I just love the first week of summer vacation, don’t you?
No more of the hectic morning rush out the door to get to school and no more packing gluten free, allergen free lunchboxes! Instead, I’m now quietly sipping green smoothies on the patio, listening to the birds chirp their little songs and tending to my garden while my boys sit quietly in their sandbox, playing nice together…
You believe all that, right?
Well don’t, because the truth of the matter is that after just ONE day of summer break, my house already looked like a bomb went off and my ears had begun to ring from all the “loving” brotherly squabbles!! I don’t know where they get it from because I know I never behaved like that growing up…right, mom? 😀
Getting desperate, I decided to take the boys on an impromptu outing to the Petroglyph National Monument, here in Albuquerque last week (note to self: make sure Mike goes next time!). Imagine my surprise when we arrived and I saw this lovely little sign:
The really unnerving part? You can barely see them against the desert sand, especially if you’re not paying attention:
Do you have boys?
Well, If you do, then I bet you’re not surprised by this little act of manly independence defiance: 😯
I know he knows how to read, but even if he couldn’t, what part of that sign does Sam NOT UNDERSTAND?? Hello? Rattlesnakes? You know, venomous serpents of death who move very quickly? PLEASE STAY ON THE TRAIL! You are not Grizzly Adams!
“Umm…I know I look like an Australian commando, but I am completely petrified by the rattlesnake sign.” Good boy, fear is appropriate when it comes to rattlesnakes!
Hey! Where are you going?? I thought you were petrified!
“Have big brother…must follow!” Perhaps big brother and his father should have a long talk at some point!?
Sam and Luke’s favorite new show is Swamp Brothers (hilarious!) on the Discovery Channel and the above “rattlesnake hunt” was inspired by this episode.
We did manage to get one good photo of a petroglyph!
The winner of the Mama K’s Aromatic Play Clay Giveaway is…
#46, Christy!
Congratulations Christy, I will email you for your shipping information. 😀
For this week’s menu plan, I am going to be whipping up some of the phenomenal recipes of my dear friend, Kim from Cook IT Allergy Free. Have you “met” Kim yet? Kim has become one of my dearest friends over the past year. We each have two little boys about the same age and our oldest sons both have celiac disease (you can read her son’s…and ultimately her husband’s…diagnosis story here).
These two became fast friends when they met last summer, all things Legos and Star Wars (um, Sam, when giving bunny ears, you do it from behind the other person’s head, not on it, LOL!).
Kim ROCKS when it comes to serving up healthy and delicious gluten free and allergy friendly meals and she even has a hugely popular iPhone/iPad app by the same same, Cook IT Allergy Free. I absolutely love this app, so much so, I bought my husband an iPad for Christmas just so I could download the app (and thinking that I could eventually call the iPad my own…yeah, no such luck!). Check it out:
Monday:
Breakfast: Berry Green Smoothie and Homemade Breakfast Sausage from Food Renegade
Lunch: Applegate Farms Smoked Turkey Rollups, Raw Veggies and Hummus, Mixed Berries
Dinner: Meyer Lemon Chicken, Grilled Asparagus, Salad (my boy’s favorite dressing at the moment is this French Dressing Recipe from Lexie’s Kitchen, it is really good!)
Dessert: Yellow Watermelon Slices
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Green Smoothie, Homemade Breakfast Sausage
Lunch: Applegate Farms Soppressata Rollups, Cucumbers and Carrots with Herbamare, Fresh Strawberries, Pistachios
Dinner: Wild Salmon with Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic, Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash, Salad
Dessert: I’m going to attempt to make dairy-free, refined sugar-free orange sherbet
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Green Smoothie, Homemade Breakfast Sausage
Lunch: Applegate Farms Organic Ham Rollups, Raw Veggies and Hummus, Marcona Almonds, Grapes
Dinner: Pork Tenderloin with Peach Avocado Salsa and a Balsamic Reduction, Grilled Sweet Potatoes, Salad
Thursday:
Breakfast: Green Smoothie, Homemade Breakfast Sausage
Lunch: Applegate Farms Smoked Turkey Rollups, Raw Veggies and Hummus, Apple Slices with Almond Butter
Dinner: Pistachio Pesto Crusted Chicken, Oven Roasted Broccoli (check out this recipe over at Real Mom Kitchen), Salad
Dessert: Homemade Tart Cherry Juice Popsicles
Friday:
Breakfast: Green Smoothie and Homemade Breakfast Sausage
Lunch: Applegate Farms Soppressata Rollups, Raw Veggies and Hummus, Homemade Trail Mix, Nectarines
Dinner: Kale, Cabbage, Bean and Sausage Soup, Salad
Dessert: Peaches n’ Cream (I use full-fat canned coconut milk, sweetened with just a touch of agave nectar)
Saturday: I’m hosting a family BBQ for my dad’s birthday
Breakfast: Green Smoothie, Homemade Breakfast Sausage
Lunch: Leftovers from the week
Dinner: BBQ Ribs, Coleslaw, Potato Salad (for our guests…no potatoes for us for another month), Raw Veggie Platter with Hummus, Fresh Fruit Platter
Dessert: Key Lime Pie (Gluten Free, Grain Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free) from my friend Kelly Brozyna’s cookbook, The Spunky Coconut Grain-Free Baked Goods and Desserts (my dad, who is not “free of” anything…LOVES this Key Lime Pie of Kelly’s!).
Sunday:
Breakfast: Green Smoothie, Homemade Breakfast Sausage
Lunch: Leftovers from the week
Dinner: Flank Steak Tacos…sans the Tacos (I will forgo the Crema and make homemade Salsa instead)
Dessert: Fresh Strawberries
Kim has offered to give two of my readers a complimentary download of her Cook IT Allergy Free app (thanks Kim!). To enter for a chance to win, check out Kim’s Gluten Free, Dairy Free Chocolate Fondue Recipe and…
Tell me one of the foods Kim made during our visit last summer.
Bonus Entry Opportunities (strictly optional, but please leave a separate comment for each so they count as additional entries)
- ‘Like’ Cook IT Allergy Free on Facebook
- ‘Like’ Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom on Facebook
I will announce the TWO winners on Thursday, June 9, 2011
And welcome to my blog!
Whether you're here looking for advice on how to go gluten free (with delicious kid-approved recipes of course!), or to read some of the latest medical research on celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity...or even to read about one woman's rise from the depths of gluten-free despair to a place of downright enthusiasm, it makes no matter. The point is, you are here now so let's have some fun!
Zucchini fritters – which sound amazing right now, might have to make some this week.
Not entering the giveaway, but just had to say what an awesome post (how do we survive motherhood???) and I love Kim's app even if I don't have anything to use it on. LOL I've just seen it demo'd a bunch. Hey, it's got some of my recipes on there, too. I think it's such a great tool and one day when I get an iPhone or something similar, I'll get it immediately. You will have such a great week making Kim's recipes. She is such a phenomenal cook as you and I both know. 🙂
Note to Jenny–Kim's zuchinni fritters are awesome!
xo,
Shirley
Shirley I made them last night with a few minor substitutions and they are delicious! We love zucchini and always trying to figure out new ways to eat it.
How did I miss this post?? You are amazing! First, off your intro is hysterical. AND… Thank you so much for the sweet shout out and complete and total link love. I feel very lucky to call you my dear friend! I seriously cannot believe your menu plan. You are going to be a busy lady in the kitchen this week!
And I love those awesome pics of the boys on your hike. Conner would be right by Sam's side heading off the trail. Conner would actually be HOPING to find a rattlesnake. LOL And all I can say about Carson and Luke? The two of them together would spell total and complete T-R-O-U-B-L-E (the only problem is that they are too stinking cute – it'd be really hard to stay mad at them).
And, one more thing, your garden looks like it is doing awesome!!! That baby eggplant is so cute. We just ate some of our eggplant with dinner tonight. So yummy!!
Huge hugs to you! xoxox
k
Sounds like you had a wonderful visit with your new friend. It all sounds delicious but I think the zucchini fritters would be fun to try. I signed up for her blog too. Kim has a great energy – like you Heidi!
Zucchini fritters!!!
Thanks for all the scrumptious ideas. Can you post the recipe for your peaches n' cream?
I like cook it allergy free on facebook – this post cracked me up, reminded me of my sister who is currently living in Australia with her two young boys and husband. You have to check out her blog at some point (www.sssparks.blogspot.com) Jed is five, Sam is 18 months and they have lots of "lovely" (aka deadly) little creatures running around over there especially in their house.
Your garden looks awesome! I can't wait to start seeing some snap peas in mine, hopefully soon. Your eggplant reminds me of that movie (play) little shop of horror (not in a bad way, just they way it is shaped, please don't take offense (: ha ha) and your boys are soooo cute!
Hope you enjoy summer
Okay, we have GOT to get out boys together. It'd be a hoot! Those are beautiful garden shots!! As always, thanks for the menu inspiration. Getting ready to go to the grocery store right now and have no idea what I need to get …
xoLexie
Zucchini Fritters, and dairy Free Pesto Crusted Chicken
Darn it, I missed Wild Salmon night. But, I'll be over for that pistachio pesto crusted chicken. Your making it dairy-free too, right?
When living in Nevada they had loads of petroglyphs AND rattle snake warnings. Didn't come across a snake in all of those years, but did come way too close to stepping on a monster tarantula (sp?).
Kim's boy and yours are so cute together! So cool that you were able to hang out offline and with families in tow.
I like you on facebook 🙂 and in real life too.
Oh man, that photo of Sam and the rattlesnake warning sign is giving me the heebie jeebies! A little close for my comfort – boys!