{Gluten Free} Pineapple UpsideDown Cake

Earlier this week I was at a lunch play date and the host (aka. a wonderful BFF) absolutely spoiled us with the perfect, summery dessert! And to boot, she made it gluten free!! (This is when you KNOW its true love, when she never lets me go without the amazing yumminess!!)

I could hardly wait for an excuse to recreate this divine little cake, so I didn't! I made it the following evening for dessert! What a hit! Its moist, perfect, delicious and so crazy easy to make. Its the perfect potluck dessert, too... just be prepared for the invitations to come rolling in once you share this with your friends!

{Gluten Free} Mini Snack Bars

Hello All!!  Its been so long since I've posted that I hardly know what to start with! How about, Happy New Year! Its still technically the new year and I think its still allowed right? Since just before Christmas, things have been crazy around here with two boys in hockey,  a major holiday, school commitments, etc. Its sometimes hard to come up for air! So I apologize for my blog neglect, and I hope that this doesn't happen again (at least for a long time...).

I'm excited to share this amazing recipe! It happened because I messed up another recipe and didn't realize until I had half of the bars pressed into the Perfect Petites mould. So then I thought, rather than scoop it all out and start again, I'd just give it a go and see what the results would be. Well I'm thrilled to report.... they. are. DELICIOUS! And for a gluten free treat (especially a homemade one) no one else even noticed! They are the perfect consistency, kind of like a granola bar with a soft centre. How EXCITING!! So then I thought to myself, "YAY! Lunch treats!". Except then I thought to myself, "you DOPE! You put pecans in the recipe!". So I'm making the pecans optional and saying use either that or double the dried fruit for gluten free, nut free yumminess!

{Gluten Free} Halloween Rice Krispie Squares

I've been slacking pretty bad around here. You will note that even the pics I'm using in this post are just cell shots. The blog is getting some unintentional neglect as our hockey season is in full swing with two little guys, and then there's swimming and homework and laundry, oh and did I mention they still want dinner EVERY night?! Yikes. 

I did find a few spare minutes though, and I threw together these amazing little festive treats that the kids just love!

         

So cute, right?? So this is simply simple. And so quick to make, you'll look like a rockstar in 15 mins or less!

I'd like to say it was fancy, but I just used the recipe inside the box of gluten free Rice Krispies, and then I topped them with the cutest sprinkles and pumpkin Peeps (I did NOT know Peeps made pumpkins!! What a pleasant surprise!)

       

How festive! I love these! I stashed a pan away for myself! Haha!

{Gluten Free} Mini Pumpkin Pie Cakes

It feels like FOREVER since I've shared a recipe! I'm not even going to look back and see how long its been! This one is better-late-than-never, but I have a few reasons for that.... Its been crazy busy here this fall. So that's one. The second reason is that I have tested this recipe several times and its finally tweaked to perfect (if I do say so myself!). The third and most important reason is my little bambino who just absolutely loved to be held (by me) pretty mush all the hours that he is awake.... And he's not a fan of sitting still for me to blog. 

In case you didn't know it, I'm a pumpkinaholic. I love pumpkin almost as much as my kids and chocolate and so I have been seeking really good pumpkin recipes that are gluten free. For those of you who eat a gluten free diet, you will understand just how important 'good' recipes are. There are a lot of different products out there, and recipes, but its hard to find DELICIOUS ones. I have pretty much perfected this recipe and I am excited to share it!

Creamy Dilly Cucumber Bean Salad

I'm still in salad mode while the weather stays nice. I love salads of all  kinds, and I love trying new things! If you missed them, check out my recipes for Greek Quinoa Salad, Taco Bean Salad & Cranberry Arborio Salad.

In the past few weeks the neighbours' garden has had a surplus of cucumbers. First of all I'd like to say this makes me sad & sentimental as we have not found the time for our garden over the past two summers. I loved my garden. I really wanted to have a small one this year but there are just not enough hours in the day with my little army of boys around here. My hope is that next summer the two older boys will be excited & helpful with a little garden. But I digress, I'd like to thank my neighbours for growing too much and sharing. It also makes me very happy to have fresh produce from their lovely garden and I love the inspiration for new recipes to use these fresh veggies!

Fruity Chocolate PB Popsicles

I'm almost out of ideas for the rest of the strawberries that are hanging around here. Tonight I decided to make some popsicles for the week that the boys and I can enjoy in the heat. This recipe is delicious! 

Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake

Yesterday I stopped at a roadside stand for more fresh strawberries. I seriously can't get enough! I thought I would share this basic & delicious idea today. Its a perfect summery dessert for breakfast enjoying alone while the kids play outside entertaining! Other than baking the cake, the rest only takes minutes to throw together. Looks seasonal, tastes delightful!

10 DIY Popsicle Recipes {Perfect Pins}

Its been really hot so far this summer & I'm not complaining! I'm just looking for ideas to create frozen treats for cooling down. I love how easy these recipes are to make, and I love them as an alternative to brand treats that are probably packed full of things I'd rather not talk about. I'm not saying we don't enjoy a good freezie from time to time, but its nice to have these homemade, fruit-filled popsicles on hand for the kiddos!

Easy Homemade Strawberry Jam

Strawberry season is here (well I guess its almost over)! We took our little men and went picking last week. We also brought the neighbour kids. Can I just suggest that you do this when you're planning to go picking? I didn't have to do anything! I just gave all the little people little baskets and set them loose in to the patch. They were competing to see who could fill their basket faster and that worked out quite well! They had a blast and I got 8 litres of fresh strawberries in under 45 minutes.

It didn't look like a lot at the time but when we got home and I got to washing them I quickly decided that we couldn't possibly eat all of the berries before they went bad. So we started jammin'. Hahaha... I really find myself entertaining at times. (Sidenote, its hard to type entertaining. Or is that just me? My fingers got all messed up both times there. Try it.)

Slow Cooker Italian Ranch Beef - Prepped in 2 Mins or Less!

I have to share this recipe for two reasons. 1) Its the most delicious recipe of my whole life I'm pretty sure and 2) it takes less than 2 minutes to prep. I am so happy that a girlfriend shared this with me, and that I was able to try it at her house so that I was extremely motivated to make it. I actually called my hubby on the way home and asked him to pick up the stewing beef so that I could make it the next day! Now I have to say that the original recipe called for three different envelopes of mixes (can you say SODIUM OVERLOAD!), but my brilliant friend modified the recipe to include the delicious Epicure products that we love.

Tomato Zucchini Soup

Recently I have been trying to fill the freezer with meals that will be handy for when I'm in the hospital, and for once we are home with this new baby.  I'm all about convenience and fast meals.  

Here is the easiest soup recipe you have ever made. Well, its not quite as easy as opening a can... but its pretty darn close!

Chocolate Peach Smootie

I've been getting a lot done around the house these days, and I have been trying to sneak in quick meals during the day so as not to interrupt the flow! I get easily sidetracked and so stopping to make lunch will usually end in me sitting on the couch for the rest of the afternoon catching up on my recorded shows. Did I mention this is week 32 of pregnancy? I think its a good enough excuse!

The To Do List for today has been shortened (due to my probably overdoing it a little yesterday) but I really hope to get through most of it. Wish me luck!

I slowed down to make some lunch, and with a lot of things being far less than appealing, I decided to make a smoothie. Now, this recipe might not sound delicious as I was just looking through the fridge and threw in whatever looked delicious. It turned out so tasty! I can't even believe it. Even now as I write this recipe out I feel like it looks like a strange combination. Give it a try though. Its so yummy!

Rise & Shine: Healthy Breakfast Omlette

Mornings are always a crunch around here trying to get everyone organized and ready for the days.  Today we were off for Family Day and it was nice to have the extra day with no plans, no school, no work & no hockey!  I took the opportunity to put together a delicious breakfast.  I LOVE really good breakfast.  Who am I kidding?... I love food in general.  But there is something about a big, healthy breakfast that makes me extraordinarily happy.  

This morning I played a little game of "What's in the Fridge", and here's what I came up with!  It was SOOOOO tasty & filling.  The boys chose to go for boiled eggs & bacon.  I enjoyed this fabulous omlette to myself.  I can't say I'm sad that they didn't want to share!  

Valentine's Day Treats: White Chocolate Bark

This is a quick and fun DIY that looks fabulous and takes very little time to prepare!  I had so much fun making it!  The boys were really excited to see how this White Chocolate Bark turned out, and they couldn't wait to share it with their classmates!!

Valentine's Day Treats: White Chocolate Pretzel

They boys' class parties are today and I was busy last night helping them get ready!  Middle guy wasn't himself last evening and so he didn't feel much like it, but the Biggest and I sat down and got at it!  (And Daddy too... I think he likes Washi Tape almost as much as me!!)

I love sending in treats so I made two different kinds to send for the parties...  Here are the White Chocolate Pretzel Treats!  Y'all ready for this?  So easy to make and they look so wonderful!!

10 Gluten-Free Desserts {Perfect Pins}

Some weeks around here are crazier than others. This week we survived one sick boy (and managed to prevent the others from catching it!).  After all the love and snuggles and extra cleaning/laundry, I'm feeling wiper out!  I decided that the best way to curb this feeling, is to find a bunch of yummy gluten-free desserts to share.  I hope to find the motivation to make something tomorrow.  I think it will be nice to have a delicious dessert for Valentine's Day, and who doesn't love eating yummy things to celebrate a rough week??

Speaking of gluten free treats, did you see the Gluten Free Chocolate Cookie recipe that I posted?  They are DELICIOUS!  Big hit here!

I'm sharing the best 10 recipes I could find, and I am feeling super motivated to try most of them!

Valentine's Day Treats: Gluten Free Chocolate Cookies

Today I'm sharing these delicious and adorable Valentine's gluten-free treats that are perfect for sending in to the classroom with the kiddies.  They are easy to make, fun to decorate, and they look super cute!

I used a cheater method for the cookies.  You can use any recipe for chocolate cookies.  I chose to make mine with a gluten-free cake mix.  Very simple.  6 ingredients.  Bake.  Go.  

Here's the recipe for the cookies!

10 Recipes for Fall Soups {Perfect Pins}

This week the cold weather has set in.  I wasn't ready.  At all.  I'm still wearing sandals.  Today I couldn't feel my toes when I got home.  I suppose I can't fight it any longer.  Fall is in the air.

What better way to transition into the cooler months, than to collect a list of hearty fall soups to warm up with.  Here are just a few that I found to get you started....

10 Crockpot Recipes {Perfect Pins}

With less than one week left to get organized, here are this week's perfect pins for crockpot recipes!  

OMG! I Love to Cook

Chef This Up

Living Mama Style

Sally Cooks

A Bear in the Kitchen

Just A Pinch Recipes

Key Ingredient

The Crockpot Recipe

Michelle Marie

Epicure Selections

Chickpeas in a Nest - 13 Minute Appetizer (Gluten Free)

Anyone who know me knows that in the last few child-rearing years I am somewhat of a scatterbrain. Absent-minded. Forgetful. Seriously if I don't write something down, its not happening. People tell me this is normal after having kids.  I sure hope so. Otherwise, I should probably have my head examined.  So recently, as per usual, I double booked on a weekend because I didn't have my calendar on me and made two sets of plans that were happening in two different towns for the same evening at very close to the same time.  I would like to add here that the plane were approximately 150km apart. 

Another one of my poor life habits is my inability to really plan too far ahead, and I'm always late.  For pretty much everything. Always.