Quick and Easy Chicken Tikka Masala {gluten and dairy free!}



We're big curry fans around here. Even the baby! So this chicken tikka recipe is always well-received. 

I love that it's ridiculously easy to put together, and simmers on the stove while I get stuff done. 

We make a HUGE batch and then enjoy the leftovers for lunch the next day! 

You'll Need:

3-4 pounds of chicken breast, cut into chunks

2 (6 oz.) cans of tomato paste

3 cups of chicken broth

2 onions, diced

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

3 Tbsp. curry powder

3 tsp. turmeric

2 tsp. cumin

3 tsp. paprika 

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Salt and pepper to taste

1 can of coconut milk

2 Tbsp. tapioca starch

2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

To Make:

This is so quick and simple! Fill a heavy, lidded pot with the chunked chicken, onions, garlic, tomato paste, broth, and spices. Bring to a simmer and cover. I leave mine to cook for thirty minutes or so. 

When you're ready to serve dinner, reduce the heat to low and add the coconut milk and tapioca starch (I mix mine into the coconut milk with my mini blender!), and stir to combine. Stir in lemon juice. Taste your sauce! Add salt and pepper if needed. Top with cilantro leaves and serve! 



To make a yummy side dish... chop veggies (we like potatoes, onions, carrots, green peas, and cauliflower!), season with salt, pepper, curry powder, and paprika. Sauté until tender. 

We also serve with brown or jasmine rice. 

Pumpkin Pie Protein Balls with Arbonne Pumpkin Spice Protein {vegan, GF}



I have a yummy treat for you!! But first, a confession. You see, I'm not a big pumpkin person. 

I know. I knooowwww. 

As I grow older, though, I like pumpkin a little more... but I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this limited edition protein flavor. 

I ordered a bag anyway, because duh! And I'm SO GLAD I did! The pumpkin flavor is spot on. It isn't too rich or over-powering, and the spice aspect isn't overbearing either. It's just right. 



Pumpkin treats are usually packed full of sugar, and I feel so much better without all of the added sugar I used to mindlessly consume. 

These little bites are sweet and satisfying, but they're also loaded with vegan protein, plus vitamins and minerals, and healthy fats too! 


Even better, they're SUPER easy to make and require only a few basic ingredients. 

You'll need: 

  • 4 scoops of Arbonne's Vegan Pumpkin Spice Protein
  • 2 Arbonne scoops (1/2 cup) almond meal
  • A sprinkle of salt
  • A splash of pure vanilla
  • 3-4 Tbsp. mixed nut butter or almond butter
  • A handful of Enjoy Life chocolate chips
  • Enough almond milk to make a thick, doughy mixture 
The process is simple:

Combine dry ingredients in a small mixing bowl, add vanilla and nut butter, and then use a fork to mash the nut butter into the dry mixture. Once it's evenly distributed, add almond milk slowly to desired consistency. I usually start with about two tablespoons of milk and go from there. 


Protein balls store well in the fridge for a couple of days! Make sure they're covered or in a sealed container so they don't dry out. 


How to Entertain Your Toddler during School Work


Things are a lot different around here compared to when I first posted about homeschooling. That little guy in my old images is in middle school now, and he's got three younger siblings!

The addition of siblings means my time is divided, and if we're being honest, it means I'm pretty much always distracted.

I try to set everyone up for success during school times, and for the youngest, that means having a variety of engaging activities ready. 

Here in our home, suitable activities are:

1. Independent.

2. Quiet. 

3. Reserved only for work times. Otherwise, they're stored out of sight.


Some of our activities are simple. Like an empty tissue box and a big pile of craft pom poms or cotton balls, paper and crayons, or playdough.

Other activities are Amazon purchases. Our little collection of manipulatives and hands-on tasks has served us well so far!


Pictured here, from left to right... 

1. Skoolzy Brand Peg Board

2. Counting Bears: ours is a mix of two sets, like this and this

3. Skoolzy Nuts and Bolts

4. Lacing beads, similar to this set.

How do you entertain your toddlers while your older children do their school work??


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I don't always use my own recipes...

 


I wanted to take a minute to share my most favorite cookbook with you. This has quickly become my go-to book!

Each recipes we've made has been requested again and again since purchasing the book earlier this summer. 

Our most favorite? Hamburger helper!! My kids haven't ever eaten the boxed version, so I'm confident they were thoroughly confused about what "hamburger helper" could mean... but they were definitely not disappointed. This dish is requested multiple times each week!

It's not our only favorite, either. I've made sichuan chicken several times, and the chicken pot pie pasta again and again. Street tacos? Yes please!



And these taquitos, woah!! 😍 

Seriously. You need this book. You won't be disappointed.



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