Sweet Winter Squash

I am on a squash kicky lately.  Can you tell?  I never would even attempt this vegetable a few years ago, but after reading the health benefits I thought I should give it a try. It turns out winter squash (available year round), such as acorn, butternut, or spaghetti, can be really tasty and satisfying. Okay, this picture isn't great, and I generally don't want to put up bad pictures, but it...

The Truth About Coconuts As I See It

Coconuts are not tree nuts.  True or False?  Well, that is not so easy to determine it seems. Coconuts are drupes, which are large seeds with a hard shell.  They are not nuts.  However, the FDA added some confusion to this matter by stating in 2006 that they are tree nuts.  Well, just because they say coconuts are tree nuts, does not actually make them tree nuts. Now, someone could be...

Apple Pie Surprise Smoothie

What if I told you that you could have apple pie for breakfast?  And not feel guilty about it?  Or for lunch or a midafternoon snack?   Well, you can, sort of.  See, this smoothie tastes like apple pie.  But it is simply fruit and surprisingly….a vegetable.  No added sugar, no dairy products.  No guilt smoothie.  At least for me.   If you read my Savory Butternut Squash Soup post, you...

Mushroom Chicken and Rice – A Crockpot Meal

I love my crockpot.  If you do not have one, you need one!  And if you have one and never use it, you are missing out.  There is no need to buy a fancy one.  One with simply a low and high setting is all you really need.  I have one that is called “smart” because you can set it for a certain amount of hours and then it will turn itself off, but I never use that. The great thing about...

Savory Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy. Savory. Simple. Delicious. Healthy. Allergy Free. You can have it all. I never tried a squash soup before and I shouldn’t have waited so long!  It is delicious!  And easy! Even meat lovers will find this soup satisfying.  Make it for lunch or supper on a chilly day.  It will warm you right up! After you cook your squash, you may have more squash than you need for the soup.  Use any...

Learning To Bake Allergen Free by Colette Martin and Mashed Potato Biscuit Recipe

In April 2012 I attended the Nourished Food Bloggers Conference in Chicago.  I did not have a food blog at the time, but I was eager to get one going.  This was just the event to get me started.  It was a wonderful experience and I met many wonderful food bloggers and heard informational and exciting sessions. One woman I ate lunch with was Colette Martin.  She was fun and such an engaging...

10 Good Health Benefits Of Mushrooms And Why You Should Buy Fresh + Simple Recipe

Did you know that canned mushrooms may legally contain up to 20 maggots per 100g?  That's 20 maggots in a small four-ounce can roughly.  You can read about this here, or here.  Or google the words, "bugs in canned mushrooms" and you will get a lot of information. Now I don't know about you, but that really grosses me out.  Especially since I cook a lot and use a lot of mushrooms.  I have...

Garlic and Sage White Beans And Three Ways To Serve Them

I may have a vegan in the making on my hands.  Beans, a/k/a legumes, are a favorite source of protein much more than meat for someone in my house.  Good thing I cook both legumes and meat to hit all the preferences of my family. This recipe for garlic and sage white beans is super easy and very satisfying.  I found three ways to serve it.  One way is to put the beans on French bread for...

Banana Granola

I have a thing for homemade granola.  And it’s catching on.  I used to be the only family member to eat it, but now it has become a favorite of everybody.  It is so simple and easy.  Check out this post for 10 reasons to make your own granola.  This is a slightly different version of my previous recipe.  But it is still oh so good!  Eat it with cereal, alone, over ice cream, in...

Pinterest “Food Products I Use” Board And More

Have you checked out my Pinterest  "Food Products I Use" board?   I have added some things, although I cannot find a picture of everything I use.  But this should give you a visual of some of the things I use or talk about. You can check it out here. Also, everytime I post a new recipe I pin it to my Allergy Free Test Kitchen board.  Articles, how-to's and product reviews are pinned to this...