gluten free vegan

A Tribute to Chocolate Chip Cookies | REPOST

October 4, 2017 — Leave a comment

One would be hard pressed to search the web and not find a Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. In fact a simple Google search will pull up millions (literally) of recipes for the all American classic. What is it about the chocolate chip cookie that screams American tradition? A staple in just about every kitchen, every mom and grandma makes claims to have the world’s greatest. The perfect recipe. The best combination. The foolproof technique. No matter the technique, variation, or ingredient there is something nostalgic about a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie. As a gluten free baker I’ve tried, retried, converted, test baked and perfected quite a few recipes. One recent baking session sparked the idea for this post. A post where I show some long overdue love to the classic chocolate chip cookie. I have compiled five of my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes from a few of my favorite blogs. Most are gluten free a few are not but can be easily converted with a cup for cup all purpose flour blend. As you know Enjoy Life is my go to brand for allergen free chocolate.

How do you like your chocolate chips?

Let me know in the comments and be sure to try one of these A+mazing recipes and share a few of your favorites.

the gluten free chef’s Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes
Brown Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies courtesy of Blissful Eats brown butter chocolate cookies
Gluten free, Dairy free Chocolate Chip Cookies courtesy of Silvana’s KitchenChunk Cookies_png-e1367498983963
Date- Sweetened Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies courtesy of The Sweetest Kitchendate quinoa chocolate chip cookies
Protein Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies courtesy of The Iron YouProtein oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
Dark Chocolate Chunk Eggnog Cookies courtesy of Brown Eyed Baker eggnog chocolate-chunk-cookies-25-600

P.S: This post was originally featured on February 10, 2014

Do Vegans Sleep Better Than Meat Eaters? | Vegan Commentary

July 12, 2017 — Leave a comment

As a society we are becoming more demanding of food producers, brands and manufacturers to be more transparent and up front as to how our food is being produced, grown, manufactured and sourced. This has not only been the case in the gluten free industry but in all industries. More and more we are seeing and hearing seeing buzz words like fair trade, non-gmo, organic and more. The meat production industry has not been immune from these discussions.

In fact, advocates for a vegan lifestyle are seeing the tides change with more individuals learning and understanding  the benefits of going vegan and the dire conditions that have long plagued meat production in the United States. Here on the gluten free chef blog, I have been open about my journey through veganism and advocating a whole foods mainly plant based lifestyle. Many of my recipes are vegan and or vegetarian and contain ingredients that are whole and processed as minimally as possible. The gluten free chef blog, has never touted itself to be a vegan food site but has always spoke highly of the benefits of holistic and plant based living in all areas of life.

A simple Google search will give you a seemingly endless list of the benefits of incorporating more whole foods into your diet and how you can improve your overall healthy by striving to be more plant based. From lower blood pressure, to weightloss and healthier skin; eating more fruits and veggies is one of the easiest ways to impove overall health including our sleep health.

What on earth is sleep health?

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute:

“Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. Getting enough quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life, and safety. The way you feel while you’re awake depends in part on what happens while you’re sleeping”

Everyone knows all to well the headache that lack of sleep can induce and when lack of sleep becomes a chronic issue, a whole host of biological issues can be impacted. Our friends over at The Sleep Advisor created a wonderful infographic article that further details the importance of quality sleep here https://www.sleepadvisor.org/importance-of-healthy-sleep/

Since how we eat and what we eat plays a huge impact into our body and living functions it would only make sense to deduce that what we eat, can and does impact how we sleep…another way to ask is?

Do Vegans Sleep Better Than Meat Eaters?

We all know that certain foods like (coffee) caffeine can inhibit sleep and also trigger restful. The primary diet of vegans are vegetable and there are a few known veggies that can actually impact restful sleep

Veggies to Avoid Before Bed

• Broccoli/cauliflower – Packed full of healthy nutrients, the downside of these veggies is the high amount of fiber that can keep the digestive system working overtime while you try to get shut-eye.
• Avocados – We love all things avocado but they’re chocked full of fats (good fats) at 21 grams per serving. They’re good for your body but before bed they take longer to digest.

Veggies to Eat for Better Sleep

• Sweet potatoes – A sleepers dream. They promote sleep-friendly carbs and contain potassium, which helps relax muscles.If you do eat meat have you ever asked yourself why? Meat is a good source of protein but should we be eating a steak before bed?

Why Avoid Meat Before Bed?

Meats like steak and other red meat are very high in protein but also high in fat. High fat foods like red meat have been linked to sleep apnea, which can lead to a whole host of health issues over time. Chicken can backfill the digestive system during sleep.

So Do Vegans Sleep Better?

The answer may surprise you (and frustrate) you – there’s no definite answer if vegetarians or meat eaters sleep better. Studies have shown that vegan friendly foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cashew butter, peanut butter, avocados, kale, almonds, walnuts, spinach, and squash all contain vitamin B6, trytophan, and magnesium, which ensure a healthy sleep cycle.  There are also many anecdotal studies that show that those adopting a vegan diet have more energy, better digestion, and in turn better quality sleep.

But don’t just take my word for it. Take the 30 Day Vegan Challenge and see for yourself if you sleep better adopting a vegan diet. Also be sure to learn more about the importance of sleep and how to get more of it courtesy of The Sleep Advisor.

Photo credit: Jon Butterworth  | Sources: One Green Planet |Restonic

 

Honey Strawberry Milkshake

June 29, 2017 — Leave a comment

Three years ago I planted strawberry plants and this year has been their best year yet. Strawberries are ideal for any novice gardener as they are easy to maintain and come up each and every year without you needing to break a sweat… 🙂

I’ve been able to glean some very nice berries that I flash freeze immediately upon picking from my garden. Having fresh frozen berries on hand are perfect when you want to whip up a quick smoothie or milkshake and I did just that last night with this Honey Strawberry Milkshake.  It’s the perfect after dinner dessert or mid-day pick me up. Get into the recipe below:

Honey Strawberry Milkshake

Ingredients

5-10 frozen organic strawberries
1/3 cup dairy or non-dairy milk
3 tablespoons raw honey + pinch of sea salt
2 standard icecream scoops of ProYo frozen yogurt or vanilla icecream

Preparation

  1. Add all ingredients into a blender in the order listed and process until smooth
  2. Add more liquid if needed to blend. Transfer to a serving glass.
  3. Serve immediately.

Photo credit:Farsai C.

Debunking The 6 Most Common Arguments Against Veganism | Guest Post by David

June 23, 2017 — Leave a comment

There are many excuses people use to continue eating meat. For example, they may use the excuse “Vegans don’t get enough protein?” or “Vegans don’t actually live longer”. However, as you know, these arguments are weak and not backed by peer-reviewed research. In this post, we’re going to debunk the 6 most common arguments against veganism.

#1. Vegan Diets Are Dangerous For Children

Why it’s False: Many people think that vegan diets are somehow “dangerous” for children. Some even go as far as to say that vegan parents are bad for not feeding their children meat. However, there’s no evidence to support this myth. In fact, the American Dietetic Association has publicly stated that vegan diets are “nutritionally adequate” for any stage of life (including children and infants). Also, let’s not forget that that approximately 33% of children in the United States are overweight or obese. If more children were vegan, this number would likely be a lot lower.

#2: Vegan Diets Lack Protein

Why it’s False: The average adult needs a minimum of 45 grams of protein per day to stay healthy and maintain their muscle mass. Fortunately, vegan diets easily surpass this number. For example, look at the amount of protein in black beans. A single cup of black beans contains a whopping 39 grams of protein. That’s nearly all your recommended daily intake in a single serving of food. It’s incredibly easy to meet your protein needs on a vegan diet. Even foods like broccoli and bananas contain protein.

#3: Vegan Diets Lack Flavor and Variety

Why it’s False: Some people don’t want to go vegan because they don’t want to give up their favorite foods. They think that vegan diets are boring and lack flavor. But if you’re a vegan, you know that this is far from the truth! Today, vegan restaurants are more abundant than ever. There are also many YouTube channels dedicated to teaching people how to cook vegan meals. It’s a myth that vegan diets lack flavor and variety. To prove it, here’s a list of tasty vegan recipes without oil.

#4: Eating Vegan is Too Expensive

Why it’s False: Despite popular belief, being a vegan isn’t any more expensive than being a meat eater. If anything, it’s cheaper since you’re cutting out meat (which is one of the most expensive food items at grocery stores). The cheapest foods at grocery stores are vegan-friendly: rice, beans, oats, legumes, potatoes, etc. You can easily meet all your caloric and nutritional needs for as little as $5/day. Also, vegan directs indirectly save you money because you won’t spend as much on medical bills over the long run compared to the average meat eater.

#5: It’s Impossible to Build Muscle on a Vegan Diet

Why it’s False: Patrik Baboumian is a German strongman competitor who holds various records in powerlifting. And guess what? His diet is 100% plant-based. This automatically debunks the notion that vegans can’t build muscle. If you consume protein-rich foods like beans, oats, and brown rice, you can build just as much muscle as someone who eats meat. You could even argue that building muscle on a vegan diet is healthier since you’re avoiding dangerous saturated fat and cholesterol.

#6: Vegan Diets Lack Calcium

Why it’s False: The final myth that we’re going to debunk is the myth that vegans don’t get enough calcium. Today’s society has an unhealthy obsession with cow’s milk. They believe that cow’s milk is the best and only source of calcium. But if you look at your options objectively, you’ll see that cow’s milk is a poor source of calcium. For example, a single cup of cow’s milk contains about 300 milligrams of calcium (of which only 30% is absorbed by the body). A single cup of almond milk contains 50% more calcium and has the added benefit of containing no saturated fat or cholesterol. Obviously, if you want to be healthy, vegan calcium sources are the way to go.

Conclusion

As you can see, all the major arguments against veganism aren’t backed any real evidence. There are thousands of peer-reviewed, evidence-based research papers showing how vegan diets are healthier than animal-based diets in every way. The next time a meat eater presents one of these arguments to you, politely refer them to this article.

Oven Fried Garlic-Chive Potatoes (VEGAN)

June 21, 2017 — 1 Comment

These crispy crunchy oven fried potatoes were all the rage at last month’s Vegan Meet & Mingle Dinner at 540WMain Community Learning Academy. They are so simple and easy to make and make a great healthy alternative to deep fried potatoes. What’s even better is that they will satisfy your crunchy salty cravings without doing damage to your caloric intake. Get into the recipe below:

Oven Fried Garlic-Chive Potatoes

Ingredients

5 large Yukon Gold Potatoes, washed and cut into wedges
4 tablespoons chives finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
5 tablespoons F. Oliver’s Garlic Infused Olive Oil 

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

  1. Leaving peel on, cut the potatoes into 6 lengthwise to make long wedges, about 3/4-inch to 1-inch wide.
  2. Add potatoes to large stock pot and cover with warm water until just covered. Add vinegar. Soak for 2-3 hours.
  3. Drain potatoes
  4. Combine the potatoes, oil, salt, garlic and chives on the baking sheet and toss to combine. (1 less bowl to wash) Arrange the potatoes on a baking sheet in a single layer, so a cut side is in contact with the pan, but evenly spaced so the potatoes aren’t touching each other.
  5. Bake until golden brown and cooked through, about 35 minutes. Slip a spatula under the potatoes to turn them over and cook for 5 minutes more.Transfer potatoes to a serving dish and serve immediately.

Photo credit: Café Delites

All About Kombucha

May 26, 2017 — Leave a comment

This past Tuesday 540WMain Community Center held it’s first ever Kombucha Making Workshop with Matt Keefe.

Leading up to the class we were able to promote the amazing benefits of this health improving ancient elixir on our various social media platforms. So what’s all the hubub about?

Well, unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably heard something about this often mispronounced probiotic-filled beverage. It’s become the latest health trend across the country even though it has been around for decades. Per usual we’ve got you covered with the facts and the myth associated with kombucha.

Learn more about Kombucha below

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha a fermented black tea beverage rich in probiotics can aid in weight loss, increased energy, immune support & much more. It is said to be originated by the Chinese in the Far East around 2,000 years ago, kombucha is

How do you make Kombucha?

Kombucha is a fermented beverage of black tea and sugar (from various sources including cane sugar, fruit or honey) that’s used as a functional food. It contains a colony of bacteria and yeast that are responsible for initiating the fermentation process once combined with sugar.

Why should I drink it?

There are a number of healthy probiotics found in kombucha.An article published in the journal Food Microbiology established that the following probiotics make up this health elixir:

  • Gluconacetobacter (>85 percent in most samples)
  • Acetobacter (<2 percent)
  • Lactobacillus (up to 30 percent in some samples)
  • Zygosaccharomyces (>95 percent)

This cocktail of good bacteria interacts together in a unique way to aid the body in detoxification, weight loss, GI issues, digestion and more.

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably heard something about this often mispronounced probiotic-filled beverage.

Is Kombucha safe?

Kombucha is absolutely safe to drink especially the versions that are purchased in health food stores. Like all food products producers have to certify and verify that their beverage making practices are in alliance with the FDA. As far as the homemade versions it is best to find a quality recipe since the process of fermentation involves bacteria and live cultures.  The most safe bet is to purchase a bottle before attempting to make your own version and then working with an expert the when making your own batch.

I have a chronic illness with kombucha cure me of it?

As with all health treatments, vitamins, natural or otherwise there is not magic pill or potion when it comes to living with a chronic illness. As with most things consulting with a physician and/or nutritionist when adding something to your daily diet is the best piece of advice we can give. Understanding that every little bit of good that we do to our bodies helps us manage and living better in the long run and drinking kombucha is no different. It can certainly help but it is not a magic cure.

Another point worth considering is not all natural remedies work for all people. The key is being open minded but reasonable enough to try something new without lofty expectations.

How do you make Kombucha?

After being fermented, kombucha becomes carbonated and contains vinegar, b-vitamins, enzymes, probiotics and a high concentration of acid (acetic, gluconic and lactic), which are tied with the following effective.

The process can seen complicated by beginners hence the reason fo  the workshop at our head quarters. But for our readers who dare to take a risk check back tomorrow for a very simple Kombucha recipe.

To learn more about the benefits of kombucha click here