Hello friends!
It's been wayyyy too long since I last posted something on here. Well I have a lot of things going on right now so I've been looking for easy meals to prepare that are easy on the pocket book as well. I just made this Vegan Chili for lunch and loved it so much that I wanted to share. I know that most of you are experiencing colder weather than I am, and I am totally jealous. Fall is my favorite season of the year and I miss the cool, crisp air that is supposed to accompany it! I'm still in fall mode regardless of the weather.. eating chili, scents of pumpkin in the air, and comfy sweatshirts just to name a few. Now onto the recipe. I hope you like it!
Vegan Chili
1 15oz can Black Beans
1 15oz can Great Northern White Beans
1 15 oz can Diced Tomatoes
Approximately 3 cups Water
1-2 stalks Celery
1/2 Medium-sized Onion
3-5 Cloves Garlic (I love Garlic more than most)
2 tbsp Chili Powder
1/2 tbsp Cumin Powder
Dash of Onion Powder
Dash of Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
Chop the celery, onion, and garlic. (I like mine a little chunky.)
Mix all the ingredients together in a large pot.
Cover and bring to a boil. Allow vegetables to soften. (about 10 minutes)
Let it cool and enjoy!
Serves 4
The great thing is that this can be made for around $7 and that is using organic ingredients!
You can't beat feeding your family for such a low price!
You will probably be seeing a lot more Vegan, Gluten-free recipes popping up on my blog. I am going to do a 30-day vegan trial so I'm hoping to be disciplined enough to share with you everyday for the month!
Besos,
Courtney
Showing posts with label dairy free. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dairy free. Show all posts
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The Adventures of Gluten-Free Travel
Hello everyone!
If you don't already know, today is National Celiac Awareness Day! It's just a day dedicated to celebrate those with Celiac Disease, as well as raising awareness about Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance in general. In celebration of the day, I thought I would talk about how to travel gluten (& dairy!) free. I know that summer is over, so it seems a little late to be addressing travel concerns, but with school functions and holiday traveling, it's still a very relevant topic. Most of you probably don't know that I just got back from a trip to NYC. I love that city more than life. (Ok maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.) The first time I went to NYC I was not gluten-free. It was pre-diagnosis so I just enjoyed all of the food I wanted, including some cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. Yum. This time things were different so I tackled the city's abundance of restaurants from a gluten-free and dairy-free standpoint. I'm happy to report that NYC is where it's at!
Let's talk preparation. I understand that it's unlikely that many of you will be traveling to NYC anytime soon, but if you are, get excited about the options that await you! Before we left, I began researching restaurants and put together a "restaurant guide." I broke the city down by neighborhoods and listed the restaurants according to location so that no matter where we were in the city, I would be able to find something nearby with suitable dining options. I printed off a copy to put in my purse and emailed it to myself so I would have it on my phone. I also looked into iPhone apps that would be useful, and I found one that works pretty well. It had a few issues, but nothing too serious. It's called "Find Me Gluten Free." It uses your location to find restaurants around you with gluten-free options. You can also enter in an address, search for chain restaurants, or choose whether you want it to search all restaurants or just those with a dedicated gluten-free menu.
Here is a link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-me-gluten-free/id431006818?mt=8
Have you ever been in an airport or your on the airplane and you need a snack? Well here is my suggestion to you... Pack your own snacks. Do not assume that there is going to be something safe for you to eat. What if you were to encounter travel complications and didn't have time to grab something before running on the plane? You can eat the peanuts, right? Sorry, but you can't. At least not the ones on Southwest Airlines. I checked the package and guess what was listed as an ingredient on the back of those seemingly innocent peanuts? Wheat starch. Oopsies! Here are a few of my favorite snacks (in general) that make perfect travel companions. These are all dairy-free, not to mention they are free of other allergens as well (particularly Enjoy Life).
Other suggestions that I would like to add, especially if you are driving, is to take a loaf of gluten-free bread (I like Udi's) with some peanut or sun butter, fresh fruit, gluten-free chips, etc. If your hotel has a refrigerator, you can also purchase some gluten-free deli meat to make sandwiches (no cheese if DF!). This not only keeps you safe, but it saves you money as well.
Research restaurants and ask plenty of questions when you get there. Ask for a gluten-free menu and tell them of your food intolerance(s) so they can accommodate your needs. It's really not that hard to travel gluten and dairy free, especially if you are visiting large cities. There are some resorts, cruises, etc that are now going gluten-free (Disney included) so it's only getting easier!
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from my trip. Can't wait to go back!
Besos,
Courtney
If you don't already know, today is National Celiac Awareness Day! It's just a day dedicated to celebrate those with Celiac Disease, as well as raising awareness about Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance in general. In celebration of the day, I thought I would talk about how to travel gluten (& dairy!) free. I know that summer is over, so it seems a little late to be addressing travel concerns, but with school functions and holiday traveling, it's still a very relevant topic. Most of you probably don't know that I just got back from a trip to NYC. I love that city more than life. (Ok maybe a slight exaggeration, but you get the point.) The first time I went to NYC I was not gluten-free. It was pre-diagnosis so I just enjoyed all of the food I wanted, including some cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery. Yum. This time things were different so I tackled the city's abundance of restaurants from a gluten-free and dairy-free standpoint. I'm happy to report that NYC is where it's at!
Let's talk preparation. I understand that it's unlikely that many of you will be traveling to NYC anytime soon, but if you are, get excited about the options that await you! Before we left, I began researching restaurants and put together a "restaurant guide." I broke the city down by neighborhoods and listed the restaurants according to location so that no matter where we were in the city, I would be able to find something nearby with suitable dining options. I printed off a copy to put in my purse and emailed it to myself so I would have it on my phone. I also looked into iPhone apps that would be useful, and I found one that works pretty well. It had a few issues, but nothing too serious. It's called "Find Me Gluten Free." It uses your location to find restaurants around you with gluten-free options. You can also enter in an address, search for chain restaurants, or choose whether you want it to search all restaurants or just those with a dedicated gluten-free menu.
Here is a link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-me-gluten-free/id431006818?mt=8
Have you ever been in an airport or your on the airplane and you need a snack? Well here is my suggestion to you... Pack your own snacks. Do not assume that there is going to be something safe for you to eat. What if you were to encounter travel complications and didn't have time to grab something before running on the plane? You can eat the peanuts, right? Sorry, but you can't. At least not the ones on Southwest Airlines. I checked the package and guess what was listed as an ingredient on the back of those seemingly innocent peanuts? Wheat starch. Oopsies! Here are a few of my favorite snacks (in general) that make perfect travel companions. These are all dairy-free, not to mention they are free of other allergens as well (particularly Enjoy Life).
 |
| Enjoy Life NOT Nuts Trail Mix. I really like "Beach Bash." |
 |
| Glutino Gluten Free Table Crackers |
 |
| Glutino Gluten-Free Pretzels |
 |
| Enjoy Life Chewy Bars. I prefer Caramel Apple. |
Research restaurants and ask plenty of questions when you get there. Ask for a gluten-free menu and tell them of your food intolerance(s) so they can accommodate your needs. It's really not that hard to travel gluten and dairy free, especially if you are visiting large cities. There are some resorts, cruises, etc that are now going gluten-free (Disney included) so it's only getting easier!
Here are a few of my favorite pictures from my trip. Can't wait to go back!
 |
| Greenwich Village makes my heart happy. |
 |
| The beauty of Central Park. |
 |
| My new obsession, Babycakes. Vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free goodness. |
 |
| Flags covering Battery Park in remembrance of 9/11. |
 |
| Skyscrapers. In love. |
Courtney
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Milk: The Grand Finale
Hey!
I hope that you have learned a little bit about milk from the previous postings. I am now going to switch gears and begin talking about how the body can react to it. I'm sure you are all very familiar with the term "lactose intolerance," but you are probably not as familiar with the words "cross-reactivity" and "casein." I am going to talk about what they are, how they can effect you, what the symptoms related to them are, and what products you can and cannot have. Last, but not least, we will talk about why a gluten-free and dairy-free combination diet is the solution for a lot of people who are gluten intolerant but have unresolved issues.
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose- a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. This happens when the small intestine doesn't produce enough of the enzyme lactase. Premature babies can have this problem because they are not fully developed, but newborn babies are usually not affected. Most children do not show symptoms until they are around 3 years old. Genetics, race, etc can cause variations in the age, but be aware of your child's reaction to dairy products around this age to catch lactose intolerance early. It is estimated that 30 million Americans have some amount of lactose intolerance by the age of 20. The symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
Next up is casein. Casein is a protein found in bovine (cow) milk and is also found in many other things as a binding agent. According to wisegeek.com, "Casein can be found in two main types: edible and technical. Edible casein is widely used in both medicine and food, both for nutritional value and as a binder. Technical casein is used in an enormous range of products, including paints, cosmetics, and many types of adhesives. A not-insubstantial number of people have a casein allergy and may find themselves experiencing negative reactions both to casein-containing food products and to products such as nail polish that contain casein." People who react to casein will more than likely be able to enjoy goat and sheep dairy products with no problems unlike those with lactose intolerance.
So how does dairy have anything to do with gluten? Well people who have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity in general are often times put on a dairy-free diet. For gluten intolerant people, gluten and dairy go hand in hand. Here's why... People with Celiac or Gluten Sensitivity have gut damage that doesn't allow them to properly digest proteins in their food (lactose and more). Do you remember when I told you about "Leaky Gut Syndrome?" - This is the main reason.
More than likely, you are not lactose intolerant, but you can't rule it out completely. Celiac Disease has been found to cause lactase (enzyme) deficiencies. However, in most cases, when the gut has been allowed to properly heal, the problems associated with malabsorption decrease. Most people are able to reintroduce dairy products back into their diets after 6-12 months. For some it's more like 24-36 months.
Another issue gluten intolerant people face is "cross-reactivity." Cross-reactivity is when, after a period of time, your body starts to see other proteins, such as casein, as an "invader" just as it once thought gluten was an invader in your body. This is quite a phenomenon and in a later post, I will talk more about it and the other foods your anti-bodies begin to confuse for gluten. According to Primo Health, "Studies show that about 50% of gluten sensitive patients also have a problem with a protein called casein." As you can see, that's a large group of people so a dairy-free diet is something that needs serious consideration for those who are gluten intolerant. Who else benefits from a gluten-free/casein or dairy-free diet? People with Autism and ADHD. I will also address this at a later date, but I wanted to mention it now.
So where do you go from here? What can you eat? Well since I have been gluten-free for about 7 months, going dairy-free was somewhat easy for me. I know that not everyone is as well disciplined as I am and I definitely will not deny that both of these diets can be very challenging. Unfortunately, if you want to reap the full benefit and regain health or determine if one of these two (or both) are the root of your problems, you must strive for perfection. No cheating allowed! Obviously no milk, cheese, yogurt, etc along with no gluten. And if you're going completely dairy-free, that means no goat or sheep products either. Those are considered dairy too! It's a little easier if you are going casein-free because remember that's cow's milk only.
Here are a list of great alternatives for a dairy-free diet: (listed in order of personal preference)
Besos,
Courtney
I hope that you have learned a little bit about milk from the previous postings. I am now going to switch gears and begin talking about how the body can react to it. I'm sure you are all very familiar with the term "lactose intolerance," but you are probably not as familiar with the words "cross-reactivity" and "casein." I am going to talk about what they are, how they can effect you, what the symptoms related to them are, and what products you can and cannot have. Last, but not least, we will talk about why a gluten-free and dairy-free combination diet is the solution for a lot of people who are gluten intolerant but have unresolved issues.
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose- a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. This happens when the small intestine doesn't produce enough of the enzyme lactase. Premature babies can have this problem because they are not fully developed, but newborn babies are usually not affected. Most children do not show symptoms until they are around 3 years old. Genetics, race, etc can cause variations in the age, but be aware of your child's reaction to dairy products around this age to catch lactose intolerance early. It is estimated that 30 million Americans have some amount of lactose intolerance by the age of 20. The symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Nausea
Next up is casein. Casein is a protein found in bovine (cow) milk and is also found in many other things as a binding agent. According to wisegeek.com, "Casein can be found in two main types: edible and technical. Edible casein is widely used in both medicine and food, both for nutritional value and as a binder. Technical casein is used in an enormous range of products, including paints, cosmetics, and many types of adhesives. A not-insubstantial number of people have a casein allergy and may find themselves experiencing negative reactions both to casein-containing food products and to products such as nail polish that contain casein." People who react to casein will more than likely be able to enjoy goat and sheep dairy products with no problems unlike those with lactose intolerance.
So how does dairy have anything to do with gluten? Well people who have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease or Gluten Sensitivity in general are often times put on a dairy-free diet. For gluten intolerant people, gluten and dairy go hand in hand. Here's why... People with Celiac or Gluten Sensitivity have gut damage that doesn't allow them to properly digest proteins in their food (lactose and more). Do you remember when I told you about "Leaky Gut Syndrome?" - This is the main reason.
More than likely, you are not lactose intolerant, but you can't rule it out completely. Celiac Disease has been found to cause lactase (enzyme) deficiencies. However, in most cases, when the gut has been allowed to properly heal, the problems associated with malabsorption decrease. Most people are able to reintroduce dairy products back into their diets after 6-12 months. For some it's more like 24-36 months.
Another issue gluten intolerant people face is "cross-reactivity." Cross-reactivity is when, after a period of time, your body starts to see other proteins, such as casein, as an "invader" just as it once thought gluten was an invader in your body. This is quite a phenomenon and in a later post, I will talk more about it and the other foods your anti-bodies begin to confuse for gluten. According to Primo Health, "Studies show that about 50% of gluten sensitive patients also have a problem with a protein called casein." As you can see, that's a large group of people so a dairy-free diet is something that needs serious consideration for those who are gluten intolerant. Who else benefits from a gluten-free/casein or dairy-free diet? People with Autism and ADHD. I will also address this at a later date, but I wanted to mention it now.
So where do you go from here? What can you eat? Well since I have been gluten-free for about 7 months, going dairy-free was somewhat easy for me. I know that not everyone is as well disciplined as I am and I definitely will not deny that both of these diets can be very challenging. Unfortunately, if you want to reap the full benefit and regain health or determine if one of these two (or both) are the root of your problems, you must strive for perfection. No cheating allowed! Obviously no milk, cheese, yogurt, etc along with no gluten. And if you're going completely dairy-free, that means no goat or sheep products either. Those are considered dairy too! It's a little easier if you are going casein-free because remember that's cow's milk only.
Here are a list of great alternatives for a dairy-free diet: (listed in order of personal preference)
- Coconut Milk/Yogurt
- Almond Milk/Yogurt
- Rice Milk
- Soy Milk/Yogurt/Cheese (it has it's own risks and watch for casein in it as well!)
Besos,
Courtney
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)