A Healthful Gluten-Free Life

Fried Goat Cheese With Spicy Honey Drizzle

2012-05-17T20:42:00.000-04:00

Hello! Hope you've been enjoying the recipes I've posted so far... Here's another delicious one from the spring issue of Delight Gluten-Free Magazine!

Ingredients

10 ounces goat cheese

1/3 cup all-purpose gluten-free flour

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 egg, beaten with a splash of water

1 ¼ cups gluten-free bread crumbs

¼ cup honey

¼ teaspoon hot pepper flakes, finely crushed

Vegetable oil, for frying

Preparation

Cut the goat cheese into 16 even pieces. Roll into 1-inch sized balls. Place on a baking sheet covered with waxed paper and freeze for 20 minutes. Combine gluten-free flour and salt in a shallow bowl. Place egg and water mixture in another bowl, and the gluten-free bread crumbs in a separate shallow bowl. Set aside. Stir together honey and hot pepper flakes- set aside. In a large saucepan, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375 degrees F. Once the cheese is out of the freezer and is no longer sticky, roll the balls into the flour mixture and shake off excess. Dip into the egg mixture, and then coat evenly in the breadcrumbs. Working in batches, gently drop the coated goat cheese balls into the hot vegetable oil. Fry each ball for about 2 minutes, turning over once after 1 minute. The balls should be golden brown. Remove the balls with a slotted spoon, drain, and place on a plate with paper towel to absorb the excess oil. Once all of the balls have been fried, place on a serving plate and drizzle the spicy honey mixture over the goat cheese. Serve immediately with toothpicks.

Vegan Crispy Rice Treats

2012-05-15T19:35:00.002-04:00

Hello world! I realized it has been a really long time since my last post. I'm planning on giving this blog a new look very soon, and I will also be expanding my posts into other of my interests. Hope you're as excited as I am! Here's a recipe from the spring issue of Delight Gluten-Free Magazine! Please enjoy...

Ingredients

3 Tbsp. Earth Balance Vegan Butter Spread
4 C. Dandies Vegan Marshmallows
6 C. Gluten-Free Crispy Rice Cereal

Preparation

Lightly grease a square pan and set aside. Melt butter in a saucepan on medium/low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Add cereal and continue to stir. Transfer to pan and press with a spatula. Let cool and cut into square shapes.

Easy Peasy Chocolate Robot Cake

2012-01-11T13:18:00.002-05:00

Happy birthday to my little brother! Even though he is not so little anymore, he will always be my little brother. As usual, I was kindly asked to bake his birthday cake... I agreed! I love baking, especially if I have a legit reason for engaging in this activity. Don't worry! I haven't forgotten my New Year's resolution. I'm working on some healthier recipes for you guys, but yesterday was a special occasion!

I wanted to do something fun... something different! I'm quite fond of cake decorating, but I never got myself to take a course. As an independent learner, I generally enjoy learning through observation. After a few minutes of looking at cake ideas and loads of pictures, I decided I wanted to bake him a robot cake!

I started off with a basic box of gluten-free chocolate cake mix (Gluten Free Devil's Food Cake Mix from Betty Crocker to be exact)! Before preparing the mix, I lightly greased a square baking pan and three baking cups. Basically, what you are going to be doing is baking a square cake and three cupcakes. Once all the preparation and baking is done, allow everything to cool.

With your choice of frosting, smooth the top of the square piece. Take two cupcakes and slice the top off (slice one of the top portions in half for the ears and use the other to create the mouth). Place cupcakes on top for the eyes. Smooth some frosting on the eyes and top with your choice of sprinkles. Voila!

That wasn't so bad, right? Many people think baking something fun is too complicated. Personally, I think this is a fairly easy way to create something the whole family will love!

P.S. What's your favorite gluten-free cake mix?

Showing King Arthur Flour Some Love

2012-01-04T13:51:00.005-05:00

I have been working with King Arthur Flour products for quite some time now. I baked a couple of gluten-free gifts for family and friends over the holidays. Of course, I didn't tell them that what they were eating was gluten-free at first. I did tell them once I saw a smile on their face. I'm trying to teach people (very skeptical people) that gluten-free food can taste even better than your average glutenous foods.

I visited some family in Miami about a week ago. It was my first time in Miami, so I was excited! The city is beautiful and the people are lovely! The restaurants are pretty good too! I made sure I stuck to my new pescetarian diet and ordered a delicious "Mahi-Mahi" Filet from a restaurant called La Carreta! I had no idea Cuban cuisine was that good!

Anyway, sorry I got sidetracked! Like I said, I visited some family and I baked a delightful gluten-free bread loaf to give. My aunt absolutely loved it! If there was something she liked more than my bread, it had to be the presentation of the gift. I used KAF's tasty Gluten-Free Bread Mix and their bake and give wooden bakers! They definitely did the trick in adding a nice touch to an extremely simple gift idea.

Likewise, I have been using other KAF bake and give pans as well as sugar decorations (picture above) to make all sorts of gifts. Yes, their sugar decorations are also gluten-free! King Arthur Flour offers great quality products and wonderful gluten-free options. From baking ingredients to baking tools and decorations, you can definitely trust KAF to deliver beautiful results! Looking to learn more about KAF gluten-free products? Feel free to visit them at www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/special-diets for more information!

P.S. Want to take a look at my New Year's resolutions? Click here!

DeVine Lip Shimmers

2011-12-30T01:44:00.008-05:00

Hello world! As you probably noticed, I have been making a few changes here and there. In addition to a new layout, I'm also happy to announce that A Healthful Gluten-Free Life will now have a gluten-free beauty section. From gluten-free cosmetics to skincare to hair care... You name it! It's important for those with Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance to be aware of the hazards that can be caused by gluten in beauty products. I will go into more detail further on, so be sure to check back frequently! Believe it or not, there are many gluten-free companies that offer beauty products, and one of them is DeVine! Below is a guest post from Michelle Bucaro (Brand Manager DeVine Lip Shimmers):

We created DeVine with a health conscious consumer in mind, and we believe that living a gluten-free lifestyle doesn't mean giving up the thrill of a great lip shimmer.

DeVine Lip Shimmers are completely natural, gluten free, and made with all the finest ingredients. We have taken the benefits of wine and placed them into 5 different varieties of lip shimmers: Rosé, Merlot, Champagne, Bordeaux, and Vanilla Spritzer. Each luscious tube adds health, beauty, and incredible moisture to your lips. They provide a beautifully tinted shimmer that lasts longer than a standard lip balm.

Initially our main focus was on the ingredients. I asked myself the following questions: What supplements contain the best benefits for beauty and health? Which of these are easily absorbed into your body and provide instant results? What would I feel safe enough to use several times a day? We found the answer in Grapeseed Oil, Resveratrol and Red Wine Polyphenols.

Grape Seed Oil is easily absorbed into your lips and has the ability to lock in moisture on contact. Known to be slightly astringent, Grapeseed Oil easily penetrates the skin due to its thin consistency and is a wonderful carrier of other nutrients. There is nothing like the soft, silky feeling of Grapeseed Oil to truly nourish the lips. Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound with anti-oxidant properties that is found in the skin of red wine grapes. Resveratrol’s anti-oxidant power helps your lips to fight against the cellular damage that leads to aging. Red Wine Polyphenols together with Resveratrol fights against free radicals with potent long term anti-aging benefits to naturally further your youthful look!

DeVine Lip Shimmers have naturally combined these ingredients to create what I believe to be a fabulous product that is healthy and good for you and your lips. More than just a great product, it’s also a great value! DeVine Lip Shimmers are available at www.devineshimmers.com and other various online retailers. We hope you will take a look - your lips will thank you!

Thanks Michelle! I can't wait to get my hands on DeVine Lip Shimmers! You can follow Michelle on twitter @1DeVineGal! Check back soon for more information on gluten-free beauty products and wonderful tips!

P.S. How do you like the new layout?

Coconut Cranberry Oat Bread

2011-12-20T15:49:00.002-05:00

Here's another recipe inspired by the holidays! My favorite kind of holiday cookie is a classic oat cookie with cranberries and white chocolate chips. I came up with this recipe yesterday by adding ingredients as I went along, and the final result was a huge hit! The beauty of this recipe is that it can be easily turned into a delightful gift. Have you heard of King Arthur Flour Bake and Give Pans? I sure have, and I love using them! Aside from being convenient, you won't have to worry about your pan returning. Click here to see a full selection of pans and supplies!

Ingredients

1 Toosie's Gluten-Free Bread Mix

2 Large Eggs

1 ¼ Cup Water

1 ½ Tablespoon Vinegar

¼ Cup Butter (Softened)

¼ Cup Walnuts

¼ Cup Packed Brown Sugar

½ Cup Shredded Coconut (Sweetened)

½ Cup Dried Cranberries
½ Cup Gluten-Free Rolled Oats

Preparation

In a large bowl, combine eggs, water, vinegar, and butter. Mix thoroughly and add mix as well as yeast package included in the box. Stir and add walnuts, sugar, coconut, cranberries, and oats. Pour batter into bread pan of your choice. Smooth top and let stand for 50 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F and bake for 40-50 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

P.S. What's your favorite holiday bread recipe?

- Janice

Cherry Pecan Coffee Cake

2011-12-20T14:48:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays! I finally finished decorating for Christmas and shopping for gifts. With that said, I had a little bit of free time yesterday and I decided to work on some recipes. My family loves having warm coffee in the morning during this time of year, especially if it's accompanied with something extra. From bagels to coffee cake, it's always a treat! Here's a delicious recipe for coffee cake...

Ingredients

1 Toosie's Gluten-Free Muffin Mix

2 Large Eggs

6 Tablespoons Butter (Softened)

1 ½ Cup Dried Cherries

¾ Cup Milk

¼ Cup Chopped Pecans

¼ Cup Gluten-Free Rolled Oats

¼ Packed Brown Sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease pan (square or round) and set aside. In a large bowl, combine mix, eggs, butter, cherries, and milk. Mix thoroughly and pour into pan. Smooth top and sprinkle pecans, oats, and sugar. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.

P.S. What's your favorite coffee cake recipe?

- Janice

Pressed Sugar Cookies

2011-12-06T17:32:00.003-05:00

It is finally December, my favorite month of the year! Over the last two weeks, I have managed to finish up all my school work. With only one course left for the semester (which ends in March), I can happily take some time off to enjoy with my family this holiday season. We finished putting up Christmas decorations this weekend, indoor decorations that is. There are still some lights we plan on putting up here and there, and I'm thinking we will be doing that this coming weekend.

So anyway, I also finished working on some assignments for Delight. Speaking of, if you are interested in subscribing to the magazine (and you should)... click here! I asked you guys on Facebook about what recipes you would like to see on my blog during December. My first reply was... sugar cookies! With that said, I decided to take one of my favorite recipes from my cookbook and share it with you! In addition to being gluten-free, this recipe is also dairy-free, egg-free, peanut-free and nut-free! There are two ways of making these cookies. The original recipe is meant to be made with the help of a cookie press, but you can certainly make these delicious cookies without it! Enjoy...

Ingredients

Cherrybrook Kitchen® Gluten-Free Sugar Cookie Mix

½ Cup Butter (Melted)

¼ Cup Dairy-Free Vanilla Milk

2 ½ Teaspoons Gluten-Free Vanilla Extract

Preparation

Preheat oven at 325°F. Combine ingredients in a bowl. Place dough inside cookie press. Using your shape of preference, press cookies onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Sprinkle decorating sugars. Bake for approx. 15 minutes or until slightly golden.

P.S. Looking for more holiday recipes? Check out Sweets & Treats: A Gluten-Free Guide to the Holidays! Click here to see...

- Janice

Choco-Coco Peanut Butter Squares

2011-11-22T23:20:00.002-05:00

Hey guys! I feel like it has been ages since the last time I made a blog post. Last night, I was feeling a little guilty because I used to post recipes during most days of the week, and that hasn't been the case lately. For this reason, I really wanted to create something to make-up for all those recipes I haven't been posting. The holidays are finally here (almost), and it's time to indulge a little. I combined a variety of my favorite ingredients and formulated the ultimate dessert recipe. Even though I can't eat peanut butter, I still like to incorporate it into my recipes from time to time. Just because I can't eat it, doesn't mean anyone else can't. To me, it can be very rewarding seeing people smile as a result of trying my gluten-free creations. Those moments are the ones that give me the motivation to continue blogging and sharing my recipes.

On a side note, school has been great. I just passed a Humanities, Literature, and Arts course final! I felt so relieved! Only one more course to go and I'm done with school for the year! I'm really excited about finishing up and focusing on other things, which brings me to... I've been working on some delightful recipes for the spring issue of Delight Gluten-Free Magazine. Now, I can't share any details yet, but I will say that you're in for a treat! I'm truly enjoying each and every moment that I spend working on Delight recipes. Did I tell you guys? In addition to contributing, I will also be doing food and photo styling. It has been an awesome experience so far, and I have a feeling there are even greater things to come. The winter issue came out recently and you can check it out here. In other news, the paperback edition of Sweets & Treats: A Gluten-Free Guide to the Holidays will be released on Thursday, November 24, 2011. I can't think of a better day to release it than Thanksgiving Day! I will be posting updates on Facebook, so if you haven't liked my page yet please do! Here's the recipe...

Ingredients

1 Package of Dr. Lucy's Chocolate Cookies

¼ Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

1 Cup Unsalted Butter (2 Sticks)

1 Cup Peanut Butter

1 Cup Granulated Sugar

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1 (8 oz.) Package Cream Cheese

½ Cup Granulated Sugar

2 Large Eggs

Preparation

Preheat oven at 350°F. Line a square pan with parchment paper, letting the parchment extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. Lightly grease parchment paper and set aside. Place chocolate cookies and shredded coconut in a food processor. In a large bowl, combine peanut butter and unsalted butter. Microwave for 30 seconds and stir until smooth. Microwave an additional 30 seconds if necessary. Continue to stir while adding coconut and cookie crumbs along with the granulated and brown sugars. Pour mixture into pan and set aside. Combine cream cheese, sugar, and eggs in a food processor. Pour mixture into pan as well. Bake for approximately 50 minutes. Remove from oven and top with your choice of chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, milk, or white). Let cool and freeze for 2-3 hours. Refrigerate another hour and cut into squares. Enjoy and remember to be thankful this holiday season!

P.S. What do you think of A Healthful Gluten-Free Life's new look?

- Janice

Gluten-Free Find: Navitas Naturals

2011-11-04T10:17:00.002-04:00

Photos © Navitas Naturals

Even though I'm not vegan, I still like to eat raw food from time to time. I came across Navitas Naturals and knew I wanted to try their products for sure! I love the Organic Raw Power Snacks, which come in three different varieties: Cacao Goji, Blueberry Hemp, and Citrus Chia. These are perfect as a post-workout snack simply because they provide all the necessary nutrients to restore your body's energy. This is the beauty of Navitas Naturals products! They taste great, but they are also bursting with all sorts of vitamins and nutrients. These include antioxidants, iron, omega fatty acids, and protein. Considering the fact that I can't eat several foods, Navitas Naturals products have become an essential. These help replace any nutrients my body doesn't obtain due to my restricted diet.

Aside from the snacks, I'm also a huge fan of their Organic Superfood Chocolate Kits. Something chocolaty that's also healthy and good for me? I will take that any day! This brings me to coconut oil. I haven't tried it yet, but everyone seems to be reaching for it nowadays. According to research, it does wonders for your skin, and it also promotes a lean physique. What do you think? Have you ever tried coconut oil?

Sweets & Treats: eBook Is Out Now!

2011-10-31T00:10:00.000-04:00

Like what you see? This is one of many eye-catching recipes you will find in my cookbook titled Sweets & Treats: A Gluten-Free Guide to the Holidays. It consists of 25 delightful recipes that are free of the most common allergens (gluten, dairy, peanuts, and eggs). This cookbook is the perfect holiday gift for anyone seeking to live allergy-free! The digital version is now available on Lulu! Paperbacks will be available on Thanksgiving Day, but for now get the eBook. Thanks for all your support! ♥

It's Now Officially Official...

2011-10-27T23:53:00.001-04:00

Hello world! I hope everyone is having an awesome week! I'm really excited to properly announce that the digital version of my cookbook with be released on Monday, October 31st, 2011. Once Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Christmas is only a block away! Christmas is my favorite time of year, which is why I decided to make my first cookbook all about the holidays. I'm particularly looking forward to spending more time with my family this year. Everyone has been so busy doing their own thing and we haven't really had time to enjoy "the sweetness of doing nothing" together. What are you looking forward to? I bet all of you have something wonderful planned out, and I'm curious to see what my fellow foodie friends have in store!

I guess here's where I'm supposed to talk about my book. After all, that's what this post is about, right? The question is, where to begin? I think it would be appropriate to go back to where it all started... I began blogging about the 'this and thats' of gluten-free living during the summer, and I immediately discovered my passions: gluten-free living and photography. Before that I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, but now I have a clearer picture. As time went by, I realized I wanted to do something special for the holidays, something I could use as a mean of passing years of holiday get-togethers and traditions from my home to yours. That's how the idea for this cookbook emerged. Sweets & Treats: A Gluten-Free Guide to the Holidays includes 25 delightful recipes that are free of gluten, dairy, peanuts, and eggs. The cookbook is also vegan-friendly for those of you who like to indulge every once in a while. All in all, the recipes are delicious, and each is made with a fun twist! It has been two crazy months of research, testing, writing, and living. I have enjoyed each and every minute of it, and I truly hope you will enjoy the product that came from this creative process.

Oh, before I forget... Paperback editions of Sweets & Treats: A Gluten-Free Guide to the Holidays will be available on Thursday, November 24, 2011. Thanksgiving Day is a great day to start shopping for Christmas presents, and this cookbook is the perfect gift for anyone living allergy-free!

Gluten-Free Find: Wilton

2011-10-25T10:49:00.002-04:00

Courtesy © Wilton Industries, Inc.

Once the holidays come around, you know it's time to get crafty. I used to work with all sorts of Wilton products before my allergies took over, so I decided to contact them and ask for a gluten-free list of their products. They were so kind in taking their time to get the list together, and here it is for me to share...

√ Bake Easy! Pan Spray

√ Cake Release

√ Sprinkles (Sugars, Jimmies, Nonpareils, Mixes, Shapes)

√ Icing Decorations

√ Candy Melts

√ Sugar Sheets

√ Icing Colors

√ Color Mist

√ Candy Colors

√ Candy Flavors

√ Gel Food Colors

√ Flavorings (Vanilla, Butter, Almond)

√ Cookie Icings

√ Sparkle Gels

√ Decorating Gels (Ready-To-Use Gel Tubes)

√ Icing Writers

√ Pearl Dust

√ Gum Paste Mix

√ Ready-To-Use Gum Paste

√ Color Flow Mix

√ Glycerin

√ Gum-Tex Karaya

√ Glucose

√ Meringue Powder

√ Piping Gel

√ 1 LB (White and Chocolate) and 4.5 LB Decorator Icings

√ Buttercream Icing Mix

√ Whipped Icing Mix

√ Royal Icing Mix

√ Dessert Designs

√ Favor Candy (Mint Drops, Candy Sticks/Lollipops, Pillow Mints, Cut Rock, Pearls,
Jellybeans, Bling Rings, Double Hearts, Doves, Wedding Bells, Conversation Hearts,
Jordan Almonds)

√ Bracelet and Necklace Candy Kits

√ Candy Ring Kits

√ Color-A-Mouth Candy Kit

√ Cake Sparkles

√ Color Dust

√ FoodWriters

√ Fondant

√ Edible Glitter

The indication of the Wilton® products listed as being gluten-free is based on 2011 formulations for such products.

Meatball Melt

2011-10-20T13:26:00.000-04:00

Hi! It's been a while since my last post. The weather is really nice around here. It was a little cold yesterday, so I went ahead and made myself a cheesy melt. After thinking of simple ways to make it more flavorful, I realized I had some meatballs in the freezer...

Ingredients

2 Slices Gluten-Free Bread

4 Al Fresco Tomato & Basil Chicken Meatballs

2 Slices American Cheese

Preparation

Follow package instructions to prepare meatballs. Toast bread until crisp. Place meatballs on a slice of bread, topping them with cheese and other bread slice. Place in the microwave for approximately 15 seconds or until cheese has melted... Enjoy!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

2011-10-13T11:50:00.004-04:00

I can't believe it has been over a week since my last post. A lot of events took place, and among them was a final assessment for my management class. Great news! I passed! Now I'm moving on to the next one. I will be learning about literature and art, which is definitely something of interest. Before I began writing, I was into drawing and painting. I still engage in those activities sometimes, but now photography and writing are my priority (when school doesn't get in the way of course).

Time to talk about the bread. One word: delicious. The texture is as nice and soft as regular bread. Better? Perhaps. Now the question is, how do I get my hands on it? Simple, look for Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread Mix from Bob's Red Mill. Once you have it, follow the instructions on the back of the package to prepare it. Honestly, it's really easy! Out of all the bread mixes I've tried in the past, this one is by far the best. I think it has something to do with the sweet taste of cinnamon. Maybe? Cinnamon is one of my favorite spices to use during this time of year, or anytime of the year for that matter. If you like cinnamon, I promise you'll love this bread!

Oh, before I go... I have a couple friends who also blog, and I know they would really appreciate it if you checked them out. Beauty & Grace is all about enhancing your beauty! Tiana has great advice and just started blogging recently, so please show her some support. Next is Sean Doherty's Blog! Here's a question for you... Do you ever feel like you need a little encouragement to get going? I do sometimes, especially after a stressful day(s). Getting a positive perspective on my day always helps. Sean does an awesome job at helping people get a positive outlook on life. Sometimes that's all you need!

Well, that's it for now! Soon I will be giving all of you an update on my cookbook. It's going to be great! Until then, take care and have a wonderful gluten-free weekend!

Vegan Halloween Spritz Cookies

2011-10-04T13:30:00.003-04:00

It's finally October! The weather has been really nice around here lately. As I walk through my neighborhood, I sense the smell of homemade pies and treats. Oh autumn, thou dost not know how much I love thee! Aside from enjoying the beginning of the fall season, I recently dove into the vegan scene. Surprisingly, vegan food is unbelievably flavorful! Since Halloween is coming up, I wanted to create some treats. Don't worry, there are no tricks involved! This recipe is quite simple and doesn't require a whole lot of ingredients!

There are a couple of options as to shaping these cookies. One, you can use a Cookie Pro Ultra II Cookie Press (or any that includes the pumpkin shape). Two, you can roll out the dough and shape with a cookie cutter of your choice. For decoration purposes, I topped my cookies with a little Nature's Colors Marigold Orange Decorating Sugar from India Tree. Just in case you haven't heard of India Tree before, they have an amazing line of all natural party decoratifs (sprinkles), decorating colors, and decorating sugar! These are all made with vegetable colorants and are GMO Free. The reason why I found out about India Tree was due to research I was conducting for my cookbook. Speaking of, it's coming along great! Anyway, here's the recipe...

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. Flax Meal

3 Tbsp. Water

1 ⅓ Cup All Purpose Flour

¾ Cup Granulated Sugar (or Stevia)

1 Tsp. Baking Powder

½ Tsp. Salt

½ Cup Earth Balance Butter (Softened)

½ Tsp. Vanilla Extract

½ Tsp. Almond Extract

Preparation

Mix flax meal and water. Let stand for approximately 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt). Add butter, extracts, and flax mixture. Once dough is ready, roll out or use a cookie press to shape the cookies. Bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Let cool... Enjoy!

Vegan French Rolls

2011-09-30T21:48:00.005-04:00

Finally, it's Friday! Knowing I don't have to wake up early tomorrow makes me feel great! If there's something better than Fridays, it's Saturdays! Why? Saturday nights in my household are by far the most entertaining of the week. Great music, great company, great food... Some of my friends have been a little skeptical about trying my gluten-free recipes in the past, so I decided to stop telling them they were gluten-free. Today, most of them look forward to my gluten-free cooking. I love entertaining as much as I love cooking and baking. I have something special planned for tomorrow. Have you ever heard of tapas? Tapas are a wide array of Spanish appetizers. I'm not going to tell you exactly what I'm making because I want it to be a surprise, but I will say that I'm going to pair it with delicious gluten-free bread. Here's a recipe that's perfect for making anything from French rolls to baguettes...

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Flax Meal

⅓ Cup Warm Water

3 Cups Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour

½ Tablespoon Xanthan Gum

1 Tablespoon Rapid Rise Yeast

2 Teaspoons Salt

2 Cups Warm Water

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon Agave Syrup

Preparation

Mix flax meal and water. In a separate bowl, mix flour, xanthan gum, yeast, and salt. Add water, olive oil, and agave syrup. Mix thoroughly. Add the flax meal mixture and blend until thick. Let stand for approximately 2 hours. To make French rolls, scoop and drop onto a lightly greased baking sheet. To make baguettes, drop dough onto a lightly greased baguette pan. Bake at 450°F for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool... Enjoy!

Note: Agave syrup can be substituted for honey.

Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake

2011-09-29T16:48:00.002-04:00

Alright, so here is the recipe for the cheesecake I promised earlier. It has a very light pumpkin taste that just seems to make you want more. I have never made pumpkin recipes using ginger before, but it really gave the cheesecake a flavorful twist. I drizzled a little honey on my plate and added some crushed pumpkin seeds to add even more flavor, but that is completely optional. Hope you enjoy this seasonal treat as much as I did!

Ingredients

8 Apple Cinnamon Mini Doughnuts (No Glaze)
1 Tablespoon Honey

1 Large Egg

8 oz Reduced Fat Cream Cheese (Softened)

⅓ Cup Stevia

½ Cup Pumpkin Puree

¼ Teaspoon Ground Ginger

½ Teaspoon Nutmeg

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1 Teaspoon Gluten-Free Vanilla Extract

Preparation

Place mini doughnuts in a food processor. Add egg and keep blending for a minute. Divide crust into two ramekins or custard cups. Place all remaining ingredients in a food processor until mixed thoroughly. Divide mixture into the ramekins or custard cups. Prepare a water bath and place in the oven at 375°F for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Place in the refrigerator for an hour or until ready to serve... Enjoy!

Makes 2 Individual Cheesecakes

Note: If wanting to use sugar, simply substitute stevia for regular sugar.

Apple Cinnamon Glazed Mini Doughnuts

2011-09-29T14:29:00.001-04:00

This morning I received an email from a reader requesting some healthy fall dessert recipes, and so I came up with this mini doughnut recipe. It's pretty simple and straightforward, which means you don't have to own a doughnut shop to make them. One thing you will need, however, is a mini doughnut pan. Once you have made the doughnuts, save about 10 of them (without glaze) to make a delicious cheesecake recipe that I will be posting soon...

Ingredients

1 Box Hodgson Mill Gluten-Free Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix

3 Tablespoons Stevia

2 Tablespoons Melted Fat Free Butter

1 Large Egg

¾ Cup Skim Milk

1 Tablespoons Stevia

2 Tablespoons Melted Fat Free Butter

3 Tablespoons Skim Milk

½ Teaspoon Gluten-Free Vanilla Extract

Preparation

Combine muffin mix, stevia, butter, egg, and milk in a bowl. Fill each doughnut cup approximately halfway full and store remaining mixture in the refrigerator. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes. Remove doughnuts from pan and fill with more mixture. Bake for 15 minutes. Continue to do so until you use all the mixture. Mix stevia, butter, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl and glaze doughnuts. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top... Enjoy!

Makes 35 Mini Doughnuts

Note: If wanting to use sugar, simply substitute stevia for regular sugar. Same goes for the milk and butter.

Teriyaki Ginger Meatballs

2011-09-28T17:47:00.003-04:00

Happy Wednesday! This is probably one of my favorite days of the week. Why? Simply because it's right between a weekend and the next. Today, I received great news! I got my first assignment from Delight Magazine. I can't tell you any details, but I will say that I'm really excited. To celebrate, I made a delicious gluten-free dinner for my family (and myself of course). Earlier this week, I saw a tutorial on making sushi rice balls. What better side to pair these meatballs with, right? Here's the recipe...

Ingredients

2 Cups Lundberg California Sushi Rice

3 Cups Water

½ Teaspoon Salt

1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil

2 Tablespoons Gluten-Free Soy Sauce

2 Tablespoons Honey
2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar

½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder

½ Teaspoon Ground Ginger

1 Package Al Fresco Teriyaki Ginger Chicken Meatballs

Preparation

Rinse rice until water is clear. Bring rice and water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add salt, stir, cover saucepan, and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, place vegetable oil, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and ginger in a food processor. Coat a skillet with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place half of the mixture into the skillet along with the meatballs on medium/low heat. Saute until brown and add remaining mixture. Allow the meatballs to absorb the juices. Set aside and prepare rice balls (click here for the tutorial). Serve... Enjoy!

Green Monster Protein Smoothie

2011-09-27T15:23:00.001-04:00

Hope everyone is having an awesome week! As you all know, I started running again and lately I have been feeling a little drained. Earlier today, I did some research on ways to get energized before (and after) a good workout. Smoothies just so happen to be among the most popular pre- and post-workout snacks, so I decided to make something of my own. I saw some really nice recipes, but I wanted to try something I had never done before. This recipe can be easily made vegan by simply substituting dairy milk for almond, rice, or hemp milk. Hope you like it...

Ingredients

½ Cup Fresh Spinach

½ Cup Honeydew

½ Cup Water

½ Cup Skim Milk

2 Teaspoons Stevia

2 Ice Cubes

½ Tablespoon Flax Meal

½ Tablespoon Sunbutter

Preparation

Place all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Serve... Enjoy!

Apple Cherry Spice Muffins

2011-09-26T11:17:00.004-04:00

Last week I didn't really get the chance to post any recipes. I felt guilt. It was Sunday evening and I wanted to bake, so I grabbed some ingredients from the pantry and got to work. It had been a long day, a long week. It was time to greet the season. We took out decorations and placed pumpkin spice candles on our tables. That's when I realized I wanted to create a recipe using autumn spices. That's how I got inspired to make Apple Cherry Spice Muffins. I had a huge jar of Eden Foods Organic Apple Cherry Sauce in my refrigerator, and it was one of those ingredients I wanted to incorporate into the recipe. To be honest, I have never been a fan of applesauce, but the combination of apples and cherries was intriguing. Surprisingly, it added a nice touch to the recipe, making it unbelievably versatile. These muffins can be easily enjoyed as a quick snack, breakfast, or dessert by adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The possibilities are endless...

Ingredients

1 ¼ Cup Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour

½ Cup Gluten-Free Rolled Oats

¾ Cup Granulated Stevia

1 ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder

½ Teaspoon Xanthan Gum

½ Teaspoon Nutmeg

¼ Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1 Cup Eden Foods Apple Cherry Sauce
½ Cup Melted Fat Free Butter
2 Large Eggs

Preparation:

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl (flour, oats, stevia, baking powder, xanthan gum, nutmeg, salt, and cinnamon). Add apple cherry sauce, melted butter, and eggs. Mix thoroughly. Line a muffin tin with baking cups and evenly divide the mixture. Bake at 350°F for 70-80 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Serve... Enjoy!

Makes 12 Muffins

Note: Stevia can be substituted for regular sugar if you prefer. Same goes for the butter.

*Eden Foods Organic Apple Cherry Sauce was received courtesy of Eden Foods, but all opinions are entirely my own.

Finding Motivation to Stay Fit

2011-09-22T10:32:00.003-04:00

Hello world! As I have previously mentioned, physical activity is just as significant as maintaining a well-balanced diet. To me, the trick to staying active is finding motivation. For that reason, I asked Vanessa from Gourmet Runner, an experienced individual when it comes to finding motivation, to write a guest post for my blog. Click here to check out a guide to exercising with Celiac Disease. Thanks Vanessa!

Vanessa @ Gourmet Runner

There’s nothing magical about those men and women who make sure to carve time out of their busy schedules for fitness. No special potions they drink, no mystical shoes they tie on each morning. Nope, no genetic difference between them and us. Only one thing gives them strength to run, lift weights, walk or otherwise exercise each day-motivation.

As I train for my first marathon this November, I am struggling to motivate myself to get out the door for workouts. An early morning run is tough no matter the distance, but when it is 20 miles long? It’s a battle not to just hit snooze on the alarm and forget about it. Here are some tips I use to stay motivated when exercise is the last thing on my mind:

ACCOUNTABILITY! Because even if you don’t want to go for a run, your blog readers/gym buddies/mom (hi, mom!) will hold you accountable. Let some people know what your workout plans are for the week, and ask them to check up on you.

SCHEDULE IT! I don’t generally need motivation to go to work, because it’s not an option. Don’t make exercise negotiable either. Write it down on your schedule and stick to it like it was a job or a social engagement with friends.

LOOK TO OTHERS! On days where I would much rather curl up with a bag of Swedish Fish than hit the track, I look to some of the runners I admire. Reminding myself of their accomplishments often pushes me out the door.

VISUAL CUES! Another top that works for me is to physically see something that motivates me and encourages me. For some people this is a poster, a saying, or maybe a motivation board full of your goal times, ideal weight, etc. This is my personal favorite:

Thanks again Vanessa for sharing such great tips on how to keep that motivation going. Looking for more fitness tips? Or a new blog to follow? Check out Gourmet Runner here.

Oh, and before I go. Just a little reminder, Vanessa is hosting a Banjee Giveaway! These are very convenient for runners (like me!) or people who simply prefer carrying the essentials. Having one would definitely get me motivated to exercise. I mean, who wouldn't want to show off a cool wrist wallet, right? To enter the giveaway, click on the link below...

Banjee Review and Giveaway

Simple Greek Pizza

2011-09-15T12:38:00.002-04:00

I'm in love with black olives. I've always loved them. When I was little I used to go to Little Caesars with my dad and we would buy cheese pizza and top it with black olives. Then, we would go home and eat it while watching my favorite cartoons. Do you guys remember the Little Caesars doll? I used to have one! It always had a particular smell, like the scent of breadsticks (kinda gross now that I think about it). So anyway, my point is that black olives make a great addition to any pizza recipe. Today, I realized I had some spinach in the fridge and feta cheese, and that's how I came up with this easy recipe.

Ingredients:

1 Rudi's Gluten-Free Bakery Pizza Crust

1 Slice of Provolone Cheese (Chopped)

1 Handful Rinsed Spinach

5 Black Olives (Sliced)

2 Tablespoons Crumbled Feta

Preparation:

Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place pizza crust in baking sheet and top with chopped provolone cheese, rinsed spinach, sliced olives, and crumbled feta. Place in preheated oven at 425°F for 12-14 minutes. Slice pizza... Enjoy!

Spice Cake Mix: A Must For Fall Recipes

2011-09-14T18:22:00.001-04:00

Whether you're baking some pumpkin bread or my delicious Banana Spice Cupcakes, spice cake mix is a definite must for recipes during this time of year. That's when I embarked on a journey to search for the perfect mix, which lead me to Namaste Foods. Their products are free of the eight most common allergens (wheat, gluten, corn, soy, potato, dairy, casein, and tree nuts) and some of them are even sugar-free! All Namaste products are made in a dedicated facility and their packaging is 100% environmentally friendly. Given my issues with various allergies and my appreciation for the environment, I knew I wanted to try these right away!

Now, I'm sure you've all seen my Banana Spice Cupcakes (if not, check them out!), but I didn't get into detail about the secret behind the deliciousness. It's simple, really! I call it Namaste's Spice Cake Mix! The blend is perfectly engineered, meaning you won't have to worry about doing moisture enhancements. Aside from Namaste's versatile baking flours and mixes, you will also find their pasta to be an excellent option for an easy dinner meal bursting with savory goodness. I was so excited about sharing these products with you that I decided to host a giveaway, and here it is! One lucky winner will receive:

√ Namaste Foods Products

√ Namaste Grocery Tote

√ Copy of Simple Pleasures Cookbook

√ Copy of Living Without Magazine

√ Assorted Recipe Cards

Who wouldn't want to win this giveaway, right? Here's what you have to do... (1) Like my page on Facebook, (2) suggest it to a friend, and (3) come back to post a comment telling me you have done so. This is a great opportunity for newbie gluten-free bakers and cooks, so don't miss out! The giveaway will end on Thursday, September 15, 2011 and the winner will be announced on Friday, September 16, 2011. Only participants from US or Canada may enter this giveaway. Good luck to all!

* The Namaste Foods Giveaway is now officially over. Congratulations to Liz!