A couple of years ago my sister-in-law made this dip for a family party...I have never seen something disappear so fast! The dip was sooooooo good it could only make a person wonder, "What in the world is in this?!" Would you believe only 3 simple ingredients? So apparently this recipe has been around for a while and to some it's well known, but for those who have never tried it...MAN. That's all I have to say. 

The thing about this recipe is it can easily be made A LOT healthier by just looking closely at labels. Typical recipes call for a can of Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis. Be sure to find one that does not contain high fructose corn syrup. If there is any sugar in your tomatoes you'll want to make sure the ingredients label says only "sugar" and nothing else. The can I used actually didn't even have sugar. All the better! 

Next, is the sausage. You want to look for one that is first of all, gluten free, but also one that has no msg, nitrates or preservatives. (See the label below.) 

I can't stress enough how harmful MSG is to the brain! It can cause migraines, nausea, numbness, and even heart palpitations! Researchers say these side affects only are only "short term" but if it causes so much disturbance to the body, why eat it?!

Next is the the nitrates...Did you know expectant mothers are cautioned not to consume meats with nitrates? Why...because it can cause brain tumors in children! Yikes. Nitrates have also been linked to DNA mutations and cancer. 

So my intent is not to scare you but to educate you! Look for these simple BETTER ingredients and you have a wonderful & delicious dip (with no side affects!) ;)

(Gluten Free, Can be Dairy Free)
Adapted by jalene

Ingredients: 

• 8 oz of Gluten Free Ground Sausage (I used one with no Nitrates, MSG, or preservatives)
• 1 (8 oz) package of cream cheese (use Vegan Cream Cheese to make it Dairy Free)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can of Diced Tomatoes with Green chilies (I used Muir Glen's Organic Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Medium Green Chilies)
  

Directions: 

1. Brown the sausage. Add the cream cheese and heat while stirring until softened. Add the can of tomatoes and mix until it is well combined. Serve warm with gluten free chips. 

Store covered in the refrigerated. Can be made ahead of time and reheated just before serving. 

Maybe it's because I used to live in Idaho but I love a good potato. Now, cut it into a stick and fry it up...that's even better! Yes, I'm talking about the french fry. (Nothing french about it though- they're actually called "french" because of the style of the cut.) 

I know some french fries aren't the healthiest of items, especially when you eat them at specific restaurants. Take McDonalds for instance...they have graciously listed the ingredients of their french fries (which you would think should look something like this: Potatoes. BUT instead looks something like this: 

"French Fries: Potatoes, vegetable oil (canola oil, hydrogenated soybean oil, natural beef flavor [wheat and milk derivatives]*, citric acid [preservative]), dextrose, sodium acid pyrophosphate (maintain color), salt. Prepared in vegetable oil (Canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, hydrogenated soybean oil with TBHQ and citric acid added to
preserve freshness). Dimethylpolysiloxane added as an antifoaming agent.
CONTAINS: WHEAT AND MILK. *(Natural beef flavor contains hydrolyzed wheat and hydrolyzed milk as starting ingredients)"

YIKES! I know I have shared this before but it still kills me. Why do they need all those extra things? Now on the opposite end take In N Out - which when you walk in their doors, your french fries are still in the form potatoes! 

Alright, enough about restaurant french fries. Let's make some at home! 

French fries are a lot easier than they look. And you really don't need a special french fry making tool or anything. It could help but it's not necessary. In fact, when I made my fries I used a regular ol' knife. :) There's 2 different options on HOW to cook them below. One way allows you to make them simultaneously with my hamburger buns. They can cook side by side in the oven. Then once you decide how you want to cook them there's HOW you want to season them. 

Choose your own adventure folks and enjoy! 

(Gluten Free, Dairy Free)- they're just potatoes and oil basically;)
Created by jalene

Ingredients: 

• Organic Potatoes (peel or leave peel on, you decide) *See note
• Oil (I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil but if cooking at 420 use Grapeseed Oil)
• sea salt 
• (optional) 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice - helps keep the starch on the potatoes from browning)

Directions: 

1. Preheat your oven to 375 (if cooking your hamburger buns too or preheat to 500 otherwise. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 
2. Scrub your potato skins. Peel if desired. Cut into "french" wedges. 
3. Fill a large bowl full of cold water. (Add your lemon juice if using). Swish your fries around and then drain. Lay your fries out on a clean dry towel and dry. 
4. In another bowl combine your fries with oil (enough to lightly coat them) and season with sea salt, if desired. 
5. Spread your fries out on the prepared pan so they are not touching. Place into the oven and cook 15-20 minutes on 375 or 10-15 minutes on 420. Stir the fries part-way through cooking. 

You know your fries are done when the outsides are beginning to turn golden brown and the inside is soft like a regular french fry. 

This next recipe is a great idea on how to use up all of your dyed Easter Eggs! If you haven't tried deviled eggs before, they're delicious! In fact, I don't know if I ever even ate a deviled egg until I joined the Nielsen family. Now we have them at every holiday and occasional Sunday dinner. I remember a couple of years ago I decided to make them for my side of the family one holiday. Everybody turned up their noses! "Why are you making those?" was their response. But after they were made, it wasn't long before all of them were gone! This recipe is unique because it's not only gluten free but it's dairy free as well. 
  

Easy Deviled Eggs
(Gluten Free, Dairy Free, it can also be Soy Free by using Soy Free Vegenaise)

Adapted by jalene from a Better Homes & Garden recipe. 

Ingredients:

• 6 hard cooked eggs
• 1/4 cup Vegenaise
• 1 tsp gluten free mustard
• 1/8 tsp vinegar
• Paprika (for garnish)
• sea salt
• fresh ground pepper

Directions: 

1. Halve all the hard-cooked eggs lengthwise and remove the yolks. Place all the yolks in a plastic baggie. Add the Vegenaise, mustard, and vinegar also into the bag. Season with sea salt and fresh ground pepper (I usually open the bag and taste the combination to make sure I don't make it too salty.)
2. Mix all the ingredients well by working the bag over.  Cut a 1/2 inch slit in one bottom corner of the baggie. Squeeze the filling into each egg. 
3. Sprinkle paprika on top for garnish. 

Refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 12 halves.