Thanksgiving Holiday or Black Friday Holiday?

It seems the Black Friday madness creeps up earlier and earlier every year. Just a few years ago people would get to stores around 10 pm Thanksgiving night to camp out for the 5 am or 6 am sales. Then people started getting to the stores before Thanksgiving dinner was even over. Now stores are having Thanksgiving day sales! Now I'm all for a good deal, but I really hate the shopping holiday has taken over the family holiday. I feel bad for the people who have to work those sales and miss out on time with their family. I realize I am a bit of a hypocrite because those Thanksgiving day sales are tempting even to me. In a time when money is tight for most people the lure of such low prices is hard to pass up. I feel conflicted over this topic. I really think Thanksgiving day should be spent with family and friends and shopping should not be a priority. On the other hand, a lot of people celebrate on different days and different times so what's wrong with a little shopping before or after family turkey time. Plus, to some shopping with family and friends has become a much loved tradition.

We spend Thanksgiving morning watching the parade then have multiple Thanksgiving dinners with family. We are truly blessed.

This was Bel watching her first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade last year and posing with mommy & daddy.

But those darn Thanksgiving day sales were to good to pass up so I called in a huge favor to ask for some shopping help. It turns out that I am not immune to the shiny pull of Thanksgiving deals either.

What's your take on Black Friday (and Thursday)? Are you one to plan a strategy of attack and hit all the best sales or do you just ignore it all together?

Either way I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving spent with those you love and wish you luck in the shopping craziness if you venture out.

I will not be posting Thursday or Friday this week so I can focus on some family time. I hope to be back on my regular Monday-Friday schedule on Monday.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Dairy Free Soy Free Mixed Nut Turtle Pie

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.

Sorry I've missed a few post days. As most parents know babies don't always follow your schedule or do what you want them to.The past few days have been challenging in my household.

My parents Thanksgiving was Saturday, so I made a pie to take. I've never tried this recipe before, but it was really good. Just because you're dairy soy free does not mean you have to skip all the wonderful pies on Thanksgiving, you just have to be careful of your ingredients. And if this pie is not your taste here is a link to my Apple Pie recipe Dairy Free Soy Free Ugly Apple Pie

I made the two pie crust recipe even though this is a one crust pie. This way I would have extra in case I messed up. You can cut crust recipe in half if you are more confident in your crust making abilities.

Dairy Free Soy Free Pie Crust

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons shortening (I use Spectrum All Vegetable Shortening)
4 to 6 tablespoons cold water
1 Egg (just the egg whites)

Directions:

Mix flour and salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until particles are size of small peas.

Sprinkle with cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with fork until all flour is moistened and pastry almost leaves side of bowl (1 to 2 teaspoons more water can be added if necessary).

Gather pastry into 2 separate balls. Shape into flattened round on lightly floured surface. Wrap flattened rounds of pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 45 minutes or until dough is firm and cold, yet pliable. This allows the shortening to become slightly firm, which helps make the baked pastry more flaky. If refrigerated longer, let pastry soften slightly before rolling.

Roll one pastry, using floured rolling pin, into circle 2 inches larger than upside-down 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold pastry into fourths; place in pie plate. Unfold and ease into plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side. Shape pie crust edges with your fingers or with a fork. Brush bottom crust with egg whites. *If you need the extra dough use it, if not you can freeze for later use. You also could cut out leaf shapes for decorations on top of pie. If you do this take pie out halfway through baking and brush sides of crust with egg whites, it acts as a kind of glue for the shapes. Then place leaf shapes on pie, brush with egg whites, and finish baking.

Mixed Nut Turtle Pie

Ingredients:

2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup pure maple syrup
6 tablespoons coconut oil
4 eggs
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups salted roasted nuts, coarsely chopped
2 ounces chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life Brand)
1 deep-dish pie shell (9-inch)

Directions:

Nuts:

If your nuts need roasted heat the oven to 350 degrees and roast nuts in single layer on a cookie sheet or cake pan. Roast for 5 minutes take out and shake to mix. Put back in oven for 3-6 minutes until they smell nutty. Then chop to smaller pieces (make sure you chop after roasting or the pieces might burn).

Pie:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

In a small saucepan, bring the sugar, maple syrup and coconut oil to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat; let cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt. Stir in the cooled syrup mixture, then the nuts.

Place the pie shell on a baking sheet and pour in the filling. Bake for 10 minutes. reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees and bake until the crust is golden-brown and the filling is set, about 50 minutes.Let cool on a rack.

In a small microwavable bowl, melt the chocolate chips at medium power (50%) for 30 seconds. stir, then continue microwaving in 10-second intervals, stirring in between, until chocolate is smooth. Dip the tines of a fork into the melted chocolate and drizzle over the pie. let stand until the chocolate sets, about 20 minutes.

I would do two things different next time. First, I would only use 1 1/4 cups of nuts instead of two cups. Second, I would add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the pie filling (I needed more chocolate).

Original Recipe: Mixed Nut Turtle Pie

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Toys Toys Everywhere

As a (fairly) new parent I am overwhelmed with the urge to buy my child the newest and best toys. I never thought I would be that kind of parent, the keeping up with the Jones's parent. Yet here I am wanting Bel to have the best of everything, all the toys she can handle. I know it's not the best thing for her, so I try not to go overboard. Even though she has tons of toys she seems to enjoy playing with everyday things the best. So the urge to buy her everything is all on me! She would rather spend time with me playing with bowls, toilet paper, rocks, or bottles.

As the Christmas present craziness sets in I'm going to try and remember my time and attention is what will make her happiest, and that it won't always be that way. I'm going to enjoy every second of my baby being a baby this Christmas.

Do find yourself getting sucked into the toy hype of the season?

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

What's For Dinner: Dairy Free Soy Free Sweet BBQ Salmon, Fried Potatoes, Zucchinin, and Squash

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 had some homemade sweet BBQ sauce leftover from making wings a few days ago. So I thought it might make a good glaze for salmon.

Ingredients:

Salmon
Potatoes
Kosher Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Coconut Oil
Zucchini
Squash
Season All
Olive Oil
Leftover Sweet BBQ Sauce (if you need to make some here are the directions):

For The Sweet Sauce:
1 Cup Ketchup (I use Hunts Natural)
2 - 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce (I use Bi-Lo Brand)
1 Cup Brown Sugar

Mix together all ingredients in bowl, set to the side.

Directions:

For The Potatoes:

In a medium pot of boiling, salted water, parboil the potatoes for 5 minutes; drain.

In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, melt the coconut oil with 1 tablespoon EVOO. Add the potatoes; season with salt, coarse black pepper and paprika. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 10-15 minutes.

For The Salmon:

Take your fresh or thawed salmon and put in a baking dish, cover bottom of baking dish in olive oil. Cover salmon in sweet bbq sauce. Then bake at 425 for 20 minutes.

For The Zucchini & Squash:

Wash & chop yellow squash & zucchini. Then saute them in some olive oil & season all. Cook for about 10 minutes over medium heat.

*If you use a glass baking dish read all care instructions, and never broil food in them or place on cold surface out of hot oven.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

What's For Dinner: Dairy Free Soy Free Penne Pasta & Vegetables In Red Sauce

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.

We are trying to eat at least one meal a week meatless. This week's meatless meal was penne pasta with zucchini, yellow squash, & onions tossed with spaghetti sauce.

Ingredients:

Penne Pasta
Spaghetti Sauce (I Use Prego 100% Natural, check your sauce for dairy & soy)
Zucchini
Yellow Squash
Onions

Directions:

Cook pasta according to box. Drain a few minutes before cooked. Cut up zucchini, yellow squash, and onions. Heat sauce in pot. Add pasta & vegetables into sauce. Heat on simmer for 5 minutes or until hot. Serve and enjoy.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Dairy Free Soy Free Boneless Spicy BBQ Wings & Boneless Sweet BBQ Wings

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.

If you love wings here are two easy & delicious dairy soy free recipes, one spicy & one sweet.

Sauces:

For The Spicy Sauce:
1 Cup Ketchup (I use Hunts Natural)
2 - 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce (I use Bi-Lo Brand)
2 Tablespoons Hot Sauce (I would start with 1 Tablespoon, taste then add from there to your taste)

Mix together all ingredients in bowl large enough to dip chicken in, set to the side.

For The Sweet Sauce:
1 Cup Ketchup (I use Hunts Natural)
2 - 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce (I use Bi-Lo Brand)
1 Cup Brown Sugar

Mix together all ingredients in bowl large enough to dip chicken in, set to the side.


For the Fried Chicken:

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
2 teaspoons granulated onion
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 eggs
Frying oil, such as canola, corn, or peanut (again check for soy)
3 8-ounce pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into wing sized bits

*Confession: I don't actually measure out the spices for the flour mixture, I just eye them. Once you've made the recipe you can play around with the spices depending on your family's tastes.

For chicken, place flour in a shallow dish and add dried spices, pepper and salt. Whisk to combine. Wisk eggs in a separate dish. Coat chicken all over in flour mixture. Then coat in whisked eggs. Then again coat in flour mixture.

*Tip: If you only have a few chicken pieces left but your egg mixture us running low you can extend it with a little water.

Heat about 1 inch of oil in an electric skillet or 3 ibches of oil in acounter top fryer to 360-365°F degrees.

Tip: If you are interested in buying an electric skillet make sure to get a submersible one (you will thank yourself when you go to clean). Also get yourself a good pair of tongs. They don't have to be expensive, just some you find comfortable.

Fry chicken in batches until golden and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes, turning once. Let cool on wire rack inserted into baking sheet.

When cool enough to handle toss chicken in sauces (leaving a little sauce on the side for basting). *Kid Note: I like to save a few without the sauce for Annabel to eat (chicken nugget style).

Spread wings on an aluminum (non stick) foil covered baking sheet.

Cook in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Take out coat tops of chicken with remaining sauce. Put back in oven for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, broil on high 3 to 5 minutes. Watch them carefully they can burn quickly.

*The differences in color are the different sauces. The spicy sauce coated much thicker and is lighter in color than the sweet sauce.

Let cool till you can handle. Enjoy!

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

Leftover Makeover: Dairy Free Soy Free Burritos - Out Of Leftovers!

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 the holiday season and most people are short on time and money. So using your leftovers in a new way will save you both. This post takes two of the dinners I've made this week and turns them into burritos.

What you will need: leftovers, taco sauce (I use Ortega), tortillas (I use OLE Xtreme Wellness), then any toppings (as long as they are dairy soy free). I used spinach, tomatoes, and onions.

Then just assemble ingredients and heat. You can serve with chips and salsa if you want (I use Tostitos Scoops & Tostitos Salsa).

Here are the links to both the beef and chicken leftovers I used.

Dairy Free Soy Free Stuffed Bell Peppers

Dairy Free Soy Free Chicken Carrot Pilaf

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

What's For Dinner: Dairy Free Soy Free Chicken Carrot Pilaf

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 recipe I got out of my Simple & Delicious Taste Of Home Cookbook (page 38).

Chicken Carrot Pilaf

Ingredients:

*I decided at the last minute to switch the zucchini & squash I laid out for broccoli. So the broccoli is not pictured.

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 cup uncooked rice (I used Uncle Ben's Brown)
1 cup cut carrots (I used frozen)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup broccoli (I used frozen)
1/2 cup chopped bell peppers
3 cups chicken broth (I used Progresso, check yours for soy)

Directions:

In a large skillet, brown chicken in coconut oil until no longer pink. Remove and keep warm. In the same skillet add the rice and brown for a few minutes. Then add the carrots, onion, broccoli, and bell peppers. Cook and stir until rice is browned and onion is tender.

Stir in broth. Place chicken over rice mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until rice is tender. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

I ended up changing a lot from the original recipe. Here is the original if you want to compare: Chicken Carrot Pilaf

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom

What's For Lunch: Dairy Free Soy Free Roast Beef Bagel

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 do not eat much deli meat,  but sometimes a sandwich just sounds good. Since dairy soy free bread can be hard to find I used an Udis Bagel (they are dairy soy free and found in the allergy free frozen foods section). I heated the Udis Bagel for 25 seconds then added mustard, spinach, tomatoes, onions, and Oscar Myer Deli Fresh Roast Beef. I put Fritos BBQ Twists on the side. This fast easy lunch that really hit the spot.

*Make sure to check all your ingredients for dairy & soy.

You can also find me on Pintrest @DairySoyFreeMom