Gluten-free Dairy-free Chocolate Zucchini Bread

One of the veggies that’s in season right now is the zucchini. We are not able to have a garden where we currently live (hence, our weekly trips to the farmer’s market), but one of our neighbors has a garden and has been passing along lettuce, zucchini & summer squash. Another neighbor passed along a recipe for chocolate zucchini bread, which was fairly easily converted to gluten-free dairy-free and soy-free.

Here it is!

Gluten-free Dairy-free Chocolate Zucchini Bread
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup sucanat (or sugar)
1/2 cup oil (I most likely used coconut)
1/2 cup mashed banana (or use another 1/2 cup oil)
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups zucchini, coarsely grated
2 cups gluten-free baking mix
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

Beat first 5 ingredients until thick. Stir in remaining ingredients. Add to a greased baking dish (I used 8X8 cake pan, the recipe calls for a large tube). Bake at 350 degrees until done (took about 40 minutes).

This was really, really good!!

Four More CVS Transactions

I’ve done 4 more transactions for my personal CVS challenge based on all the school supply sales of the past 3 weeks.

Transaction #17 (July 19)
$1.98: 2 Papermate Pen, 10-ct
$1.98: 2 memo books

Used 2 $1.98 ECB’s – broke even

Transaction #18 (July 20)
$3.98: 2 Pencil packs, 24-count

Used 2 $1.98 ECB’s

Put $.02 on a gift card

Transaction #19 (July 20)
$4.00: 2 Filler Paper packs, 150 sheets

Used $1.00 ECB
Used $2.97 ECB

Put $.03 on a gift card

Transaction #20 (July 26)
$1.89: 1 CVS Tampons,, 10-ct
$1.98: 2 Composition Books, 100 sheets
$0.99: 1 Pencil Case
$2.88: 1 Colgate Total toothpaste

Used $1.50 off Colgate coupon
Used $6.00 ECB

Put $.25 on gift card

Total spent so far: $4.28 + $3.41 + $8.67 + $1.05 + $1.01 + $.27 + $2.16 +$0 + $.59 + $.17 + $.97 + $1.78 + $2.59 + $0 + $2.59 + $4.11 + $6.16 + $0.00 + $.02 + $.03 + $.25 – $10 rebate – $7.99 rebate = $21.34

ECB’s earned: $28.80 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $6.62 (minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I’ve gotten:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
2 Colgate Total toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads
2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
2 12″ Wood Rulers
2 School Glue
2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
2 Tylenol Arthritis
2 Papermate Pen, 10-ct
2 Pencil packs, 24-count
2 Filler Paper packs, 150 sheets
1 CVS Tampons,, 10-ct
2 Composition Books, 100 sheets
1 Pencil Case
1 Colgate Total toothpaste

CVS: More School Supplies!

CVS is having another 3-day sale on school supplies, many of which are once again free after ECB! Colgate is also on sale. The sale ends Tuesday night at closing, so be sure to head on over! They were out of a number of things when I visited one location, but I found enough stuff that I spent a $6 ECB. Also, you can get rain checks, even on 3-day, Free-after-ECB items, and they do not expire!

I was really touched and challenged by the following article written by Mike Ensley, a friend of mine who also write for Boundless, called “When The Darkness Closes In“.

The title of the article is a line from the Matt Redman son, “Blessed Be Your Name”. I have a love/hate relationship with this song. Don’t get me wrong; it’s an amazing song. But it’s also a challenging one, and since the miscarriage, I cannot sing it without breaking into tears. The Scripture that much of the song is based on is the one that was running through my head as I waited to find out if I was really having a miscarriage. It is Job’s words that he said after being informed he had lost almost everything, included all of his children: “)Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

The article is about many things, including depression – something I’ve struggled with on & off for my whole life. You should really go read it. Here’s a quote.

Depression affects people in unique ways. In times when I’m hit by something much more potent than “the blues,” it manifests in a sort of social anxiety. I’ll get claustrophobic in a place like a movie theater, a mall — or church. There’s no real reason, no specific dread that occupies my mind; only the same emotion as if there were. I crave nothing but quiet and solitude. The experience is hard to describe, other than to say it can be very uncomfortable and even disheartening.

Drinkable Coconut Milk!

Turtle Mountain has a new coconut milk beverage. It’s been out for a couple of months, but I’ve only recently found it on the east coast. The unsweetened variety is an amazing addition to my morning coffee; I tried the canned stuff before (yes, I was that desperate), but it curdled. I’ve also used it in several recipes. AND soon they are coming out with a coconut milk kefir!!! I cannot wait!

Today’s CVS Challenge Purchases

The CVS school supply sale that I took advantage of today is great! I was a bit concerned after my last transaction because I walked away with a $16 ECB & a $4.98 ECB. Big ECB’s can be hard to spend! But I got my money’s worth today, and ended up with much smaller ECB’s – and a lot of them!

Transactions #16 (July 12)
$1.98: 2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
$1.98: 2 12″ Wood Rulers
$1.98: 2 School Glue
$5.98: 2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
$2.98: 3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
$7.98: 2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
$7.98: 2 Tylenol Arthritis (20-24 ct.) with coupons, MONEY MAKER!

Used $4.98 ECB
Used $16.00 ECB
Used 2 $2.00 off Tylenol coupons from 5-17-09 Red Plum circular

Put $6.16 on gift card

Total spent so far: $4.28 + $3.41 + $8.67 + $1.05 + $1.01 + $.27 + $2.16 +$0 + $.59 + $.17 + $.97 + $1.78 + $2.59 + $0 + $2.59 + $4.11 + $6.16 – $10 rebate – $7.99 rebate = $21.04

ECB’s earned: $26.98 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $5.85 (minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I’ve gotten:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
2 Colgate Total toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads
2 Caliber 1-Subject Notebooks
2 12″ Wood Rulers
2 School Glue
2 5″ Pointed Tip Scissors
3 Paper Mate Grip Pens (8-ct.)
2 CVS 5-Subject Notebook
2 Tylenol Arthritis

CVS School Supply Sale!

Just a heads up that CVS is having a 3-day sale on school supplies, many of which are free after ECB! Notebooks, rulers, pens, glue, scissors – I went tonight and found everything I wanted.

Deal Seeking Mom has all the details. It ends Tuesday, so be sure to head out soon!

CVS Challenge, Continued

Here are a few more CVS transactions. I have about $10 left to spend.

Transaction #13 (May 29)
$7.98: 2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
$2.99: 1 Colgate Total toothpaste

Used $1.50 off Colgate Coupon
Used $2.00 ECB
Used $5.00 ECB

Put $2.59 on a gift card

Transaction #14 (June
$8.99: 1 Pampers Cruisers packages

Used $1.00 off Pampers coupon (adjusted down to 99 cents)
Used $3.00 ECB
Used $5.00 ECB

Balance was $.00.

Transaction #15 (June 27)
$16.00: 16 SoyJoy Bars
$4.98: 2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
$9.98: 2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads

Used 2 $4 off Always Coupon
Used 2 B1G1 SoyJoy bars coupon
Used $2 off 10 SoyJoy bars

Used $7.98 ECB
Used $2.00 ECB
Used $5.00 ECB

Put $4.11 on a gift card

Total spent so far: $4.28 + $3.41 + $8.67 + $1.05 + $1.01 + $.27 + $2.16 +$0 + $.59 + $.17 + $.97 + $1.78 + $2.59 + $0 + $2.59 + $4.11 – $10 rebate – $7.99
rebate = $14.88

ECB’s earned: $20.98 (This does not include the ones I cashed in)

Profit: $6.10 (minus 2 42 cent stamps)

Stuff I’ve gotten:
1 bottle CVS Chewable Aspirin, 36 count
1 bottle Excedrin, 10 count
3 bottle Mylanta Ultimate Strength Mint
2 Neutrogena facial soaps
2 Stayfree Pads, 16 ct
2 Natural Dentist Mouthwash
1 Extreme Energy Shots
1 Renuzit TriScents Air Freshener Starter Kit
1 Maybelline Dream foundation
1 Irish Spring Body Wash 15-18 oz.
1 Dry Idea roll-on deodorant
1 Colgate Maxwhite toothpaste
1 CVS Vitamin D 400 iu, 100 ct
1 Schick Intuition Plus razor
1 Bayer Contour blood sugar meter
4 Crest ProHealth toothpastes
4 boxes Post Trail Mix cereal
1 Ensure 6 pack
3 packs gum
1 Paas Egg Dyeing Kit
2 bags Easter Grass
2 Easter baskets
1 Skintimate Shaving Cream
1 Edge Infused Shaving Cream
6 3M Hooks
1 Garnier Fructis Conditioner
2 boxes Frosted Mini-wheats
1 box Frosted Flakes
1 Adidas A3 Deodorant
2 Speed Stick Pro deodorants
2 Colgate Total toothpaste
2 Mennon Speed Stick Pro deodorants
1 Pampers Cruisers packages
16 SoyJoy Bars
2 Thermacare Heat Wraps, 1 ct boxes
2 Always Infinity 32 & 36 ct maxipads

News

Some of you may have noticed that I’ve not been as active on this blog in the past – say – 4 months. There’s a very good reason for that.

I’m about 5 months pregnant.

We’re expecting our 2nd son (another boy! so excited!) around Thanksgiving.

Many people have asked why I waited so long to tell. I just told my Facebook followers less than 2 weeks ago! Well, I’m just weird like that At this point, if you saw me in person, I am clearly pregnant. But I’m still slowly telling people. I waited a long time to tell with Bear (I showed much later with him). I’m also sure that having a miscarriage in January added to my hesitation, as we found out we were expecting again less than 8 weeks later.

I’ve been feeling great – so good, in fact, I was sure I was having a girl! Women who have had lots of children often say they can tell by the characteristics of their pregnancy whether or not it’s a boy or a girl. But since my diet is completely different than when I was gestating Bear (we’re wheat-free, dairy-free now and a lot more raw foods!), I think that has contributed to my health. I had to give up green smoothies for the most past for the first 16 weeks or so because they made me sick. Very strange since I had no other aversions except for coffee (which happened with Bear as well). I still have to be very careful when I drink them because they make my blood sugar crash, which makes me nauseous.

So that’s the big news I’ll still be posting recipes and updates, and there are already plenty of recipes to surf on this blog. And I’ll be sharing with you my birth plans (VBAC!), as well as processing my last birth and what we’ll be doing differently this time.

Now – off to the farmer’s market!

Making Money on the Internet

I’m in central Vermont, on a family vacation, and not doing much frugal shopping. I am, however, contemplating how I will use my $500 IKEA card!

Speaking of gift cards, you don’t have to sign up for offers and spend money to get gift cards. You can get them for free! Have you joined Swagbucks yet? I’ve got 200 something Swagbucks myself, after havig recently cashed a bunch in fr gift cards. If you haven’t heard about Swagbucks, you need to! Basically, you log in and use their search engine (which uses Google & Ask.com) and you win Swagbucks which are redeemable for gift cards and other stuff. This is the coolest of my “free” recommendations because you are simply being rewarded for something you do anyway! If you want to be referred, simply click on this link and I think I get some referral credit I tried 2 other search engine reward programs that I didn’t like at all. Swagbucks is definitely the way to go, especially since there is no special toolbar you need to download.

I also use Mypoints and InboxDollars. Both programs reward you for reading e-mails and then clicking on the links. The difference is that My Points pays in gift cards, whereas Inbox Dollars pays in cold, hard cash. Again, I can refer you to these programs if you’d like. You can simply click on this link for InboxDollars, but for My Points, I have to refer you via e-mail. Inbox Dollars will give you $5 just for signing up.