Cheesy Mac - Kid Friendly Recipes

Cheesy Mac - Kid Friendly Recipes


It's funny how I try to improvise recipes for what I have in the house. Sometimes they turn out, sometimes they could be a bit better. I made up my own recipe this time based on what I had in the house and the kids loved it. I had to write down the recipe to make sure we don't forget! Then I thought I should share it with you!

3/4 pkg Tinkyada Pasta Joy Brown Rice Pasta - Penne (cooked)
1.5lb ground meat - browned
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 Tablespoon dried basil
1 Tablespoon dried oregano
1 Tablespoon dried minced garlic
1 Tablespoon dried grated garlic
1/2 Tablespoon sage (dried)
3oz cream cheese (diced into smaller pieces)
1lb or (1/2 block) 1/3 less fat Velveeta Processed Cheese


Cook pasta, drain and set aside with olive oil coating the pasta to prevent sticking.

Brown ground meat in a non stick pan(drain if excess fat remains) along with all dry ingredients. Add in cream cheese and Velveeta after meat is browned, let melt. Add in Penne pasta and mix. Serve warm. Simple, fast and YUMMY! :)

Penne Pasta - PRODUCT REVIEW

Penne Pasta - PRODUCT REVIEW


Over time we have tried many different kinds of gluten free pasta. I think we are always in search of a wheat like pasta consistency. Well, I think I finally found one...

The winner for Penne pasta is Tinkyada Pasta Joy Brown Rice Pasta Penne (with Rice Bran). I am not sure where I picked it up at but I know they sell it on AMAZON.

I did not cook it per the instructions. I cooked it like I have other gluten free pastas - for about 6 min and checked it for doneness (other gluten free pastas over cook very easily-I usually take pasta off a bit before it is done for this reason). Next time I will try it per the instructions. The instructions indicate you should boil for one to two minutes and take off the heat, put on a lid and let sit for 20 minutes. The instructions indicate that you can over cook this one a bit without worry. (interesting!)

We eat pasta a lot. That means I make extra when I cook. One test that we have come up with is to see if the pasta will stand up to reheating. This is the first one that does. It is definitely a keeper!

Try this recipe with this pasta Cheesy Mac - Kid Friendly Recipe

Muffin Mix - PRODUCT REVIEW

Muffin Mix - PRODUCT REVIEW

We are always searching for ways to help the kids feel like they aren't "missing out" on foods they had before they were diagnosed and our household went Gluten Free. As a result, baking is usually a late night event when all the household chores are complete.

Thus, we try different mixes to make the process a little quicker!

For breakfast muffins we have found a product we really like. We use King Arthur Flour gluten free Muffin Mix. It is a vanilla muffin base and my kids really like blueberries added. Obviously you can add whatever you have on hand - chocolate chips, apple pieces, raspberries, nuts, dried fruits, etc.

Their instructions to finish the tops with coarse sugar make the finished product look like they came from a bakery!

I have to say that the kids eat them so quickly I have gone to making them in the mini muffin pan so that I can include them in their lunches.

TIP - If you aren't going to eat them quickly, freeze them. The muffins get gooey if they aren't consumed quickly. In the freezer they keep very well. Just put them in the microwave with a microwave safe cup or mug filled with water and microwave on 1/2 power. I usually check it after 30 seconds as microwaves vary.

My ADD IN's - You know by now I can't leave well enough alone. When I first started baking gluten free my kids said what I was making from mixes wasn't the same sweetness as baking I did before. So, I have gone to adding things to the mixes.
For this mix, I add:

• 2 packets of Stevia in the Raw
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions!

NO GII Protein Bar - PRODUCT REVIEW

NO GII Protein Bar - PRODUCT REVIEW

Before we understood what was going on with my son's dietary restrictions, we were aware that he was borderline diabetic. Protein became something we sought out regularly. He would be fine one minute and the next his lips were white and he could barely walk. He frequently spoke of being dizzy.

I set out on trying to find protein bars we could stash here and there for emergencies. We tried a lot of bars and many really do taste like cardboard. Some are edible while others we choked down. The price became a factor as we needed to purchase them in bulk.

A lot of times we bought a box that the kids liked but they became tired of the same thing before the bars were consumed.

AFTER the Gluten Free diet was implemented, we were on a search for a new bar that didn't contain gluten. A friend suggested we try Hasselbeck's NOGII No Gluten Super Protein Bar. The bar we chose is 390 calories and contains 30 grams of protein. We chose the Chocolate Peanut Butter Carmel Crisp. I have to say it felt like we were eating a candy bar. It tasted great, had a great texture and was HUGE!

If they don't carry them in stores near you, feel free to go to www.nogii.com. Elisabeth has her bars for sale as well as cookbooks. She has a few Gluten Free recipes posted as well. There is a store locator by zip code for you to see if the bars are sold close to you. It seems even Walgreens carries them! I purchased mine at Market Street - a grocery store close to my home.

Lunch Box Idea #2 - Turkey Broccoli Slaw

Lunch Box Idea #2 - Turkey Broccoli Slaw served with Apple Wedges on the side.

I got this recipe from e-mealz at mealtimemakeover.com. The name really doesn't do it justice and I might have even skipped it but we really need some variation in the lunch area so we tried it out. The kids loved it and my husband did as well. It is worth the try!

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
Natural sweetener Stevia equivalent to 2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
12oz package of broccoli slaw
1.5+lbs cooked turkey, cubed
1.5 cups seedless red grapes, halved
2 carrots coarsely shredded
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

In a screw top jar, combine vinegar, oil, sugar and salt. Cover and shake well. In a large bowl combine broccoli slaw, turkey, grapes and carrots. Add dressing toss to coat. Sprinkle with pepper.
Serve sliced apples on the side

My add ins
We add a bit more balsamic vinegar (you can test out your taste buds)
I used 2 packets of Stevia in the Raw for the sugar
We added 1/4 cup golden raisins
We topped with shredded Irish Cheddar Cheese
In the lunch box we kept the dressing separate for dressing at the lunch table
For the turkey we purchased 1/2 lb cooked Turkey - Jenny O brand
We made it another time and used cubed ham

I'd love to hear what you think!