Hi friends!
Today, May 19, 2020, is the eighth anniversary of our blog, I cannot believe it!
I hope all of you are doing well. Living in lockdown is something that we will not soon forget; we have had to adapt, and I believe, that we are doing a great job, considering the circumstances we find ourselves in at this unforgettable time.
I do not have a recipe for you today, rather, I have a writing update. Later this year, I will be publishing two books!
The first book is a novel entitled: ‘Imprisoned Hearts’, it is the second book in ‘The Hidden Hearts Series’.
Keynote:
When two teenagers agree to start a relationship, their problems and secrets threaten to ruin the new love they have found, can their love survive with the struggles they find?
If you have not read my first book, check it out, it is entitled: ‘Fevered Hearts’, it is a clean romantic suspense novel.
https://www.amazon.com/Fevered-Hearts-Book-Hidden-ebook/dp/B07JP94346
The second book is for children, it is entitled: ‘Nigel and The Festival of Flames’.
Keynote:
Nigel is competing in The Festival of Flames, but he is smaller than the other dragons and does not think he can throw his flames in the sky; will Nigel be victorious and win The Festival of Flames?
I cannot wait for you to read these books! I will post the links as soon as they are published.
I know Times are tough, but we can do this!
Stay safe! God bless!
Activities For Kids! March 23, 2020
Friends,
If you have children, I am sure you are going crazy during lockdown from the
Corona Virus, COVID-19.
Right now, you are super parents: working from home, trying to get your kids
to do their school work, and keeping your home running. When you are tired
of the video games and screen time, you probably think: “What am I going to
do to keep them entertained?”
Here are some fun activities that I have compiled, special thanks must go to
my friends who have shared their recipes with me or on social media. Due to
COVID-19 making shopping more challenging, I hope you are able to find, or
have the ingredients to make the following recipes.
*Kari’s Edible Play Dough
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup ish of cornstarch
Food coloring
Mix the yogurt and food coloring together, then mix in the corn starch until
the play dough is as thick as you want. Play and eat to your hearts content.
Store in the refrigerator.
I followed a Facebook post where Kari asked for ideas to keep her kids
entertained, here are some great ideas someone posted in the comments:
1. Put shaving cream on your table and let them draw in it.
2. Dump baking soda on a baking sheet, get eye droppers to put colored
vinegar on it, and watch it bubble.
3. Put acrylic paint in a baggie, seal it, tape it down to your table, and
let them draw on it.
4. Get a big bowl and put water and dish soap in it and let them make
bubbles.
5. Color light Karo syrup with food coloring and then paint with it, it
looks like stained glass.
*Elizabeth’s Sidewalk Paint
Equal parts corn starch and water.
Then add food coloring.
Use paintbrushes and your imagination!
*Eileen’s Best Ever No-Cook Play Dough Recipe
2 cups plain flour (all purpose)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (baby oil and coconut oil work too)
1/2 cup salt.
2 tablespoons cream of tartar.
1 to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
gel food colouring (optional)
A few drops glycerin (my secret ingredient for stretch and shine!)
Mix everything together and play!
*Madelyn is a Special Education Teacher and she teaches visually impaired
and blind children, here are her ideas:
They could make edible necklaces, slime or kids love mini pizza.
Kids could also make cupcakes and take food coloring and decorate their own
couple of cupcakes stirring with a toothpick.
They can die Easter eggs using a bag:
Pour dry rice and put some food coloring in the bag. Then, roll the egg
around. They can make the eggs tactile using stickers as well.
*Faheem shared the following website which has wonderful activities for scout groups. https://www.scouts.org.uk/the-great-indoors/ *My ideas:
If you have pudding, eat and finger paint with it.
For chocolate pudding, try making cups of dirt (Quantities of each item are
up to you)
1. Fill your coffee mug/paper cup with chocolate pudding. Make chocolate pie
filling from the following link:
https://lewissisters.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/easy-chocolate-pie/ (Or use
the premade chocolate pudding cups for easier preparation).
2. Mix a few chunks of cookie in the pudding, optional.
3. Sprinkle cookie crumbs on top of the chocolate pudding so it is
completely covered.
4. Garnish with gummy worms. (watch out if you eat Gluten-Free)
5. Serve immediately or cover cups of dirt with Saran wrap and store in the
refrigerator until ready to eat. (You may want to hold off on adding the
cookie crumbs and gummy worms if the pudding is going to sit for a long time
or overnight).
Search for Wikki Stix (string covered in wax that you can mold) on Amazon;
kids can outline and color or paint around the Wikki Stix.
Play board games.
Draw on the sidewalk with ice cubes or sidewalk chalk.
Have dance parties and sing songs, play musical instruments.
Take a walk or hike. Jump rope, play hopscotch, or ride bicycles.
Cook and bake (There are plenty of recipes on the blog).
Build forts out of blankets or sheets.
Let the kids play in and color on boxes, as well as, make little towns for
their dolls, stuffed animals, or cars and other toys using boxes.
String beads onto pipe cleaners.
Write and perform plays. Write poetry. Read books. Write and illustrate stories. Aquariums and zoos are sharing videos each day to let us see their animals since they are closed to the public; a lot of museums are doing virtual tours as well.
Most of all, enjoy yourselves and stay safe!
If you have children, I am sure you are going crazy during lockdown from the
Corona Virus, COVID-19.
Right now, you are super parents: working from home, trying to get your kids
to do their school work, and keeping your home running. When you are tired
of the video games and screen time, you probably think: “What am I going to
do to keep them entertained?”
Here are some fun activities that I have compiled, special thanks must go to
my friends who have shared their recipes with me or on social media. Due to
COVID-19 making shopping more challenging, I hope you are able to find, or
have the ingredients to make the following recipes.
*Kari’s Edible Play Dough
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup ish of cornstarch
Food coloring
Mix the yogurt and food coloring together, then mix in the corn starch until
the play dough is as thick as you want. Play and eat to your hearts content.
Store in the refrigerator.
I followed a Facebook post where Kari asked for ideas to keep her kids
entertained, here are some great ideas someone posted in the comments:
1. Put shaving cream on your table and let them draw in it.
2. Dump baking soda on a baking sheet, get eye droppers to put colored
vinegar on it, and watch it bubble.
3. Put acrylic paint in a baggie, seal it, tape it down to your table, and
let them draw on it.
4. Get a big bowl and put water and dish soap in it and let them make
bubbles.
5. Color light Karo syrup with food coloring and then paint with it, it
looks like stained glass.
*Elizabeth’s Sidewalk Paint
Equal parts corn starch and water.
Then add food coloring.
Use paintbrushes and your imagination!
*Eileen’s Best Ever No-Cook Play Dough Recipe
2 cups plain flour (all purpose)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (baby oil and coconut oil work too)
1/2 cup salt.
2 tablespoons cream of tartar.
1 to 1.5 cups boiling water (adding in increments until it feels just right)
gel food colouring (optional)
A few drops glycerin (my secret ingredient for stretch and shine!)
Mix everything together and play!
*Madelyn is a Special Education Teacher and she teaches visually impaired
and blind children, here are her ideas:
They could make edible necklaces, slime or kids love mini pizza.
Kids could also make cupcakes and take food coloring and decorate their own
couple of cupcakes stirring with a toothpick.
They can die Easter eggs using a bag:
Pour dry rice and put some food coloring in the bag. Then, roll the egg
around. They can make the eggs tactile using stickers as well.
*Faheem shared the following website which has wonderful activities for scout groups. https://www.scouts.org.uk/the-great-indoors/ *My ideas:
If you have pudding, eat and finger paint with it.
For chocolate pudding, try making cups of dirt (Quantities of each item are
up to you)
1. Fill your coffee mug/paper cup with chocolate pudding. Make chocolate pie
filling from the following link:
https://lewissisters.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/easy-chocolate-pie/ (Or use
the premade chocolate pudding cups for easier preparation).
2. Mix a few chunks of cookie in the pudding, optional.
3. Sprinkle cookie crumbs on top of the chocolate pudding so it is
completely covered.
4. Garnish with gummy worms. (watch out if you eat Gluten-Free)
5. Serve immediately or cover cups of dirt with Saran wrap and store in the
refrigerator until ready to eat. (You may want to hold off on adding the
cookie crumbs and gummy worms if the pudding is going to sit for a long time
or overnight).
Search for Wikki Stix (string covered in wax that you can mold) on Amazon;
kids can outline and color or paint around the Wikki Stix.
Play board games.
Draw on the sidewalk with ice cubes or sidewalk chalk.
Have dance parties and sing songs, play musical instruments.
Take a walk or hike. Jump rope, play hopscotch, or ride bicycles.
Cook and bake (There are plenty of recipes on the blog).
Build forts out of blankets or sheets.
Let the kids play in and color on boxes, as well as, make little towns for
their dolls, stuffed animals, or cars and other toys using boxes.
String beads onto pipe cleaners.
Write and perform plays. Write poetry. Read books. Write and illustrate stories. Aquariums and zoos are sharing videos each day to let us see their animals since they are closed to the public; a lot of museums are doing virtual tours as well.
Most of all, enjoy yourselves and stay safe!
Easy Way To Rehydrate Brown Sugar March 19, 2020
Hi everyone!
All I have to say about 2020 is, wow! None of us could have predicted the outbreak of COVID-19 (The Corona Virus). Wherever you are, we send you our love, and we pray that you are staying safe during this lockdown, which is so difficult, but necessary to stop the virus from spreading. Remember to wash your hands and check in with friends, family, and neighbors using technology.
Yesterday, our family endured three earthquakes; where we live, that is very unusual, luckily, there were no injuries. It took a two-hour workout, and baking banana muffins for me to relax. Here is the link to the muffin recipe.
https://lewissisters.wordpress.com/2018/09/05/banana-muffins/
When I had all of the ingredients ready to make the muffins, I discovered that my brown sugar was hard as a rock. Due to the already stressful situation, I was very irritated, and looked for a way to rehydrate the brown sugar quickly, which is what I want to share with you below.
1. Place your brown sugar in a microwave safe bowl.
2. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel.
3. Microwave the brown sugar for 30 second intervals, until it is soft enough to break apart with a fork. be careful because the brown sugar will be hot; don’t heat the brown sugar too much, because it will melt.
4. When the brown sugar is soft, it is ready to be mixed into your batter!
I hope you are doing well!
God bless, stay safe!
All I have to say about 2020 is, wow! None of us could have predicted the outbreak of COVID-19 (The Corona Virus). Wherever you are, we send you our love, and we pray that you are staying safe during this lockdown, which is so difficult, but necessary to stop the virus from spreading. Remember to wash your hands and check in with friends, family, and neighbors using technology.
Yesterday, our family endured three earthquakes; where we live, that is very unusual, luckily, there were no injuries. It took a two-hour workout, and baking banana muffins for me to relax. Here is the link to the muffin recipe.
https://lewissisters.wordpress.com/2018/09/05/banana-muffins/
When I had all of the ingredients ready to make the muffins, I discovered that my brown sugar was hard as a rock. Due to the already stressful situation, I was very irritated, and looked for a way to rehydrate the brown sugar quickly, which is what I want to share with you below.
1. Place your brown sugar in a microwave safe bowl.
2. Cover the bowl with a damp paper towel.
3. Microwave the brown sugar for 30 second intervals, until it is soft enough to break apart with a fork. be careful because the brown sugar will be hot; don’t heat the brown sugar too much, because it will melt.
4. When the brown sugar is soft, it is ready to be mixed into your batter!
I hope you are doing well!
God bless, stay safe!
‘Fevered Hearts’ is Available! October 30, 2018
Hey guys!
I don’t have a recipe for you, rather, I am thrilled to let you know that my debut novel ‘Fevered Hearts’ is live!
I can’t thank you enough for the support! You guys are incredible!
To brighten your day, pick up a copy of my clean, romantic, suspense novel and start reading!
I hope you enjoy!
Amazon link:
Archway Publishing Link:
https://www.archwaypublishing.com/Bookstore/BookSearchResults.aspx?Search=fevered%20hearts
Barnes and Noble Link:
https://m.barnesandnoble.com/w/fevered-hearts-macy-lewis/1129777819?ean=9781480868441
Tropical Fruit Salad June 26, 2017
Hi guys!
I hope you are having a lovely day. I have a fantastic summer recipe for you. It is another version of our fruit salad. For the original recipe click the following link. https://lewissisters.wordpress.com/2016/10/01/fruit-salad/
A couple weeks ago, I made the original fruit salad, with strawberry yogurt and cheesecake pudding, for a barbecue my parents were attending; when an idea struck me for a tropical version of this dish. Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to make the tropical version and the verdict is… The salad is fantastic; to add more coconut flavor garnish with some toasted coconut, or, crushed graham crackers (regular or gluten free).
Have fun adding your own fruit.
This salad is a hit at any summer barbecue. Give it a try!
Lewissisters Tropical Fruit Salad
12 ounces Cool Whip
1 small box coconut pudding
18 ounces vanilla yogurt
1 pound sliced strawberries, one package.
2 or 3 cups small marshmallows, optional
2 or 3 sliced bananas
1 Cup mandarin oranges
1 Cup pineapple
Directions:
1. Put the yogurt, pudding and Cool Whip in a large bowl and mix everything together with a wisk.
2. Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge to thicken; for one hour or more.
3. Wash, hull, and slice the strawberries; slice the bananas, drain the oranges and pineapple.
4. Fold the fruit and marshmallows into the cream mixture and garnish with a little toasted coconut or crushed graham crackers; serve immediately. This dessert is even better the next day!
Enjoy!
Fruit Salad October 1, 2016
Hi everyone,
This is a wonderful dish to take to fall barbecues. It is a delicious side dish, dessert and snack!
My parents and I ate a similar dessert at a recent barbecue that my mom’s work held and I loved it so much I wanted to recreate it.
My dad and I created this recipe and took it to a neighborhood barbecue our neighbor held last month and everyone loved it. A week later we made it again and changed the yogurt from vanilla to strawberry and the vanilla pudding to cheesecake. And it was delicious
Have fun creating your own salad by changing the yogurt and pudding flavors and adding different fruits.
Lewissisters Fruit Salad with Marshmallows
12 ounces Cool Whip
1 small box vanilla pudding
18 ounces vanilla yogurt
1 pound sliced strawberries, one package.
3 cups small marshmallows, optional
3 Sliced bananas
Directions:
1. Put the yogurt, pudding and Cool Whip in a large bowl and mix everything together with a wisk.
2. Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge to thicken; for one hour or more.
3. Wash, hull, and slice the strawberries; slice the bananas.
4. Fold the fruit and marshmallows into the cream mixture and serve immediately. This dessert is even better the next day!
Enjoy!
Funeral Potatoes Gluten Free April 1, 2016
Hi guys!
This recipe is from Aunt Debbie, it is another family favorite. It can be a side dish or a main course for breakfast, lunch, or dinner; it is like a warm hug, so comforting.
For as long as I can remember my mom has made these funeral potatoes (Relief Society Potatoes) as we call them, for our Christmas breakfast. Alongside the potatoes we have pumpkin bread, ham and fruit. These potatoes are very popular in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints community; they are usually served at funerals, hence the name Funeral Potatoes, but I have no idea where this tradition began. There are hundreds of versions of this recipe; in fact, I can think of two recipes in our family. As I said previously, we love to have these potatoes as a side dish; one of our favorite meals is with Barbecue ribs. Below is our recipe for barbecue ribs.
This year, the potatoes were a side dish for our Easter dinner which included ham and salad; it was delicious!
WE love to make the potatoes the night before we want to eat them and let them sit in the refrigerator. The longer they sit the better they are. To save on preparation time we use frozen hash browns rather than boiling and chopping our own potatoes. The gluten-free change of using Corn Flakes is something my parents and I absolutely love! I have posted the original recipe, with changes that we prefer.
Thanks for the recipe Auntie Deb!
Funeral Potatoes
6 medium potatoes pealed, cooked and cubed, or 1 bag of frozen cubed potatoes (We prefer using 1 bag of shredded hash browns)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups sour cream
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/3 cup chopped onion (if using dry onion flakes, do a little less than ¼ cup)
½ cup melted butter (save 2 Tbsps for breadcrumbs)
2 cups bread crumbs (crushed Corn Flakes)
Directions:
In a large bowl, using a spatula, mix together soup, sour cream, cheese, onions and melted butter. Mix well. Add potatoes and stir. Put mixture in an ungreased 9 X 13 casserole dish.
Crush Corn Flakes in a zip-lock bag. Combined bread crumbs/Corn Flakes with 2 Tbsps melted butter and sprinkle over potato mixture
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
This meal is better made the night before and left in the fridge; it is fantastic as leftovers.
Enjoy!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! March 17, 2016
Top of the morning to ya!
We would like to wish all of you a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”
I have never been to Ireland, so the following is a short list of things I love about the Emerald Isle: the landscape is so green and beautiful, shamrocks and castles, the accents are amazing, and traditional Irish music is fantastic. Being a drummer and lover of classic rock I cannot forget the bands U2, Thin Lizzie and Van Morrison; some great music right there!
On a side note, I am friends with one of Ireland’s Paralympian sprinters; fastest Paralympian in the world, Jason Smyth. He is the nicest guy.
If you would like to learn more about him, visit his website: http://www.jasonsmyth.ie lets help him get to Rio 2016. Jason won gold in Rio 2016, and continues to have great success at other events!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
The Lewissisters
The Five Like Challenge February 12, 2016
Normally, I do not write posts like this; however, I feel like this could be a recipe for your happiness.
Yesterday when my dad and I were driving home, we heard John Legend’s “All of me” which made my dad say: “That’s a great song.” I agreed and added Colbie Caillat’s empowering song “Try”. Both songs have wonderful messages.
As the day continued I began to think about the times I compare myself to others and how it makes me feel, disappointed and the list goes on.
I was still pondering this subject as I went to bed, when an inspired thought came to me. I thought: “When you start comparing yourself to others, you need to stop. Starting tomorrow every morning you should get up and say five things you like about yourself.” I do not know why such a simple concept has never crossed my mind until now. I suppose it is because I have never thought about it for an extended period of time.
This morning, I took The Five like Challenge and it made me feel happier. I hope everyone who reads our blog will take this challenge and start reminding yourself how wonderful you are and the amazing things you can do.
I hope The Five like Challenge becomes a routine that we fit into our day. I also hope that it brings us more self-confidence and joy.
Good luck! Remember, you are amazing!
The Lewissisters
Pasta Salad-Gluten Free and Pigs In A Blanket-Gluten free or not… August 9, 2015
Hi all,
My sister hosted my niece’s one year birthday party this month. The theme for the party was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (we love Disney in our family). Besides family and friends bringing presents for my niece and visiting while we ate, the food was a hit. The menu included: cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, fruit salad, vanilla and chocolate cupcakes frosted with vanilla icing with Oreos for Mickey Mouse ears on top, and the focus of this blog post gluten free pasta salad (which was amazing) and pigs in a blanket.
My sister had me over the morning of the party to prepare food. The pasta salad had been prepared the night before so I helped make the cupcake batters and the special banana cake with strawberry whipped cream frosting for my niece. I also helped make the pigs in a blanket.
The following recipes are super simple which will cut down on stress for any party you throw. Feel fre to add any veggies you want to the pasta salad to make it your own. In elementary school, I ate Pigs In A Blanket; I thought about that as I made the ones pictured below.
I must tell my sister: “You know how to put on a cute party, everyone loved it and the food was wonderful! Thanks for having me over, we always have a great time together.”
Love you sister, thanks for the recipes!
Party Pasta salad-Gluten Free
4 boxes Gluten Free pasta (for a large party of 20 or more), cooked.
1 large green pepper, chopped
3 meedium size cans pitted black olives, halved anyway you prefer.
1 and 2/3 bottles Italian dressing, (or your favorite salad dressing)
Any other veggies you like.
Mix the ingredients above and let them hang out in the fridge about six hours or overnight.
Just before serving, halve small tomatoes (however many you want) and toss everything together.
Serve and enjoy!!
Pigs in a Blanket-Regular or Gluten Free
Gluten free: eat hotdogs without the bread coating. Do not forget your favorite condiments for dipping.
2 packages hot dogs cut into bite sized chunks
2 cans crescent rolled dough unfolded and cut into little triangles
Place cut roll triangles on wax paper and roll hot dogs in rolls, beginning with the small point.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet
Bake 375 degrees for about 14 minutes or until done.
Serve with ketchup, mustard or your favorite hotdog toppings.
Enjoy and happy party hosting!
Cooking With The Lewis Sisters 