Free From Gluten

My sister-in-law gave me her granola recipe, and I have created a gluten free version that is TO DIE FOR.  Okay, maybe you won’t die for it, but you will not stop eating it once it’s done…see, this is how it went:  I pulled the granola out of the oven and had to just try it.  Then I went and got my baby up from his nap and headed back to the kitchen to just try it, now that it had cooled more.  Then I started feeding my little one his afternoon snack, and I just had to try the granola again, and by the time dinner time came around, I wasn’t hungry.  I couldn’t help it.  It wasn’t overly hard, it was light, crispy, and sweet.  I’m warning you, it’s extremely addicting.

Em’s Crispy Gluten Free Granola

In a large bowl, combine:

• 8 c. gluten free oats
• 2 c. nuts (I use slivered almonds)
• 2 c. shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 c. almond flour
• 1 c. ground flax seed (optional, but encouraged)

In a saucepan, heat till smooth and warmed through:

• 1 cup coconut oil-for best flavor, or butter or canola if you must…
• ½ c. honey
• 1 ½ c. brown sugar
• ½ c. milk
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ c. real maple syrup (opt)

Then:

Pour liquid mixture over dry ingredients and stir till thoroughly mixed and wet. Bake on 2 large ungreased cookie sheets, at 225 degrees for 60 minutes, stirring and switching racks every 20 mins.  It will not be crunchy until it cools. Once cooled, serve with yogurt or doused with milk.

Once again, a recipe that contains coconut and coconut oil.  I know, I can’t help it, I LOVE the stuff.  What gluten free foods do you love to make that has coconut or coconut oil in it?  Let me know in the comments, I’d love to try it and feature it on the blog!

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Hello friends!  The temperatures are dropping and I’m turning to my fall time recipes!  We had just gotten back from quick trip to California and I needed to come up with something for dinner.  We hadn’t hadn’t gone grocery shopping yet, but I had a few things in the fridge and so, we made do.  When it comes to fall and fall cooking, I feel like we have a lot less fresh, and a lot more cooked.  This gluten free recipe still gives the fall flavors-and it’s FRESH!  (Yes, FRESH FALL FOOD!)  It’s a snazzy little salad-sweet, citrus tart and crunchy!  The nice thing is, apples and beets last a long time when kept cold.  This salad is great to have on hand for days when you need something fresh!

Mama’s Beet Salad

• 1 medium beet shredded
• 2 medium apples (I prefer fuji or gala) shredded
• Juice from 1/2 fresh lime
• 2 TBL of Sunflower Seeds
• 1TBL Agave (Optional-it’s truly dependent on the sweetness of your beets and apples.)

Directions:  Peel beet, then use cheese grater to shred the entire beet.  Peel apples, then shred using cheese grater.  Mix in a bowl and add lime juice and sunflower seeds.  Then taste!  If you added too much lime or your beets or apples weren’t sweet enough, add some agave.  If it’s sweet but needs a little tart kick, add more lime.  It’s amazing how these flavors meld together to create a party in your mouth!

I wish I could let you see how bright and shiny this really looks with the juices just glistening off of the beets and apples.  However, I made it when we got home from out trip and our camera was filled with photos from our trip, so there you go, you get a nice photo from my husband’s smart phone.  Enjoy!

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I don’t know about you, but the onset of fall is exciting for the most part, but a bit more depressing for me.  It means that cold weather is going to set in, and I sort of get depressed just thinking about it.  So, I’m determined to do the following 3 things each day to keep me healthy and happy.

Keep amount to drink in water bottles in the fridge. Photo credit **Here**

They are simple.

They are healthy.They are important.They are doable.

Oh-and these three things won’t cost you a single penny, and better yet, they are gluten free!

Here it goes:

Water:  Start your day off with water, and keep drinking.   64 oz of water is recommended for an adult per day.  If it helps, you can put as many bottles of water that you need to drink for the day in your fridge. That way you can easily keep track.  If you use the 16oz water bottles, put four in your fridge for the day.  Whatever you’re doing, put one beside you and drink.  When that one runs out, go grab another one.  Drinking water is gluten free and SO GOOD for you!  Drinking water is great for weight loss and helps to flush your cells of toxins.

***If you really want to go the extra mile, drink at least 16 oz of water as soon as you get out of bed, about 30 min before eating breakfast.  This really helps to start your digestive system and give you a good flush to your system.  Your body will thank you.

Sunshine:  Try to spend 20 minutes outside during the day and get some sunshine!  Vitamin D is an awesome antidepressant!  Also, not well known is that fact that if you have been in the sun, don’t shower immediately after.  It actually take time for the vitamin D to go from your skin into your body to be used.  Crazy eh?  (I can say “eh” because my mom is from Canada…)  Come winter and cloudy days, a good gluten free Vitamin D supplement would be a fantastic addition to your day.

SUNSHINE!! Vitamin D, soak into my skin please! Photo credit: Flickr user **Mary**

Words:  Our words are important.  They send out a positive or negative vibration.  WHAT?  No, they really do.  Don’t believe me?  Click here to read the full article.  Ultimately I’m asking you to be kinder than you feel.  Be kind to those around you, and BE KIND TO YOURSELF!  You are a beautiful and capable person!

Not sure what I mean?  Take a look at the  picture below:  Both jars had rice in them.  And one still does while the other is well, a moldy, milky, mess!  What made the left jar become so disgusting?  WORDS.  For two months the jar of rice on the left was told very unkind words.  The jar on the right was spoken to very kindly.  Think about the people in your life.   Think about what you say to them.  Think about the majority of words you say to your children.    With all of the correcting and rush, are you using kind words and building them up?  Since reading this article (and I recommend that you do too) I have really thought a lot about what I say to my child.

Words Have POWER

Let me know in the comments what you have changed with your words.

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