All posts filed under: gluten free

Looking Forward to October

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The first day of the month, and only 90 days to the end of the year. But no worries, October is a month I look forward to, especially after the sluggishness and the unmotivated I felt by the end of August, and all throughout September. To me, October is the month to shed all the negative and just enjoy the most brilliant of colors, the layering in fashion, the shift in decor,  comfort food in recipes, and the prelude to the holiday planning.  October is the coolest month of the year. What Film to see, what recipe book to buy, and where to vacation in October    

Food: Fall Harvest Salad

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Oh the delight of cooking with seasonal fresh ingredients and the idea of Superfoods, or mostly plant-based, which I am testing out recently is the inspiration for tonight’s dinner. INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 small butternut squash, halved, peeled, and cut into 1/4 inch half circles 2 tablespoons honey 1/2 cup raw pepitas 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 head kale, shredded 4 cups shredded brussels sprouts arils from 1 pomegranate 4-6 fresh figs (optional) 1/2 cup shredded gouda cheese  {no cheese for me or feta if you twist my arm dear family} POMEGRANATE VINAIGRETTE 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage 1/4 cup pomegranate juice 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons honey kosher salt and black pepper 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes {more} {featured image source} In case you are also wondering what to watch on television tonight – here’s a couple of suggestions now streaming on Amazon Prime or otherwise. 

Lifestyle: Back Pain and Other Remedies

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I’ve been dealing with the worst of back pain lately – sitting at a desk for eight hours doesn’t help either. But the pain is border line agonizing. Tylenol helps and walking seems to do the trick temporarily, there is apparently seven yoga moves that also help relieve the pain.   While efforting to Superfood my way to a healthier me – I learned about Lucuma Powder – and just figured I’d put it out there, in case, you struggle like most of us with all sorts of health issues. Animals are probably the best creatures to aid in your well-being, past the meds, and all other stimulants, I prefer the holistic method to calm and tranquility: Struggling to set your boundaries, or perhaps you feel setting them is out of your control – since being so mindful of other people’s feelings – but, take it from me, not setting them will impact your overall mental and physical health: Can social media cause depression? I’ve been considering this claim and have included a supporting article, …

Food: Gluten-Free and Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Today is all about food – so you’ll see back to back posts about eating. Maybe because I am hungry since this plant-based diet I am trying out, but not yet ready to talk about until I see results.  But, this recipe about Gluten Free & Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies is something I cannot pass up sharing since from the grocers you can either find gluten-free OR Vegan in products, but seldom the two combined for those with the severest food allergies. Recipe 1 1/4 cup oat flour 1 1/2 cup almond flour 1/4 cup cornstarch 3/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1/8 cup pecans (roughly chopped) 2 tablespoons all-vegetable shortening 1 cup dark brown sugar   {I am going to use Coconut sugar instead} 1/4 cup granulated sugar  – {coconut sugar instead} 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 ounces baking chocolate (roughly chopped) {more} and just in case you haven’t seen this pic from my previous post, I am sharing it with you again. 

Food: Dinner Tonight – Beans In Variation

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I care for my mother and cooking is part of that package – which I don’t mind. So every afternoon after work, I visit with her and help prepare her dinner. She’s always excited at the recipes I come up with, and the ones I find online where I add my own spin to the whole thing. Yesterday, while my head was spinning out of control, she asked about dinner and the quickest option I could come up with was a simple Cannellini bean dish which goes something like this – open two cans of beans. I use this one.  Bring to a boil, add finally chopped parsley, and sliced green onions, olive oil and lemon juice to taste and serve with toasted pita bread. Simple and easy. So today, I decided to expand on bean dish recipes since that is what we are having for dinner tonight. And here’s another middle eastern product my family has used for decades – and I sort of giggle now when I see it popping up in restaurant …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Pineapple, BBQ Chicken, Quinoa

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I’ve switched gears, just like that, regarding eating less comfort food and more healthy meals. Yes, the weather has been unusually freezing in San Francisco, with the weirdest of storms passing over the city. But my body is in Spring-Summer mode I think and it is craving more veggies, and less starch – so the meal planning begins to satisfy my cravings. Yes folks, the family usually works around my clock – in terms of food. 😉 So, here we go – tonight’s dinner INGREDIENTS 2 pounds  boneless skinless chicken breasts 2  cups BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought (if using store-bought, I like Primal Kitchens BBQ Sauce) 2 tablespoon pineapple juice juice from 2 limes 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks 2 jalapeños, chopped, and seeded if desired 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped kosher salt and pepper 3 cups cooked quinoa or rice  – OR in my case, I prefer cauliflower rice over quinoa 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/2 cup fresh basil, and or cilantro leaves, roughly chopped 5 cups shredded romaine lettuce 1 avocado, sliced 4 fresh chives, chopped fried garlic for serving (optional)  {more} On another note – what TV shows are you binge-watching right …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Quinoa Salad

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I cooked quinoa last night – but it was too warm to make a salad out of it just yet. So I switched gears and went with sliders for dinner with a side of home-made coleslaw. But tonight, we are having quinoa salad with a side dish – open-faced grilled cheese baguette. Since this is my first attempt at quinoa salad, I found a recipe here to try. Except I realize, I should not have boiled the spinach leaves. May have to go to the grocers and pick up a fresh bag of spinach leaves. Ingredients For the Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil 1 clove minced garlic 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 large lemon 1 tablespoon golden balsamic vinegar or champagne vinegar 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup or honey Kosher salt and black pepper to taste For the Salad: 2 cups cold cooked quinoa 2 cups fresh spinach leaves chopped 1 cup chopped cucumber 1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes 1 large avocado pitted, peeled, and chopped 2 green onions sliced Kosher salt and black pepper to taste  {more} {recipe and image source}

Food: Dinner Tonight – Szechuan Noodles with Chicken

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This recipe is perfect and I plan to change nothing – for dinner tonight, on this rainy cold Wednesday – while I contemplate refreshing or enhancing my blog. INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup peanut oil 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or smashed 1-2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1 inch fresh ginger, grated 1/4 cup raw sesame seeds 8 ounces Chinese egg noodles 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons honey 1-2 tablespoons chili paste (sambal oelek) 1/2 pound ground chicken or pork (optional) 1 red onion thinly, sliced 4 green onions, chopped, plus more for serving 4 baby bok choy or green cabbage, chopped {more} On another note, I was sad to have watched the last episode of Victoria Season 3 on Sunday, but the commercials for Beecham House after the finale got me feeling hopeful – will you watch it once a premiere date is set for the US? And if elsewhere offering up this show – have you seen it?   

Food: Dinner Tonight – Vietnamese Beef and Rice

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Although this recipe calls for crispy rice – I am going to go with the steamy brown rice. I am not a fan of crispy rice – it reminds of a time one summer, when I was staying with my aunt and she was busy on a telephone call and forgot about the rice cooking on the burner. Hence the crispy rice scraped from the bottom of the pot, she insisted was delicious. At seven I thought otherwise, and refused to consume another spoonful of ‘that stuff’ So, we are going with  steamed brown rice for this dish tonight: INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin or flank steak, cut into 1 inch cubes black pepper 2 tablespoons oyster sauce 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon fish sauce 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated crushed red pepper flakes, to taste 1/4 cup sesame or extra virgin olive oil 3 cups cooked white rice 1 cup shredded radicchio or purple cabbage  {cabbage it is} 4 carrots, shredded or cut into ribbons 1 …