Sometimes I’m lazier than others about making Sunday a food prep day – I’m a ‘Sunday Funday’ kinda girl so I rarely want to spend the day prepping food for the week. Yesterday was one of those days, so I want something quick and easy to prep that would give us some options throughout the week. 

When you’re following a Paleo lifestyle, it’s best to set aside a day where you plan the upcoming week’s meals to avoid being faced with having to prepare a big meal whenever you’re hungry. So yesterday I convinced my fabulous husband to make his ah-mazing slow cooker ribs so we would have leftovers for the week. Along with a 2lb bag of carrots, these ribs make for a perfect meal throughout the week, and they’re super easy to prepare.  

Remember, prepping is key to Paleo success, so I would definitely invest in a good slow cooker similar to the one we have which you can find hereIt’s relatively inexpensive at only $23.99 and we’ve had ours for years and love it!  

So here’s our simple recipe for delicious allergy-free, Paleo ribs! Note – the Paleo BBQ sauce found here works great with these!


paleo ribs
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zucchini burgers are gluten-free, paleo

Just ran across those guys thanks to Facebook, and I can’t wait to try them next week! One Lovely Life has created Chicken & Zucchini Poppers that are gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and whole30 approved so just about anyone (other than my veg friends) can eat these too. Check out the recipe here and let me know if you get around to making them before I do!

I mean, come on… how good do these look??

zucchini burgers are gluten-free, paleo

Grate 2 tablespoons of zest from the lemons and squeeze out 1/4 cup of juice. Add the zest and juice to a food processor or blender along with the cilantro, parsley, mint, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes and olive oil. Pulse to blend the ingredients. If the sauce is too thick, add more oil and lemon juice. The sauce should be just thin enough to pour. Use immediately or store in a glass jar for up to one week.

For most of us, the senses of smell and taste are powerful in bringing back memories. Perhaps it’s a meal that reminds us of a favorite moment in life, a vacation you never wanted to leave, or a friend, former love or family member you haven’t seen in ages.  When I was in my 20’s living in New York city, I had a favorite Argentinian restaurant that I visited often. No matter what I ordered, I always asked for their chimichurri sauce on the side. And I wasn’t particular about what I used it on – roasted veggies, fish, grilled meats or salads. The food was amazing and their chimichurri sauce was a perfect blend of tang and spice that was too much for me to resist.

Chimichurri is a blend of olive oil and finely chopped parsley, oregano, onion and garlic, all seasoned with salt, cayenne and black pepper and is as common in Argentina as ketchup is in the US.  It’s naturally gluten-free and Paleo and I’m guessing will become a staple in your kitchen, as it is in ours.

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Eight Boston Gluten-free restaurants

This article from Eater highlights some of their fave Boston restaurants that are gluten-free friendly.

For those avoiding gluten but still craving things that are traditionally made with it, here’s a round-up of eight restaurants that offer gluten-free items that will satisfy that hunger, including pasta, pizza, and dessert.” Remember though – depending on how sensitive you are, be careful in a traditional bakery as there will be a high risk of cross contamination. While I can’t risk it with Celiac, my gluten-sensitive son seems to do just fine with cross contamination. Please comment below if you’ve visited any of these forward thinking restaurants! 

 

Eight Boston Gluten-free restaurants

Eater.com’s Eight Boston Gluten-free restaurants

gluten free french toast

I love Sunday brunch; something about getting together with friends and family over a delicious breakfast filled with more exotic breakfast items than the standard egg dish is so appealing to me.  I love the excitement of tasting dishes that are not something I eat most mornings, and the old me especially loved french toast with maple cured bacon and fresh fruit.

While I haven’t had bread in ages, I have to admit that I occasionally miss it. I used to love my husband’s french toast; he has a way with egg-soaked, sweetened bread that just makes me happy 🙂 So when I ran across this recipe for a gluten free Spiced Banana French Toast on Goodbye Gluten’s site, I adapted their recipe to mirror our french toast and updated it a bit to be in-line with allergy-free diet. If you’re avoiding alcohol, try pairing it with this fun and tasty non-alcoholic Orange Spritzer for a twist on the mimosa.

While I can’t speak to the quality of their products, I always liked our gluten free french toast with a light white bread, and often use Udi’s or Canyon Bakehouse.  And while I no longer enjoy french toast myself, I’m happy that my son can experience it occasionally. Because of the glycemic effect of this recipe it’s not something I suggest you have often. Save it for a rare occasion and truly savor it, and be sure to follow it up with a protein packed dinner to balance it out.

Remember folks – life is all about balance, whether it’s allergy-free living, or life in general.  So go ahead and enjoy this delish dish, but add some protein for a dietary balance (think bacon or sausage) that will help keep you happy & satisfied while your glucose levels will enjoy a small but balanced spike.

 

Spiced Banana French Toast

Spiced Banana French Toast

Ingredients

  • 8 slices gluten-free white bread
  • 1/3 c. packed light brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp. agave syrup
  • 1 tsp. coconut oil
  • 1 c. sliced bananas
  • 2 lg. eggs
  • 1 1/4 c. almond, hemp, coconut or rice milk
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp. allspice
  • 1/8 tsp. sea salt
  • Confectioner's sugar

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, melt brown sugar, butter, agave syrup and oil over medium heat, stirring until it reaches a light boil.
  2. Reduce heat to low; stir in banana slices.
  3. Remove from heat; cover and keep warm.
  4. In a large bowl, beat eggs; blend in milk, vanilla , allspice, and sea salt.
  5. Soak each slice of gluten-free bread in egg mixture for 30 seconds per side and rest on plate (repeat if necessary).
  6. Spray a skillet or griddle pan with canola spray and pre-heat on medium.
  7. Cook each slice 3-4 minutes per side or until toast is lightly browned.
  8. Spoon banana sauce over French toast as desired and serve immediately.
  9. Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar, if desired.
  10. Variation: Add 1/2 c. blueberries to sauce with banana

Notes

Adapted from http://www.goodbyeglutenbakeries.com/french_toast.php

http://inspiredeats.net/gluten-free-spiced-banana-french-toast/

One of my favorite desserts, and probably the only dairy-filled one I would ever cheat with, is gelato. So when I found out there’s a Gelato World Tour and it was coming to Austin I didn’t hesitate to register 🙂

The Gelato World Tour is on its way here and will be held in one of our favorite spots – Republic Square Park in downtown Austin.

Sixteen of the best gelato chefs from the US will compete to create the world’s best flavor. You get to catch all the action live while each chef produces a unique flavor right in front of you – sounds perfect to me! They’re asking guests to taste and vote for your favorite flavor, which sounds like a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

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Tour details:

The tour is open to the public, free and sponsored by Carpigiani Gelato University. You can take part in free demonstrations, and learn the difference between gelato and ice cream.

Event Date: May 9th – 11th, 2014

Event Venue: Republic Square Park, Downtown Austin, TX, USA

Gelato World Tour’s mission is to spread the culture of Italian gelato, a fresh artisan food product to the general public throughout the world.

For most of our friends, packing a healthy school lunch that your kids actually enjoy is a challenge. From complaints of gluten-free bread not being soft and missing out on school lunches, most parents I know have heard it all. So when Van’s sent us a pack of their newest addition to the gluten-free packaged products, we were happy to taste test. If we could find a yummy and healthy gluten free cracker that our son enjoys in his lunchbox (instead of pop chips) then we’re winning. And since we already love the gluten-free frozen waffles and healthy cereal options they currently offer, we figured this would be another home run.

So,  our son happily ripped open a bag of their new, Say Cheese! crackers and after the first couple of bites it was clear he liked them. After he happily ate the whole bag, we knew we had a winner. So we tried them ourselves. Trust me, you will love them.

To say these are reminiscent of smoky Cheeze It’s is only a slight stretch. While they don’t leave that finger-licking-good, processed-cheese-melted-on-your-fingers effect, they have a similar flavor. The kid in me says it’s pretty close to the joy I used to get from eating Cheeze It’s so we’re giving these an A+ review.

vanssaycheese!In their words, Say Cheese! is a seriously snackable multigrain crackers packed with delicious cheese taste. With totally terrific cheesy flavor and the perfect crispy crunch, these Say Cheese! Crackers are everyone’s favorite! And with 16g of nutrient-rich, gluten free whole grains, they’re a snack everyone will love.

Here’s a list of their ingredients…

Ingredients:

Van’s Gluten Free Whole Grain Blend (Oats, Brown Rice Flour, Millet, Quinoa And Amaranth), non-GMO Expeller Pressed Sunflower and/or Safflower Oil, Potato Starch, Rice Flour, Cheddar Cheese (Cultured Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Whey, Brown Sugar, Salt, Buttermilk, Yeast Extract, Sesame Seeds, Sunflower Lecithin, Spices, Beta Carotene and Annatto Extract (for Color), Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Natural Mixed Tocopherols for Freshness.

Contains: Milk.

Head on over to their site and check out where you can grab a pack of deliciousness today!

 

A local favorite of ours is Nada Moo!, a gluten-free, vegan ice cream option made of coconut milk. They focus on all natural ingredients and since they’re sweetened with agave nectar, NadaMoo! has roughly half the fat and calories of ice cream and other dairy-free alternatives.

If you’re lucky enough to live in the area, you can grab a pint at any of the local markets listed here.  And are they for real with their newest flavors, Vanilla Cha-Cha-Chai and Bananas for PB & Chocolate.  Yes please!

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Austin, TX (March 24, 2014) – As the weather heats up, NadaMoo! is cooling down by adding two new flavors to their ever-expanding product line. With the addition of Vanilla Cha-Cha-Chai and Bananas for PB & Chocolate to their gluten and dairy-free coconut milk ice cream family, NadaMoo! now has ten flavors on the shelves at Whole Foods Markets across the southwest.

Vanilla Cha-Cha-Chai and Bananas for PB & Chocolate showcase two of our fan-favorites, vanilla and chocolate, with flavor combinations that make them uniquely NadaMoo!,” says Daniel Nicholson, CEO. “We look forward to what the public thinks and can’t wait to continue expanding with more flavors and locations.”

Erin Echternach, pastry chef and flavor developer for NadaMoo!, has been working with Nicholson over the past year to create these two distinctive new flavors that remain gluten- and dairy-free, vegan and kosher. Reminiscent of the favorite coffee shop indulgence, Vanilla Cha-Cha-Chai introduces a slightly spicy chai flavor that is balanced with the creamy vanilla coconut milk base. The Fair Trade Certified Bananas for PB & Chocolate is a perfect blend of their signature rich chocolate sprinkled with banana and peanut bites.

“The secret is to find flavors that complement the coconut base,” says Echternach. “From there we can create any number of combinations, and we aren’t afraid to experiment, so expect more exciting new combinations from NadaMoo! in the future!”

NadaMoo!’s other signature flavors include Java Crunch, Lotta Mint Chip, Creamy Coconut, Gotta Do Chocolate, mmm…Maple Pecan, Vanilla…ahh, Sweet Cherry Lime and Chocolate Almond Chip.

 

About NadaMoo!:

NadaMoo! is a dairy-free, zero cholesterol, gluten-free, lower calorie and lower carb coconut milk ice cream. Established in Austin, Texas in 2004, NadaMoo! was founded with a mission to make the world happier and healthier, one scoop at a time. Since NadaMoo! is made with the cream of the coconut, each pint retains the same saturated-fat mouth-feel of ice cream while remaining dairy- and gluten-free. Sweetened with agave nectar, NadaMoo! has roughly half the fat and calories of not only ice cream, but also similar dairy-free alternatives. The company makes its products in Texas and is dedicated to using organic, kosher, Fair Trade Certified and gluten-free ingredients whenever possible in support of a fair, sustainable and contaminant-free food chain. Since taking the reins in 2011, CEO Daniel Nicholson has led the family-owned company’s expansion into new territories and points of distribution across the nation without forgetting his Texas roots. NadaMoo! is available in natural, conventional, specialty and co-op grocery stores nationwide.

In honor of Valentines day, and our intense love of chocolate, we’re passing along this note from Central Market about upcoming chocolate festivities this month…

The Great Indulgence Chocolate Festival Coming to Central Market 

Decadence dances in the air February 5-18 as Chocolate Festival arrives at Central Market just in time for Valentine’s Day. Come satisfy your senses during The Great Indulgence, featuring more sinful selections of gourmet chocolate concoctions than you’ll find anywhere. Austin Central Market locations will be offering exquisite samples throughout the stores, cocoa-inspired cooking classes, and internationally recognized chocolatiers touting their wares and sharing their secrets with in-store appearances.

 

While we’ve missed some of the previous sessions already happening this week, you can still catch the session with Sue Williams tonight!
 
Dr. Sue Williams, Dr. Sue’s Chocolate
Tuesday, February 11
CM Westgate: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
CM N. Lamar: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Dr. Sue Williams is an internal medicine physician on a mission to fight obesity-related disease through all-natural dark chocolate made to taste better and help you live healthier. In 2009, wanting to learn more about the art of the craft, she headed to Chicago to take classes at the Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy. Today, Dr. Sue’s elegantly packaged creations have North Texas chocolate lovers swooning.
 
In-store Samplings and Demonstrations Include:
 
 Central Market N. Lamar location
Wed., February 12
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Barry Callebaut
Thurs., February 13
11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Chocolove
Thurs., February 13
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Vosages Haut-Chocolate
Thurs., February 13
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Charbonnel et Walker
Sat., February 15
11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Valor
Central Market Westgate location
Tues., February 11
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Barry Callebaut
Wed., February 12
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Taza Chocolates
Thurs., February 13
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Scharffenberger
Thurs., February 13
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Barry Callebaut
Thurs., February 13
2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Angels Gluten Free Mixes
Thurs., February 13
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Vosages Haut-Chocolate
Fri., February 14
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Taza Chocolates
Fri., February 14
11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Chocolove
Fri., February 14
2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Kakawa
Sat., February 15
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Taza Chocolates
Sat., February 15
11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Valor
Sun., February 16
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Taza Chocolates
WHEN:            Chocolate Festival runs February 5 to 18, 2014

WHERE:            Central Market N. Lamar, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78756

                           Central Market Westgate, 4477 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78745

I have a love-hate relationship with Facebook. Sometimes I think it’s a fascinating tool that’s made keeping in touch with friends and family members much easier than ever, allowing us to customize the level of contact we have and probably keeping some relationships which would either fade away, or erupt in an explosive fight, alive.  Simply because we can see each others feeds.

Other times I feel like it’s a voyeur’s dream scenario and it bothers me in a Big Brother sort of way.

Today I love it because I caught a post on a ‘friends’ page about the Dr Oz segment on the true signs of a Gluten Sensitivity.

He and Dr. Amy Meyers (also from Austin) debunk many common myths about symptoms of a gluten-sensitivity and help explain why so many of us suffering from signs like fatigue, weight gain, migraine, brain fog and joint pain may just be dealing with inflammation caused by gluten.

Click here to continue reading the post.

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When we signed up for our weekly veggie share we made a pact to challenge our comfort zone and use every item, regardless of whether we’ve never heard of or tasted it.  Occasionally the obscure squash will throw us off a bit, but for the most part we’ve done pretty well learning to use all the items each week. In fact, we’re almost disappointed when something common, like lettuce, is thrown in the mix. This time of year our weekly veggie share is packed with items like crisp green apples, kale, cauliflower and mushrooms which are all items we regularly use so there’s not much exotic going on in our kitchen.

So when you find yourself with 8 delicious, crispy green apples, you can either throw them in a smoothie, juice them, make homemade apple sauce, or make something much more enjoyable. Like  Baked Apple Crisp.

Think apple pie, but healthier.

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Vegan, gluten-free Baked Apple Crisp

Vegan, gluten-free Baked Apple Crisp

Ingredients

  • 3 Large(or 4 small) Apples (Peeled and Sliced)
  • 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • 4 Tbsp Agave, Honey or Maple Syrup
  • 1/3 Cup Almond Flour
  • 1/2 Cup Gluten Free Rolled Oats
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 Pinch Salt
  • 2 Tbsp Coconut Oil (or Olive Oil)

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
  2. In a bowl toss sliced apples, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and 1 tbsp of agave, honey or maple syrup.
  3. Lightly oil an 8 x 8 glass baking dish.
  4. Add apple mixture and bake for 10 minutes.
  5. While apples bake, mix the rest of the ingredients in a bowl.
  6. Break up coconut oil and mix it in as well as you can.
  7. After baking the apples for 10 minutes remove them from the oven.
  8. Sprinkle and spread the topping mixture over the apples.
  9. Place back in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  10. Apple Crisp is done when the topping is golden brown.
http://inspiredeats.net/vegan-gluten-free-baked-apple-crisp/

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Start the new year off right!

For those of you who aren’t aware, we launched our gluten-free samples program, Happybelly Box last year, and we’re excited to offer you a chance to win a free sample box packed with our delicious, favorite gluten and dairy free snacks! These treats are perfect for your backpack or lunchbox and we keep them on hand at all times to make sure we have a safe and healthy treat option when hunger pangs hit! 

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How do you enter for your chance to win a FREE Happybelly Box?

Simply head on over to our site, Happybellybox and register for your chance to win.

Whether you’re news to the gluten-free lifestyle or consider yourself a pro, our snacks are sure to please! They’re hand-picked to include our favorite snack foods and are often vegan, Paleo and are always packed with super-foods, nutrient-rich goodness.

Good luck!