Blueberry Banana Pie Smoothie {gluten, dairy, egg-free}

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Smoothies, smoothies, smoothies!  They're everywhere!  And really, do you need a recipe for a smoothie?  Probably not.  But smoothies are such an excellent way to get all that good stuff into your diet and make it taste good too!  And a recipe can be used more as a guide and less of a precise list of instructions.

This is my latest and favorite smoothie.  It tastes just like this terribly bad-for-you pie I used to make (and love)  around the holidays.  It was made by layering sliced bananas, canned blueberry pie filling and a whipped cream/cream cheese/sugar mixture into a pie crust - served cold.  Now I can enjoy the same flavors, but instead of giving myself a sugar-high I'm feeding my body some really healthful nutrients.  Plus it really fills me up and keeps me feeling full for a long time.

Besides flavor, here are some good reasons to include these foods in your diet:

• Spinach - Super source of vitamins K and A as well as maganese and folate.  It also has a good amount of iron and vitamin C
• Banana - Known for high amounts of potassium, bananas also boast fiber, manganese, vitamins B6 and C.
• Blueberries - One word - antioxidants!
• Avocado - Good source of good fats, as well as protein and potassium

Blueberry Banana Pie Smoothie

1/2 cup (packed) spinach (about a handful)
1 frozen banana
3/4 cup frozen (or fresh) blueberries
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 avocado
1/2 cup water (to get the consistency right, add more or less water)
1 tsp raw honey (optional)

Into blender, (I use and love my Blendtec), add the above ingredients.  Blend until smooth.  Pour into a tall glass and enjoy.

Asian Chicken Slaw Salad {gluten, dairy, egg-free}

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Hi there!  It's been waaaaayyyy too long since I posted - sorry 'bout that - but I'm still here and still cooking and still desiring to share recipes for families with food allergies.  Its just that life got in the way.  Homeschooling this year is requiring much more time than in past years.  I'm not sure why that is, except that I've added a kindergartener to the mix.  Anyway . . . .

I have to admit this recipe is overdue as it is a great summertime dinner.  But since it's so good and so easy, I'm not going to hold onto it until warm weather returns.  It's warm somewhere, right?  Plus, my family is enjoying this dish tonight - even in October - so don't hold back!  This is a great way to get some veggies into your kiddos (and you!).  As I was making this dinner, my daughter ran through the kitchen and exclaimed, "Yah!  I love it when you make something I like for dinner!"  That's a compliment, right?

Asian Chicken Slaw Salad 
serves 4

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
12 oz package (about 4 cups) of broccoli slaw or shredded red or green cabbage (or a combo of any of these totaling about 4 cups)
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 TBSP gluten-free soy sauce (We use this one)
1 TBSP minced garlic

• Cut chicken into thin strips and cook in a skillet with a tiny bit of oil.  (Alternately, you can bake the chicken breasts and then slice.)  Transfer to a plate and set aside.
• To make dressing, add garlic to heated skillet and toast (don't burn!) for just a minute.  Add oil, lemon juice and gluten-free soy sauce.  Whisk together and heat through, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add cooked chicken strips back into skillet and stir to coat with dressing.
• Put broccoli slaw or shredded cabbage into a large serving dish.  Top with chicken and dressing and toss to combine.  Serve immediately.

This recipe is being shared at Foodtastic Friday, Gluten Free Friday, TGIF Link Party, Food on Fridays, Freedom Fridays, Friday Food Frenzy, Inspire Me Monday, Make Your Own Monday, Melt In Your Mouth Monday, Better Mom Monday, Motivation Monday, Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Musings of a Housewife, Wednesday Extravaganza, Cast Party Wednesday, What's Cooking Wednesday, Gluten Free Wednesday, Allergy Free Wednesday, Real Food Wednesday, Wednesday Fresh Foods, Thriving On Thursday, Tasty Traditions, Full Plate Thursday, Pennywise Platter

Eight Hot Weather Allergy-Friendly Dinners {gluten, dairy, and egg-free}

Pin It Summer is in full swing in my neck of the woods.  We've just gone through a very hot and humid spell with more hot weather to come.  I must say I greatly prefer the heat over the cold chill of winter, but I always have a hard time answering the question of what to serve for dinner when it's 90-plus degrees out.  All I really want to eat is ice cream, which might be fine now and again, but I can't serve it to my family for dinner on a regular basis.  So to help with summertime meal planning I've compiled a list of eight allergy-friendly, hot weather dinner ideas.  Without further ado, and in no particular order, I present to you our favorite gluten, dairy and egg-free summertime dinners.

1.  Summertime Chicken Salad - This is a favorite of mine for making ahead and bringing along on a picnic or an evening at the pool.  I usually cook and shred the chicken the night before.  If shredding by hand, be sure to do this while the chicken is still warm - its much easier!

2.  Honey Mustard Chicken Salad - Quick and easy.  Cool and refreshing.  And so many possible variations to try!

3.  Tuna Cakes - Pair these with a garden salad and you've got a nice light dinner.  And they're made on the stovetop, so you don't have to turn on your oven.

4.  Pasta Salad - Gluten-free pasta salad, you say?  Yes, I say!  The secret is in choosing the right gluten-free noodles and using the right amount of dressing.  Very cool and very good!

5.  Marinated Grilled Steak - You can't go wrong grilling a wonderfully marinated steak on a hot summer evening.  Serve with corn on the cob, salad and maybe some oven-fried potatoes.  Yum!

6.  Shrimp Scampi - What's more summertime than seafood?  We also enjoy grilling shrimp in the shell on kabobs - can I just say I'm drooling a bit thinking of it.

7.  Quinoa Summer Salad (aka Gluten-Free Tabouli) - Love, love, love this on a hot summer evening (or for lunch the next day)!

8.  Broccoli Salad - So this one might not qualify as a full meal, but with all that bacon it comes close.  Serve this alongside that grilled steak and you'll know its summertime!


So now I want to know what are some of your favorite gluten-free, dairy-free summertime dinners?  Please share!

This post is being shared at Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Cast Party Wednesday, Wednesday Extravaganza, Wednesday Fresh Foods, Real Food Wednesday, What's Cooking Wednesday, Gluten Free Wednesday, Healthy 2day Wednesday, Allergy Free Wednesday, Tasty Traditions, Frugal Food Thursday, Full Plate Thursday, Thriving on Thursday, Gluten Free Friday, Foodie Friday, Food on Friday, Freedom Friday, Friday Food Frenzie