Homemade Pinata

We make pinatas for my daughters' birthday parties. They are very simple and fun to make, but they are time consuming. Tayana made this fish.

Homemade Pinata

2 cups flour
3 cups water
Balloon blown to size and shape needed
Newspaper, torn into 1" thick strips
Construction paper, torn into pieces
White school glue
String to hang the pinata

Combine the flour and water until it creates a smooth paste. Dip the newspaper strips into the flour mixture, coating completely. Slide the strip between your fingers to remove any excess paste. Place the strips on the balloon until it is covered, leaving a hole at the top just big enough to fit the candy. If you are planning on keeping the pinata as a decoration, you do not need to leave the hole. Allow the balloon dry overnight. Repeat the steps to create a 2nd layer, making sure that you leave the hole at the top. If you would like a stronger pinata, you can repeat the steps to create a 3rd layer, but this is competely optional. When the layers are completely dried, pop and remove the balloon. Dip the construction paper pieces in the glue to coat both sides then smooth the construction paper onto the newspaper. Continue until all of the newspaper is covered. Punch 2 small holes in the top near the opening and string a large piece of ribbon, or thick string through the two holes so that you can hang the pinata. Fill your pinata, through the hole at the top, with the candy, toys and/or any other fun surprises. Cover the opening with more glue covered construction paper pieces.Tie your pinata in the air (or use a broom handle to hold it away from you) with the ribbon and have fun!
* If desired, you can paint your pinata instead of covering it with the construction paper pieces.
* If you need a shape other than the round or oval shape that balloons create, you can use cardboard. At the beginning, use masking tape connect the cut cardboard to the balloon. When you start covering the balloon with the newspaper strips, wrap them also around and covering the cardboard. For example, to create the fish, we cut a large triangle out of construction paper then taped it to the balloon. For the butterfly we chose to do something different. We used a long balloon for the body then created the wing shape out of the cardboard. However, we did chose to not use the newspaper and paste for the wings. We just covered the cardboard with the construction paper pieces then glued the body to the wings.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free 2 Minute Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

I love our 2 Minute Microwave Chocolate Cake so much that I decided to make a 2 Minute Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake. It had a wonderful flavor and texture. I added a few too many chocolate chips (I know, I didn't realize that was possible either). This recipe is very good, but it is also dangerous since it is so easy and fast to make. Tayana and her friend had fun making them for a sleepover because they are so simple, fast, and yummy. Jazlyn even took one as her dessert for a cookout.

2 Minute Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

2 tbsp dairy free margarine
2 tbsp soy milk
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup flour
1-2 tbsp safe chocolate chips

Place the margarine and soy milk in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 35-45 seconds or until the margarine is melted. Stir in the sugar and vanilla. Stir in the flour. Stir in the chocolate chips. Microwave for 2 minutes or until set. Cool for at least 5 minutes before eating.
*  Using sugar in place of the brown sugar does not work well for this recipe. The cookie cake does not rise and the flavor isn't as good.

Crock Pot Shredded Chicken for Freezing

I always buy my meat in bulk when it is on sale. I cook it up then freeze it in 1 lb bags so that the meals are faster and easier to prepare. This is easiest way to cook a lot of chicken at once. The chicken is very moist, has a good flavor, and shreds very easily. For ideas to use this chicken in, click on the chicken tab on the right of the blog. A few of our favorites are Chicken Croquettes, Chicken and Dumplings, Chicken and Noodles in White Sauce, Chicken Rice Pie, and Chicken Rice Soup. 

Crock Pot Shredded Chicken for Freezing

Boneless skinless chicken breasts, fat cut off as much as possible
2 chicken bouillon cubes dissolved in 1 cup water

Place the chicken in the Crock Pot, making sure that the lid still fits securely. The chicken will rise slightly so make sure there is a little room between the chicken and the lid. Pour the bouillon over top. Cover then cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and shreds easily.
*  I used 9 pounds of chicken and it was perfect in 9 hours on low.
*  I used 4 1/2 pounds of chicken and it was perfect in 5 hours on high.
*  I measure a little over 1 cup of the chicken into each bag. I also like to spoon some of the broth into the bag before sealing it.
*  Feel free to use plain water if you want to cut down on the sodium.
*  Great for soups, casseroles, chicken croquettes, BBQ chicken sandwiches, chicken and dumpling, or anywhere you would use cooked diced or shredded chicken.

Egg Free, Dairy Free Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

I love green bean casserole. My sister-in-law made it in the crock pot for Thanksgiving and inspired me to make a safe version for Jazlyn. Everyone loved it, even my husband who isn't a big veggie eater.  I froze the leftovers and they reheated great.

Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole

32 oz bag frozen green beans
1 can golden mushroom soup
1 can mushroom gravy
2/3 cup soy milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2.8 oz package fried onions, divided use

Combine all of the ingredients except for 1/2 of the onions. Cover then cook on low for 5-6 hours. Pour the remaining onions over the top then serve.
*  You can use 2 cans of golden mushroom soup or 2 cans of mushroom gravy.
*  If you want the sauce thicker, you can use only 1/3 cup soy milk.

Egg Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free Jazzy Duds (mock Milk Duds)

This candy came about in a bit of a strange way. I was making Baked Caramel Corn and inadvertently left some of the delicious caramel behind in the pot. I scooped it out of the pan then dropped it onto a plate. I noticed that I could roll and shape the caramel. I rolled it into small balls then coated them with safe melted chocolate. Jazlyn was so happy to have her very own Milk Duds. Her two sisters couldn't believe how much they tasted like the real thing. Now they want me to make a batch of the caramel just to turn them into this candy since I could only make 5 of them last time.

Jazzy Duds (mock Milk Duds)

1 cup dairy-free margarine
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 cups safe chocolate chips, melted

In a medium saucepan, melt the margarine, brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Heat the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract. Allow the caramel to cool enough for you to handle it and so it will hold together. Roll the caramel into small balls then place them on a wax paper lined baking sheet until set. Coat the caramel in the chocolate then place them back on the baking sheet. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set. Store tightly covered in the fridge.
*  This makes a lot of candy. Feel free to cut the recipe in half.

Egg Free, Dairy Free Simple Meat and Noodle Bake

This recipe is very simple because the noodles are not cooked before baking them. They will bake in the sauce and have a wonderful flavor. Mix and match different meats, vegetable, and pasta shapes for a variety of meals.

Simple Meat and Noodle Bake

1 lb cooked ground beef, cooked diced chicken, turkey, ham, or Polska Kielbasa
1 box noodles, any shape desired, uncooked
1 can creamed corn
1 can vegetables desired such as peas, corn, green beans, mixed vegetables
1 can gravy
1 1/2 cans soy milk, divided use

Combine all of the ingredients except for the 1/2 cup of soy milk. Pour into a sprayed 9x13 baking dish. Pour the remaining 1/2 can of soy milk over top but do not stir. Press down the mixture if needed to be covered with the milk. Use a little additional soy milk if needed. Cover tightly with foil
then bake at 450 for 45 minutes or until the noodles are tender.

Egg Free, Dairy Free Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

Another wonderful crockpot recipe. We love our oven baked ham and scalloped potatoes but I wanted to make a crock pot version. This recipe is just as good but made simple with the crockpot.

Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

3 tbsp dairy free margarine
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 cups soy milk
7-9 potatoes, thinly sliced
1 lb diced cooked ham

Melt the margarine in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour, salt, and pepper. Add the soy milk and whisk until thickened. Add the potatoes and ham then mix until thoroughly combined. Pour the mixture into the sprayed crock pot. Cook on low for 7 hours or on high for 4 hours.
*  Feel free to omit the cooked ham if your are having this meal as a side dish.
*  You can add a can of peas, corn, green beans, etc. if you desire.