Valentines Day Sensory Box

Happy Month of Love Friends!

Here at our house we are incorporating hearts, love and PINK anywhere we can.

So I decided for part of Brooklyn’s Valentines Day I would create a sensory box for her that just screamed {LOVE} !

Something we could explore together or even for her to explore solo as I cook dinner.

This lovely Valentines Day sensory box was a huge hit!

Here is how I put it together. Please feel free to add as many items as you like. I kept it pretty simple.

This box includes these items:

Colored and Scented Rice
Foam Hearts
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons

How to make colored and scented rice:

3 cups of rice ( I separated mine for the different flavors of Kool-Aid)
Packets of Kool-Aid
Rubbing Alcohol

Directions:

Place all 3 cups of rice into a plastic zippered bag (Like Ziploc) * My pictures show 3 bags because I did 3 flavors
Add full packet of Kool-Aid to rice
Add 2-3 Tablespoons Rubbing Alcohol
Shake in bag and get every grain of rice coated evenly
Place on a parchment lined baking sheet
Let dry for at least one hour * shake pan after an hour and touch to see if rice is still moist
Once the rice is dry add it to your bucket

Sensory Bucket:

I use a Sterilite 12 quart bucket because I love the height and it offers easy stacking for storage

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Last week on my Facebook page you posted your favorite Super Bowl foods and Buffalo Chicken Dip was a BIG contender!

So I decided to make a healthier version that

Here is an easy recipe to cut the calories and still enjoy the taste of Buffalo Chicken Dip.

The first step in making this dip lower calorie is removing the cheese.

I’m sorry but the original version has a TON of cheese!

Not good for those trying to eat healthier or stick to their New Year’s Resolutions.

I’m sure you’re thinking there is NO way this dip is going to taste good without cheese…..well it DOES!

Here is what you need for this healthy yummy dip :

1-2 Chicken breasts cooked and shredded (easy shredding technique)
1 Cup Greek Yogurt (I have yet to find a dairy free option that I like so this recipe is not Dairy Free)
1 Cup Buffalo Sauce
1/3 Cup Blue Cheese dressing ( I use Marzetti)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350*
Mix all ingredients together except chicken
Spoon chicken into bowl and toss with sauce mixture
Make sure all chicken is coated with sauce
Place in oven safe dish
Bake for 15- 20 minutes till warm and bubbly
Enjoy with Pita Chips or sliced baguette

Cauliflower Buffalo Bites

Looking for a delicious way to use that Homemade Buffalo Sauce I shared with you last week?

Well here is it!

A super yummy snack that is perfect for the Super Bowl or any social gathering. This recipe is so easy you’re going to want to make this every chance you can get. In fact I think we will be using this as a side dish to many more dinners. It’s that good!

Here is what you will need:

1 Head of Cauliflower (Or more)

1/2 Cup Homemade Buffalo Sauce

3 Tbs Melted Butter ( I use Earth’s Best Soy Free Vegan Butter)

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 450*
Line a baking sheet with foil
Chop or break cauliflower florets into bite sized pieces
Mix buffalo sauce with melted butter
Pour sauce over cauliflower and coat well
Distribute cauliflower onto lined baking sheet
Bake for 30 minutes – at 15 minutes take pan out and shake it so pieces are not stuck to the pan
ENJOY

Roasted Chickpeas – Buffalo Style

I recently discovered roasted chickpeas and I have fallen in LOVE!

They are crunchy little nuggets of love. They have completely replaced my craving for roasted nuts.

Since I can’t keep cashews in the house due to Brooklyn’s allergy, these are a wonderful replacement.

Roasted chickpeas only take 45 minutes in the oven and your light healthy snack is ready to go!

The possibilities are endless! This recipe is for Buffalo flavor but here are a few favorites:

Now that you see some of the possibilities let’s get cookin’!

Ingredients:

1 can of organic chickpeas drained, rinsed and dried
Buffalo sauce (here is a homemade recipe)
Non stick cooking spray or aluminum foil for pan

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450*
Take chickpeas and toss in a bowl with Buffalo Sauce
Coat pan with nonstick cooking spray or foil
Place chickpeas on the pan
Roast for 30 minutes
Shake pan or move chickpeas around with a spatula
Roast for 15 more minutes
Let cool
ENJOY!

Homemade Buffalo Sauce

As Super Bowl XLVIII approaches I am seeking out better alternatives to our favorite football foods.

Everyone usually grubs out on things like wings, pizza, dips, sausage, brisket etc.

My goal is to create healthier snacks as well as healthier alternatives to our favorite football foods.

First up is a football food classic: Buffalo Sauce

Buffalo sauce is used for many wonderful grubbing out foods. Think wings, buffalo chicken dip, dressings and more!

However, trying to find an organic Buffalo Sauce in my neck of the woods is like trying to find Atlantis. Near me it doesn’t exist. You might be able to find a bottle or two at a Whole Foods or Trader Joes. I do not live near either of those stores. So here I am trying to use a better Buffalo Sauce and have zero store-bought options.

I decided to write an email to my fave food person Food Babe. surprisingly, I got a response back! Yippee!

{This was a total dream come true for me!}

Unfortunately, she didn’t have a Buffalo sauce she prefered either. She recommend that I make my own.

HELLO! Brilliant!

So, of course I had to give it a try.

Here is why I love this idea –

I get to control the flavor which is good because, I like a nice hot and smokey Buffalo sauce
I can make an organic Buffalo Sauce – amazing!

I used this recipe from Domestic Fits with some changes to make it Organic and more to my taste.
Ingredients:

1/3 Cup Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbs Organic Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Organic Smoked Paprika
1/2 tsp Sweet Hungarian Paprika
1 tbs Organic Garlic Powder
1 tsp Organic Cayenne Powder
1/4 tsp Salt
1 tbs Organic Agave
1 tbs Organic Cornstarch
2 tsp Organic Olive Oil

Directions:

Add all ingredients into medium sauce pan and whisk well until combined. Cook over medium heat until mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat and allow to cool. If it is too thick you can thin it out with water or more vinegar.
Store in an airtight container, I use a mason jar. Keep refrigerated.