Friday, August 31, 2012

Friday Find - Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay




Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is 100% Natural Calcium Bentonite Clay. It's an inexpensive facial that really works for me. My friend Laura blogged about it a while back which reminded me to get back in the routine of using it. While I will never have Laura's amazing complexion, I am noticing a huge difference now that I'm using it regularly. It seems to even help with my Rosacea. A couple of times a week I slather some on and let it dry until I look like Yoda. After rinsing my skin glows. It's another awesome naturally gluten free beauty find.

Laura also uses it for bug bites and while we haven't had an "opportunity" to try it for that use I am hopeful it will work well.

Chris thinks it's hysterical every time I use it and asked for a picture this morning. So, because I have no pride, I am sharing our self portrait with you. You may not be able to tell but I'm smiling as big as I can. =D

Have a wonderful weekend.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Posana & Gluten Free Cat


Have you found Gluten Free Cat yet? Heather's a great gluten free blogger in the Nashville, Tennessee area and one of her posts made me want to hop in the car and drive right to Asheville, North Carolina to check out Posana Cafe.

Click here for Heather's post on Posana from 2010.The Posana Cafe is a completely gluten free gourmet restaurant. When I read her post a couple of months I couldn't believe we'd walked past Posana several times when visiting Asheville without a clue. I also couldn't believe I'd missed out on Heather's blog for so long.  Sit down and spend some time reading - there's a wealth of information to be had.

Chris and I just tagged along to Asheville with his cousins Tom and Chrissie for the weekend.  They'd spent nearly a week with our family before heading on to Tennessee and we made plans to go see The Biltmore together on Sunday. Chrissie and Tom said good bye to the guys and headed out a little before Chris and I did. We got into town on Saturday afternoon and met at the hotel just in time for an early dinner.

Chris knew how much I wanted to try Posana and asked them if they'd like to go. They said sure but when I told them how excited I was to be there because it was entirely gluten free they both looked a little concerned at first. =D

Our meals were amazing. We made some rather eclectic menu choices but it worked.

Our appetizers were decidedly Asian. We shared the Vegetable Tempura and Vietnamese Spring Rolls. Both Appetizers had perfect sauces but complimented each other nicely. What a treat not to have to make sure there was no soy sauce in the sauces or worry about cross contamination in the fryer. The veggies were fresh and crisp and the tempura batter was light and crunchy.

Chris also ordered the sweet potato soup and I forgot to take a photo because I was too busy eating the tempura!

For our entrees Chris ordered the Seared Sunburst Farms Trout over Forbidden Rice. Asian themed again - with the house kimchi. Forbidden rice has such a different, chewy texture and it was great.

Chrissie and Tom shared the Heritage Farms Pan Roasted Pork Chop with Grilled Local Apple and an Orange Sweet Potato puree. Very southern but with a twist.










It had been so many years since I'd had gnocchi that this one just called to me. It didn't matter to me that Italian entrees don't really "go" with Asian appetizers.

The gnocchi were soft and tender - just the perfect texture. The sauce was light and garlicky - the whole cloves of sweet garlic were a wonderful surprise. The tomatoes and feta were a perfect combination of sweet and salt.

I completely devoured each and every scrumptious bite.





While we were certainly satisfied with our dinner, I'd looked at the dessert menu online and knew we had to we had to try dessert, too. One dessert ended up being two and perfect to split.



Chris also ordered an espresso which came with a biscotti while we waited for dessert.


I wouldn't say biscotti is something I've really missed or wanted to recreate in a gluten free recipe over the last few years but this was delicious, crunchy and perfectly almondy.


Our desserts were out of this world yummy. The presentation was exquisite. Each little bite complimented every other little treat.


The Caramel Almond Nougat Bombe was my favorite. The shortbread cookie was covered in gooey caramel, topped with nougat and dipped in dark chocolate.

The ice cream plated with it was also a caramel almond flavor yet and garnished with sweet crispy almond pieces. The sweet/tart raspberry puree cut kept each from being overly sweet.

The hazelnut chocolate combination plate was good, too. There were two crunchy little fudge like squares - good but maybe a little too sweet for most of us.


I thought the cookie was good, but this little pot of chocolate hazelnut goodness topped with fresh raspberries was really nice.

Good food, good company - couldn't have been a better meal.

Thank you Heather for informing me.

Thank you Chris for indulging me!

Hope you get a chance to visit Posana Cafe yourself.









Friday, August 24, 2012

Friday Find - Baking Soda


Baking Soda may not be considered a "find" for many of you but it is one of the most often used items in my house and in just about every part of my house. I buy the large bags at Costco and find the small plastic jar at Target.

When we joined the Feingold Association I learned that a bit of baking soda in a glass of water or juice could help with an adverse reaction to food or scents just like it helps with indigestion. It's amazing how it can neutralize the reaction so quickly - even helps with the headaches I get from perfumes.

In the kitchen I use it for baking, of course, but also to clean my glass top stove and sink without harsh and smelly chemicals.

I keep the handy plastic shake top container in the bathroom. A sprinkle in my hand is just the right amount to give my face a thorough but gentle scrub or to brush my teeth. The snap on lid keeps it dry and fresh and can go in a travel bag, too. No worries about finding a gluten free, chemical free toothpaste or cleanser and the price is great.

In the garden - thanks to Pinterest - I found it's an excellent weed deterrent.  Just sprinkle a good layer of it on freshly watered areas and in a few days the weeds will be gone.  Last for weeks, too.

Of course, these are just a very few uses and there must be a million and one more - please feel free to share any baking soda tricks you have.

Happy Friday.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Friday Find - The Yellow Stick


After several years of living gluten free I rarely think twice about a lot of the foods we eat and the products I use. I've realized though, that if you're newly gluten free or love someone who is gluten free some of these things may be new to you and it may be helpful to post them.

So I'll start featuring a product each Friday that I love with a quick and simple post. The first one is Cococare's The Yellow Stick. It's a pure cocoa butter stick with nothing added. I've got one next to my nightstand, one in my bag and one on the bathroom counter. You can use it as a lip balm or skin moisturizer - just rub it over your dry skin and it melts right in leaving your skin so soft.  The best part? It smells like like chocolate as you apply it. I worried the cap might come off and make a mess in my bag but after about a year it has never happened.

If you click on the link you'll be taken to The Yellow Stick at iHerb.com which is where I buy many of my supplements. Their prices are great and their service has always been wonderful. (So that makes two tips today!)

Have a great weekend!

Saturday, August 11, 2012

A Shout Out to My Dentist. . .

Perhaps a strange title for a post but today I am very thankful for my dentist. Carl McMillan is a holistic dentist in Cary and we've been patients there a few years now.

For the last few weeks there's been something strange going on with a tooth but it wasn't really pain or even a real discomfort - it was just off. Thursday afternoon I had a chair massage for back pain and while it helped my back immensely it seemed to trigger something near my lymph nodes at my right jaw. All of the sudden that strange feeling was becoming a large area of discomfort and, later pain. Late Friday afternoon the pain all the sudden became intense and localized under that tooth.  Intense just doesn't come close to describing it really.

This all happened quickly and after business hours on Friday afternoon.  Chris called Dr. McMillan assuming he was on his two hour drive home to his family only to find him wrapping up some paperwork at the office and willing to help.  Dr. McMillan not only offered to see me after hours, he himself called the pharmacy to discuss prescribing the proper antibiotic without added dyes so that I wouldn't have a reaction on top of pain. He spent time explaining what to do for pain and made sure I knew a good, strong probiotic was necessary with the strong antibiotic.

He and his staff have been so helpful and work with us to make sure we are not exposed to dyes and gluten during our visits, too.

So nearly twenty-four hours later the pain is starting to lift a bit as the antibiotics (and lots of prayer) are doing their work. I'm so thankful for the kitchen tools we've collected over the years like my immersion blender and Vitamix. I actually had to blend my oatmeal this morning! I've got lots of soups, my green gazpacho and overnight oats on my blog to hold me over the next couple of days and anticipate things will be completely better very soon.

So what are you thankful for today?



Friday, August 10, 2012

Joe's First Sermon Calls for Donuts!


Happily shared at Gluten Free Wednesdays at Gluten Free Easily!

Wednesday night Joe was given the opportunity to speak to his youth group on Titus, chapter 1. He's been studying and writing this sermon for a while. While it didn't go exactly as he hoped he'll be continuing with chapter 2 next week and is looking forward to it. He knows what went well and what needs to be improved. I love Joe's outlook on life and his ability to adapt and adjust. There was something really powerful about that night. A peace knowing that my little Joe is now a young man who has a heart for God. It is all I can ask for because with a heart like Joe's everything else will fall into place in life.

When Joe was little one of his favorite things were little donuts. Needless to say, allergies to dyes, preservative and artificial flavors made most donuts out of bounds.

Then we made healthier eating a priority, later went gluten free and continued to lower our sugar intake considerably leaving sugary treats like little powdered sugar donuts a thing of the past.

I wouldn't go back to the way we ate prior to Feingold but there are times you just want a sentimental treat.

So I made donuts while Joe preached that sermon because a first sermon needs celebrating. I wanted something "Joe" and had found a petite donut pan with wells for just a dozen tiny donuts - perfect for occasions like this.

Making and sharing a dozen teeny donuts makes it not quite so decadent. I made white donuts glazed with milk chocolate and dark chocolate donuts dusted with powdered sugar. Each batch took just a couple of minutes to mix and less than fifteen minutes to bake. It was very reminiscent of Easy Bake Oven baking. =D


The glaze was still warm when Joe walked in with Marc and Marie after church. We enjoyed donuts and I enjoyed hearing about his night.

Joe's Little Donuts - makes one dozen tiny donuts
Heat oven to 400 degrees - grease petite donut pan with coconut oil

In a mixing bowl add:
1/4 Cup Coconut Flour
3 Eggs
1/4 Cup Coconut Oil, softened or melted
1/3 Cup Organic Cane Sugar
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
dash Sea Salt

Beat until well incorporated and fluffy. Divide into each donut well evenly - each well held approximately one tablespoon. Bake for 15 minutes or until very slightly golden brown. Cool slightly. 

Meanwhile, make your glaze. In a small pan over very low heat add:

1/2 Cup All Natural Milk Chocolate Chips (like Ghirardelli)
1/2 teaspoon Coconut Oil Stir constantly until melted and creamy.

Swirl the donuts one at a time into the chocolate glaze on the flatter side to get more coverage. Let set and cool for as long as you can wait.

Chocolate Variation:  Add 1/4 cup cocoa to batter and bake exactly as above.  I used only 1 1/2 teaspoons of powdered sugar to garnish and dusted the rounded side instead.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Creamy Cilantro & Pepita Salad Dressing


When we left California several years ago good Mexican food was really hard to find in this area but everything has changed drastically over the years.  Now there are good Hispanic sections in regular grocery stores and many small Hispanic grocery stores so I can buy any ingredient I could possibly need to make all of our favorite Mexican foods. Mexican restaurants and Taquerias are all over the place and serve great, authentic food. Of course not all of it is gluten free or free of the artificial colors, flavors and preservatives we avoid so I make it for my family often.

My friend Kerry from California sent me a newspaper clipping shortly after moving here. It was the copy of the salad dressing from one of our favorite Mexican restaurants. It instantly made me homesick for good friends and good Mexican food and I put it on the side of the fridge with a magnet so I wouldn't lose it. Back then I couldn't find the Cojita cheese and pepitas the recipe called for so I saved it and waited. Eventually I forgot all about it even though it was still on the side of the fridge
Our favorite Sunshine Burger Wrap - Rice Tortillas wrapped around
a crumbed Sunshine Burger with lettuce, Carrots,
Creamy Cilantro & Pepita Salad Dressing
with extra toasted pepitas for crunch!
When we were planning the menu for Marc and Marie's party I noticed the now yellowed and spotted newspaper clipping. It seemed perfect for our tostada buffet. It's creamy and flavorful and now it's pretty darn healthy. The original recipe called for a ton of mayonnaise and cheese but I've lightened it up a bit and made it vegan to boot. I soaked two cups of raw cashews for a few hours and used them to substitute the mayo and cheese. The cashews aren't a lot less calories and fat than the mayo and cheese but they are a healthy vegan protein used in moderation. They give the dressing a wonderful creamy texture just like the original. I lowered the oil a bit and added spiced, toasted pepitas.  It's really very easy to make as I just toss everything in the blender and gave it a good whirl.  Chill and serve over greens, on sandwiches or use as a dip.

Creamy Cilantro and Pepita Salad Dressing

Begin by soaking cashews - I put them in the bowl after lunch so they'd be ready by dinner:

2 cups Raw Cashews in
2 cups filtered water at least 2 hours and no more than 6 hours.

Meanwhile toast the pepitas in a small saute pan over low heat.

1 teaspoon oil
1 cup Pepitas
1/2 teaspoon cumin

Saute and stir until slightly toasty and fragrant.  Add:

salt and pepper to taste

Let cool.

Pour the cashews and water into blender container and add:

1 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 4 ounce can Green Chilies
2 large bunches of Cilantro, washed and roughly chopped.
2 cloves Garlic
1/2 cup Toasted Pepitas
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Blend at high speed until completely processed and creamy. This makes a lot and keeps in the fridge for a few days.

Serve over mixed greens with extra toasted pepitas to garnish.

Enjoy!

Shared, on Gluten Free Wednesdays 5/7/14!




Monday, August 6, 2012

Raleigh Gluten/Allergen Free Expo!

Local friends - have you heard about this?

There will be a gluten/allergen free expo this coming Sunday in Raleigh!

2:30 to 7:30 p.m
Cobblestone Hall
215 Wolfe Street
Raleigh NC

Admission is $10, children under 12 are free.

Their website is: www.raleighglutenfreeexpo.blogspot.com

Their contact info is: irresistiblygluttenfree@gmail.com

Check out their site for a list of gluten free vendors.

Martin of Martin's Curry Rice will be there as will Marc and Marie's favorite date restaurant Bella Monica.  Lots more info on line but one more thing I loved.  If you bring a non-perishable gluten free item to donate to the Food Band to help those in need you'll get $2 off your admission.