There is great news out there for all of you Gluten-Free folks.  Someone has finally created a bread that actually holds up in a sandwich and tastes delicious on toast.  Yes, it’s rather high in carbs, but that’s what you get when you decide to eat bread, right?  Udi’s not only makes great breads, but they have bagels and muffins as well.  I am not getting any compensation from Udi’s for sharing this. 

To downoad a $1 off coupon for Udi’s Bread, visit Udi’s Website.  Then go buy some bread for your gluten-free Thanksgiving guests. They will humbly weep and thank you profusely. I promise.  No pressure, Nanna.

Need an Energy Boost?

March 18, 2010
Need an Energy Boost?

IMG_3294

As parents one thing we all face, is keeping our energy levels up, as we keep up with our children.  This month Whole Foods Market’s current podcast series suggests tips and action steps to support our energy levels naturally and safely.   Read the rest of this entry »

Marinated Eggplant Chips

December 1, 2009
Marinated Eggplant Chips

IMG_3093

I’m not sure what it is about the crispy, crunchy taste of something slightly salty and flavorful, but it’s something I still have a weakness for. Since going grain-free, our “cracker and chip” options are few, but whenever possible I love to transform an otherwise bland vegetable into something delicious and enticing for my kids!

Read the rest of this entry »

Today Only Special on Beyond-Organic Mandarins!

IMG_3148A few days ago I received this box of mandarin oranges from the generous folks at Chaffin Family Orchards.  Besides being amazingly pure and beyond organically grown, they are the most delicious mandarins I’ve ever tasted! We have been enjoying these simple treats as a healthy dessert, topped on a delicious salad, and cooked into some lovely dishes.  I am working on perfecting a crock-pot Mandarin Shrimp recipe (I’ll post it early next week after my “test crew” weighs in).  I am also saving all of the wonderful pesticide-free peels so that I can make candied orange peel and to dehydrate for use in baking as orange zest!  I am also going to use some of them to make lacto-fermented marmalade; a super-delicious source of probiotics and vitamin C. 

These oranges are seriously the best I’ve EVER tasted.  We had some store-bought ones served at our Thanksgiving dinner (we weren’t home) and they came no where near.  You can tell by the deep orange color of the flesh and the juice that these are something special. 

I remember hearing about people growing up in the Great Depression who were so delighted just to receive an orange at Christmastime.  These oranges from Chaffin would truly be gift-worthy!  I’m usually not that big of an orange fan because most oranges available commercially are obviously not locally grown and besides they taste–I find— is nothing to write home (or blog!) about.  But these…..my, oh my! 

Chaffin is a diversified Family Farm with beyond organic practices located in Northern California (which still sorta qualifies as “local” for this Oregonian).

The great news is that Chaffin is running a special for two days!!!  Free shipping and their normally $39.99 box (for 15 lbs) is selling for $33.99!!!

Chaffin is also an excellent source of high quality, organic, locally made, extra virgin olive oil!  Please go HERE to order Chaffin’s mandarins! Order today for a fantastic deal on a delightful, organic, and healthy treat that makes a fantastic gift!

And stay tuned for my recipe on crock-pot Mandarin Shrimp that is coming down the pike in a few days!!!!

Grain-Free Granola

July 1, 2009
Grain-Free Granola

almond cerealSince going grain-free, one of the things I miss the most is the ease of serving cold cereal for breakfast.  Finally I have perfected this simple, filling, and mostly-frugal cold cereal recipe! It’s perfect for camping, on-the-go mornings, or for an afternoon snack!

Read the rest of this entry »

Junkfood Makeovers: Thrifty, Nutritious Slurpees and Frappucinos

Admittedly, in my not-so-organic-and-thrifty days past, there were times when I could be found sucking down an ice-cold Slurpee or Starbuck’s Frappucino on a hot, summer day. Read the rest of this entry »

Thursday’s Thrifty Meals on Friday: 5- Layer Dip

This week’s thrifty menu from New Seasons is packed with such flavor that you’ll never believe it’s vegan! Full of veggies and GAPS-friendly ingredients but light on the budget, you can enjoy this simple meal on a Friday or Saturday night!

Read the rest of this entry »

Menu Plan Monday: Fridge & Pantry Cleanout

This week is considered “clean week” for Orthodox Christians. Strictly speaking, the Orthodox abstain from meat, dairy, eggs, and fish for the next 40 days in observance of Lent. Seafood with no backbone is allowed throughout, such as mussels, shrimp, oysters, calamari. Since these are very nutrient dense, this is good news for fasting. Unfortunately, for those of us who don’t live in the Mediterranean, these can be a bit pricey. The challenge this week is to not only use what I have and clean out my fridge & pantry, but to also keep things nutrient-dense and low-cost. Read the rest of this entry »

Of Milk and Mason Jars: My Journey to Real Food

For a long time I’ve wanted to write about my journey to “Real Food” or Traditional Nutrition. I’ve hesitated because it seems like a rather long story, and a journey that quite frankly I’m still on. It’s been a pretty amazing journey, spiritually speaking, in that it has empowered me as a woman to realize my potential at bringing healing and nourishment to my loved ones. Food preparation has always been a sacrificial act of love across all cultures. Unfortunately, I grew up in a time when the food culture was probably at an all-time low in this country. My journey, like many, began with a deep question and the search for answers. Read the rest of this entry »

Traditional Food Myth #1

December 5, 2008
Traditional Food Myth #1

In order to eat “traditional foods” you need to eat all cooked foods.

Sally Fallon, author of Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats, says basically that we should strive to eat a diet that is 50% RAW.
Raw doesn’t just need to be veggies, either. Here’s my top 10 list of nutrient-dense raw foods that can easily be added to any meal (they are in no particular order):
1. Sprouted and dehydrated nuts
2. Raw butter
3. Raw milk
4. Sauerkraut/kim chee/pickles (lacto-fermented, non-pasteurized)
5. Raw cheese
6. Raw fish (sashimi), make sure it’s from a reputable source and frozen for at least 14 days
7. Raw egg yolks (from pastured hens only, add to smoothies)
8. Sprouted legumes or seeds, added to salads
9. Kombucha
10. Good old fruits and vegetables
The book shown above, The Raw Truth by Jeremy Safron is an amazingly inspirational raw vegan cookbook with some incredibly good recipes that my family has enjoyed for years. I highly recommend this easy-to-follow book.
The following recipe is for raw, vegan, gluten-free, fat-free Buckwheat Granola that my daughter just loves to snack on. It’s inspired by Safron’sBuckies“:
Raw Vegan Buckwheat Granola
2 cups dates (Costco or Azure Standard have good prices on these)
2 cups filtered water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 cups buckwheat sprouts
coconut, raisins, chopped nuts
Place the dates in a bowl, cover with the water , and soak for about 1 hour, or until soft. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the liquid. In a blender, combine the dates, reserved liquid, and vanilla. Pour the date mixture into a large bowl and add the sprouts.
Mix well. Spread the mixture on a dehydrator tray or on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in the oven. If using oven, set a lowest setting and leave the door open. Dehydrate until crisp.
When finished drying, break up into bite-sized pieces and mix with your favorite granola accompaniments, such as chopped crispy nuts, raisins, and coconut.
Coming soon, more tips for adding more raw foods to the traditional plate!

 
 
Random Posts By Best Accounting Services