Friday, November 26, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving! Turkey Stuffing!

This recipe is actually my Mother's. She made delicious Thanksgiving stuffing for me!

What you will need:
1 lb ground turkey browned
1 large onion, chopped
1 bunch celery, diced
1 egg (or egg replacer powder/egg substitute)
Orgran yeast free, gluten free, sugar free, casein free, soy free bread mix*

Mix together in a bowl and stuff turkey then cook. Enjoy!

*Bake bread then slice and toast in the oven. After toasted slice into 1/4 inch cubes.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Energy bars and smoothies

So I decided to try my hand at making energy bars.

What you will need:
2 cups of raw oats (Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats)
2 cups Almond Breeze milk (Vanilla)
1/3 cup Agave nectar (honey would work just as well)
1 tsp salt
3 ripe or overripe bananas
1/3 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)
2 tsp chia seeds
1 tsp cayenne pepper *totally optional

Blend ingredients together until smooth and then spread on a cookie sheet (with cooking spray). Bake for about 20-25 minutes at 375 degrees. Again, I really just use the toothpick test to check if it is done. Also, my oven is old and might be different from yours so keep checking them!

When done, leave 15 minutes to cool then cut them into bars and wrap in wax paper. Place in refrigerator for a few hours then enjoy!

As for the smoothies I used the same ingredients but you will probably have to add more almond milk and ice to the mix.



Energy and persistance alter all things -Benjamin Franklin

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Stromboli Pie

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

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

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).

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

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 :)