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!

Allergy-Free Mom Food

A normal blog post for this blog usually centers around kid-friendly food, but I realize that some of you are adults with food allergies (or you just want to eat a more healthy diet - and so do I) so I decided to start putting more 'adult-style' food on here when I can. Today I made a yummy, healthy lunch and wanted to share it with you. My kids wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole because it involves lettuce, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's a great one for these record-hot days of summer.

Grilled Chicken Strips & Salad with Homemade Balsamic Vinagrette

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into strips {chicken tenderloins would work, too}

Olive Oil

Garlic Powder

Sea Salt

Black Pepper {a natural metabolism booster!}

Green Leaf Lettuce {washed and cut into bite size pieces}

1 Tomato, diced

1/2 Zucchini, washed and diced

White Mushrooms {sliced}, washed and diced

Balsamic Vinagrette

1 part Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 parts Balsamic Vinegar

Garlic Powder

Sea Salt

Black Pepper

1. Rub chicken with olive oil, sea salt and pepper. Grill to your liking. Cut into strips.

2. While chicken is grilling, cut up your lettuce and veggies. Toss together in a bowl or on a plate.

3. Mix together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, sea salt and black pepper. Pour onto salad.

4. Add chicken strips OR cut the chicken strips into smaller pieces and toss into salad.

This salad is loaded with nutrition and you could even add more veggies to it.

Zucchini helps cure asthma, as it contains Vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. It contains useful amounts of folate, potassium and Vitamin A which are all necessary for proper functioning of the body. Regular consumption of zucchini can help protect the body from colon cancer. All of this and much more in one little veggie.

White Button Mushrooms have Vitamin D. In fact, they contain 100% of the recommended daily allowance of Vit D. They are also a cancer fighter, aid in estrogen reduction (helps reduce risk of breast cancer), contains potassium (great for high blood pressure, reduce risk of stroke and low blood sugar, prevents heart attacks), and decreases risk of prostate cancer.

Tomatoes are cancer fighters, they fight heart disease, promote healthy colon and prostate and reduce blood clots and inflammation. When grown organically and on a vine in the sunshine they soak up lots of nutrients that are good for your body!

What are your favorite veggies in a salad??

Summer Grilled Chicken Wrap {Allergy-Free}

I just whipped this up for lunch and it was absolutely delicious! Whether you are food allergic or just trying to cut back on carbs/sugar, this one's for you.

I used leftover grilled chicken from dinner last night. {I rubbed it with a dash of sea salt/black pepper and some Mrs. Dash Lemon Pepper No Salt Added Seasoning and grilled it.} I took half of a chicken breast and chopped it to my liking. Added about 1T each of chopped red onion and chopped green pepper. 1 T Nayonnaise {egg-free, sugar-free mayo}. 1/4 of an avacado. Mix all ingredients together. Wash two leaves of fresh, green leaf lettuce and pat dry with a paper towel. Spoon your chicken mixture into the bigger leaf and roll it up. Add the other leaf for more support. It is a delicious, healthy lunch for anyone. My kids may not go for red onion, but you can add whatever you like to it!