Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

Note:   The boys are going away camping this weekend so I am making them treats.    Nothing says camping like s'mores and rice krispie treats.

Cake Batter Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients
3 Tbsp. butter
1 (10 oz) bag marshmallows
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup yellow cake mix
6 cups rice krispies cereal
assorted sprinkles (optional)

Directions
Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat and add marshmallows. Stir until the begin to melt and mix in vanilla. Add in cake mix one spoonful at a time and stir until combined. Stir in cereal so it is completely coated with marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle in half of the sprinkles and mix. Press into a baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray (I like an 8x8 or 9x9 to make them thicker) and top with remaining sprinkles. Let sit for about 30 minutes before cutting.

Candida Friendly Baked Egg in a Tomato

Note:    I only wish that it weren't the end of summer.   Garden fresh tomatoes are almost gone which means my days of enjoying this are too!


Candida Friendly Baked Egg in a Tomato

Ingredients
1 tomato
2 eggs
white cheddar cheese, freshly shredded*
sea salt and pepper

Directions
Wash the tomato and slice in half.     Take a spoon and scoop out the seeds to form a bowl.    Sprinkle inside lightly with sea salt and pepper.    Sprinkle with light layer white cheddar cheese.    Break egg each into tomato halves.    Bake for about 10 minutes.    Take out and sprinkle with a little more cheese.   Bake for about 7 more minutes or until the eggs are set to your desired consistency.    Take out of the oven and let rest for two minutes before eating.

*A small amount of cheese is allowed on the Candida diet as long as it is melted.

Yeast Free Taco Seasoning Mix Ingredients

Note:   I found this yeast free taco seasoning mix at this website.    So excited to find this so that I can still somewhat have taco night with the boys.

Yeast Free Taco Seasoning Mix Ingredients
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Yeast Free Taco Seasoning Mix Directions
In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper
Use immediately or store in an airtight container for later use.  I often quadruple this recipe and store in a spice jar for quick use.  

Candida Egg Salad

Note:    One thing I am discovering is that there is no such thing as breakfast/lunch/dinner food on this eating plan.     If it is on the plan and it sounds good, go for it.    Which that means this egg salad will work for any meal of the day.

Candida Diet Egg Salad

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (I used 2%)
paprika
Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
rice cakes

1 clove of garlic, peeled
4 large eggs, hard boiled, cooled, and peeled

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, paprika, salt and pepper, and chives.  Mix well, and set aside.
Gently rub the clove of garlic onto the rice cakes.  In a medium bowl, combine the eggs and lightly mash with a fork.  Add the yogurt mixture to the bowl and mix to gently combine.  Place some of the salad onto each rice cake.  Enjoy.

Early Menus

So far finding things to eat has been a challenge, but I have found a few things to add to my daily menus.   Don't get too excited while you are reading.

Breakfast Options
steel cut oatmeal with 1 pat of butter and pecans
well cooked eggs, grits with butter and two strips crisp bacon
grapefruit and almond milk
apple with cashew butter

Lunch Options
rice cake with cashew butter
wrap made of romaine lettuce leaf with tuna or turkey with veggies
hamburger patty with lettuce and tomato
hard boiled eggs and carrot sticks
tuna with hard boiled eggs
veggie soup with rice cakes
some type of salad with lots of veggies and nuts

Supper Options
meat and veggie

Water. Water. Water. Water. Water. Water. Water.

This is why I am on the HUNT for more recipes!!

Switching to Almond Milk

After this candida diagnosis, I realized immediately that I was going to have to give up my morning coffee which really didn't make me happy.    Drinking a glass of water in the morning did not sound exciting to me.   What was I going to drink?    Hot tea is just not my thing.   I couldn't have fruit juice.      Milk was crossed off my list.  

GRRRRRR!!! 

I had two options that I read about:  Kefir and Almond Milk.

I decided to give them both a try.

Try #1:  Kefir

If you have never had Kefir (and I know I never had), it is a fermented milk product.   Sounds yummy already doesn't it?    It is similar to a THICK drinkable yogurt, but with a lot more probiotic in it.   

The other thing about Kefir?   It is SOUR!!!    That was just not going to be a breakfast option for me.

Try #2:  Almond Milk

I was a little nervous about trying this.   Something about putting the words almond and milk together just kind of grossed me out.   However, Little Guy said my sister drank it so that gave me a little measure of comfort.     

I tasted it and it wasn't too bad.   It was actually a taste I could get used to and enjoy.     Even the boys said they liked it.   

After days and days of guzzling water -- which I know is good for me -- it is really nice to be able to have a glass of something different.   Even if it is just almond milk.

A Whole New Culinary World

What's a Southern girl raised on fried chicken, mashed potatoes and biscuits to do when she is told that she has developed a condition called candida albicans.     Yes, it is as weird as it sounds.     Basically my body has once again decided to revolt and my fibromyalgia has caused a yeast overgrowth in my body.     Like fibromyalgia, candida albicans can cause fatigue, headaches, and digestive problems.    However, unlike fibromyalgia, candida albicans can cause death.   

So, I have been been on the candida diet now for a little while.     I can sum up the candida diet pretty easily for you.     If it tastes good... don't eat it.   

What is off my food list....

No yeast. 

No wheat. 

No sugar. 

No dairy.

No vinegar or pickled items.   (This includes condiments.)

What I can eat...

Meat (as long as it is not processed)

Lots of Vegetables


Gluten free grains and pastas

Lots of water and green tea

Nuts (but NO peanuts or pistachios)

Low-glycemic fruit – grapefruit, green apples, avocados, tomatoes, grapes, pears, lemons, limes, strawberries, blueberries   (only a couple of times a week)

The first couple of days of this diet I cried... a lot.    I just wasn't sure I was going to manage this diet.   Discipline is NOT my strong suit.    Plus it is hard to feel positive when you are so hungry.     Fortunately, I asked a couple of people to pray for me that I would stick with it.

My sweet boys and husband have been amazing.   

So my next recipes will be my discovery of how to eat on this diet.   Craziness!

Welcome to my whole new world!

Caramel Apple Cider (Crockpot)

Note:   This fills the house with a wonderful smell while it is brewing.  

Caramel Apple Cider

Instructions
1/2 gal. apple cider
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1-1/2 t. cider vinegar
1 t. vanilla extract
1 4-inch cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves
1 orange, sliced
1/3 c. caramel ice cream topping

Directions

Combine all ingredients except topping in a slow cooker. Cover; cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hours. Strain; discard spices and orange. Serve in mugs, drizzling a teaspoonful of topping into each mug. Serves 16.

Steak Butter

 Note:  My first experience with steak butter was on my first date with my now wonderful husband.   It was an amazing compliment to an equally well cooked steak.   


 Steak Butter

Ingredients
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 T. steak sauce
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 t. smoke-flavored cooking sauce
1/8 t. hot pepper sauce
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 t. seasoned salt

Directions

In a small bowl, beat together butter and remaining ingredients until well blended. Shape into a log; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate. At serving time, slice to serve on grilled steaks or chops. If desired, plastic-wrapped log may be wrapped in aluminum foil and frozen for up to 6 months; no need to thaw before using. Makes about 1/2 cup.

Granola Bars

Note:  We eat a ton of granola bars.   Making them can be dangerous because they are even more delicious!

Granola Bars

Ingredients
1/2 c. margarine, softened
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1/4 c. sugar
2 T. honey
1 egg
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. whole-wheat flour
1-1/2 c. long-cooking oats, uncooked
1-1/4 c. crispy rice cereal
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. salt

Directions

Combine all ingredients together; mix well. Press into a lightly buttered 13"x9" baking pan; bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool; cut into bars to serve. Makes 3 dozen.

Butternut Fries

Butternut Fries

Ingredients
2-lb. butternut squash, halved lengthwise, seeded and peeled
2 t. olive oil
salt to taste
1/2 t. ground cumin
1/2 t. chili powder
1/2 c. sour cream
2 T. maple syrup

Directions

Cut squash halves to resemble French fries; slice about 1/2-inch wide and 3 inches long. Add oil to a large bowl; add squash, tossing to coat. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; spray with non-stick vegetable spray. Arrange slices in a single layer on top. Bake at 425 degrees for 35 minutes, or until tender. Combine salt, cumin and chili powder; sprinkle desired amount over fries. Blend together sour cream and syrup as a dipping sauce. Serves 4.

Brown Yummy Cake

Brown Yummy Cake

Ingredients
18-1/2 oz. pkg. white cake mix
3.4-oz. pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs, beaten
2 c. milk
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
3/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

In a large bowl, stir together dry cake and pudding mixes, eggs and milk. Pour batter into a greased 13"x9" baking pan. Sprinkle brown sugar and chocolate chips over batter. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, until cake tests done. Makes 12 servings.