GF/DF Mexican Lasagna (allergen friendly)

So I was experimenting and searching recipes and combined a few to make this super yummy dinner last night.

This is super easy, and I called it Mexican Lasagna, but I have also seen something called Enchilada Casserole that looks similar.

You will need:

Approximately 20 Quinoa flour tortillas
1 pound ground beef (or meat of choice) prepared and season with your choice of taco seasonings
5 oz goat cheese
8 oz goat cheese curds (or cheese topping of your choice)
3 cups of enchilada sauce of your choice (I make mine homemade with tomato sauce, cumin, coriander, salt, dash of sugar and cayenne pepper)

Suggested items:
1 can black beans
1 can corn
1 diced green pepper (or poblano would be good)

First I made the link for the above Quinoa flour tortillas.  They are super easy to make!  I did add some salt to "flavor" our tortillas.

 Notice how "dry" the top looks.  That is when they are ready to flip.

I did double the above recipe link to make this.

I then used my 13 X 9 casserole dish, which I also lined with baking paper.  And I started layering.

Layer of tortillas, add beef, break up goat cheese and spread sauce on each layer.

 on the top sprinkle the goat cheese curds (or cheese of your choice).

Bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees.  Or until cheese is melted and browned a little.

Now I didn't put the suggested items in our lasagna because of Joey's fear of beans....yes I said fear of beans.  So I served the black beans mashed (refried beans style) along with a side of rice and carrots and guacamole.

This meal really is an empty canvas.  You can add/subtract whatever ingredients you would like.  Really make it your own family's style.  This was turned out very yummy.  Joey begged for seconds, and lately him trying anything new is really shocking.  Those quinoa tortillas will be a regular on our menu!!!

Three Things Thursday

I think this new blog hop is going to help me re-discover myself....lol.  Here are 3 more things you may or may not know about me.

1.  I can't decide if I like jogging.  I am just on the fence right now.  I used to love running on a treadmill, but now not so much.  I find it boring unless I am watching something on my Kindle.  I tried to read while running on the treadmill and that didn't work so much.  Audiobooks made it a little better, but my brain still found it boring.  I really do like getting outside and running, but maybe I need a change of location because running the streets of our little town is boring.  Maybe I'll try to run in the state park in the next town over.  It's about a 10 minute drive.  Unfortunately though I have to figure drive time into my workout then, so that cuts into my running time.  It's frigid outside now, so I don't run in the cold, bitey air...too much for my fibro.  Maybe try it in the Spring.

2.  I wasn't always a health nut.  I used to eat out constantly when I was younger.  I lived on ramen noodles and canned yuck.  When Joe and I got married, and we were both working....and it wasn't uncommon for me to work 80+ hours a week, we ate all 3 meals from restaurants.  And not off of the "healthy" menu.  Even when we had kids and lived so close to restaurants, we ate out constantly.  If we didn't eat out, we had it delivered.....Waiter on the Way after all brought more than just pizza, we could order Indian, Italian, Korean...you name it...we could get it.  Hind sight is 20/20....I wish I had the same knowledge I have now, back then.  Our diets would be totally different.  We may not have the same health issues or at least would have had them under control much sooner before damage was done.  

3.  My all time favorite movie is Gone With the Wind.  I could watch it all the time.  But did you know that I also really like the movie Twister?!?!  I loved the soundtrack too.  I think it would be fun to go and Storm Chase.  I probably wouldn't do it now with all my responsibilities.  But 17 years ago when that movie came out, I would've gone in an instant.  I still watch this movie when we see it on TV. ..... I gotta go now, "We got cows!"

Linking up with Heidi!!!

American Girl Rebecca Comprehension and Activity Guide - Rebecca and Ana Book 2

Lydia, Caty and I recently started reading the Rebecca series.  Set in America during World War I, it's the story of a Jewish family living in America.  They are not rich financially, but they make a good living.  Still there are challenges they must face, and Rebecca seems to be drawn to drama.

The girls and I are enjoying the story right now, and we hope you do to.  Below you will find the link for the Reading Comprehension Questions for Book 2 - Rebecca and Ana.  You'll also find the link for Book 1 - Meet Rebecca.

Rebecca and Ana - Book 2 - Reading Comprehension Questions and Study Guide

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Other books in the Rebecca Series.....

Meet Rebecca - Book 1 - Reading Comprehension Questions and Study Guide

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Sell or distribute this file.  Host this file on your website without permission from myself.  Upload this file to a shared website (Ex. 4shared.com)

H is for Hugs

H is for Hugs

So many people think that kids with autism hate to be touched and they do not respond to affection.  Well that is not the case for all individuals on the spectrum.  Some actually crave touch.  Joey loves hugs and so does Caty.

When I think of Hugs though, I think of my Brayden.  He is diagnosed classic autism, but I cannot leave the house without a hug and kiss from him.  He wants hugs for bedtime and loves to hug the cats.  Yeah, it typically is on his terms.....and he has chased me into the driveway to make sure I get his hug.

But I need to stop some days and remind myself to enjoy those hugs.  The hugs from our kids are for what it seems like a short time.  They grow up too quick and hugs for Mom and Dad are usually something that is too babyish.  So even on days when I am so frustrated from various meltdowns/tantrums and I am in tears, I try and remember those hugs and how good they make me feel.  

Have you hugged your kids or your cat today?  It's so easy to take this time for granted, since as homeschoolers we are with our kids almost 24/7.......but try and think how old your kids will be 5 years from now.  Are they still going to want to give you hugs?  

Enjoy your time together...sit back and cuddle and make the best of the days, even those bad ones.

Menu Monday

You know even though I plan....I do feel like this picture some days.  I forget what time it is and bam...it's 5:00 before I know it.  So we did have some shifting, and snacky type dinners.

Here's what we'll be eating this week....and hopefully I won't have too many eye bulging days!!

Sunday
B- Cereal & fruit
L- Open - May eat out
D- Turkey dinner w/ stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes & green beans

Monday
B- pancakes
L- Snacky lunch - turkey, cheese, crackers, & grapes
D- Turkey hash (sweet potato hash with diced turkey)

Tuesday
B- Smoothies & toast
L- Cranberry turkey wraps
D- Turkey Rival soup.....I am attempting a gluten/egg free version of my great-grandma's yummy recipe)

Wednesday
B- Pumpkin muffins
L- BBQ Baked Chicken (or left over turkey) over baked potatoes
D- Potato soup

Thursday
B- Cereal and possibly yogurt
L- Fried rice
D- Enchiladas

Friday
B- Doughnuts & milk
L- Tuna Casserole
D- Spaghetti and meat sauce

Saturday
B- Hashbrowns and gravy
L- Leftover cleanout
D- Blue Cheese burgers and Sweet potato fries

Hope everyone has a great week!!

What we are up to this week.... Week 26

Well, we are going to do school this week.  Just 3 days though, and then next week we'll have a full week off....so need to finish up a couple things and just keep ourselves on track.

Ohio History

None this week....only 3 days of class.  And Mommy has a couple appointments, so taking the week off from History.

Science

Brayden and the girls are going to be learning about Frogs.  Our tadpoles finally arrived today.  So they are excited to watch them grow and learn more about them.

Joey

Joey and Brayden are continuing with Saxon and doing well with it, so we'll keep going.  Their lessons the next few days are adding with re-grouping and writing numbers in words and digits.  Science, he'll be reading about the icky, sticky and gross things animals do to survive.  Grammar/Language Arts will be reviewing punctuation and also looking at fact vs. opinion.  He'll continue working on learning how to read cursive.  And he will be doing a refresher on how to read maps/globes (this is a couple weeks program).

Brayden

Same math as Joey.  Also the same language arts/grammar as Joey.  In Science as I mentioned above....FROGS....lol.  Brayden will also be working on the same map reading unit.  As well as his spelling workbook.

Lydia

Lydia is going to finish her bird book this week.  In Grammar, will continue learning more pronouns and will create a pronoun poster.  She'll finish her sight word review this week, and start the first grade level!!  Whoohooo!!!  She has a World Travelers Club dessert to try for Trinidad.  And she will continue in her Animal Crackers story builders book.  Last week she finished her test of Math skills, so I know what she needs to work on.  So we'll be starting fractions this week.  Science....Frogs

Caty

It's Q time, for our letter of the week.  We'll be learning about our Community Helpers and why they are so important for our safety and those around us.  She'll be working on the frog life cycle.  We'll work with our Hot Dots Cards and Minnie Mouse math game.  

This is how our week looks.  Hope everyone has a great week!!!  

Homeschool Mothers Journal - Week 25

In my life this week......

I am working to get out of a mental funk.  It is very hard to break this cycle.  My fibro does not help this, in fact it is making it worse.  I have been trying to get back into my exercise routine which I broke.  I am starting the feel the effects of this.  So I am trying to push through.  This mental exhaustion I feel leads to physical exhaustion and lack of motivation to do anything.  I have trouble focusing also.  So work is even harder to get finished.

I am very excited to be invited to return for the 2014 Schoolhouse Crew Year.  We have loved our time on the Crew, starting our 3rd year this year and can't wait to get started.

In our homeschool this week.....

We are chugging along.  The boys and I are working on "search" skills on the internet.  It's amazing that they can find any Youtube video they want, but give them a fact sheet to research online and they just stare at a blank screen.  So this week we practiced key word searches while looking for facts about Trinidad.

Caty finished her Planet wall, and now we are just doing basic space information and I am helping her memorize the planet names.  I also have been pulling out more "activities" for Caty to do.  She really liked using the Jr. Hot Dot Cards this week.  So I am grateful to get some alphabet work and number work in using these and her Minnie Mouse game.

Lydia started her Birds of Northwest Ohio book.  This is for science, but also for her DIY mastery badge.  She hasn't stopped at 5, but is going to 10 she decided.  We are half way done now.  She is doing a great job drawing the birds.  She and I are typing up information in Word and then printing the facts.

Projects I am working on.....

Cleaning....cleaning....cleaning.  This mental funk is killing my energy.  So stupid piles of junk are piling up.

I also started crocheting again.  I just finished one headband last night.  I am going to get some embellishments and make some of these for the girls.  Caty loves the rainbow in this one.

I am also working on study guides for the American Girl Rebecca books.  I have Book 1 - Meet Rebecca published, and Book 2 will publish next week.  The girls and I are enjoying these books right now.

What I am reading.....



I lost it all week though, finally found it under the couch.  I am enjoying this story so far.  I also have started Maze Runner.  It was recommended since I enjoyed Hunger Games so much.

What I am cooking.....

Made all kinds of stuff this week.  We did make an allergen friendly peach pie to go with the Letter P this week.  That was super yummy!!!  We pick up our fresh turkey today and can't wait to eat on that next week!!  All kinds of yummy things planned to make.

My kids favorite thing this week.....

I am guessing me pushing them to get their work done so that they can have plenty of time to do what they want.  The kids actually finished their work this week.  The only thing we didn't get finished was Joey's bird book didn't get fully "started".  He did look up facts and picked the birds he wanted to learn about.  But We didn't get as far in his book as we did with Lydia.  So that will be what he finishes next week.....our partial week.  We also took the time to watch Planes on Thursday because they worked so hard.

My favorite thing this week.....

Hmmmm....probably watching some old movies with the kids for History this week.  We watched Drums Along the Mohawk to go along with our Ohio History this week.  Great movie for the Ohio Valley between the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War time period.  Shows them great information about how life really was here, although I know it was probably worse...lol.

Some pictures from this week....

Caty working on her Hot Dots cards.

Lydia working on her Birds of Northwest Ohio book.

The girls and Daddy went on a date this week.  I think this was the girls favorite thing this week.

 Since Lydia is wanting to write books so bad, I found these great Road to Writing books.  I wish they were easier to find, but Lydia is working on this one right now.



She is working on drawing a horse in her book.  Our Draw Write Now Handwriting book had a great step by step instruction guide for her to use.

Lydia finished her model of a tide pool to go with what we were learning in our American Girl Kailey book.

Miss Caty was mad that I wouldn't let her play Animal Jam before she finished her work.

 So she finally got going.

 We got this fun little activity in a Busy Bag Swap.  It was so fun.  I think Caty likes using it.

I got a shot of Joey working on his Vocabulary/Spelling workbook.

Hope everyone had a wonderful week!!!  Linking up with other Homeschool Mom at So You Call Yourself a Homeschooler.