Dairy Soy Free Grab-and-Go Breakfast Bars

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

I saw this recipe on a health network in a doctor's office when I took Bel in for an ear infection. It looked easy, and there are not a lot of pre-packaged breakfast bars you can eat with dairy soy allergies, so I thought I would try them.

Makes 16 Small Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup Quick Oats
1 cup Shredded Wheat (I used Cinnamon Roll Minnie Wheats)
1 cup walnuts (or any nuts you like or no nuts)
1 1/2 cups dried fruit (I used a combination of dried apricots, dried apples, and dried plums)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs (I used 3 smaller eggs)
1/3 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips because they are dairy soy free)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly oil or coat an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. *Check your cooking spray for soy. I use Pam for Grilling.
*My bars came out a little thick for my taste so I will use a larger pan next time to make more bars that are thinner.

2. Place the oats, shredded wheat, walnuts, dried fruit, cinnamon, and salt in a food processor (I use a Ninja and it works great as a food processor) and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped (the dried fruit will be the size of a dried pea or lentil).

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, honey, and vanilla. Add the oatmeal mixture and chocolate chips and stir to combine.

4. Transfer to the baking pan and flatten down gently with the back of a spoon or spatula to spread evenly.

5. Bake about 18 minutes until the edges turn golden brown and the bars are done. Let bars cool completely in pan before slicing and serving.

TIP: These bars freeze really well. So, if you have leftovers, wrap individual portions in plastic baggies or aluminum foil and freeze.

These turned out really good, much better than pre-packaged. I will be making them again.

Here is the original recipe: Grab & Go Breakfast Bars

*Note: Be careful when cooking with glass. Read your care instructions or look them up online. Do not set hot glass on a cold surface, use a pot holder or something to sit glass on out of the oven. Do not broil food in glass.

UPDATE 10/05/2013: I used a 7X11 baking dish and found it worked better for my taste.

You can also fin. me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

What's For Dinner: Dairy Soy Free Chipotle Pepper Chicken, Quinoa, Peas, & Salad

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

This is a delicious, easy, fast dinner that is dairy soy free. All you need is around a pound or pound & half of chicken (I like boneless skinless strips or breast), a packet of McCormicks Grill Mates Chipotle Pepper Marinade, 1/4 Cup Water, 1/4 Cup Oil (I use Olive Oil for marinades), 1 Cup Quinoa, Peas, and if you want a side salad whatever veggies & dressing you like (make sure to check dressing for soy, I used Hidden Valley Farmhouse Originals Italian).

Marinade the chicken for about 30 minutes, then cook on medium high heat in a pan for around 10-12 minutes each side (check to see if it's cooked all the way through).

Variations: You can also bake or grill the chicken and/or use pork if you want.

Cook quinoa according to package. If you have never tried quinoa, it is very good and has a lot of protein. It makes a great substitute for rice. You can find it in the rice isle at the grocery store.

Then I just steam the peas and put together the salad.

There you go an easy delicious dinner with no dairy no soy.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Hit or Miss: Shopping With Baby

Shopping with your baby can be hit or miss experience. I think even parents with the best behaved babies experience a little uneasiness when going out with their baby. You get in the car and send up a silent (or in my case a not so silent) prayer. "Please Lord just let me get blah blah blah and get home before a melt down." Even though I know most parents understand and sympathise with me, it still terrifies me to go out not knowing what mood Bel will be in.

I see parents out all the time with their happy well behaved babies, and I think that's so not my baby. For the first 4 months of Bel's life I never left the house because it was just too difficult. Around 6 months it started to get a little easier we could do fast trips to get groceries or the pharmacy. Now at 15 months we can do a few hours shopping without too much drama, most the time.

Monday was not one of those days. We left the house to do a Target & Bi-Lo run. Not a bad trip normally a few hours. She sits in the buggy, I talk to her, if it gets bad she plays with my phone. Well Monday turned into screaming fits to get out of the buggy, wanting to be carried, then wanting down (which anyone with a 15 month old knows you don't do in a grocery store unless you want to stop shopping and pick up everything off the shelfs that will now be on the floor). Not even the trusty phone with games or YouTube Baby Einstein worked! So there I am carrying a 25lb baby who is squirming to get down (getting stronger by the second might I add) and trying to read labels (dairy soy free here), check my list, put things in my cart, and not annoy everyone in the store. Lets just say when we got home I was exhausted!

Just when I get comfortable being out shopping with baby BOOM I get reminded I am not truly in charge yet. Funny thing about becoming a parent you think finally I'm in charge, but when they are babies they rule you and when they get older it stinks being the bad guy. Don't let the happy baby pictures fool you behind that beautiful face is a ticking time bomb just waiting till I have a cart half full of merchandise. Don't get me wrong, Bel is not a bad baby she just likes to explore and wants to get down and touch everything. But it is getting better, and 90% of the under two hour trips are even fun now.

What are some of your shopping experiences with your kids?

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

What's For Dinner: Dairy Soy Free Crockpot Roast

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

I don't know what it is about fall, but it makes people want to break out their crockpots. I guess with the days getting shorter & cooler the idea of an easy meal you toss in the slow cooker in the morning being hot, hearty, & ready for you when you get home from work is great. Or if you stay at home the smell of a great roast cooking all day is wonderful.

I thought I would share a dairy soy free roast recipe I found. Making roast with a marinade can be hard since most use brown gravey and gravy will have dairy and if you buy the packets soy too. This recipe is great as long as you find soy free Worcestershire Sauce (there are ones out there but you have to hunt for them, I use Bi-Lo brand Southern Homes). You can also make this recipe your own adding whatever vegetables and meat your family likes. I left out potatoes because I did not have any but most people like potatoes with their roast so add them in if you want them (just chop into cubes and toss them in when you do the carrots and onions).

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon cornstarch

8 medium carrots, cut into thirds (I used a bag of baby carrots)

2 medium onions, each cut into 8 wedges (I ended up only using 1 larger onion)

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 beef chuck roast (3 pounds), trimmed of excess fat

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (be careful most Worcestershire sauce has soy in it, the Bi-Lo Southern Homes brand does not, read your labels)

Directions:

Step 1

In slow cooker, stir together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth (or you can use beef broth instead of water, I used water). Add carrots and onions; season with salt and pepper, and toss.

Step 2

Sprinkle roast with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; place on top of vegetables, and drizzle (or drench if you're like me and love Worcestershire sauce) with Worcestershire. Cover; cook on high, 6 hours (or on low, 10 hours).

Step 3

Transfer roast to a cutting board (let rest); thinly slice against the grain (or if it's like mine it will just fall apart). Place vegetables in a serving dish; pour pan juices through a fine-mesh sieve, if desired. Serve roast with vegetables and pan juices.

Original Recipe: Martha Stewart Slow Cooker Roast

I also steamed some green beans to serve on the side.

What's your favorite crockpot recipe?

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Dairy Soy Free Sugar and Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

With fall on it's way everyone likes their house to smell like baking cookies. Sugar cookies are great because you can use cookie cutters to make them into the holiday shapes or you can use frosting, sprinkles, and decorative sugars. The kids can help make and decorate so it's great family time. Just because you're dairy soy free does not mean you have to miss out. These are yummy dairy soy free sugar cookies that will have your house smelling like the holidays. Even if you're not dairy soy free you should give these simple cookies a try. Just keep the kids (and adults) from licking the spoon since there are raw eggs in the batter.

Dairy Soy Free Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

2 large eggs
2/3 cup oil (100% Corn or Canola)
2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup white sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
(Extra Sugar & Some Cinnamon to Roll Cookies In)

Directions:

Beat together eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar.

Mix flour, baking powder, & salt in separate bowl. Mix well.

Then combine all ingredients.

I roll mine into balls and coated half of the batch in sugar and the other half in a sugar & cinnamon mixture.

Tip 1: I let my dough set about 20 minutes in the refrigerator to firm up a bit (also put the dough back in the fridge between batches).

Tip 2: It helps if you wet your fingers a bit when rolling the dough into balls and in the sugar (keeps the dough from sticking to your hands).

Drop heaping spoonfuls about 3" apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 6-10 minutes until lightly golden (mine took 10 minutes).

Yields 24 Cookies

If you want to check out the original recipe here is the link: Grandmas Soft Sugar Cookies

As you can see from the pictures, cookie uniformity is not a priority at our house. I like all different shapes and sizes, they feel more homemade to me. But if you are taking cookies to a get together you can use a cookie scoop or small ice cream scoop to get perfect sized cookies every time.

What cookie is a holiday must have in your house?

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

What's For Dinner: Dairy Soy Free Cornmeal Swai, Broccoli, & Brown Sugar Carrots

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

This is a fast simple dairy soy free dinner. All you will need is white fish (I use Swai because it's cheap, big pieces, and very good), cornmeal, broccoli, carrots (sugar & brown sugar), & cooking oil (100% corn or canola). I use frozen fish & vegetables because it's easier. I always have it on hand for a quick meal and less salt in the vegetables than canned.

All you have to do is pour about 1/8 inch oil into pan, coat thawed fish in cornmeal, fry on each side about 3 minutes on medium high heat.

The vegetables are easy. I steam the broccoli then sprinkle with sea salt. The carrots were steamed and coated before & after steaming with sugar and brown sugar.

That's it! Fast, easy, healthy, & dairy soy free. Eating dairy soy free does not have to be hard or take hours to make a meal. If anyone has any meal ideas or questions please leave me a comment.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Being Supermom

Every parent goes into parenthood with an idea of how it's going to be. You have set ideas on bed times, nutrition, learning, play time, rules, & boundaries. Then that little bundle of joy arives and turns your world upside down. I would say 90% of the ideas I had of what kind of parent I would be have gone out the window since Annabel was born. Things I said I would never do (eat sugary cereals, co-sleep, watch tv) happen on almost a daily basis, and things I said I would do (read to her everyday, play outside as much as possible, get her use to travel) are harder than expected. I go to read to her and all she wants to do is flip the pages and run around. I look back at myself telling other parents my ideas for life when I was pregnant, and I now understand why they were laughing at me. I get that parents I judged in public before were probably doing their best and now have my sympathy.

You spend a lot of time in the unknown feeling defeated. Then all of a sudden you realize your doing a pretty good job, you have some parenting victories. You get your baby to eat something healthy they were refusing,  they recognize a color you ask them to point out, they go to sleep on time the way you want, they behave in a store. All of a sudden your supermom or superdad. You think hey I got this parenting thing down. Then your baby gets sick and your world tumbles down.

Our ideas on parenthood cannot prepare us for the reality, especially when your baby gets sick. All of a sudden you feel helpless. You wonder do I take them to the doctor or wait and see? Do I give them medicine or will the medicine cause more problems than the illness? Is that rash from the medicine or something else? Now you don't feel like supermom or superdad at all, you feel scared & helpless. This tiny person is looking to you to fix it, to them you are a superhero. The scariest part of being a parent is not knowing the answer all the time and having to rely on your gut, but can you trust your gut? We are very blessed Annabel has only had the normal illnesses (cold, ear infection, etc) but even those feel like the end of the world while your going through them. My heart goes out to parents who have really sick babies, I don't know how they handle it.

What I've learned in my first year as a mom is not to judge, to be flexible, and to trust your instincts. You dont have to be supermom, just mom or dad is still the best job in the world. You don't have to get up every morning and put on a cape & boots to be the best for your baby, you are already their hero. Most importantly I'm going to try and cut myself some slack (at least until the next emergency).

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Dairy Soy & Gluten Free Prenatal Vitamins

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

When you are eating dairy soy free it can be hard if not impossible to find dairy soy free vitamins. Soy is a cheap readily available form of Vitamin E so it's in most multi-vitamins. And even if you do find dairy soy free vitamins, they are crazy expensive and special order.

But it seems as though dairy, soy, & gluten free are becoming more mainstream because a friend of mine found dairy, soy, & gluten free prenatal vitamins at Target! Not only were these wonderful prenatal vitamins at Target but they were affordable, just $9.99 for 50 pills (you only take 1 pill a day). I am so excited about this. I loved the way my hair, skin, and nails looked while I was on prenatal vitamins, and I had planned to continue taking them (I took them a year before getting pregnant). I had to stop taking them when my daughter was 6 weeks old because of her dairy soy intolerance. I cannot wait to go buy these and try them out.

I hope this signifies a movement towards more medications & foods having a dairy, soy, & gluten free option. This brand was found at Target but might be at other stores also, it's called Rainbow Light: Food Based Prenatal One Advance Multivitamin.

*Please check with your doctor to make sure these cover all your vitamin needs, especially if you are pregnant.

If you have found some dairy soy free vitamins or medications please let me know about them in the comment section.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

What's For Dinner: Batter Dipped Fish or Chicken

UPDATE: Please make sure to double check ingredients each time you buy. I hope I never overlook anything but it’s possible and ingredients can change. A lot of my posts are over two years old and since I have gone back dairy soy free I have discovered a few items I use to buy all the time that now have soy in them.

This is a quick easy dairy soy free dinner. If you have ever had Long John Silver's batter fish or chicken this is very similar (but a little healthier).

What you will need: Electric Skillet, Deep Fryer, or Deep Skillet. A baking sheet with a cookie rack placed in it (to set your fish or chicken on while it cools), I also place paper towels under the baking sheet so they catch the oil. And a good pair of tongs.



Ingredients:

Cooking Oil (I use peanut, 100% Corn, or 100% Canola)

1 Box Golden Dip Fish & Chips Batter (found in the Gluten Free section, if you use other batter check for dairy and soy)

1 1/2 Pounds Bonless Skinless Chicken or White Fish (Cod is the best with this recipe, also I cut mine into strips and smaller pieces)

Directions:

Pour cooking oil in skillet, pan, or deep fryer. In skillet or pan pour about 1/2 inch deep, in deep fryer pour about 3 inches deep. Heat oil to around 350 to 375 degrees.

To mix the batter you just follow the directions on the Fish and Chips Batter box (mix batter with water).

Then, dip the chicken or fish into the batter. I like mine extra crispy, so I dip my chicken or fish in the dry batter first, then coat in the wet batter. *Note: For chicken I cook first In a pan for 3 minutes on each side. This helps make sure your chicken is cooked all the way through.

Next, place the chicken or fish into the hot oil. Cook chicken 5 minutes each side or fish around 4 minutes each side (turn when the batter gets golden brown).

When done place chicken or fish on baking sheet to drain and cool.



That's all there is to it. Then you have take out worthy batter dipped chicken or fish at home. I would serve with ketchup or homemade tartar sauce (some people like malt vinegar with their fish). We like sweetpotato fries for a side (Alexia makes some great fries). Hushpuppies also go great with this dinner (especially with fish). I tried some dairy soy free hushpuppies out of a bag mix but was not impressed, so next time I make batter fish I will try making my own from scratch.

I made the chicken this time because I was out of cod, but I included a picture of the finished fish from a previous time I made them. *The smaller pieces beside the fish are just fried batter (like the crunchies you get with your meals at Long John's, only mine are bigger). This way you don't waste any batter left in the bowl after coating the chicken or fish.



*Cooking times can vary, please check to make sure yours is done.

In my opinion the fish is best, but the chicken was also good.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom