75 Ways Going Vegetarian Has Made My Life Better

This is a great website!  Lots of resources.  I can pretty much concur with his 75 ways…only I don’t eat cheese and am not a runner and certainly don’t have a pregnant wife.  🙂

75 Ways Going Vegetarian Has Made My Life Better.

Celebratory Pancakes!

Today is our 13th wedding anniversary. The kids (well, Daniella and a little help from Reid 😉 ) made us cards and decorated our house while we were still in bed.  Dani has a cold, so we are choosing to stay together and not split up and half go to church and half stay here.  It has turned into a wonderful morning.

Luck and I collaborated on some pancakes today. They are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, and DELICIOUS!  They are celebratory, which means they have dark chocolate in them, of course!

We used almond flour because I love it.  It is healthy, yummy, and tastes great!  We adapted the recipe from Elena’s Pantry: http://www.elanaspantry.com/gluten-free-pancakes-revisited/

Only we made them vegan and celebratory.  🙂

• 2 T Ener-G egg replacer
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup raw agave
• 2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups almond flour
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Earth Balance for sauteing

1. In a Blendtec, Vitamix, or blender combine egg replacer and warm water and blend until mixed.
2. Add agave and vanilla and blend on high until smooth.
3. Add almond flour, salt and baking soda and blend again to incorporate dry ingredients into batter.
4. Add 1/2 – 1 cups mini dark chocolate chips (check to make sure they are vegan, if you care).
5. Let batter sit for 15-20 minutes to let the bakind soda do it’s thing.
6. Warm Earth Balance in a large skillet over medium heat.
7. Ladle pancake batter onto skillet.
8. Pancakes will form little bubbles, when bubbles open, flip pancakes over and cook other side.
9. Remove from heat to a plate.
10. Repeat process with remaining batter, adding more Earth Balance to skillet as needed.

**These are very, very delicate pancakes.  Flip with lots of care!  They came out crispy on the outside and slightly gooey in the middle.  To be honest, they were PERFECT!**

The kids rated them the highest they rate things.

They were a splurge because of how much agave was in them.  And I am ambivalent on how I feel about agave, anyway.  I have read conflicting things about the stuff.  But it is a celebration, so we went big. They tasted like a giant chocolate chip cookie!  YUM!

Let me know if you try them and love them as much as we do!

Gluten free? Help is here!

I know several of you have kids or you yourself has had to go gluten free recently.  Let me assure you, it is NOT hard!  You will be overwhelmed at first, but then will be a pro in no time!

Here are a few basic things to get you started:

• Chex Cereals are your friend!  They are certified gluten free.  Well, all except Wheat Chex, but that is a bit obvious.  Check out your cereal aisle.  You may be surprised how many choices you have.  But go with ones that are labeled “Gluten Free.”
• Udi’s bread is the best, if you are going to buy store bought bread
• Pamela’s Bread Mix is my favorite of the bread mixes.  We use it in a bread machine and make loaves as often as needed. It only takes a few minutes to throw in the machine.  Daniella often makes it with very little assistance. Fair warning: it doesn’t rise much. It makes a very dense loaf of bread. So dense, I actually end up making a half sandwich for the kids.  I make it with an egg replacer so that it is vegan, as well.  It makes a mean base for Monkey Bread, which was perfect on Christmas morning!
• Glutino pretzels are better than regular wheat pretzels!  We love the sticks because Reid thinks they are little light sabers.  They are extra yummy with white chocolate or dark chocolate drizzled on top.  I make those if we are going on a road trip or need a special snack to take somewhere.
• Gluten free brownie mixes are SO good!  The Betty Crocker ones are great.  I like to doctor them a bit with chocolate chips and sometimes cinnamon.  I also like their cake mixes.  Take a look at the ingredients list!  It is awesome!  If I didn’t need to feed my family gluten free, I would still make these because I can pronounce everything on the list and it isn’t very long.  Now traditionally, I HATE boxed brownies.  But these don’t taste like chemicals….they taste goooood!  I also never used boxed cake mixes before going gf.  But lets be realistic.  Being gluten free is hard enough.  Making a good gluten free cake is NOT easy.  And I am a BAKER.  I use boxes for the kids’ birthdays, etc..
• Speaking of birthday parties….make a batch of gluten free cupcakes and cookies.  Keep them in your freezer. When your kid is invited to a party, grab one and go.  This way they won’t feel weird not getting to eat cake.  If you forget, the icing off of cake is usually gluten free. So in a pinch, scrape some off the top of a piece.  On the same note, pizza toppings can be removed and rolled up to make a cheesy “roll” for your kid.  **NOTE: WE ARE NOT CELIACS.  I WOULD NOT DO THIS IF YOUR CHILD HAS CELIAC’S DISEASE BECAUSE OF CROSS-CONTAMINATION.**
• Taste a bunch of different pastas.  I think the ones with corn probably taste most like the pasta you are accustomed to.  But I am allergic to corn.  So we do brown rice pasta.  I like Tinkyada brand.  Nobody knows the difference.  Until the next day.  Here is a warning: don’t serve leftover gluten free pasta!  Nahhhsty!
• NutThins are great, most potato chips are okay, Beanitos are good, and some corn chips, as well.  Same thing with crunchy taco shells and soft corn tortillas.
• READ ALL LABELS.  Here is a link to common ways that gluten is found in ingredients:

http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsafe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Unsafe-Ingredients/Page1.html

• Find Chebe products and buy them.  Especially their frozen pizza crusts.  They are not “gluten free good,” they are just GOOD!  You will find them frozen and in the baking section.
• When baking muffins, quick breads, and cookies, try using certified gluten free oat flour.  I think the taste is soft and doesn’t get in the way of what you are trying to make.  Make your chocolate chip cookie recipe you have always made with just this substitution.  Your kids will kiss you.
• Gluten free frozen waffles and French toast sticks are a nice treat.
• Lara Bars are a staple around here for an on-the-run breakfast.
• Learn to snack on nuts and fruits.  Teach your kids they don’t need crackers.  It takes a while, but they eventually forget about them.
• Check out places like Jason’s Deli, PF Changs, Olive Garden, BJ’s, Maggianos, Pei Wei, and many, many more that now have gluten free menus.  Call ahead, look at menus online, pack your own food, do whatever it takes.

Don’t fret!  You WILL get the hang of this very quickly.  It is scary at first, but you can do it!  Feel free to post any questions you may have.  Just trust me that this is a great day and age to need to eat this way.  There are options everywhere.  The good news is that you will sort of forcefully be eating healthier because all of those boxed, store bought, and even homemade treats are now forbidden.  Think of it as a blessing in disguise.  (does anyone REALLY like boxed or store bought baked goods???)

I truly believe that the way to happily accept what you can’t eat is to be thankful for what you CAN.

Shake Tutorial

Okay, earlier this week I posted a recipe for a breakfast shake that gives you lots of good stuff to start your day.

Here are some tips to make learning to drink shakes a little easier!

• Start with strong fruits like berries.
• Use more fruit than veggies at first and slowly change the ratio.
• If you are needing to wean on to the flavors, you can add chocolate almond milk.  A fun version is chocolate almond milk with frozen cherries.  Chocolate almond milk is sugary…so only do it to transition :).  Or making a special treat for the kiddos.
• Add cocoa powder or cinnamon. You can also add a splash of vanilla or almond extract.  This is a big help at first!
• Add a banana, if you like them.  You pretty much don’t taste anything else when you add a banana!
• DRINK FROM A STRAW!  I learned this early on.  I can throw down a shake MUCH easier this way.
• Serve it super cold.  Use lots of frozen stuff and drink right away.  The longer it sits, the more of the greens you will taste.
• I saved this one for last because it is not for everyone. If you can make the investment in a Blendtec (what I have) or a Vitamix, DO IT!!!!  It pulverizes the heck out of all of those veggies. If you don’t have one, I would often make my shake in my food processor before I got one. It is not a must, but a PLUS!

Think of learning to like shakes in the same way you learn to like exercise.  After your first weight lifting session or run, you most likely said, “Whew!  That was hard!”  But you kept at it because you knew it would get easier and you would eventually enjoy it.  Maybe you would JUST enjoy the benefits?  Or maybe the process?  Everyone is different.  Either way, you did it with something larger in mind.

And THAT, my friends, is how to approach drinking these shakes!

Cheers to healthy shakes!

6 Weeks to a New You!

This year, MAKE AND KEEP YOUR RESOLUTIONS!

Can you spare 2 hours a week for 6 weeks?

Would you like to work out during those two hours while being educated on BOTH nutrition and fitness?

Interested in having some accountability in what you eat and how much you exercise?

Have a goal you actually want to attain?

Then SAVE THE DATE!  Every Tues and Thurs between 12 – 1pm.  Starting Jan 24 and ending March1.

You don’t need a membership anywhere.  Childcare is available.  This is for both men and women.

Please spread the word!  Leave me a comment if you want more info!  

Trying to eat healthier?

Trying to eat healthy this New Year?  Want a few quick tips?

1)      Next time you eat a baked potato, smash an avocado half inside of it in place of butter and cheese.  Add a small amount of Earth Balance if needed.  Otherwise, season and enjoy.  You can play with it by adding salsas or jalapenos.  They are creamy and delicious!  (all credit here goes to my sweet husband…it was his fabulous idea!)

2)      Grab a Romaine lettuce leaf instead of a tortilla for your next taco or wrap.  You will enjoy the crunch of the lettuce and will get the added nutrients without the added calories!

3)      Let your plate and palate travel the world!  So many other countries eat plant based for the majority of their diet.  Research and experiment with Indian foods, Thai foods, and so many more!  The rice and bean combo is endless.  You can do Mexican, Cuban, New Orleans, and so many more!  Just keep varying up the bean and the spices!

4)      Start your morning off right with a smoothie!  Think about it…how else can you get 2-3 svgs of veggies PLUS another serving or two of fruit for breakfast? (see my post below for a recipe)

5)      Eat a salad every day.  Add shredded cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, red/yellow/orange/green bell peppers, avocados, pistachios, etc…  And I don’t mean a small salad, FILL A HUGE BOWL!  And keep eating until you are full!  Try dressing your salad with hummus.  No oil, more nutrients!

You can do this!

21-Day Kickstart to Veganism!

Check this out!  Even if you have no interest in being a vegan, give this a shot.  You won’t ever regret eating more fruits and veggies!

PCRM 21-Day Vegan Kickstart Program: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine 21-Day Vegan Kickstart.

Welcome!

Welcome to  my new home!  I can’t wait to start posting more recipes and health tips, as well as continue journaling my fight for total health.

Thanks for visiting!

Great Start Shake

Take a challenge: make a green shake every day for a week!

In your blender, put:

1-2 cups almond milk

1 entire carrot (Or not…I quit adding this.  It was a texture thing, I think!)

1-2 Tbsp milled flax seeds

1/2 -3/4 cups FROZEN kale or collard greens

1/2 – 1 cup frozen fruit (mixed berries are good, but I do all of frozen fruits)

(start with less of the greens and more of the fruits then wean yourself onto more veg)

Your insides will love you.  I have posted this before, but wanted to again as the new year is here.

I am very frustrated with my blog. I want a blog where I can catalog my recipes.  Hang in there with me as I try and change things up.  In the meantime, make this!!!!!

The "right" decision!

I went to the doc this week for a follow up.  All in all, I am improving very SLOWLY.  He was very pleased that nothing new had popped up.  He said that my white blood cell count is still below normal, which is a typical disease marker.  Also, I still have a positive ANA.  Again, just another marker that yes, I have a disease.

BUT…and here is the awesome news…nothing else in my bloodwork has taken a hit since going med free!  No organ involvement!  HUGE thing!  If the diet was not controlling the health of my organs, I would have had to consider some meds.

He looked at me square in the eyes and said, “Do you hear what I am telling you?  Brittany, you made the right decision!  You did it!  Keep going.  As much as I enjoy seeing you, I don’t need to see you back here for 6 months!”

He REALLY emphasized that I need to find rest in life.  He wants me to keep at the exercise because he feels it will help me with peace. But he paused and just looked at me and told me that stress of any sort will set me back.

Our family is already home a lot.  It is by far our favorite place to be.  Because of our diets, we don’t eat out all that much.  I am not in any mom groups or Bible studies.  Since we homeschool 3 days, you can often find us in pjs more days out the week than not.    Because of the way we school, we do not have homework.  So while our evening are full because of me teaching or the kids having activities, all in all, we are not rushing around.

We like it this way. I believe this has contributed to my healing, as well.

Sleep.  Lots of it.

Good food.  Lots of it.

Exercise.  Lots of it.

And avoiding stress.  It can’t always be helped.  But for that reason, we often say no to extra things.  We stay home from things a lot more often than we ever did. Please don’t be offended if we say no.  🙂

I felt led by God to do this.  I do not take any credit.  He has put the people in my life (Dr. Wickersham, Elisa Rodriguez, my FAMILY and friends) who have supported me and fed me and carried me through.  We have not arrived at health, yet.  But it is coming.

God is REAL.  And oh how He loves us!