If you love bananas, your gonna love this one! This Banana Bowl is simply addicting. My version of a acai bowl gone bananas. If you can't get your kids to eat fruit, I just bet they will love this one.

The best part about this recipe is that it is quick, simple, and you can use what you have on hand for toppings. I used blueberries, raspberries, and no oat granola. Use what you love, fresh peaches, coconut flakes, strawberries, nuts, etc.  This is delicious for breakfast,  an awesome snack, and perfect for a healthy dessert. Call it what you like, I call it delicious!


All you need to make this work is a food processor, parchment paper, and some frozen bananas. No toppings - no problem just eat as it is. It's delicious!

Banana Bowl by mamasaysdanceintherain

Please do share what you topped your banana bowl with. I'm all ears!

Happy Summer!
Bridget

After sharing my recipe for Yeast Free Rolls, I just had to share a few other delicious things that can be made with them. I love to make homemade croutons. They are simply addicting; great on salads, delicious in homemade soups, and perfect for eating right off the tray. These are super easy and a awesome way to use leftover rolls. Once you make these you will never go back to store brought ones. I love that they are crispy and not too hard like the store bought ones.

Okay, let's get making them!


Homemade Croutons Yeast Free Recipe by mamasaysdanceintherain

As I noted in the recipe, I like to use parchment paper to line my baking sheets. My favorite is Kirkland's brand. Parchment paper makes easy clean up and keeps things from getting stuck on the pan. I use it all the time, it's a staple in my house. I also would like to recommend an organic avocado oil. It was a hard search to locate it but, Amazon doesn't disappoint. I purchase this brand and it is wonderful. Sometime it goes out of stock because it is that good and reasonable too! Lastly, I always use Kirkland's Sea Salt and Simply Organic's Italian Seasoning. I know that some do not have access to local health food stores so, I am providing the sources for your convenience,

I hope you are enjoying these yeast free recipes. I would love to hear all about things you love to make yeast free too!

Blessings,
Bridget

Here is the link to Yeast Free Rolls:















I am a affiliate with Amazon and a personal Prime Member. I simply love Amazon, they are quick and convenient. If you purchase through my links I would greatly appreciate it as it compensates me a small amount for my time in recommending products to you. This allows me to continue to create great recipes and recommendations for you. Thank you for supporting my blog in this way! 😊

Got  craving for bread but, suffer with a yeast sensitivity? I'm excited to share my latest discovery, Yeast Free Rolls! Your gonna love this recipe; it is easy and satisfying. These rolls are great served as a dinner roll, perfect for a sandwich, and a nice alternative for a hamburger bun.

The main key to these rolls is the timing during the baking process. If they cook to long they will take on a biscuit texture. So, unless your wanting a crunchy roll, take them out when they start to get golden on top. This is usually around 12 minutes.

It is best to allow them to cool before slicing, and of course they are best the day they are made! The recipe is so easy that you can make them in a moments notice though.



Yeast Free Rolls by mamasaysdanceintherain

I used a my Kitchen-aid mixer but, any mixer that accommodates dough should work just fine.

Enjoy!
Bridget

Ah, sweet summer! I hope you all are settling down and enjoying some lazy days of summer. We are wrapping up some of our last homeschool lessons and plan to take a short break before we start back on our lessons. Today, I would like to share my delicious tomato sauce recipe. Yes, you could just buy it in a jar but, this one is so simple and tastes fabulous. You will be asking yourself why would I want too?

Making homemade tomato sauce is one of the most simple things to make. I always keep canned tomatoes in the pantry they are a staple in our house. They can be used for chili, salsa, Mexican beef bowl, Mexican rice, and more. I have listed below the recipe and and instructions. The recipe is super easy with an immersion blender because you can blend everything in the same pot. It works just fine with the blender; I just love not having to clean the blender. 😊


Delicious Tomato Sauce by mamasaysdanceintherain


I am sure that this recipe will become one of your family favorites. It can be used as a pizza sauce too. If you run short on time you don't have to cook it for 30 minutes. This simple thickens the sauce and increases the flavor.

So, what do you think?

Blessings!
Bridget

Welcome to Day 2 of our series "Road Trip United States". For those of you who are just joining us, we have been learning about the history of the United States and how states were formed. We are taking a learning road trip from the comforts of our own home. Today we learned that Maine was the twenty-third state.


We are loving Kids Learn America! by Patricia Gordan & Reed Snow. They have made it most enjoyable to remember the capitals of each state. Does anyone enjoy learning these capitals? Well, my kids have embraced it due to the fun way it is presented in Kids Learn America! It can be difficult to remember the capitals of all the states, so I was delighted when I found this fun way to remember them. To remember Maine's capital they recommended imagining a lion with a shaggy mane with a gust of wind blowing it. The mane will help you remember Maine, and the gust of wind will help you remember Augusta. This is a cute way to remember the capitals.

Here are some things we learned about Maine:

Maine is home to more than 60 lighthouses. The oldest lighthouse is Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth. Visit PBS for a fun lighthouse craft.

Did you know that Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge is the nesting grounds to Puffins? Color the Puffins "Parrots of the Sea" with these coloring pages. You will find some interesting information about them here.

Guess where 90 percent of the lobster comes from? You guessed it Maine. Watch this interesting video about lobster.

Maine has more moose that any other state. Watch this informative video about moose.

On a fun note, don't blow your nose in public in Waterville, Maine, it's illegal.

I love the free printables from USA-Printables. I print them out and my 3rd grader colors them for his USA Notebook. It shows the capital, the state bird, and the state flower. Here is the link for the Maine coloring page.

Download my free PDF notebook cover to keep all your coloring pages in. It makes a nice keepsake memory too!




Learning is supposed to be fun, right? It is all about how you present the material and allowing kids to be hands on while learning. Children love being read to. If you find interesting things and present them in a fun way, they will love what they are learning. Allow your kids to learn what they are interested in. Don't feel like you have to do everything. A page here and there will enhance their learning without overwhelming them. Be hands on, do a lighthouse craft or imitate lobsters. These are things that they will retain.

Have fun creating memories with your child. This is a special cherished time.

Blessings,
Bridget 

Time sure flies! Even though Easter has passed, I have a sweet memory for years to come. I know you remember dying Easter eggs as a child, and not wanting to crack the egg. I use to save the best for last, because you are going to have to throw them out if you don't eat them. Right?



A few years back I found some faux eggs at Walmart, and I have never looked back. The first year we dyed them as usual and got some really nice pastel colored Easter eggs. We tried the paint and bag method, let's just say it's messy. We spun them in a egg spinner with dye, still a bit messy but, with great results. Then last year we started coloring them with Sharpies. Wow, what fun! This year we did a Sharpie and paint combination. The results are true keepsakes.

I have enjoyed putting out my eggs year after year, and remembering my boys creating them. This year we met at my mom's house and had a great time with all our family coloring eggs. The best part is, these eggs are a bargain just $1.98 for a dozen at Walmart. So, consider stocking up for next year if you find them on sale, or just be on the lookout for them next year.

I love that I can leave out the can of Sharpies and spontaneously create a egg without much clean up. For those of you who love hand lettering like me, these are so much fun.

Have fun creating lasting memories! I would love to see your treasures.

Bridget

What is the history of the United States? How were states formed? We are learning all about it this year as we study the United States. It is like taking a road trip from the comforts of our own home. Today we learned that Alabama was the twenty-second state. It can be difficult to remember the capitals of all the states, so I was delighted when I found this fun way of learning it from Kids Learn America! by Patricia Gordon & Reed Snow. They recommended imagining a mountain made out of gum and a owl sitting on top of the mountain. The owl will help you remember Alabama (owl/al) and the mountain of gum will help you remember Montgomery (mount gum).



I love the free printables from USA-Printables. I print them out and my 3rd grader colors them for his USA Notebook. It shows the capital, the state bird, and the state flower. Here is the link for the Alabama coloring page.

Download my free PDF notebook cover to keep all your coloring pages in. It makes a nice keepsake memory too!

We learned that Helen Keller and Rosa Parks were born in Alabama. That the Tuskegee Institute  is where George Washington Carver found all those interesting uses for peanuts.

You will find some free printables on Rosa Parks here.
There is a free resource and activity pack if you would like to learn more about Helen Keller here.
Also, you'll find a free resource from George Washington Carver here.

We laughed at funny things we read in books. Things like, it's illegal to wrestle a bear in Alabama.

Learning is supposed to be fun, right? It is all about how you present the material and allowing kids to be hands on while learning. Children love being read to. If you find interesting things and present them in a fun way, they will love what they are learning. Allow your kids to learn what they are interested in. Don't feel like you have to do everything. A page here and there will enhance their learning without overwhelming them. Be hands on, grow a peanut plant. These are things that they will retain.

Have fun creating memories with your child. This is a special cherished time.

Blessings,
Bridget

My high-schooler has been observing the process of osmosis this week. What is osmosis anyways? According to the Biology Dictionary, "Osmosis is when a substance crosses a semipermeable membrane in order to balance the concentrations of another substance."



We did a fun experiment to learn about osmosis. This experiment takes three days to complete. Here is what you will need.

1 coffee mug
1 uncooked egg
1 3/4 cup measuring cup
1 tape measure
3/4 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup Karo Syrup
3/4 cup distilled water

Start by measuring the widest part of the egg. Then pour 3/4 cup vinegar in the coffee cup and place the egg in the mug. Allow it to sit for 24 hours. (Hint: the shell should start dissolving).

After 24 hours remove the egg from the mug and carefully rinse it off. The egg shell should have dissolved. Measure the egg again around the widest part. (Hint: your egg should measure a little larger). Wash out the mug and add 3/4 cup Karo syrup. Place the egg into the Karo syrup and let it sit for another 24 hours.

Remove the egg from the Karo syrup. (Hint: the egg should look a little dimpled). Rinse the egg and measure it around the widest part. It should have gotten smaller. Clean the mug and add the 3/4 cup distilled water and allow it to sit for another 24 hours.

Then remove the egg and measure it. (Hint: It should measure larger). What you have just experienced is osmosis. This would make a fun science fair project, just create a hypothesis, take some photos, and make some graphs. I have included a free downloadable PDF for you to record your results. You will find it here.

I hope you get a chance to try out this fun experiment and connect with your teen.

Happy experimenting!
Bridget

P.S. If you have boys like me, they will love throwing the egg after the experiment and watching it splat!

Sweet tea and me belong together! When I decided to kick refined sugar, the first thing I missed was my sweet tea. I scoured the internet looking for the perfect honey sweetened ice tea. I tried several recipes, and just didn't find what I was looking for. Then, I set out to create it on my own. The result was perfectly sweetened, delicious, honey iced tea.


Here is what you will need:

6 Organic Black Tea Bags
7 Tbsp. Raw Honey
12 Cups of Water

Place 12 cups of water in a pot. Bring the water just to a boil. Turn off the heat, add honey, and stir till dissolved. Add the tea bags, and allow it to sit for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags. Pour over ice and serve, or place in the refrigerator until chilled.

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. Try flavored black tea too. My absolute favorite is Allegro Organic Decaf Ginger Peach Tea from Whole Foods. It is so delicious!

Let me know what fun flavors you try!

Have a sweet day!

Bridget

Science is so fun. What could be more enjoyable than watching your child learn hands on with a fun science project. This week my 3rd grader has been learning about floating. Why do some things float and others sink? What makes pool rafts and large ships float? Why do balloons float in the air?


We learned that density determines whether something floats or sinks. If the object is more dense than water or air it will not float. What is upthrust? Upthrust is created because water pushes up on things more than it pushes down. So, something that is more dense than water cannot create enough upthrust and it sinks. I know those ships are really heavy, but they contain air inside them making them less dense than water, therefore they float. As for those balloons floating in the air, the gas in the balloon is less dense that the air therefore, it floats.


This is really a cool topic for a science fair project. Have your child determine a hypothesis, and then test that hypothesis. A hypothesis is a guess. Then have them document with photos and graphs what they found out. It would be really fun to have a display of a few things to show the experiment hands on.

I am including a free PDF file  that I created for my son to do a simple experiment on what floats. Feel free to print out this PDF and work through it with your child.



I hope you enjoy spending time with your child. These little moments create lasting memories? Do you remember your science fair or geography fair projects as I child? I know I do, and I want to create lasting memories for my boys!

Enjoy,
Bridget

Spelling has never been a favorite subject for my boys. Let's face it, most kids don't love reviewing and writing their spelling words. I was on the look out for a method to improve their grades while making it fun, and I found just what I was looking for. With just a few minutes per day my kids are now making straight A's in spelling!

Thanks to the A+ Spelling Test app my kids are now doing awesome in Spelling. If your interested in trying out this app you will find it on the App Store . The best part is it's free and it works! I start the week by entering and recording their words. They have four days to study; then they are tested on day 5. They start day 1 with practice, A+ Spelling's introduction to the words. On day 2, they unscramble the words. By day 3 they are challenged with Ace it, basically the system continues to review the words until they spell them correctly. On day 4 they are tested on the words, with the option to retest on the words they miss. The repetition of the words helps them with troublesome words. On day 3 and 4, I am emailed their progress so that I can help them with any troublesome words. On day 5, we do a written test of the words. They also write their words daily in their spelling notebook. This has been life changing for my family, as it can be done with very little supervision. It frees me up to work with my other child, or catch up on grading some other assignments.

I have referred a few other homeschoolers to this app and they have loved it, so I thought I would share it with you. It doesn't matter whether your child is homeschooled or attends a traditional school this is an awesome app.

Let me know what you think!

Blessings,
Bridget

Every year on March 2, we celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday. Dr. Seuss was my favorite authors as a child, and I don't pass up the chance to read Green Eggs and Ham to my boys. Our day starts out with green eggs and ham (aka organic turkey bacon). The best thing is, you don't have to use food coloring to achieve this green color. Simply add a little spinach and eggs to your blender, and you have a delicious, nutritional breakfast. Then ask your kids, "Would you Eat Green Eggs and Ham?"

My family loves this Fiesta Mexican Beef Bowl. It is quick, versatile, and tastes great! It can be served over rice, on tortillas, or over cauliflower rice. My boys never refuse these leftovers.


1 lb ground beef (you can substitute ground chicken or turkey too)
1 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 green bell pepper chopped
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 tbsp chili powder
1 1/2 tbsp cumin
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder


Instructions:

Add ground beef, onion, garlic, and green pepper to skillet. Brown the ground beef till it is fully cooked. While it is cooking, I blend my diced tomatoes till smooth in my Vitamix Blender (any blender or immersion blender will work for this). Remove the pan from heat, and add in blended tomatoes and all spices. Return to heat and reduce heat to low. Cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes. Enjoy over rice, tortillas, or cauliflower rice.

Check out my recipes for Wrap It Up Tortillas, Instant Pot brown rice, or Instant Pot Jasmine Rice.

This is a family favorite. Let me know what you think!

Blessings,
Bridget

Is is BBQ weather yet? It is here in Florida. We have been in the 80's all week. Perfect weather for a little BBQ. This recipe was specially designed for those with a allergy to yeast. If you or a loved one struggle with a yeast allergy you probably already know that vinegar, refined sugar, and alcohol extracts have to be avoided. Well, after much effort, I came up with the perfect BBQ sauce and I am so excited to share it with you.

It is absolutely delicious, quick to make, and tastes great.

Here is what you need:

1-15 ounce can tomato sauce
1- 6 ounce can tomato paste
1/8 tsp chipolte powder
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground mustard
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 tbsp black-strap molasses
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

*Use organic ingredients where feasible.

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a medium size sauce pan that has a lid. Use a whisk to fully combine all ingredients. Bring mixture to a boil, cover with the lid, and reduce to a slow simmer for 10 minutes. Allow it to cool and transfer to glass jars. Place in the refrigerator to cool. It should keep for about a week in the refrigerator. Ours never lasts a week, my guys love this stuff!😍

This sauce is perfect on grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, or anything you would like to dip!

Hope you enjoy barbecuing with those you love.

Bridget