Herb and Scallion Rice

I also discovered this recipe this past weekend from Martha Stewart Living:

1 2/3 c. water
1/2 c. packed cilantro
1/4 c. fresh packed mint
2 scallions, chopped
1 garlic glove
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup jasmine rice
coarse salt

1. Puree water, cilantro, mint, scallions and garlic in a blender until smooth.
2. Heat oil in a saucepan over high heat. Add rice and stir to coat. Cook until slightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add herb puree and 1 tbsp slt. Bring to  simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook covered for 20 min.
3. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 min. Fluff with a fork before serving.

Delish! Healthy! GLUTEN-FREE!!

For Gluten-Free try Arepas!

I am trying to get back to the gluten free route again. I have strayed, and unfortunately seem to be having some terrible tummy problems. I was reading in Jonny Bowden's book "Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth" about IBS, and he suggested cutting out: gluten, dairy and sugar. I am pretty good at the dairy and sugar thing, but I need to get back on track with the gluten-free living. He also suggested secondarily to cut out red meat, citrus, caffeine and alcohol.



Anyhoo, I am getting off topic. So I was at the grocery store the other day and found some ready-made arepas, and threw them in my basket to give them a try. They are made from corn, so no gluten! Yay! A friend suggested I throw them on the george foreman and grill them to make a sandwhich, which I did, for about 5 minutes to get them crispy, works awesome for sandwiches! The packaging suggests toaster, which I tried today, not as successful. Still tasty, but the little buggers are so thin that they fall thru the grating in the toaster :/ A toaster oven would work awesome too with them I bet! And a regular grill would be great too I bet!

This is the brand I tried, maybe they are only available in South Florida grocery stores (?) but looks like you can order online :) If you see them, or ones like them give them a try! Is a quick, tasty gluten-free snack or meal! Can throw anything on one for open face (chicken, avaocados, butter and honey) or throw two together for a full sandwhich. Can go sweet or savory. Endless possibilities!

http://www.larealfoods.com/

Rice Krispies are going Gluten-Free This JUNE!!

http://www.ricekrispies.com/#/Default

This is awesome news, I hope more major companies take note and follow!

I Heart Pizza Fusion! Gluten Free YUMMY pizza!

I have been trying to eat gluten-free, and I was doing pretty good, it was easier than I thought, just eat healthy fresh foods and avoid breads and things. Then I went on vacation! Was tricky, and I veered somewhat, but it was a good lesson, as I saw the difference when gluten was back in my body. I can feel the difference, and I know that gluten-free is the way to go for me. I have been tested for and do not have celiac, but I feel that I might have an intolerance to gluten.

I discovered a gluten-free pizza joint near my work! OMG! Pizza Fusion is da bomb! Check out their website:

http://pizzafusion.com/menu/what-separates-us/our-gluten-free.aspx

I had the Greek pizza on gluten free crust, and you couldn't even tell its not the regular stuff! My friends had the regular crusts, and we all enjoyed our meals. I highly recommend Pizza Fusion for a gluten-free AND a healthy dining experience. The company is also very enviro-friendly and conscious.

The one irritating thing was that you can only get the gluten-free crust on a medium pizza, and it costs $5 more for gluten free. But the medium pizza is HUGE and when I get it I have enough yumminess for 3 meals!! Plus I joined their email club, so I enjoy savings though that.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Quinoa Tacos - Gluten Free!

These sound so delish! From Fibro Haven (She has an awesome blog!)

http://www.fibrohaven.com/2011/02/03/quinoa-tacos/

"Is disease in your future? How to outsmart your family health history" by Leslie Goldman

Natural Health (Magazine) - April/May 2011 issue


"Is disease in your future? How to outsmart your family health history"  by Leslie Goldman - p. 66

This is a GREAT article. If you can get ahold of this issue def read. If not, I can post and share a pdf scan of it here. This magazine is just a great magazine overall, I subscribe to it :)

From the article:

"Research shows that dietary and lifestyle measure have an almost threefold greater impact on long-term health and the way we age than our genes....Most studies suggest 30 to 40 percent of our health is genetically determined, leaving a substantial 60 to 70 percent in our hands. Genetics are the gun, but your lifestyle pulls the trigger."

"Brent Bauer, MD, Director of the Mayo Clinic Department of Internal Medicine's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program, believes a commitment to the four pillars of health — diet, exercise, stress management, and spirituality — can prevent 90 percent of the health care problems in the U.S. The emerging field of epigenetics suggest a happy trickle-down effect. Those same lifestyle choices may help silence bad genes while supporting the activity of good genes. And that's a healhth benefit that can be passed on to children and grandchildren."

"The good news is that lifestyle can trump genetics."

"In general, women are more prone to autoimmune disorders, described as 'your immune system growing overzealous and attacking things it shouldn't.'... While numbers are hard to come by, autoimmune disorders are now known to have a genetic component. A doctor's first reccomendation for autoimmune patients — or those looking to thwart genetics — is to go gluten-free. Gluten often causes the body to flood with inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, sending an already wound up immune system into hyperdrive, attacking tissue. And experts agree that its a smart move to follow your gluten-free goodies with a vitamin D chaser."

"Energentically speaking, doctors urge women to treat ourselves a little more gently, especially when it comes to warding off disease. Autoimmune disorders are a form of self-attack, yet women are constantly attacking themselves for not being able to do it all — have a great job, great body, great relationship, great kids. Stop punishing yourself for being human, and you might give your body a leg up on healing."

"In the months and years following my Mom's diagnosis, I felt almost resigned to a similar future. What I'm learning, though, is that my intense fretting might be wreaking far more havoc than any genetic risk. While I'm spending a lot of time worrying about MS, my brain is responding as if someone were coming at me with a knife, jazzing up my adrenal glands and suppressing immune system. In other words, my nerve-rattling anxiety has been laying down the red carpet not only or autoimmune disease, but cancer and heart disease, along with nuisances like migraines, ulcers and delayed wound healing."

"While we all take health missteps, our bodies are incredibly resilient."

Gluten-Free Pizza Anyone?!

I have read a lot about a gluten intolerance/sensitivity and fibromyalgia, and now even a gluten connection in migraines. I've bee tested for celiac's disease, and the test came back negative, but sometimes I still wonder if I just have more of a sensitivity. However, everytime I look at how to go about eating gluten free I get overwhelmed! It seems like a full-time job just figuring it all out!

I guess the biggest deterrent for me is I tend to eat out a lot, so that's the part I really need to conquer.

Pizza is, unfortunately, one of my favorite foods :) And when searching for gluten-free restaurant info I came across this local pizza place, it must be a sign!

Has anyone tried the gluten free at this Fort Lauderdale pizza place?

http://www.atsapizza-lasolas.com/