OREO Cookie Balls {Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Egg-Free}

Let me introduce you to Milk's favorite cookie ball! Yes, it is made with OREOs. {I used Whole Foods brand because I was there and didn't want to make another stop just to get OREO brand, but OREO brand is still free of dairy, nuts and eggs.} It's my turn to send snacks to school for my girl's class on Friday, and when I saw these, my mind was made up. They are very rich and delicious! Here's the how-to in pictures:
You'll want to have these things on hand:

Then:

Next:

Then, you'll want to freeze these cookie balls for about 10 minutes. While they are setting up, melt your vegan chocolate chips {for every 6 oz of chips, add 1T shortening - this will aid in the dipping process} in a microwave safe bowl on high for 1 minute. Stir, then continue heating/stirring every 15 seconds until completely melted and liquid. Dip the cookie balls in the melted chocolate and immediately sprinkle with fun sprinkles. Once done, put them back in the fridge for about 1 hour.

Easy Apple Dumplings {Dairy-Free, Egg-Free}

I came across a recipe for these delicious apple dumplings a few months ago here and kept thinking about making them, but put it off....until yesterday. Don't let it fool you. Just because it has apples in it doesn't mean it's healthy - but it is SO YUMMY! I tweaked the recipe a little bit to make it less sugary and also make it allergy-friendly. So, here it is!

Easy Apple Dumplings {Dairy-Free, Egg-Free}

1 can refrigerated Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
1 apple, washed and cut into 8 slices {skin still on}
1/4 cup Smart Balance Light (melted)
1/4 cup brown sugar
cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Roll out crescent roll dough. Wrap each apple slice in one triangle of dough. Place in a greased pan. Sprinkle cinnamon on top of all the 'dumplings'. Mix melted Smart Balance Light and brown sugar together. Pour over each dumpling. Bake for 25 minutes. Serve warm alone or with Tofutti brand {dairy-free} Vanilla Ice Cream. YUM! (You can double, triple, etc. this recipe to accommodate your needs.)

The Great Panini {Dairy-Free, Egg-Free}

I'm pretty sure I fooled some people last year into thinking I was a really good girl because I got some great stuff for Christmas this year! One thing I got was a panini press from my sister and bro-in-law. I've had my eye on these for awhile, but never had bought one and this was my lucky year! So, Hubs and I have been experimenting with our favorite food combinations and I thought I'd share a couple with you.

Ham & Cheese Panini {Dairy-Free, Egg-Free}

Bread of your choice {Preferably thick bread, but sandwich bread works.}
Sliced ham of your choice
1/4 c Tofutti Cream Cheese, softened {this is Dairy-Free}
1-2 Green Onions, chopped
2 T Worcestershire Sauce
Garlic Powder {optional}

Heat up your panini press according to manufacturer's instructions.
Mix together Tofutti Cream Cheese, onions, worcestershire sauce and garlic powder.
Spread Smart Balance Light {Dairy-Free} on the bottom slice of bread. {If you are not allergic to eggs, use Mayo - it browns very nice!} Place on the panini.
Spread cream cheese mixture on top of the bread, add ham slices.
Spread cream cheese mixture onto bottom of the top piece of bread and place cheese side down on the ham.
Spread Smart Balance Light on the top of the top piece of bread and close panini press.
Heat until bread is golden brown.
Serve hot!

Buffalo Chicken Panini {Egg-Free}

Bread of your choice {Egg-Free}
Grilled Chicken, sliced thin
1/4 c Blue Cheese Dressing
3 T Frank's Red Hot Sauce
Blue Cheese Crumbles
Pepper Jack Cheese Slices

Heat up panini press. Mix together 1/4 cup Blue Cheese Dressing and 3 T Frank's Red Hot Sauce. Set aside. Spread Smart Balance Light {Dairy-Free} on bottom of bottom slice of bread. Place on panini press. Spread Hot Sauce mixture on top of that piece of bread. Place a slice of pepper jack cheese, then 4 thin slices of grilled chicken. Add blue cheese crumbles. Place another slice of pepper jack cheese on top of that. Then, spread hot sauce mixture on the bottom of the top slice of bread. Place face down on top of cheese. Spread Smart Balace Light on the top of the top piece and close panini press. Grill until golden brown and cheese is melted.
Serve Hot!

Healthy Living 2012

No, this isn't my new year's resolution. I'm just trying to rethink how my family eats. I need to eat healthier and kick the soda habit...yes, I love Coca Cola. And sweet tea. And it doesn't help that Sonic Happy Hour is right after school gets out and I have to drive past it to get home. But anyway, this isn't just about soda and sweet tea. I think it's all great in moderation, but this is more about changing my family's daily sugar habits. My kids eat pretty healthy already {I don't buy juice, etc. - they drink water.} and they love fruit. So, it makes my life as Mom easier. But, if you're an adult and wanting to eat healthier, I may post some of my daily menus here in the coming days.

Today's Menu:
Breakfast:
1 serving Uncle Sam's High Fiber Cereal {contains wheat}
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 serving strawberries
2 pieces turkey bacon
Hot tea with Raw Stevia

Mid-Morning Snack:
1/2 cup plain, low-fat yogurt {or coconut milk yogurt} mixed with 2T sugar free blackberry jam

Lunch:
Black Bean Chili
{1 can black beans, 1 can HOT Rotel - Heat together in a saucepan until beans are tender. Serve with Tofutti brand sour cream and other veggies you might like in your chili.}

Afternoon Snack:
1 whole apple

Dinner:
Grilled Chicken
Green Salad with lots of raw veggies
Balsamic Vinagrette {balsamic vinegar and olive oil mixed together with garlic salt, onion powder}
Roasted Asparagus {Lay asparagaus on pan, drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper; Bake at 400 for 8-10 min}
Serving of fruit for the kids

Strawberry Dip {Dairy-free}

Several days ago my sister posted this strawberry dip on her blog. I love all things cream cheese, so I didn't even have to taste it to know it was delicious. I knew I wanted to make some for my family so I began thinking about how I could make this dairy-free. And here it is...

{photo courtesy of lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com}

Strawberry Dip {dairy-free}

1 jar (7oz) marshmallow cream

1 tub (8 oz) Tofutti Cream Cheese {I buy mine at Whole Foods}

1/2 pkg (or more) strawberry gelatin

Mix together first two ingredients until well-blended. Add in 1/2 pkg of strawberry gelatin (or more depending on how you like it). Mix well. Serve with fruit or graham cracker sticks. YUM! This would be great in a lunchbox with fresh fruit!

Fruit Pizza {Dairy-free}

Today was my girl's Fall Party at her school and to most people that means 'Yay! Party food!', but my first thought was, 'Time to research some fun alternatives and hope they turn out well!' Today's menu was pizza, cheetos, orange soda and dessert. Thanks to my wonderful friend who had signed up to bring dessert, I didn't have to worry with that one. She knows my girl very well and watches out for her. I can't tell you what that means to me! Many of my friends are like this and it is really such a blessing to me. So, she was bringing Oreos, which are free of my child's allergens. My big alternative to find was for pizza. I've never found a good dairy-free cheese that makes pizza taste like real pizza, so I knew I would have to be creative. I decided to make a fruit pizza. So, I went to my Trader Joe's and bought Whole Wheat Slims (very thin, round sandwich bread that is sturdy enough to hold toppings), Tofutti brand Cream Cheese, fresh strawberries, fresh raspberries and blueberries. I let the Tofutti sit out on the counter to reach room temp and then mixed in some brown sugar until it became a dip consistency. Then, I spread it between the two wheat slims to hold them together and make the base a little thicker. Next, I spread the dip on top of the wheat slim as you would a pizza sauce. Finally, I added fresh fruit. I refrigerated it overnight so that the cream cheese mixture would harden up a little bit. This turned out great!! My girl was very excited when I showed it to her this morning. Instead of cheetos, I could have added any type of her chips, but decided to just give her fresh strawberries to dip into some of that dip mixture and she was good to go. I can't wait to see how she liked it.

Have any of you ever found a dairy-free cheese? I mean completely dairy-free that has not even been processed around dairy? If so, please let me know where!!!

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream For....

ICE CREAM!!!!!!!
Have I mentioned Tofutti Brand dairy-free products before? If not, then, consider it done. I LOVE Tofutti brand because my daughter can eat it up without me having to worry about her well-being. She has the biggest smile on her face right now as she's eating it. She told me, "You're the best mommy to get me ice cream!" That melts my heart. I am so happy she can enjoy ice cream as much as the rest of us do. Thank you, Tofutti!!!!

Fudge Pops {dairy-free}

I cannot tell you how excited I am to have found Tofutti brand Fudge Pops at my local Publix!!! Do you know what that means?? They are dairy-free and my daughter can totally enjoy them! She was thrilled to have her first one the other day. Unfortunately, they were on clearance so I think they may not be selling them anymore after the current stock is sold. We'll see. At least I know they exist. I will try to find them at another location.