food – Page 3 – Mom on the go in Holy Toledo

Gluten FREE Pizza, that tastes good!? It DOES Exist!!

June 24, 2015June 24, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

It has been a LONG difficult week. A trip with the gals to Columbus proved to be a bit more tempting than I had anticipated. Mind you, I did pack healthy food and snacks, which worked at first. We stopped at Starbucks (I had a cup of dark coffee), The Thurman Café (I had a side salad and boneless chicken wings with no sauce and tried my best to remove the breading), at the concert they had bar type drinks and food (I had water), after the concert I caved a bit, we had munchies back in the room (I had a few M&Ms & Pringles), and then this girl REALLY caved at McDonald’s for breakfast. I ordered the egg white delight and yes, I ate ALL of it, muffin too!! I felt horrible afterward. I had come so far!! The worst part was after I got home I found myself craving carbs!! I NEEDED a pizza, NEEDED!! Crazy, right!? I have found that it is moments like these that we have a very difficult decision. We can either say screw it, and go back to old habits, or forgive ourselves and get back on the healthy eating plan. I decided on the latter but I STILL wanted Pizza!! So I made cauliflower pizza crust! It tasted amazing…like an artisan pizza. But I will tell you truthfully that it took a lot of work & time…at least when compared to a “Hot & Ready” or frozen pizza. ~~If you~~ When you make this I would suggest doubling the recipe so you have some “cauliflower dough” for a future pizza.

Ingredients:

2 pounds cauliflower

¼ cup feta cheese

1 egg

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Directions:

Clean and cut up cauliflower. Place in food processor and pulse till it is the consistency of rice. Fill large put with roughly 1-1/2 inches water and bring to a boil. Place cauliflower in pot, cover with lid, and cook for 5 minutes. Get a strainer, place cheesecloth over strainer, and drain the cauliflower into the cheesecloth. (Don’t have cheesecloth, improvise…I found this bag that contained limes to be quite useful). Twist and squeeze out all the water. Place cauliflower in bowl; add 1 beaten egg, cheese, & Italian Seasoning. Mix everything together. Place parchment paper over cookie sheet. Pour “dough” onto parchment paper, spread dough out and create a crust for the pizza. “Dough” should be 1/3 inch thick. Bake at 400 for 35 minutes or until golden brown around crust. Remove from oven and add toppings.

And now I will answer what I know I was wondering…doesn’t it make you feel WAY gassy? I can confirm that after eating half this pizza (yep, no shame! Haha!) I was not gassy. And no, I did not have to go #2 quickly or a lot. It was damn good though!! Bacon & Feta, nothing better!! What is you favorite pizza topping? Any strange/weird toppings you like?

Road trip + convenience food = THE WORST temptation!

June 16, 2015June 16, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

As many of you know, I “killed” cereal, as my 7 year old so eloquently expresses, about 11 weeks ago. It hasn’t been the easiest road but the results have sure made it worth it! Since limiting consumption of grains in our diet I have lost 8 pounds and 4 inches around my waste but more importantly I feel SO much better! The foggy feeling has lifted, I have more energy, I feel like I have SO much more patience, peace, I feel more even keeled. I believe it has something to do with my blood sugar levels, granted, I am not a doctor, but, I can tell you from personal experience that I do not feel that rush of energy & then immediate crash and tiredness that I used to feel when consuming cereal, bread, bagels, basically any grain. They say it takes on average 66 days to develop a new routine. I fully agree. This path has been a difficult one. It requires SO MUCH SELF CONTROL!!! It is SO hard to pass on pizza when gathered around with friends. To order the salad when all your friends order the gourmet grilled cheese. To take a delicious Boston Crème pie over to the in-laws and then declared that you will pass on dessert! Oh the despair!! I have successfully gotten over those hurtles. Next hurtle, Road Trip!!

When I think road trip I think pit stops, iced lattés, cheese burgers, French fries, Twizzles, yum!! Just the words, road trip, to me are synonymous with convenience food. Stopping to use the restroom should be simple but the aroma of Starbucks coffee, those greasy delicious fries, oh the temptations!! In the past we would simply grab a latté, a burger, fries, etc. when we were on the road. It was a pretty simple concept, we wanted something and they provided it. Now that we are grain free and eating healthier the convenience factor is removed. The truth is, if you want to eat healthier more time, energy, effort, and planning needs to go into your nutrition plan. And yes, it can be a pain, but it is worth it. So how does one plan for a road trip filled with temptations?

So, here is what I have packed for a 3-4 hours road trip with kiddos. Mind you, we all get bored in the car and our first inclination to fulfill that boredom is food, is eating! When you pair that with the temptations of the delicious greasy aromas you WILL smell when you make a pit stop to use the restroom, a snack IS necessary! Here are some yummy snacks that I prepared before we hit the road…..

Strawberries (good source of fiber)

Celery & cucumbers (mostly water)

Grapes

Mixed Nuts (protein)

Cuties

Bananas

Mind you, those first couple road trips ARE hard. Our brains need to be rewired. We still have those feel good hormones that are released when we smell the grease. It isn’t easy. If you do slip up that is okay. Forgive yourself. Start fresh the next day. Thank goodness God gives us a new 24 hours each day. IT IS HARD but TRUST me, if you stick with it you WILL see results & they are amazing!! You can persevere though the most tempting road trips! You are stronger than you know!

Make it a great one! Drive safely (It isn’t how fast it’s how safe 😉 ) Cheers!!

Traveling with kids? Here are some fun activity ideas to keep them occupied.

Bacon Meatloaf with Dei Fratelli tomatoes! (Gluten Free)

June 9, 2015June 9, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

There is something comforting, nostalgic, even welcoming about the aroma of bacon coming from the kitchen. I don’t know if it simply reminds me of my childhood & visits to my grandmother’s house or perhaps it is the anticipation of tasting the crispy goodness? Either way, it stirs up nothing but pleasant and delicious memories for me. And since we have been sans cereal and I have been cutting back on grains it sure is nice to know that bacon can still be on the menu. So, I have to be honest, I totally worked backwards on this recipe. I knew I wanted bacon for dinner and I had a pound of organic ground beef that needed to be used and that was about it. Haha! My first thought was bacon wrapped meatballs but I wasn’t sure how that would go down with my fam. So I went with my second thought, Bacon Meatloaf! YUM!

Since we are going towards a grain-free gluten-free diet I made a few adjustments to my “usual” recipe. And it turned out AH-mazingly delicious!! The bacon helped keep the meatloaf moist and the flavors from the crushed tomatoes, red onions, and seasonings not only satisfied all the taste buds but it left my home smelling just like grandmas!

Bacon Meatloaf with Dei Fratelli

Ingredients:

1-Egg

¼ cup-Cocunut Flour

½ -Red onion diced

½ -tablespoon Italian Seasoning

Dash of salt

1 pound organic ground beef

½ cup Dei Fratelli crushed tomatoes

½ package of bacon

Directions:

Mix everything except the bacon in a bowl…I often use my hands to mix it up well…and yes, I wash my hand thoroughly first. 😉 Then place in a 9X9 oven safe dish (I used a glass one).
Slice bacon in half and place over meat so that it is entirely covered bacon. Have fun with it…basket weave it, crisscross, etc.
Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes
Enjoy!

I was talking to a friend the other day about this recipe and she asked if I included a hardboiled egg and I was shocked. My immediate answer was no!? Has anyone ever had meatloaf with boiled eggs down the center? If so, is it good?

Avocado Willpower Pudding!

June 2, 2015June 2, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

When trying to establish healthier eating habits the most difficult part, at least for me, is coming in contact with SO MANY temptations! I had a run-in with one last weekend and it was a doozy!

We were at a graduation party and they were serving one of those AH-mazing Costco cakes. You know the chocolate cake with the chocolate mousse in the center & chocolate frosting on top!! SO. GOOD. I actually caught myself drooling as I walked past it, inhaling all that sugary chocolate goodness! I was heartbroken. I felt as though I had just seen a long lost friend and then I gave them the cold shoulder….how could I!?! But I was also very impressed with my willpower. But I will be the first to tell you that willpower doesn’t satisfy the sweet tooth. Willpower doesn’t have the perfectly smooth frosting texture and airy chocolate mousse filling that I so desperately longed for! Oh the despair!!

After eating a bunch of healthy crap I found myself still dreaming of that smooth, rich, chocolate, decadent Costco cake. And I would have run to Costco if it wasn’t already closed for the day. So I hit up the fridge, I was in the zone! Here is what I came up with….

1 large banana

1-1/2 avocado (great BRAIN food!)

½ cup honey

½ cup cocoa powder

½ cup almond butter

1/3 cup almond milk

Optional: walnuts to top pudding with

Instructions: Blend everything together. I started with the avocados and bananas then slowly added the rest of the ingredients. If you have time to refrigerate it tastes so much better cold, but, if you NEED that chocolate fix right away, grab a spoon! Then refrigerate the rest.

Do tell, have you ever been caught off guard by a delicious dessert? How do you maintain your willpower? Do you have a healthier go-to version of the dessert? Please share.

Let’s Talk Salsa! (Giveaway)

May 28, 2015May 28, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

May is national Salsa month! Woo-hoo! I don’t know about your family but salsa is a staple in our family, it is right up there with eggs and coffee (coffee being #1, eggs #2, and salsa #3…although, what’s the point of having eggs if there is no salsa? Right!? So, let’s make that salsa #2 and eggs #3).

Salsa tastes amazing on everything or simply by itself. There is no shame in standing in front of the fridge with the doors open sneaking a spoonful of salsa. All I ask is that you be respectful of others & plan ahead, if you want 3 spoonsful then grab 3 spoons, don’t use the same spoon each time.

Salsa is like a magic potion that can transform the worst dishes into something spectacular. I can’t tell you how many times I have just royally messed up dinner, undercooked, overcooked, burnt it, seasoned it with the wrong seasoning, you name it and I have probably done it, but thankfully salsa saves dinner every time! So, if for no other reason, have salsa on hand for the next time you burn dinner…just keep it right next to your fire extinguisher. Haha!

My latest salsa obsession….salsa in a baked avocado! It taste amazing! Thanks Floating Kitchen for the inspiration…and this pic, this is her delicious meal…mine burnt. No need to worry, the salsa saved the meal but it didn’t look as beautiful as hers. You seriously have to try this!! I also like my avocados with a huge heaping spoonful of Dei Fratelli seasoned diced Tomatoes…bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes, remove, & drizzle with balsamic vinegar, so good!!!! Just make certain you set your timer. 😉

Here are some fun facts about salsa:

Salsa dates back to the ancient Aztecs, as early as 5200 B.C., where they would combine chili peppers and tomatoes into a sauce and serve with meat.
The hottest salsa reigns in more than one million Scoville Heat Units (SHU) compared to a Tabasco sauce, which only brings in 2,500-5,000 SHU.
Chili pepper-based salsas contain capsaicin, which has been shown to reduce inflammation!
Many salsas are tomato based, which mean they contain lycopene that has heart-protecting properties!

There are so many different types of salsas, Chili, Cherry, Corn, Mango, Black Bean, etc. it is fascinating! But sometimes the very best is the kind you make together as a family. Here is a great recipe to try with yours….the Dei Fratelli Secret Salsa. The secret is the Dei Fratelli Chopped Mexican Tomatoes & Jalapenos which add the perfect kick! (shhh)

Secret Salsa recipe

Ingredients:

2 cans Dei Fratelli Chopped Mexican Tomatoes & Jalapeños

5 – 8 Roma tomatoes

2 – 3 bunches Green onions, chopped

1 – 2 Red sweet onions, chopped

1 Lime

1 bunch Fresh cilantro, chopped

1 clove Fresh garlic, minced

1 small Jalapeño

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients except lime, cilantro, salt, and pepper and jalapeno in a blow. Add cilantro last and salt and pepper to taste. Cut the ends of the jalapeno and leave whole in the bowl. Salsa tastes best if it has a few hours to mix flavors in the refrigerator before it is served. Serves 6-8.

Don’t have time to wait for those flavors to marinate? Don’t worry, Dei Fratelli to the rescue!! Dei Fratelli has 2 different salsa options. The Original Salsa Medium and Original Salsa Mild. Salsa Medium boasts exceptional flavors of their vine-ripened tomatoes and jalapeno peppers boost the zest level of the original salsa. The flavor is perfected with an ideal blend of only the best peppers, onions, and garlic. The Original Mild Salsa consist of sturdy diced tomatoes that add more body and a delightful flavor that transforms everyday to perfection with just the right amount of peppers, onions, and garlic. Both taste amazing! but don’t take my word for it! You can get your hands on your own bottle at your local Publix, Harris Teeter, Piggly Wiggly, and Wal-Mart stores. And be sure to enter the giveaway!!!

Dei Fratelli Giveaway!

Oh the possibilities!! Salsa, their AH-mazing pizza sauce (my kids will only eat the Dei Fratelli pizza sauce when we make pizzas…I have created monsters! Haha!), unbelievably delish spaghetti sauce, the diced can tomatoes taste so fresh I have used them in place of tomatoes in some recipes (why waste all that time washing and dicing when Dei Fratelli did it for me, no brainer!?), and the tomato sauce, Italian sauce, and crushed tomatoes have been really helpful and accommodate our new and improved healthy eating lifestyle. ALL this could be yours!

How to enter the giveaway:

1-Like Mom on the go in Holy Toledo on Facebook

2-Follow @mamaof3onthego on Twitter

3-Follow Dei Fratelli on Instagram (if you have an account)

4-Like Dei Fratelli on Facebook

5- Follow Dei Fratelli on Twitter

6- Comment stating what your favorite type of salsa is….black bean, corn, mango, traditional, etc.

Winner will be randomly selected June 8th @11:59pm and posted here June 9th

Good luck and thank you for your time!

Cheers!!

Flower Power at the Farmers Market!!

May 23, 2015May 24, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

This weekend is Flower Days Weekend at the Farmer’s Market!! Finally!!! This marks a HUGE milestone for us Midwesterners, no more frost! Oh the power of those flowers, people come two by two, with their four-legged friends, strollers, wagons, etc. to get their hands on the perfect flowers! The flowers might be the power that gets you there but it’s the food, the Flying Rhino coffee, Holey Toledough Doughnuts (FYI-if you want a doughnut get there early!), face painting, the running into family & friends, the sense of community that will having you stay!

I told my husband that the girls and I were buying flowers so naturally my first stop would be to buy some honey. lol! I heard that if you use organic local honey it is supposed to help with allergies. And we have some peeps with allergies in our household so it just made sense, right!? And just look at that golden sweetness…okay, so maybe I let my sweet tooth make that purchase. Trust me, my entire family will be thanking me tomorrow at breakfast. 😉

One impulse buy down and the potential for a second was looking promising. It is not my fault, it is all these talented peeps we have in Toledo’s fault. (Totally rationalized that!) But seriously, we really do have so many talented individuals in Toledo and the surrounding area….growers, jewelers, bakers, etc. it is fascinating! And it feels so good when we support one another. But back to the initial task at hand….

There were so many flowers it was absolutely breathtaking! The girls finally decided on a beautiful combination of marigolds…for a price that couldn’t be beat! (great deals!!)

Then we were off to our next impulse purchase. After walking through the Farmers Market and smelling them the entire time, these quickly became a necessity, French fries! I am fairly certain making your children smell those fresh cut French fried goodness and then not letting them taste one might fall under the realms of child abuse. Lol! So we noshed on our fresh cut fries and enjoyed some music!

Then we headed home to plant our beautiful flowers!

Ahhh, it is fascinating what a little flower power can do….it can bring the community together, inspire a bonding opportunity with loved ones, and brighten up even the dreariest of yards!

So what kind of flowers are you planting this year?

10 Tips for Hosting a Slawesome Cookout!! (Contest Link included)

May 18, 2015May 18, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

Ever been to one of those cookouts where you are just bored out of your mind? You try to determine what is an adequate amount of time to stay without seeming to eager to leave? Ever come up with a carefully planned reason why you have to head out early? Ever had a special code word? Now imagine you were the poor hostess and your guest kept blurting out, kumquats, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, and other random weird words moments before making up a reason why they had to bolt! Don’t be that hostess!! Don’t forget the Slawsa!!

In case you missed the segment on WTOL Saturday morning here is a quick run down…we made some mouthwatering deviled eggs (click here for recipe) with my favorite condiment, SLAWSA!!! And we talked cookouts!!

What is Slawsa?

SLAWSA breaks the mold of modern condiments, boldly creating a whole new category of food, and standing alone in its realm of flavor. A delicious cross between a slaw and a salsa and far healthier than other toppers, more versatile and is a must-have for your pre-game tailgate, grilling at your backyard barbecue or to spice up your mid-week family dinners. We beg you, don’t serve your guests boring condiments.

Simply put, Slawsa is the Gourmet Topping for Everything without the gourmet price.

You can feel confident that Slawsa is:

all-natural
fat-free
cholesterol-free
gluten-free
very low in sodium
kosher
vegan

Source

Here are 10 tips to host a SLAWESOME cookout:

Keep it simple-no one likes a stressed out host. Go low budget on the decorations, use items from around the house, use napkins/bandanas as decorations, use real plates & utensils…not only is it cheaper but the planet will thank you!
Have guest bring a dish to pass- it means less for the host to have to provide & it gives everyone a special contribution…everyone wants to feel needed.
Have an Ice Tea bar- guests can add their own mint, fruit, alcohol, sugar, etc.
Background music is a must- Billy Holiday & Dean Martin are great choices for parties with multi-generations
Have all the must-haves handy for your guests- mosquito repellant, sunblock, hand sanitizer, wet wipes
Slawsa!! This sassy condiment will be the talk of the party…it is literally a symphony for your taste buds, AH-mazing!! (Available at Kroger & Meijer down the condiment isle, next to the relish…what, a girl can’t know her condiments? Haha!)
Photo Booth-this is a great way to get everyone involved in the fun! And as a bonus you will have pics to add to any future calendar, card, and/or photobook! Or if you are feeling really ambitious you could send out thank you photo cards to your guests.
Games/activities are a must! Bingo, bocce ball, croquet, hide items & have a scavenger hunt (have the older kids read the clues and younger once run and find them), have an art show- chalk on sidewalk or grab some fun crafts from Hobby Lobby and pass out awards to the artists
Have a plan B in case of rain-move the party inside, have a tent, umbrellas, etc.
Have to-go bags/containers for guest so they can easily take home food

Any tips you would add to the list? What do you worry about most when entertaining? Do you have Slawsa in your fridge? If not, why? What are you waiting for??

Interested in winning $50? Here is the link to the Photo Contest Slawsa is running now through the end of June! Get your Slawsa on!!! And good luck!!

Mother of 3, Blogger, & Cereal Killer!

May 11, 2015May 11, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

Growing up we were NEVER the “cool family”. We never had fun cereal, junk food, or cable! Looking back I have no idea how we survived! Thank goodness for our friends, because we wanted our MTV! At the time I just figured my parents hated us and didn’t want us to enjoy ANYTHING in life. Turns out they actually loved us and just wanted the best for us. And guess what, guess who doesn’t have cable or buys the “fun cereal”? This mom! And all this time I thought I was doing right by my children. I assumed fortified cereals were good for them, much better than the stuff with all the sugar and dyes, right!?! Wrong!

Our adventure began 8 weeks ago. The standard in our home has always been cereal for breakfast. They would eat their bowl of cereal, beg for more because they were still hungry, be exhausted a half hour after eating their cereal, and also a tad cranky. I had always assumed that was just the way kids were then one weekend I made eggs and bacon. The children were not hungry after they ate the eggs & bacon, they were not tired a half hour later, and they were a joy to be around. My first thought was, what was in those eggs? Haha! My second thought was that there might actually be a correlation between the cereal and the children’s behavior. So for the next few mornings I alternated the cereal with eggs and/or steel cut oatmeal. And my findings were spot on, each time the children had cereal they were still hungry, cranky, and tired but when they had eggs and/or the oatmeal they were pleasant and full. But how could this be since I only purchased the “good for you cereal”, the fortified cereal with fiber and less sugar? So I did some research online and came across a few interesting articles.

It’s fortified with nutrients my children need, right?!

“Millions of children are ingesting potentially unhealthy amounts” of vitamin A, niacin and zinc, and fortified cereals are the leading source, said a new report from the Environmental Working Group, a Washington -based health research and advocacy firm.

A variety of health issues are at stake for children who consume too much vitamin A, zinc and niacin, like liver damage, abnormal immune function and short-term issues like rashes and vomiting, the report says.

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/fortified-cereals-bad-kids-report-article-1.1842365

It is loaded with fiber that should help make them feel full longer, right?!

11 of the 13 most heavily sugared children’s cereals feature marketing claims like “Good Source of Fiber” that suggest misleadingly that the products are healthful.

http://www.ewg.org/research/childrens-cereals

It contain less sugar than in the past, right?!

The lack of progress on the sugar front is discouraging. After reexamining the 84 children’s cereals assessed in 2011, EWG found that while the sugar content of 11 cereals decreased slightly (in 10 cases, by just one gram; in one case by an underwhelming two grams), all other cereals remained unchanged (except Frosted Mini-Wheats Big Bite, which actually upped its sugar content by 20 percent).

The report also highlights some particularly terrible cereals in its “Hall of Shame,” which includes 12 cereals that contain more than 50 percent sugar by weight. (Lieber’s Cocoa Frosted Flakes took home the insanity prize, packing 50g of sugar per serving; the cereal is 88 percent sugar by weight, delivering a whopping 167 percent of the recommended daily sugar intake for children in a single serving).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris-hunt/cereal-offenders-ewg-expo_b_5330975.html

The more digging I did the more I found…..

GMOs: Most conventional cereals contain sugar and corn made from GMO products. Note that these same manufacturers create GMO free cereals for distribution overseas.

Annatto: This natural flavoring is now entering into controversy. According to WebMD, it can affect blood sugar levels so if your child has diabetes, please be aware of that. It also has been linked with allergies, and the Food Intolerance Network has gotten reports linking it to headaches and irritability. If you have a sensitive eater or a child prone to allergies, you may want to avoid this flavoring.

BHT is also a chemical additive and may be a possible ADHD trigger.

http://www.mamavation.com/2015/01/top-10-toxic-kid-cereals-to-avoid.html

I probably could have gone on for days researching all the ways marketing had fooled me into believing I was doing the best by my kids’ health. I had read enough and witnessed with my own eyes the effect cereal had on my children. So what’s the solution? Make breakfast every morning? Who has the time? At least cereal was convenient…but at such a huge cost! I don’t want my children becoming diabetics because I couldn’t get out of bed to make them breakfast…I don’t need that kind of mommy guilt lurking over me! The solution, cookies, bars, & cakes! Yep, you read right!

I started by making these amazing cookies!! Here is the recipe I made them the night before and did not tell the children what was in them…for some reason the moment you say healthy kids won’t eat them! And they loved them! They even requested them for breakfast the next morning….then I let them in on my little secret. If the cookies could be this delicious what else was out there? Turns out A LOT!

Pancakes….Click here for the recipe

Bars……Click here for recipe (I did add a few chocolate chips)

Carrot Cake…..Click here for recipe

Breakfast burritos….we had leftovers from fajitas the night before so we simply added eggs and voila! Peppers, steak, mushrooms, guacamole, and eggs in homemade tortillas!

Before I knew it I had settled into a routine of cleaning up dinner, doing the dishes, and making breakfast. Because I know there is no way I can make these in the morning…but perhaps you are a better morning person than I and you like to just chill in the evenings…the key is to find what works best for you, no one knows you better than you!!

Added bonus…I put on a dress for Mother’s Day that was WAY to snug 2 months ago and guess what, IT FITS now! So apparently this eating healthier for breakfast is not only helping the kiddos but my waistline too. SCORE!! Bring on the cookies, cakes, and bars!

If this is the transformation for altering breakfast can you imagine the results if we altered lunch and dinner too? Baby steps! 😉

No Preservatives, Additives, or DRIPS!! (For $1!)

May 9, 2015May 9, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

It is hot outside and the kiddos have been playing for all of 10 minutes. They want a snack along with half the other kids from the neighborhood who are in your backyard. Hmmm….what to feed them?! Want to offer them something that isn’t processed? That has no additives or preservatives? That has no dyes? No corn syrup? Why not throw organic in the mix too!? How does an organic refreshing blueberry Popsicle sound? One you made? You are probably thinking, because I know I was, been there done that and the gosh darn bags/popsicle molds/didn’t work! I also almost gave up on the entire concept until I came across these gems at the Dollar Store! Yep, the DOLLAR STORE! (Amazon wanted $9.99!) One container makes 4 popsicles, so you might want to stock up! And guess what, they actually work! I like the fact that all drips are caught and can be slurped through the straw on the side. So there is less mess. I am lusting after these things! They are the hot commodity in our household right now…I am having a tough time keeping them stocked!

Ingredients:

2 cups frozen fruit (fills 6-8 popsicles)

Kiddos really enjoy blueberry, strawberry, mango, & pineapple and you can mix the fruit…have them come up with their own flavor and name it! My little one made Purple Princess Blueberry Blush…it is fun to hear the crazy names they come up with!

1 tablespoon Agave

¾ cup water

Popsicle container

Directions:

Place all ingredients in the food processor or blender and blend baby, blend!! Then pour contents into the containers. Best part is since the fruit is frozen it literally takes an hour for the popsicles to be ready. SCORE! And then enjoy!!

Moms & Dads can also enjoy these delicious treats…FYI-they also taste great in a cocktails

Simple Mango & Black Bean Salad with a little kick!

May 6, 2015momonthegoinholytoledo

It is FINALLY that time of year!! I feel like we have been waiting forever! Time to live outdoors! Well, not entirely but at least during the day. Time to have family, friends, and the neighbors over for cookouts! Time to bring a dish to pass at the block party and lake! Time to ooh & aah all the ladies with your culinary skills! Time to stock up on the Dei Fratelli!!

This is one of my favorite recipes, it is literally like your taste buds are transporting you to the beaches of Cabo San Lucas…you can almost feel the sand between my toes (I have been there once and the food was unbelievable, fresh, authentic, mouthwatering delicious)

Mango & Black Bean Salad:

1 can black beans drained and rinsed

1 can of Dei Fratelli Chopped Mexican Tomatoes & Jalapenos (do NOT drain…the peppers, cilantro, onion, garlic, vinegar, and salt that is in the can will be the dressing…less work for you…thank you Dei Fratelli)

1-1/2 cups chopped Mangos (frozen or fresh)

2 Tablespoons Avocado oil

Optional: add 1 avocado sliced & mix with other ingredients

Serve with a small side dish of Greek Yogurt (taste just like sour cream) for guest to place on top

Directions:

Pour all contents into bowl and mix.

Refrigerate for a few hours before you serve, best if served cold. Don’t have a few hours? Then use frozen mangoes…I have a big bag of organic frozen mango slices for this very reason…well, they also taste amazing as a sorbet and/or smoothies)

And Enjoy!!

Cheers to many backyard gatherings this season!!