Valentines to Make: Crafts, Pastels and Recipes

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A recent example of love.. I hear myself let loose a long, exasperated sigh as I bend down to pick up the tiny scraps of paper that litter the floor. Across the room a small voice says, “I love you Mama.” My littlest guy keyed into my tone and he turned it around. Love does [...]

Our Food Allergies on a Budget Story

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Four epipens go everywhere with the seven of us. We have two children allergic to nuts. One would go into anaphylactic shock if eggs touched his lips. Yet, there is so much food my children can have. Can enjoy. Yes, this allergy-friendly living takes a bit more planning but any good thing does. Yes, foods [...]

Egg and Nut Free Hodgepodge

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On this gratitude Monday, I find myself grateful for health. Today I share the story of how we found out about the younger children’s allergies. A bit of our recent history – with food allergies in the last four years. See, just when we thought we knew what we were dealing with, we found ourselves [...]

Reindeer Mix a.k.a. White Christmas Snack

White Christmas Snack Recipe at Hodgepodge

Always a holiday favorite is Reindeer Mix, a.k.a. White Christmas Snack. It’s an easy solution for parties, teacher or neighbor gifts or a nice little something to tuck in the mailbox for your mail carrier. It’s very simple. You might even have the ingredients on hand. Just melt the white chocolate bark and pour it [...]

For the Birds: Gift Idea

Gift Idea for Bird Lovers

from the 2010 archives…We spent an entire afternoon Saturday making treats for the birds – and the bird lovers we know. Nana came across a really neat recipe for birdseed wreaths. I was especially excited about it because it is peanut free for our crew. Just three ingredients! Gelatin, water and birdseed. We made ten, [...]

Simple Thanksgiving Menu, Tips and Allergy Friendliness

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Don’t you love Thanksgiving? Our celebration is practical, simple and fun. I’m sharing our chalkboard menu with you today along with a few tips I’ve learned along the way. I like to ease into the holidays, spreading preparations over several days. Below are our favorite annual recipes: Overnight Turkey (Easy, Delicious and Always Moist!) Be [...]

Blueberry Breakfast Cake

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I made another recipe found on Pinterest! This scrumptious blueberry breakfast cake I made with egg substitute so Lil’ Buddy could enjoy it too. We mixed it up one night last week as the highlight of breakfast for supper. You must click over to Alexandra’s Kitchen to see her delicious photos. You’ll want to make [...]

Our Favorites and a Visit to the Southern Plate Kitchen!

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I’m thrilled to be visiting the Southern Plate kitchen today! I grew up on potato chip cookies. Didn’t realize they weren’t your normal variety until I was much older and got the questionable look from others. This special recipe is from my grandmother, Mama Ann and it is a great use for those bottom of the bag, [...]

Chocolate SunButter Rice Krispy Treats

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A while back, there was a little bakery that sold peanut butter Rice Krispy treats. Now just that is a treat itself. Even at $1 a piece. The topper was – those krispy treats were topped with chocolate! So, the children and I set out to recreate this specialty with our favorite SunButter. We simply [...]

Egg Challenge: Allergy Friendly Living

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Another installment in our recent continuing education with Hodgepodge allergy friendly living. This one originally posted February 23, 2010… Our youngest boy had an allergy challenge today.  Some time ago, he was diagnosed with allergies to egg and peanut. Here’s how it works: In a controlled environment (a clinic, intensive care facility, etc.) the doctor [...]

Continuing Education: Allergy Friendly Living

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We are anticipating Lil’ Buddy’s peanut challenge this week. With that in mind, I thought I’d share our recent history with allergies. This one originally posted December 17, 2009… I think you’ll agree that a parenting prerequisite is continuing education. How do I guide this budding adolescent? What’s the best tactic for surviving the terrific [...]

SunButter No Bake Cookie Bites

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Another peanut butter recipe from Southern Plate turned SunButter recipe for Hodgepodge! No bake with yummy ingredients. And yet another afternoon of cooking fun. Mixing and stirring! A great way to get oatmeal in these children. Anything with SunButter! Click over to Southern Plate for the recipe: Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Bites and just [...]