Category: Gluten Free

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Dessert Gluten Free

ProYo Banana Pudding Yogurt Cakes

I am one who firmly believes that other than your birthday it should only be an adults right to have cake for breakfast. Unless, they are frozen yogurt cakes. Frozen yogurt cakes are yummy single serve frozen yogurts that you can load with toppings, cookies, or whatever on the bottom and and add yogurt for the “cake” flip it over and it’s a Upside Down Frozen Yogurt Treat!  It’s hard to find a good frozen yogurt like everything something that was supposed to be a healthier alternative can now be considered as sugary over indulgence. I’ve stumbled upon a Yummy Protein Frozen Yogurt that will meat your ice cream craving.

ProYo is a new yummy treat that my family cannot get enough! Before ProYo came to my house they would go through quart after quart of ice cream.  I say they because I couldn’t eat it with my dairy sensitivities BUT then there came ProYo and now I can indulge too.  When I say indulge it really isn’t a guilty pleasure because it’s actually pretty nutrient dense for a frozen treat; containing cultured probiotics, 15 g of Carbs, 20g of Protein and 2 g of fat! They are junk free treats which is very important to me Soy Free, Gluten Free, GMO free, Yep! These bad boys totally fit into my macros seamlessly.  They also have are diabetic friendly testing at a glycemic level of 27 and taste like creamy homemade ice cream. They are so good. I have had protein frozen yogurt that has that weird protein taste and not with these. You wouldn’t even know there was protein in them.

I like to try new things so I saw someone make a “yogurt cake” on IG and I of course went to waste time on Pinterest.  After many variations and sips of water to ward off the craving I decided to give it a try with my ProYo for a  different dessert! THEN I had a brilliant idea to try these yummy raw cookies that I make from my favorite Sweets in the Raw by Laura Marquis. It’s a no sugar added, sugar free, raw sweets cookbook of really easy delicious recipes with affordable ingredients.  So, I made the Chocolate Chip Cookies and the Vanilla Bean Macaroons to place on the bottom and they turned out amazing. The Banana takes like Banana Pudding which is a favorite treat of mine and also the recipe. You can have this for Breakfast, Snack or dessert and you are going to be getting the Protein, Fiber, Pre and Probiotics that your tummy needs to start or end your day.  ProYo just in the tube is great for post workout snack.  If you want to find ProYo at your local grocers check it out here and let me know what you think?

This year I have made it a goal to show people that you can live, indulge and enjoy on healthy food that taste good and ProYo got all those and then some covered. We want to have to a try too so we are giving away now- January 21, 2016 some ProYo swag. Just enter to win here:

 

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Gluten Free Honor My Temple Prayer Challenge Mealtime Monday Product Review Product Reviews Weightloss Journey

Living the GF Life

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Okay, guys! I may be going all into living this gluten free life.  Seven months ago I was tested for my allergies and among the seasonal allergies that I already knew of wheat and peas was one of the allergic reactions I had.  When I was in my teens, I had an allergy test with the same results but didn’t think anything of it. When I was 16, I didn’t care about my allergies and until that day didn’t realize the effect of ignoring my allergy had on my body.  I used to say regularly, “My stomach hates me,” after every meal.  I would get horrible headaches, itchy scratchy throat, constant post nasal drip always clearing my throat.  I always associated the throat and nasal to my known indoor/outdoor allergies.  I never thought it could be from the things I was eating.  My stomach aches the doctors could never figure out until now; I did a blood test for Celiac Sprue disease, elimination diet which I realize I was lactose-intolerant, but no one could tell me why I would bloat and have horrible stomach pains. I also had terrible acne and scarring.   That was about eight years ago. So, when I went to the doctor months ago and brought it up to a new doctor led me to get allergy tested.  Do you know how good it feels for someone to tell you your not crazy?

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Wheat Allergy

According to the Food Allergy Research and Education,

Differences between Wheat Allergy and Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance

A wheat allergy should not be confused with “gluten intolerance” or celiac disease. A food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a specific food protein. When the food protein is ingested, in can trigger an allergic reaction that may include a range of symptoms from mild symptoms (rashes, hives, itching, swelling, etc.) to severe symptoms (trouble breathing, wheezing, loss of consciousness, etc.). A food allergy can be potentially fatal.

Celiac disease (also known as celiac sprue), which affects the small intestine, is caused by an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Usually diagnosed by a gastroenterologist, it is a digestive disease that can cause serious complications, including malnutrition and intestinal damage, if left untreated. Individuals with celiac disease must avoid gluten, found in wheat, rye, barley and sometimes oats. Learn more about celiac disease>

People who are allergic to wheat often may tolerate other grains. However, about 20 percent of children with wheat allergy also are allergic to other grains. Be sure to ask your doctor whether foods containing barley, rye, or oats are safe for you or your child to eat.

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Living the GF Life

Now I am living the Gluten-Free life. Not because I have a gluten intolerance because it is easier than living wheat free. Gluten-free products (the real deal certified ones) contain no wheat. I don’t have to think about it and as a mom of three that makes my life easier. From skin care, shampoos and conditioners, and of course foods I try to buy gluten free products. As a result, I no longer have the ailments I had before; my skin is so much clearer now, and I feel better.

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Gluten-Free Allergy Expo

I will be attending the Gluten Free & Allergy Expo in Secaucus, NJ at the Meadowlands Exposition Center, October 15-16,2016. I am so excited to visit because we are going gluten-free for the holidays. We’ve been doing it now for consistently I say five months and there’s not turning back now. I can’t way to see all the different vendors and gluten free options that are available to bake and cook. It’s going be an exciting new adventure I am going to have to Snap or Instagram Story all the interesting things!

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I would love for two of my New Jersey friends to go too! Just click on the giveaway link and Enter to Win! Drawing will be on Monday at NOON

You can also get your tickets here!

 

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Gluten Free Mealtime Monday Product Review Product Reviews Recipes

Powered By Protein

Meal Time Monday [Autosaved] plant-basedproteinroundup

When I first started my weight loss journey I was introduced to protein shakes. I wasn’t aware of all the options and drank what was recommended. After about a month I knew I had to try something different but didn’t know what to choose out of all of the many. A year later I have not only a great understanding of the value of protein powders in your diet. I have some recommendations. Protein powders are a great addition to your diet because:

• They are a convenient, high-protein, take anywhere food similar to meats, fish, eggs and dairy but can nonperishable in the powder form.
• They are a great healthy fat containing very little fat and are usually cholesterol free which is hard to find in a high-protein food
• They can be used for the entire family
• A bonus to all of these other benefits it can taste great too and be a treat after a hard sweat session.

You can find hundreds of protein powders on the market in the United States. They range from poor quality and ingredients to an excellent source of nutrients every day. There are two types of protein and then subcategories:
protein-powderI feel like you need to try a variety of protein powders to see which one you prefer especially after testing out a few this summer. My biggest concern when choosing a protein powder was quality and food allergies. My food allergies lead me to plant based protein. I am allergic to wheat and lactose intolerant. There are other types of proteins such as whey and casein, egg and soy, but I am going to talk specifically about plant-based protein.

What do I look for in a Protein? For the best protein for me I took a few qualities into consideration:

1. Ingredients are important-all that Sucralose, Dextrose nonsense is no good; Artificial or artificial/natural flavors I stay away from; the only option I have is natural flavors and sweeteners.sucralose 2. Cost of protein- I can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars a month on supplements it needs to be below $80 per month. Nor do I find that a wise way to spend your money. Protein can range in prices. The protein that I regularly use is $35 with shipping for 30 days of protein.  I usually buy one for baking and one for drinking.

3. Additives- does it have additional ingredients that enhance the protein powder kinda of like a 2 for one which can be a bonus! I personally like that No Udder Protein has  L-Glutamine for Athletic Performance and Recovery.

Why plant-based protein? Animal protein is more popular than plant based protein for a various reason mainly taste and nutrition.  Most people use whey protein it is probably the most famous protein powder. Most people think that plant-based protein users are vegetarians and vegans, but that’s not always the case. I decided to go to a plant based protein due to the discovery of food allergies and intolerance. Plant based protein has provided me the protein I need with no food allergy reactions, but I love meat too. It’s been a long journey through grit, but I have found a few plant-based proteins that provide quality ingredients-meaning junk free protein, affordable price, great tasting and some have additives that provide even more convenience. healthyskoopprotein How does it taste?Taste is a big factor for me when choosing a protein if I can’t enjoy I can’t eat it or drink it. Although, I won’t sacrifice honoring my temple for artificial sweeteners to sweeten my protein. There are artificial sweeteners that are approved by the FDA, it doesn’t mean it’s the best thing to put in your body. It makes no sense to me to workout hard, eat right and then sip on a Protein powder that has artificial chemicals. It seems counter-intuitive to all of your efforts. I love the way Healthy Skoop taste and smells my middle daughter does too.

Is protein expensive? My family is reviving our financial health and stick to an adhere to a strict budget. I am not able to have a large supplement budget, so cost is a factor. This all is dependent on you but the lower the quality, the lower the price. Don’t use your stomach like a waste basket and drink junk.
vegaessentialshake Enhancements and meal replacements It’s common to find proteins enhanced with BCAAs, arginine, amino acids, glutamine, some are meal replacements with added carbs; not to get confused with protein shakes as they often are with direct sales shakes. Protein shakes are not meal replacement they are additional high-quality protein, amino acids to give you additional nutritional support.

My Top Choices Healthy Skoop as my most favorite to bake with it didn’t change the taste of any of my baked goods it only enhanced and it smells amazing.  It’s also my top choice because it gives back to American Schools fresh produce through their program Project Produce 3% of their sales.healthyskoopreview

No Udder Protein

Next on my RoundUp is NoUdder than No Udder Protein. This is my second pick only because it doesn’t make pancakes well. I am completely honest; protein pancakes that important to me. I look forward to them when I plan them on the menu.  This protein gave me the best pre and post workout feeling. Even on leg days, my recovery was minimal, and I am going to attribute that to this protein shake. It’s also has a mild flavor, so it is excellent in shakes it doesn’t overpower the flavor.noudderproteinreview Vega Essential Shake Vega  came in at number three it is a great shake too. It is a great addition to the essential ingredients that you need on a daily intake.  It tastes good too and is not gritty.  It makes great shakes and baked goods and delicious pancakes.  It was hard to decide, but I will be using all three regularly. I also want to try other Vega products as they have a lot of different specialized protein, and I would be interested to see how they work out. vegaessentialshakereviewI felt weird not leaving a recipe for mealtime Monday. You have to try this Basil Lemonade it is delicious and refreshing just what you need after a hard workout out. I’m obsessed with Basil Lemonade and since I have way too much Basil (Sweet and Purple) in my garden I am drinking it up! Basil has some nutritional benefits:
🍋🍃. Reduces Inflammation

🍋🍃.Anti-Aging Properties

🍋🍃.Rich in Antioxidants

Let me know what kind of protein you use? Whey?Egg? Plant Based? None?

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Breakfast Dessert Gluten Free Mealtime Monday Recipes

Lemon Coconut Protein Chia Pudding

Meal Time Monday [Autosaved]

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It sounds good, right? Well it is absolutely amazing! I have been dabbling in Chia Seed flavors lately. One because it is so good; second it is really easy and third it will kill a sugar craving and leave you full and satisfied.  It’s the perfect snack, breakfast!  I’ve made some questionable flavor combinations but this one by far is the yummiest! I had to share.

Chia Seed is also very beneficial it is rich in fiber, omega-3 fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.  Some benefits of Chia seeds are:

  • Great for your Skin and Aging- it contains antioxidants that help accelerate skin repair and also inhibit skin from future damage.
  •  Great for digestion- Chia seed is very-high in fiber it is said to contain about 11 grams per ounce. Meaning one serving of Chia Seed can be your recommended fiber intake for the day! Fiber is critical for your body to help it balance your insulin levels and known as a blood sugar balancer.
  • Great for your Heart Health– Chia Seed has been know to:

    – reverse inflammation,

    – regulate cholesterol and lower blood pressure make it extremely beneficial to consume for heart health.

    – reversing oxidative stress

    *according to an article published in the journal Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials:

  • Great for treatment of Diabetes– A study done came to the conclusion that eating chia seeds entirely inhibited the start of dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. There has been claims that it can halt or reverse diabetes. (I’m not making them but some researchers have been bold enough to come to that conclusion after laboratory testing.
  • Great for an extra Boost Your Energy & Metabolism- The addition of chia seeds will help boost your metabolism and burn belly fat.  It reduces visceral adipose tissue also known as belly fat tissue which has an effect on your ability to burn calories.
  • Great for Stronger Bones- One ounce of Chia Seeds is 18% of the daily recommended calcium intake.
  • Great to help you Build Muscle & Lose Weight- Chia seed is an excellent plant based protein. It has been recommened for people wanting to burn fat, get lean muscle and balance blood sugar levels.

    Lemon Coconut Protein Chia Pudding

I lift really heavy and have a high protein allocation in my diet so I am always trying new protein based treats.  I also love it for my daughter because it’s a wholesome meal in the morning and they can just grab their jar and go!  I don’t let them take it to school because of the glass but they each have one and just unscrew the lid and eat.  It’s nice for those busy school day mornings.  I don’t know about you but I am prepping for Back To School so testing out new flavors to keep them interested has been fun!  They can even make this on their own which my oldest one loves to do.

I have been going Lemon crazy lately. I am not sure if it’s because its summer time and its refreshing. Citrus is also great for helping absorb iron and it just makes everything taste yummy. From your bowl of fruit to your piece of chicken fresh squeezed lemon juice is always a great addition to a meal.  It’s versatility also allows for a lot of different flavor combinations.  The great thing about this pudding too is the Coconut is not overpowering.  If you don’t like coconut omit it and you have a Lemon “Meringue”ish Chia Pudding.

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Dessert Gluten Free Mealtime Monday Recipes

Chocolate Chick Cookies

Meal Time Monday [Autosaved]

Chocolate Chip (shhh Chickpea) Cookies

(This was adapted from Texanerin Baking) Although I am one smart cookie (ba duh dump) 😉 I would have never thought of this myself, BUT I just changed a few things, and I totally fooled the Lil Divas. I haven’t baked for awhile it’s been hot, busy with school, kids, and life and ever since my Plant Based Reboot, I haven’t had a sweet tooth. That is saying something because I had a serious sweet tooth before we needed to have a sweet, indulgent dessert every night but ever since my “cleanse” which I hate even to call it that I have been pretty good on the cravings. So, when I pulled out these delicious cookies the “oo’s” and “ah’s” from the oil divas!! They smell delicious, they look delicious but do they taste delicious?

Yes! I made two batches! Peanut Butter because I love peanut butter and plain because my girls hate peanut butter. Both were a hit! Now the only thing I would say if you’re a crunchy cookie kind of person like I am the texture may be a little off but other than that I think these would do well. They’re even baked sale worthy. It’s been a journey the last two years clean eating, eliminating everything that we knew to be “real food” and replacing it with “better food” but it has been so worth it.

Our health, energy, skin, weight, mental ability has all improved dramatically. People ask me how did you switch your family to clean eating. Slowly but surely, the process of elimination; introduction to new things; trial and error. Here we are two years later, and I have not gone to the grocery store in over a month. We have gotten all of our food from a farm so far this summer. I still buy bulk whole grains like oatmeal, rice, and quinoa but for the most part, my shopping is done on the peripheral or the grocery store or the local farm, and it feels so good. We can still indulge on cookies, treats and all the things that they thought they would miss and we are living a healthier lifestyle!

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