Breakfast:
Chocolate Chex cereal
Banana
OJ
Snack:
Brownie ( recipe in prior post)
Almond milk
Lunch:
Chicken salad ( made from leftover grilled chicken breast )
Sliced tomato
Pickle
Dinner:
Baked Mac n Cheese ( recipe at bottom of post )
Canned beets
1 slice butter bread
Water
Snack:
2 Ginger Snap cookies ( Trader Joe's brand )
Baked Mac n Cheese:
1 box Supergrain Quinoa gluten free pasta
1/2 cup Sour cream
1 cup milk
1 Tbs Cornstarch
9 oz Sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 Tbs. Butter
12 Blue Diamond nut and rice crackers, finely crushed
Pre - heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook the pasta in boiling water for 6 minutes. ( will finish cooking in oven ) Drain and set aside. Melt the butter on med low. In a small bowl mix the cornstarch with milk. Add the cornstarch mixture to the butter and cook untill thickened, stirring constantly. Add chedder cheese to sauce and cook slowly untill melted, stirring constantly. Add the sour cream, add salt to tastee. Combine with the cooked pasta. Pour mixture into casserole dish. Cover the top with the crushed crackers. Dot with butter. Bake at 350 degrees untill lightly browned, about 30 minutes. It serves 4 easily.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Wheat free... Day 8 menu
Breakfast:
2 scrambled eggs with broccoli & chives
OJ
Lunch:
Quinoa stuffed green pepper ( leftovers from freezer )
Brown rice
Snack:
Brownie ( recipe to follow at bottom of post )
Almond milk
Dinner:
Grilled chicken breast
Cauliflower with butter
Snack:
2 Dark chocolate mint creams (Trader Joe's )
Brownie recipe:
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
6 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup Coconut flour, sifted ( Let's Do...Organic Coconut flour )
1 cup Chocolate chips, optional
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan over low heat melt butter and cocoa until creamy and thickened. Remove from heat, cooling.
In a separate bowl , mix the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Blend this into the cocoa mixture. Stir in the coconut flour until no lumps appear. Add the chocolate chips if desired. Bake in a pre-greased 8x8 baking pan for 30-35 minutes.
These were more of a cake like brownie, but heavenly! One of my biggest downfalls in life are warm brownies fresh from the oven but I found that just one....okay, so one and a half, satisfied my sweet tooth...Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
2 scrambled eggs with broccoli & chives
OJ
Lunch:
Quinoa stuffed green pepper ( leftovers from freezer )
Brown rice
Snack:
Brownie ( recipe to follow at bottom of post )
Almond milk
Dinner:
Grilled chicken breast
Cauliflower with butter
Snack:
2 Dark chocolate mint creams (Trader Joe's )
Brownie recipe:
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
6 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup Coconut flour, sifted ( Let's Do...Organic Coconut flour )
1 cup Chocolate chips, optional
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan over low heat melt butter and cocoa until creamy and thickened. Remove from heat, cooling.
In a separate bowl , mix the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Blend this into the cocoa mixture. Stir in the coconut flour until no lumps appear. Add the chocolate chips if desired. Bake in a pre-greased 8x8 baking pan for 30-35 minutes.
These were more of a cake like brownie, but heavenly! One of my biggest downfalls in life are warm brownies fresh from the oven but I found that just one....okay, so one and a half, satisfied my sweet tooth...Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Wheat free menu..Day 7
Breakfast:
Chocolate Chex / Almond milk
OJ
Lunch:
Chili ( recipe to follow at bottom of post )
Nut & Rice crackers ( Blue Diamond )
Glass water
Snack:2
Fig Newmans ( Wheat free - dairy free but NOT Gluten free ) Delicious !!!!!
Almond milk ( Blue Diamond unsweetened brand )
Dinner:
Chicken/ Sweet Italian Style sausage link ( al fresco brand ) Found these at my local Giant Eagle. Truly amazing!
Cucumber / tomatoes with oil / vinegar
Snack:
Simply organic french onion dip mixed with sour cream
Fresh veggies
Chili recipe:
This recipe calls for 1 packet of Hol-Grain Chili Seasoning ( I found it at our local Raisin Rack )
You may follow the recipe on the package and it is totally delicious if you like a thick chili. I however prefer more of a "sauce" and like to cook my chili for a much longer period of time to incorporate all the flavors.
The packet gives you the choice to use either tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, I used the diced tomatoes. So for my personal recipe I followed the the original recipe except that added 1 extra can of tomatoes and 1 can of water and let the chili simmer for approximately 2 hours. Wow this was totally awesome. It had just the right amount of spices and texture and was a big hit the whole way around.
Chocolate Chex / Almond milk
OJ
Lunch:
Chili ( recipe to follow at bottom of post )
Nut & Rice crackers ( Blue Diamond )
Glass water
Snack:2
Fig Newmans ( Wheat free - dairy free but NOT Gluten free ) Delicious !!!!!
Almond milk ( Blue Diamond unsweetened brand )
Dinner:
Chicken/ Sweet Italian Style sausage link ( al fresco brand ) Found these at my local Giant Eagle. Truly amazing!
Cucumber / tomatoes with oil / vinegar
Snack:
Simply organic french onion dip mixed with sour cream
Fresh veggies
Chili recipe:
This recipe calls for 1 packet of Hol-Grain Chili Seasoning ( I found it at our local Raisin Rack )
You may follow the recipe on the package and it is totally delicious if you like a thick chili. I however prefer more of a "sauce" and like to cook my chili for a much longer period of time to incorporate all the flavors.
The packet gives you the choice to use either tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, I used the diced tomatoes. So for my personal recipe I followed the the original recipe except that added 1 extra can of tomatoes and 1 can of water and let the chili simmer for approximately 2 hours. Wow this was totally awesome. It had just the right amount of spices and texture and was a big hit the whole way around.
Miracle Noodle's Anniversary sale...
15% discount on all products
until Saturday March 24th!!
It is their anniversary!! This week in
2006 Miracle Noodle started their business!! 6 years have gone by so fast it is hard to
believe!! In celebration they are holding a 15% discount on all products
all week long. The coupon expires on Saturday night at Midnight
EST. The coupon code is 'mar15' If you enter that on the checkout page you will get 15% off you order.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Slow and steady wins the race...
Today is weigh in and measurement day. I am a little nervous to say the least but here goes...Is my wheat free living paying off?
Day 1: Day 7:
weight... 131.8 129.8
waist..... 37 in. 34 1/2 in.
Stomach.. 40 in. 38 1/4 in.
Hips: 38 in. 37 3/4 in.
Wow! I know that doesn't seem like a huge difference , only 2 pounds, but if you have ever dieted in your life you know that an average of a pound a week is a safe healthy way to loose.
What amazes me most is the inches I have lost...Maybe this time I am on the right path. I will continue to keep you posted on my weekly progress and also new wheat free products I will be trying and reviewing. Stay tuned for more....
Day 1: Day 7:
weight... 131.8 129.8
waist..... 37 in. 34 1/2 in.
Stomach.. 40 in. 38 1/4 in.
Hips: 38 in. 37 3/4 in.
Wow! I know that doesn't seem like a huge difference , only 2 pounds, but if you have ever dieted in your life you know that an average of a pound a week is a safe healthy way to loose.
What amazes me most is the inches I have lost...Maybe this time I am on the right path. I will continue to keep you posted on my weekly progress and also new wheat free products I will be trying and reviewing. Stay tuned for more....
Day 6 menu...
Breakfast:
Chocolate Chex cereal /Almond milk
Banana
Lunch:
Sweet Italian chicken sausage ( gluten free)
Sliced Cucumbers with onion / oil & vinegar
Snack:
3-4 Dark Chocolate mint creams ( Trader Joe's )
Dinner:
Stuffed quinoa green peppers
mashed cauliflower
Snack:
Fresh Veggies
French onion dip ( Simply organic french onion dip mix / sour cream )
Chocolate Chex cereal /Almond milk
Banana
Lunch:
Sweet Italian chicken sausage ( gluten free)
Sliced Cucumbers with onion / oil & vinegar
Snack:
3-4 Dark Chocolate mint creams ( Trader Joe's )
Dinner:
Stuffed quinoa green peppers
mashed cauliflower
Snack:
Fresh Veggies
French onion dip ( Simply organic french onion dip mix / sour cream )
Day 5 menu...
Breakfast:
Scrambled eggs / with onions and mushrooms
"Mock" lemon tea
Fresh blueberries
Lunch:
Tuna fish with Blue Diamond crackers
Diced tomatoes and cucumbers with oil & vinegar dressing
Snack:
Handful of raw almonds
Dinner:
Stuffed quinoa and green pepper (leftovers from freezer)
Mashed potatoes
Snack:
Cup Almond milk
Chocolate cupcake
Scrambled eggs / with onions and mushrooms
"Mock" lemon tea
Fresh blueberries
Lunch:
Tuna fish with Blue Diamond crackers
Diced tomatoes and cucumbers with oil & vinegar dressing
Snack:
Handful of raw almonds
Dinner:
Stuffed quinoa and green pepper (leftovers from freezer)
Mashed potatoes
Snack:
Cup Almond milk
Chocolate cupcake
Bob's Red Mill Chocolate cake mix...
Today I tried a chocolate wheat free, gluten free cake mix from Bob's Red Mill. Since I personally prefer cupcakes over cake because they are less messy, I followed the directions and baking time for the cupcakes as apposed to the cake.The package said it made about 18 cupcake but I actually got 20 from the mix.
The mixing directions were spot on and I found it to be a fairly thick batter, similar to a mouse, which made using a ice cream scoop to drop the batter into the paper cupcake liners quick and easy.
The dough raised surprisingly high, like a normal cup cake in fact, and the aroma filled my kitchen to the fullest.
The texture of the cupcakes were almost exactly like those of commercial flour cupcakes except just slightly denser and courser.
The flavor was that of a deep dark chocolate and quite appealing to a chocolate lover like myself.
Although the texture of the flour in my mouth was definately not what I have not been use to over the years the taste was quite satisfying.
I would recommend this product to those who are new to eating a wheat free diet with the simple warning that although the texture will not be what you are use to with commercial refined wheat flours, the taste will out weigh the difference when you need a tasty chocolate fix.
The mixing directions were spot on and I found it to be a fairly thick batter, similar to a mouse, which made using a ice cream scoop to drop the batter into the paper cupcake liners quick and easy.
The dough raised surprisingly high, like a normal cup cake in fact, and the aroma filled my kitchen to the fullest.
The texture of the cupcakes were almost exactly like those of commercial flour cupcakes except just slightly denser and courser.
The flavor was that of a deep dark chocolate and quite appealing to a chocolate lover like myself.
Although the texture of the flour in my mouth was definately not what I have not been use to over the years the taste was quite satisfying.
I would recommend this product to those who are new to eating a wheat free diet with the simple warning that although the texture will not be what you are use to with commercial refined wheat flours, the taste will out weigh the difference when you need a tasty chocolate fix.
Day 4 menu...
Breakfast:
2 rice cakes / peanut butter and jelly
"Mock" lemon tea
Lunch:
Vegetable pizza ( recipe from Dr Davis's book)
Unsweetened applesauce cup
Snack:
Homemade chocolate cupcake / cup Almond milk
Dinner:
Rice pasta with Marinara sauce
Small salad / oil and vinegar
Snack:
Handful of raw almonds dipped in Peanut butter
2 rice cakes / peanut butter and jelly
"Mock" lemon tea
Lunch:
Vegetable pizza ( recipe from Dr Davis's book)
Unsweetened applesauce cup
Snack:
Homemade chocolate cupcake / cup Almond milk
Dinner:
Rice pasta with Marinara sauce
Small salad / oil and vinegar
Snack:
Handful of raw almonds dipped in Peanut butter
Day three menue:
Breakfast:
Rice Chex cereal / Almond milk
Fresh strawberries
Warm "mock" lemon tea
Lunch:
Egg salad / 16 Blue Diamond nut and rice crackers
Large dill pickle
Snack:
3 Dark chocolate mint creams from Trader Joe's
Dinner:
Grilled chicken breast
Baked potato / butter and sour cream
Small salad with oil / vinegar
Snack:
2 ginger snap cookies ( Trader Joe's brand / gluten free )
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Wheat withdrawal...
Today I will tell you about some of the withdrawal symptoms I have personally experienced on my new wheat free living plan. The first few days I had feelings of tiredness throughout the day. Not a exhausted kind of tired, but a kind of sleepiness that made me want to cuddle up with my cat and take a nap.I guess you could say it was more of a extremely relaxed kind of feeling, like a being in a fog. About the third day most of this tiredness had lifted except until around four in the afternoon. Instead of giving in to the sleepiness I would do a few chores or run errands and it would pass.( remember...I am retired )
Now I am all for sleeping when I am tired as I have had quite a history of having trouble falling asleep over the past few years. Financial stresses, crises with family, or even everyday experiences would keep me awake for hours after retiring with thoughts of everyday problems whirling through my mind. I would count sheep, think good thoughts, take a warm shower, sing peaceful songs in my mind, you name it I have tried it!
I have found since day one of eliminating wheat from my diet that I have virtually "slept like a baby" as the saying goes. It is almost as if I were asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Okay, so I have been awakened on occasion by that nighttime bathroom run, of by a thunder storm, yet I would immediately fall back to sleep. All in all, these past few nights have been the most peaceful and restful nights sleep I have had in years!
If you venture on this wheat free living journey with me I suggest you keep a log of your withdrawal symptoms. Not only do I sleep better but I also awake better. My body is awake and ready to go after just eight hours of restful sleep, as apposed to having to force myself out of bed. Food tastes so much better and I have learnt to appreciate the tastes and textures more. I eat slower because I enjoy every bite, and I seem to stay full longer. My cravings for sweets is not so strong and I find that even a small piece of chocolate satisfy's me as much as a whole candy bar use to. Wow....I am really coming to like this new me!
Now I am all for sleeping when I am tired as I have had quite a history of having trouble falling asleep over the past few years. Financial stresses, crises with family, or even everyday experiences would keep me awake for hours after retiring with thoughts of everyday problems whirling through my mind. I would count sheep, think good thoughts, take a warm shower, sing peaceful songs in my mind, you name it I have tried it!
I have found since day one of eliminating wheat from my diet that I have virtually "slept like a baby" as the saying goes. It is almost as if I were asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Okay, so I have been awakened on occasion by that nighttime bathroom run, of by a thunder storm, yet I would immediately fall back to sleep. All in all, these past few nights have been the most peaceful and restful nights sleep I have had in years!
If you venture on this wheat free living journey with me I suggest you keep a log of your withdrawal symptoms. Not only do I sleep better but I also awake better. My body is awake and ready to go after just eight hours of restful sleep, as apposed to having to force myself out of bed. Food tastes so much better and I have learnt to appreciate the tastes and textures more. I eat slower because I enjoy every bite, and I seem to stay full longer. My cravings for sweets is not so strong and I find that even a small piece of chocolate satisfy's me as much as a whole candy bar use to. Wow....I am really coming to like this new me!
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