PracticallyHealthy.net

What We Have Here is a Failure to Communicate...Gluten Free

2012-05-24T22:28:00.004-04:00

This photo has nothing to do with this post.
A lovely, relaxing photo was simply a nice antidote to my current mood.

I promised in a post last week that I would be writing more on a book I recently read title Allergic Girl by Sloane Miller. Unfortunately, not only should I have written about it sooner, I should have studied it better.

My fabulous niece/goddaughter and I went for a nice walk along a beautiful trail that runs through our town. After a three mile trek, we decided to grab dinner at one of my favorite and familiar local burger joints. All started well with a friendly and attentive host who replied with a confident 'yes' when I asked if I could have a gluten free menu. We sat at a table right on the trail and had a very modern chat, trading phones back and forth as we discovered something new and funny on twitter or facebook. We were giggling away when the server arrived, a sweet young gal (SYG) obviously brimming with enthusiasm for her new job.

That would be the end of the happy part of this story. Let me recap the downslide.

Me: I'll have the house special burger, gluten-free.

SYG: What's that?

Me: Gluten-free. I have a food sensitivity. Just make sure you note it on the ticket. The kitchen will understand.

SYG: Okay. Your side?

Me: I'll have whatever side the kitchen recommends as gluten free.

SYG: Well, it comes with a side.

Me: Yes, I need a GLUTEN-free side. Please just note for the kitchen that I'll take any gluten-free side they recommend.

SYG: Okay

At that point, my gut said, "Get a manager, STAT." My inner southern girl said, "Don't make a fuss." The latter is a mantra from my childhood, taught by my mother. She's been gone for over ten years, yet she still beats out my intuition every time. Of course, even Mom would have agreed with my gut on this one.

The burger was brought out by a kitchen staff member who plopped down a plate of fries. I asked if they were gluten-free. He turned to another server, not SYG, and my niece saw him roll his eyes. Looking back to me he simply said, "I don't know" to which I responded, "Could you find out?"

A few minutes later, SYG came back. I asked again about the fries and she also said she didn't know. To which I said, "But I asked you to tell the kitchen to give me a gluten-free side." SYG response, "Um, let me go check."

A few minutes later, "No, they aren't gluten free. What else can I bring you?"

That was the moment of truth. The point in time where I should have said, "A manager" or "A whole new dinner" or "the big reveal of the candid camera crew for the latest episode of What Would You Do". But, no, I chickened out and said "steamed veggies." Then, and I still can't believe I did this, I ATE THE STUPID BURGER!! I still was in so much denial that my safe, reliable burger joint wouldn't screw up THAT badly, that I ate a burger that was obviously not safe for me to consume. Of course, here I am two hours later, fatigued, irritable and with an extremely upset stomach.

So, let's break down where I went wrong per Allergic Girl, shall we?

1. First and foremost, I didn't get anyone on the restaurant staff on Team Me. Ms. Miller talks quite a bit about engaging someone in the restaurant whether it be the manager, chef, or server to have an interest in serving me safely. Building rapport not only makes for a more pleasant dinner, but also a safer one.

2. I put way too much trust in the wrong person. In the book it is repeated often that the only one responsible for my safety is me. It's not that I trusted SYG to understand gluten-free, but I did trust her to communicate my order precisely to the kitchen. She was obviously too new and too overwhelmed to be expected to focus on my health. It was unfair of me to put that on her.

3. I ignored my gut. When my head is screaming "Don't eat it!" or "Ask for the manager!" I shouldn't even question it. It's far more polite and appropriate to give a restaurant the opportunity to put their best foot forward, rather than blindly throwing in an order and hoping for the best.

4. I didn't do anything to win over the kitchen staff who served my food or to educate SYG. This is a bit iffy. After all the kitchen guy rolled his eyes at me. However, I also was on edge and anxious when I saw those waffle fries. I knew it was a no-go and I was irritated. The best move would have been to smile and state, "As I mentioned to my server, I have a food sensitivity and I really need your help to ensure I don't get sick. Could you verify for me that these fries are gluten free and safe for me to eat?" It's hard to eye-roll someone trying to enlist you as a defender. But, when someone barks in half-panic, "Are these gluten-free?", I'm sure a hectic kitchen staff member could give a rat's behind what your problem is. That may not be fair, but it is reality.

5. I wasn't prepared to not eat. One reason I ignored my gut is that I was famished. We had just walked several miles and I had nothing in my purse to nosh on. Had there been one Gluten Free Bar or protein shake mix in my possession, I could have more easily refused my burger and snacked from my purse while continuing to enjoy a beverage and the conversation. Instead, I was desperate for food and vulnerable to making a dining blunder.

There is quite a bit more in Allergy Girl that is valuable to anyone on a special diet. These are simply the top five I really need to work on. What are some of your tricks for dealing with dining out? I'm sure there are some other restaurant blunders out there. Please do share!

Gluten Free Dairy Free Breakfast Casserole

2012-05-21T23:20:00.001-04:00

Before I get to the recipe I have to share, I must tell you about a great group of ladies I met this evening.

Tonight, I hosted my first Arbonne Spa Party. A friend asked me to do the event for one of her fellow red-hatters who was celebrating a birthday. It was a great deal of fun. Those ladies know how to laugh. There was one lady in particular who really got my attention. They call her TOBI, Tough Old Broad of Indiana. How cute is that? She earned the moniker by surviving an aneurysm, two brain tumors and lung cancer. Tough indeed.

We were talking about the purity of the Arbonne products and I mentioned how the nutrition line is helping me beat my addiction to sugar and processed foods. She laughed and said, "Life is too short to not eat what you want." That really stunned me and I'm still trying to process it. Here is this wonderful, lovely woman who would rather eat whatever she wants than feel better by eating better.

Please don't misunderstand. I am not judging. I am simply trying to understand. This increcibly brave survivor has stared the big C in the face more than once and survived with a smile. I can't begin to know what that journey is like. The difficult part of TOBI's statement, for me, is that it's a false choice. I have dairy free ice cream and almond flour cupcakes whenever I have a hankering. (Yes, I said hankering. Did I ever mention I'm from Kentucky?) I can't go to DQ and get a sundae. I can't go to the local baker and pick up a sheet cake. But, I can whip up a mean chocolate 'ice cream' with coconut milk and I can throw together a batch of chocolate chip cookies in my kitchen in less than twenty minutes without the chemicals or processed junk. Plus, I can keep up with my kids and feel great.

I wanted so badly to explain to TOBI that there is a whole world out there that doesn't require you to eat twigs for breakfast and celery sticks for lunch. I wanted to show her all the food blogs I follow and the awesome, delicious food that can be found there. I wanted to tell her how much better life is on the simple, non-processed side of the food schism. I wanted to do something, but instead, all I could do was stand there with a stupid smile plastered to my face. Trying to explain my food world to the conventional eater just feels so ridiculously difficult. Most likely, if you are reading this, you know my quandary. I'm curious. How do you educate the conventional food eaters in your life? Have you ever brought someone over to the healthy side? Please share. I don't want to let another TOBI get by without at least planting a seed that might later grow into a gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, food-as-medicine and enjoyment eater.

While you ponder, check out my latest recipe revision. This is my mom's famous Breakfast Casserole refined to meet my daughter's dairy-free, gluten free requirements. It tastes identical to Mom's. I ran into an old friend, April, last fall. I hadn't seen her in nearly ten years. First thing she told me was that my mom's breakfast casserole is still her family's favorite and she thinks of me every time she makes it. Yep, it's legacy-making good.

Hmm. Maybe I should email her this revised recipe. Perhaps educating the mainstream is simply a matter of demonstrating how easy and tasty healthier food can be, even if they don't think they need it.

Mom's Breakfast Casserole Made Gluten Free & Dairy Free

6 eggs
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 slices of gluten free bread*
1 cup dairy free cheddar cheese such as daiya
1 lb breakfast sausage, browned & drained**
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp celtic sea salt

Beat eggs, milk, salt and mustard. Add bread, sausage and cheese. Pour in greased 9x9 casserole. Bake 40 to 50 minutes at 350 degrees. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

*My kids don't like the crust on the GF bread I buy. What I cut off, I throw in a Ziploc in the freezer for use later in this casserole or other recipes calling for bread crumbs. I used 1 cup of crust pieces for this recipe.

**I've used both chicken and turkey breakfast sausage. I've even used a bag of Jimmy Dean precooked sausage crumbles in a pinch, though I don't recommend it due to some of the additives in it.

I'm sharing this over at Simply Indulgent Tuesdays for May 22.

The Food Sensitive Softball Player

2012-05-18T22:29:00.000-04:00

Before I jump into my latest tale, I'd like to clear my conscious. As it turns out, I am not going to be a daily blogger. I've tried it and it has been an epic failure. I'm too much of a perfectionist. Once I miss a day, it all goes to heck. So, let's call this what it is: a sporadic posting of random thoughts, stories, recipes and things I've learned that I want to share. The stress of writing a daily blog post is now vanquished from my life and you get less random filler. It's a win-win.

Whew, I feel so much better already. Glad to clear the air.

A photo of our athlete from her first softball season

I have been quite busy over the last week and a half since I last posted. My DH has been travelling. Shocking, I know. I had to travel for work myself and took advantage of the time to do some reading. My literature of choice were both non-fictions: Allergic Girl by Sloane Miller and The Autoimmune Epidemic by Donna Nakazawa. The first was fun, enlightening and prescient. The second was intriguing. I'll give you a better low down on each book next week. For now, let me tell you why I am so thankful that Allergy Girl landed on my reading list so recently.

Yesterday was my eldest's final softball game of the season. My eldest, as you may know, has gluten sensitivity and an allergy to dairy. She was just diagnosed three months ago and it's been quite a change for us. She has handled everything like a champ, better than anyone should expect a thirteen-year-old to deal with such a thing. However, nothing prepared me for the maturity and fortitude she demonstrated yesterday evening.

Last night, after the game, the coaches asked the girls to sit in a circle on the field to talk about the season. They extolled praises regarding the growth in their softball fundamentals, leadership skills and team camaraderie. Then, to celebrate and bring the girls together, they pulled out a cake and a cookie pie.

My heart dropped into my stomach. My eldest, as a reflex, pushed back from the circle. The other girls dove in.

I watched the coaches, hoping against hope that they would realize their mistake and at least acknowledge my girl, but no recognition came. Eventually, her teammates started getting a bit rowdy with the baked goods and she had to stand up and walk away. While they all laughed and horsed around, she plastered on a smile, went into the dugout alone and started putting away the equipment. I followed her and apologized for not anticipating a last-game celebration treat. I offered to help put away the equipment. She just continued smiling and said it was okay, that she'd rather do the work alone.

A few minutes later another mom recognized what happened and confirmed that I wouldn't be off my rocker for being upset with the coaches, both of whom knew about my eldest's food sensitivities. But I should know better. Sloane Miller in Allergic Girl makes the point continuously that NO ONE is responsible for your care but you. Of course, for a child, it's no one's responsibility but the parents. I could dwell on the fact that either coach could have called or emailed me to let me know what they had planned so I could bring something my girl could enjoy, but they didn't. I could seethe over the fact that they found it more convenient to exclude her than to reach out. I'll admit that I did dwell and seethe quite a bit until I thought of Allergic Girl and was forced to recognize that this was my failing. I could have had a direct conversation with the coaches after her diagnosis and made it clear that they could call me anytime with questions or to let me know if special accommodations might be needed. I could have called them a few days before the final game to ask what they had planned. There is plenty I could have done, but I didn't.

One thing I did do, though, was watch a very good girl take one more step toward becoming a great woman. She could have cried. She could have stomped off mad. I wouldn't have blamed her. Heck, that's what I wanted to do. Instead, she plastered that smile on her face, got productive and rose above it all. I am so unbelievably proud of her.

I'll do a more in-depth review of what I learned from Allergic Girl in a coming post. For now, I'll simply highly recommend it as a must read for anyone with food sensitivities and any parent of a food-sensitive child. Ms. Miller does a fantastic job of putting things in perspective, pushing us to take responsibility for our own health while encouraging others to work with us to help manage our food issues. It's a delicate balance, but one I feel more capable of finding after reading her book.

Denise's Carrot Salad

2012-05-08T22:20:00.004-04:00

Me and My Big Sis

My dear, sweet older sister who I have always adored and admired. Ne'er a word of anger or frustration hath passed between us. Ours is a sistership built on constant admiration and respect.

Yeah, right!

Let's see. There's the time when I was six when she told me Coke would be good for my hair so I stood in the tub while she poured a whole bottle right over top of me. Then there was my shining moment when I left an egg on her bed with a note directing her to just 'suck it', a la the Happy Days' mantra 'Go suck an egg.' There was all the money I made staring her down as she chatted on the phone with her girlfriends until she would finally pay me to go away. Oh, and who can forget the time she hid around the hall corner waiting to scare me, only to pee her pants when I circled back around the kitchen to scare her.

Ah, memories.

Of course, we were also a fearsome duo when we joined forces. I remember Mom sending us to our room when we got in trouble. Denise would watch the clock while coaching me on making the most angelic, sympathetic face possible. I'd toddle out with a full pout asking Mom if we could 'pwease' come out now. Worked every time. She also was my fiercest defender. When I was about six, she had an argument with a girl in our neighborhood. That charming young lady decided to take a run at me with her bike. Without consulting anyone, my big sis marched over to the girl's house and got right in her father's face, the face of a very large former marine, and informed him in no uncertain terms that no one messes with her baby sister. That gentleman called our mom to apologize and to let her know how impressed he was. I think Mom went into shock.

We've weathered many a storm together. She had enough faith in my vision to publish a family magazine with me. She had enough love for me to make me her eldest's godmother, an honor a reciprocated years later. She has enough patience to let my failings (lack of thank you notes, few phone calls, missed birthdays) roll right off her back. The most endearing tribulation was sitting together, holding each other's hand as we watched Mom leave us. It's something I can endure reflecting on only because we were together, holding each other up.

Gegon's handwritten recipe

After all that history of affection, adolescent animosity and obvious mutual respect, it shouldn't have taken nearly forty years for her to get me to try her favorite salad on the planet: carrot salad. As a kid, it was her favorite fast food treat. I think she preferred Chik-fil-A's carrot salad to ice cream even. I thought she was off her rocker. It's orange. It's got squishy raisins in it. I mean, come on, carrots? Please. But, this spring, when I came home to be there when my goddaughter underwent gall bladder surgery, we took a quick break from the hospital to grab a quick lunch. There I was, nearly forty years old and exhausted from a long evening. My defenses were down. She was exasperated when I admitted I still hadn't tried that carrot salad. She ordered it and I loved it. As an added bonus, she didn't pour it over my head.

Denise's Carrot Salad

1 package grated carrots
1/3 cup salad dressing (use veganaise for dairy free)
2 Tbsp sugar (or equivalent sweetener of choice)
1/2 cup crushed pineapple
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 cup raisins
1 tsp salt

Mix well.

Love you, Sis. Happy Mother's Day!

*I've shared this over at Slightly Indulgent Tuesday for May 8, 2012. Hopefully, no one is too freaked out by my use of awkward family photo for a recipe linky photo. :-)

Holly's Gluten Free Nappa Cabbage Salad

2012-05-07T22:34:00.000-04:00

Even our dog Cookie gets spoiled
at Grandma Holly's house.

This is post two in honor of the moms in my life. Click here for the first post dedicated to my mother-in-law Linda.

My step-mother-in-law, Holly, makes so many good things, it was really hard to narrow them all down to one favorite. But, after I thought about it for a bit, I realized it was really no contest. Her Nappa Cabbage Salad is simply one of those dishes I always crave. When I was first diagnosed with gluten sensitivity, I tried for a long time to find ramen noodles to recreate a gluten free version of this asian-inspired dish. Nothing worked until I replaced the noodles with walnuts. It's not a perfect substitute, but the walnuts keep their crispness and work well with the almonds.

Holly's Gluten Free Nappa Cabbage Salad

1 head nappa cabbage, chopped
1 green onion, chopped

Brown

1 stick butter (I'm wondering if 1/4 cup grapeseed oil might work for dairy free.)
1 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 sesame seeds
1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds

Cool mixture to room temperature.

Dressing

1 cup sugar (yes, yikes! This is definitely not your everyday side dish. I've tried substitutes, but none come close to the real thing for this dish.)
1 cup oil
1/2 cup vinegar
3 Tbsp gluten-free soy sauce

Dress salad right before serving. Holly advises to eat same day as it doesn't keep well. However, with the walnuts instead of ramen noodles, I've been able to keep it for a couple of days. Another bonus of losing the gluten.

Holly always makes sure I have something safe to eat and that's no small feat given the delicious, epic meals she prepares to get the family together. She's also been very patient with me. She almost has me trained on how to pitch-in for clean-up after a meal. I've finally learned that it's actually kind of fun to catch up on gossip over a sink full of suds rather than staying up all night doing the dishes alone after everyone's gone home.

Thank you, Holly, for accepting me as I am, clumsiness, goofiness, food sensitivities and all. I'd love you simply for the fact that you love my husband and children, but I've also come to love and appreciate you for who you are.

Linda's Awesome Broccoli Salad

2012-05-07T22:16:00.000-04:00

This is a snapshot of Linda's obsession.
She's a walking encyclopedia of Ohio Valley wildflowers.
This is a shot I took while on an expedition with her and my oldest.
Linda has taken some amazing photographs that put this one to shame.

Just in case you've missed all the Hallmark or Johnson & Johnson commercials this week, this coming Sunday is Mother's Day. In honor of the many special moms in my life, I thought I'd feature some of my favorite recipes that they've shared with me. First up is my mother-in-law Linda.

Linda's staple and most requested dish is her Awesome Broccoli Salad. I added the Awesome. When I first cut gluten from my diet, I was so thankful for that salad. It was the one thing that I could count on to be safe and truly delicious at our family get-togethers. When I called her this evening to ask for the recipe, I had to chuckle. This is it:

Linda's Awesome Broccoli Salad

broccoli with stems removed
raisins
onion (red or white, whatever is on hand)
chopped bacon

Sauce

mayo or yogurt
red wine vinegar
sweeten to taste

No measurements. No instructions. Some might say that makes it rather difficult. I call it real cooking, something I'm not particularly good at doing. I'm an engineer at heart and get scared if I don't have precise measurements. The trick, she says, is making sure the sauce has the right consistency which should be slightly runny. She also suggested a variation that she's been trying which involves omitting the onion and using craisins and orange zest instead of raisins. (Uh, yeah, that must be attempted!) The best part of this recipe is how easily it should be to make dairy free. Just use veganaise or coconut yogurt in place of the mayo or dairy yogurt.

I feel very blessed to have Linda in my life. She is always quick to open her home to us whenever we return to Kentucky for a visit. I can't imagine the shock it must be to her system to go from a quiet, peaceful country home to a house busy with kids and adults coming and going, but she takes it all in stride and embraces her time with her granddaughters.

Happy Mother's Day, Linda. Thank you for welcoming me into your home and heart. I love you!

A Case of the Sundays - May 6, 2012

2012-05-06T21:56:00.000-04:00

Doing her best Mona Lisa smile.
(I promise she really did have a good time.)
Cupcakes were from a King Arthur Mix.
I'll be doing a post on them in the future.

Check out that happy camper. She had a great birthday party this weekend. Six sweet little girls joined us for the night to celebrate my youngest's 8th birthday. I was so impressed with all of them. There was no drama or mischief. They were all perfect young ladies. I might also add that not one noticed that everything they ate from the pizza for dinner, ice cream and cupcakes for dessert and pancakes for breakfast was gluten free and dairy free. I admit I thought about going conventional and fixing something special for my girls, but I decided that guests should only be served our best. To prepare my girls something different would send the wrong message to both them and their friends. I'm so glad I did as it also affirmed my belief that GF and DF doesn't have to be a sacrifice.

Here's the plan for this week. I think you'll notice a theme:

Monday: Linda's Broccoli Salad & Holly's Asian Salad
Tuesday: Denise's Carrot Salad
Wednesday: Aunt Gloria's Secret Family Recipe
Thursday: Gegon's Asparagus Casserole
Friday: Mom's Breakfast Casserole

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought it only appropriate to share the best of each kitchen managed by one of my many moms.

One final note, the winner of the Arbonne Vanilla Protein Shake is Jordan who follows me on both Twitter and Facebook. Congrats! I'll do another giveaway in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

Practically Proseless Saturday

2012-05-05T07:00:00.000-04:00

The Biltmore Gardens

I'm revisiting our trip to the Biltmore Estates for this week's photo post. Next week I'll share some shots from Dupont State Forest roughly an hour south of the Biltmore. The whole area is simply breath-taking making it a great place to practice photography. My oldest took the first and last two photos. She has a great eye.

Vegas Gluten Free Dining

2012-05-03T23:50:00.001-04:00

From the pedestrian bridge over Las Vegas Blvd

This isn't going to be a high-end food review. Think of this as more of a girlfriend giving you some great recommendations. This was only my second trip to Vegas. Two of the restaurants where we dined this year were repeats of last year. The redundancy was deliberate. We had fantastic meals with complete confidence in the kitchen to serve me safely. Why mess with a good thing?

In and Out

I told you this wouldn't be high-end! For those in the west, In and Out may be boring, but for this Southern-by-way-of-the-Midwest gal, man, it's a revelation. Everything on the menu is GF except the buns. All I had to do was order my burger protein style. The fries are really different, but somehow craveable. I'm usually a crispy fry girl, but these actually tasted like potatos. Crazy, right? I really like them.

A tip to those new to this fine burger establishment: order your burger animal style and they'll pile on the toppings. For those of you ordering your 'animal' protein style, you might want to ask for a bowl.

Emeril's New Orleans Fish House

Emeril's is in the MGM making it a perfect place to dine well without going too far from the convention I was attending. My husband and I snagged two seats at the bar and I crossed my fingers as I asked the bartender about gluten free options. You'd have thought I was asking for ketchup. It was absolutely no big. Whew! We split a BBQ shrimp appetizer while I sipped on a fabulous Appletini. My DH had jambalaya with a cobb salad for his entree while I had BBQ chicken. Everything we had was delicious. However, the jambalaya was a meal in itself. Definitely plan on sharing those sides.

Diego's

I started asking when we were going to eat at Diego's, also in MGM, before we even left Indiana. They make the most amazing guacamole with sun-dried tomatoes. Yum! They also really know what they are doing with gluten free. We dined with a large group of gals from the Arbonne GTC and everyone appeared to have a great meal. I had chicken enchiladas with green sauce. I've never been a fan of the green sauce. I realized after it was too late that I'd messed up in ordering, but it was a wonderful mistake. The sauce was light and fresh tasting.

Tao

Located in the Venetian, Tao is my absolute favorite. We made reservations for 5:30 Sunday night and we practically had the place to ourselves. Our server was a real gem. He admitted that he didn't know much about gluten free, but said he would work with the kitchen to make sure all went well. Sure enough, after my husband ordered California rolls, the waiter returned asking if he would mind foregoing the flying fish eggs (huh?). The kitchen stated that it was the only ingredient in the roll that was not GF. My husband, being the generous man that he is, agreed so that I could partake in the rolls as well. Of course, neither of us had any idea such ingredients were a part of the roll so it wasn't a huge sacrifice. Still, it was extremely thoughtful on the part of the kitchen to make such an effort to accommodate my dietary needs.

For our entrees, I had the red snapper on grilled bok choy (Divine!) and DH decided to stick with more rolls. He said the Dragon rolls were fantastic.

Pampas

Pampas is a Brazilian steakhouse near New York, New York. I'm not exactly sure where it is, but I'm sure you can find it on your smartphone. I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of Brazilian steakhouses. They're always better in thought than in reality. However, they tend to be very gluten-free friendly and Pampas was no exception. All the meat except the chicken was GF. Plus, nearly all the salad bar items including the cheese bread were fair game. They even had a nice framed sign on the bar listing all the gluten-free foods. Of course, salad bars aren't the greatest for the extremely sensitive with all the potential for cross contamination. I didn't feel my best after leaving, but I think that had more to do with the incredibly large intake of grease. It's not bad if you are a true carnivore, but I'm not sure we'll go back next time.

Wish I was there: Trump Tower Pool Deck in Vegas

All in all, it was a fantastic trip. I think we'll be making this an annual pilgrimage. We didn't gamble a single dime or see one show. We simply relaxed, watched people go by, ate well and enjoyed some time together. It's one of the few trips I've come back from feeling completely relaxed. I guess what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas, thank goodness.

What's New

2012-05-02T20:17:00.002-04:00

First thing's first: I am keeping my promise and pledge that this blog will NOT become an Arbonne site where I am constantly schlepping product to you. That said, Arbonne is a big part of how I care for myself, so it is going to show up on my posts from time to time. Probably never more so than today. The following post is about the new products and changes coming to Arbonne now or very soon. If you could care less, my apologies and please come back tomorrow. If you are a bit curious about vegan, gluten-free skin care, supplements and/or cosmetics, keep trucking on through to the end of the post.

Still with me? Let's get started then.

Arbonne GTC 2012 Stage in Las Vegas

There was so much introduced at Arbonne's Global Training Conference (GTC) last week, it nearly made my head spin. I can't promise that this is an all inclusive list, but I'll at least hit the highlights. First, the conference itself was a bit overwhelming. I truly enjoyed it and I met some fantastic people. It was also quite the production. Confetti flying. Ever changing background lighting. Video productions. At one point, I wasn't sure if I was attending a product training event or participating in a religious experience. Arbonne showed they know how to make the most out of a captured customer base. But, for all the hype, there was quite a bit of substance. The CEO, Kay Napier, really impresses me. She appears to 'get' the original intent of the founder and is making decisions that hold to his ideals. All the product changes and additions fit very nicely into the company mantra 'Pure. Safe. Beneficial.'

Protein Bars

The big addition to Arbonne Essentials is the protein bars. There are two flavors: Fruit and Chocolate. Both have great flavor and, like the protein shakes, are vegan and formulated without gluten*. We've been able to make protein bars using the protein powder, but having a bar already packaged and ready to go is going to be a really nice option.

Fizz Sticks

This may be my favorite announcement of the conference. I've been using the Fizz Tabs for several months as an afternoon pick-me-up. Unfortunately, the tabs also take some forward thinking. They are best when dropped in room-temperature water so they can slowly dissolve. Then you add ice. Fortunately, the tabs are being replaced with little sticks of powder that can be readily dropped into a water bottle or glass, stirred or shaken and enjoyed immediately. The individual packaging also make sharing so much easier.

Pain Relief Gel

Apparently, this gel is making a return to the catalog after popular demand. I purchased a tube as part of a package of new product. I'm not sure I'll ever use it, but it will be nice to have on hand for just in case. I'll get back to you on specific advantages of the product. Again, there was a great deal to take in and I simply missed all the talk on this one.

RE9 Extra Moisture Day Lotion

As with the Pain Relief Gel, this is a product I do not need, but the masses requested it. (I have oily skin and have actually just begun using the FC5 Oil Absorbing Day Lotion instead of the RE9.) Now, clients will have two levels of moisturizing to choose from for their day lotion with the RE9 set.

Rainforest Cosmetic Set

To date, I've only purchased the Arbonne powder foundation. I like it quite a bit and, to be honest, I didn't expect to. I loved my Bare Essentials. I only gave the Arbonne product a try because of my discount. If I hadn't had such a good experience with the foundation, I doubt I would have given this eye shadow collection a shot. The colors make very vivid palette, so I'm waiting for the weekend to wear it. It comes with a lovely bag, not too cheesy like the department store giveaway bags. I think I might actually carry this one. I'll provide an update after I try it.

Packaging

I'm not often impressed by companies when they make environmental claims. More often than not, it's impossible to know if they are actually buying green power or recycling their trash. Arbonne's commitment, however, is very evident. They have modified their packaging in order to achieve greater than 90% recyclable packaging material. The RE9 set now has a fully plastic bottle. No more acrylic cap that falls off easily and cracks. The cleanser tube is also history, replaced with a pump bottle. The protein shakes and fiber booster now arrive in resealable bags instead of those massive, hard shell tubs that not only filled up my recycle bin, but also my cabinets.

There are more new items to come this summer and I'll cover them then. I'll also be revisiting these items as I learn and gain more experience with them. I'll tweet out a notice of any updates I make.

That's it. Yes, I've drunk the Arbonne kool-aid. I'm completely sold. Their products are top notch and the pricing is amazingly affordable compared to what is found on department store shelves. I have plenty on my plate without adding Independent Consultant duties to my life, but I truly feel these products are better quality and provide more value than anything else I've found. If you'd like to learn more, please visit my online store.

*The 'formulated without gluten' statement is Arbonne's, not mine, in describing their products. I imagine it is a phrase forced on them by their lawyers. Essentially, Arbonne products as created do not contain gluten. However, they are produced in facilities that do contain gluten. Equipment is tested to ensure any cross contamination has been removed before Arbonne product is manufactured on it. In addition, all product is tested to ensure gluten is undetectable after it comes off the line. There are plenty of products out there with 'Gluten-Free' emblazoned across their packaging that contain up to 20ppm gluten. Arbonne simply has chosen to not take that last labeling step. I plan to badger them until they either start avoiding contaminated facilities or commit to a GF certification process. For now, I have their protein shakes daily with no problem. However, those with severe gluten sensitivity may not want to take the risk.

Cupcake Emergency

2012-05-01T20:05:00.000-04:00

Alas, that would be 10:55 PM, not AM

There are some things that terrify most people. Snakes. Dark alleys. Going to class and discovering there is a test. For me, it's disappointing my kids. I honestly can say I'd rather face a dark alley full of snakes while taking a calculus pop quiz than see the eyes of my offspring brimming with tears because I didn't keep a promise.

As you may have noted on these digital pages the last few days, I have been in Las Vegas since last Thursday. The time leading up to my trip was absolutely exhausting. My mother-in-law stayed with the kids for us. So, in addition to the usual pre-vacation task list, there was the information and dinners and shopping and errands to run in order to make sure all went smoothly for those we were leaving behind. Of course, in the middle of all that preparation, my youngest had a field trip. Naturally, said field trip involved a celebration with cake. When I signed the permission slip for the trip, I had casually offered to make my sweetie her own cupcake for the event so she wouldn't be left out. Unfortunately, it was a half hour after Whole Foods closed on the eve of her field trip before I remembered my promise.

Ugh.

It really wasn't the beginning of any great tragedy. I had all the ingredients to make a really great almond flour chocolate cupcake, thanks to Elana Amsterdam's Gluten-Free Cupcakes. The problem was my energy level and an aversion to destroying the kitchen after having finally put it in order for my mother-in-law. As I dove into the pantry to pull out the ingredients a little box that had been sitting patiently on the back of a shelf caught my eye. It was a gluten-free chocolate cake mix from Cherrybrook Kitchen. I bought it on a whim one day, only to stick it in the pantry and forget about it. Some call that impulse buying. I call it preparing for unforeseen circumstances. In this particular case, I call it a massive blessing.

That little box required nothing more than vegetable oil and water. That's it. No egg. No milk. It was like having a little emergency treat kit. Within twenty minutes, after dirtying only one bowl, one spatula and a muffin pan, I had two dozen moist, delicious gluten-free, dairy-free cupcakes. It was awesome! I would recommend anyone, not just those with food allergies, keep a box of this stuff around. There were plenty of times in my pre-gluten awareness life that I could have used such a simple mix.

The next morning, I was able to present a late-night, last-minute cupcake to my youngest. Instead of tears of disappointment, I got a quick 'oh, thanks, Mom', as she skipped out the door. Not the dramatic conclusion you'd get after escaping a dark alley full of snakes, but certainly more satisfying than any high marks in math.

*May 2, 2012 Update: I'm sharing this little story and review over at WholeNewMom for Allergy Free Wednesday. I discovered this online soiree through Diet, Desserts and Dogs. I'll be adding this nice blog to my regular rotation.

Linky U - April 30, 2012

2012-04-30T14:32:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my inaugral Linky. I'm dubbing this little event Linky U, as in Linky University. I want this to be a weekly place where we can gather to share tips, ideas, product reviews, anything that you would want to share with a good friend who is making their best effort to eat better and live healthier. This should be where newbies and experts alike can learn something new.

The Rules

I've only got a few, simple guidelines:

The post you share can be years old, but please don't reshare the same post week to week.

The subject can vary from that awesome new kitchen gadget that you can't live without to how to bake the best allergen-free chocolate chip cookie. Just make sure it's a valuable post to those on a restricted diet or choosing to eat healthy. A good litmus test is to ask yourself if it's something you wish you'd known when you started making better choices.

No sharing of recipes from copyrighted sources. Someone worked hard and spent hours in the kitchen developing those recipes. Don't steal their work from them. You are welcome to give a review of how a recipe turned out for you. Just make sure you simply share the link to the original recipe and/or cookbook title and information, NOT the recipe itself.

Link back here to this blog post. Simply copy the URL from your address bar and drop into your post. Linky won't let you play if there is no backlink.

That's it. I look forward to what we can share. This Linky will stay open until Sunday, May 6th.

Happy Linking!

A Case of the Sundays

2012-04-29T19:37:00.000-04:00

My little sidewalk chalk artist being most productive on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

I've been in Las Vegas for three days now. This is the first day after the Arbonne convention, so it's just me and my hubby enjoying a bit of time to ourselves today and tomorrow. We are having a great time, but we sure miss that little girl in the picture above and her sweet big sister. We take trips every year or two so we never lose sight of why we married in the first place. It's so easy to get lost as parents in the blur of music lessons, sports and homework. We love our kids. Every day away, we miss them more, reminding us how much we like them too.

Much thanks for my mother-in-law for staying with our girls so we can have this special time!

Here's the plan for the week:

Monday: Linky U
Tuesday: Cupcake Emergency
Wednesday: What's New
Thursday: Vegas GF Dining
Friday: Week End Wrap Up

Happy Sunday!

Practically Prose-less Saturday

2012-04-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

Little Lambs at Biltmore Estates

I took these during spring break in Asheville, NC earlier this month. The Biltmore Gardens and home were as beautiful as ever, but it was these little babes of spring that caught our eye. We watched them scamper and play for at least half an hour.

I hope you get to spend this spring day with some special little ones too.

Week End Wrap Up

2012-04-27T21:51:00.001-04:00

A shot of our dog's back end for the Week End Wrap Up.
See how I tied in that random photo? I'm so clever.

Okay, so this post is really late, but I've been busy. I've been at the Arbonne Global Training Conference in Las Vegas learning about new products. There are some doozies like toothpaste, mouthwash and deodorant plus lemon fit chews and protein bars. I'll cover everything in greater detail on my pinterest board and in my Arbonne shop. I know you guys don't come here for a sales pitch.

Here is the best of what I got in my email and from the web:

My buddy Scott is a great source of links on the food industry and bees. Here are some of his nuggets of wisdom for the week:

From Reuters: Food industry is using the same tactics as Big Tobaco

Poland holds Monsanto responsible for dead bees

Twitter:

@bittman How Washington went soft on childhood obesity

@WholeFoods Tips for the earth& the health of your pet

That's it for this week. Don't forget about the GTC giveaway!

Have a great weekend, ya'll!

GTC Giveaway

2012-04-26T07:00:00.000-04:00

GTC.

Let's see...

Genuinely Tremendous Car

Gigantic Tax-free Cash

George 'The Clooney'

Unfortunately, nope, nope and do you really think I'd give that away?

GTC is where I am right now as you read this. It's the annual Global Training Conference for Arbonne International in Las Vegas. That's right, I'm in Vegas, baby, with a slew of great gals. I'm learning all kinds of things and simply having a great time. (Check out my twitter feed for pics.) The event runs today through Saturday when my DH will be joining me. Then we are staying through Tuesday for a little 'us' time. Many thanks to my MIL for making this trip possible!

By the way, don't worry. I'm holding to my promise that this blog will NOT become one big Arbonne ad. I have a full-time job. I don't need another gig, but I do truly believe in the Arbonne wellness line as a great option for anyone. For those of us with gluten or dairy sensitivities, it's even better as all their products are vegan and formulated without gluten. Pretty sweet, right?

Giveaway includes the large tub
in the back of this photo of the
30 Days to Fit Kit

In honor of my trip, I'm giving away one tub of the vanilla protein shake I've written so much about. One tub contains thirty servings and has a retail value of $59. All you have to do is follow me via RSS, twitter or facebook. Heck, even if you just want to leave a comment, I'll put you in the running. Share my site in some way and I might share my shake. (That just might be my best casual alliteration ever.) The winner will be picked at random.

Please comment on this post, letting me know all you've done and I'll put you in the drawing for every social network action you take on my behalf. The winner will be announced on the blog next Thursday. I won't make a habit of waiting so long to announce winners, but let's get real. I'm in Vegas until Tuesday. Not much is getting done until I'm forced back to reality on Wednesday.

Good luck!

Dear 40

2012-04-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

Dear 40:

It was a pleasure to meet on my birthday two weeks ago. That is surprisingly true given how nervous I was about our meeting. I'm not sure I was completely prepared, but I got up that morning, applied my best anti-aging moisturizer and went out into the world. After all, as my mother used to say, getting older is better than the alternative.

As apprehensive as I've been, I've also been looking forward to our time together. You are the years when my kids will grow and start to find their way. This is when my husband and I can begin spending more time together. In fact, I expect you will be some of my best years. That said, I think it's important we start our relationship with a clear understanding of each other:

I am familiar with photoshop. You can throw as many bikini-clad Kardashians at me in the checkout line as you'd like, but it will not make me envious or self-conscious. I may have stretch marks, but I also have self-respect and class which is something no amount photo manipulation can give those ladies.
I am well aware that I am not the forty-year-old woman I thought I would become when I was eighteen. I'll never do a space walk. I'll never marry John Taylor of Duran Duran. Reminding me of these facts is pointless. It will not cause disappointment or frustration. I was only eighteen. I was not capable of imagining how much more adventurous being a mom could be. I hadn't yet discovered that the best quality in a man is not how much gel his hair can hold, but how much he loves his family.
I am good at math. I understand that I do not have the time ahead of me that I once did. However, I will continue to set goals and strive to achieve them. It is not too late to reach my desired destination. It is simply too early to arrive.
I will be calling the shots these next ten years, not you. I will not miss out on opportunities because I am too old. I will look good, not good for my age. I will be young, not young at heart. Do not misunderstand. I will not deny our acquaintance. I simply deny your significance.

If you still lack clarity on the road ahead for us, refer to some of your previous companions who have shown me the way, women such as Trudie Styler, Christiane Amanpour and, above all, my Aunt Gloria. These ladies have shown me that success and happiness have nothing to do with birth year or botox, and everything to do with embracing family and opportunity.

Thank you for your understanding in this matter. I wish you well. Please give my best to 50.

Actually, strike that. I'll do it myself.

Sincerely,

In Search of the Perfect Pancake

2012-04-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

For most of my life, I had a strong affinity for donuts. Chocolate eclairs. French crullers. Long Johns. Good ol' glazed. Man, I loved them. Unfortunately, all of the above went out the window with the gluten. Pancakes became the breakfast treat that filled the void. Specifically, it was Pamela's pancake mix that got me through. My whole family fell in love with those quick little, hot off the griddle treats. I love them with blueberries. My daughters love them with chocolate chips. My DH loves them with both.

We were trucking right along with our Pamela pancakes, happy as can be. Then one day I recommended them to a friend. She took a look at the ingredients and frowned. "Buttermilk," she said. "My son can't do dairy." And, with that, our family's pancake conundrum began.

Our oldest was diagnosed with a dairy sensitivity in February and I thought I had vetted everything. Our story is yet another example of how you can never be too careful when following a special diet. But, no sense crying over, uh, spilled buttermilk. Pamela and I simply had to go our separate ways and I had to find a new pancake habit. I tried an Elana's Pantry recipe...several times. I love her blog and her books. I've prepared many, many of her recipes and all have turned out devine. That is, all but one: her pancakes. I believe it has to do with the Vitamix she uses to mix the ingredients. My little Oster just can't work that kind of magic. I also tried the pancake recipe in BabyCakes Covers the Classics. Great book and the pancakes were good, but a little too exotic in flavor. The cinnamon was definitely the star of the pancake. We want something that simply acts as a tasty yet subtle vehicle for our blueberries and chocolate.

This weekend I decided to enter the pancake dating pool. First, I made a list of my criteria for a good pancake mix:

Gluten free and dairy free (of course)
Low in sugar
No crazy ingredients
Readily available
Not too pricey
Cooks well on the griddle

There are only so many pancakes my family is capable of eating in one weekend, so I've decided to try two mixes each weekend we are home until I find something worthy of replacing Pamela. I'm sure my oldest would love if I whipped a few more batches each weekend, but I really don't think that would be a good idea.

My first contestants are King Arthur Flour and Namaste. Both have their advantages with me in the marketing department. King Arthur does a fantastic blog and produces a great catalog that I love to browse when it comes in the mail. Their gluten free mixes are a small segment of their offerings, but they do a great job of providing recipes and tips on their website. Then there is Namaste who makes a spice cake mix that I adore. I make carrot cake cupcakes with it that my conventional eater friends love too. Needless to say, I had high hopes for both.

Let's start with the facts. In the ingredient department, Namaste strikes at least a flesh wound at King Arthur. Check it: sweet brown rice flour, tapioca flour, arrowroot flour, rice milk powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt and ground vanilla bean. Notice there is no sugar and no xanthan gum. All of those items could be found at any grocery. I love that. I also like that I can pronounce it all.

King Arthur isn't dead yet, though: whole grain brown rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch, rice flour, sugar, leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, cornstarch, monocalcium phosphate), natural flavors, salt and xanthan gum. Hmm. Not great, but not that bad either. Although some do have problems with xanthan gum, I've not noticed any issues in our house. The leavening thing isn't a big of deal, though I'm not thrilled about it. The two things that I really don't care for are the sugar and natural flavors. Sugar I dislike for obvious reasons. Natural flavors just annoy me. What the heck does that even mean? I put it in my cart anyway. See how important these pancakes are to me? I'm already compromising simply in hope of a good pancake hit.

Next is the price. Namaste's mix will make two batches of pancakes. The one batch I made was just right for our family of four. It rings up on Amazon at $4.91. King Arthur's mix recipe was for one batch, but it was huge. I'd recommend cutting it in half. Their mix is $5.99 on Amazon. I bought both at Whole Foods. Unfortunately, I forgot to get my receipt from the gal. I'll be sure to post an update after my next trip. (As promised: both are $6.99 at WF.)

Preparation was easy with both. My oldest daughter made the King Arthur and I fixed the Namaste. We used Enjoy Life dairy free chocolate chips for both. (She used the mini chips and I used the chunks, just so we could make sure we didn't get them confused.) Both were beautiful on the griddle which made me smile. I spent so much time cursing would-be pancakes with the recipes I'd tried, those little sweet bubbles and the easy flip were pure joy.

After a making a mess of the kitchen and testing my kids' patience as I snapped a couple of quick photos, we dove in. Both were good. I could be happy with either, as for flavor. My oldest preferred the King Arthur, but she may have simply developed a fondness for her own creation. DH liked the Namaste. My youngest was just happy to be required to eat anything with chocolate for breakfast.

Bottom line: I'll be buying Namaste again. I like the simple ingredients, lack of sugar and xanthan gum and the price is a bit lower. I certainly wouldn't steer anyone away from King Arthur, though. My only tip would be to cut the recipe in half unless you have a large crew to feed.

In a couple of weeks, I'll give the gluten free Bisquick and Bob's Red Mill mixes a whirl. In the meantime, let me know if you have any recipes or mixes you like. All suggestions welcome!

*I'm sharing this on Slightly Indulget Tuesday, the Linky party hosted at simplysugarandglutenfree.com. Amy is one of the co-founders of the Nourished Food Bloggers Conference I attended a couple of weeks ago. I highly recommend adding her to your regular rotation of blog reads.

Coming Clean...

2012-04-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello. My name is Melie Vincent and I haven't had sugar for four months.

Reader response: 'Hi, Melie'

Insert awkward silence as I stare at my shoes and try to focus on how very stylish and cute they are. They were a killer deal. Something ridiculous like 85% off.

Wait.

Were they really that cheap or is that just what I told my dear, sweet husband?

Oh, the lies! I can't take it anymore!

ALRIGHT! FINE! You people win! I fell off the wagon three weeks ago. Ah, I'm so ashamed!

It all started with an innocent chocolate macaroon. Not even a whole macaroon, mind you, but a morsel. A wee bite calling to me from a display with samples at Whole Foods. Three weeks later I'm drinking fruit juice and pounding down gluten-free cupcakes. What the hell? By next week, I could very well be on the streets, begging for gluten-free cookies.

Curse you, Sucrose! You are the crack cocaine to my inner junkie. You call to me with your decadent siren song. An unholy melody that emanates from dastardly desserts and sweet snacks. Once I'm singing your tune, I can't avoid you. You are everywhere and I greet you with apprehension, happiness even, but leave you in shame and anger. Like a movie starring Henry Cavill, I need not know the quality of the product in which you are found, I only need to know that you are featured. You are my nemesis. You are my downfall and you are so often my undoing.

But, not this time! I may have let you pass my lips for three weeks. You might sit on my hips for a couple more, but you will not win! Nope. I'm dropping you like a worthless boyfriend. That's right. You will not steal my energy or make me feel bad about myself anymore. Come to think of it, it's none of your business if I have a carrot for a snack or bake a naturally-sweetened treat. You are out of my life for good. So, don't drunk dial me when I'm walking through a convenience store. Don't drive by my house at random times to watch me prepare salad for my family. It's over. We are through. Goodbye. Good riddance. My friends will pick up my things. I'm out of here.

Dang it. Someone play some Adele and get me a celery stick.

Call It a Come Back

2012-04-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Okay, so my last post really wasn't a come back, but I AM back this time.

Why the long absence? Well, I didn't take my own advice. I completely let perfection be the enemy of the good. You see, the more I blogged back in February, the more I realized this blog's potential. That was overwhelming for me. I started having all these ideas that generated even more ideas. Before I knew it, I was paralyzed with an ideal vision. I wanted everything to be realized immediately. Unfortunately, I simply have no patience to wait for things and I don't like to settle for less than what I want.

Yes, you should feel very sorry for my husband.

Looking North: Downtown Chicago
from the top of the John Hancock Building

Fortunately, I turned forty last week. Yep, I said 'fortunately' because there's nothing quite like a monumental birthday to get a person off their backside. As a gift to myself, I attended the Nourished Food Bloggers conference in Chicago. Let me tell you, it was fantastic! I was surrounded by like-minded people AND the best gluten free food. Amazing! I attended a seminar on basic food photography. Unbelievable! I was inspired by some incredibly talented bloggers who taught their tips and tricks. Bring it! Finally, I was dumbfounded by all the excitement and passion so many of the bloggers had for recipe development.

Uh, do what?

I have shared some of my modest creations on this blog, but they were simple things like protein shakes and reworked cookie recipes. These guys were obsessed with complicated gluten-free french pastries and confections. I love eating those things as much as the next gal, but I can't imagine anything worse than repeating a recipe over and over, spending all day in the kitchen. Don't get me wrong. I'll agree there are few things more satisfying than preparing a good meal or enjoying a fresh baked treat from my own oven. I just don't feel the need to be the original creative genius behind it.

As I sat listening to one baker who was undoubtedly a true culinary genius, a steady panic began to build. All kinds of thoughts started hitting me: I can't do this! I don't want to do this! I want to continue improving my health. I want to write about eating better. I want to encourage others to do the same. The last thing I want to do is write a cookbook or spend hours in the kitchen. Besides, why would anyone want to visit my blog for second-rate recipes when there are incredible cookbooks and blogs already around? AGH!

After a few minutes and a really good GF cookie, I found my happy place and calmed down. And, as the panic-driven thoughts stopped racing through my brain, others started to emerge. I'm not nearly qualified to come up with a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie recipe any better than the hundreds already out there, but I can bake the most popular ones and figure out which I'd recommend. I can't share gluten free recipes from published cookbooks, but I can try out some of their recipes and tell you which books are worth your $24.95. Basically, I will never be an expert chef or baker, but I can be the friend you want with the tips and tricks you need in this crazy gluten free food world.

Those thoughts have continued to grow and build over the last week and I am so excited to be back with a clear vision of what we can do with this little blog. I'm also hopeful you will be a part of it, sharing ideas and encouraging progress. In return, I'm making you a promise: I'll always do my best to make practicallyhealthy.net the place you go for gluten-free ideas, information and, occasionally, a good story. To that end, below is this week's Case of the Sunday's where I've laid out what you can expect to find here in the week ahead.

Monday: Dear 40
Tuesday: In Search of the Perfect GF Pancake
Wednesday: Sugar Anonymous
Thursday: GTC Giveaway
Friday: Week End Wrap Up

Welcome back and have a great week, ya'll!

Saturday St. Patty Post

2012-03-17T14:42:00.001-04:00

Top o' the mornin' to ya! Alright, middle of the afternoon to ya.

That's so not Irish, but it's been a crazy day already and the morning swept passed me way too fast. I don't know about where you are, but here in central Indiana, it's downright gorgeous. Flowers are blooming. Trees are greening. Kids are rolling by the house on their bikes. It's been a tame winter, but spring is still so sweet. I think we might even do a firepit tonight with the neighbors. Hello, outdoors, I've missed you.

Here are the items I've taken noted over the last week or so. Please share any items of interest I miss in the comments.

Luck o' the Irish to ya!

Books

The House I Loved by Tatiana de Rosnay: This is the second book I've read by this gal. Sarah's Key was haunting and thought provoking. The ending was a bit flat for me, but I enjoyed all else. This latest book is also a great read, but I just couldn't get myself to accept what this woman was willing to do for a house. Maybe I've lived in too many places, but I just don't get the extreme devotion to architecture. Otherwise, it was great. I'd recommend it for a solid pool-side read this summer.

Flicks

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. I promise I watch more than just documentaries about how bad our food supply is, but I just find them SO inspiring, even if I don't agree with everything stated. This one is about a Aussie who does an extended juice fast to treat a chronic condition and improve his overall health. He also recruits some juicers along the way. There a couple of amazing transformations. Not sure I could juice fast that long, but it does show what better eating can do.

Posts
Butterscotch-Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies from Diet, Desserts and Dogs

Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies from Healthy Pursuit

Why It's so Important to Keep Moving from Well: More evidence that it's not all about spending hours in a gym. The key is to move often and build from there over time.

Have a great green day!

Don't Call It a Come Back

2012-03-07T22:08:00.000-05:00

Alright, so it was more than a two day break. Two weeks was quite a bit longer than expected, but it was worth it, don't you think? I LOVE my new format. Thanks so much to Kaylah at Rockaboo designs for such an amazingly simple, yet engaging template. I found her on etsy here. I bought a premade template, but she put a little extra time in to coordinate the colors with my Arbonne shop. I am so happy with the results.

So, you might be asking at this point, what's with the new name? I wanted something a bit shorter than the previous 'Mrs. Pumpernickel Takes Care.' I love the homage to my grandmother, but it was certainly a mouthful. Plus, it didn't really give a potential reader a clue as to what this blog is about. I wanted something that conveyed the idea that being healthy doesn't have to be hard or involve twenty different flours. I remember going online nearly five years ago just after my celiac diagnosis and being completely overwhelmed by all the information, complicated recipes and obscure ingredients. These days, I'm fairly well versed on how to make a GF cake or cookie and what to fix for dinner, but I'm still a working mom with a travelling husband. Just because I have the tools and the know-how doesn't mean I have the time. As a result, the blog goal is two-fold: One, to provide an on-ramp for those looking to enter the world of non-processed, whole foods, but don't want to eat only broccoli the rest of their lives and, two, explore and record methods and food ideas so I can efficiently prepare food that my family will happily eat. Practically Healthy seems to fit the bill for both goals. It's also a phrase I've used for much of my adult life, as in, "This Twinkie has dairy, wheat and protein. It's practically healthy." There's just something very appropriate to me about taking my old-food attitude and turning it on its head.

I'd also like to add here that when I first took my little hiatus, I was the only one in my family with a food issue, namely celiac disease. Just last week, our family was hit with a whopper. I am telling you about it with the permission of my oldest daughter who it impacts. She has been struggling with anxiety for over a year now. She gave up on a sport she loved and was missing out on other life experiences because of it. We tried various approaches with moderate success over the last year. Finally, a few weeks ago we decided to have her see my doctor who ran several blood tests. The test results came back indicating strong food allergies to dairy and all meat except turkey. Plus, she is gluten sensitive. We are having her pediatrician review the test results for a second opinion, but at this point, she has been on her new diet regimen for a week and I'm seeing a difference. It is subtle, but she just seems happier and more relaxed. I'll concede it may be wishful thinking on my part, but it's encouraging nonetheless.

As a result of this new diet requirement, you are going to see quite a few recipes focused on turkey, dairy-free or meat-free. I'll always suggest alternatives. After all, the intent of this blog is to encourage you to explore on your own for answers and ideas that fit your dietary needs, whatever they might be.

That's it for now. I might be a bit hit or miss for the next couple of weeks as I slide back into a blogging-groove, but please stay tuned. I'll be unveiling my first giveaway next week and you won't want to miss it!

Change is Good

2012-02-25T09:27:00.001-05:00

I've been pretty consistent this first month of my little blog in providing a new post everyday. That's going to come to a screeching halt, but only for the weekend. I am in the process of making some pretty significant changes to the look and feel of the blog. I hope to go live with it on Monday, but it may be Tuesday before it's all done. I'll keep you posted. Ha! Get it? Posted?

Alright, I promise my new blog will be better than my puns. As a bit of a teaser, here's the new address: www.practicallyhealthy.net. I like my Mrs. Pumpernickel reference, but this new name better describes the purpose of my blog: better health without a great deal of fuss.

I'm looking forward to sharing all the improvements with you. I hope you'll let me know what you like and what you would prefer to see. Above all, thank you so much taking this journey with me!

-Melie

Revised Recipe: Paleo 'Chocolate' Chips & Almond Coconut Protein Shake

2012-02-23T21:51:00.000-05:00

Wow, that's a long post title. Originally, this was supposed to be one recipe for Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies made ACD-friendly with a few tweaks. However, my man insisted I also throw in the recipe I came up this week for an Almond Coconut Protein Shake. Arbonne provides a fantastic recipe with the program by the same title. I made a few adjustments to make it a bit richer in good fats. In the process, I made a really sweet shake. So sweet, my taste buds can only take so much, but my guy insists he could drink it every day.

Almond Coconut Protein Shake
with Paleo Carob Chip Cookies

Before I get to the recipes, I have a little announcement. I've decided to become a consultant with Arbonne. For those who know me personally: yes, I may be insane for taking this on. I work full-time, have two school-age kids and my husband travels...a lot. But, stick with me on this. I feel better right now after using the Arbonne kit and vitamins than I have ever felt as an adult. My energy is up. My weight is as down as I could ever want it to be. My skin is clearing and my sinuses are opening. This system has been invaluable in helping me give up dairy and other candida-feeding foods. I really think this program could help many, many people get focused and make the leap into whole, healthy foods. It's not a panacea or miracle weight loss tool. It's an aid to get you from the Standard American Diet (SAD) and all it's health problems to a whole food, healthy way of eating.

As for the blog, it will NOT become an Arbonne ad site. I will be adding a page where you can find more information about ordering Arbonne products. On that page, I'll also include information about upcoming presentations, events and current promotions. I will be using Arbonne products in some recipes, but always with a note that other products might work as well. This is simply a part of my journey and I want to share it. However, my main goal with this blog is get you to think about your food choices, not just copy mine or others. Listen to your body and follow what is best for you. For me, Arbonne has simply become too big a part of my journey to not incorporate in some small way in the blog.

Alright, so who's ready for some cookies and a shake? Me, too!

Paleo Carob Chip Cookies
adapted from The Food Lovers' Primal Palate. If you click over to this lovely blog, you will notice their cookies don't look like mine. The moisture content is much lower in my version, but mine are still soft, even five days later. They simply didn't spread during baking. If you want a more traditional look. be sure to flatten the cookies before baking.

3 cups blanched almond flour
1/2 cup virgin coconut oil, unrefined
1/4 cup yacon syrup
2 eggs (I bet flax eggs would work for a vegan cookie.)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup carob chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Beat syrup, eggs and extract together in a small bowl. Pour wet into dry and combine using a hand mixer. Melt coconut oil in the microwave and add to mix. Fold in chips. Drop tablespoon size dough balls onto parchment lined cookie sheets. Press for traditional cookie shape or leave in a ball as I did. Bake for 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Almond Coconut Protein Shake
inspired by Arbonne shake recipe by the same name.

1 cup non-dairy milk (I alternate between almond and coconut.)
2 scoops Arbonne's vegan Vanilla Protein Powder or vanilla protein powder of your choice
1 scoop Arbonne Fiber Booster (optional)
1 tbsp almond butter
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/8 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/8 tsp almond extract
2 ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender, blend, pour in a cup that makes you feel as special as you are and, finally, enjoy!

I'm posting these recipes on Diets, Desserts and Dogs for Wellness Weekend Feb 23-27. Ricki is one of my blog heros. I'm thinking about attending the Nourished Blogger conference in Chicago in April mostly to make this blog better, but partly to meet her. I hope I don't get star struck. :-)

Tomorrow is Friday. YEAH! Have a great one and take care.

-Melie

Where I Started Part Deux

2012-02-22T23:10:00.001-05:00

December 2006
Eight months before starting my GF adventure

February 2012
I won't say 'After'. I'm still working toward better health.

It's been a few weeks since I began my health tale. See here for the start to my story. For those who'd rather just jump right in: When I left off, I had just been to the ER for an esophageal spasm and discovered probiotics by reading this book. Go here for the author's latest book.

In 2006, I was also experiencing some other health problems. During my workouts, I began having severe pelvic pain and went to my OB/GYN to be checked out. An ultrasound revealed signs of endometriosis and ovarian cysts. That scared me nearly as much as the trip to the ER. My mother had a full hysterectomy by the time she was 32 due to endo and I really didn't want to follow that path. Though not his specialty, I also spoke to my doctor about my stiff and painful knees. He suggested it sounded like rheumatoid arthritis and recommended I see someone about it.

There I was at 34 with endo, chronic sinusitis, potentially arthritis and a barely controlled weight issue, much of what my mother battled most of her adult life. Given that she died at age 53 from cancer, I was not liking the direction things were moving. Beating heartburn was great, but it felt a bit inconsequential compared to the rest. I knew I needed a doctor who could help me with it all. I didn't have the time or patience to see multiple specialists. I really wasn't sure where to start looking. I'd never been the alternative medicine type and I wasn't even sure that's what I needed. Somehow through a Google search, I found Dr. Dale Guyer in Indianapolis. He didn't take insurance, but his website struck a chord. He was a real MD, but he was focused on healing, not just treating symptoms. I made an appointment and crossed my fingers.

That first appointment was and still is one of those unforgettable moments of my life. I was led into an office rather than an exam room. Shortly thereafter, Dr Guyer came in, sat down at the desk and began a thorough 45-minute interview of all my health complaints and family medical history. It was a complete shock to my system. I was used to fifteen minutes of glib and quick diagnosis. Beyond the paperwork completed for an initial appointment that I wasn't sure anyone read, no doctor had ever asked me about my full history, much less my parents'. At the end of the discussion, he said he was confident my mother had celiac disease based on her medical history of multiple immune system disorders. In addition, the number one killer of celiacs is non-Hodgkins lymphoma, precisely the cancer that took her life. Celiac is a genetic disorder, so he ordered a blood test for it as well as my thyroid, food allergy panel and vitamin levels.

I spent the next few weeks on cloud nine. I was so excited that someone was taking my health concerns seriously and was actually on my side to help me figure them out. When the results were in, according to the blood work, my thyroid was extremely low and I was at the very least gluten intolerant. Dr. Guyer advised against the full biopsy for definitive diagnosis of celiac. After all, treatment for each is the same: no gluten in the diet. He also put me on Armour for my thyroid and fish oil supplements for what tests showed was early rheumatoid arthritis.

Dr. Guyer was more than I could have hoped for, but he wasn't perfect. The one item he failed was teaching me how to eat gluten free. I remember thinking GF meant scraping the topping of pizza and removing the bread from burgers. That went on for a couple of months and I did actually get a bit better. Then I attended a tailgate for a concert. There was some great food and beer and I just couldn't resist. Besides, what could a little indulgence hurt? I'll not forget that day and wish I could forget the next. That tailgate was the last time I knowingly ingested gluten because the next day, I couldn't get out of bed. I was doubled over in pain into the afternoon. At that point, I pulled out my computer and started reading. Turned out, gluten free means not a crumb or morsel. No cheating could be allowed for real health with celiac disease. It was August 2007. That's when things really started to turn around.

By September, I noticed I was happy most mornings, even before coffee. I laughed more. I wasn't about to face plant on my keyboard at work in the afternoon. My focus improved and my weight dropped to 145. It was just enough to give me hope and keep me motivated. Thanksgiving was so hard that year. I remember standing in the aisle at Whole Foods with tears in my eyes. I was trying to find anything that I could take with me for holiday meals with our families four hours away. I didn't even know how to tell them about my new food paradigm. It still felt crazy to me, but I at least knew it made me feel better. I was certain they would right it off as a passing fad diet. I would have. I was terrified. The nicest lady walked up after noticing me staring at the wall of GF foods and told me it would get better. Her daughter nearly died at age 9 before she was finally diagnosed with celiac. She assured me it would get easier and took the time to make suggestions. She even gave me her number. I am still disappointed that I lost that number. I would love to let her know what a difference her kindness made. After her pep talk and helpful tips, I felt more confident and began to focus on spending time with family rather than food that year.

I think that's as good a spot to pause as any for tonight. I'll not wait so long to resume this time. It's a fun reflecting on how much of my life I've changed through my choices in food and health care. Those choices were sometimes only incrementally better, but over the last seven years, those little adjustments have had a big impact on my life and my family. What changes or choices have you made that have helped you? I'd love to hear.

Take care!

-Melie