Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce and Parmesan Kale Beans

Last night was night #2 for gluten free eating for me.
I must confess I have already started getting headaches, I assume from my body detoxing a bit and the fact that I havent had any soda in two days.
But thats okay, it means its working right??

Last night was supposed to be Salmon with Roasted red pepper sauce and a side of beans with Kale.
I dont eat fish, so I changed it to chicken. I thought it was very good. Still not sure if I like kale. But I ate it. The kids all loved the chicken, my daughter tried but didnt like the beans. ( I really think she didnt like the kale). And both boys ate everything. Of course.

I really thought the kale would cook down like a spinach but it didnt. It fought me to the bitter end. ( see what I did there - bitter/kale)  but it held its crunch.

Here are some shots I took of it...

All in all, we ate, our bellies are full and not full of gluten. Score!
Stay tuned for more!!

Italian Polenta Bake- Gluten Free

 Well here it is, the first gluten free recipe that is not my own...
It was delicious!!
It consisted of polenta, turkey sausage, mushrooms, onion, tomato puree, and mozzarella cheese!!
With a spinach salad on the side.

I highly recommend it!!
www.thefresh20.com

Poof Be GONE Gluten!

My husband and I decided a while back we wanted to try a gluten free diet. I went to Publix with high hopes. I left with a few boxes of gluten free pasta and a bag of gluten free flour. I had no idea what I was doing. So I gave up.

A month or so later - a friend posted about this really awesome website..

The Fresh 20

It gives you meal plans, shopping lists and recipes - Classic, Gluten Free or Vegetarian.

I researched it and prayed on it and finally decided to take the plunge. I requested a free sample of what the menu may be like and it sounded amazing. So I signed up.

I printed out my list and recipes and went to the grocery store today.


Here is my menu this week...

Italian Polenta Mozzarella Bake with a Spinach Salad
Chicken Breast ( was supposed to be salmon but I don't do fish) with roasted red pepper sauce and Parmesan Cannellini Beans
Peasant Bean Stew
Greek Chicken with a warm Spinach and rice salad
Twice Baked Pizza Potatoes with sauteed garlicky Kale

Sounds good right?
Well this will be fun for me, and broaden my pallatte because I have never had polenta or kale in my life!!
And it will be fun for me to learn more recipes and think out side the box!

My kids?? They arent picky at all and usually eat what is put before them, and if they dont, they dont eat. Yep, I am one of those moms... but like I said they arent picky and usually eat everything with a few exceptions!!

I am excited for this journey!
Stay tuned as for my thoughts on the meals!!

Dakota Dont Dig Crust

Dakota is going through this "thing" right now.

This thing where he doesnt like to eat crusts.

Whats funny about it is, its even crusts on donuts and crackers... 

What is that you say? Donuts and crackers dont have crusts??

Right you are.

But he apparently thinks they do - so he eats around the edges... of everything.

I have no idea where he picked this up. Everyone in this house eats the crusts... well most of the time...

But it is hilarious to watch!

So here is his breakfast this morning....

French Toast - on whole wheat - with the syrup on the side for dipping.... With the crusts left to fend for themselves....

What did you have for breakfast today?

We hope you like Jammin too!

My son Dakota is pretty amazing. He has some awesome talents.

He can contort his body in ways no man ever should. He is super flexible and can fold himself in half. I mean, THAT is talent my friends!

He can stick his tongue out further then any human I have ever seen! Gene Simmons has nothing on him!

His voice can penetrate many decibels inaudible to human ears! I mean he is LOUD!

He has this uncanny ability to make friends where ever he goes. I mean people are just drawn to him!

But of all his talents I must admit his ear for music is astounding.
He LOVES to sing... ( at the top of his lungs.)
And he loves to dance... ( shake it!)
But most of all he loves to make music... ( NOISE).

For Christmas we were able to score him a bunch of musical stuff. Which included a cool roll up Key Board, a harmonica and a musical guitar. He has been tooting his harmonica for a few days and busts out the key board on occasion. But on this particular day he had his guitar out. And was singing.

What is greater on this earth then a man and his guitar? When he gets a little older I am going to put him in some sort of musical instrument lessons. I am praying it is guitar! :)

I have ZERO musical ability. None. Zilch. I can only hope at least one of my children will be able to woo me with their song of their soul!

Eh, heres to hoping :)

Merry Christmas from Melanie's Mania

We wish you a merry Christmas!

Here is a quick view of how we spent our day!
We hope you enjoyed your friends and family as much as we have!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!


Christmas Eve night....

And the children were nestled all snug in their beds...

My family at my moms...

My Family at my moms for Christmas Day

Our awesome moustache gifts!!

We moustache you a question!

Recipe ~ Potato Soup

Potato Soup

Ingredients:

6 large potatoes
1 1/2 cup chopped celery,  (include leaves)
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup half-and-half or 1/2 cup cream
2 Cups of Diced Ham
2 Bay Leaves
1 Cup of Carrots
2 Cans of Chicken Broth

Stovetop Directions:

1 Peel and cube potatoes.

2 Put in a saucepan along with the onions and celery.

3 Add chicken broth, enough to just cover the vegetables.

4 Bring to a boil, lower heat, cover and simmer for 25 minutes, or until all of the vegetables are very tender.

5 Using a potato masher, coarsely crush the potatoes, but don't mash them--you want chunks left.

6 Add enough milk or cream to thin to desired thickness and add salt& pepper to taste.

Crock pot Directions:

1. Peel and cube potatoes

2. Put all ingredients in crock pot.

3. Cook for 5-8 hours.

4. Enjoy!