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...

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...

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...

         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...