MomAdvice.com

Make-Ahead Sleepover Breakfast Buffet from MomAdvice.com

 

After warming their burritos, they can fill it with all of their favorites or simply put the toppings on top and dig in with a knife and fork.

Putting this spread together took me under an hour, even with all the chopping, and the best part is that I got to enjoy a hot cup of coffee even with a house full of kids. WINNING!

Thank you so much to Florida Department of Citrus for letting us share a make-ahead buffet with you. Be sure to kick back a glass of FLOJ for us and may your bedhead game be as strong as your coffee.


This blog was sponsored by Florida Department of Citrus. Thank you for supporting the companies that support our site!

Mini Star Cakes (Star Darlings Book Giveaway!!)

Monday, May 16th, 2016

3-ingredient mini star cakes from MomAdvice.com

This post is sponsored by Disney Press. Thank you for supporting the companies that support this site! 

I am raising a big fan of the Star Darlings series and we are so excited to giveaway an amazing prize pack today for a tween girl in your life. Today’s craft is to show you how to make a mini star cakes that you can prepare out of just 3 items from the grocery store. These cakes are easy enough that your kid can put these together and impressive enough to share with your friends.

Emily’s fangirl status of the Star Darlings series is truly legit because the #1 gift she wants to share with her friends are these books. They also are the books she has been taking to school each day to read during her reading free time. Is it just me or do you struggle with finding tween books that you can really get behind? These books are positive and minus the sass. I am all about girl power and positivity so I am thrilled that these have been such a hit in our house. I am also so happy she is sharing the same message with her friends.

As you may recall, we shared a really fun dreamcatcher we made together in honor of the first six books! Today we are sharing an easy craft your daughter can do together after she has read the books. Did you know that books 6-9 are out on store shelves now? Yay!

Star Darlings Book Series

Not only have the next four books hit the shelves, but they also released  Star Darlings Collection Volume #1 which is a brand new bind up book that includes the first three books in the Star Darlings series. You can learn lots more about the Star Darlings series on their webpage. They have also expanded their line to include a doll series and even an app to continue the positive messaging for tween girls.  Cassie Comes Through, Piper’s Perfect Dream, Astra’s Mixed Up Mission, & Tessa’s Lost & Found are the new books keeping my daugher up late at night reading.

In honor of these sweet books, Emily & I have created an easy 3-ingredient star cake.

3-ingredient mini star cakes from MomAdvice.com

 

Supplies Needed

1 frozen prepared pound cake

2 tubs of frosting (you should only need one, but we offer the advice of two for heavy pourers- wink, wink!)

Food Coloring

Sprinkles (optional)

Star Cookie Cutter

3-ingredient mini star cakes from MomAdvice.com

Directions for Mini Star Cakes

1. Allow your pound cake to thaw for a few minutes and then, using a serrated knife, trim the top to level the cake. Slice the cake in half lengthwise. (I did this for my daughter, but she was able to do the rest on her own).

2. Using a cookie cutter, carefully cut out your star shapes and place them on a cooling rack with a cookie sheet underneath to catch the frosting avalanche.

3. Divide your icing into two microwave safe bowls and tint to your desired colors. Place the frosting in the microwave for 10 seconds. Stir the frosting and then place back in the microwave for another 10 seconds (or until the icing looks pourable).

4. Pour icing over the stars and finish with sprinkles. Allow these to harden and then eat your masterpiece.

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3-ingredient mini star cakes from MomAdvice.com

3-ingredient mini star cakes from MomAdvice.com

Star Darlings Giveaway

Check Out This Giveaway!

One (1) winner will receive:

Star Darlings Collection Volume 1 (includes Books #1-3)

Star Darlings Books #4-9

Star Darlings Wish Board;

Plus a set of five (5) Star Darlings 10.5” dolls!

Follow the widget below to enter to win! Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

3-ingredient mini star cakes from MomAdvice.com

This post is sponsored by Disney Press. Thank you for supporting the companies that support this site! 

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Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer

Tuesday, March 15th, 2016

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

There are a few great gifts I give myself in the morning. The first, is to rise an hour earlier than necessary to get in an uninterrupted hour of reading (BLISS!). The second is to always program my coffeemaker the night before so I wake up to a fresh brew (HEAVEN!). The third? Packing my freezer with smoothie packets that make creating a morning smoothie filled with greens and fruits incredibly easy and practically effortless (WINNING AT LIFE).

I posted about my make-ahead smoothie packets on Instagram and got a lot of questions about it. Something I have come to think of as a weekly routine really sparked a lot of questions about my recipe, what the smoothie looked like, and what to do for fruit substitutions.  I thought it deserved its own little post because it has become a very vital part of my morning routines and sets a good foundation for healthy eating the rest of the day.

Not only does this strategy save you time in the morning, but it also puts ripe fruit to work and is a great way to utilize spinach before it goes bad making the most of every grocery dollar. I never waste a banana in our house or any greens anymore because they always have a home. If I have run out of frozen berries, I just add the rest of these ingredients into a packet and get them ready for my next grocery day when I can get the frozen fruit to add to it. As someone trying to reduce their food waste, this has been an awesome use for those often tossed items.

Also, if you buy smoothies regularly, you know they are not cheap. A typical smoothie around these parts (said in my best Midwest accent) is around $4-6. Even if bought weekly, that can add up fast!

Here were a few of your questions for me! 

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

Do you store these packets in the freezer and for how long?

Yup, I recommend freezing in quart-sized freezer storage bags and making sure to push out any air in the bags to keep these ingredients as fresh as possible. I would recommend using these in one month for optimum flavor.

How many smoothies do these packets make?

I drink an enormous smoothie in the morning (24 ounces)  and my daughter has the size I am showing you in the cup below and this packet with my recipe I have listed makes enough for that. For “normal” people, maybe it might make three, but this is my breakfast, people, and I’m a big eater.  I got one of these for me to help make toting these in the car a little easier since I drink these on the way to the gym in the morning. I also have this giant water bottle from the same company and it has improved how much water I intake as well as my healthy smoothie habit for breakfast. I have been happy how they have held up (over a year now!) compared to some other insulated cups I have tried.

Do you blend these with milk or use a milk substitution?

My stomach can’t process a lot of dairy so I use unsweetened almond milk in mine. I do use Greek yogurt though (either vanilla or unsweetened) and that doesn’t seem to bother me. You can definitely use milk, soy milk, or coconut milk if you would prefer. I’m a big fan of the flavor of the almond milk!

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

Can I make these without spinach? I don’t think my kids will drink these if they are green!

I just want to show you how very slightly these are tinged with green when you only add a cup or so of spinach to them. Additionally, if I am really concerned an extra handful of frozen blueberries cancels out all other colors so sometimes if I am really generous with the blueberries, these look more blue.

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

Are you using frozen spinach? Frozen berries? What does the spinach look like when it is frozen?

Here is a packet that has been frozen for three weeks and this is what it looks like. The spinach is fresh spinach (I don’t want to hassle with the frozen stuff- personal preference), the berries are frozen, and the bananas are fresh. I like to cut the bananas in half to help them break down a little easier in the blender. As you can see, the spinach looks almost the same as it did when I threw it in there.

The bananas may brown over time, but they will still taste the same. As rapidly as we go through these though, I have rarely even seen that happen.

By freezing these fruits and veggies, you eliminate the need for ice in your smoothie which creates a much creamier consistency and a smoothie that holds together longer. Sometimes I will make these in the morning and pop one in the fridge for my daughter for her afternoon snack. It always looks just like I had just made it. When I add water or ice, it tends to separate and grosses her out.

Should I flash freeze any of the ingredients?

If you aren’t familiar with flash freezing, I do this a lot with foods for our freezer. Typically, I fan whatever I am freezing out on an open parchment paper lined cookie sheet, freeze just until frozen, and then toss in a bag.

I experimented with this and here is what I will say about that. You can cut the bananas in half and flash freeze and they will stay separated, making it easier to pour into your blender and it is really great. It’s an extra step though. My lazy freezer routine is to cut them in half right in the bag, freeze (where they tend to fuse back together) and then smack the bag as hard as I can on the counter until they loosen from each other while I listen to the political crap insight on NPR. It’s kind of like a therapy session. You can do it whichever way fits your lifestyle best.

What kind of protein powder do you use? What can I use if I am vegan or dairy-free?

When I was dairy-free, I experimented with a lot of terrible protein powders so I can honestly tell you this is the only brand that I really liked that was plant-based. Now that I’m not dairy-free, I just purchase the store brand protein powder at our local grocery store in a vanilla flavor. Like I said, we had to try a few before we found the ones we liked best and I always try to keep my eyes peeled for a sale to maximize the savings. The goal is to keep this as a frugal routine for us.

What kind of blender do you have?

I have had the same blender for probably eight years or so and, unfortunately, they don’t make mine anymore. When mine bites the bullet, I will probably invest in this one because I have heard they last forever. In order to blend up these fruits, you really need to have a high powered blender though. If you have a $20 blender, it will burn out your motor. I say this because I did it. Twice. Invest in a good blender and it will more than pay for itself, I promise you!

I can’t eat bananas. Do you have any recommendations for substitutions for my smoothie?

I really liked this advice!

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

Do your kids really like these? My kids are really picky!

They really do and so do I.  My daughter was a terrible breakfast eater, like her mother, and I worried a lot that she wasn’t eating enough to be fueled for her day at school. This is what she “eats” and she stays full until lunchtime. If she is running late, it is something that can be finished while she waits for her bus. Fun straws are always a great addition to this morning treat especially when first pitching this idea to your kids. She says it tastes like a milkshake.

For me, it’s been an incredible way to get fueled before I workout. Working out on an empty stomach isn’t a good idea for someone with low blood sugar. Eating something too heavy made me feel like I was going to be sick. These smoothies are a great option to be fueled without a lot of heaviness in my stomach. Sometimes I drink half and pop it in the fridge until I get done exercising and finish the other half when I’m done.

I hope these tips are helpful and I hope you love these as much as our family does!

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2 large servings
Freeze a packet of fruit and veggies to save time in the mornings making your smoothies. Feel free to experiment with your own flavor combinations with fruits (especially anything that might be ripe!)
Ingredients
  • 1 banana (cut in half- see freezing tips above)
  • 5 frozen strawberries
  • 1 handful of frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup vanilla or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or your favorite milk)
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (see recommendation above)
Instructions
  1. In a quart-sized bag prepare 1 banana, strawberries, blueberries, and spinach in a freezer bag. Repeat this process for a week’s worth of smoothies. Freeze for up to 30 days.
  2. When making your morning smoothie, remove packet from the freezer and place in blender. Add almond milk, yogurt, and protein powder.
  3. Blend well. Serve.

 Do you have a favorite smoothie routine or recipe? Feel free to leave it in our comments below!

This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend what I love though- pinky promise!

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Sheet Pan Ranch Chops and Veggies

Monday, February 8th, 2016

Sheet Pan Ranch Chops and Veggies from MomAdvice.com

As our schedules become busier with activities, I have found that I have been gravitating more and more towards sheet pan meals to feed our family. The beauty of a sheet pan meal is that, when lined with foil or parchment paper, these meals of meats and veggies prepared on a cookie sheet not only hold the power to be prepared with minimal effort, but they also are prepared with minimum clean-up too. I am not the only one loving sheet pan meals though, as I noticed at our local library that this sheet pan suppers cookbook was out on the shelves this winter and I can’t wait to check it out and dive into some of those recipes in our own kitchen. Who knew sheet pan meals were so trendy this year?

Sheet Pan Ranch Chops and Veggies from MomAdvice.com

Today’s sheet pan dish features Ranch Pork Chops with Vegetables and has already been eaten a record four times this month.  I am a big fan of these pre-cut parchment paper squares for easy clean-up and I can find all of these ingredients for this meal at ALDI, which is a bonus since I hate shopping at multiple grocery stores. Although the ingredients couldn’t be more simple, this recipe is packed full of flavor thanks to the convenience of a ranch dressing packet. If you are avoiding those for any reason (like sodium), you can also make your own DIY Ranch Dressing Mix to cut down on the salt.

Sheet Pan Ranch Chops and Veggies from MomAdvice.com

Although we loved this dish enough for it to be repeated four times, the main reason why I tested it so much was because I wanted to get the right level of doneness to both the potatoes and the meat. I found that by giving the potatoes a 10-12 minute head start, I got better consistency on the potatoes while not drying out the meat and green beans in the process. Throwing the potatoes in the oven first also gave me that ten minutes to prep the rest of the ingredients while they were cooking. Basically, as soon as that timer goes off, I’m ready to throw on the next layer.   I rely on center cut pork chops, on the bone, for a flavorful chop that consistently is done within 30 minutes. Resting this chops on top help add moisture and flavor to the veggies nestled underneath.

A fresh sprinkle of parsley adds a beautiful fresh flavor to this dish and some affordable color to the top.

Not only is this a great weeknight winner, but it also reheats beautifully, saving us on money spent on lunches out.  I try to package a couple of meals up for my husband and I when cleaning up.

Did I mention less dishes when cleaning up?

 

Now you REALLY know why we have already eaten this four times.

 

#winning

 

I hope you love this sheet pan meal as much as we do!

Sheet Pan Ranch Chops and Veggies from MomAdvice.com

Sheet Pan Ranch Chops and Veggies from MomAdvice.com

Sheet Pan Ranch Chops and Veggies
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
A practically effortless pork chop sheet pan meal that feeds six people!
Ingredients
  • 6 (8-ounce) pork chops, bone-in, 3/4-inch to 1-inch thick
  • 1 pound yellow or red baby potatoes, quartered
  • 1 pound green beans, trimmed
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 (1-ounce) package Ranch Seasoning and Salad Dressing Mix
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Quarter potatoes and toss with one tablespoon of olive oil, 1/4 of the Ranch dressing packet, and two minced cloves of garlic in a large bowl. Pour in an even layer on sheet pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile trim green beans and place in the bowl you used for tossing the potatoes. Toss the green beans with 1/4 of the Ranch dressing packet, one tablespoon of the olive oil, and one clove of minced garlic.
  4. Remove potatoes from the oven and pour prepared green beans on top. Add pork chops and drizzle lightly with olive oil and finish by sprinkling with the Ranch packet. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Place into oven and roast until the pork is completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 140 degrees F, about 25-30 minutes. You can finish by broiling for two to three minutes, if you desire a more charred flavoring to your meal.
  6. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley.

 Do you love sheet pan meals too? Let me know what your favorite sheet pan dishes are in your kitchen!

This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend what I love- pinky promise!
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Gluten-Free Sloppy Buffalo Joes

Thursday, January 14th, 2016

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Gluten-Free Sloppy Buffalo Joes from MomAdvice.com

This post is sponsored by Lingham’s Hot Sauce. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this site! 

Sloppy Joes are nothing fancy, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love them. When my husband and I were in high school, we would hit a local deli each week where he would enjoy a good old-fashioned sloppy joe sandwich and I would indulge in a flaky spinach & feta croissant as a special treat. When you have been with your partner as long as I have, almost every memory, every dish, and every life moment is laced with each other. I always think of those lunches when I make this dish for him, these high school moments that later shaped my life and family.

We have held steady and true to this classic sandwich over the years, but this week I’m partnering up with Lingham’s Hot Sauce and thought it would be fun to switch up this classic comfort food in their honor. My husband, a lover of traditions when it comes to the classics, was not too sure about my Sloppy Buffalo Joes idea, but after one bite of these delicious sandwiches, we all agreed that this was just as good as the classic version and a fun gourmet twist on a cafeteria staple.

Gluten-Free Sloppy Buffalo Joes from MomAdvice.com

Lingham’s Hot Sauces were new to me, but have actually been around since 1908! They come in a variety of flavors from garlic to ginger and they offer an extra hot variety for those of you that like your hot sauce with an extra kick. Their original hot sauce is absolutely divine and the closest I have tasted to homemade from the supermarket. It has a complex flavor on the tongue that at first tastes sweet and then the heat travels through, just like an experience that you get with a good glass of wine.

The sauce is thick and requires a good shake before you use it since they don’t use any bulking agents, something the brand really is proud of. The best part for this gluten-free gal is not only is it gluten free is that it is 100% all natural, verified non GMO, Halal and Kosher…

Oh, and did I mention you can find it at Walmart stores nationwide? Yay!

Gluten-Free Sloppy Buffalo Joes from MomAdvice.com

Sloppy Buffalo Joes are a healthier take on a big plate of buffalo wings as we get back to more balanced eating in the new year. This sloppy joe mixture consists all white ground chicken meat, garlic, diced onions, diced celery, and diced carrots. Next is a spicy sauce layer with our Lingham’s Hot Sauce (feel free to go Extra Hot on this one!), tomato sauce, chicken broth, and a worcestershire sauce finish. Once this cooks down together, it has that perfect balance of sweet and spicy, just like the hot sauce we added and I love that there is a healthy serving of veggies in these for my kids!

Gluten-Free Sloppy Buffalo Joes from MomAdvice.com

The thing that really brings this whole thing together on this sandwich are those finishing touches. Blue Cheese crumbles are sprinkled on top and the addition of a toasty bun completes this deliciously sloppy joe treat. The creaminess of that blue cheese really adds balance to the spicy sauce on this.

I usually avoid the gluten-free buns, but have discovered that a gluten-free bun slathered with a tiny bit of butter and then toasted on a hot cast iron skillet improves the flavor of these 100% for me.  Of course, you could also serve this delicious filling stuffed in a sweet potato or over a big pile of brown rice.

The true test if a dish is a success is if the leftovers are eaten in our house. Not only did our whole family love this, but they begged to eat those leftovers the next day. This one is going into our regular meal rotation and I have a feeling if you try it, it will go into yours too. What a fun spin on an old classic!

Be sure to pick up some Lingham’s Hot Sauce to add that perfect balance of sweet and spicy to your dishes!

Gluten-Free Sloppy Buffalo Joes
Recipe Type: Main Dish
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8 servings
Take classic sloppy joes up a notch with this spicy buffalo flavoring and creamy blue cheese finish. It’s sure to be a new family favorite!
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds ground chicken
  • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped or grated
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4-1/3 cup Lingham’s Hot Sauce (Original or Extra Hot- we used a 1/4 cup in our house)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup chicken stock
  • 8 gluten-free buns, split and toasted
  • 1 cup blue cheese crumbles
  • 2 large dill pickles, chopped (optional)
Instructions
  1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Add the meat and break it up with wooden spoon, then cook for 5-6 minutes.
  2. Add in the carrots, celery, onions and garlic, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then cook for 7-8 minutes more.
  3. In a bowl, combine the vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, tomato sauce and stock. Pour into the pan and stir to combine. Simmer until the mixture comes together, five minutes or so.
  4. Pile the sloppy Buffalo filling onto the toasted buns and top with blue cheese and chopped pickles.

 Adapted from Rachael Ray

This post is sponsored by Lingham’s Hot Sauce. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this site! 

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DIY Airheads Crown Cake Topper

Tuesday, November 17th, 2015

DIY Airheads Crown Cake Topper from MomAdvice.com

This post is sponsored by Airheads. Thank you for supporting the companies that support us! 

Are you a skilled decorator of cakes? I wish I was, but I am not!  I have never been good with fondant decorating and have always found the flavor lacking. Thankfully, there is a delicious substitute lurking in the candy aisle that you can mold & shape into whatever your heart’s desire is. Did you know Airheads candy can add that decorative touch to your cake decorating in just a few easy steps?

Today’s tutorial shows you how to transform Airheads into the perfect crown cake topper in just 5 easy steps. Wouldn’t this be a great princess cake? The best part is that, unlike fondant, it tastes sweet and delicious and will be a crown worth fighting for when those slices are dished up. For those with food allergies, it is also peanut and gluten-free! Yay!

DIY Airheads Crown Cake Topper from MomAdvice.com

Supplies Needed:

Airheads (I used Blue Raspberry, Cherry, & White Mystery for my crown)

Mini cookie cutters- metal or plastic, I used a heart with a jagged edging

Parchment Paper

Fondant Roller

Cake (we picked ours up in the bakery section of our supermarket)

DIY Airheads Crown Cake Topper from MomAdvice.com

Directions

  1. Pull out 3 cherry Airheads and line them up in one long line, slightly overlapping the edges. Place these between two sheets of parchment paper and roll with a fondant roller to smooth out your seams. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect because we will be adding a dot detail to camouflage any flaws on the crown. Set aside.

DIY Airheads Crown Cake Topper from MomAdvice.com

  1. Microwave a white mystery Airheads for 3-5 seconds and then roll them out between two sheets of parchment paper. Using a mini heart shaped cookie cutter, press the cookie cutter firmly into the white mystery Airheads and pull up. Push the heart shape out gently and then place it upside down (with your heart tip pointing up) to create your crown points. Do this all the way around, layering one heart between two hearts as pictured. Feel free to microwave and re-roll the Airheads to get as many hearts as you can out of each one.  Press these firmly into the crown and continue layering until you get to the end.

DIY Airheads Crown Cake Topper from MomAdvice.com

  1. Bring one end of the crown, to the other to create your shape. Using your fingers, gently rub the seam in a bit to create a smooth finish. Set your crown aside.

DIY Airheads Crown Cake Topper from MomAdvice.com

  1. Grab your Blue Raspberry Airheads and pull off small sections of the candy and roll between your hands until you have created a dot shape. Take the dot and press firmly into the crown, spacing it as evenly as possible to add a decorative detail to finish.

DIY Airheads Crown Cake Topper from MomAdvice.com

 

  1. Place the crown in the refrigerator until it is time for your cake so it can harden up a bit and to help it keep its shape. Once it is cake time, remove from the fridge and rest it on the top of your cake. How easy is that?

Airheads-Crown-Cake-Topper-18

DIY Airheads Crown Cake Topper from MomAdvice.com

Airheads-Crown-Cake-Topper

DIY Airheads Crown Cake Topper from MomAdvice.com

 For more fun ideas on how to craft with Airheads visit and follow them on Pinterest. To learn more about Airheads candy visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

This post is sponsored by Airheads. Thank you for supporting the companies that support us! 

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Gluten-Free Meatball Sub Game Day Appetizer

Monday, October 5th, 2015

Gluten-Free Meatball Sub Game Day Appetizer from MomAdvice.com

*This post is sponsored by Walmart. Thank you for supporting the companies that support this site!

Gluten-free and game day parties? Oof. Not fun, friends, not fun at all! I have learned a lot about social engagements like this though and know the best defense to any social gathering is to carry around my own dishes and drinks so I never go hungry or thirsty again. You will rarely see this girl without her own food!

Game day food is delightfully rich and comforting which is why I love it so darn much.  Today I wanted to create an appetizer that echoed those feelings of comfort and what could be more comforting than a pile of homemade meatballs? This meatball sub appetizer is gluten-free, but I promise you would never know it. It’s got everything I love in a meatball sub simply minus the bread.

Gluten-Free Meatball Sub Game Day Appetizer from MomAdvice.com

I’ve made meatballs a lot over the years (here is one of our favorite dinner dishes that we created together using my standard meatball recipe), but this was my first time trying to create a meatball without the addition of breadcrumbs or panko. With a blend of turkey sausage and ground turkey, I then mixed in fresh parsley, parmesan cheese, a little tomato sauce, and two eggs to bind it all together. I have a cookie dough scoop that I used to make sure all the meatballs were roughly the same size (and so they would fit on my toothpick).

These meatballs are a little more delicate without the breadcrumb binder so I baked them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet so that they would lift easily and not fall apart. Not only does this help the meatball hold its shape, but it also helps cut down your kitchen clean-up time. I would call that a game day win!

Gluten-Free Meatball Sub Game Day Appetizer from MomAdvice.com

Canned crushed tomatoes, garlic, salt, and a dash of sugar yield a vibrant sauce to nestle this appetizer in. I have tried a million different brands of canned crushed tomatoes over the years and I swear by the Great Value brand ones at Walmart. I don’t know why, but it always yields the best pizza sauce for me! I try not to use anything else.

What’s Your Favorite Game Time Recipe?

Are you feeling inspired? Do you have an incredible dish that everyone looks forward to on game days? Walmart happens to be running a GameTime Recipe contest and would love for you to post a photo of your favorite game time recipe on Instagram or Twitter using #WalmartMVPContest. By doing this, you will be entered to win a trip to LA to go to the YouTube studios to have a pre-Superbowl party and create content with some big YouTube stars. How cool is that? Read here for all the official rules! Need some inspiration? Check out all of the great GameTime Recipes that have been posted!
In the meantime, I hope you will enjoy this gluten-free game time creation I have created for you!
Gluten-Free Meatball Sub Game Day Appetizer from MomAdvice.com

Gluten-Free Meatball Sub Game Day Appetizer from MomAdvice.com

Gluten-Free Meatball Sub Game Day Appetizer from MomAdvice.com

Gluten-Free Meatball Sub Game Day Appetizer
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 33 meatballs
Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 pound Italian turkey sausage
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup parsley
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 packages baby mozzarella balls (over in the specialty cheese cooler by the deli)
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • toothpicks
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, stir together the ground turkey, parsley, eggs, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt & pepper, and tomato sauce. Stir gently to combine.
  2. Make your meatballs the standard size and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  3. Bake at 400 degrees for ten to fifteen minutes (this size took 12 minutes).
  4. Meanwhile, in a pot heat olive oil and add your minced garlic, cooking for just one minute.
  5. Add your crushed tomatoes, the remainder of your small can of tomato sauce, sugar, and salt. Allow this to simmer for ten minutes.
  6. Once the meatballs are done, ladle the sauce into a deep dish or bowl. Skewer one mozzarella ball and one meatball on a toothpick and nestle in the sauce. Serve hot.

As a participant in the Walmart Moms Program, I’ve received product samples and compensation for my time and efforts in creating this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

3 Ways to Take the Hassle Out of Packing School Lunches {& Free Printable!}

Tuesday, September 29th, 2015

This is a post from our diy/craft contributor, MJ.

Mom Advice lunch time printable- free download!

For the first time ever, I’m packing lunches for three kids – which means three drinks, three sandwiches, three treats, and three sets of complaints! Like any parent, I strive to pack healthy and tasty meals that the kids can enjoy in the middle of their days, but oftentimes my best attempts fall short of their hopeful stomachs.

So now that our trial and error efforts have failed, and I’ve talked it over with my children, we’re proud to recommend these three ideas that have helped turn our lunchtime fails into lunches that leave only the crumbs behind.

1. Ask your children what they want and give them the tools to make good decisions.

Before we head upstairs for bedtime, I ask each child what they’d like for lunch. Sometimes we have what they want, sometimes they ask for food they shouldn’t have, and sometimes they have NO ideas. To avoid the headache, I created this Lunchbox Helper!

DOWNLOAD THE FREE LUNCHBOX HELPER PRINTABLE!

Lunch box helper printable

Food choices are separated (roughly) by food groups, and my children are able to make smart choices for themselves (eg: see that fruits and vegetables should be a part of every meal!). It’s also come in very handy for grocery prep. My children can add their own ideas to the sheet and mark off what they’d like to pack for lunches and snacks, and we can know in advance what we need to have in our pantry!

3 Ways to Take the Hassle our of School Lunches

2. Organize ingredients in a place they can pack for themselves!

Lunchbox Helper lets your children see and select what they want to eat, but let’s take it to the next level and have them pack their own meals. In our home, we have all the good stuff on the lower shelves where small hands can reach exactly what they need. In the pantry and in the refrigerator, all the fruits, veggies, grains and goodies are at child height.

I love how Amy organized her space so that an entire lunch can be gathered up from the space of a few drawers. No confusion means less work and less hassle for everyone!

School Lunch Ideas

3. No matter how the food tastes, send them off with your love notes.

When my oldest started in full-day Kindergarten, I sent her off with a note in her lunchbox. As she mentioned that she sometimes didn’t know what to talk about at the lunch table, I started adding a joke to those notes. Over the years, these evolved into illustrated notes with the drawing sometimes being much funnier than the corny joke!

Through a wonderful partnership with The Land of Nod, my illustrated jokes are now reaching hundreds of lunchboxes! Just a few months ago, my Lunchtime LOL Notes went on sale as a full pack of 180 jokes for every day of the school year. It’s been such a treat to hear how parents and children alike are enjoying these notes and turning any menu into a time for giggles.

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I’d love to hear your ideas! What works for packing lunches in your family? Any great foods to suggest?

XOXO, MJ

The MomAdvice Make Ahead (Week 2)

Monday, September 21st, 2015

The MomAdvice Make Ahead Meal Ideas

The first week of my make-ahead feasting went so well that we didn’t even eat out once last week despite a grueling activity schedule! I will be sharing make-ahead tutorials as I have lots of techniques to share with you about how we are accomplishing our make-ahead feasts! Today you can catch my tips for hard boiled eggs in the oven!

Since we have another crazy week (who doesn’t it?), I wanted to share what is in our fridge this week.  I hope this can help inspire you for making ahead a few dishes for your week too.

The MomAdvice Make-Ahead

Fresh Berries (Strawberries & Blueberries)

Chopped Broccoli (to be made into this easy Microwave Lemon Broccoli  for a side)

2 Pounds Taco Meat

4 Cups Brown Rice (for taco bowls)

Chopped Lettuce (for tacos/taco bowls)

2 Italian Meatloaves (Prepared minus the breadcrumbs to make it gluten free. I popped one in the freezer for another week!)

Gluten-Free Orange Chicken (I cooked the chicken and have the sauce set aside in a separate container for warming)

3 pounds Roasted Chicken, sliced (for wraps & salads this week)

2 dozen Hard-Boiled Eggs Prepared in the Oven

Chopped Carrots & Celery (I store these in water)

Green Smoothie Packets (I use this recipe and froze the strawberries, bananas, and spinach in packets for the morning)

The MomAdvice Make Ahead Meal Ideas

No more cooking for this girl ALL WEEK- YAY!! Happy Monday, friends!! xo