This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MakeYourSummer #MADEFORDOERS #CollectiveBias
In case you missed the announcement, in the last two weeks, my husband and I have packed up our Hollywood life, loaded our two pups into our car, and road tripped the majority of the way across the country in search of a slower paced, more authentic life. We are now settling into our new home in Kansas City, Missouri splendidly just in time for summer fun!
Since I moved to Los Angeles in 2014, I had been completely without a yard, something this Pacific Northwest girl has struggled with greatly. Creating an outdoor space in our new home is of the utmost importance to me, which is why I am thrilled to partner with Kleenex and VIVA to share my tips for how to create your own backyard mecca along with my twist on a classic summer recipe for Gluten Free Sloppy Joe’s!
Tips for Creating Your Own Backyard Mecca
- Carve out your ideal backyard space by working WITH your landscape instead of against it. In our new home, we have both a deck and cement patio before our yard begins (this is to help with water drainage during the winter). Is it my dream outdoor space? Not by any means, but that’s the point. You have to work with what you have and make it serve your life to the best of your ability. Don’t wait for the perfect space…create it!
- Bring in seating and a table to make a dedicated eating area.
- Add accessories to spice up your backyard mecca. My favorite way to do this is with the help of indoor accessories like throw pillows, strings of lights and candles, as well as seasonal decorations to get me in the patriotic spirit.
- Get to cooking! My favorite summertime meal is Gluten Free Sloppy Joe’s because it takes me back to the kind of meals I cooked when I was a camp cook/camp counselor during high school. This recipe is quick and easy to whip up and you can leave it cooking in your slow cooker all day, leaving you with free time to spend outdoors in your new backyard space!
One of the crucial elements of our back yard is that it is INCREDIBLY dog friendly so all four members of our family can enjoy it equally. Those of you who have four-legged family members know that messes are a part of life, especially during the summer months when juicy foods like Sloppy Joe’s, watermelon, and s’mores are on the menu. Here in the Midwest, those are the kinds of messes that attract other, less desirable four-legged critters, so backyard cleanup is of the utmost importance.
This summer, I’m turning to VIVA® Vantage® Big Roll Paper Towels and brand New Kleenex® Wet Wipes Gentle Clean to clean up our messes. Food residue left behind on your table? Never fear, even the toughest BBQ mess is no match for VIVA® Vantage® Big Roll Paper Towels. Food residue on your hands and face? Look no further than New Kleenex® Wet Wipes Gentle Clean. They are thick and soft and contain no harsh chemicals, meaning I can freely use them to clean up all kinds of adult messes both on hands and face.
Look for VIVA® Vantage® Big Roll Paper Towels in your local Kroger store’s paper towel aisle and New Kleenex® Wet Wipes Gentle Clean in the facial tissue section. I picked mine up at Dillons!
You can find both VIVA® Vantage® Big Roll Paper Towels and New Kleenex® Wet Wipes Gentle Clean at your local Kroger store. Kroger has been my longtime favorite grocery store chain (in Seattle, then LA, and now the Kansas City area) due to their high quality of products and their support of the USO, an organization that helps United States veterans. As we get closer to the 4th of July, there has never been a better time to shop at your local Kroger!
As we near the 4th of July, now is the perfect time to get started on your very own backyard mecca. With just a few simple, budget friendly additions to your backyard, you too can create your own slice of paradise.
Click this badge to read full sweepstakes rules!
Be sure to enter Kleenex and VIVA’s Make Your Summer giveaway for a chance to win a Kroger gift card or a NASCAR experience. No Purchase Necessary. The #MakeYourSummer #Sweepstakes begins on June 11, 2018 at 12:00:00 AM ET and ends on July 23, 2018 at 11:59:59 PM ET. There are multiple Entry Periods during the Sweepstakes. Legal residents of the 50 US/DC only, 18+. Void where prohibited. By participating, you agree to the Official Rules at https://makeyoursummerrules.pgtb.me/MRsDsl. All shared entries should include: #MakeYourSummer #Sweepstakes. Ends 7/23/18. See rules at https://makeyoursummerrules.pgtb.me/MRsDsl.
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 8 people | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 3-5 hours |
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Don't let being gluten free stop you from enjoying this classic summertime meal! My Gluten Free Sloppy Joe's Recipe contains all your favorite tastes of summer without any of the guilt.
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- 1 28-ounce can tomato puree
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 3 Tbsp gluten free Worcestershire Sauce - most are gluten free!
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp gluten free flour - gum free
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp onion flakes
- 2 pounds extra lean ground beef - at least 93% lean
- 1-2 packs gluten free hamburger buns
- Coat lining of slow cooker with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Add tomato puree, tomato paste, and Worcestershire Sauce to slow cooker and mix thoroughly.
- In a small bowl, combine dry ingredients. Whisk brown sugar, gluten free flour, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and onion flakes.
- Add dry ingredients to slow cooker, combining well.
- Add ground beef to slow cooker, breaking it up into large chunks with your hands. Take care not to break it up too much. Mix gently.
- Cook on high for 3 hours (or low for 5 hours), until meat is fully cooked.
- Serve over gluten free hamburger buns.