The Beauty of Vanilla Spice

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Ah, vanilla! It's delectable, delightful, and full of rich aroma that takes me back to my earlier days. I have very fond memories of my mother baking in the kitchen, and to this day certain smells will take me back to my childhood in the blink of an eye. Of all of the delicious aromas and smells from my youth, none is more enticing than vanilla. Yes, I must say that vanilla has stolen my heart. I love vanilla so much that I always, (not just sometimes) 'add extra' vanilla to whatever I am baking. That is just between you and me, by the … [Read more...]

Coconutty Chicken Tenders

Coconutty Chicken Tenders (nut-free)

When I first got married, I received a cookbook with recipes for two. Sixteen years, four moves and three children later, the cookbook has long since disappeared. But I recall the one standout chicken dish I made from it on a regular basis. The trick was to first coat the chicken breast with a butter/mustard mixture and then smother it in breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. I'm sure the breadcrumbs were from a cardboard container and the Parmesan, too, but the result was a moist, oh-so tender breast. Couldn't this same technique be used to create … [Read more...]

Haunted Lagoon: Dreams and Nightmares In Laie

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It's time once again to face your fears. October is upon us, and now is the perfect time for a 'Haunted House' pick me up. This past week I had the chance to visit a very 'fun twist' on a Haunted House; the Haunted Lagoon in Laie, Oahu. It was amazing! What could be better than a haunted lagoon, a canoe ride, dozens and dozens of swamp creatures and ghostly apparitions?  What a Halloween treat! Laie is a small town on the North Shore of Oahu. Even though it's a small town it gets plenty of traffic because of the BYU Hawaii campus, the … [Read more...]

Coconut (Haupia) Pudding

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Are you ready for a delicious treat? If you love coconut, then I have an easy, yummy, gluten-free dessert you can make. You can make this pudding into cute squares or triangles and sprinkle some toasted coconut over the top, or put the pudding into small serving bowls, or even in a gluten-free pie crust.  No matter how you prepare it, it looks and tastes wonderful. Ingredients: 1 can coconut milk (12-13 ounce) 6 T. sugar (I like 6 tablespoons, but you can get away with 5 if you don't want as much sugar.) 6 T.cornstarch 3/4 … [Read more...]

The National Center for Learning Disabilities Helps Provide Resources

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  According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities the first six weeks of the school year are the most critical to identify potential learning challenges.  One of the best places to start is to ask your pediatrician if you are having concerns about your child's challenges as early detection makes all the difference according to the National Center for Learning Disabilities. The National Center for Learning Disabilities: The NCLD has been around since 1977 and is the largest organization in the United States that provides … [Read more...]

Why Should I Reconcile My Bank or Credit Card Statements?

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                                                                Why Should I Reconcile My Bank or Credit Card Statements?   I often come across new clients who say, “I have money in my account at the end of the month; why do I need to reconcile the account?”  Well, for starters, if you don’t reconcile the account(s) you will have trouble creating that budget that we talked about.  Also, if you are a victim of fraud, you won’t necessarily know unless you at … [Read more...]

Making Your Kitchen A Gluten-Free Haven

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Is it really possible to have a kitchen that can function for both gluten and gluten-free food preparation, baking and cooking? Yes, it's possible; but it will take a lot of effort and determination to keep your kitchen safe from gluten contamination. Have you ever tried to put a cup of flour into a mixing bowl, only to find it suddenly poofing magically through the air? Soon it will cover your counter, and everything else in sight; everything. This flour dust in the air is easy to breath without even realizing what you have done, and to … [Read more...]

Halloween Facebook Party!

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  Goblins, witches and zombies oh my!  Come join us for some Facebook fun and have a chance to win a trick or treat.  We have some promo codes to hand out from participating developers, gift cards and more!  Come join us for a spooky good time! What:  Dandelion Moms Halloween Facebook Party When:  October 29th Where:  Dandelion Moms and Penelope the Purple Pirate Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Penelope-the-Purple-Pirate/184530521575620?ref=hl#!/events/377076469034827/ Who:  Anyone who wants … [Read more...]

A Truly Magical Cruise With Disney

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When it comes to Disney, I have to say they go all the way. I have been on a number of cruises, and my cruise with Disney aboard the Disney Magic was as 'magical' as it could possibly be. This is not just a cruise for little ones, although I will say that Disney sure knows what it's doing when it comes to keeping the young entertained. The daily activities that were scheduled for the young and old (well, more like middle aged) alike kept us all hopping. I'm not kidding when I say we could have stayed on board that ship every day, all day, … [Read more...]

Tasty Gluten-free Cookies On Sunday Afternoon

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Today I felt the need for a fun snack. Something with chocolate. Something chewy. Something to satisfy my sweet-tooth. For me this is always a frustrating moment, because I can't just eat any sweet treat. It has to be gluten-free, or I become a very sick girl. The quest is on, then, for something yummy and delicious, ...AND gluten-free. This is harder than it sounds, because most gluten-free foods, whether processed or 'home-made' are not as tasty as foods made with wheat flour. However, I will say that things are looking better. There … [Read more...]