All posts filed under: Gluten Free Diet

Food: Dinner Tonight – Coconut, Sweet Potato Soup

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Who says Keto diet is boring? All of the folks that I have introduced the option to over the past year. But that’s because they complicate the meal prep and then find it frustrating. Cooking is an art, and creating meal plans is a challenge that I welcome in my otherwise very hectic life. Believe it or not, cooking is therapeutic for me, and finding recipes such as this one to switch-up a bit to fit my dietary need is worth every effort once the soup hits the taste pallete. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 yellow onion, chopped 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed  {Omit for Keto} 1 tablespoon yellow curry powder 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth or water  {No water if you plan to omit a few ingredients for a Keto friendly meal}  3/4 cup red lentils  {you can keep if  you can stomach lentils} kosher salt 1 can (14 ounce) coconut milk 2 cups baby spinach 2 cups cooked basmati rice  {use shredded chicken instead} 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for serving fresh Naan, …

Food: A New Take on Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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Whatever this year’s Indian summer is in San Francisco; it seems to last only from noon to four in the afternoon. The rest of the time its been crispy, windy and chilly outdoors and indoors to the point I was actually freezing last night, and needed to bundle up while reading, before turning in for the night. This very chilly morning, I decided it was time to craft soup for dinner  or adjust a few existing recipes to fit my dietary need. So on my hunt for soup recipes, I came across this perfect  one to kick-start the soup season. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons butter 1 small sweet onion, diced 1 carrot, diced 1/4 cup all-purpose flour  (omit for my Keto diet) 2 cups whole milk  (I will use 1 cup coconut milk instead and one can of pure coconut cream ) 2 cups low sodium veggie or chicken broth 1 12 ounce pumpkin beer  (This is going to be my cheat, but you can remove it if you wish) 3-4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, plus more for serving 2 bay leaves 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Spinach and Artichoke Melt – Two Ways

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Sorry to keep opening most of my food posts with this – but in my household there is me following Keto, and others who don’t really want to (yet), so I have to be mindful when announcing our dinner menu. Although really, I seldom announce it, I just make it – one meal, two ways so no one feels left out. This morning I searched for a cheesy, gooey recipe since the crazy cold weather in San Francisco is making me crave comfort foods – and this is what I came across to tweak a portion for my dietary needs: INGREDIENTS 1 tablespoon butter 1 clove garlic minced or grated 1 tablespoon flour  * I usually omit the flour – no need for it really, the cheese is enough thickening ingredient.  1/2 cup milk (I used 2% but whatever you have will be fine)   * I replaced with almond milk or coconut milk for entire meal 1 ounce cream cheese 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 cup greek yogurt I used 0% 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach thawed, about 5 ounces 1 (8 ounce) jar grilled artichoke hearts or …

Food: Not Your Traditional Cinnamon Rolls

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Last night as I sprinkled cinnamon on a dish I was preparing for dinner, I realized I don’t use the ingredient as often as I used to. Meaning that since I stopped baking and making oatmeal – as I Keto my way through life, I placed this sweet smelling ingredient in the back of my spice rack….until this morning, when I woke up craving cinnamon rolls.  Guess what we are having for breakfast tomorrow morning? {photo and recipe source}  

Health and Beauty: Sugar and Carbs Explained

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Since Keto, I have made a conscious effort to cut down on carbs and sugar. Meaning to say, that some days, especially when I feel overwhelmed or stressed, I crave nothing but French fries and a box of chocolate. So, I attempt to alleviate the stress and talk myself out of indulging in the cravings in large quantities. What can I say, I am human and although very disciplined in how I live my life, sometimes do ‘fall of the wagon’. But just to help understand the damaging effect of sugar or carbs for those of us suffering from all sorts of issues – weight gain, bloating, digestive problems, diabetes, and/or allergies, I have listed excerpt from an article I found here. Fruits: A favorable choice over a candy bar – any day – but… if you are overweight, fruit is not your friend  Fruit should be an occasional treat, nature’s dessert, but do not count fruit, fruit juice, dried fruit or fruit pouches as equivalent to vegetables. Fruit is packed with nutrients – well, not …

Food: Dinner Tonight- Korean Beef

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A simple meal is always welcomed in my household. Meaning where I don’t spend hours standing over the stove cooking on a weekday after a long day at work. But the fact, I enjoy fresh ingredients and home-made meals, inspires me to look for the easy in all recipes I find online that the family can enjoy and I can tweak it for my dietary needs. Like this one: INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (remove for Strict Keto – I normally use Gluten free soy sauce for the taste) 1/4 cup honey (remove for strict Keto followers) 1-2 tablespoons Gochujang (Korean chili paste) 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 2 cloves garlic, grated 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil, plus more for serving 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, or peanut oil 3 bell peppers, sliced 1 zucchini, chopped 1 1/2 pounds skirt or flank steak, thinly slice against the grain 4 green onions, chopped 1/2 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped {more} No rice for me – or if I absolutely am craving …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chili, Lime, Chicken and Avocado

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Hating the fact, we’ve eaten out for the past couple of nights, because there is no ‘off-switch’ when a colorful oversized menu is shoved in your face by the waiter, who is rattling off the specials and then coming around a few times until order taken,  ‘insisting really’ but pretending not to – for us to order a beverage on happy hour or not. So, this morning on my way out of the door, I announced that we would be dining in – the meal of course would be up to Keto-me.  Kind of like this… INGREDIENTS 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size chunks 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated 1 tablespoon honey  [omit for my portion] 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh chopped oregano kosher salt and black pepper 2 sweet potatoes, cut into wedges  [omit or just one wedge to taste] 2 red bell peppers, chopped into bite sized chunks steamed white or brown rice, for serving  [omit for me for sure] AVOCADO SALSA 1 avocado, diced 1 jalapeño, seeded …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Shrimp Cobb Salad

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I am presently what  is referred to as – the salad bowl of Calfornia. Otherwise knows as California’s central coast. The place where all the beautiful farming takes place. I love being here because it is the best getaway for this city girl, tired of the steel, stone and glass all around, and too much construction throughout the city of San Francisco. Which I am not certain if it’s to beautify it or add to the chaos. I’ve lived in the city all my life, and watched it grow into something, I am not sure I appreciate as much as the simpleness the city once was. Sure I live in the outer sunset, which is a bit quitter than downtown, but still, the city is growing in a direction I am having trouble with truly appreciating the older I get. With that said, I make a conscious effort to escape to the countryside, whether east of the city, or south, I take a drive or a flight to somewhere surrounded by farms, where downtown consists …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Zucchini and Cheese Lasagna

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Okay, so here’s a solid recipe to a favorite dish of mine – spicy Italian sausage, veggie (in this case zucchini,  or eggplant that I love, and all sorts of cheese). As you well know, I am always searching for variations to the simplest of ingredients making up a fun recipe and this one works – because in my household, we are divided – 1 Keto (me) and the rest not so much. So, this is what I do to make two dishes out of one recipe: INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 pound ground spicy Italian sausage 1 small sweet onion, diced 4 medium heirloom tomatoes (or regular), roughly chopped 2 cups cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano kosher salt and pepper 1/2 cup red wine  (cut out for hardcore Keto followers) 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly chopped, plus more for serving 6-8 no boil lasagna noodles (replace with sliced Halloumi cheese or just cut out the noodles altogether)  3 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/8 inch slices 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese 1 cup fresh mozzarella cheese, torn 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese {more}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Lemon Chicken – Grilled

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Who doesn’t love grilled chicken? And if you haven’t had a taste of it, consider this recipe – which is pretty keto friendly for those following my healthy eating plan. And really, no side dish needed – in my case – I will be sprinkling shredded parmesan cheese over the top of each bite. And if you are not following Keto, but need to stay healthy in your choice of recipes – then add a simple salad, or steamed broccoli. INGREDIENTS 1 (3 1/2 to 4 pounds) whole chicken or chicken pieces 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar  ( I will not be using balsamic vinegar for my recipe)  juice + zest of 1 lemon 1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated pinch of crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt and pepper fresh basil for, serving {more} {photo source}