Great news! Free resource on everything gluten-free!

The Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) has been around for 22 years. When they were first founded the U.S. population was 250 million, a gallon of gas was $1.16 (depending on where you lived), and  it was estimated that 1 in 250 people has Celiac Disease. The CDF is now a worldwide resource for the most current information on Celiac Disease and a Gluten-free lifestyle. after all they have accomplished in their young life they are still consistently trying to better the lives of those with gluten intolerance. Yesterday, they announced a free resource for all things gluten-free. Here is the e-mail I received:

What YOU'VE been waiting for is finally HERE!! We are pleased to announce that the **NEW**  CDF Gluten-Free Resource Directory is live!!! The *NEW* online CDF Gluten-Free Resource Directory provides you - FREE of charge - with a unique and easy, one-stop guide to all things Gluten-Free! Each category has been carefully selected to provide you with products and services that simplify and demystify the gluten-free living experience. The *NEW* online CDF Gluten-Free Resource Directory is dynamic, constantly evolving, growing, changing and being updated with new products and services every day. So, be sure to check the site often to take advantage of some great promotions and new-to-market products available to you and your family. Go to www.celiac.org and click on the button at the top of the page!!! OR direct at cdfresourcedirectory.com

New Green Smoothie Diet by Hilary Greenleaf

I was recently contacted by Hilary Greenleaf, author, educator, and nutritionist. She sent my a copy of her new book, The New Green Smoothie Diet: Going Green Never Tasted so Good. In her new book she talks about the benefits of green smoothies and gives recipes and tips on making them. It goes over detoxifying the body, how to achieve increased energy levels, and how to incorporate green smoothies into a weight loss plan. She even gives examples of smoothies to help detoxify the body, increase energy, fight heart disease, prevent cancers, boost the immune system, help with diabetes and make skin and hair beautiful.

The picture below is of the clear skin smoothie I made. This smoothie provides all the nutrients needed to help you fight acne and to protect your skin against scarring. I've posted the recipe below. It called for guava but I'm not sure we can find that in Alaska this time of year however, I substituted with mango. It makes enough for three!

Clear Skin Smoothie
2 cups water
1 guava (or mango)
1 orange, peeled and seeded
1 1/2 tsp finely ground nuts
2 cups spinach or Swiss chard
1 tablespoon flax seeds, finely ground

Like the recipe? Want to see more? For a chance to win your very own copy of the New Smoothie Diet by Hilary Greenleaf, sign up to follow this blog!! I have two copies to give away. Here's all you need to do:

1. You must have a Yahoo, Google, or twitter account

2. Under FOLLOWERS and above the member listing is a button called "Join this site" - click on it and follow the directions

3. Share with your friends!

Winners will be announced by March 31st!!

Mrs. Greenleaf is the leading authority on organic foods and is considered America’s #1 Organic Expert. Her work has helped her audience improve its health and find new energy in life. She has worked as a personal trainer, a nutrition consultant, and a writing teacher, both as a personal coach and as a university lecturer. She is the author of eight books, and has been sent on travel writing assignments to Russia, Japan, Germany, and Thailand. She currently resides in California with her loving husband and their two children.

March Product of the Month

Bob's Red Mill has been aiding the gluten-free community for years now. The have many products that are delicious and safe for those of us who require gluten-free diets. Their gluten-free chocolate cake mix comes in handy during birthdays and their hearty whole grain bread mix is one of my husband's favorites. However, for March's product of the month, I have chosen their Gluten-free Rolled Oats. Even though oats in and of themselves are gluten-free, a lot of fields where oats are grown are located right next to fields with wheat, barley, or rye. The wind can carry seeds back in forth between fields so, the odds of cross contamination of oats after they are harvested is extremely high. Bob's Red Mill oats are available in three varieties--Rolled, Quick-Rolled and Steel Cut--and are made from oats grown by a cooperative of over 200 farmers dedicated to growing only pure, high-grade oats. Each farm delivery is sampled hundreds of times and tested with an R5 ELISA gluten test to ensure the absence of gluten. Advanced color-sorting removes undetected impurities. Roasting enhances that wholesome robust flavor you expect. Finally, the oats are packaged in our 100% gluten free facility and tested for gluten again to ensure their purity. Although a tiny fraction of the population cannot tolerate even the purest gluten free oats, most will find oats to be a deliciously welcomed addition to their diets. I like the old-fashioned rolled oats, not only because they are a healthy but, because of how easy and quick they are to cook. Just one serving has 20% of a daily serving of fiber and 14% of a daily serving of protein. They are also heart healthy. I've listed a recipe below to show another way to use these great oats!

Healthy Oatmeal Cookies (with Honey)
Ingredients:
Dry ingredients

• 1 cup gluten-free flour (a pinch more depending on the moisture of the mix)
• 1 1/2 cups of Bob's Red Milled Old-fashioned Rolled Oats (smaller flake is ok too)
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp Cinnamon (I actually use about 3 Tbsp--got to love cinnamon)
• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg (optional)

Wet ingredients

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup oil (corn, grapeseed or olive) * you can also use some applesauce to replace some of the oil if you wish* I prefer grapeseed oil over olive or corn
• 1 Tablespoon Molasses
• 1 egg (beat with 1 Tbsp Water)
• 1 tsp Vanilla

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together.
2. In a medium bowl, mix all the wet ingredients together. Hint: when measuring out the honey, spray the measuring cup with oil or baking spray--your honey won't stick).
3. Mix the wet stuff with the dry stuff. Add the raisins or chocolate chips if you want. If the mixture seems too wet, add a bit of flour. If it isn't binding together very well, you may wish to add an egg white.
4. COOL the mix for 20 minutes in the fridge.
5. Preheat the oven to 335 degrees (lower temperature due to the honey in the recipe which will burn more easily).
6. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto your baking sheet (I recommend lining the baking sheet with parchment paper). Press down with a fork to ensure even cooking.
7. Bake for about 15 - 20 minutes or until golden on the bottom of the cookie. The cookies freeze very well and make a great snack! Enjoy!

News from Bistro Red Beet!

I know I have already mentioned this Alaskan restaurant back in November, but Bistro Red Beet continues to be a great resource for the Alaskan gluten-free community. They use no GMO foods and 85% of their food comes from local producers. Alaskans supporting Alaskans! Also, not only are they a 100% gluten-free and soy-free facility but, they offer great educational cooking classes to help you adjust to an alternative lifestyle.Their winter class schedule has been posted. They hold classes on Tuesday night from 6:30-9:00pm. Their class this past week was on cooking gluten-free bread. Some upcoming classes include cooking gluten-free Tiramisu cake, Alaska Salt Water Fish, and gluten-free cookies!

They are located on the Palmer/Wasilla Highway at the intersection with Shennum Drive. Call 907-376-1400 for directions if you need them. Be sure to check out their website too! http://bistroredbeet.com/

March Support Group meeting

Please join me this Thursday, March 15th, from 6-8pm at Natural Pantry for our monthly Gluten-free Support Group. Katz Gluten-free has been kind enough to send us some great samples of their products. I look forward to you joining me next week!

March Recipe of the Month

Since March is National Nutrition Month, I thought my recipe of the month should be something that goes along with the month's theme. I was ecstatic to find this awesome recipe shared by Gluten-free Gigi, a fellow gluten-free blogger. You may never go back to regular mayonnaise again!

Avocado Mayo

1 ripe avocado
1 tsp of lemon or lime juice (i had a fresh lemon in the house so I used it!)
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3 Tablespoons light olive oil (2 tablespoons works just as well - depends on how you want it to taste)
Optional: A dash of cayenne

Combine all ingredients except oil in the bowl of your food processor and blend until pureed. You will need to scrape down the sides several times to insure all avocado is pureed.

When the mixture is smooth, drizzle the oil slowly into the processor while blending. Be patient - if you add the oil all at once or too fast, you will not achieve the rich creamy mayo-like texture that you're looking for.

Use immediately, or store in fridge for 3-5 days tightly covered. It may keep longer, but it never stays around my fridge long enough to find out. 

Try as a dip, on sandwiches, as a salad dressing, over fish or maybe even for deviled eggs! ;)

Get your plate in shape!! It's National Nutrition Month!

Most people don't realize that health is 80% diet and only 20% exercise. Don't get me wrong, exercise is incredibly vital to overall health but, what you eat actually plays the biggest role. Last month was National Heart month and no doubt you learned how 1 in 3 women die of heart related issues. Making sure you know your numbers (i.e. your waist circumference, cholesterol, weight, blood pressure, etc.) is important. The next step is getting in shape and instead of starting with your body though, start with your plate!

 Start by cleaning out your fridge. Phase out any unhealthy foods such as sugary drinks, fatty meats and whole milk products. Other sugars to be aware of besides refined sugar is corn syrup (don't believe the commercials) and artificial sugars. High fructose corn syrup reprograms the brain to crave foods saturated with sugar, fat and salt. Artificial sugar can do something similar. It actually tricks your body into to thinking it is real sugar and that causes the brain to reprogram as it would with real sugar. If you have to have something sweet try Stevia. Stevia is a natural sweeten that has NO calories!! Its just as sweet as sugar if not more but it doesn't have the same effects as refined or artificial sugars. After your fridge and pantry are clear, avoid buying anymore "convenient" items that are prepackaged. Prepackaged typically means it has sugar and fats and chemical preservatives that you shouldn't put in your body.

Next, stock your fridge with foods that support and promote good health such as colorful fruits and vegetables, reduced fat dairy products, frozen veggies, fish, and whole wheat, corn or brown rice tortillas. Many frozen veggies can be cooked inside the bag. Just place them in the microwave and heat them up for a great side with your fish. Living in Alaska has its benefits with seafood. I don't know anyone who doesn't have some fish in their freezer. The salmon can be plucked out of the water during the summer (OK, you can't just pick them up you do have to hook them) but if you are not in an area that has access to abundance of fish, Sam's and Costco typically have large bags of frozen fish for a good price. Also, try using oils to cook with instead of butter. Canola, Olive and coconut oil are healthier fats that are processed better by our bodies. 

Finally, be sure to plan ahead. Before bed at night, I take the time to do a little quick meal prepping. I make sure to have some snacks ready for those times when I'm hungry and want something right away. This will help you resist the temptation to grab something prepackaged, quick and ultimately, unhealthy. 
For more information on healthy eating check out www.eatright.org - a website provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formally the American Dietetic Association). For some great recipes check out the Heart Healthy Recipe Guide.

Just keep in mind that change takes time. Don't feel like you have to make sweeping changes immediately. That will only stress you out and set you up for frustration and failure. Start slow and build up to it and know that you will make mistakes have weak moments. Just don't beat yourself up over it. Have fun with your foods and enjoy exploring new recipes and flavors!