Tag: gluten free

Categories
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?

[amd-yrecipe-recipe:21]

 

Share
Pin3
Share
3 Shares
Categories
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:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[amd-yrecipe-recipe:40]

 

Share
Pin5
Share
5 Shares
Categories
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]

Share
Pin2
Share
2 Shares
Categories
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]

Share
Pin4
Share
4 Shares
Categories
Dessert Gluten Free Recipes

No Carb Cheesecake

amazon disclosure

My Full Disclosure Policy

No Carb Cheesecake

I have been carb cycling for 3 weeks this month and if you have been following have found some yummy recipes. I am actually in love with this type of meal plan now. I have found that it has given me amazing results, physically and internally. The first week I had to tweak my macros, meaning the amount of protein, fats and vegetables/fruits that I consumed and types.  Once I figured it out not only have I felt better than ever, I find myself eating more than ever. Yet, I am eating less calories and low carbs.  I have played with my meal plan schedule varying week to week.

For example, my first week I ate:

Low Carb, Low Carb, No Carb, Low Carb, No Carb, Low Carb, High Carb. I did this to ease me into this new lifestyle change.

The Second week, I started off with:

No Carb, No Carb, Low Carb, Low Carb, No Carb, No Carb, High Carb.

The third week of the month I ate how I wanted but still tend to eat lower carbs out of want but I didn’t plan my meals based on carbs.

Now I am here in my last week and my schedule is:

No Carb, No Carb, Low Carb, No Carb, No Carb, Low Carb. The No Carb days were intentionally scheduled on heaving lifting days.

I will do another post on my results but they are absolutely amazing and the week that I was off of Carb Cycling I only gained 1 pound, while on vacation at Disney. Seriously? Yes, Seriously!

I have been doing so well, haven’t been hungry, none of the side effects from lack of carbs. Last night was different. I wanted something sweet so I did a Google/Pinterest search and most of the results came up No Carb Cheesecake. I love cheesecake but don’t eat it very often. I had to give it a try. So, I wrote down the easy recipe and got one ingredient that was missing and then started working on the recipe. Instantly, I knew something was wrong. I was a little apprehensive because of the ingredients.  As I started to mix the ingredients together it became a big gooey ball of something that did not look anything like cheesecakes.  So, I added some Almond Milk which made it even worse then I added some Greek yogurt it started to workout then I added another 8 ounces of Neufetchel cheese.  I placed it in the greased pan and Ta-da bogus recipe was improved and created a yummy dessert.  You can serve it with Walden Farm Syrup or Fruit Spread and have Strawberry, Caramel, Chocolate or Blueberry No Carb Cheesecake. I enjoyed every bite without guilt and yumminess!

[amd-yrecipe-recipe:18]

Share
Pin4
Share
4 Shares