Declaration of WAR!

OK, this is it. My son was sick on Monday so I stayed home with him. Usually, my husband does the grocery shopping on Mondays since he works from home that day. This week, however, he was having minor surgery on his toe. So, I stayed home to watch Max and when my husband got home, I volunteered to do the grocery shopping. Let me preface this by saying that I have recently taken a new job. I love my job and am so much happier than I was at my last job. However, that happiness came at the cost of about $15000 a year in income -yep, that's a lot. So, there I was on Monday, mightily clinging to my high budget mindset, heading off to the grocery store. I picked up this, I picked up that, I stuck to my list....pretty much...and about lost my breakfast in the checkout line. $193.00. Yes, $193.00 for a WEEK'S worth of groceries (not including meat because that comes from a co-op). For a family of 4. I wish I could say that was anomalous but my I got a big glass of "I told you so!" when I got home. My eyes hath been opened...and it's freaking scary out there! Back when I stayed at home, before we started all this gluten free, casein free, corn free, blah blah blah free diet, I cut coupons, I planned meals, I kept a cooler in my trunk and shopped the ads at several grocery stores with a baby Lambert in tow. I spent $75/week to feed our little family of 3 (including diapers and formula). I know eating gf/cf is more expensive...but does it really have to be THAT much more expensive?? I don't think so. Therefore, I have hereby declared WAR on my GROCERY BILL!!!! That is the LAST time I spend $193 at a grocery store without having to strap food to the roof and cram it into every available space in my old car. No more, I say, no more.

So, here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to cut that sucker in 1/2. I know that is feasible. I canceled my Amazon subscriptions and we're going on a grocery buying fast. I know I have enough food to feed us for the next three weeks so we should just have to re-purchase milk and fresh produce. We just stocked the freezer with meat from our co-op so we're good on meat for the next 2 months. I'll be posting cheap recipes and tips and tricks as I learn them. My husband made a deal with me. If I succeed, we will finally get a new bed to replace our 16 year old back breaker. I'm in. Let's go!!!

Macaroni and Cheese...with chicken and broccoli

OK, I can't help it! I have to add protein and vegetables to my kids meals or I feel somehow remiss. You can totally do this recipe without the chicken and the broccoli and have good old mac and cheese. If you, like me, can't hack it plain, make it with the extras.

Sauce:
2 tbsp. Earth's Balance margarine
2 tbsp. arrowroot powder
2 1/4 C plain almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
2 tsp. prepared yellow mustard
1/2 C Daiya cheddar flavor cheese
1 tbsp. minced onion flakes
salt and pepper to taste

Melt the margarine over medium heat and then add the arrowroot. Stir to mix. Slowly add the almond milk while whisking. Add minced onion, salt and pepper, and mustard and whisk to mix. Add Daiya and turn heat up to medium high. Continually whisk until the "cheese" is melted and the mixture is smooth (there will be little lumps from the onion). *note - the onion and mustard are to add more depth to the flavor. If you prefer to make it old school, skip those ingredients.

The rest:
1 lb chicken breast cut into bite size pieces
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 cups dry Tinkyada penne or macaroni pasta
1 10 oz. pkg frozen broccoli florets
Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the pasta according to package directions. When the pasta is just about done, add the broccoli to the pot and cook until broccoli is heated through. Drain and return pasta and broccoli to the pot. While the pasta is cooking, and your whisking your sauce, brown your chicken in the olive oil until it's cooked through. Yes, you can do all three at once. Trust me.

When everything is cooked, mix it all together in the pasta pot. Season as desired with more salt and pepper and dig in.

Happy eating!!

Chocolate Nutbutter (aka "Eat my dirt Nutella)

If one can't have milk but still fantasizes about a certain chocolate hazelnut butter, there is still hope! See this recipe below - it's super easy, yummy, and as an added bonus my kids don't like it so there is more for me!

Chocolate Nutbutter

1 1/2 cups raw nuts (I used cashews)
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cups agave nectar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
couple of pinches of salt (or to taste)

Pour it all in the food processor and process until smooth.

I know it's counterintuitive but try spreading it on a lightly salted brown rice cake - sweet and crunchy. What's not to like??

Double Choclate Muffins (from Eating for Autism by Elizabeth Strickland)

This recipe is a favorite at home and amongst my non-gf/cf friends. If you're in a pinch, add some frosting on top and voila - cupcakes!

1/2 C brown rice flour
1/4 C sorghum flour
1/3 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 C canola oil
1/2 C unsweetened applesauce
1/2 C honey (I use agave nectar instead)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
1/2 tsp. salt
1 C gf/cf chocolate chips (Guittard and Ghirardelli semi-sweet are my favorites and currently gf/cf)

Mix it all together and bake in a lined muffin tin at 350 degrees for 17-21 minutes. Don't expect these to last long...

Applesauce Muffins (from Eating for Autism by Elizabeth Strickland)

The muffins in Elizabeth Strickland's book are all outstanding. This book is an excellent resource if you're considering special diet/nutrition therapy for your child!

1/2 C brown rice flour
1/2 C sorghum flour (aka jowar flour)
1/3 C canola oil
1/2 C unsweetened applesauce
1/2 C honey (I use agave nectar instead)
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. vanilla (I typically use a full tsp. instead cause my LOVES vanilla :)
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. xanthan gum (or guar gum)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (I usually use a little extra)
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix it all together and bake in lined muffin tin for 15-18 minutes at 350.

This recipe is super versatile! You can add dried/fresh fruit and/or nuts. You can omit the cinnamon and add fresh or frozen blueberries or strawberries...or chocolate chips...whatever. Experiment and see what you like best!

Oatmeal Bars - from Living Without

If you spread a little buttercream frosting on these, they taste a LOT like cinnamon rolls!

2 C gluten free oats (not instant)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C non-dairy milk
1 egg
1/2 C unsweetened applesauce
1/4 C raw sugar
1 1/4tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 C raisins

Mix it all together and bake in a greased 8x8 pan for 25-25 minutes at 350. Once it's cool, spread some buttercream frosting on top and have a happy breakfast!

GF/CF Chocolate Cake

And, again, the secret is in the mayo! See below for a basic cake recipe for your chocolate lovers :)

3 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup mayonnaise (I use Hellman's)
1 1/2 C white rice flour
3/4 C tapioca flour (starch)
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp xanthan gum
3/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 C hot water

Mix on high to get rid of any unsightly tapioca lumps. Preheat oven to 350. This recipe makes 2 dozen cupcakes. 2 layers, or 1 9x13 cake. Cook 15-18 minutes for cupcakes, longer for cake. Enjoy!

amy