Tessa the Domestic Diva

http://tessadomesticdiva.com

Your go to source for wholesome, allergy-friendly foods without corn, gluten, dairy, and minimal soy, eggs, nuts, and peanuts. Lots of recipes for everyone, regardless of allergies! New recipes contain only NATURAL SWEETENERS, and now I have lots...

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Love Tessa the Domestic Diva? Vote for it in Top 25 Foodie Moms - 2013

Tessa is a winner of Top 25 Food Allergy Moms - 2012

What's your best advice for a mom struggling with cooking for children with food allergies?

Take a deep breath and KNOW it GETS EASIER!!
If you can, try the baby step approach...replacing one beloved food at a time (sometimes symptoms to not allow for this!).
Arm yourself with a handful of standby recipes that you can always rely on....many foods are naturally free of allergens....it is the processed foods that get you into trouble!
Most foods found in the PERIMETER of the store of whole, real foods that don't have sneaky allergens tucked in somewhere
Find support in the form of online bloggers or your local community....everyone needs an outlet for what can be a trying journey. People like me GET IT, we have been in there in your shoes before and would love to help you and hear you vent! It is why most of us started blogs ourselves!

What's your favorite allergy friendly product?

Again...PERIMETER OF THE STORE!! Enjoy Life makes loads of great products, and new fabulous ones are coming out daily.
Bob's Red Mill is my go-to for gluten free flours.

What's the biggest challenge raising a child with food allergies?

Not always having an easy button. Most of our foods our made from scratch, so it is lots of work, but it a labor of love and very rewarding to have such a close relationship with your food.
Being different and dealing with the outside world can also be a challenge as many will question you and simply will not get it. Comment and looks can be quite irritating, and your child wants to be just like everyone else.

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What is your favorite quick breakfast recipe?

Tessa Simpson

We do breakfast pizzas. I use either chopped sausage or deli ham, sprinkle over the top of a brown rice tortillas, crack1 or 2 eggs over the top, sprinkle a favorite cheese. Bake at 425 for 8-10 minutes, depending on if you like hard or soft yolks. Of course I put hot sauce on mine! At 380 calories, it is a good meal to stick with you for the morning. I also make big batches of pancakes or waffles, and freeze the leftovers for toaster waffles on busy mornings Smoothies are also very quick and a great way to get loads of fruits and veggies into my little ones!
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What's your family's favorite recipe for chicken or tofu?

Tessa Simpson

We have several favorites (meaning the kids like them, we like them, AND they're easy to make!): Vietnamese Grilled Chicken (surprising ingredients turn into something amazing together, our kids gobble this up, and trust me, they are just as picky as the rest of them!) http://tessadomesticdiva.blogspot.com/2011/04/vietnamese-grilled-chicken.html Arroz con Pollo (served with warmed tortillas, this is one dish wonder with pantry ingredients!) Easy Homemade Chicken Soup. Nothing quite as comforting as a steaming bowl of fresh homemade soup. This one is incredibly good and WAY easy!
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What's your advice on setting a food budget?

Tessa Simpson

First and foremost, there is no ONE right food budget for all families, There are different food needs, different tastes, and different food beliefs. Decide what things you value most: nutritious food? Food you can trace easily to it's source? Convenience? Price? Next, consider buying things in bulk - items that your family uses all the time and that you know you get through. Amazon Subscribe & Save program is a excellent resource, and often sells things for far less than the grocery stores. They also have great warehouse deals, always worth checking out! One of the biggest things you can do is plan a menu, make a corresponding list of needed ingredients, AND THEN STICK TO THAT LIST IN THE GROCERY STORE! By only buying what you need, you don't spend needless money on impulse purchases.
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What's your favorite muffin recipe?

Tessa Simpson

We adore muffins, and have many,many, flavor variations on our house. The trick for me is to make them super tasty while still be LOADED with good for you ingredients, and low in sugar. One example is: 5 Minute Muffins!!
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What's your favorite salad recipe that's perfect for Spring or Summer?

Tessa Simpson

I like salads that can travel easy and can also be a main course! My Tex-Mex Pasta Salad is always a crowd pleaser, and kids adults alike enjoy it! i also like that it can be served hot or cold!
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What's a great recipe using ground beef?

Tessa Simpson

We have 4 different go-to recipes for hamburger, all easy and family friendly! Healthy Homemade Chili-mac: http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2011/11/healthy-homemade-chile-mac-hamburger.html Cuban Picadillo: http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2012/03/easy-cuban-picadillo-2.html Easy Chili: http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2011/03/easy-chili.html and Asian Lettuce Wraps: http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2011/04/asian-lettuce-wraps.html
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Can you share an easy, crowd-pleasing birthday party cake or cupcake recipe? (please include a link to a photo!)

Tessa Simpson

Food allergies are becoming more and more common. It's great to have a delicious basic recipe that everyone can enjoy! This post has an added bonus on easy shaped cakes anyone can make without special skills! This cake a super moist and no one can ever tell it is gluten AND dairy free! I use palm sugar to make it cane sugar free too!
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Can you recommend a great summer snack to feed kids on break or to pack for days at camp? (Please include a link to the recipe.)

Tessa Simpson

I have more recipes for this purpose than I can shake a stick at!! I did a whole 10 day series on packing healthy gluten-free (allergy-friendly) lunchboxes - 10 Days of Gluten Free. - Chocolate Cranberry Lara bars (my kids think these are brownies!) http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2011/04/lara-snack-bars-squared.html -Dark Chocolate Brownies - tastes like a decadent brownie but is entirely healthy and good for growing bodies! http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2012/04/dark-chocolate-brownies-flourless.html -Easy No Peel Creamy Applesauce - so simple and so over-the top good! http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2012/03/easy-no-peel-creamy-applesauce.html -Oatmeal Snack Cookies - it's a cookie, but it's healthy one with lots of protein too!
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From peach pies and berry cobbler to lemon shortcake and watermelon popsicles, fruity desserts are perfect for summer. Please share your favorite fruit-based dessert, and include a link to the recipe and photo.

Tessa Simpson

Here's one we make when finish picking a bounty of fresh blueberries! I don't know what is more fun, the picking, or the baking!! Blueberry Crisp Bars
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What's one of your favorite one-pot recipes? (Soup, casseroles, etc.)

Tessa Simpson

I have so many, it is how I love to cook! Here a couple of favs: Arroz con Pollo http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2011/04/arroz-con-pollo.html Healthy Homemade Hamburger Helper http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2011/11/healthy-homemade-chile-mac-hamburger.html Mexican Eggs http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2011/03/granted-my-husband-and-i-adore-mexican.html Jambalaya http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2011/05/jambalaya.html
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What's a great school lunch box meal your kids love? Include a link to a photo if you have one!

Tessa Simpson

So many to choose from! I think the best/most successful general idea that allows for so many creative variations would be Lunch on a Stick. Some how putting lunch on a a stick makes it exciting and novel for my kids! In this post, I review lots of different ideas for variations.
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Do you have a meatloaf recipe (or, for vegetarians, something similar that's meat-free) your family loves? Please share a picture and a link.

Tessa Simpson

Oh yes...a perfect full meal deal that stretches the ground meat further, sneaks in loads of veggies...everyone who has his meatloaf LOVES it, and so do we!
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What's your favorite muffin, scone, or bread recipe? Please share a link to the recipe and a photo if you have one.

Tessa Simpson

We LOVE our gluten free, vegan wholegrain English muffins, they are leaps and bounds better than any gf options out there, and SO SO easy to whip together!
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What's a great recipe that uses cranberries?

Tessa Simpson

I created a non-traditional smoothie to include raw cranberries: http://www.tessadomesticdiva.com/2012/10/creamy-pumpkin-cranberry-smoothie-dairy-free.html
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What's your family's favorite way to eat cranberries? Please share a link to your recipe!

Tessa Simpson

We love cranberries and pair them with pumpkin ALL the time! Pumpkin-cranberry smoothies, pumpkin cranberry breads, scones, cookies....you get the picture! We also especially love them with dark chocolate!
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What's your family's favorite Thanksgiving treat? Please link to your recipe.

Tessa Simpson

A break from the traditional...this ice cream is a stand alone spotlight or a shining crown atop a piece of apple or pumpkin pie! Super easy, and good for you too! Not bad for a dessert! And not bad for a dessert that EVERYONE can eat with no allergens!
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Can you recommend a great hot lunchbox meal for kids for the cold weather months? Please include a link to your recipe.

Tessa Simpson

My kids love chili!! This is a fav recipe, and lightening quick to throw together!
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What's a great, freezable dish to bring to a new mom? Please share a link to your recipe.

Tessa Simpson

WEe love this meatloaf for it's dollar stretching, great nutrition, and great taste! It freezes perfectly..I always make a double batch to freeze for later!
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What's your go-to potluck recipe? Please share a link to the recipe and photo if you have one.

Tessa Simpson

We love this allergy friendly, flavorful, and weight watcher approved artichoke dip!
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