notjusthealthnuts

   As a foodie with food allergies I feel that any packaged product is potential death waiting to happen.  That might be a bit dramatic.  Seriously, my step son with bakers dozen food allergies and I of a few call certain products boxes of death.  Largely, because it is. Shockingly it gets worse, food allergies are NOT just in the food aisle. They lurk every where.   As a matter of frightening fact, companies can pretty much put any claim or statement on their product with little to no accountability.  There is one major Federal law to "protect" us foodies with food allergies.  Thank you  foodallergy.org  for informing us that only eight allergies have warning labels on a certain number of food products.  If you clean with it,  take a prescription, take an OTC, put it on your skin, has a kosher label, or smoke it (ew) then a company is not obligated to tell you when an allergen may be in their product. Lesson one is...

I miss Italian food.  Watching all these food shoes makes it worse, unless it's the one where the "f" word guy goes back into the kitchen.  It's kinda like finding out what's in spam or hot dogs, wish you had never known.  Being in the GF life has severely limited our gluten free Italian options.  Finding a non crunch lasagna noodle takes a trek across town.  I am a label reading fool.  I have found some GF penne and rotini made with ancient grains- brown rice and quinoa.  Jumping up and down giggling my friends.  If it has corn in the ingredients, it's crunchy pasta. Gross. Lasagna was my go to comfort meal.  Other than the gluten issue, lasagna tends to be high in fat and calories. Not good for your waist line or brain power.  What's  health foodie to do for comfort food? Make a redo.  The difference in my creation from other recipes are the switch outs.  Still easy with the Italian comfort; yet, no meat/more veggies ...

Healthy food and meals can loose their excitement.  Especially when you take away the fats, sugar, and salt.  Wait, I am to entice you to eat healthy. Hang with me.  Decades ago salt was left by the way side as a  primary means to flavor food for me.   We are in deep with spices and herbs.  By this I mean I get way too excited when they go on sale and enjoy picking them out.  I am in deep.  I love the choices, options, and various ways to can make different flavor profiles.  I love that my food doesn't taste bland and doesn't cause me to bloat (salt does! bastard).  Even better, this is a friends with benefits relationship.  Most spices reduce inflammation which benefits your digestive system, joints, muscles, heart, and brain.  Brain and body love.  Certain herbs aid in memory and concentration, are rich in vitamins (some even have iron!), boost immune systems, and fight free radicals with antioxidants.  If you ...

Warning: make sure you have access to a bathroom for the next couple of hours.  Do not drink then get in the car for a grocery pick up for more than thirty minutes. It. Is. Torture. 

AND it's not a salad.  I happen to like salads, but when the temps don't get above freezing for two weeks I want warmth.  I want it fast.  Mid day can be a hurdle to get through which leads to bad food relationship choices.  Suddenly you are abusing your body and brain in desperation of sustenance.  With some effort, like opening packages and dumping them, we have three meal options to beat this.  The last recipe takes a bit more commitment but the reward is bountiful.  Allot thirty minutes (at most) in prep to set a weeks worth of "throw in the microwave" food love. Vegetarian Chili Throw this in a 8 quart stock pot or  8 quart crock pot: 46 fl oz can of tomato juice 28 oz can of diced tomatoes 15.5 oz can of  light kidney beans 15.5 oz of darn kidney beans or black beans 12 oz frozen corn or mixed vegetables 2 packets of choice chili seasoning Throw it in a pot and cook on medium for 30 minutes. If it starts to boil reduce heat...

It's about as Mexican as in you're driving down the road hungry craving "Mexican" and you stop at some taco place. As much as I love cooking, there are times when I want something quick that stops just short of drive through. This is less sketchy and healthier- A "not a drive through, satisfies my spiciness, throw it in a pan" creation. What you need Pre cooked chicken diced * cook it your self (1 lbs) , rotisseries, or packaged. No judgement zone Brown Rice 1 dry cup cooked * get the "it takes 5 minutes kind" Diced Tomatoes   1 14.5 oz can * no salt added, machinery may be involved Corn 1 14.5 oz can, no salt added Onions  1/2 cup diced Cilantro 1 Tbsp Garlic  2 Tbsp or 2 cloves diced Cumin 2 Tbsp Cayenne 2  Tbsp Shredded Cheddar Cheese 4 oz, reduced fat * separate into half - 2 oz and 2 oz Reduced Fat Cream Cheese 8 oz Turn oven on to 350 to preheat Making it Step one- get it prepped and together.  If your chick...

Here me now- I am not claiming total head monkey control.  However, there are ways to quite them and get them mananged.  This has been HUGE for my daughter and I.  We have monkey riots in our heads often and they just needed to settle the hell down. When the head monkeys are out of control they need to be fed. First in a head monkey's diet is sleep.  Lack of sleep makes them louder or controlling them harder. I am not sure which. Either sucks.  Set a iron clad routine.  For adults, around 10 P.M. and up around 6 P.M. following the rhythm of nature. If that time frame not possible, seven to eight hours where you are able.  Uninterrupted.  My kids and I are still in negotiations on that part.  Settle into a non engaging activity thirty minutes before bed time.  I absolutely CANNOT read  before bed.  Book are engaging and insomnia inducing for me. My daughter it's the opposite effect. As a  matter of fact it can put her t...

This would not be categorized as a vegetarian dish because of our bacon entanglement.  Also, I am literally eating my words on this whole "I won't eat brussel sprout thing." This collaboration of previous brussel sprout consumption dare and my ghost child's new professed love of goat cheese with bacon enhancement.  All culminating in a simple and quick delicious recipe.  Anyone has the time and skill for this. Ingredients and Prep Brussel sprouts (steamed, cut in half) Bacon (cooked, diced) Goat cheese crumbles (package opened) Olive oil- one tablespoon Steps to brussel sprouts in bacon, cheese glory 1.  Preheat oven to 425 F 2. Lightly drizzle olive oil on a sheet pan 2. Steam brussel sprouts and cut in half then spread out on pan 3. Cook bacon but barely (light brown and soft) or cheat like me and buy the pre cooked.  D 4. Dice barely cooked bacon and sprinkle over brussel sprouts. 5. Place pan in the oven for ten minutes. 6. A...

Honest conversation?  As much as I love my healthy lifestyle, I LOVE "splurge" food. I find myself rolling my eyes at the holiday weight loss proclamations. I am a health foodie. I love yoga and nutritious food.  I love food. Oh, I love my family too.  And food.  I don't want to see these "weight loss" things as much as you do.  However, every first of the year the collective we makes the same commitment to loose the extra pounds for about thirty days.  So those people are right. Annoying.   How does one keep a balance of a healthy lifestyle during the holidays without relying on a slim fast commercial diet come January 1st?   Dispel the myths.   I freaking love this quote.  If you have or are starting a healthy lifestyle or diet change then holidays are a special challenge.  There is a good chance you will blow it. Just being honest.  You are supposed to have a splurge day so plan that around s...

I am not a committed vegetarian.   It started as a fling that I just can't quit.  I will be upfront, bison burgers are a comfort treat for me that I will never willingly give up.  Famous last words. I have got to stop saying I won't do these things.  That's how I ended up eating brussel sprouts.  My sister was all too willing to tip that scale.  As my relationship with veggies deepen,  I have hit the irony in reducing my meat intake.  I need more iron. Apparently, desperately.  Meat sources are seemingly the easiest way to eat up my iron intake.  However, I want my veggies and be smart with it. Move past the greens but pick up a couple along the way.  Greens are not the only meatless iron rich sources.  Seeds are fantastic and these are the best: pumpkin, pepita, chia, hemp, and sunflower.  I take these and grind them into flours to bake with or add into salads.  There are a few of fruit and nuts: almond, figs, ba...

Cooler weather should be the interlude of busyness- a reminder to be still.  This health foodie is ready to root into warmth and a major cuisine shift.  I immerse myself blankets (largely so my children can't find me) while I am on the hunt for one pot, crock pot, and soup inspirations.    I am not one for following a recipe exactly or even remotely close.  I like jumping off points that I hope to land like a cat and not on my face.  The recent flurry of pinning sessions has produced a couple of simple, nourishing recipes that I love. As far as soups go, I am either a vegetarian purist or a shameless meatarian.  No in between.  This recipe has ingredient options/switch outs for either preference for you or in my case which mood I am in.  Some prep is required, but it is mostly dumping into the crock pot. Chicken Stew /Veggie Stew Ingredients 4-5 skinless chicken thighs (cooked) or opt out for vegetarian preference Beef broth or Vege...

You know who we are.  We are those who constantly ask what is in that and say we can't eat that.  There was a time in my life where I had just the one food allergy. It was glorious.  Along the way I have built a nice collection of allergies that completely altered my diet, care routine, and trust.  It affects everything. And its nothing compared to my stepson who has dozens of food and environmental allergies. Then we have intolerances of the ridiculous kind that might as well be allergies.  We are well stocked in antihistamines.   We DO NOT wish to be these people.   Tonight is Halloween and we must be these people.  Our children will say thank you politely and bring their bags home to meticulously inspected.  It kinda sucks the fun out of it.  Except for parent taxes.  If you have food allergies then you are our people.  I have hard learned suggestions for those holiday gatherings as this time is approachin...

         As soon as Starbucks gives the pumpkin spice latte signal I am ready for soups, pumpkin, root veggies, and twice the banana.  Unfortunately, this summer held on with its fierce grip and autumn flavor had to wait.  Now oven is on and so are the baking experiments.  The start of this tale was a girl (me!) seriously craving some banana bread of the gluten free kind. Anything of the baking variety with me becomes an experiment.  Cooking is more my thing, but baking is becoming a necessary skill to acquire.  After emptying my cabinets and pulling a basic recipe, this deliciousness was created-   It's mix of grains with protein, omegas, fiber. Good stuff.  But it taste bad.  Like you wanna be bad. Gluten free Banana Bread What you need: Brown or white rice flour 1/2 cup Flaxseed 1/4 cup Oats   3/4 cup, ground (gluten free for GF challenged) Large egg with 1/3 cup of melted butter OR...

If you are in the same boat as us you know what this title means.  Whether by force or choice, being gluten free can be a real challenge and a huge benefit.   Gluten grains such as wheat, barley, and rye are difficult to digest.  Removing them can lead to less bloating and other intestinal issues.  Benefit- less embarrassing moments. Celiacs, sensitivity, and allergy to gluten. It sucks the big one. I have been told how great it must be to not deal with temptation of gluten filled treats.  It is a temptation.  A tempting death.  Sometimes I would like the option to truly say no to a donut. Or yes. Choosing a gluten product, you need to know what is in it. Whole wheat and complex grains are necessary for your well being in the gluten world.  When choosing a gluten free product, you need to do the same. Unrefined and complex grains. I  look for brown rice, quinoa, millet, amaranth, flax, and buckwheat when possible. These are the...

I am a girl who loves to eat.  Protein shakes are great for on the fly and nutrition punch in the gut/ for the gut. However, I want real food.  For so long I either mindlessly ate and neglected the attention it deserved or hated food because we didn't understand each other and how to work together.  From leechy junk food who hangs around- in undesirable places- to that empty feeling calorie, I struggled.  After years of the love/hate tango we have finally come to healthy terms.   Our arrangements go like this:  I sit to eat and no longer eat on the run.  I was horrible about not taking my time and being thoughtless.   Now we have a time to be present in choices and time to be present at the meal.  This gives me the power to keep negative and unhealthy foods are under my control.   I have the right to be choosy in who shows up to dinner, lunch, breakfast, and in between. Especially salt and fats. I can say no and send them packing....