Good Friday morning!
I slept with JM and Paige last night, or should I say they slept with me, or better yet, on me. That’s kinda like sleeping with two walruses. I rolled out of bed at 5:15 am to escape the bed of invaders and just as I sat down with my cup of coffee JM walked in at 5:20 am and said, “I’m honnngrey, I want some dereal {aka cereal}!” Oh dear, I tried to convince him that it was not “morning time” yet but that didn’t work. Then I spilled my entire cup of coffee, and presently I’m tucked in my chair in the family room and he is climbing around the chair like a monkey as I type… naked, of course. If I can’t pull this post off, at least you’ll know why!
Before I forget, the kid’s life jackets from yesterday’s post are called Puddle Jumpers by Stearns. They are US Coast Guard approved and we love them! We bought ours at Walmart or here’s a link to their site!
I’ll start with the Peanut Butter Crispies and I believe it is my civic duty to inform you that these are great for breakfast. They’re basically a glorified rice crispy treat… minus the margarine and marshmallows. My friend Marla has gone Paleo and writes a fabulous blog that has me thinking hard about the foods we eat. These little treats are not Paleo but they are good and a much healthier choice over rice crispy treats! Now, I haven’t adopted this Paleo lifestyle myself, but I do enjoy healthy choices and we’ve definitely cut out a lot of white sugar, white flour, and processed foods around here {with the exception of a few kid things}. This recipe was adapted from this one.
Ingredients: (Makes about 2 dozen treats)
1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 cups peanut butter (I used crunchy Smart Balance)
1/2 cup honey
4 cups rice cereal {I used Erewhon Organic Brown Rice cereal}
1 good handful (about a 1/2 cup) of mini-chocolate chips and/or shredded coconut
The original recipe called for agave nectar but because we are keepers of bees we have no shortage of the good stuff… so I don’t use agave.
This is sitting on the counter at the rental house.
This is where I prepare meals when we’re there. I’m so thankful that it has a great {& pretty well-stocked} kitchen, makes meal preparations enjoyable. This was also taken when it was cleaned up, it usually doesn’t resemble this.
Directions:
In a large pot on the stove top, melt the coconut oil and peanut butter on low heat.
Then, add in the honey and stir well.
Remove from heat and fold in rice crispy cereal.
I used this peanut butter, not sure how “natural” peanut butter would do, if you try it let me know:
And this cereal, if you can’t find it on the cereal aisle, it might be in the gluten-free section:
Once everything is well-incorporated, place in a parchment lined or greased 9×13 pan. While it is still warm I added the chocolate chips and pressed them down a little so they stick. I also added coconut to half the pan for myself! Let chill in fridge for 20 minutes before cutting into squares. I keep these in the fridge so they stay nice and congealed… otherwise they get really crumbly.
This is a picture of the adult version because my kids don’t like coconut. Did you know the coconut you find in the freezer section of the grocery store has a fraction of the sugar as the bagged sweetened coconut on the baking aisle? It’s true. {1 gram of sugar per serving}
You should make them and at least try them for breakfast.
Next up, Curry Chicken Salad.
This has been my go-to recipe this summer, and it’s a winner! The only exception would be if you don’t like curry, and in that case, you may not like this recipe. We love it and it has been packed into many coolers this summer and kept us company on many boat rides.
This recipe was adapted from this one, it called for grapes and I’ve found that while I like grapes, I don’t like them in chicken salad because the next day they get squishy. The apples stay firm and crispy. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy {but not a hot spicy, just a little curry kick!}.
Ingredients
serves 6-8
4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 cup Gala apples, peeled and diced and placed in a bowl with orange juice to prevent browning
1/3 cup almond slivers, toasted
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 to 2 T honey
1 T orange juice
1 1/2 T curry powder
salt & pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rub chicken with olive oil and generous amounts of salt and pepper. Cook for 30-40 minutes or until juice of chicken runs clear. When chicken has cooled shred chicken meat. Mix in large bowl with celery, apples and almond slivers and set aside.
In a medium size bowl, combine mayonnaise, yogurt, honey, orange juice {from apples}, curry power, salt and pepper.
Add mayonnaise mixture to chicken mixture and gently combine. Add more salt and pepper to taste. After it sits in the fridge for a day or two you may have to re-stir it, but it likely won’t last that long!
Serve however you’d like! We like it served with lettuce wraps of Boston lettuce.
I used these chicken breasts {purchased at Walmart, I don’t buy everything there but I do buy a lot of stuff there}.
I used this hydroponic Boston lettuce {also purchased at Walmart}. I’m laughing at myself because I didn’t photograph the front, just the roots. It says Living Lettuce across the front.
Even Morgan will eat this as a lettuce wrap, she’s my brave eater, the other two are weenies!
It’s also good in a whole wheat wrap, or on celery, or on a salad, or by the spoonful.
Ok, times up…. Happy weekend, y’all!!
mary beth
July 22, 2011 at 7:50 amWe too have started cutting back on sugar and white flour after I read an article on GOOP {Gwyneth Paltrow’s blog}. It’s hard, but we’re slowly and surely figuring out how to implement it. Thanks for posting these recipes! We tried your Homemade Chewy Granola Bars and have been making those A LOT for ourselves and friends…so good! PLease keep posting as you’re able!
Cherish @ Southern Soul Mates
July 22, 2011 at 7:57 amWe have gotten the Living Lettuce a few times and enjoyed it. The recipes sound wonderful. We cut out processed foods a while back and haven’t looked back. The sugar thing is hard, though. So is the flour. When using white flour, I do like the King Arthur brand because it’s unbleached. Morgan is so cute 🙂 Have a blessed day!
JulieJ
July 22, 2011 at 8:01 amDarby, your description of your walrus children and the naked little monkey climbing all over your chair cracked me up this morning! Sweet memories, even though it makes for an exhausted mama 😉
Thanks so much for sharing these recipes! The crispies look delicious, and no, I didn’t know that about frozen coconut. Good to know! I love, love, LOVE curry chicken salad, and your recipe looks very tasty. Will be trying it sometime next week…thanks! Enjoy your weekend!
bellamia
July 22, 2011 at 8:06 amGood morning 🙂 can’t wait to try that chicken salad! Love curry! Glad your back in d-town!
Jenn
July 22, 2011 at 8:18 amI’ve been following along on Marla’s blog and she has definitely inspired us to make better choices as well. I am definitely not ready to give up my sugar, but I figure every little bit I cut helps 🙂 Keep sharing your yummies with us when you have time!
beki
July 22, 2011 at 8:23 amThough I’m not a fan of curry, I do LOVE chicken salad. That link you included is wonderful!! This pregnancy, chicken salad of all kinds has been what I’ve craved the most. Heck, I just might like the curry version right now 🙂
jenniferma
July 22, 2011 at 8:36 amthank you! your recipes are always the best!
have a great day- Jen
ps– this is an odd thought.. but I was looking at the American Girl catalog trying to figure out which doll to buy for my youngest DD.. and I realized your Morgan looks exactly like Kit! beautiful!
Sarah
July 22, 2011 at 8:38 amCurry chicken salad so soooo yummy!!! Can’t wait to try the peanut butter bars!
Candace
July 22, 2011 at 8:49 amThose crispy treats sound great!! I bet my picky eater would even like them!
Kelsey
July 22, 2011 at 8:54 amI have to confess, I was worried that your kids were wearing water wings instead of life jackets! Those are AMAZING. Must go get one for my difficult toddler. 😉
Isabel
July 22, 2011 at 8:55 amDear Darby,
Please, please take a few minutes to hear Tika Hick’s story, I am positive, your compassionate heart and amazing group of readers will be able to help.
God Bless!
https://petuniafacedgirl.blogspot.com/
kjpugs
July 22, 2011 at 9:09 amOh my goodness. We are blog twinners. I posted almost the exact same recipe last night! (Without the chocolate chips or coconut though… wish I had thought about that!)
Pretty much this means my life is complete now.
Kirsten
July 22, 2011 at 9:28 amMy son (3) has the same Puddle Jumpers by Stearn. I absolutely LOVE this product. My son hated the ones that would buckle between his legs because they would rub and he’d get a rash. He was not confident enough in the pool with just “floaties” and the life jacket just seemed to put him at an awkward angle. The PJ’s by Stearn are fabulous and give him the confidence he needs to just swim around and have fun! My son’s is blue with a monkey on the front so we’ve started calling it his “Monkey Suit” {har har}. Thanks for the recipe for the Peanut Butter Crispies!
kristen
July 22, 2011 at 10:03 amGlad I can personally speak from experience that those peanut butter crispies are YUMMY! Especially after a morning at the pool:) The chicken salad looks delish too. Hope to see y’all soon!
Emily Langston
July 22, 2011 at 10:08 amIn case you don’t like curry.. cinnamon is also good with chicken salad!
Kelsey
July 22, 2011 at 10:13 amOkay, now I did more research and apparently these life jackets are type III, which is not recommended for overboard situations but more for swimming under supervision. So maybe my difficult toddler needs to stick with his bulky one for our boat rides. 😉 I’m still planning to check them out for swimming, though! Thanks for sharing.
Katie@ Noodle and Boof
July 22, 2011 at 10:15 amYummy. Sign me up for any dessert that has peanut butter and chocolate! Although dessert is always good, I think the curry chicken salad looks delish, too! Have fun with Rover today! Sounds like he is on a roll!
christi @ burlap and basil
July 22, 2011 at 10:49 amlooks like ya’ll are having fun! i’ve been making those peanut butter squares forever and my mom has been making them since i was a kid – just like this, never with butter and marshmallows! we use organic all natural trader joes or whole foods pb and never have any issues – crunchy or creamy. you can also melt butterscotch chips on the top.
Jennifer
July 22, 2011 at 11:13 amYou are not alone! up at 5:30 with my little 2 year old monkey!
Marianne {Style For Living}
July 22, 2011 at 11:22 amOh, my… Is it strange that I’m craving both of these at 9:21AM? I am going to make both of these. Yum!
Heidi / foodiecrush
July 22, 2011 at 12:21 pmThanks for the link to my recipe for Curried Chicken Salad, and you’re right—you can put in or leave out the grapes, dried cranberries would be a great substitution. Love your site, your photography is gorg!
Hannah Fields
July 22, 2011 at 1:19 pmHey Darby, I have loved following your blog this summer. What a blessing this time has been with your family. I am always encouraged by the lengths you go to just to “create moments” for your family.
On to the Curry Chicken salad. Becky Brodbeck brought curry chicken salad over once and instead of using grapes she used craisins. It was yummy and went well with the curry.
God bless you Darby. You are such a sweet mother. Wish we lived closer. 🙂
terri smith
July 22, 2011 at 2:26 pmWe’ve been following a primal diet this year – http://www.marksdailyapple.com is an excellent site, just ordered his two cookbooks, along with Dr. Fife’s cookbook using coconut flour instead of wheat for making bread. Anyway, you can make your own greek yogurt, easy-peasy! I use the large container of PLAIN Dannon regular yogurt, don’t use the non-fat or low-fat. You need a strainer, cheesecloth, a bowl that the strainer will fit over, and something to weigh it down with. I put the strainer over the bowl, put the cheesecloth inside the strainer, leaving enough to fold over all four sides, pour half of the container into the cheesecloth, fold over all four sides on top, put a small bowl on top with a can of beans to weigh it down. Put in fridge for a few hours. Makes the most delicious thick awesome thing to eat, either savory with spices, or sweet with honey, fresh chopped fruit and coconut! Almost like cream cheese but without the fat, and with all the good bacteria the gut needs
Melanie
July 22, 2011 at 2:57 pmYUM! I must try the chicken salad- PERFECT boat food:)
JWK
July 22, 2011 at 4:57 pmYUM!!! Can’t wait to try these!!
Deanne @ Delighted
July 22, 2011 at 6:34 pmOh my goodness…these recipes both look to die for! I want to run into the kitchen this instant to make both of them…
Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipes, Darby!
Nelle
July 22, 2011 at 7:03 pmThe rice crispies look so tasty. I bet almond butter would work too! I’ve just gone gluten free and am so happy to have your friends web site. Coconut oil and all things coconut are my new best friend. Happy weekend to you.
HannahJ
July 22, 2011 at 8:15 pmWhat a great, simple recipe for the PB crispies…can’t wait to try them!! and thanks for the life jacket link!
kat
July 23, 2011 at 8:20 amI love new recipes and these both look super easy and delicious! Thanks for sharing!!!
Sarah in Indiana
July 23, 2011 at 11:27 amMy husband was just asking for a sweet treat for when he gets home from work. He burns calories like crazy at his job, and those PB treats sound like just the ticket.
I make a salad like that with tempeh instead of chicken. It’s yum.
Rosemary
July 23, 2011 at 4:49 pmI was sad to hear you went home this week for a few days, only because we spent the week in Perdido and I was hoping for a sighting! HA! I love your blog (and your sisters) and check them both daily! So glad you are enjoying time w/ your family this summer (and at the beach!). Just wondered if y’all had eaten at Fisher’s Corner yet? It’s by Nix seafood under the bridge going towards Pensacola. Very “hole in the wall” but DELICIOUS!
Jeni C
July 23, 2011 at 10:15 pmJust made the curry chicken salad and it is delicious!! Thanks for posting the recipe. I always order it when I see it on a menu, but for some reason have never made it at home (the curry version that is) I always make regular chicken salad. On the subject of processed foods. I used to LOVE Betty Crocker’s Suddenly Salad pasta salad back in my college days. Today my girls and I ran to the Dollar General and I saw some on a self while I was standing in line. For whatever reason I grabbed a box and brought it home. I made it, took 2 bites and tossed it in the trash. It tasted like a bunch of chemicals on pasta. Gross, Gross, Gross!!
kathleen
July 24, 2011 at 2:14 pmit is posts like this that are nominations for best all round blog award. There is such a category for the international blog academy, right, or was that in my dream??
MamaGray
July 24, 2011 at 5:18 pmHi Darby,
I made the chicken salad tonight as posted. Are you sure the 1 1/2 tsp of salt is correct? Man, the salad was sal-ty!
Brooke
July 24, 2011 at 8:57 pmHey Darby- Not sure if you were home or not when I called but I stopped at your Target and cleaned out the $1 isle! Ya’ll got good stuff and our $1 isle is lacking to say the least :). Anyways, I am very happy to see the recipes that call for Paleo/Gluten free type ingredients because that is the very way that I am supposed to be eating and getting my kids to eat too! I am checking out Marla’s blog right now. If you can ever go to Earth Fare or Whole Foods you will be in heaven. If I have great recipes from the blog to try, then I’ll for sure be set 🙂 Ok, I’ll try calling the next time I’m passing through!
Melody
July 25, 2011 at 8:43 amI made the PB crispies this weekend and they are wonderful!! My entire family loves them…thanks!
Rachel
July 25, 2011 at 7:23 pmHi Darby,
Could you please clarify for us overseas readers whether the T in 1 1/2 T means Tablespoon or teaspoon. Thank you!
Margaret
July 26, 2011 at 7:49 amBoth of those recipes look super yummy…I’m definitely going to give those peanut butter crispies a try. We are peanut butter freaks at my house! I can totally relate to being climbed on by a naked boy while typing/coffee drinking. My son has been waking up at an ungodly hour and I’ve been trying to convince him that it’s not time to wake up yet….he responds by dumping a basket full of a billion hot wheels on me while I’m still in bed 🙂
{hooked on hickory}
July 26, 2011 at 8:27 amyou have me craving peanut butter crispies! yum! it doesn’t get better then some peanut butter! 😉
ashley
Heather
July 27, 2011 at 9:37 amYum! Both of these recipes sound really good.
kat
July 27, 2011 at 7:27 pmI was just going to run out to the store to pick up some marshmallows since I thought your crispies required them. So glad I checked on here before I left! Thanks for saving me the trip–I woulda been so ticked! We’re making those puppies tomorrow. Great recipe for a hot summer’s day. Thanks, girl:)
Stephanie
July 27, 2011 at 8:43 pmHey! I made the crispies with natural peanut butter and they turned out great. I used canola oil instead of coconut and threw a handfull of peanuts in the peanut butter when it was on the stove. DELICIOUS! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca
July 28, 2011 at 8:32 amYum, Darby! Thanks for sharing! There’s nothing like good, easy recipes to add to the repertoire. Looks like y’all are having a wonderful summer! God bless!!
Pam Romo
July 28, 2011 at 10:01 amI’ve been a follower for a long time, and I never comment… am resolving to be better about that! LOVE your blog. I made the peanut butter crispies for my husband and I, and they’re SO good! Thanks for the recipe!
Pam
kat
July 28, 2011 at 10:06 amOkay, just made the crispies–they’re great! I used regular pb, but followed everything else to a t. Yum. I just finished off my second one! Thanks again for posting. (We too are watching the wheat and sugar intake so thanks for a great alternative treat)
Rebecca
July 31, 2011 at 11:07 pmLove seeing that Oberweis jar in the picture. Don’t you have friends and/or family in the Naperville area? Seems I remember you saying something about that within the past few months. I’m up in the Chicago-land area, too, and that is the only milk we drink here. 🙂 Love it!!!
Kate from Party Resources
August 1, 2011 at 8:39 pmI am making this salad – looks fantastic!
Nics Cahill
August 2, 2011 at 10:48 amI just made the rice crispy treats – wow – they are sublime and good for us too! I didn’t have any coconut oil so I substituted hazelnut and it is yummy. I’m eating them as I write to you! Thank you Darby
Jordan
August 5, 2011 at 1:38 amWe make that same salad but instead of apples we use purple grapes cut in half or mango. We’ll have to try it with apples sometime.
Michele
August 12, 2011 at 10:52 pmThe Peanut Butter Cripies were great! I used natural peanut butter and it worked great, no issues. Thanks for sharing. It’s helping me be creative in the kitchen.
Heather
September 7, 2011 at 1:17 pmI finally made the pb crispies this weekend and we are really enjoying them. They are delicious!
Niki
September 7, 2011 at 8:13 pmThese look yummy. We are a peanut butter loving family . And if I may add a side note, to your comment about the unsweetened coconut in the freezer. It is just coconut. The other, sweetened bags in the baking isle are treated with Propylene glycol. They say its not toxic, but they also use it in antifreeze and to de-ice planes so I’d rather not eat it 🙂 Just sayin.
Cate
October 15, 2011 at 6:36 pmYour curry chicken salad recipe looks lovely! I do a similar one, however it also has grapes and celery in it, which give it a lovely crunch and freshness – though, I suppose the apple in yours does that same.
I’m absolutely going to try out your recipe sometime though!
Lisa Lililenthal
December 24, 2011 at 10:52 amDarby – I just made these and also some no bake chocolate things I found on Marla’s site via you, to have for the next couple of days for breakfast. They are fantastic! Thanks for sharing the things that you do on your site. We are also loving our Honey Bee Tees again this year. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
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