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Mealtime Monday Recipes

Popcorn Indulgence, that’s good!

Meal Time Monday [Autosaved]

popcornindulgence

 

My Not-So Guilty Pleasure

If you were to ask me what my favorite food was, I would say without hesitation pizza and sushi. The third thing that I cannot resist is popcorn. It is the most satisfying tasty snack that you can chomp on for awhile and fill full, and craving quenched.

I love air popped popcorn, but it’s a hassle to take out the air popper and make popcorn. I also have a really old Air Popper from 1990s that I am almost positive was made with phthalate, BPA plastic and probably not safe to use any longer. A little trick I learned from my mom to get air popped popcorn without the hassle of an air popper. It is a much healthier option to microwave popcorn too. It is a two step process but if you like popcorn the fresh no preservative microwavable popcorn option can be a treat.I also like how you can make so many different topping ideas. The only problem with popcorn is that it can turn from a healthy beneficial snack to junk food right before your eyes.

Why is it the Healthy Snack?

According to the National Healthy and Nutrition Examination Survey results, “reported that popcorn eaters consumed an average of 250 percent more whole grains than non-popcorn eaters.”

Some other benefits of popcorn are:

  • Great source of fiber.
  • Lower risk of cardiovascular disease
  • reduce blood cholesterol
  • help regulate blood sugar,
  • B vitamins,
  • minerals,
  • protein
  • and antioxidants
  • hulled corn contains high concentration of polyphenols

popcorn

What is this polyphenol everyone is talking about?

The word itself sounds technical, inorganic and “chemically.” It is anything but and something that we should be adding more to our diet. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “Polyphenols are abundant micronutrients in our diet, and evidence for their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases is emerging.” Polyphenols have some great benefits for your health depending on the amount and classification that you eat.

  1. Lowers your cholesterol
  2. Lowers your blood pressure
  3. Improves your artery (endothelial) function
  4. Improves your arterial flexibility- which means, keep arteries flexible and elastic to help blood flow through freely
  5. Reduces your inflammation
  6. Improves your life span

How much polyphenols should intake daily?

According to the Journal of Nutrition, there was a study conducted that found people who consumed 650 mg per day experienced 30% lower mortality rate than those who took less than 500 mg per day.  It’s not an exact prescription, but it gives you an idea of a good range.

Where can I get polyphenols in my diet?

You can easily get your polyphenols from Whole nutrient-dense food there are over 100 foods found in nature that contain polyphenols. Having a diet that consists of super foods helps too.  Add I found an extensive list on the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition which includes the food, food groups, types of polyphenol and different amounts for each type.  I picked the ones that I like to eat because it is good to know I’m doing something right.

  • Corn
  • Cocoa powder
  • Dark chocolate
  • Flaxseed meal
  • Sage, Rosemary, Spearmint, Thyme, Capers, Basil, Curry, Mexican oregano (Grouping them all in one)
  • strawberries
  • coffee
  • Pecan nut
  • Black grape
  • almonds
  • red onion
  • apple
  • spinach
  • Green tea
  • And over a 100 more

popcorntoppings

 

Air Popped Popcorn with No Popcorn Machine Needed

So, yay for popcorn!!! I eat it so much and I have a really cool and easy way to make yours!

[amd-yrecipe-recipe:39]

 

 

 

 

 

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

Living the GF Life

faithfueledfeature

 

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.

gfafexpo

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.

glutenfree-and-allergyexpo

 

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!

join-us

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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Breakfast Mealtime Monday Recipes

Adult Grits and Eggs: Fancy Breakfast

Meal Time Monday [Autosaved]

gritseggs

 

My New Quirky Habit

I have this new quirk, and my husband had to point it out to me. I like eating fancy food. From creating blog and Instagram post I now pretty much style all my meals. Healthy food just tastes better when designed in my opinion, and it’s a part of the food experience. Before I became a health nut, the food experience consisted of a greasy bag, lots of napkins and a stain every single time on my shirt. It was usually eaten in the car, in a hurry, on-the-go and the most memorable thing about the experience are the stains it left on my shirt.

gritsaneggs

Fine Dining Experience

Now that I eat clean food is an experience. It’s not a quick fix, never fully satisfying thing to pass the time away. It’s a production (not my meals or 30 minutes or less but what feels like a production) flavorful, expression of my creativity. I make new recipes regularly, try new vegetables and fruits weekly. Slice, dice, cut and mince and create amazing flavor combinations and aromas. Then I sit down and enjoy a beautiful meal photogenically styled for all of our enjoyment. Well, that does somewhat happen maybe two days a week. All the others I take regular meals and put it on the plate pretty and just my plate because by the time I am finished the Lil Divas are on their seconds. Then, I eat it and enjoy it. It’s portioned just right and beautiful like from a restaurant. Do I waste my dinner time? Yes, but rather than scarfing down a plate and being on my seconds. I am eating my first. Finishing with the family and not sitting there watching them eat their seconds. Ah-ha, you say? Try it! Works for me!

gritsandeggs

Little touches make the magic

Well on one of my particularly creative breakfast I decided to grab almost every herb in my garden. A box of grits and some eggs and make adult grits. I never had adult grits, but I wanted to do something other than butter or sugar (I have never done this, but my cousins do) and cheese, grits require cheese UNLESS you are lactose intolerant like me, so that leaves me with, boo. Exactly, so I came up with this simple as making a not adult grits recipe to get fancy at the table, and you can just do this for your bowl and let the family have their regular meal while you dine at your gourmet restaurant 😉 😉 Enjoy!

How do you like your grits? Have you ever “dressed them up”?

 

[amd-yrecipe-recipe:38]

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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?

[amd-yrecipe-recipe:34]

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Breakfast Dessert Gluten Free Mealtime Monday Recipes

Lemon Coconut Protein Chia Pudding

Meal Time Monday [Autosaved]

LemonCoconut.ChiaPudding

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.

[amd-yrecipe-recipe:33]

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