Gluten Free, Flaky Perfect Pie Crust

Flaky-Pie-CrustThe holidays were approaching and FAST and I needed a quick and delicious gluten free pie recipe; one that I could proudly share with the whole family: all 30 plus of them! After a few trials and errors with other pie crust recipes, I settled on a slightly modified variation of  a simple and GORGEOUS butter flaky crust.

sweet potato pie

 

I had decided on a traditional, although NEW to my family, Gluten-Free, Organic Sweet Potato Pie. I made two beautiful pies, and although I was new to this classic holiday sweet, I have to say it turned out PERFECT.

Of course, it all started with the perfect pie crust. For this simple but wonderful gluten-free pie crust, you will need:

  • 1 1/4 cups of Namaste or other gluten-free flour
  • 1/2 cup of butter (Unsalted if desired, but not necessary) chilled and sliced into small pieces
  • 1/4 cup of cold water

Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter till the resulted mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Start adding water 1 TBSP at a time, stirring as you add. When the mixture has formed into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of four hours, overnight if possible. After you have let pie crust chill for at least four hours, roll it out flat and evenly press the dough into an 11″ pie pan.

WP_20151129_08_09_36_Pro I doubled my batch and baked my two pie crusts at 350* for fifteen minutes before filling it to help them keep their shape. I also did a light egg wash over the edges to keep them from crumbling, although neither is necessary.b361e7d5d8aa54eb0dca4e9ba1415eaf

Trim any excess dough from the edges, and then feel free to pinch up the sides, make lattice, or use any leftover dough and cookie-cutters to decorate the edges with leaves, holly, whatever you like. Get creative! Food should be fun and artful if you’re going to put this much time into it. Add your preferred filling, cover the crust with a pie-crust shield and bake.

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Fresh from the oven. MWAH! Beautiful and savory crust!

 

Gluten Free, Flavorful Scones

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Some of you have been waiting for the wonderful scone recipe I have raved to you about. These are delicious straight from the oven, which is the BEST time to enjoy them, as they are not nearly as good when re-heated.

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First, we start with my personal favorite, Namaste Foods Perfect Flour Blend. It is the for gluten-free cooking. Namaste is affordable and can be found at Costco, and is run by MOMS, so you KNOW it’s going to be good for you!

butter

The ingredients you will need for these scones are:

  • 2 Cups of Perfect flour
  • 3 tsp of Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3  Cup of sugar
  • 8 TBSP of Cold Butter or shortening
  • 2/3 Cup of Milk
  1. Preheat oven to 450*
  2. Combine egg and milk and set aside and Combine all dry ingredients.
  3. Cut in Butter until it becomes the size of peas, using pastry knives or a cutter. Add wet ingredients all at once and toss gently with a fork until mixture barely stays together. DO NOT OVER-MIX, this will make the texture tough.
  4. Roll out the dough to about a 3/4 inch thick rectangle, and cut it into six Triangles.
  5. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown, and enjoy them RIGHT away!!

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Some things to note:

*This recipe can also be used for making biscuits, simply increase the salt to up to 1 tsp, and decrease the sugar to 2 tsp, and instead of rolling and cutting them out, simply drop them onto a baking sheet and cook using the same temperature and timing.

If you really want to take it up a notch, you can add cheese, or an herbal blend for flavor. Be creative! Let me know your experiences in the comments section.

Original Recipe can be found here:

http://www.namastefoods.com/recipes/cgi-bin/recipes.cgi?Function=show&Id=213

Gluten-Free on the Go

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Being gluten-free while you’re on the go can be a REAL challenge, especially if you are away from home and have forgotten to pack some snacks. One day, I found myself in this predicament while I was running some errands and began searching for something quick and easy. My options were limited between the Safeway and Fred Meyer. Safeway was definitely OUT for gluten free, so I made my way to the Fred Meyer Deli and perused their ready-made Meals.

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To my HAPPY surprise I came across the most wonderful wraps! Turns out, Fred Meyer has a sushi concession where they make these great veggie wraps in ‘tapioca papers’ (A PALEO FOOD!).

 

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These wraps are exactly what I needed in a pinch. Freshly made and readily available, they’re perfect for everyone. Plus, they’re packed with the vitamins and minerals our bodies need in order to recharge.sushi

They are also SO delicious with this spicy horseradish sauce drizzled over them. YUM!

Delicious Gluten Free Pancakes

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Since cutting gluten from your diet you may be, like so many of us, longing for the buttery delicious smell of weekend morning pancakes filling your home and those savory sweet treats filling your belly. Some recipes leave us wanting for more, as they seem to  translate “Gluten-free” as taste-free or satisfaction-free, so I wanted to share this wonderful and simple recipe for these DELICIOUS gluten free pancakes. Who DOESN’T love pancakes, after all?

flour

First things, first; if you haven’t discovered Namaste Foods’ Perfect Flour Blend, it’s time you were introduced.  Namaste’s Perfect flour and their other blends are made with no wheat, gluten, corn, soy, potato, dairy, casein, tree nuts or peanuts, in a dedicated allergen-free facility which means they are PERFECT for anyone with food sensitivities.

For these delicious Gluten Free Pancakes,You will need:

1 cup of Namaste Perfect Blend (or other gluten free flour)
1 cup of ground organic steel-cut oats*
2 Eggs
2 TBSP Sugar
2 Tsp Baking Powder
Milk, as needed

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*Flaxseed, Whole Oats, Almond Meal, or Hemp Hearts can all be substituted for oats

I also added 1/4 extra tsp of baking powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 TBSP of Coconut Oil to mine.

Preheat your griddle to 325*

Pour Flour into Large 2+ cup Measuring Cup

Add the other Items (Oats, Almond Meal, etc) till you reach the 2 Cup Mark

Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add the eggs, sugar, baking powder, Vanilla, and Coconut Oil. Add milk to thin the mix enough to pour well, but don’t overdo it if you like them fluffy! The consistency will be a bit thick and chunky if you are using oats.

Pour your batter onto the griddle making 1/4 cup rounds, and brown each side.

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Voila! Beautiful, Delicious, Gluten FREE Pancakes!

Reference Links:

http://www.namastefoods.com/about-namaste/what-does-namaste-mean.html

http://www.namastefoods.com/about-namaste/history.html

and this wonderful blog for the original recipe:

http://www.mylifesansgluten.com/2013/06/gluten-free-pancakes/

Paleo — PLUS — Fat Flush Plan = My Lifestyle Eating Plan

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So now the time has come to me to clear the air about my healthy lifestyle eating plan. Before I proceed with my blog I wanted to make some corrections – be transparent regarding how “Paleo” I am.

Back in February of 2015 when I decided to detox, I followed Doctor Katie’s  plan which was based on the Paleo Lifestyle. I went along with the program because it was similar to the Fat Flush Plan by Ann Louise Gittleman. I am a huge fan of this plan – absolutely everything about it. As a healthy lifestyle I believe it is perfect.  Amazingly enough, Ann Louise developed this plan 15 to 20 years ago and she was ahead of her time in concepts about fat and weight loss. When I was following the detox – if I felt the Fat Flush plan was more strict – I followed that plan…

All in All I am really more of a fan of the Fat Flush – but because it is focused on the word fat I decided to go with Paleo by way of explanation when asked what I was doing, how was I losing weight. To be more accurate – I use whichever plan is more restrictive in food areas blending the two plans and this really works for me.

Many people stay on the 2 week Fat Flush for more than 2 weeks. In re-reading the book I discovered that what follows is “The Lifestyle Eating Plan”. So there you go! I think that hits the spot.  What follows in this blog is “my thoughts on living a healthy lifestyle.”

ann louise

Visionary health expert and bestselling author, Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, has always been a trendsetter. Continually breaking new ground in traditional and holistic health, she is internationally recognized as a pioneer in dietary, environmental, and women’s health issues and is known as “The First Lady of Nutrition” among her millions of followers worldwide.

Always ahead of her time, Ann Louise set the pace for new health protocols in the 1990s with four more breakthrough books. She was the first to warn of the environmental hazards of parasites in her classic Guess What Came to Dinner? Parasites and Your Health. In Your Body Knows Best, Ann Louise was the first to discuss the blood type/weight theory and proclaim that one diet may not be right for every body − an idea that is only now becoming mainstream. She was the first to offer natural remedies for menopausal symptoms in Super Nutrition for Menopause and is widely credited as the first to popularize the term “perimenopause” in her New York Times bestseller, Before the Change.

Ann Louise forged new ways of thinking about obesity early on in her career. She was the first to proclaim that obesity was caused by the lack of dietary fats and the wrong kind of carbohydrates in her book Beyond Pritikin, published in 1988. In Beyond Pritikin, she predicted that the fat-free, carb-rich diet was creating weight gain, sugar cravings, fatigue and diabetes.

Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S.
New York Times Award Winning Author of 30 books on detox, health and healing

The First Lady of Nutrition
Creator of Fat Flush

P: 208 777-7929 /F: 208 777-1922 www.annlouise.com

http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Flush-Plan-Louise-Gittleman/dp/0071383832/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1446445600&sr=8-4&keywords=ANN-LOUISE+GITTLEMAN

Another favorite recipe – Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes

This is a favorite recipe for the whole family. The first time I had this vegetable dish was the second time I ate Brussels Sprouts. Roasted they are sooo good. My health conscious niece served this dish for Christmas dinner and I was converted into a Brussels Sprouts fan. The best part are the little leaves that fall off and roast to a crisp. They taste like nuts!  I love to drizzle this dish with Traders Joes Balsamic vinegar glaze.  Delish!   Not drizzling though … in a 8 week weight loss competition at the gym.

 

Rinse Brussels Sprouts and take off outer leaves

Add cut up vegetables like sweet potatoes and onions. Toss with Extra Virgin Olive Oil  – EVOO – and extra seasonings. 

Toss on baking pan making space around for even cooking.

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Drizzle with Trader Joe’s Balsamic Vinegar Glaze. Bon Appetit!

Balsamic – Roasted Brussels Sprouts courtesy of Ina Garten

THE WORLD’S BEST PROTEIN SOURCES

I was interested in this article because I like a small sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on my food in place of salt to give it zest. I heard somewhere that it was very high in protein and this article says it ranks higher than lean meat as a protein source. Interesting…

THE WORLD’S BEST PROTEIN SOURCES

Protein

We go on about it all the time. And for good reason: it’s the fastest way tobuilding muscle, burning fat and getting the body you want. And to do so you need the best quality available, which is why we’ve put together your definitive guide. The foods are ranked in order of their protein content – the more they have, the higher up the list they go. In case you forgot: “If you’re training to get lean or build muscle you should eat 1g of protein per lb (0.5kg) of body weight each day,” says sport nutritionist Matt Lovell. Print this page out and stick it on your fridge – it’ll serve as your shopping list for more post-gym muscle and better performance.

1. Whey protein

Protein content per 100g: 80-90g
Calories: 82
Carbohydrates: 3.4g
Fibre: 0g
The good: “Whey protein is absorbed faster than any other protein, making it ideal for fuelling muscle growth before and after training,” says Lovell. It alsoboosts your immune system and a study at Ball State University, Indiana, found taking a minimum of 0.88g of whey per pound of body weight could prevent the ills of overtraining from setting in.
The bad: People who are lactose intolerant should take whey protein isolate as this has less of it.
What to eat with it: Carbs. “You should always take 20-30g of whey before and after training and its best accomplice is 40-50g of carbs,” says Lovell. “The carbs supply energy to train and replace muscle glycogen after you’ve trained – plus refined sugars cause the body to release insulin, which after traininghas a very anabolic effect and enhances protein synthesis.” Which means more muscle.

2. Soya protein isolate

Protein content per 100g: 88g
Calories: 321
Carbohydrates: 3g
Fibre: 2g
The good: It’s very low in saturated fat (0.5g) and researchers at the nutrition division of Miami Research Associates, US found that it was equal to whey at building muscle. “It’s also very rich in iron, which provides additional oxygen to your muscles, thereby allowing you to do cardiovascular exercise for longer,” says Lovell.
The bad: It has a reputation of being a man-boob builder. But don’t write it off: the study above found no change in the subjects’ oestrogen (female hormone) levels, which is the cause of the chest inflation.
What to eat with it: An orange. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that eating foods rich in vitamin C increased the amount of iron you’ll absorb by up to 12%.

3. Cod

Protein content per 100g: 63g
Calories: 290
Carbohydrates: 0g
Fibre: 0g
The good: This is the animal protein with one of the lowest saturated fat content, serving just 0.5g of fat per 100g. “A modest 300g serving will provide your RDA of magnesium, which generates the energy needed for you to train, protect you against cramps and help your muscles contract,” explains Lovell.
The bad: It’s high in sodium (salt) but begrudging a seawater fish for being too salty is like resenting a lap dancer for wearing tassels.
What to eat with it: Broccoli. Scientist at the Institute of Food Research (IFR) in Norwich found that eating foods high in selenium, like the cod, with sulforaphane-rich foods like broccoli make the meal 13 times more powerful at attacking cancer than when they are eaten alone.

4. Clams and other molluscs

Protein content per 100g: 48g
Calories: 275
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fibre: 0g
The good: It will provide you with 302% of your RDA of vitamin B12, which keeps your nervous system healthy, gives you energy and is used to metabolise fats, carbs and protein. You’ll also get 128% of your RDA of the antioxidant selenium. “This antioxidant boosts post-exercise recovery and will reduce post-training stiffness,” explains Lovell.
The bad: Its high in cholesterol (130mg) which is bad if you have high cholesterol but researchers at Texas A&M University found that eating cholesterol can help to add muscle if your cholesterol levels are normal – it seems every clam has a silver lining.
What to eat with it: Tomatoes. “They are rich in vitamin C which will help you absorb a larger chunk of the 10mg of iron found in this smiling protein source,” says Lovell.

5. Tofu

Protein content per 100g: 48g
Calories: 480
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fibre: 7g
The good: You’ll receive 184% of your RDA of manganese. “This mineral is used to strengthen bones and metabolise carbs, amino acids and cholesterol,” says Lovell. Tofu also has 24g of unsaturated (good) fats and a study in theJournal of the American College of Cardiology found that when people ate unsaturated fats after exercise the blood flow in their arteries increased by 45%, which resulted in more anti-inflammatory agents being rushed to the working muscles. Take home message: tofu will help you recover from training faster.
The bad: It’s not known for its flavour so it’s often flavoured with sauces like soya, which are very high in salt and preservatives, or fried.
What to eat with it: Vegetable soup. “This will provide flavour and extra nutrients without any salty, preservative filled seasonings that often cancel out the goodness found in the tofu,” says Lovell.

6. Low-sodium Parmesan cheese

Protein content per 100g: 42g
Calories: 456
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fibre: 0g
The good: Due to its long ageing, much of the protein in Parmesan has been “pre-digested” and it takes just 45 minutes to digest. You’ll get 138% of your RDA of bone strengthening calcium, which is vital for making your muscles contract.
The bad: You’ll get a whopping 19g of saturated fat which can sabotage the sternest fat burning efforts. “Limit your intake to those times when you’re trying to bulk up,” says Lovell.
What to eat with it: Tofu or chicken breasts. A study at the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, Chicago found that when people flavoured bland foods with high fat food they lost more weight because they were more likely to eat higher quantities of healthy food. That’s stealthy eating.

7. Lean beef

Protein content per 100g: 36g
Calories: 199
Carbohydrates: 0g
Fibre: 0g
The good: A 300g steak will provide your RDA of zinc, which aids in post-exercise tissue repair and in the conversion of food to fuel. “Beef is one of the richest natural sources of the strength booster creatine which is a famously efficient muscle building aid,” states Lovell.
The bad: “It’s not a good post-workout meal as it takes too long to digest, leaving your muscles hanging for their protein fix,” explains Lovell.  A 100g steak will give you 30% of your daily cholesterol limit so only eat it only once or twice a week if you have cholesterol problems.
What to eat with it: Greek salad. “Steak can take along time to digest, leaving you feeling full for ages so if you’re trying to lose weight its best to pair it with a low-calorie, nutrient-dense option like a salad to stave off weight gain,” says Lovell. The enzymes in the salad will aid digestion and help you absorb more of the protein in the steak.

8. Lamb

Protein content: 36g
Calories: 279
Carbohydrates: 0g
Fibre: 0g
The good: A few chops will give your RDA of the energy producing vitamins niacin and B12, which will help you, train longer. “It’s a solid source of zinc and selenium – both of these are excellent for helping your muscles recover after exercise,” says Lovell.
The bad: It’s high in saturated fat (5g per 100g) but has little fat inside the meat so trim the unwanted bits off before you tuck in.
What to eat it with: Cruciferous vegetables (kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, rocket, watercress). “They increase our body’s ability to detoxify the carcinogenic compounds that are produced when meat is grilled or fried the way lamb often is,” says Lovell.

9. Chicken breast

Protein content per 100g: 33g
Calories: 298
Carbohydrates: 0g
Fibre: 0g
The good: “One large breast will give you your RDA of niacin which will help your body produce energy from all the foods you eat and keep both your nervous and digestive system healthy,” states Lovell. “It’s low in saturated fat (1.3g) and carbs and is a good source of omega-3 making it an ideal protein source if you’re trying to lose weight or gain lean muscle.”
The bad: Shun the intensively farmed and water-filled budget breasts. A study in the Meat Science journal found organic chicken had 38% more omega-3 than the non-organic chicken. More expensive maybe, but when it comes to fowl you get what you pay for.
What to eat with it: Chicken soup. Research at the University of Nebraska, U.S. found it hampers the release of mucus, which is the sticky stuff that can obstruct your airways when you exercise.

10. Pork tenderloin

Protein content per 100g: 32g
Calories: 248
Carbohydrates: 0g
Fibre: 0g
The good: Two small fillets will provide your RDA of thiamine and a study inMetabolic Brain Disease found that high levels of this vitamin helped athletes recover from exercise faster. “Pork is a rich source of zinc which helps your body produce the muscle building hormone testosterone,” states Lovell.
The bad: A 100g of pork will soak up 38% of your daily cholesterol allowance so limit it to a few times a week.
What to eat with it: Pinto beans. An Arizona State University, US found that a ½ cup (125ml) of these beans cuts bad cholesterol by 9% – thereby off setting the high cholesterol levels in the pork.

My Journey into Paleo Eating…

Paleo…. What is it? What does it mean? What do we eat? How do we feel when we eat this way?…All these questions I will answer over the life of my blog including  some really good information I have gathered from the internet  about Paleo and healthy eating.

I will post some of the really fabulous recipes  I have found and tested,  along with many recipes I have created myself.

I will share some tips and tricks for eating well when we find ourselves getting  too busy  to keep up our healthy lifestyle..

I look forward to sharing my journey and if I encourage someone  to begin their journey to better health , that’s a bonus.

A little about my aha moment….

At the beginning  of 2015 I was finally in the frame of mind to get back to the weight and energy of what I felt were my best years – my 40’s.

Mother had recently started seeing a new chiropractor who also practiced Active Release Therapy at a local sports rehab clinic.   I asked her new doctor – Dr. Katie Horton – if she would be interested in helping me with a total body makeover.  Little did we know she and her husband (also a Doctor) were leaving this office to start their own practice in White River WA on the Columbia River.

She seemed a little hesitant to work with me long term,  but suggested both mother and I do the de-tox/weight loss program  she did twice each year for her clients – 12 pounds in 21 days.  I thought “sure, why  not” – I really trusted Dr. Katie (very sporty, athletic and super healthy looking) and so I began my detox  in February – right around the 1st.

In the next 3 months I lost 32 pounds and began to experience healthiest eating in my whole life!To this day, I am completely committed to eating the Paleo way.

A few things I observed about myself, at the beginning and over the first few weeks of my Paleo adventure:

1) I needed to be 110% mentally committed and have the desire  –  to do this. Isn’t that the biggest step – waiting for that aha moment when you can say to yourself  “no more” and mean it…

2) If you can make it through the first and second week, your body will naturally adjust to what is best for you. You will level off on the amounts of sugars and carbohydrates you consume and then it gets easier. And don’t sweat a little snack here or there. It’s not a criminal offense, but rather keeping it real for the long run

3) I focused on building new habits for a healthier lifestyle rather than quick weight loss.

4) Starting out, make lists of your favorite healthy foods and keep them stocked up , cleaned and read to go. Also, don’t try to buy out the entire health food store – make sure you have your favorite foods available for snacks or when you get hungry all of a sudden.

5)  Lots of water, and really…really… 6 small meals a day.

5)  Random thought … if you can’t find the perfect day to start – try Sunday night. It’s like a head start on the week…

Bon Appetit

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Really valuable video on blood sugar and weight loss

The first link will take you to a video with information about blood sugar and why we can’t burn fat when we eat too many carbohydrates and how over-consumption of sugar and processed grains is the real reason we have more diabetes and heart disease than ever before. Our doctor has taken a seminar from this doctor. She does an excellent job of explaining the physiology and biochemistry in simple terms. All her segments are worth watching, but specifically watch this one:

http://www.merrittwellness.com/downloads Some more information from Dr.Merritt. She knows her stuff and she advocates a modified Paleo, with little to no consumption of grains for people with blood sugar handling and weight loss issues (almost everyone on Standard American Diet).
I hope you find this information useful. Please share this information with family and friends.