Homemade Taco Seasoning
Next week marks one year since Jared’s diagnosis of celiac disease and just a couple of days ago I took Raeca to be tested for the same thing, hopefully we will get her results sometime this week.
As a result of Jared’s diagnosis we’ve been reading labels much closer in the last year. And the more I’ve been reading packaging labels the more I’ve started to make homemade versions of many different staples, one of which has been taco seasoning. It’s one of those things that is so easy to make yourself, I always have all the different spices on hand for other recipes anyway, so it’s just a matter of throwing them all together.
While I really am praying for Raeca’s sake that she doesn’t have celiac disease I’m pretty sure she at least has a sensitivity. It makes me glad that she’s been exposed to a lot of gluten free versions of normal gluteny things like pasta and bread (and actually likes them) which would make the transition a lot easier. Another thing I am trying to do is to get her more involved in the kitchen, baking and cooking and helping in any way since I know that children are much more willing to try food if they have helped to make it. I’d really like to buy her a pair of these since the part she really wants to help with is all the cutting and dicing but I can’t seem to find them in Canada.
Do you have children with allergies or sensitivities?
Any tips on how to get children to eat a little more adventurously?
What are your favorite staples to make at home?
Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 4 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 4 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
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Mix the spices in a bowl and store in an airtight container.
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Use 2-3 tbsp per pound of meat.
we have been talking about making chicken tacos – so i am gonna have to try this on them! 🙂
This sounds good – I usually just use cumin and chili powder, but I should try this!!
We love to make our own seasonings! This recipe really makes me want to make tacos tonight 🙂
What other seasonings do you like to make? I’d love some more ideas!
Haha, well I guess what I meant to say is that Lamar (my hubs) makes all sorts of seasonings when he grills meat. He is pretty adventurous with spices, so he just throws things together. They usually turn out well!
What a great idea…I have never thought of making my own seasoning but I have all of those spices in my pantry!!! pinning for future reference!!!
Look how much fun she’s having helping you 🙂 sweet memories!
My mother-in-law is a celiac and my sister-in-law’s family has tons of food allergies sensitivities (read gluten-free, dairy free, nut free, egg free, corn free). So she makes everything from scratch too and uses a lot of coconut oil/milk and avocados. Too bad she isn’t in the blogosphere haha. She hasn’t had to transition her kids so much as they are 1,3 and 5. Here’s her Pinterest boards: http://www.pinterest.com/crazybusymomma3/
Ooh, thanks for that Alyssa, I’ll look at her boards! Jared went off a few other things right before Christmas to see if there were other foods bothering him so for a few weeks he was gluten free, dairy free, sugar free and egg free. It definitely makes a person more aware of what you are eating!
This is something I have been wanting to make- and I think that your beautiful photo has given me just the push I needed! Thanks Chantel! It takes a lot of dedication to stick to dietary restrictions- so good job for doing what’s best for your family and making them delicious food all the while!
Thanks Amy!
You had me at “Taco”
Probably my favourite meal – no big deal.
Thanks for this recipe Chantel! Having pre-mixed spices are just the best for me when I forget to meal plan. Have you tried making your own salt blends yet? They are also a lifesaver for me 🙂
Haha, that’s awesome! 🙂 I haven’t made my own salt blends yet but I so want to! What do you make and what do you use them in? I’m afraid I’ll make a bunch because they look fun but then not actually use them.
My favourite blends are with Himalayan salt. Lemon salt, rosemary salt and thyme salt! I love using them to finish off meat marinates, great on roast chicken, potatoes or wings! Also really great to season fish and other meats. Or sometimes I’ll lightly sauté my veggies and sprinkle some of it on with pepper. They’re just packed with flavour and so much fun.
Okay, that sounds absolutely divine, I’m going to do that real soon!
i’m loving this recipe! i’m all about homemade anything! (definitely becoming more conscious of what i’m putting in (and on) my body!
That’s awesome Amy! I honestly never knew or cared prior to a year ago, I feel like I’ve done a complete 180 degree turn!
This recipe sounds great!!
We have gluten sensitivities in our family, and it was a hard road for awhile. It took time, patience, and offering lots of healthy snacks through the day to help my little ones adjust to the change. Now they have pretty decent appetites and will eat a variety of things. We also made a rule that everyone has to try one bite of everything prepared for dinner. It’s helped them grow to appreciate more veggies and new dishes they would otherwise completely refuse.
Do you have results for your daughter’s test yet?
Yes, I LOVE that rule! I was (okay, still am) a picky eater, and I honestly hate it. I WISH I liked more foods. I’ve been doing pretty much the same thing you mentioned for my daughter, making sure she tries at least a bite of everything and I think it’s really working for her, I’d love for her to be less picky than me (and I’m working on myself too, but it’s a slower process).
She tested negative for celiac but I know she definitely has a sensitivity. Despite the diagnosis I took her off of gluten anyway, easy enough to do since my husband has celiac and our house was 90% gluten free anyway, the changes for her have been huge! All her bathroom issues were completely gone within 2 days.
It’s crazy how gluten affects people! My 8 yr old had allergy tests done twice, and a gluten test done once, and even though they say ‘negative’ we saw such a change when she was gluten-free, so we stuck with it. Trial and error also showed us the same positive changes in our 6 yr old son and my husband. Do you ever notice a behavior change? We realized that our daughter’s behavior was much better after she was gluten-free. Crazy!
I know, it’s really crazy! I don’t know if there have been any behavioral changes, my daughter is three and I think just coming out of the terrible twos (finally) but I haven’t noticed any big behavioral changes since going off of gluten, though maybe some little ones.
When you can see some major changes in an area though it’s easy to remind yourself WHY you are sticking to a gluten free diet. I know some people think I’m a bit crazy for taking her off of gluten when I don’t “have to” (because she tested negative) but if they could realize how much gluten was affecting her they wouldn’t think I was so crazy.
Our daughter was 4 when we finally bit the bullet and took her off gluten. We didn’t realize until later when we tried her on gluten again that it affected her behavior. Before that, we thought she was just outgrowing her terrible 2s and 3s. But no, it was a gluten monster.