golden tumeric milk

Golden Tumeric Drink | (Vegan + Anti-Inflammatory)

Tumeric has been a real game changer as I am in the process of taking a holistic approach for fibromyalgia management for the first time in ten years. I’m working on a more comprehensive post soon to share my process and experience but for now I am elated to share this tumeric-rich vegan “milk” drink that I am now taking every day before bed.

Tumeric has so many health benefits and anti-inflammatory properties that are a great aid to those like me living with chronic pain. This warming beverage is just one way you can incorporate more of it into your diet. I’ve adapted my version from the recipe found on the Minimalist Baker blog.

Golden Tumeric Drink adapted from the recipe found on Minimalist Baker 

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups full fat coconut milk (about one can)
  • ¾ cup almond milk 
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil 
  • 2 teaspoons ground tumeric 
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup 
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger 
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • pinch ground black pepper
  • (makes about 2 cups/ 16 ounces)

Preparation

  1. To a small saucepan, add coconut milk, almond milk, ground turmeric, ground ginger, cinnamon stick, coconut oil, black pepper, and maple syrup

  2. Whisk to combine and warm over medium heat. Heat until hot to the touch but not boiling – about 4 minutes – whisking frequently.
  3. Serve immediately, dividing between one 16 ounce mason jar
  4. Best when fresh, though leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
  5. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave until hot.
pile of trash on a sidewalk

20 Ways You Can Reduce Waste in Your Every Day Life

For me, this year has been all about sustainability. As a social entrepreneur sustainability has two very important definitions that I take to heart every single day:

  • The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
  • Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance.

The more I think about the future of my entrepreneurship the more this thinking has lead me to perform specific actions that condition me to be more thoughtful about my personal impact on the earth. Like all of us I am bombarded and indoctrinated by “throw away” culture on a daily basis. To counteract this toxic messaging I am constantly reading books, articles, and digital magazines as well as listening to podcasts that help me rethink the way I live. I am constantly asking myself what can I personally do to reduce my carbon footprint, minimize the amount of waste I am producing, and change my thinking around what “away” really means as it pertains to waste. There is no such thing as away and with this in mind I have forced myself to consider small ways I can improve the negative impact that I personally have on the environment. While it is true that I cannot save the earth alone it is also true that every small action that I take to reduce, reuse, and not produce waste has a cumulative impact on improving the earth.

“What can I do to reduce my carbon footprint and minimize the amount of waste I am producing”

To continue reading the full blog click here

enjoylife grain and seed bars

Enjoy Life Grain & Seed Bars | Product Review

With 2018 in the rearview every one is slowly getting back into the swing of the New Year and with that setting goals for cleaner, healthier, and better ways of being. Here on theglutenfreechef blog we promote whole plant based foods processed as minimally as possible but this doesn’t mean that busy active lifestyles don’t need a supplement here and there.

This is where our favorite gluten free snack brand; Enjoylife comes into play. As a brand Enjoy Life is all about taste-FULL worry-free snacks that are full of whole ingredients but free of the most common allergens; gluten, wheat, soy, dairy, and more. They have a huge product line that includes baking chocolate, cookies, snack bars and more. Currently, we’re snacking on their newest flavors of grain and seed bars; cranberry orange and lemon poppyseed.

Enjoy Life Grain & Seed Bars

The Cranberry Orange Grain & Seed Bars re packed with purity protocol certified gluten free oats, three types of sorghum, plant-based protein, and fruit including tangy orange and sweet cranberries. They are the perfect am pick me up right as you get up in the morning or a lovely mid-morning snacks with a serving of greek yogurt or almonds. Even better this flavor or one of the other five including:

can fill the sneakiest late night sweet tooth craving. Each bar has only 5 grams of suga, 4 grams of protein, and only 120 calories. Whats’ better is you can literally see the real whole ingredients that make up each bar and with a simply ingredient list you can know what you are putting into your body.

Gluten Free Book Review: Blend: Artisanal Smoothies for Food Lover’s (REPOST)

Spring is finally here in Rochester, NY and I’m breaking out the summer fruits and my tried and true e-copy of Faith Gorsky & Alyssa Brantley ‘s Blend: Artisanal Smoothies for Food Lover’s . This is one of my favorite cookbooks of all time

The moment I learned about the release of Faith Gorsky & Alyssa Brantley ‘s Blend series I knew that these e-cookbooks would become part of my collection. Already an avid follower of Faith’s stunning food blog: An Edible Mosaic the combination of artisanal, fresh, natural and whole ingredients mixed with stunning food photography and meticulously crafted flavor combinations delighted the foodie in me.

 Blend: The Basics

&

Blend: Artisanal Smoothies for Food Lover’s

For several years now , I have been dipping and dabbling in fresh/organic smoothie creations as well as raw juices. Since being diagnosed with several chronic illnesses including IBS and celiac disease for several years now; simple, fresh, whole and organic juice and smoothie blends have become regular part of my diet.

Blend: The Basics is a well crafted smoothie how to guide. In an easy to read user friendly fashion Alyssa and Faith give you a college 101 smoothie crash course. In this first book you learn how to select the freshest most succulent fruit to give you the highest quality smoothie, how to wash your fruit, prepare your fruit, flash freeze your fruit, and cut your fruit. This is in the first six pages alone. You learn how to prepare in advance and create individual smoothie kits so that you always have the ingredients ready and on hand to make the perfect smoothie in just five short minutes. Who knew that there was such an art and science to smoothie building? But make no mistake, this science course is simple yet fun to learn and you will find yourself immersed and taking notes as you read through this well written tutorial.

Blend: Artisanal Smoothies for Food Lover’s Summer Volume 1 is the second part of the series and really where the real fun begins. Four sections of mouth watering, expertly photographed smoothie blends fill your screen in this section. The recipes that were built using Faith and Alyssa’s expert advice are there in all their glory for you to re-create. The recipes are divided by type: Indulgence, Fruit, Green, and Coffee + Tea. It took me a day or so just to decide where I wanted to begin and once I started, I was instantly addicted re-creating each of their recipes day after day over a two week time span. Just when I thought I had found my favorite the next smoothie I would try trumped the flavor of the last.

(kiwi lime+kale)

These chefs spared no expense when it came to building these recipes. Their time, attention to detail and flavor combinations is displayed upon first sip of each one of these smoothies. It is evident that they built their recipes from the ground up so to speak and the depth and richness of each taste titillate your tastebuds and tickles your senses. This being done using simple, sensible, and everyday ingredients found in most food markets across the country. Their emphasis on fresh, whole, and seasonal ingredients speak to the type of chefs they are and was a welcome point as I read each recipe.

The Blend series are an excellent addition to the collection of any novice or expert foodie or smoothie maker with just enough information to keep an expert interested but not too much to overwhelm the novice. Most recipes contain six ingredients or less with three directions or less; and if you follow the guidelines presented in Part I you reduce your prep time to even less.I have made it my mission to try every single smoothie in the book and with six down I am well on my way. Blend is a must have collection for anyone interested in improving the quality of their smoothie creations or for the casual cook looking to try something new. Either way this is one collection you don’t want to miss.

For more information on how to purchase your copies of Blend: The Basics & Blend: Artisanal Smoothies for Food Lover’s visit Faith’s blog An Edible Mosaic & Alyssa over at Everyday Maven

Rating 5/5

10 Gluten Free Snacks for Building Muscle | Guest Post

If you’re looking to pack some extra muscle onto your frame, having plenty of gluten free snacks on hand is perfect for getting in some extra calories. One thing to pay attention to on a gluten free diet is getting enough fiber, as many gluten free product variations are made with low-fiber ingredients such as white rice flour, tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch. Look to buy products with almond flour, amaranth seed or flour, buckwheat flour or flaxseed flour to ensure you get enough fiber, which helps us fight off hunger and keeps us feeling full and satisfied. Try some of these healthy snack ideas to keep your health at peak levels and promote muscle growth

10 Gluten Free Snacks for Building Muscle

1. Avocado Toast Did you know that avocados are actually considered a fruit? With all the heart healthy fats and omega-3’s they contain, they’re a perfect snack to get some extra calories in. By adding avocado to some gluten free toast, you’ll be getting some healthy fiber with a kick of protein as well. There’s also plenty of things you can add to avocado toast to mix in variety, such as a drizzle of honey, melted cheese, or smoked salmon.

2. Trail Mix- Trail mix is another heart healthy snacking option to keep your appetite and your taste buds satisfied. With all the different varieties of nuts, seeds, and other additives available, there are an endless number of ways to make trail mix. Nuts and seeds are also chock full of healthy fats that help lower the risk of adverse health effects like heart disease and diabetes. You can also give your trail mix a hint of sweetness and a boost of antioxidants by adding some dried fruits or dark chocolate. Just be sure to read the labels on dried fruit to ensure there isn’t added gluten.

3. Popcorn- Many people aren’t aware of the fact that popcorn is actually a naturally gluten free whole grain! Since popcorn is a whole grain, it contains all of the vitamins and minerals found in the bran of the grain. Popcorn is also an excellent source of fiber which helps promote a feeling of fullness and keeps our digestive systems running smoothly. You can make popcorn by popping the kernels yourself, or you can find a variety of popcorn products at your local grocery store. Be careful of buying popcorn products at the store; many of them are filled with harmful chemicals and artificial flavorings. This popcorn is a safe bet!

4. Peanut Butter Banana Wrap– Who doesn’t like the classic peanut butter and banana combination? Spread yourself some peanut butter onto a gluten free tortilla and top it with some sliced up banana for a delicious healthy snack. The peanut butter provides healthy fat and some protein while the banana and wheat wrap give you a nice dose of healthy carbs, vitamins and minerals. When it comes to macronutrients and nutrition, this healthy snack checks off all the boxes.

5. Protein Oatmeal– There are countless ways you can prepare oatmeal, which makes it a fantastic snack. Adding gluten free protein powder to your oatmeal is a perfect way to hit your daily protein intake and give yourself a break from your standard boring protein shake. If you want some extra flavor, throw some honey, nuts, or seeds in too!

6. Protein Bar- There are a ton of gluten free protein bars out there to choose from and they make for great snacks. Protein bars are especially convenient when you’re on-the-go and need something quick and mess-free. Try avoiding ones that have too much added sugar or artificial ingredients and pick a protein bar that’s made with wholesome ingredients instead.

7. Cottage Cheese- While this might not meet everyone’s taste bud requirements, cottage cheese is an excellent source of protein and various vitamins and minerals to help keep your hunger levels low and your body well-nourished. If you’re not a big cottage cheese fan, try adding some honey and fruit to spice it up!

8. Greek Yogurt and Berries- If cottage cheese isn’t your thing, try greek yogurt instead! Greek yogurt is loaded with protein; many varieties of plain greek yogurt containing over 75% of their calories from protein! In addition to the favorable protein content, greek yogurt has millions of healthy bacteria which help aid in digestion and keep your gut biome healthy. Like cottage cheese, greek yogurt goes great with fruit, nuts, seeds, honey, and more, but start with plain flavored yogurt to avoid added gluten in dried fruit or flavorings. It’s more fun to see what kind of healthy creations you can come up with yourself anyways!

9. Veggies and Peanut Butter- It’s hard to beat the classic combo of veggies and peanut butter. It’s an awesome way to get some additional vegetables in your diet, and since they’re covered with peanut butter, they taste like dessert! Vegetables like carrot sticks, celery, and cut peppers are perfect for dipping into peanut butter. If you want to switch things up a bit, try eating your veggies with cashew or almond butter!

10. Veggies and Hummus- If you’re watching your calories and you want to enjoy your veggies without having too much fat from peanut butter, try dipping your veggies in hummus! Hummus is made from chickpeas, which are a great source of plant based protein. Chickpeas have also been shown to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and hypertension!

It’s incredibly common to find yourself hungry in the middle of the day and looking for something to munch on between meals. When it comes to snacking, there are a lot of foods out there that are full of artificial dyes, sweeteners, preservatives, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Luckily, there are plenty of healthy snack options out there to help optimize health and muscle growth. Just be careful when buying pre-packaged foods by reading the nutrition facts to avoid these things and unexpected gluten.

Grilled Portobello Caprese Sandwich | Guest Recipe by Benjamin

One of the biggest challenges for me trying to reduce my gluten and wheat intake has been finding satisfying replacement for bread. Before switching my diet, I’d long been a bread obsessive and my greatest fear had always been to find strong substitutes so I could still enjoy my greatest love: Sandwiches. I had just about managed to create gluten-free versions of pizza, flatbreads and pasta, but a good sandwich recipe had eluded me for a while.

Enter today’s recipe.

This gluten-free vegetarian sandwich uses two hearty portobello mushrooms instead of bread to house beautiful fresh mozzarella and tomato pesto.While the portobello mushrooms might strike some people as a bit bland, their juices combine brilliantly with the mozarella. The two together make for a brilliant pile of melted cheese, packed full of flavors. Everything blends together perfectly.
Let’s get into it!

Grilled Portobello Caprese Sandwich

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 large portobello mushrooms
2 tbsp dried tomato pesto
1 tsp crushed garlic
½ cup mozzarella cheese, sliced
½ roma tomato, sliced
4-6 large fresh basil leaves
¼ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
½ cup roasted bell peppers
olive oil cooking spray (for the grill)

Preparation

  1. Start by heating your grill on a medium heat.
  2. Use a spoon to clean out the insides of the mushroom, making sure not to break the skins.
  3. Split the pesto and crushed garlic between each mushroom, spreading as evenly as possible on the inside.
  4. Split the mozarella between each mushroom – don’t be afraid to be generous – and then place the sliced tomatoes and basil on one of the mushrooms. Top the other mushroom with the pepperoncini and bell peppers.
  5. Carefully put the two sides together and then place the sandwich on the grill.

Cook for 10 minutes on one side and then 10 minutes on the other. Remove from the grill and enjoy!

About the author:

Ben is a former semi-pro cyclist and big eater. Now he is just a big eater. He writes about food and drink for lazy chefs at The Online Grill.

 

5 Reasons You Should Be Using Argan Oil Everyday 

I was put onto Argan Oil two years ago while listening to one of my favorite podcasts (The Friend Zone) where resident natural life guru Francheska Medina talked about the oil’s gentle cleansing, moisturizing, and healing benefits; making it the perfect replacement for harsh and toxic chemically laden facial scrubs.

I know you’re probably thinking ” Oil as a cleanser” how odd. But I promise you need to be adding argan oil to your daily hygiene and beauty repertoire. Here are five reasons why.

What is Argan Oil

Argan oil is a plant oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree  that is native to Morocco. In Morocco, argan oil is used to dip bread in at breakfast or to drizzle on couscous or pasta. It is also used for cosmetic purposes here in the United States. Argan oil is rich with vitamin A and vitamin E. It is also packed with antioxidants, omega-6 fatty acids and linoleic acid. Research shows that when applied to skin, argan oil benefits include easing inflammation while moisturizing the skin.

5 Reasons You Should Use Argan Oil Daily

1. Works wonders for your hair

Argan oil benefits the hair unlike anything else. It is non-greasy and gets rid of split ends in a jiff. It also coats the air and protects it against the heat of curlers, hair dryers, and even flat irons! It does all these things together while promoting a healthy, vibrant shine.

2. Your skin will love you forever

From moisturizing, to toning, to exfoliating argan oil is a one stop shop when it comes to daily skin care.

Argan oil is a one stop shop when it comes to daily skin care.

Need a nighttime moisterizer? Apply one drop to your face, using a tapping motion, from the bridge of your nose to your temple and back again. Then apply a drop beneath your eyes with the same gentle tapping. The vitamin A and vitamin E can help to reduce fine wrinkles and keep this delicate area moisturized.

A DIY all natural toner. For an all-over glow, add 2–4 drops to 8 ounces of your favorite toner

Exfoliate the dead skin away. Just mix 1 tablespoon of brown sugar with a couple of drops of argan oil in your hand. Rub into your face in a circular motion for two to four minutes; pay special attention to acne-prone areas and areas that are dry. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.Regular exfoliation helps to remove dead skin cells and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while giving you a younger, fresher complexion. With the aid of the brown sugar, the argan oil’s nutrients are more readily absorbed into your skin.

3. Internal Medicine

Argan oil can taken internally as a medicine for healthy digestion and to reap its’ super antioxidant benefits. The dosage of argan oil for internal usage is 1-2 tablespoon a day. To fully feel the benefits argan oil, consume 1 tablespoon in the morning, and 1 tablespoon at night.

4. You’ll be toxin free

Let’s be honest; most skin and beauty products even those claiming to be natural are riddled with all sorts of toxic harmful chemicals. Replacing even one or two of those products with organic argan oil get you one step closer to being toxic free for life.

5. You’ll save a ton of money

One drop makes a world of difference. And since you only need a few drops in most cases you’ll save a lot of cold hard cash that you would normally use on bath, body, or skin care.

Learn more about argan oil at one of the links listed below:

Sources: Diamond Herbs | Dr. Axe | Wikipedia