Life, Gluten Free

Our Organic Garden 2012, Part 2

After working in our garden, I have dirt in my finger nails, dirt in my pockets, and a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. My husband and I feel like we're creating a strong foundation for our daughter.

We watch her picking weeds, searching for bugs, sampling the cherry tomatoes we're growing and we know that she's learning what life really means.

She's learning invaluable lessons; how to grow food, how to be nourished by hard work and that there's nothing wrong with getting your hands dirty!

Since our last post, our seeds have sprouted and grown! So far we have harvested zucchini, chives, swiss chard, lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers.

On those really hot days, we work in our garden later in the day - around 5 pm - accompanied by a nice cool breeze. As a result, we have seen some lovely sunsets.

Sophie has turned out to be an excellent helper in the garden.

Here are a few tips on gardening with kids:

1) Provide kid-size garden tools (shovel, hoe, rake)

2) Bring lots of snacks and water to drink

3) Pack a backpack with activities (books, drawing supplies, doodle pro)

We also bought Sophie a little bug examiner container. It has a magnifying glass, so she can gently put the bug inside and have a look. Then we let it back into the garden where it belongs.

So far we've examined earth worms, various beetles, a cricket, a grass hopper and an earwig.

One of Sophie's favorite parts of gardening is to help plant the seeds... and then of course, to harvest the fruits of our labor.

Do you garden with your kids? Share if you have any tips on gardening - with kids or not. :)

Cauliflower Rice (Grain-Free, Paleo)

Over a year ago, we adapted our diet to be completely grain-free instead of just gluten-free. When I found this recipe for cauliflower rice, I knew I had to make it.

I adapted it slightly, using coconut oil instead of olive oil.

It turned out so well, and adds a nice texture to dishes. You can use it in place of rice in nearly any dish.

 Cauliflower Rice

no: grains, gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, nuts

Ingredients:

1 head of cauliflower

1 onion, diced

2 tablespoons coconut oil

sea salt

Preparation:

Chop the cauliflower coursely, and process it in the food processor with the "S" Blade.

Be sure to only process it enough for the texture to resemble rice, don't over process.

In a large stainless steel pan over medium heat, saute the onion with coconut oil or olive oil.

Add the cauliflower once the onion is cooked.

Cover and let cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until soft.

Add sea salt to taste and serve!

How to use Cauliflower Rice:

1. Make a stir fry

2. Eat with soup

3. Make a casserole

4. Use it to subsitute rice in your favorite recipes

Cauliflower "rice" so good, my whole family enjoys it. Try it!

4th of July Firecrackers Craft

Our 4th of July included more pie (this time apricot banana) and these special firecrackers that I made for Sophie.

We live in Colorado where some of the fires have been, so needless to say all of the firework shows were canceled. So what better thing to do than improvise! I had everything on hand to make these faux fireworks, except for a few fun things to stuff them with.

So I went to our local toy store and purchased a few things (the total was under $5). I picked out some cute japanese erasers and two plastic figurines (an effiel tower because Sophie wants to go to Paris someday, and a statue of liberty.. which seemed fitting for the 4th of July!).

I also had some St. Claires organic candy pastilles on hand, so I wrapped a few in tissue paper (so they won't roll around inside the firecrackers).

Then I gathered my supplies. These came together really quick -- a quick project that could be used for New Years, Birthdays or just because!

Firecrackers Craft

Supplies:

Double sided tape (you could also use a glue stick, a glue gun or glue dots)

Toilet paper tubes or paper towel tubes cut in half

Tissue paper

Pipe cleaners

Treats for filling (stickers, erasers, organic candy, coins, etc)

Directions:

For each firecracker, you want to use 2-3 layers of tissue paper cut into 10x10 squares.

Place the paper tube about half way between the tissue paper, but so there's slightly more tissue paper on one end (this will be the top part).

Using the double sided tape, roll the paper tubes around the issue paper securing it as you go.

Take a small piece of pipe cleaner and twist one end of the tissue paper to secure it. (see photo above)

Tuck in that end, this will be the bottom end of the firecracker.

Turn the firecracker upright and add your treats.

Twist the top piece of tissue paper and use a long pipe cleaner stem to secure.

I twisted my pipe cleaner around a pencil to make it squiggly.

Add stickers, decorative washi tape, ribbon or whatever you would like.

Have fun!

No-Bake Fruit Pie

I have the perfect no-bake fruit pie for 4th of July! With record breaking temperatures around the country, who wants to turn on the oven unless you have to?

I got the inspiration from Heather at Gluten-Free Cat. She posted a recipe for Raw Mango Banana Pie, but it had an almond crust. I decided to make a few changes to the fruit pie filling and use my coconut nut-free crust recipe.

It came out so well, we loved it!

 

No-Bake Fruit Pie

Ingredients:

Crust:

1/2 cup raisins

1 1/2 cups coconut flakes

1 tablespoon coconut oil

Pie Filling:

1 tablespoon lime juice

3 bananas 

1 mango

1 nectarine

Preparation:

Start by making the pie crust. Add ingredients to a food processor and process until it's a cookie crumb consistency.

Add crust to a pie dish and press down with your fingers and/or a spatula.

Let the crust chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or so, and begin to make the filling.

Add lime juice to a bowl.

Chop banana, mango and nectarine into small chunks.

Add to the lime juice and mix well.

When the crust is chilled, add the fruit filling.

Sprinkle with coconut flakes if desired.

Serve chilled. 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful and safe holiday!