Sunday, March 16, 2014

Taco soup



Hi all,

It's a cold and windy day today. I woke up this morning wanting to make soup. I went through the pantry, produce, and freezer and decided to make taco soup.

Yesterday I picked up a basket of produce from bountiful baskets and am looking forward to making use of all the produce! 



To make taco soup I would usually use a can of Rotel tomatoes, however I read that it "may contain milk" on the can, who knew?!  Today I will be using fresh tomatoes and green chilies! This should make my soup taste a lot fresher and it will definetly have less sodium using fresh vs. canned!

Here is the green pepper incase you are unsure at the store:



Here is what I use in mine:

1lb hamburger meat
1 small onion
1 tomato
1 green chili pepper
1 can of sweet corn
1 can of red beans
Garlic powder
Cummin
Chili powder
Onion powder 
Salt
Adobo chili powder(optional)
Red crushed pepper
( to save time, you can use a package of taco seasoning, I just choose to make my own) 

First I brown my meat and remove from pan. I then sauté my onion and diced green chili pepper. ( I sauté in olive oil because I need to cook dairy free) I cook all together for 2-3 minutes or until the onion starts to carmalize. 



Next I add the meat, 1/2 cup of water, diced tomato and seasonings. I typically start with about 1tbs each seasoning except the red pepper. I simmer these together for 5minutes.



Then I add the corn in its liquid and the beans in its liquid to the pan. I then add an additional 2 cans of water to the pot.  I buy salt free veggies but the beans will be salted. If you need a low sodium meal, rince and drain your corn and beans. 



I always simmer mine on low for at least an hour or sometimes all day in the crockpot on low while I am at work. 

The longer it cooks, the more flavor it is going to have. Continue to add seasoning to taste. 

It is finished!



If you want to top it off, I use cheese and sour cream. You can also use raw onion, jalepeno, cilantro etc.

****Now for those of you who are not on a dairy free diet- I used to add 4oz sour cream and 8oz of velveta to my taco soup :)  it makes it a lot creamier. We just add it on top now to keep it allergy free for our little one.   ( the photo above Is a pic of the soup once we added sour cream and velveta, little bit was not feeling well and couldn't eat soup tonight)

Enjoy!!

Beth

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Bountiful Baskets



Hi!

We decided to try out Bountiful Baskets this weekend. I was looking for a food co-op when a friend told me about this one. I was impressed! It is $15 for each basket.  With the little ones allergies, we have been buying a lot more fruits And veggies, which sure adds up! I haven't decided if we will purchase one a week or one every other week, there was a lot there though. Here is the pic of what we got today:


This is how I chose to store the fruits and veggies that do not need refrigeration. This way I will see them and be reminded to eat them!




Here is the link: 

http://bountifulbaskets.org 

If you are part of a co-op or group that you enjoy let me know!! I'm looking for one that does fresh meat! 

I am also going to start posting recipes from the produce I recieve from BB :)

Have a great day!

Beth

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Dye free diet

Good morning,

So our little one cannot have any red dye or yellow dye in her diet. ( or milk but that's a whole different story! Lol) Let me tell you- it is in everything! We have to read the backs of everything before we can purchase it. It Is in juice, fruit snacks, packaged meal starters, frozen dinners, sweets, candy, jelly/jam, soups, seasonings...etc.

Here is what you are looking for to avoid:



It is also in children's medicine to help flavor it. Here is what to look for:



I have done a lot of research on it and a lot of doctors say that it is a lot healthier for you and your children if you eliminate dyes regardless if you have an allergy or intolerance to it.
 
We now eat a lot of whole foods- meat fresh veggies and fresh fruit.

The hardest thing we have encountered are the sweets! It is in most store bought cookies, icing, snacks..etc.

We have to bring snacks with us to birthday parties because there is almost always coloring in the cake. Even chocolate cake with chocolate icing! Makes no sence to me either! 

We have found several snacks that she enjoys that do not contain dye:









I am on the hunt for a good vegan cookbook or organic cookbook. From what I have read, neither should use any dye! 

Candy is also our HUGE hurtle. She is little so everyone gives her candy! It's hard to take it from her because we know she cannot eat it. I have recently found a online candy store that sells dye free candy that I will order from at Easter! 

https://www.naturalcandystore.com



Once I order from them, I'll be sure to post our experience with it! 

If you have a child/family member with allergies to dyes or simply choose not to eat them, please share your secrets! :)

Beth 





Friday, March 7, 2014

Bible Class: Creation Visual Aids

Hi,

I am still at it! Making more visual aids for Bible class!  

With the toddlers we cover creation a lot because you can really learn so much from it!  Here are the 7 days that I created:

Day 1: light,darkness 


Day 2: God separated the waters from the sky; God separated land and sea


Day 3: grass, plants, flowers, trees


Day 4: sun, moon, stars


Day 5: birds and fish


Day 6: animals and man


Day 7: God Rested

Bible Class: Creation Globe

Hi!

I have been working on visual aids for the creation story for our bible class. I teach the toddlers, so the brighter the better :)

I went to Mardel and to Hobby Lobby looking for material.

I ended up finding a poster of the Earth and loved it! I wish I thought to take a pic before I decorated it!

It has two sides which worked great!

I purchased all my stickers at Hobby Lobby (which were all 50% off today!)

The first side I focused on day 1-day 5.

Day 1: Light and Dark
Day 2: divided water and sky; parted water to make land and sea
Day 3: grass, plants, flowers, trees
Day 4: sun, moon, stars
Day 5: birds, fish




 

The other side I did day 6.

Day 6: animals, man




Oh, and several of the stickers are 3-D which the little ones will love to feel!

Hope you enjoyed! If you decide to make one, I would love to see it!

Beth