Friday Freebies: Craft Ideas Ebooks

    Summer is in full swing!

    I'm sure most of you can relate how it feels like to have a child (or more) at home.   Are they complaining of boredom already? Is your electric bill going crazy because of long hours spent on the computer or TV?  Ah, the joys of no school.  

    If you are still looking for budget friendly ideas to do with the kids, check out what I have found for you today.  These ebooks are filled with numerous crafts from beginners to seasoned DIYers. The best part is that they are free to download now.  

   Grab one or all of them.  I bet these will keep even the biggest complainers busy.  As an added bonus, you might have enough as gifts for the coming holiday season.  

     Happy Crafting!  

- Roz  

Friday Freebies: Managing Household Clutter Ebooks

     In a few hours, my children will be officially on summer vacation.  That means they will be bringing books, papers, goodies bags, souvenirs and what-else-you-can-think-of home. Yup, they ended quite late.  

     Over the years, I have learned that our schedule is way crazier during the summer break.  The warm weather and time spent outdoors equates to additional laundry.  Then there's this thing called bottomless pit.  I don't know about you but every time the kids are home, all the food in the fridge and pantry seems to miraculously disappear within 2 to 3 days. 

     Though spending more time with my gang is always exciting and fun, it always comes with a price.  The first to suffer is our house.  I can see it now -- piles of paper to be sorted out, towers of laundry and constant food preparations.  

    Before you we drive ourselves crazy, I would like to share with you the free ebooks I found today.  Though I haven't read all of them yet, I saw some excellent tips on how to stay on top of clutter and household cleaning short cuts.  

     I'm sure you will also find these books handy not only this summer but all year round.  

     Happy organizing!

   

- Roz


         

Protein Packed Gluten Free Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

      Do you like cookies? My children do! In fact, if they could get away with it, each will finish a dozen in one sitting.  That's about 48 pieces for a quick snack.  I know what you're thinking. Junk food!

     Since their food allergies don't allow them to have the regular cookies anymore and the FA friendly ones are quite pricey (to my relief!), I decided to start tinkering in the kitchen to make something as close as possible to the "real" cookies but healthier.  Inspired by the Fudgy Black Bean Brownies which the kids can't have enough,  I was able to nail one easy to make recipe. Guess what? I'm sharing it to you today.

      If you notice that the recipe requires one whole can of cannellini beans, don't freak out and run. That is the secret why I called these cookies "Protein packed" in the first place. You can keep a secret right?

       Still hesitant?  Trust me, the end product is so worth it.  The cookies are soft, chewy and melt in your mouth delectable.  With chocolate, vanilla and coconut combined, what can possible go wrong? Plus, you can let the blender or food processor do the hard work for you.

      Most importantly, these cookies will not make you feel guilty when you grab one or two or even three.  So, are ready to try them out?  Let me know how they turn out.

     Have a fantastic weekend!

- Roz

Ingredients:

1 15 oz can cannellini beans (rinsed and drained)
2/3 cup sugar (preferably raw or organic)
1/3 cup pea butter (you can also use sun butter, peanut, almond or cashew butter)
1/3 cup coconut flour
2 Tbs. sweet rice flour (optional)
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbs. sugar
1/3 cup coconut milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or silpat.
2. In a blender or food processor, puree the beans, 2/3 cup sugar, pea butter, coconut flour, rice flour, baking powder, vanilla extract and coconut milk.  Make sure the mixture is well blended and smooth.
3. Stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips.
4. Using a 2 Tbs. ice cream scoop or 2 spoons, make 12 round equally size mounds on a prepared cookie sheet.
5. Dip a fork in the remaining 2 Tbs. of sugar and use it to flatten the cookies to about 2 inch circles.
6. Decorate the cookies with the leftover chocolate chips.
7. Bake for 18 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool.
9. Serve immediately.
10. Place leftovers in an air tight container for up to 3 days.

Deal Alert: Enjoy Life Bars and Chex Gluten Free Oatmeal at ACME

       Last Sunday, I went to my local Acme Supermarket to buy the newspaper.  Yup, I still get the paper for coupons even if I don't use most of them.  Anyway, I got some unexpected treats from the trip. 

    I found out that they now have So Delicious Vanilla and Strawberry flavored Coconut Yogurt. Conveniently hidden with the creamers, regular milk and kefir,  I'm glad my boys were able to spot them while I was looking for my coffee creamer.  If they will keep it at $1.99 a cup (fingers crossed), I will have to request for the Mango Passionfruit and Greek style as well.     

     Then, I was introduced to Chex's new line of Gluten Free Oatmeals on special for 2 for $5. Though the packaging doesn't mention specific details about other allergens in the facility, I took the risk and relied on just the ingredients listed.  I'll contact their customer service hotline before giving them to Child#2, Child #3 and Child#4.  In the mean time, Child #1 and I will be trying it.  

        

      Lastly, the store now carries Enjoy Life Cocoa Loco and Caramel Apple Chewy Bars which are on sale for $3.49 for a box (5 bars).  Don't forget to use your coupons for a bigger discount.  

       Finally, we're getting deals on food allergy friendly products.  Oh, before I forget, I'm based in New Jersey.  If you have any sales that you would like to share in your area, please let me know.  

- Roz