Let's Help Get Gia for Carson and Benjamin!

My friend, Cindy of Vegetarian Mamma, informed me a short while ago about a need their family has for a service dog to help their boys, Carson and Benjamin, with their life-threatening food allergies.  As soon as I heard about it, I knew I was going to blog about it and give you all the chance to help by either giving donations or by helping spread the word. 

These dogs (provided by Angel Service Dogs, Inc.) are amazing!  I've seen service dogs in action, both for the blind and for a girl who is a fragile diabetic, and let me tell you - these people literally could not live without the service these dogs provide.  They are worth their weight in gold and then some!  They help save lives, and I'd love for my friend to be able to get this amazing dog (Gia is the name of the dog they are trying to get) for her sons!

Please take a little time to read over the Gimme 5 Campaign info below (written by Cindy), and please donate if you can!  If nothing else, please help spread the word for this worthy cause!  Thanks so much! :)

*~*~*

Did you know that giving a tax-deductible donation as little as $5 can help two energetic boys and their family have some peace of mind in their fight against life-threatening food allergies?

Carson (age 6) and Benjamin (3) both live with life threatening food allergies. Benjamin was diagnosed with an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts and almonds, as well as asthma in November 2011 at only 18 months old. Benjamin also has a dairy allergy as well as a severe gluten intolerance. Benjamin's asthma complied with his life threatening allergies puts him at extremely high risk. Carson was diagnosed with a life-threatening allergy to almonds in November 2012 at age 5. Since then our daily lives require emergency medicines in tow at all times. We are never more than an arms length away from the life saving medicine. Going out to eat as a family has been severely restricted. We currently have two places that we trust. Trips to stores include avoiding isles with peanuts, the bakery and other high risk areas. When we do get invited to birthday parties, it takes multiple conversations with the party planners to ensure there are no nut products to be consumed. As you can see each part of our daily life needs to be mapped out cautiously. It brings a lot of stress an anxiety to precious young boys, who should be carefree.

For the first time these activities are within our reach with the help of an Allergy Alert dog from Angel Service Dogs, Inc. (ASDi) named Gia. An Allergy Alert Dog will add another “defense” against peanuts/almonds that we, as parents, can’t provide. This dog is being trained to sniff out peanuts/peanut oil and almonds/almond oil on items such as a shopping carts, bowling balls, movie theater seats, playgrounds, play areas and common places others would take for granted as being “safe.”

Your donations for Gia will be used to train Gia, fly Carson and Benjamin's family to Colorado to meet Gia, and have an intensive 10-day training. Any funds received in excess will go to ASDi™ and will be used for training other dogs for families in need.

Your $5 donation is tax deductible. Donations in smaller or larger amounts are accepted.

Your donations can be made via check to:
Angel Service Dogs, Inc.
3815 Highview Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80908

Click HERE to donate via PayPal and read more of our story.

Please LIKE our Facebook page to stay connected with us!

Thanks for helping us! Please share our story with your friends and family!

Questions, please contact: Cindy@vegetarianmamma.com

*~*~*

Let's do what we can to help get the word out for Cindy and her boys! :)  Thanks!

(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

Happy 13th Anniversary! {An Open Letter To My Hubby}

My dearest Aaron,

Happy 13th Anniversary!

Wow!  I can hardly believe it's been 13 years!  Do you remember the day we got engaged?  I do!



The day we got engaged, July 3rd, 1999.

I remember your horror that the weather wasn't cooperating - the sky was grey so the sunset wasn't as pretty as you wanted.  I remember how mortified you were that there were dead fish on the beach and you couldn't find the perfect spot to kneel to propose.  I remember being confused when you slipped the ring onto my finger while we were just kinda standing there, side by side, you being unsure of what to say and me nearly flinging the ring into the lake when I pulled my hand away suddenly because I had no idea what you were doing or what you'd just done with my finger! LOL :)

It seemed like everything went "wrong", but it couldn't have been more perfect.  Why?  Because it was our moment.  It was our time.  And the only thing that mattered was that you wanted me to be with you for the rest of our lives, and that made the moment more than amazing - it made it ideal and romantic and magical.

Speaking of romantic and magical, I love the time we get "just us".

 


At a local beach in August, 2008

We don't get alone time much.  Normally it's a trip to the grocery store while Grandma and Grandpa watch the kiddos, and I can't remember the last time we had a night away together, but time is time.  I don't mind if the kids tag along, but moments where it's just us are rare enough to be savored and appreciated to the millionth degree.  We will definitely have to work on getting that alone time soon! :)

I am so thrilled to have you in my life!  I know I am not the easiest woman to love some days (I do have a redhead's temper), but you love me despite all my faults, and I couldn't be more thrilled!

January, 2013

You've stuck by me through thick and thin, through my diagnosis with Fibromyalgia, through so many things.  You've been my rock when I wanted to wilt, you showed me how to become a Christian and I know that you will be there for me now and always.  I love that!  It makes me feel so secure.  Thank you!

Thank you for being the man that you are.  Thank you for being the spiritual leader in our home.  Thank you for being an involved Daddy and loving husband.  Thank you for working hard to provide for this family.  Thank you a million times over for letting me know that I'm beautiful to you, that you love me despite all my faults and for being there when I need you.  Thank you for loving me.

I love you so much and don't know what I'd do without you!

Happy Anniversary, Hubby, and here's to many more years to come!

Love you, now and always,

Xs and Os,

(For those of you curious as to how we met, click here for the story.)

P.S. I finally found a picture on the PC of us on our wedding day! :) Here it is:

~*~*~*~

How did you meet your spouse or fiance(e)?

What is your engagement story?

What is your favorite memory since becoming a couple?

If you're not married or engaged, what are some things you are looking for in a relationship?

(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

Hubby's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites (Soy, Nut, Fish and Egg-Free, Can Be Milk and Wheat-Free)



The day we got engaged, July 3rd, 1999.

Today is our 13th anniversary!  I can hardly believe it!  What a wild ride it has been!  We've lived in 4 different towns, been in more than a few different living, health and financial situations, had 3 kids (10 1/2, 9 and 2 1/2) and so much more!  It's not been an easy 13 years, but it's been an amazing 13 years, and I wouldn't want to be on this crazy ride with anyone else! :)

To celebrate our anniversary, I thought I'd make one of my hubby's favorite things in the whole wide world - cookie dough!  He LOVES to eat it straight from the bowl, but I hate that he is eating raw eggs, so I decided that I would search for a recipe to modify that was sans eggs that he could enjoy as is.  Enter, to my delight, a recipe I found for Cookie Dough Bites by Anne Coleman (introduced to me via The Dose Of Reality - love those girls!).  As soon as I saw it I knew I could not only tweak it to be more allergy-friendly, but I knew my hubby would LOVE it!

My modification is called Hubby's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites (to honor the hubs) and is soy (if you use all soy-free ingredients), nut, fish and egg-free, and can be milk and wheat-free (see variations).  Awesome, right?  It is absolutely delicious, and totally safe to eat and even meant to be eaten in raw form because there are no eggs!  Cookie dough eaters of the world, rejoice! :)

Hubby's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

1 Cup salted, full-fat butter

3/4 Cup white sugar

3/4 Cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt

2 Cups flour

(All-purpose or whole wheat, especially white whole wheat, is fine.  I recommend King Arthur brand.)

up to 1/4 Cup or 4 Tablespoons water

5 oz. (1/2 bag) Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips

1. Cream butter, sugars, vanilla and salt together in a large mixing bowl.  (Note: Salt amount is totally personal preference.  You can even leave it out if you wish, but know that salt really brings out the flavors.)
       
2. Add the flour, a little at a time, and mix until well-blended.  (Note: Dough will be like sand at this point.)
       
3. Add water, a Tablespoon at a time, until the dough is proper consistency.  (Note: The dough should be like sugar cookie dough vs. soft, sticky dough.  It's almost like looking at play dough when it is right.  It will be thick and sticking together, like wet sand.  A stand mixer is best to use, but if you don't have one and your hand mixer isn't cutting it, use your hands to mix the dough.)
    
4. Mix in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed. (Note: Again, this is where a stand mixer comes in handy, but an electric hand mixer should work, too.  If your mixer isn't handling the thickness of the dough, use your hands to mix in the chips.)
      
5. With a spoon or cookie scooper, measure out about a Tablespoon (more or less depending on preference, though you want them bite-sized) of dough and roll it into a little ball and place on a cookie sheet covered with parchment or waxed paper; repeating until all the dough is used up.
    
6. Once all the dough is rolled into balls and on the tray, place the tray in the freezer to firm up, about 30 minutes or so.  (Note: You can eat them at this point, too, but you can't store or serve them this way.  They need to be frozen to the point of very firm to store or serve without sticking together.)
      
7. After the dough is frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer safe container and store them in the freezer or fridge, pulling out the desired amount to share (or not) as needed.  (Note: If you don't like to eat them frozen or cold, you can let them stand at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before eating.)

Makes 50 to 60 pieces, depending on size.

Variations (Please keep your individual allergen needs in mind when making variations/using substitutions!):

• Milk-Free: Sub a dairy-free butter (like Earth Balance) for the butter or use 3/4 Cup olive, canola or corn oil for the butter.  If you use the oil, the texture will be different, but they should be equally as delicious. :)
     
• Wheat-Free: Use a gluten-free flour (like King Arthur Gluten-Free flour) for the flour.  You may need to add up to 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum or ground flax seed to the mix, too, for textural purposes, too.
    
• If you would like, you can add 1 teaspoon baking soda to the recipe with the flour if you think the recipe is missing something.  I left it out of the recipe because these "cookies" will not be baked and don't need it for rising power, but feel free to add it if you believe it is needed for flavor.
    
• Other Chocolates/Add-Ins: If it fits within your allergen needs and you want to use another type of chocolate (white, milk, dark) or add butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, M&Ms, toffee bits and/or nuts, etc., please feel free, but don't add more than a Cup of extra add-ins.   You can even forgo the chocolate all together and just use butterscotch or peanut butter chips and/or nuts.  Note that mini types of chips or candy pieces work best for this, but regular size or chunks can work as well.  It's all about preference! :)
      
• Truffles: Melt the remaining chocolate chips and dip the bites in it after they are frozen, sticking them back in the freezer for another 30 minutes or so until the chocolate has hardened.  Please note that, depending how many you made or want dipped, you might need to melt more chocolate, up to another bag worth.  You can use another type of chocolate (white, milk, dark), too, if you wish.
      
• Chocolate Drizzled: If you just want a little extra chocolate, melt the remaining chocolate chips and drizzle the bites with it after they are frozen, sticking them back in the freezer for another 30 minutes or so until the chocolate is hardened.  You can use another type of chocolate (white, milk, dark), too, if you wish.

 

Chocolate Drizzled



Don't those look delish?!?!?! You know you want one...or three...or a dozen!  They'd even be great cut into small pieces and used as ice cream topping or mixed into ice cream to make a you-know-what like you-know-where makes!  Oh, yah!  The possibilities are endless!

One last thing before I go (because I know you're totally dying to run into the kitchen and make these little bits of heaven), I want to say...

Happy Anniversary, Hubby!

I love you!

January, 2013

Here's to many more wonderful years together!

~*~*~*~

What's your favorite treat for a special occasion?

How do you spoil your loved one on an anniversary?  Birthday?  Holiday?

P.S. I finally found a picture on the PC of us on our wedding day! :)  Here it is:

(This recipe was originally posted on my original site, Natural and Free.)

The Marvelous Moms Link-Up {Wrap Up}

~*~ Welcome To The Wrap Up Of ~*~

Over Mother's Day weekend, I hosted a link-up called "The Marvelous Moms Link-Up" where I shared a post about a mom in  my life each day, and gave you a chance to link-up something "mom" (i.e. your mom's favorite recipes, open letters to a mom or someone like a mom in your life, pictures of your mom, a Mother's Day post) via the link-up.  I started Saturday with an open letter to my twin sister, Lynette, shared an open letter to my mom Sunday and I ended with an open letter to my Granny yesterday.

Today, instead of doing features, I thought I would just share the link-up one last time and encourage you to go through it, one by one, even if it takes you awhile to get through them.  Why?  Because there are posts in there that will touch your heart and change your life.

Oh, sure, there are some fun crafts and recipes that I want you to see, too, because they are great.  There are also some more light-hearted posts, but then there are the ones that will bring you to tears and remind you of your own mother or of what you want your daughter to grow up to be.  There are posts that will inspire you and make you think.

Each of these posts are worth a read, and I dearly hope that you will take the time to read them.  You won't regret it. :)

I sincerely hope you all had a great Mother's Day weekend.  I hope that you got to honor a mom or be pampered a little if you are a mom.  I hope that those of you missing or grieving the loss of your mother's know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  I hope that those of you who are blessed enough to still have your mother in your life will let her know how much she means to you before you no longer can.

Thank you to all who linked up.  I couldn't have done this without you!



~*~*~

~*~*~

Grab A Badge!

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(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

The Marvelous Moms Link-Up {Day3}

~*~ Welcome To The Last Day Of ~*~

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought it would be good to highlight some of the moms in my life and give you the chance to do the same via a link-up (see details below).  I started Saturday with an open letter to my twin sister, Lynette, shared an open letter to my mom yesterday and I will be writing my last one today.  If you wish (and I sincerely hope you wish), you can link-up anything "mom" (i.e. your mom's favorite recipes, open letters to a mom in your life, pictures of your mom, a Mother's Day post) below until 11:59pm EST tonight.  I hope you will grab a badge and join in the fun! :)

Today, I am going to be highlighting another mother who has always been there for me...and my mother - my Granny.

~*~*~*~

Dear Granny,

Happy Mother's Day (a little late), Granny!



Granny and my nephew, December 2008



How can I ever tell you just how much you mean to me?  You have always been there to listen, to guide, to help, to love, to pray.  What would I do without you?

You are not only an amazing grandma, but you are an amazing great-grandma, as well!



Granny and some of her great-grand kids, June 2009



Did you ever dream that that day would happen, the day you became a great-grandma?  Did you ever imagine that you'd be the great-grandma to 8 and counting?  Did you ever think that you'd get to see them grow-up and be a part of their lives, and pray for them and hear their amazing stories?  Did you ever dream that you'd get to take walks with them and tell them stories about their grandma and their parents?  I hope some day to have the same privilege as you, knowing that I've been able to observe the best of the best do it in you, hoping that I can do it half as well as you do.

I so love the times we get together, especially holiday times.

Family Christmas, 2008

Do you remember making Pecan Rolls together for the first time?  Do you remember decorating sugar cookies together?  Do you remember putting together relish trays and me sneaking those delicious homemade pickles of yours?  Do you remember how Grandpa used to tell us to blow on the Christmas tree so that the lights would come on?  Do you remember each of those amazing, miraculous and timeless moments like I do?  I know I will never forget them, and that I relish sharing those memories with my own children! 

Did you ever think there would be a day when you would be holding a great granddaughter who had your first name as her middle name?

Granny meeting her namesake for the first time, September 2010

I can only pray that she grows into half the godly woman that you are!  I will continue to remind her as she grows that she was named after a wonderful, godly woman who loves her very much and who wants her to live for the Lord with all her heart, soul and mind!  I will remind her that you want her to be the amazing woman that God intends for her to be...and that she can look up to her godly heritage and follow the example given to her by her grandma, her great-grandma and even her great-great grandma.  What a precious gift of legacy she has!

I love you, Granny, and always will!  Knowing that you are there, that you pray for me, that you pray for my family, that you will pray with me over the phone at any time, day or night, means the world to me.  I am so thrilled that my children get to know you!  I am so thrilled that you are my Granny, and I am so grateful that you have loved me unconditionally from the moment you found out I was coming into this world and extend the same love to my children.  I am so blessed.
 

Thank you for being such a good example of wife and mother and grandmother to me.  I thank God for you daily, and pray that we will have many more years together yet!

Love you "a bushel and a peck",



~*~*~

Now It's Your Turn!

~*~*~

Grab A Badge!

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(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

The Marvelous Moms Link-up {Day 2}

~*~ Welcome To Day 2 Of ~*~

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought it would be good to highlight some of the moms in my life and give you the chance to do the same via a link-up (see details below).  I started yesterday with an open letter to my twin sister, Lynette, and I will be writing another today and one last one tomorrow.  If you wish (and I sincerely hope you wish), you can link-up anything "mom" (i.e. your mom's favorite recipes, open letters to a mom in your life, pictures of your mom, a Mother's Day post) below.  It should be a lot of fun, and I hope you will grab a badge and join in the fun! :)

Today, I am going to be highlighting another mother who has been there for me since before birth, my mother.

~*~*~*~

Dear Mom,

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Mom and Dad, Christmas 2012

You are an amazing example of what a wife and mother should be, and one of my best friends in the whole wide world.  Do you even know how much I love you and look up to you!?!?!?!  Words cannot express it adequately, but I will definitely try.

I remember the day I went into labor with Stephen and you drove down to be with me and help me through it all.  I couldn't have done it without you.

When my mom became a grandma for the first time, October 2002

You didn't tell me to buck up or coddle me.  You simply stood by me (literally), assured me I could do it and helped me get through it all, even when things got hairy.  I knew you were praying for me, too, and that meant the world and helped all the more.

I can't help but look back on the pictures now of the times you first got to see and hold each of your grand kids for the first time.

Grandma and my niece, September 2006

What went through your mind?  Did you think about when the doctors told you you'd never have children, only to have God bless you with 3 and now you were holding one of your babies' babies?  Did you think of how amazing God is to allow you the privilege to be, not only a mom, but a grandparent?  I can't even imagine the awe of that moment now, but one day I hope to experience it for myself, and I hope you will be around to relish in that moment with me, too.

I am so thrilled to have a mother I can call friend, but who will also tell me when I am wrong.  You don't judge, you don't hate, you love with all the love you have and then some and let me know that you will be praying for me and are always ready and willing to talk.  I love that most about you; that you pray for me and my children (for all of your children and grandchildren) daily.  It means the world to me!

I love that I can go to you about anything.  I love that you are always there.  I love that you show me the unconditional love of God and are still my godly example of not only a good Christian, but a loving wife and mother worthy of honor and praise.  I will always see you as a Proverbs 31 woman worthy of my admiration.

As I look on all the blessings God has given you, as you call your family, I can't help but smile.

The whole clan, April 2012

God gave you the desires of your heart when He gave you children, and then multiplied those blessings when He gave you grand babies.  May you live to see your great-grand babies, and may they get to know the amazing woman you are.

I love you, Mom, now and always!  You make me laugh, you make me feel loved beyond words, and you are my dearest friend.  May your Mother's Day be as amazing as you are!

Hugs and kisses,



~*~*~

Now It's Your Turn!

~*~*~

Grab A Badge!

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(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

The Marvelous Moms Link-Up

~*~ Welcome To ~*~

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought it would be good to highlight some of the moms in my life and give you the chance to do the same via a link-up (see below).  Over the next 3 days, I will be writing open letters here to them, and you can link-up anything "mom" (i.e. your mom's favorite recipes, open letters to a mom in your life, pictures of your mom, a Mother's Day post) below.  It should be a lot of fun, and I hope you will grab a badge and join in the fun! :)

Today, I am going to be highlighting a mom who I've known since before birth, my twin sister, Lynette.

~*~*~*~

Dear Lynette,

I remember the day you first became a mom.



The day after my niece was born, September 2006.



What a day that was!  Hard and fast labor that you were quite sure you weren't ready for, but you did it and a beautiful little girl was born!  You did great, and I was so proud to be able to tell people that you were not only my sister, but my twin.  And you made me an aunt again that day, too! 

You are not only a great mommy to your daughter and son, but a wonderful aunt to your nieces and nephews.





Aunt Lyn with her nephews and daughter, July 2009.

No one can say you don't love them.  It's written all over your face!  You've always treated them like your own kids and loved on them and helped them and watched over them.  Thank you for being that kind of mom and aunt.  It is so good to know that I have you to rely on if I need someone.

Though you don't live just down the street anymore, I look forward to the times we can spend time together, and so do my kids.



Aunt Lyn with her niece, April 2013.



It is so nice to be able to see you and laugh and joke and talk.  I miss talking with you the most.  Phone conversations and text messages just aren't the same, ya know?

Anyway, I just wanted you to know how much I love you and how glad I am that you are my sister!  I also wanted to say, "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!" (Yes, that was shouted with confetti and the whole works! :) ), and that you are a mom I look up to in so many ways.

I envy your ability to teach effortlessly.  I covet your wit.  I love that you are not afraid to express emotion when it's needed without being embarrassed.  I relish the fact that you can make me laugh until I cry and make me feel loved beyond words.  I enjoy the fact that you will pray with me when I need someone to pray with, and let me cry on your shoulder when I need to.  I am thrilled that you never tell me what I want to hear, but are always honest with me and tell me like it is, like a good sister and friend should.  I am overjoyed that you serve the Lord and love your husband unconditionally and stand by him, your family and your ministry together.

I am glad that God saw fit to not only give me a sister, but a twin.  That is a special gift indeed!



Us, Spring 1979



God bless you, sister, and know that I love you, now and always!  If you ever need anything, I'm just a phone call (and a few hours) away!

Hugs and kisses,



~*~*~

Now It's Your Turn!

~*~*~

Grab A Badge!

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(This post was originally posted on my original site, Fibro, Fit and Fab!)

Mom's Pink Smoothie (Soy, Wheat, Nut, Fish and Egg-Free, Can Be Milk-Free and Diabetic Friendly)

Mom's Pink Smoothie made with Pineapple Greek Yogurt

In honor of Mother's Day tomorrow, I wanted to make something that my mom loved allergy-friendly to share with you all.  I asked her what her favorite recipe ever was, and she told me about this pink, fluffy dessert she used to make with her mom and a female neighbor who was a really good friend (They'd originally had it at this restaurant that I didn't get the name of, and (after finding out the ingredients and working and working and working on it) came up with something that tasted like it on their own.).  When she described it to me, I thought we could easily make it into an allergy-friendly treat.  Instead of making it into a spoon-able dessert, though, we turned it into a smoothie and let me tell you, YUM!  It's got this fruity, tropical taste and is so satisfying.  I can definitely understand why this flavor profile was her favorite!

This version is soy (if you use all soy-free ingredients), wheat, nut, fish and egg-free and can be milk-free and diabetic friendly (see variations).   (Note: I do not consider coconut a tree nut, though some do.  If you are avoiding all tree nuts or are allergic to coconut, this recipe is not for you!) I hope you love it like my mom and I do!

Mom's Pink Smoothie

1 1/2 Cups frozen strawberries

1 Cup cold soy-free, canned coconut milk

(Make sure to use the fat!)

1/4 Cup pineapple without the juice

1 Cup soy-free vanilla yogurt

(I recommend Stonyfield Farms French Vanilla Whole Milk Organic Yogurt)

1/4 Cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

dash of salt

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until desired consistency.  (Note: If you find it too thick for your liking, add more coconut milk.  If you find it too thin, add more yogurt or strawberries.  If it is not sweet enough, feel free to add more sugar to taste.)
     
2. Pour mixture into glasses and enjoy.

Makes 2 large (16oz.) servings or 4 smaller (8oz.) servings.

Variations (Please keep your allergen needs in mind when using substitutions!):

• Milk-free: Sub a dairy-free yogurt (such as SoDelicious) for the yogurt.
    
• Diabetic Friendly:  Sub any sugar substitute for the sugar.  You could even sub honey if you wished, though the taste will be different.
    
• Other Fruit(s): If you cannot have strawberries, you can sub another frozen fruit such as raspberry, cherry, blueberry, pineapple, peach, etc.  You can even do a combo of fruits if you wish.
    
• Other Yogurt(s): Use another flavor yogurt (dairy or non) for the vanilla yogurt (keeping your allergen needs in mind, of course) that fits the flavor profile or that you think will taste good, such as pineapple, coconut or strawberry.  You can even use a Greek yogurt if you like it better, as well.  If you decide to use a plain yogurt, though, you may need to up the vanilla to 1 teaspoon.  Feel free to use a couple of different flavors of yogurts, too, if you wish.
    
• To make this into more of a fluff (i.e. thick enough to eat with a spoon), do one or more of the following:
     
• Use 1/2 Cup coconut milk instead of 1 Cup
     
• Sub 1 Cup sweetened whipped cream (dairy or non) for the coconut milk
     
• Add more frozen fruit (up to 2 Cups or so - keep adding until you get the desired consistency)
      
• Fancy Garnish: Garnish individual portions with sweetened whipped cream (dairy or non) and a fresh strawberry (or other fruit if you wish or used another type of fruit) before serving.
    

That's it!  Easy and delish!  What's not to love!?!?

~*~*~

Oh, and before I go, I just want to say,

My Mom and Dad, Christmas 2012

"Happy Mother's Day, Mom!"

(and to all the other mom's reading this, too!)

~*~*~

What is your mom's favorite recipe?

What is one recipe you'd love to enjoy on Mother's Day?

What is your favorite Mother's Day tradition?



(This recipe was originally posted on my original site, Natural and Free.)