Category: Gluten Free

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Faith & Self Care Family Gluten Free Mealtime Monday Sugar Detox

Gluten Free Expo 2017

It’s that time of year again the air is getting cooler and crisp. The lil divas are back in school and despite whether we want to or not the Holiday’s are quickly approaching. It’s the perfect time for the Gluten Free Expo to come to town.  Last year, my sister and I were able to explore all the newest allergy friendly items from food to skin care.  It was a great opportunity to see all that Gluten-free has to offer. Also, to get some ideas for my gluten-free holiday baking which went well last year. I have been mostly Gluten Free for two years.  I have my slip ups, and I always suffer, and that is why I am grateful for how far gluten-free has come in the marketplace.  Now, not all gluten-free items some are still made of way too many processed ingredients. You can find some quality products if you look hard enough.  That is a great reason to come to the gluten-free expo it’s like a try and find all the newest and great allergy-friendly finds.  Last year, I discovered some treats that my family uses today.

This year I am really excited because the entire family is mostly allergy friendly now.  We found that living a gluten-free/allergy friendly diet has helped all of my daughters with their seasonal allergies and digestive issues and allowed me to stop making two meals. The only way this can be possible sometimes if we amazing gluten-free and allergy-friendly products that don’t make you miss Gluten or other allergens.

Last year, I discovered BFree Foods and Udi bread which is my go-to for my girls.  It tastes pretty great and it’s gluten-free, AND it doesn’t have a lot of junk in the ingredients label.  I also learned some great, baking tips from some of the vendors.  Another thing that I have been considering is the household and skincare products that we used. I never realized how many skincare products contain wheat until my allergies which has a direct effect on my complexion.  I find that when I use products without wheat, I have clearer skin and don’t have itchy flare-ups. For my teenage daughter using wheat-free skincare products has also cleared her skin she rarely has flair ups or outbreaks any longer. I also contribute wheat free hygienic products to my younger daughters no longer have eczema issues which I have written about before too.  It’s funny how eliminating one common culprit can improve your quality of life.

The beauty about expo’s online google that you get to try, smell and taste everything right there and talk to the exhibitors who produce the products. Some of the stories on how it has helped their families or where the product came from can be inspiring as well as mind-blowing on how changing your food can change your life.Is your family Gluten Free or Allergy Friendly? Would you consider trying it and why?

Is your family Gluten Free or Allergy Friendly? Would you consider trying it and why?

If you’re in the Seacacus, NJ area in October 14-15th, I am giving away TWO Tickets to gain access to the Expo.  Winners will be announced on 10/1/17 for TWO 1 Day Adult Passes. Enter below for a chance to win! I hope to get to meet you at the event!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can also get your tickets at a 20% discount with code “ADVANCE” until October 13th. 

 

 

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Dinner Gluten Free Recipes

Bruschetta Chicken

BruschettaChicken

I live in New Jersey also known as the garden state and for the last three years, I have had a Spring, Summer, Fall garden that is getting larger with every year. We have a small backyard, and I am either going to have to move to some acres or just forget to let the kids play and take the whole yard for my garden. I never thought I would be the type of girl to garden, but it has taught me patience. I usually start my seeds in the winter end of January indoors and by Mother’s Day, they are ready to be planted. Usually around now is where I am reaping my rewards. My herbs are first like my oregano and basil that I use in this recipe and then my tomatoes. This year I have four varieties all heirloom tomatoes. I cannot wait for more garden to table meals to come from them. I have six different peppers. This year will be my first year trying Cruciferous veggies like Broccoli, Orange Cauliflower, and Red Cabbage. I have already harvested my first crop of Arugula, Spinach, Lettuce, Mesclun, and Kale. I still don’t think I could live in the country, but I do prefer my garden fresh over store bought veggies any day.

BruschettaChicken

This meal is a great summer time easy meal you can make in minutes. Its low in fat and high in taste. A real crowd pleaser, and anything that my in between diva can’t get enough of must be good because she has a very sensitive pallet meaning she hates everything. I used to make this meal with a lot more oil, crushed tomatoes and just lots of unnecessary processed extras. Now, that we’re clean eaters I find when I take out the garbage; add fresh herbs and ingredients. It not only tastes better that processed meals it also leaves you feeling better afterwards. All the helpers and one pot skillet starters are no comparisons to fresh ingredients. So, whether these ingredients come from your backyard or the store, please choose fresh over canned when it comes to trying this recipe. Are you a gardener or do you save that for the farmers?

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Meal Time Monday

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Dessert Gluten Free Recipes

Cranberry-Orange Yogurt Cookies

 

Cranberry-Orange (1)

Another, kitchen experiment from lack of ingredients and a little snowed in boredom.  My lil diva’s love to do craft, cook, play games. After a four day weekend all of those things were exhausted with the exception of baking.  We had almost made it through the entire weekend without indulging. Since, beginning this weight loss journey I have been making a lot of lifestyle changes.  Trying to be wheat and gluten free due to sensitivities, drastically reducing the amount of processed sugar my family and I consume and showing my girls that healthy eating does not mean lack of flavor and treats.  So, when I ran out of all other ideas I turned to my favorite cookbook, social media.  Beyond Fit Mom, is the workout plan that I use and she always has fat loss friendly recipes that actually taste good. Just because it’s good for you doesn’t mean it needs to lack in taste.  If that was the case I would not be able to have lost 45 pounds in 6 months because I love food and flavor way too much.

These “Cookies” are more like little cakes.  I actually gave my daughter one for breakfast this morning. She thought Mom had temporarily lost it giving out “cookies” for breakfast. But they are perfect for on-the-go breakfast, snack or after dinner treat.  You can use any fruit, Beyond Fit Mom used blueberries, which we were out of and you don’t go out in a snow storm for blueberries. We did have dried cranberries, which I hydrated in water, oranges, bananas, apples and pears.  I didn’t use every fruit in the house but I think all of these would be delicious substitutes for blueberries.  They don’t all have the same antioxidant qualities, which is why I went with the dried cranberries and the orange was because I personally love cranberry orange-ANYTHING! The combination with Almonds and Chai Spice made this an absolute delicious treat.  If you make them please let me know if you substituted the fruits for anything different I am all about experimentation.

has fat loss friendly recipes and[amd-yrecipe-recipe:10]

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Dinner Family Gluten Free Recipes

Gluten Free Chicken Parmesean

Gluten (2)

Gluten-Free made easy

When I first went gluten free I thought, “this is going to be a chore.” Things are not going to taste good and I am going to miss a lot of my favorite meals.  I proved myself so wrong over the last few months. Now, I didn’t go gluten free because that is the cool thing to do lately. I went gluten free because I honestly was tired of my stomach hating me after every meal.  I have a wheat allergy that I have known about since I was 16 but could have cared less. I like all things whole wheat and everything has it in it. It felt like a losing battle. The digestive pains, literal pains that I had including: bloating, lethargy, headaches,sinus issues, and post nasal drip one day just made me go to the doctor. Ruling out a few things like celiacs and adding a few things like lactose intolerant and after taking another allergy test. I was once again diagnosed with wheat allergy (I was hoping I would grow out of). My doctor said, “you can continue to complain about your stomach issues or you can stop eating the things that don’t agree with your digestive system. It’s up to you.” I hate it when people tell me what to do, especially when I want to do differently.

After Diagnosis

I went home and went shopping. Bought all kinds of gluten free nastiness, like seriously some of the things out there for gluten free I think is supply and demand. Because there is a demand they supply you with the tasteless, dry, nastiness. It really doesn’t have to be like that. You can eat gluten free and eat delicious food. If I couldn’t eat delicious food I don’t think I could live happily. Food is somethings I enjoy too much. It’s in my top pleasures like sometimes breathing and food are competing (just kidding-well not when my mouth is full). So, I had to come up with a solution.

First, half of that gluten free stuff is processed food which I was eliminating from my diet. I had to figure out how to eat clean and wheat free. I changed the flours I used from whole wheat and all purpose to oat, almond, coconut (not as much it’s kind of pricey) and brown rice. I use for certain textured things like cornbread-brown rice flour is great for cornbread perfect texture.   I also have to consider price. I make my own oat and brown rice flour and I use it mostly.  I buy it in bulk,gluten free and then I just grind it in the bullet for like 2-5 minutes and ta-da, oat and brown rice flour. So easy and so much cheaper than buying some well known companies.   Then I cook as normal or bake as normal only having to adjust things like baking soda, baking powder, sometimes moisture,etc. After some experimenting I have pretty much swapped wheat for other things and make gluten free yumminess.

Clarity

Now let me clarify I am not celiac or gluten intolerant but because of my wheat allergy it’s easier to go gluten free because gluten is a protein found in wheat and related grains. If it’s gluten free it’s wheat free and my digestion is free. Chicken Parmesan is a easy, before Bible Study meal or 30 minutes or less that I go to every few weeks in meal planning and a family favorite. I used to make myself separate meals but now I have gotten to the point either my family is used to it, really hungry or my food really does taste good. I often bring gluten free things to potlucks and never get complaints or get surprised reactions that it was gluten free. My brownies are still to die for without the gluten. I hope you test this recipe out and have the same positive reactions. What’s one of your family favorite meals?

Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan Tenders

Gluten Free Chicken Tender Prep finished chicken tenders

 

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Dessert Gluten Free Recipes

Pecan Chai Date Bars

 

Pecan Date Bar

Today is National Pie Day and I have a great recipe for a yummy, healthier version of pecan pie.  Once you’ve had this you won’t miss that sweet confection. When I went gluten/wheat free a few months ago I felt like I was going to miss out on all the goodness that gluten provides.  I had tried a few store bought cookies and items and was very disappointed with the lack of moisture, weird after taste and all together lack of flavor.  Like everything now I had to go gluten/wheat free and start making things from scratch. If you have read previous “Mealtime Monday’s” you know that I am always experimenting. This time I wanted to use up the last of the Medjool dates that I had.  I recently started baking with Medjool dates and they are a great sweet alternative to refined white sugar.  My family is starting to really become a fan and the baby loves these as a treat now so I have to keep them hidden.

While scrolling through Pinterest I came across a Oat Date bar that of course had whole wheat flour and it was just Oats and Dates which seemed a little boring to me. So, after some adjustments I came up with this really yummy gluten free alternative.  There really moist, just enough sweetness and will have you wanting more.  I added Pecans because I thought it would be a welcomed flavor and came up with these magical bars.  I would say if there is someone with a nut allergy just omit the Pecans and you’re good to go. These bars are a great source for natural energy too and add in some dried fruit, chocolate chips and give yourself even more variety. One tip, store these in a Air Tight Container and keep cool. The coconut oil will make these really soft if left out too long.

I am so glad that there are so many alternative flours you can use now other than whole wheat.  I know going from what you are used to and changing up your diet can be really stressful and hard but here I am a few months later and I am not missing my wheat.  Sometimes it’s hard to eat out but for the most part I find it a pretty easy transition.  If you’re making the switch to gluten free hang in there you will get used to it soon! If you’ve been living this life not as a fad diet but as an actual health issue for many years and just need another tasty to add to your repertoire, well here you go! Either way, I hope you enjoy!

What’ s your favorite pie?

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