Homemade Applesauce in 5 Easy steps

I made applesauce today with a bunch of fresh picked organic apples.  It was my first try and I did alright.  It's pretty simple.

1. Take a bunch of apples.
2. Peel, core and slice them.
3. Put them in a giant pot with an inch of water on the bottom.
4. Heat on high, then down to medium high until apples are very soft and mushy.
5. Add cinnamon.

Wonderful.

 This is a heck of a lot easier than I thought it would be.  I'd always been very intimidated by the process.  Probably because of the boiling hot lava apple blobs popping out of the pot like a terrible bog of doom.  But I did it and survived.  Yes, a lid helped.

Apples

Packing Gluten Free Lunches

My husband is a refrigeration technician, which means he's paranoid about keeping meats and cheeses below a certain temperature.  So, when I read an article about how food in lunch boxes never stays below the safe temperature to avoid bad bacteria growth, I decided packing lunches would mean choosing foods that are NOT prone to food-borne illnesses.  Ecoli is not desirable.

I threw together some gluten free survival tips for packing school lunches.  Because you can never know what the heck they're putting in those cafeteria meals.  A more substantial list is in the works for adult lunches, but this one is great for kids.

Article on Gluten-Free School Lunches

Gluten Free Quiche and Applesauce Muffins

These recipes are life-savers for quick breakfasts before school and snacks for lunchboxes.  They can be made Sunday night and stored for the week.  Ziplock baggie them and fuhgettabouit!

Gluten Free Quiche and Applesauce Muffins

By the way, these quiche run less than 100 Calories a pop and are mighty satisfying!

Gluten Free Trail Mix Bars

These Gluten Free Trail Mix Bars can be adapted to whatever your allergens are, since you are making them yourself.  No more sneaky malt flavoring to jack up your stomach.  I made these using nuts and treats I got at the local dollar store, plus a couple big buys I got at Costco, (raisins, cranberries).  The cost broke down to about 30 cents a bar. 

Bonus!! Each bar breaks down to about 120 Calories, under 3 grams of fat, and are very satisfying.  Perfect for a snack.

Cheap Gluten Free Trail Mix Bars

High tea, anyone?

Homemade Graham Crackers, Whole Wheat and a Gluten-Free Version

These graham crackers are perfect for s'mores and after school snacks.  I included a healthy, low sugar type as well for you glutenites that are so lucky you can eat processed food but are trying to eat healthier.

gluten-free-graham-crackers