Orange You Glowing Juice

I hope you all enjoyed your Easter!  

Did anyone make these cookies ??

I did… and I ate A LOT of them! 

I don’t usually eat any refined sugar…

BUT Easter and Christmas are for cut out cookies, at least that’s what Grandma always said, and Grandmas know!  So I ate my cookies… and I drank a little less water and a little more wine than usual... 

Needless to say, my tummy isn’t used to all that and I was feeling kinda gunky and like I needed a bit of an immune system boost.  My eczema kinda freaks when my diet is off so I needed some skin loving alphabet vitamins too.  So this gorgeous and delicious juice was born.  All that vitamin A, C and those antioxidants were just what I needed to rehydrate with! 

 

Orange you Glowing Juice

6 Carrots

6 Strawberries

3 Cuties

 

Juice it all and drink up buttercup! 

Buckwheat and Blueberry Banana Bread... gluten and dairy free

BuckWHEAT... are you sure??? 

There is still some confusion in the gluten free circuit about buckwheat.  My friends, it is both delicious and nutritious... and I only know this because it is indeed gluten free!  Trust my gut, it's safe!

Try it yourself...

 

1/3 C coconut oil- melted

1/2 C honey

2 large ripe bananas

2 eggs

1/4 C almond milk

1 t pure vanilla

1/2 t sea salt

1 t baking soda

1/2 t cinnamon

3/4 C oats- make sure they are certified GF!

1 C buckwheat flour

1 C blueberries

Preheat oven to 325 and grease 3 mini loaf pans with coconut oil.  Mash the bananas in a large bowl.  Beat in eggs and honey.  Add the coconut oil, milk, and vanilla.  Stir well.  If the coconut oil solidifies again just microwave it for a few seconds.  Stir in the flour, oats, salt, baking soda, and cinnamon.  Pour a little batter in the bottom of each pan, enough so the bottom in covered.  Gently fold the blueberries into the remaining batter.  Pour the rest of the batter into your pans.  Bake for 45-50 minutes.  

Dairy is disgusting...don't be a great big cow

 

I oftentimes get asked how I do it... 

Our bodies were not made to drink from the mammary glands of another species.

Does this thought not make you feel completely disgusted?

Well, that's how I do it... think about it this way and you won't miss dairy!

 #dontbeagreatbigcow #coconutmilkformeplease #dairyfree #gutsygirl #nutritionista #colitiswarrior

Quinoa Pizza Crust... gluten and dairy free

Sharing this post again because apparently it's national pizza day... and it's just that good!! 

 

 

I had been looking for a healthier and easier pizza crust that was naturally gluten and dairy free.  This is it, and I found it here!  

Seriously, the hardest part about this is remembering to start soaking the quinoa in the morning.  But if you have your shit together more than I do (which is highly likely) you won't have a problem! LOL!

 Quinoa Pizza Crust

¾ C quinoa- soaked covered by 1 inch of water for 6-8 hours (or overnight)

¼ C water

½ t baking powder

½ t sea salt

2 tablespoons EVOO

Soak the quinoa in water, covering it by at least 1", for 6 - 8 hours.  


Once you're ready to make the crust, preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a 12" pizza pan with parchment paper and drizzle one tablespoon of oil in the center. Spread around with your hands until evenly coated and set aside.  Rinse the quinoa in a strainer, then add to a blender. Add water, baking powder, sea salt, and 1 tablespoon of EVOO.  Blend on high until smooth and creamy, kinda like pancake batter.   Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes. Remove, flip and return to oven baking for another 10 - 15 minutes until browned and edges are crispy.  Top with whatever you want....sauce, cheese (dairy free if you are like me) and any other toppings you'd like.  Bake for 12 - 15 minutes until cheese has melted and started to brown.   Remove, let cool for a few minutes in the pan, and slice.  Garnish however you like!

Ninja Turtle Green Smoothie

 

This tastes like a turtle sundae, but packs some serious nutritional punch... sneaky ninja-style. And it's oh so green, just like those crazy turtles.

I could ramble about avocado love for days... but let's  keep this simple and save that for another post.

I love this smoothie so much because you get the healthy fat and fiber from the avocado, lots of leafy green goodness, all the goods from the almond milk, some plant based protein, some extra antioxidant love from the cocoa, and to top it all off some omegas from the pecans.  And it can all pass for dessert... Perfection! 

Ninja Turtle Green Smoothie

1 1/2 C almond milk

1/2 avocado

1 scoop vanilla rice protein powder- make sure it's gf and df 

1 heaping T cocoa powder- use some good stuff

5 ice cubes

1 big handful of spinach

1 t vanilla

1/4 C pecans

Some chocolate chips if you want to be extra fancy

Blend it all up and enjoy!  This makes a big smoothie. Maybe you'll share, maybe not... I won't judge! 😉

What the F is nutritional yeast and why should I care?

 

You've probably seen lots of my recipes that call for nutritional yeast, and you may have thought to yourself... what the f nutritional yeast?!  That's what I first thought too! 

I know, yeast doesn't typically sound like a good thing...  but this one is nonpathogenic and way beneficial so just bear with me!

Nutritional yeast, or "nooch" is an inactive yeast that has long been called one of the original "superfoods."  Its fancy science name (the kiddos love to hear me say big science words) is saccharomyces cerevisiae, and it really just looks like fish food.  But it tastes really fantastic!  

It's popular in the dairy free circuit because its nutty flavor let's you pretend you are eating cheese...Not kidding! You can sprinkle it on anything and everything.  Use it like Parmesan! I love to use it make "cheese" sauces, to make seasoning blends with it, put it on pasta, popcorn, pizza... so many ways to use nooch! Add flavor AND good for you goodness?! ... yes please! 

Here's why it's oh so amazing...

1. Chock full of lots of B vitamins. Make sure to get a quality brand that is fortified with B12 and is certified gluten free.  It's one of the few sources of B12.
2. B vitamins give you brains AND beauty, who doesn't want those?!
3. A natural energy booster.
4. Fabulous non-animal source of protein with lots of essential amino acids. 
5. Helps keep a happy habitat of gut flora.
6. Gives your immune system a little extra punch.
7. Antiviral and antimicrobial
8. Fabulous for your digestive system.
9. Promotes a healthy pregnancy and lowers the risk of birth defects.
10. It makes everything taste good! 

Here are some ways to use it..

Vegan sour cream and onion popcorn seasoning

Cashew ricotta

Chunky chicken broccoli and bean chowder

Creamy crockpot lasagna soup 

Chicken cordon blue casserole 

My favorite alfredo sauce

#nutritionalyeast #nutritionista #gutsygirl #celiac #celiaclife #colitis #glutenfree #dairyfree #vitamins #protein #apennyformyglutenfreethoughts

Pepperjack Chicken Fajita Soup... gluten and dairy free

This is everything that makes me happy about a Mexican restaurant in one bowl!

Just kidding... there's no mariachi music or tequila, but it really is a fajita in a bowl... even the rice and beans!

Now somebody just needs to make me a margarita! 😉

 

Dairy Free Pepperjack Chicken Fajita Soup

• 3 T EVOO
• 1 lb chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeño- diced 
• 1 C mushrooms- slides 
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 T brown rice flour
• 1 t EACH sea salt, chili powder, ground cumin
• 1/2 t EACH smoked paprika, pepper, dried oregano
• 3/4 cup brown rice, uncooked
• 1 15 oz. can black beans, drain and rinse
• 1 14 oz. can  crushed tomatoes
• 4 14.5 oz. cans  low sodium chicken broth
• 2 T  cornstarch
• 1 cup shredded VeganPepper Jack cheese- Daiya 

Toppings 

• Tortilla chips
• fresh cilantro
• avocado
• Hot sauce
• Lime

• Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large soup pot. Add chicken and onions and sauté for 3 minutes.  Add peppers, garlic, mushrooms, flour and all seasonings.  Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Stir in rice, black beans, crushed tomatoes and 3 cans chicken broth. Mix cornstarch with last can chicken broth and add to soup. Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer on medium/low, stirring occasionally, for abour 15 minutes or until rice is cooked.  Remove from heat and stir in the cheeze until melted.  Garnish and devour!

Find the original recipe here.

Gutsy Yoga... 10 Poses for a happy digestive system

I really do consider yoga to be an integral part of managing my digestive conditions.  Doctors said I would need the meds everyday, thankfully they were so so wrong.  Really I just need the yoga (and my diet) everyday!  My tummy is not happy if I miss my practice, if even for a day... Demanding bitch that she is! 😉 😂

Read this post if you want to know why I think all gutsy girls should yoga!

Here are some awesome, gentle poses to start with...

 

•child's pose- there has been many a time I've managed pain by chilling out with this one! 

•cat stretches- every morning!

• down dog- come on, what is this not good for?

•legs up the wall- the bomb of restorative poses, everyone should be doing this one! 

•revolved triangle

•twisting lunge

•seated twist- as you can tell, twisting is good! 

•knees to chest 

•bridge

• savasana- who doesn't want to just zen out and breath?

Celery and Ginger Juice

Celery juice is most amazing! 

• kicks autoimmune condition ass

• calms skin conditions

• purifies the blood

• helps digestion... Yay!

• reduces the effects of stress hormones... thank you! 

• lowers blood pressure... papa you have some celery juice coming at ya just FYI... 😉

I don't need to ramble anymore about it...

Just read this post from Dr. Anthony William, aka the Medical Medium.   He has more cred than I do, and his books are super informative and interesting.  I soak up everything he has to say.  Food is medicine (or poison) guys! For real... Living, breathing proof right here!

Please just read the books and drink the juice! 😉

I added some extras to his original recipe just because I wanted more greens, flavor, and I always, always want ginger! 

 

Celery and Ginger Juice 

1 bunch celery

1 cucumber

1 bag spinach

2 inches fresh ginger

1 lemon- peeled

Juice it all and enjoy! If it's too celeryish for you add an extra cucumber and maybe an apple to tone it down a bit.  

This makes more than you necessarily need at one time.  I wish I had time to make fresh juice every morning but I just don't...so I make enough for a few days.  I know, I know, it loses nutritents as it sits, but whatever... I'm making an effort and I feel good so who the f cares.  Day-old juice is better than no juice in my opinion! Just drink your veggies my friends!

Lemongrass... how to use and why to love

I’m so in love with lemongrass!!

 

In my garden, in my tea, in my food, in my beauty products, in my cleaning products, in my diffuser...

 

Good thing it’s so good for ya!

 

Here are the short and sweet perks of using lemongrass in your life.  I don’t like to bore you with all the fancy sciency lingo! 😉

 

Benefits of Lemongrass:

 

1.        Gets rid of bad germs… I add it to a little vinegar and filtered water and use it to clean EVERYTHING and simply to spray into the air to freshen up my home.

2.       Gets rid of bad vibes too… spraying it around my home gets rid of the funk too!

3.       Alphabet vitamins A, lots of Bs, and C too.

4.       A happy and calm digestive system, including better absorption (hello my gutsy girls!)

5.       A Zen nervous system…lemongrass in my diffuser can always bring back my zen.

6.       Awesome for the lymphatic system, helps filter out any congestion.

7.       Anti-inflammatory… who doesn’t love that?

8.       Insect repellent… wear the essential oil on some diffuser beads or just plant some near your outdoor spaces.

9.       Ahhhhmazing for your skin… try some in a steam facial.

10.   It tastes fantastic…Enough said!  Not sure where to start, simply make some tea, or try this recipe!

Garlic Herb Flatbread... Gluten Free & Vegan

When I was a child I literally lived on garlic bread.  Seriously, my body was composed of just garlic bread and dreams.

When I was diagnosed with celiac disease the dreams kinda became nightmares and the only thing left of the garlic bread was the tears I was trying to keep from filling my eyes.  

That little pity party lasted all of one afternoon while the emotions and fuzziness wore off from the drugs that knocked me out for my endoscopy!! 

I took some deep breaths, cleared both my head and my eyes and got my shit together.  That was when I decided not one damn thing was going to hold me back from living and living well with celiac disease, especially not garlic bread!  

Whenever I have a day where it gets me (because I'm not going to lie... I occasionally do) I make myself some garlic bread, take some deep breaths and handle it!

This recipe from Sara Bakes Gluten Free is an easy and delicious option that you can use in lots of ways.  I love her flour blend, but I switched this up and used fresh herbs instead of dried ! I did use her picture because mine wasn't so pretty! 😉😂. Thanks Sara! If you are new to the gluten free world she is an incredible resource, just FYI! 

 

Garlic and Herb Flatbread

Bread:

2 C GF flour blend- Sara's blend 

2 t baking powder

1/2 t sea salt

1 1/2 C sparkling water

2 T EVOO

1 T pure maple syrup or honey 

Topping:

2 T EVOO

3 garlic cloves- minced

1 t fresh regano

1 t fresh basil

1 t fresh rosemary 

1/4 t sea salt

1/4 t crushed red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 450. Line a 12 x 9 baking sheet with parchment paper.  Dice your herbs up really fine.  Whisk together the topping ingredients and set aside.  Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add 2 T EVOO, sparkling water, and the syrup/honey.  Mix until just blends.  Pour into your pan and smooth out with a spatula.  Drizzle the topping on and spread it all over with a pastry brush.  Poke holes every inch or so.  Bake for about 20 minutes, turning the pan halfway.

Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup... Gluten & Dairy Free

 

A healthy, nutrient packed way to get your thai fix on a cold rainy day!

Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Soup

 

3 T red curry paste

2 12 ounce cans of lite coconut milk

4 C chicken broth

2 T fish sauce

2 T brown sugar

2 T peanut butter

1½ pounds chicken breasts, cut into pieces

1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into ¼ inch slices

1 jalapeno- seeded and diced

1 onion, thinly sliced

1 C carrot slices

1 heaping T fresh ginger, minced

4 garlic cloves- minced 

4 inch stalk of lemongrass- just throw it in the pot

1 C mushrooms- sliced

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

1 tablespoon lime juice

cilantro for garnish

 

Mix the curry paste, coconut milk, chicken stock, fish sauce, brown sugar and peanut butter in a slow-cooker bowl. Place the chicken breast, red bell pepper, jalapeno, onion, ginger, garlic, and lemongrass in the slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 6 hours.  Add in the peas and mushrooms and cook for ½ hour longer. Remove the lemongrass, stir in the lime juice and serve with cilantro.

 

Sneaky black bean brownies... gluten free and vegan

In my preschool nutrition class we are learning about protein this week...

So naturally I snuck some into the kiddos' brownies!

What? I ate beans?! 

They had no clue... and neither will you!

 

Black Bean Brownies

1 15oz can organic black beans- drain and rinse

2 flax eggs- 2 T flax seed meal + 6 T water)

3 T coconut oil- melted

3/4 C cocoa powder

1/4 t sea salt

1 t pure vanilla

1/2 C coconut sugar

1 1/2 t baking powder

1/4 C chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Line a 9x 9 baking dish with parchment paper.  Prep your flax egg by pulsing the water and flax in a blender/food processor.  Let sit while to get everything else ready.  Add everything except the chocolate chips to the blender/food processor.  Blend until nice and smooth, scraping the sides as you go (add 1-2 T of water of you feel like it's too thick).  Stir in the chocolate chips.  Pour into your pan and spread out until smooth on top.  Bake for about 35 minutes.  It's hard, but you have to let these cool a good half hour before eating because they are meant to be fudgy and gooey! 

You can also do these in a muffin pan (about 25 minutes) or a mini muffin pan (about 18-20 minutes).  Adjust your baking times... basically bake until set on top and pulling away from the sides a bit.

Enjoy your protein my friends!! 

Find the original recipe here. 

Drink your dandelions... 10 health benefits of dandelion tea!

 

Some see a weed, some see a flower...

I see tea!!

I love to gush on holistic ways to manage your health... and this is an often overlooked good one!

Why maybe you should be drinking dandelions..

1. Gently stimulates the digestive system, releases digestive enzymes and aids in nutrient absorption (show me a celiac who doesn't want more of that in his/her life)!
2. Calms an upset tummy.
3. Stimulates the liver to detox out the gunk.
4. Lots of the alphabet vitamins A and K.
5. A fabulous source of calcium, manganese, and potassium.
6. Helps to regulate blood sugar.
7. Calms and clears skin conditions (the dandelions say... hey eczema, f you!)
8. Helps the immune system kick ass by making sure all the good bacteria are happy and thriving and the bad ones aren't.
9. Decrease inflammation.
10. Helps with joint pain.

Mary Poppins says a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down... but I disagree! I add lemon to my dandelion tea just because I'm sour like that, not to mention it adds even more detox and vitamin c power! Stay tuned for a post about why I drink lemon water EVERY morning...