Mushroom Fries with Creamy Horseradish Dip

I really love mushrooms. They're fat free, low in carbs and calories, and high in a lot of vitamins and minerals

(www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=97)

Even though they're super delicious on their own, I can't help but love them even more when they're battered and fried and served with a creamy horseradish dipping sauce. 

I mean, why not take a healthy, natural food and make it terrible... 'Murica

I knew there had to be a way to make a similar but healthier dish. 

Here it goes... 

Grain-free, Dairy-free Portobello Fries with 

Creamy Horseradish Dipping Sauce!!

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Kids' Craftroom Redo on the Cheap (part 5)

All of the big projects are done now. The space is brighter and more defined. The Wigglets have 3 separate playhouses and a whole art wall. It's looking good, but I still have a LOT of boring blank space to fill; most of it is cold, hard concrete, too.

Off to the fabric store for inspiration...

Stuffed Zucchini

I has some leftover quinoa and lentils from other recipes I had made today, so I decided to throw them together as a stuffing for some baked zucchini boats. I have to say, it turned out even better than I expected!

This recipe was quick and easy, inexpensive and super healthy. 

Better Eggs Benedict

I was in the mood for a hearty, eggy breakfast. I wanted to keep the vegetables in there, but I didn't want to do another vegetable pancake today. I scavenged my refrigerator and inspiration hit... Eggs Benedict!

A breakfast of Eggs Benedict was always a treat growing up. It has everything going for it: salty, chewy, crunchy, creamy and slightly tart. The version I was accustomed to also had a lot of processed ingredients, nitrates and preservatives. I knew I could do better.

I had leftover grain-free buns from the other day, eggs (of course), a bunch of random vegetables and condiments. So I hit up ol' Chef Google for help...

 I may have dislocated my shoulder while patting myself on the back this morning, but it was totally worth it!
This version starts with a toasted grain-free bun, chewy/salty kale strips, and a poached egg topped with a super easy Hollandaise sauce...

Not sure if I'm more proud of the meal or of the photo. I actually took that pic with my phone! Yay me!

Sweet Potato Pancakes

I LOVE potato pancakes, but I was looking for a way to amp up the nutrition and flavor today. 

So, I give you...

SWEET POTATO PANCAKES

with Maple Cinnamon Dipping Sauce

Grain Free Focaccia-Style Bread

This bread recipe is super easy, and can be made in about 20 minutes (give or take oven pre-heat time). It's grain free, dairy free and it has a great texture and flavor. It's high in protein and fiber and low in carbohydrates.

You can make it as a single loaf (like focaccia) or divide it up as pictured for sandwiches...

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Kids' Craftroom Redo on the Cheap (part 4)

I still had my paint supplies out, but I was running low on my free paint. So I decided to paint a border around the floor. I figured it would brighten up the boring concrete a little and would also help define the space (play area versus craft area vs off-limits area). I started out just planning on making a sidewalk design around the outside. This would give them a path between their houses. Plus, I was planning on putting an area rug in the middle anyway. No point painting something that's just going to be covered up.

My take on an classic Indian dish (Aloo Gobi)

Sometimes inspiration hits at the strangest times. Case in point, I was watching "An Idiot Abroad", the Ricky Gervais series (you MUST watch it!!). I made it to the second episode where Karl visits India. Suddenly, I couldn't stop thinking about how badly I wanted Indian food for dinner. I did a quick google search and compared the recipes to my pantry items. After a few ingredient adjustments, I settled on this version of Aloo Gobi. It was exactly what I was looking for: healthy, hearty, and easy to prepare. Plus, it's vegetarian/vegan and grain free (if you're interested)

(Confession: This photo was from a google search because my cooking skills are MUCH better than my photography skills. However, this photo looks just like my dish did... minus the fancy garnish)

TEMPLATE: Make your Own Labels (Tattoo Motif)

Here is a template page for labels with an old school tattoo theme.

Just [Right Click] the picture and save to your photos or your documents.

Then, you can open in either "Paint" or "Word" and add your own wording to customize.

Either print onto adhesive backed paper, or print on regular paper and tape or glue to your bottles!

ARTS AND CRAFTS: Kids' Craftroom Redo on the Cheap (part 3)

My basement is fairly large. It runs the entire length of the house, but doesn't have any dividing walls. Like most basements, it's used as my catch-all storage. That being said, it's probably not a good idea to let kids have free reign down there. I couldn't put up actual walls, because as I said in my first post, I didn't want anything permanent or even semi-permanent, and I didn't want to spend a lot of money.

Also, I didn't want to box these kids in, I just wanted to define their space a little. So, how do I provide a barrier, make it fun and keep it cheap? PLAYHOUSES! Those are definitely fun. There's no point exploring the rest of the room is they have their own little world to play in. But, cheap? Hmmmm