Ok so I tried to make stromboli. My only problem is that instead of trying to make the correct shape on a pan I ended up making a pie because I wasn't thinking that If I put my stromboli in a pie pan, it would probably not turn out to be shaped like a stromboli. Nevertheless it was delicious.
I follow the instructions for Orgran Pizza Mix and once it is all mixed together I dust the bottom of a pie pan with brown rice flour then spread half of the dough in the bottom of the pan. Preheat the oven 400 degrees. Then add on top of the first layer of dough:
5 cloves (big) of chopped garlic
dill (1 tsp)
basil, (1 tbsp)
thai basil (1 tbsp)
salt/pepper to taste
Muir Glen Organic Pasta Sauce (1/2 cup or enough to layer the dough)
1/2 cup chopped fresh kale
1 cup chopped zuchinni
Then add second layer of pizza dough on top. Bake at 400 degress for 30-45 minutes or until top is golden (or I always just use the toothpick test!) Enjoy. This turned out really good and it lasted only a few days after making it!
"We are indeed much more than we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are." Adelle Davis
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Born to Run
Through these past 3 years of dealing with my yeast problem I have learned that the best thing I can do to help myself is eat healthy, chew my food slowly, and stay active. I find myself becoming a health nut more and more each day most likely because of what I know about food now, and being more in tune to how my body functions.
Speaking of health and fitness I am reading the book "Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall. The book is about ultrarunners, who are runners that run 100 mile races for fun. The book also delves deep into the culture of the Tarahumara, a tribe living hidden in the Copper Canyons. The Tarahumara call themselves "the running people." They eat chia seeds (pinole) to give them energy and run hundreds of miles in sandals. The author also writes about a U.S. ultrarunner that refers to fatigue as "the beast." She says that during long runs she talks the beast away because she knows it is just out to break her down. Even though it may not be in all of us to run 100 mile races on a regular basis, I think we all would be surprised at what we could do if we talked the beast down.
I find myself left wondering why so many of us today don't take care of our bodies. We suffer from physical ailments, stress and anxiety but do not want to eat healthy and exercise. In this day and age, it has been made clear that human beings are meant to be active. What is keeping us from doing it? Tired? Not enought time? Working long hours? It's too hot out? It's too cold out? It's raining? Can't find an activity we enjoy? Sometimes it feels like we have more reasons to not work out.
I find that activities that involve other people, like a team or partners is great because they can be a great motivator. I play on an ultimate frisbee team and I've noticed that when other players become motivated it increases my own motivation even though I am a beginner. It is also nice to have someone cheering you on and being outdoors once in a while couldn't hurt. It's like the Boss always said, "baby we were born to run."
Christine
Speaking of health and fitness I am reading the book "Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall. The book is about ultrarunners, who are runners that run 100 mile races for fun. The book also delves deep into the culture of the Tarahumara, a tribe living hidden in the Copper Canyons. The Tarahumara call themselves "the running people." They eat chia seeds (pinole) to give them energy and run hundreds of miles in sandals. The author also writes about a U.S. ultrarunner that refers to fatigue as "the beast." She says that during long runs she talks the beast away because she knows it is just out to break her down. Even though it may not be in all of us to run 100 mile races on a regular basis, I think we all would be surprised at what we could do if we talked the beast down.
I find myself left wondering why so many of us today don't take care of our bodies. We suffer from physical ailments, stress and anxiety but do not want to eat healthy and exercise. In this day and age, it has been made clear that human beings are meant to be active. What is keeping us from doing it? Tired? Not enought time? Working long hours? It's too hot out? It's too cold out? It's raining? Can't find an activity we enjoy? Sometimes it feels like we have more reasons to not work out.
I find that activities that involve other people, like a team or partners is great because they can be a great motivator. I play on an ultimate frisbee team and I've noticed that when other players become motivated it increases my own motivation even though I am a beginner. It is also nice to have someone cheering you on and being outdoors once in a while couldn't hurt. It's like the Boss always said, "baby we were born to run."
Christine
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Avocados
Avocados are probably my new favorite food. I have been putting them in everything. My new favorite quick meal is:
Brown Rice Pasta with Avocado.
Boil Brown Rice Pasta about 8-12 minutes or until tender and drain. Place in bowl and add 1/3 of a cut up avocado. Add about 1 tbsp Olive Oil, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 2 tsp dill, and 2 tsp coriander. Add salt and pepper to taste if desired (I don't always use them). Delicious.
I have also recently tried the same recipe but with brown rice and adding scrambled egg whites to the mix. Also delicious.
A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools. (Spanish proverb).
Brown Rice Pasta with Avocado.
Boil Brown Rice Pasta about 8-12 minutes or until tender and drain. Place in bowl and add 1/3 of a cut up avocado. Add about 1 tbsp Olive Oil, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 2 tsp dill, and 2 tsp coriander. Add salt and pepper to taste if desired (I don't always use them). Delicious.
I have also recently tried the same recipe but with brown rice and adding scrambled egg whites to the mix. Also delicious.
A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools. (Spanish proverb).
Friday, June 25, 2010
Dandelion Tea
Dandelion Tea has become one of my best friends. It acts as an herbal detox and helps with water retention. I drink it maybe once or twice a week. I also make sure I'm drinking water all throughout the day everyday. It has been something I've gotten in the habit of doing to stay hydrated and keep my body functioning properly as well as to give my skin a healthy glow.
I just read an article that drinking tea (black, green, herbal) throughout the day might be even more beneficial than water b/c of antioxidants and other health benefits. It is the summer so if you are looking for a cold glass of iced tea then brew a pitcher of your favorite black, green or herbal tea using about 5 tea bags and let it sit in the refridgerator for a few hours. Add mint leaves for a refreshing taste!
"There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way." Thich Nhat Hanh
I just read an article that drinking tea (black, green, herbal) throughout the day might be even more beneficial than water b/c of antioxidants and other health benefits. It is the summer so if you are looking for a cold glass of iced tea then brew a pitcher of your favorite black, green or herbal tea using about 5 tea bags and let it sit in the refridgerator for a few hours. Add mint leaves for a refreshing taste!
"There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way." Thich Nhat Hanh
Friday, June 11, 2010
Pizza!
Not the usual pizza, but it works and is very healthy.
What you need: Orgran pizza/pastry mix. Organic sugar-free tomato sauce (or chopped up tomatos) whatever toppings you choose! I tend to choose from: zucchini, squash, asparagus, red, green, and yellow bell peppers and spinach as staples but you could add chicken (pre-cooked of course) fish or anchovies. Bilinksi's organic chicken sausage is very tasty for a topping!
Follow the instructions on the Orgran pizza mix box. You will need to add olive oil and sometimes I like to add rice milk as well. Once the mix is ready and spread out on a baking sheet add toppings. Bake for about 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees.
*As for an update from me, I have been feeling great these past few weeks. I continue to go to the rock climbing gym about 1-2 X per week and I play on an Ultimate frisbee team about 1-2 X per week. Aside from that I like to do pilates, yoga, african dance class, jogging or bike riding and I'm still looking for new fun activities to engage in. Climbing and frisbee have been my constants and they are two activities that I really enjoy so throughout the week I can vary up the off days and try new things. I was never a fan of just running but now that I don't depend on it as my primary means of exercise I am able to do it more often. I guess it's a mind game with me. The biggest thing that has helped me to become active again was finding sports that are fun for me and not a chore.
I went to see my allergy doctor this week for a check-up. When I walked in the door she said I looked great, which is very encouraging. I talked with her and she said that I may be able to heal and eat yeast again but it is very difficult for adults once they develop an intolerance. So I am accepting that there is a possibility I may have to deal with this for the rest of my life, but if that means I must continue to eat very healthy, go climbing and play ultimate frisbee every week, I think I'm OK with it :)
What you need: Orgran pizza/pastry mix. Organic sugar-free tomato sauce (or chopped up tomatos) whatever toppings you choose! I tend to choose from: zucchini, squash, asparagus, red, green, and yellow bell peppers and spinach as staples but you could add chicken (pre-cooked of course) fish or anchovies. Bilinksi's organic chicken sausage is very tasty for a topping!
Follow the instructions on the Orgran pizza mix box. You will need to add olive oil and sometimes I like to add rice milk as well. Once the mix is ready and spread out on a baking sheet add toppings. Bake for about 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees.
*As for an update from me, I have been feeling great these past few weeks. I continue to go to the rock climbing gym about 1-2 X per week and I play on an Ultimate frisbee team about 1-2 X per week. Aside from that I like to do pilates, yoga, african dance class, jogging or bike riding and I'm still looking for new fun activities to engage in. Climbing and frisbee have been my constants and they are two activities that I really enjoy so throughout the week I can vary up the off days and try new things. I was never a fan of just running but now that I don't depend on it as my primary means of exercise I am able to do it more often. I guess it's a mind game with me. The biggest thing that has helped me to become active again was finding sports that are fun for me and not a chore.
I went to see my allergy doctor this week for a check-up. When I walked in the door she said I looked great, which is very encouraging. I talked with her and she said that I may be able to heal and eat yeast again but it is very difficult for adults once they develop an intolerance. So I am accepting that there is a possibility I may have to deal with this for the rest of my life, but if that means I must continue to eat very healthy, go climbing and play ultimate frisbee every week, I think I'm OK with it :)
Monday, May 10, 2010
Mindfulness and Meditation...And Minus the Salt
I am trying out a very low sodium diet. I had been adding salt to most of my meals to enhance the flavor but I think that could be contributing to some of the problems, so I am backing out on my salt intake as much as I can to see if it helps. I have read that the estimated sodium level that we need per day is about 500mg a day (about 1/4 tsp salt or 1/2 cup soup broth) and the average American consumes on average between 2172-4126mg a day. Sodium is necessary for your body to function but too much of it can cause problems. My plan is to use about 1/4 tsp salt a day and keep it to that if I can (realistically some days might be higher than others.) Sodium can be found in many many processed foods. Fortunately, I don't eat too many of those kinds of foods but I still need to be careful.
I have been increasing the amounts of herbs and spices when I cook. My basil, thai basil, chives, and collard greens are still doing well and all I have to do is pick some leaves off when I am cooking and add them into my meal.
On another note, youtube has become one of my best friends recently. I search for "relaxation music" and I've been loving some of the results. I listen to it at work sometimes to relieve stress and calm myself. There is also a Deepak Chopra Guided Meditation that is very helpful.
"in the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you." Deepak Chopra
I have been increasing the amounts of herbs and spices when I cook. My basil, thai basil, chives, and collard greens are still doing well and all I have to do is pick some leaves off when I am cooking and add them into my meal.
On another note, youtube has become one of my best friends recently. I search for "relaxation music" and I've been loving some of the results. I listen to it at work sometimes to relieve stress and calm myself. There is also a Deepak Chopra Guided Meditation that is very helpful.
"in the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you." Deepak Chopra
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Getting My Hands in the Earth
I try to eat organic food when I can not only for environmental purposes but I also don't like the idea of having pesticides and other chemicals in my stomach. I think that would just contribute to the problems. I live in an apt so I don't have outdoor garden space but I decided to try to grow some potted plants indoors anyway. Right now I am growing basil, thai basil, chives, and collard greens (plus some non edible plants :) ) I am planning on getting some mint and kale. For myself it is a good idea to try to grow herbs and greens because I use them a lot. I hear fennel is good for settling the stomach so I might try that, too.
I've recently found that being around nature and growing my own plants, herbs, and veggies has been very therapeutic for me as well. My allergy doctor, when I first started seeing her, said, "Food is your medicine." I think the whole process of growing, preparing, and eating my food as well as taking care of the environment is my medicine. Making art when I can also helps relieve the stress.
Note: for the chia seeds and sunflower/flax bread. I had been adding chia seeds to my meals and tried to make my own sunflower/pumpkin seed/flax seed "bread" with agave nectar and olive oil. I did experience stomach pain and bloating, so I think the proper procedure is to start out with small amounts of chia seeds or flax seeds and work your way up.
Food: right now I am enjoying leftovers of a meal I made. I made brown rice pasta, and I sauteed sweet potatoes, green peppers, asparagus, and chopped onions (added turmeric, dill, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic.) It's pretty tasty.
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds delight to play with your hair. Kahlil Gibran
I've recently found that being around nature and growing my own plants, herbs, and veggies has been very therapeutic for me as well. My allergy doctor, when I first started seeing her, said, "Food is your medicine." I think the whole process of growing, preparing, and eating my food as well as taking care of the environment is my medicine. Making art when I can also helps relieve the stress.
Note: for the chia seeds and sunflower/flax bread. I had been adding chia seeds to my meals and tried to make my own sunflower/pumpkin seed/flax seed "bread" with agave nectar and olive oil. I did experience stomach pain and bloating, so I think the proper procedure is to start out with small amounts of chia seeds or flax seeds and work your way up.
Food: right now I am enjoying leftovers of a meal I made. I made brown rice pasta, and I sauteed sweet potatoes, green peppers, asparagus, and chopped onions (added turmeric, dill, salt, cayenne pepper, and garlic.) It's pretty tasty.
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds delight to play with your hair. Kahlil Gibran
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