June 14, 2011 · 5:43 pm

Victory!

When I first learned of my allergies, I quickly realized that it meant most dessert and breakfast items were no longer an option for me.  In the long run, giving up regular decadent dessert items and indulgent big breakfasts is part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  But it is also about balance.  Recently, I have found myself in situations where I really could have my cake and eat it, too!

Victory #1.  I recently made chocolate birthday cupcakes for a friend.  Excuse me…wheat, dairy, and egg free chocolate birthday cupcakes!  I found a cupcake mix at Stonewall Kitchen that was gluten free… I used coconut creamer instead of milk and Ener-G Egg Replacer instead of eggs.  Verdict?  DELICIOUS.  I even had my no allergy friends give the thumbs up.

They even look real!

Thank you, Stonewall Kitchen!  Amazing gluten free products.

Victory #2.  After a recent sweat-a-thon Zumba class, my loyal Zumba friend and I grabbed breakfast at a local diner.  Very local… as in, there were only about 10 tables and the owner was taking orders.  To my pleasant surprise, they had an entire gluten free menu… I just had to ask for it!  French Toast?  You got it!  Pancakes?  No problem!  I was amazed at the selection, as well as the taste.  I felt like a normal restaurant goer again!

These small victories showed me that I don’t have to give up any foods to maintain a healthy lifestyle that is also allergy free… I can have my allergy free cake, eat it, and enjoy it, too!

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June 9, 2011 · 5:49 pm

Kick, Spice, Flavor

Oh, there are so many things you can do with a meatball and so many different spice combinations.  My recent ambition was to add some kick and some spice to chicken meatballs.  I used Asian flavorings for something different, and was very pleasantly surprised.

In a large bowl, add one pound of ground chicken.  Then add 2 tbsp. coconut creamer, 3 tbsp. red curry paste, 1 tbsp. fish sauce (you can find in the Asian section of your grocery store), juice of one lime, 2 tbsp. chopped garlic, 2 tbsp. celery seed, 2 tbsp. rice vinegar, and 2 tbsp. ginger.  Mix together with your hands, making sure all the ingredients get combined.  You can adjust the seasoning to your taste.

Here’s the fun part.  I made meatballs out of the chicken mixture by rolling them into balls and sauteing them.  You can also just as easily make the mixture into chicken patties and bake them, or even make it into a meatloaf.

To add some extra kick, make a dressing of fish sauce, lime juice, red pepper flakes, agave nectar, cider vinegar, and rice vinegar.  You can add as much or as little of each ingredient as you want… get creative!  I added about equal portions of each.  Pour over the cooked meatballs and enjoy.  So much kick, spice, and flavor!

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

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June 7, 2011 · 6:08 pm

Feed the need

To say that I have had to adjust to having food allergies is an understatement.  My first feelings were of total panic and being upset about what I couldn’t eat.  “No more pizza?  What about pasta?  Ice cream is a no-no?”  And then I became obsessed with specific foods that I could eat, buying every item in the store that said “gluten free.”  Now I am finding a happy medium between what my body needs and what I can eat.  It has definitely been a journey, and after 9 months down the road, I finally feel comfortable.  Actually, the first day I found out about my allergies, my father said to me “Lauren, this is going to take time.  It will probably take you 9-12 months to figure it out.  But you will.”

In the past few months when I have really figured out what to eat to feed my body what it needs, my body has responded.  I have energy, I enjoy working out, I feel great… really great.  And I have lost weight!  Instead of dieting, I have changed my lifestyle to feed my body what it needs.  And it has apparently said “thank you.”  Even my doctor told me that I look different than I did 6 months ago.

I have come to truly understand that eating should be about feeding your body what it needs and not what it wants (that is your mind talking and not your body).  So here are my top healthy living tips: 

  • Veggies fill you up and can be delicious.  I never used to believe this until I discovered the power of the spice drawer.  My spice drawer is like my third arm in the kitchen.  Spice up those veggies with flavor!
  • Go for full/low fat and real sugar instead of artificial counterparts.  My body doesn’t need toxins, so why would I eat fat free cheese that is obviously made out of chemicals?  Go for the real stuff!  You will feel more satisfied and will eat less.
  • Focus on adding good fats to your diet (avocados, nuts) in moderation.  If you don’t feed your body the fat that it needs, it will hold onto its current storage because it thinks you are starving.
  • Eat breakfast.  There have been so many studies that show that people who eat breakfast have more energy and lose weight quicker.  Your body needs fuel to get going for the day!
  • Eat treats when you really want them.  It’s ok to indulge sometimes; it will put your stomach and your mind at rest instead of thinking for days about that cookie you really want.
  • Get on the exercise train.  Once you find something you love, stick with it and you will get into a routine of actually wanting to exercise.  I actually get angry now when I can’t get to Zumba each week!
  • Watch how many processed carbs you eat.  I never realized how many carbs I ate, and thus craved, until I cut most of them out.  I believe that wheat is over-processed in our society and is the culprit of so many health issues.  My body basically yelled at me for eating so many processed carbs by developing allergies.  Instead, opt for fruit, veggies, quinoa, edamame, rice as carb fillers.
  • Believe you can do it.  It really is mind over matter.  I have simply told myself that I CANNOT eat wheat and dairy, so I don’t… and haven’t looked back.

 

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June 5, 2011 · 6:36 pm

Another superfood

Edamame.  I know I’ve written about it before, but I can’t get enough!  It really is a superfood.  Low calorie, low fat, high protein, and high fiber literally make it a perfect food.  Especially for those trying to increase healthy foods in their diet, or those losing weight, or those with allergies.  One serving has 120 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 9 grams of fiber, and 11 grams of protein.  What a perfect little bean!  A recent article made me think more about how I could increase its use in my kitchen.

So, I made edamame salad to round out my lunches last week.  This edamame salad can be completely made in the microwave in a tupperware container!

In the tupperware, pour one half of a bag of frozen shelled edamame, one half of a bag of frozen corn, and microwave for about 2-3 minutes.

Then add carrot matchsticks (you can get them in a bag in the produce section, precut).  To dress the salad, add the juice of one lime, about 2 tbsp. agave nectar, 4 tbsp. cider vinegar, 4 tbsp. white wine vinegar, sprinkle of salt, and one tsp. hot mustard.  Put the lid on the tupperware, shake, and serve!

Note:  I also added a can of drained black beans for extra protein and fiber, but they did make the texture a little mushier than I originally wanted it.  Good nutrition, but I think it would taste better without the beans.

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

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June 2, 2011 · 5:12 pm

Cool as a cucumber…

I love the flavors of summer… fresh fruit, icy cocktails, the grill.  On one particular very hot Boston day this week, I made a cool chicken sauce… cool, as in temperature.  Tzatziki sauce is a yogurt based sauce, commonly found in Mediterranean restaurants.  A hint of cucumber revs up its coolness factor.

I took a package of chicken breast tenderloins and cut them into bite sized chunks.  In a large saute pan, pour enough olive oil to lightly coat the pan.  Add the chicken, as well as 3 tbsp. white wine vinegar, some lemon juice, and salt and pepper.  I tried out some new seasonings… smoked salt and lemon pepper… yum!  Cook the chicken on medium heat, covered, about 7 minutes until they are cooked through.  If you are really into summer living, you could also marinate the chicken tenderloins in lemon juice, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper, and then grill them.

For the sauce, I emptied one container of dairy free plain yogurt into a bowl.  Then I added 3 tsp. chopped garlic, a few generous shakes of dill and parsley, one eighth of a cup of white wine vinegar, the juice of one lemon, some sea salt, and grated cucumber.  To grate the cucumber, I use a microplane or zester.  Cut off the end of the cucumber and push the flat end back and forth across the grater, over the bowl.  Grate until you have about 3 tsp of cucumber goodness.  Mix all together, pour over the chicken, and serve!

All the sauce ingredients…

Mixed together!

You could also use tzatziki sauce as a veggie dip, in creamy salad dressing, or even on a sandwich.  Happy Allergy Free Eating!

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May 30, 2011 · 6:09 pm

Out and About

My mom was visiting this weekend, and we ate our way through the East Coast.  We spent time in downtown Boston, Maine, and Rhode Island.  Lots of sightseeing, walking, eating, and laughing!  We love spending time together, and we especially love to eat together.  As I eat out more in restaurants, it is getting easier to decide what to eat and how to ask the right questions of waiters and waitresses.

On the menu this weekend was beet salad and Kobe beef tips at Met Bar and Grill in Boston:

I have really come to love beets!  They don’t taste at all how I thought they would.

Kobe beef has such a unique meat taste.  Yum.

In Maine, my mom and I both love to get our lobster fill.  So I got beef tenderloin and a lobster tail:

In Newport, Rhode Island, I ordered a mixed green salad with crab meat at the Barking Crab.  By their own protocol, a manager came to talk to me about my allergies and even served my meal to me.

I ate all the crab meat before I remembered to take a picture!

I have to say, having allergies actually made it easier to eat out and feel good about what I am eating.  I wasn’t tempted to order fried seafood like I normally would because I knew how I would feel.  I did have to substitute a few side orders with veggies, but that isn’t a bad thing!  You really are what you eat, and I know now that I can eat out and feel great.  I don’t feel like I have to diet now after a long weekend of eating.  Summer is just the start of fresh eating and healthy living!

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May 25, 2011 · 6:49 pm

Gluten Free on the Go

In my daily busy life, I have had to eat meals out more than usual.  It can be tough eating in restaurants while having allergies, but I do always find waiters and waitresses very agreeable and friendly when they hear the word “allergy.”  I always fear that they will spit in my food, but instead, they seek out a manager who comes to my table to reassure me that my meal will meet my needs.  I have to get used to this… it’s like having a personal chef looking out for me!

In my recent outings, I have found some more than accommodating restaurants.  Margaritas gave me corn tortillas for my fajitas instead of flour ones.  Not Your Average Joe’s has an entire gluten free section.  Gennaro’s Italian Eatery serves gluten free pasta.  It is so nice to see allergy free foods becoming more wide spread than my own kitchen.  The biggest surprise, however, was today.

I was speaking at a math conference at Bridgewater University, where they offered lunch.  When I entered the lunch line, I was nervous.  Potato salad.  Pasta Salad.  Cookies.  Chips.  Sandwiches.  Ugh!  But then I saw it….

Gluten Free sandwiches!  I was in awe.  I could eat lunch with the other kids!  I had a chicken and bacon sandwich, and couldn’t have been happier.  I am so fortunate to have discovered my allergies in a time where the trend is growing with me, and not against me.

Happy Allergy Free Eating Out!

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May 22, 2011 · 7:00 pm

Spicy Mexicana Sauce

In the mood for something spicy for dinner, I made a quick and easy Spicy Mexicana Sauce to put over chicken.  I found a can of chipotle peppers in the ethnic food section of my grocery store and thought they would make a great base for the Mexicana sauce.  Cheap, too!

In the mini chop food processor, add one half of the can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Then add 3 tablespoons of mayo (I actually used Lemonnaise), 4 shakes of cumin,  1 tsp. chopped garlic, and the juice of one lime.  Chop on high until blended.  Done!  That’s it!  I like things pretty spicy… so if you can’t tolerate the heat, just add more mayo.

I then covered chicken breasts with salt, pepper, more lime juice and cumin and baked them on a cookie sheet at 375 degrees.  When they were done, I spread the sauce over the chicken and served!

Other ways to use Spicy Mexicana Sauce:

  • as a sauce for black beans or rice
  • as an enchilada or fajita sauce… slice cooked chicken breasts and bake them rolled in corn tortillas covered with your favorite toppings and Mexicana Sauce
  • as a sauce for pork tenderloin… or to create a mexican pulled pork
  • as a spicy dipping sauce for veggies for a snack
  • for breakfast in scrambled eggs, with spicy sausage on the side

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May 19, 2011 · 6:02 pm

Favorite Apps

I, like most other people, really depend on my cell phone.  Not only is it an obvious form of communication, but it can help with healthy eating and weight loss, too!  I wanted to share my favorite healthy living apps…

1.  Whole Foods.  This app is great for any foodie, with or without allergies.  It has an enormous collection of recipes… just type in a food course, category, or special diet item, and it comes up with several recipes matching your search.  Or type in what you already have in the pantry, and it will list possible recipes.  When looking at a recipe, you can add the ingredients to a shopping list and take it with you to the grocery store!  I especially appreciate the special diet section, where it tells me if the recipe has wheat or dairy in it.  Genius!

2.  Calorie Counter.  Does what it says it does… counts your calories…as well as your protein, carbs, and fat for the day and by meal.  Enter in what you have eaten that day and it gives you all the statistics.  It even has a large database for popular brands, restaurants, and supermarket brands.  Journaling your meals is a great weight loss tip… once you actually see what you are eating and how it adds up, it is much easier to adapt your diet.

3.  C25K.  Couch to 5K.  This app is great for exercise motivation.  It starts out slow… running and walking for specifically timed intervals for a period of about 35 minutes total.  It increases the amount you run every few sessions, until you are running as far as a 5K!  I actually followed the whole program through and found it very easy to get to a 5K, a far reaching goal in my mind.  You can also play music from your phone in a playlist while you are exercising.

Hope these apps help you with healthy living goals, they have certainly helped me.  🙂

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May 17, 2011 · 4:38 pm

Cookies!

I did it!  Success comes in small packages, and this time, it came in a cookie.  I haven’t had a real cookie in months, and was determined to make one that I could eat.  Cookies are not allergy friendly, but like I said… I was determined.  And pleasantly surprised at my first time trial!  I started mixing, baking, and waiting…

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies:

  • three quarters of a cup of wheat free baking flour (I use rice flour)
  • one quarter cup of egg whites
  • one quarter cup of agave nectar
  • one tbsp. sugar
  • three heaping tablespoons of peanut butter
  • one tsp. vanilla
  • one quarter cup of dairy free chocolate chips (whoever is working at the EnjoyLife brand is doing something seriously right… these chocolate chips are more than delicious)

Mix together, form 6 cookie balls, and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Heaven.

Happy Allergy Free Eating!

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