{Baked} Gluten Free Macaroni Monster Eyes #HorizonTreats #Ad

Gluten Free Macaroni Monster Eyes: An Easy to Make & Fun Treat for Kids for Halloween This post is sponsored by #HorizonOrganic. All opinions are my own. Read the full disclosure here.
One of the reasons I love Halloween so much is getting to create fun and ghoulish treats! 
The main goal of my posts has always been to focus on the can-haves instead of the cannots, by creating smiles and fun with food. It's something I've done for my own Little Miss since she was first diagnosed with food allergies and later a gluten intolerance.
Being a typical child, one of her favorite foods is macaroni and cheese. So, I wanted to create a fun bite sized treat that I could pack her for lunch or even serve up at a Halloween party as a delicious bite. 
These Baked Gluten Free Macaroni Monster Eyes are easy to make and your kiddos will smile and laugh as they pick them up to eat! All you need is one box of Horizon Organic Gluten Free White Cheddar Cheesy Mac, shredded cheese, and sliced olives. 

Terra's Kitchen: Dinner Delivered! #ARecipeforRealLife #ad

Terra's Kitchen: Dinner Delivered! Meal Delivery Service offering Gluten Free, Paleo, & Vegetarian Options. This post is sponsored by Terra's Kitchen. Read my full disclosure statement here. 
To my surprise, Terra's Kitchen Meal-Kit Service has a great selection of Gluten Free, Paleo (grain free, legume free, dairy free, starch free), and/or Vegetarian options. It also gives you a quick glance of what allergen each recipe contains. This mom loves that! It also utilizes organic and non-GMO ingredients, when possible.
What exactly is a Meal-Kit Service? It's Dinner Delivered! You choose the recipes you want, they do the chopping/ prepping, and it's delivered right to your doorstep in a climate-controlled vessel! Then, you get to enjoy a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less. 

Homemade {Baked} Popcorn Shrimp Recipe

A while back I shared my yummy gluten free, dairy free, nut free {Baked} Popcorn Shrimp recipe on our Snapchat page. 
Thankfully, I was able to capture the video onto my YouTube channel so I could share it with those of you currently not on Snapchat. (Which you should be, by the way. So fun and so addictive!) 

Mini GF Baked Meatball Subs #UdisGlutenFree

My daughter loves when I make homemade meatballs. We eat them for supper with gluten free spaghetti and then pack the leftovers for lunches with marinara for dipping.
It had been a while since I've made Meatball Subs at home but was inspired to make a cute mini version when I purchased my last package of Udi's Gluten Free French Dinner Rolls! The rolls are not only gluten free but dairy, soy, and nut free too.
These Mini GF Baked Meatball Subs are perfect for parties, dinner, or packed for work and school lunch: 

{Gluten Free} Breakfast Pizza with #UdisGlutenFree #Recipe

Since my daughter had to give up gluten over three years ago, our breakfast options have changed dramatically.
Gone are some of her old cereal favorites. No more of those warm cinnamon rolls that come from a tube. Said goodbye to store bought donuts and muffins too. 
We make a lot of homemade gluten free & allergy friendly muffins, pancakes, and oatmeal now. And that's okay!
I'm thankful on mornings we're in a rush and need a "quick fix", however, for items from Udi's Gluten Free! Items like their Mighty Bagels, Cinnamon Rolls, and their new Breakfast Burritos.
Still, my Little Miss loves having a hand in making foods with me and Gluten Free Breakfast Pizza is one way we can keep things simple and fun - even in the mornings!

Lunch Made Easy: GF Hawaiian Pizza Quesadilla #Udisglutenfree #Recipe

My mother has never been a big fan of pizza. 
As a child, you could eat it every day. Who am I kidding, as an adult I could too. So, whenever we craved it she would most often opt for something else. There was one flavor, however, that she would make an exception for: Hawaiian Pizza.
In our family of five, I was the only other one who would eat it with her. I obsessed over loved pineapple growing up, so the idea of it being on a pizza I found both odd and delicious.
Fast forward to my adulthood, Hawaiian Pizza is something I don't have often. I can't say it is something the fella would ever want to order and Little Miss is still on the fence when it comes to Pineapple (except when baked in a cake). So, to get my fix, I make my own personal {gluten free} Hawaiian Pizza Quesadillas thanks to Udi's Gluten Free tortillas! 
But I warn you... these taste better than the actual pizza! 

Fall Baking: Chunky Apple Pumpkin Muffins #Recipe {Gluten Free & Top 8 Allergen Free}

Once those temperatures drop and the leaves start to change, there's a new feeling in the air... a crisp, fresh start to each day.
I can't think of anything else other than baking. And not just any baking... it has to involve apples, pumpkin, and warm spices. 
Thankfully, my little sous chef agrees.  We usually set aside time on the weekends to head into the kitchen and start mixing and creating. This recipe was from one of those weekend adventures. 
Gluten free and free from the Top 8 most common allergens, these allergy friendly delights are sure to warm your belly and your home with their delicious smells and taste!

Italian {Sandwich} Cupcakes with Provolone Cheese Icing #GlutenFree #Recipe

You probably read the title and thought... what? Sandwich Cupcake? Cheese Icing?! 
Yup. Let me explain.
My friends at Chebe contacted me to come up with a yummy recipe that could be great for back-to-school lunches. They're running a great deal this week on a 12 pack purchase (featuring their pizza crust, all-purpose, and cinnamon mixes). 
After watching a recent episode of Eat St. on Food Network, I saw them make some amazing Italian Cupcakes and thought "how awesome would that be with gluten free Chebe Mix!?" 
And so they were born. 

Baked & Glazed Chocolate Chocolate Chip Donuts {Gluten & Top 8 Allergy Free} #Recipe

Little Miss and I are always testing recipes.  Sometimes they're utter failures. Sometimes they're near miracles.
A week and a half ago, I shared a sneak peek on Facebook & Instagram of one we'd been working on. It was on its final "tweaks": A Baked Chocolate Chocolate Chip Donut that was Gluten & Top 8 Allergy Free. That's right... No eggs, no dairy, no nuts, no soy, no wheat, etc. 
Not only was it food allergy friendly but soft, plump, and delicious to boot! Let's be honest, that's rare when it comes to free-from recipes. I've tried my hand at many donut recipes before this - that's not to say the others aren't good, I wouldn't share them if they weren't...  but as you bake your skills and knowledge evolve, and I'm quite pleased with how this turned out! Obsessed, actually. They're darn delicious.
If Jesus was gluten free and had food allergies, he would serve these in heaven. Just sayin. 
In other words, make these for breakfast and watch your family melt at your amazing skills in the kitchen. *High Five!* To quote Little Miss: "This is the best donut EVA!" 

{Enjoy Life Foods Friday} Our Trip to the #EatFreely Factory

Today is a special edition of {Enjoy Life Foods Friday}! It's all about our trip last week to the factory in Schiller Park, Illinois. 
In today's post, I talk about our trip and awesome day we had with our food allergy friends visiting Enjoy Life, as well as, photos and yummy details about the company themselves.
First, I wanted to start off with something special which is a video of Little Miss and I (yes, a video! Something I have been wanting to do more of and there's no time like the present). Unrehearsed and unedited, lol, so forgive our silliness in some parts. ;) 
As you'll see, Little Miss was nervous at first but turned into a goof ball at the end like she normally is. Love her, silly girl. 
The reason I wanted to share this was to give Little Miss' perspective about Enjoy Life and our trip. Obviously, as parents' we know how great it is to have a company you can rely on for gluten & top 8 allergen free products - but what does that mean to a kid and what did she learn from our trip?
Check it out and see for yourself:  

Gluten & Allergy Free Jewish Hamantaschen Cookies for Purim #Recipe

Purim is considered one of the most fun & joyous Jewish holidays. (It's often referred to as the "Jewish Mardi Gras"). It celebrates when the Jewish people were living in Persia and saved from a plot to destroy them. The story is recorded in the Book of Esther (you can read my previous post on it HERE). 
In 2014, Purim begins at sunset on March 15th and ends at nightfall on the 16th. 
A common treat during this time are Hamantaschen (Hamantashen) cookies. The triangular fruit-filled cookies are suppose to represent Haman's hat. 
Just because you're gluten free or have food allergies doesn't mean you shouldn't be able to enjoy this traditional treat just like everyone else! Here's my take on this yummy cookie, made gluten & top 8 allergy free: 

Simple {Gluten Free} Party Appetizers #HolidayHelper

This post is sponsored by the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association. I was selected to participate, as part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network.

 

During the holidays, we love entertaining. It seems we are always have friends or family members visiting and catching up for a few hours at a time.

 

Gatherings always need good food. Who wants to be stuck in the kitchen though when you have guests arriving soon or even while they're in your living room? No one.

 

The freezer aisle comprises 3,700+ different, delicious foods ranging from nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to decadent ice creams and novelties. Of the 3,700+ foods, many are naturally allergy free, and the gluten free specialty foods are growing every time I visit the store!

 

Utilizing freezer friendly foods ensures you have your ingredients on hand for unexpected guests and can help you save time preparing. Here are a few simple {gluten free & allergy friendly} party food ideas & recipes thanks to NFRA & EasyHomeMeals.com:

 

Don't Go Nuts: Breakfast Cupcakes #Recipe {GF & Allergy Friendly}

Don't Go Nuts is a line of Soy Butter spreads (and now Energy Bars) that are completely nut free. The spreads also happen to be gluten free & Vegan, as well. 
When they contacted us about using their products for an upcoming Holiday Recipe E-Book, I was excited to get my thinking cap on... Little did I know that my Sous Chef, Little Miss, would actually be the one to come up with our clever recipe submission!

Fall Goodness: Crockpot Apple Pumpkin Butter #Recipe

I have been trying to control myself. Trying not to jump into the apple and pumpkin everything bandwagon too soon. 
When September finally came, I sprung into action.  I diced up my apples, gathered my ingredients, plugged in my Crockpot Slow Cooker, and got to work. 
My house smelled heavenly. All thanks to this Apple Pumpkin Butter recipe. 

@SurfSweets Snack Mix {Allergy Friendly & Gluten Free} #Recipe

We've really been focusing over the last year to cut out artificial colors, dyes, and GMO's as much as possible. It happens sometimes - let's face it - but if we can cut it significantly down, I feel like that's a great start!
Thankfully, we have Surf Sweets as a convenient and delicious treat. 
Surf Sweets are an all-natural organic gummy candy & jelly bean company. They are Top 10 Allergen Free, Non-GMO, Free from Corn Syrup, Gluten, Artificial Colors, and Artificial Flavors. And delicious!
It's great knowing my daughter can snack on these at school or as a treat for dessert, at the movies, etc. and get 100% Vitamin C per serving! 
That's why I wanted to take them a step further and create a yummy Snack Mix that we could enjoy as a family that same way. Great packed up for lunch or snack at school, served as a class treat, or even a container to munch on at the drive-in, at the park, or while camping. Who doesn't love a delicious trail mix?! 
{Allergy Friendly & Gluten Free} This recipe can be easily adapted to suit your needs:

Food for Thought: @MOMables Homemade Poptarts #GlutenFree #EggFree

I've been a contributor at MOMables for almost a year now - Holy cow, I can't believe it's been almost a year already!! Time flies when you're having fun. ;)
I always share my posts via facebook and instagram, while also incorporating my recipes (and others from MOMables) into lunch posts, as well. 
This one deserved its own spot on KMG Blog!

Food for Thought: Treat Your Valentine to Maplehurst Bakery {Peanut Free} Cupcakes!

Last fall, I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to review Maplehurst Bakery {Peanut Free} Cupcakes. Well, you can only guess my enthusiasm when they asked me to do a write-up again and try their seasonal Valentine's Day cupcakes currently for sale. Umm, yes please! (A woman does not turn down cupcakes, no sir!) 

Fresh Kits: The Ultimate Snack for the Game! By Pure Flavor {Review}

My football lovin' family was fortunate to be given the opportunity to review Fresh Kits by Pure Flavor... and just in time for the BIG GAME this Sunday! 

Food for Thought: Gluten Free Carrot Zucchini Flax Bread

 I love making homemade breads. Especially since Little Miss started eating gluten free, it's been great experimenting with different varieties and flavors. 
This one is no exception. Sweet and tasty, but packed with added nutrition thanks to the flax, zucchini, and carrot! 

{Gluten Free} Oatmeal Banana Flax Muffins #Recipe

You know when you see a yummy recipe and you think, hmm... I'd love to make that! And tweak it! And EAT IT! Well that's how this one came to life.

The best part - No Flour! These babies are Gluten and Nut Free. They can easily be made Dairy Free too. Check it out!