Hey y’all! For those of you who don’t know, I have to eat gluten free. Five years ago, we found out about my gluten allergy. About three years ago, I saw a doctor who completely changed my life and finally diagnosed me allergic to gluten AND yeast. Seemingly simple diagnosis, right? Except growing up 15+ years ago, doctors only diagnosed Celiac Disease. I had an allergy, so all the blood-work they knew to do always came back “negative.” This left me for years undiagnosed, frustrated, and hurt by so many doctors turning me away. I would literally come in with lists of “weird things that happen to me”… and they would all count me out. I started to believe I was crazy. But nope. Just allergic to things. By the time I was diagnosed, my brain was swollen, I had yeast growth all over my back, and I couldn’t remember anything. Like, legit I thought I had Alzheimer’s at 22.

All that to say, I had to make a drastic change when I found out about my allergies. And for someone who’s ideal date is a fun new restaurant and a cupcake afterward… this sucked. It sucked BIG TIME. I have spent the last five years discovering restaurants that are tasty AND gluten free friendly. There are so many options, and I wanted to share some of my faves with you!

1. HG Sply Co.: In the heart of Dallas, this one remains one of my all-time favorite restaurants. We used to go almost every single week when we lived just down the road from it.
2. Mi Cocina: Fajitas are almost ALWAYS a go for GF! Just ask for corn tortillas!
3. Mesero’s at Legacy West: They have quite a few options for you and are INCREDIBLY accommodating to allergies. We love Mesero’s! I usually order the brisket tacos or Carne Asada (+ corn tortillas for my own fajitas!)
4. Del Frisco’s: Arguably the MOST accommodating incredible restaurant we’ve been to for allergies. They even have allergy free bread (dairy free, gluten free, corn free!). This is of course a very nice steakhouse… and it costs that. But it’s our favorite fancy date night spot.
5. True Food Kitchen: THE BEST. We love True Food! I get their Spaghetti Squash Casserole or Teriyaki Quinoa Bowl. But… you pretty much can’t go wrong with anything on this menu.
6. Fireside Pies: Favorite GF pizza place!! The burrata pizza pie has my whole heart.
7. Chipotle: Okay okay, yes. This is on the list because it’s one of my best fast food options. There are a ton of GF options! I do a bowl with brown rice + carnitas or steak usually!
8. Freshii: This place is SO DELISH and …well… fresh. But seriously. I feel healthy when I leave here. I always order the Bamboo Bowl! It’s a green curry sauce. Oh my word… I want this now after typing it out.
9. Butcher Board: This one is in downtown Mckinney! It’s tasty BBQ. I order their bowl (aka… a salad haha) with the Lemonette Dressing. I have tried it with pulled pork and brisket, and the pulled pork is my favorite thus far! Their potato salad is also out of this world.
10. Mod Market Eatery: This is a not quite fast food but not quite nice type of restaurant. They have a great pizza, but my favorite thing they make is an incredible sweet potato hash!
11. Up Inspired: This is in Frisco, and is one of Paul’s and my favorite places to go. I love breakfast! I order a Hash Bowl or the Acai Bowl with GF Granola from here usually. They also have gf biscuits and gravy called Biscuits and Groovy… and it’s amazing!
12. Tupelo Honey: SO.GOOD. I order the Sweet Tea Brined Chicken! And… Their drinks are equally as amazing.
13. PeiWei: Another “fast food” fave. They just expanded their gluten free options ten-fold, and I about lost my mind! The cauliflower fried rice is so good, and the ginger chicken and broccoli!
14. In-n-Out: Yup it’s on my list! I love In-n-Out (haters gonna hate, Whataburger ain’t that great). I love that I can eat a burger (protein style- without a bun!) and fries with a shake… and I don’t feel like I might die. The calorie counts aren’t atrocious and the grease is almost non-existent. If I want a true fast food fix… In-n-Out is it.
15. Patina on the Green: Another Downtown McKinney favorite! These sandwiches are THE BEST. I order their ham and peach jalapeño jam sandwich. This sandwich also happened to be my #1 craving during pregnancy.

Alright, so today’s post was between my new robo vac (don’t worry I will still be reviewing it!) and a week of meals. I let YOU guys vote for what you wanted, and majority rules- You want a week of meals!

You may remember, I shared our entire Costco haul a while back and basically all of those items are what made up this week of meals. I have a few new faves at Costco that are part of this week, but overall it’s the same things! Now listen. Don’t be too impressed with me… I don’t meal plan all of my meals every week, though I have every intention to ha. Mondays I go to the grocery store, and get my same list pretty much every week. But, having that set grocery list that I know has a wide variety of options as well as a fully stocked spice cabinet makes it really easy to do just about anything I want when dinner time rolls around. I often will go to Pinterest for inspiration, and then run wild with it. I use recipes as a “guide” more than anything. 😉

A Week of Meals

Breakfast:

2 eggs every morning + half an avocado with chili powder OR 2×2 inch oat protein bar

Lunch Options:

1. Left overs from night before
2. Veggie Burger Patty (Costco) + half an avocado + spinach & balsamic vinaigrette
3. 2 Veggie Cakes (Costco) + Kale Turkey Patty (Costco)

Dinner:

Monday, Chicken Soup: 2 cans black beans, 2 cans Rotel and Green Chilis, 1 can corn, 4 chicken breast, 2 tomato sauce, chicken broth, chopped peppers, 1 c. green chili tomatillo salsa (combine all ingredients into one pot and simmer until chicken is fully cooked- shred chicken and serve!)

Tuesday, Cauli Bowl: Adielle Pineapple and Bacon Sausage (cook and slice), riced cauliflower with 1 tbsp. ricotta cheese and 1 tbsp. butter, fresh garlic, roasted asparagus + peppers

Wednesday, Southwest Ragu: Chickpea Bananza Pasta + one can corn, one can Rotel, 2 bell peppers chopped, salt and pepper, ground turkey (basically like Chili on pasta)

Thursday, Simple Night: Baked chicken breast, green beans with brown sugar, veggie cakes

Friday, Baked Potato: Roasted sweet potato (poke holes on top, place in oven at 425 with oil), top with leftover southwest ragu

Saturday, Simple Night 2: Chicken and diced sweet potato (same pan- 425), brown sugar and bacon brussel sprouts (in pan- chop bacon and sautee, add in brussel sprouts and 1 tbsp. brown sugar when bacon is about half way done)

Sunday, Free for all or Go Out

Growing up in a family rich with holiday traditions, I knew I couldn’t wait to add them into my own home as well as adding some new ones. I love traditions, in fact you could say I am a stickler for them, and I hope that when my children are my age they will be able to say,

“We did ______ every year.

Mom made this dish every Christmas morning.

We never missed _______.” 

Below is a list of our old and new Christmas traditions we have meshed together for our own little family. I hope these inspire you to create your own list!

The Morrison Family Christmas Traditions

Cut down a tree the day after Thanksgiving

Listen to the Phil Wickham’s Songs for Christmas Album (SO DANG GOOD!) while dressing the tree, followed by the inaugural viewing of Christmas Vacation

A new ornament for everybody in the family each year

Pick out special wrapping paper for your own gifts to be wrapped in (Paul and I do this- I chose a pink and rose gold one this year!)

Secret wrapping paper for the kids- My mom did this all growing up and it’s so fun. You don’t put tags on the gifts for the kids, and the they are left guessing which wrapping paper is theirs all month long!

Christmas family photos for our card

Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Christmas Pops Concert– Paul and I have gone every year for the last 6 years with his family! It’s such a fun tradition, and it really kicks off the season for us.

Drive around Deer Park for Christmas Lights- If you’re DFW local, this neighborhood is AMAZING for lights. Grab a cocoa or cider on the way in, and sip it while you drive around and listen to Christmas music. (You could use our family playlist!)

North Park Mall + Santa Photo followed by Highland Park Christmas Lights

Christmas Eve EVE Pajama Party- This one is new and I cannot wait to implement it. Rather than the traditional Christmas PJ exchange on Christmas Eve, I want to do a sleepover on the living room floor with our kid(s) and new jammies. Christmas movies, cocoa, apple cider, and junk food. Baking Santa’s cookies together while munching on a few ourselves.

Christmas Eve Candle Light Service- This one looks different now than it did for me as a kid since Paul and I are on staff for our church, but it’s still so special. There’s nothing like a candlelight Christmas Eve service, and the excitement as a child you have as you sit through service knowing what is about to happen that night and the next morning. Please, if you don’t have somewhere to worship this Christmas, I personally invite you to Anchor Church for our Christmas Services! We have a bunch of times to pick from, and I would love to see you there!

Kids sleep in the same room together on Christmas Eve (This obviously will be added in as Knox gets older and has siblings… which, nobody freak out, isn’t happening any time soon. WE ARE NOT PREGNANT! lol)

Mom’s Lasagna Dinner on the special china for Christmas Eve

Christmas morning Baked French Toast Casserole and Mom’s Sausage and Egg casserole (I will be sharing this recipe soon!)

Merry Christmas, sweet friends!