Food Shopping & Saving at Vitacost!

I learned early on in the fibro diagnosis that I did not want to go the prescription route and wanted to stay as all natural as I could, and started down the path of vitamins and supplements. I found an excellent online resource - vitacost.com - and they have started to also offer excellent food products that fit into my healthy eating (gluten free) and my budget! I am so glad specialized food products are becoming more mainstream and affordable. Here are some of my favorites to order and keep on hand:

TULSI TUMMY - Tea for soothing digestive support -- all the Tulsi teas are excellent tasting and healing, this one is a great alternative to coffee in the morning

ANNIE'S HOMEGROWN MICROWAVABLE GLUTEN FREE MAC N CHEESE -- whats not to love, gluten free mac n cheese!!

MARY'S GONE CRACKERS -- Organic gluten free crackers

NATURE'S EARTHLY CHOICE FALAFEL WITH QUINOA -- Original Recipe (I gotta try the garlic flavor next!), cooks in minutes, lots of protein

PERKY'S CRUNCHY FLAX -- free of the 8 common allergens, great as cereal or on top of yogurt, gotta love the fiber :)

LUNDBERGS CINNAMON RICE CAKES -- I love cinnamon!


At these prices you can load up your cart and try a variety of different foods. Free shipping over $50, and unlike Whole Foods, sometimes I find it hard to get to that $50 mark, and when I do I have SO many items for my money! And how great, shopping from my couch, shipped right to my door :)

Coconut Quinoa Pancakes

I also recently tried a recipe that I saw in Prevention magazine for Coconut Pancakes. I substituted quinoa flour for the whole wheat flour. It did give them a bit of the nutty quinoa flavor, but paired with the toasted coconut it was pretty tasty. I noticed I have some other gluten free flours in my pantry, I'll give one of those a whirl next time. I also substituted almond milk for the coconut milk since I had almond on hand. These were easy to make and I made a bunch to keep on hand in the fridge for a few days of easy grab and go breakfasts.

From Prevention Magazine, July 2013, page 77

TOASTED COCONUT PANCAKES

Makes 10-12 pancakes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

1 cup flour (I used quinoa)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup coconut milk (I used almond milk)
1/2 c. warm water
1.5 tsp honey
2 tsp vanilla extract

1.5 tsp oil

• Toast the shredded coconut in medium skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda in a bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, water, honey and vanilla extract. Stir into dry ingredients along with the toasted coconut to form a thin batter.
• Heat skillet with oil (or used a griddle.) For each pancake pout 1/4 cup of the batter and spread with the back of a spoon until 4" in diameter. Cook until bubbles form, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, cook 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with fruit.

Enjoy!

Fibro-Friendly Kitchen and Pantry

I think I've finally reached the point of having a semi-decent healthy kitchen that I can work with. When first diagnosed with fibromyalgia and I started looking into how eating better would help with the fibro symptoms I was overwhelmed by all the changes needed. I understood the changes, they made sense, but to wake up one day and have such a sudden change in lifestyle was a hard change to adjust to, and hard to accomplish. But little by little, over the years, I've learned to make the changes, I now eat gluten free bread, and keep an extra loaf frozen in the freezer. I've found affordable, gluten free cracker alternatives to keep on hand. I've found fruits and vegetables to keep on hand that I know I snack on. I have a good stash of canned items just in case (diced tomatoes, beans, tuna - some good basics with few ingredients/additives) all my flours for baking are gluten free, as are my bread crumbs. My milk is almond milk (try it! I was skeptical at first, but  really like it, and it lasts much longer than regular milk!)

I have learned to shop more on the outer perimeters of the grocery store (fresh foods: produce, dairy, meats) and less on the inner aisles - processed boxed foods. So I finally feel I have a good basis in my kitchen for whipping up some healthy fibro friendly meals and snacks. It helps to have this basis as I often forget (thanks fibro fog!) what I have in the pantry, so to be able to open it and see healthy choices to work with is great.

I've also learned some quick and easy recipes to whip up, quick and easy go to recipes. When I get home from work I am hungry and tired so I need quick, easy and healthy!

I am not perfect, fatigue often gets the best of me, I do have some processed boxed foods, but I have found ones that work better for me (than say driving through Wendy's or McDonald's!) - the Near East Quinoa/Brown Rice is always an excellent go to and I have plenty of leftovers for future meals. I often toss in some shrimp for protein and extra flavor.

Here are some great resources for working towards your fibro friendly kitchen and pantry:
http://www.thepracticalfibromite.com/kitchen-pantry/recipes/

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscfs/ss/cooking.htm

http://www.thirdage.com/fibromyalgia/7-tips-for-cooking-with-fibromyalgia

Captain Mike's Fibro Kitchen Blog:
http://kitchenblog.captainhastings.com/

Try Adding These Healthy Foods to Your Diet

-- Sardines: They provide protein, calcium, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, and they can be used in the same ways as canned tuna. And like tuna, opt for sardines canned in water rather than oil.

-- Quinoa: When cooked, quinoa resembles a grain or cereal, but it's actually more closely related to beets than true grains. It has a light texture and nutty flavor, and it can be used in the same way as rice. It offers 9 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per cooked cup.

-- Greek yogurt: This extra creamy version of yogurt is strained to remove excess whey. It packs a nutritional punch of more protein -- 18 grams of protein per 6 ounces compared to 8 grams with regular yogurt.

-- Avocados: These are a heart healthy choice. Half a large avocado contains 7 grams of fiber and 15 grams of fat, of which only 2 grams are saturated.

-- Chiles: Besides heat, chiles contribute a broad range of flavors that can help you cut down on salt. While adding few calories, they also contain vitamins A and C and potassium.

-- Mangoes: They can be eaten plain as a snack or dessert, frozen and blended into a smoothie or added to a salsa or salad. They are high in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.

-- Pumpkin seeds: They contain significant amounts of protein, fiber and unsaturated fats. And they are available pre-shelled to add to granola or oatmeal or a trail mix.

-- Chinese broccoli: This leafy green is also known as Chinese kale and has a mild taste and tender stalks. It can be steamed or sauteed on its own or used in place of other greens. It is low in calories and rich in vitamin C, folate, vitamin K and beta-carotene. -- Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter