I am a BIG fan of Karina at Gluten-Free Goddess. She has absolutely the best recipes! Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan...whatever you need, she has you covered!
She has written a wonderful article about how to go Gluten Free that I thought would be great to share. Her Gluten Free Cheat Sheet is also very helpful. And she has some tips on how to make eating Gluten Free more budget friendly. Last, but not least, I really enjoyed reading her 56 Things To Remember - guaranteed to make you smile!
Wednesday
GF DF Vegan Apple Spice Muffins
Hello Everyone! I'm a few days late in posting this recipe....sorry. What can I say except that life happens :)
The recipe I promised you is for Apple Spice Muffins. A moist, delicious muffin that is gluten free, dairy free, vegan AND contains no white sugar whatsoever. All of this and it tastes AMAZING! Can you believe it??? These delicious morsels are not dense and crumbly, not too sweet, and are loaded with fiber. This is a muffin that you don't have to feel guilty about!
I borrowed the original recipe from Kelly at 18 Hour Kitchen and tweaked it here and there just a bit until I came up with this version. Kelly's original recipe calls for Xylosweet and stevia. I haven't tried Xylosweet yet and I'm just not a huge fan of stevia. It seems to impart a strange aftertaste in my baked goods. Perhaps it's because I haven't been off of white sugar long enough yet. Not sure. (I've been told that the longer you're off of the white stuff, the better stevia will taste.)
For now I like to use agave, honey (for non vegan recipes), pure maple syrup and coconut sugar. Yes, they do have higher glycemic index rates but they are still better than standard white/brown sugar by far and have that yummy sweetness sans any odd aftertaste. As an FYI, here's a list of common sweeteners and there GI value:
White/Brown Sugar (64)
Black Strap Molasses (55)
Pure Maple Syrup (54)
Sugar Cane Juice (43)
Coconut Sugar (Palm Sugar) (35)
Raw Honey (30)
Brown Rice Syrup (25)
Agave (11-30) *Depending on brand
Xlyosweet (7)
Stevia (less than 1)
Some of these may be a bit higher on the scale but take longer for the body to metabolize so they do not lead to crazy blood sugar spikes like white sugar will produce. I'm new to using coconut sugar but love the fact that not only does it have a low GI, it is also full of nutrition and also does not cause spikes in blood sugar. It is very similar to brown sugar in it texture and appearance but has a more mild flavor and sweetness. Be sure to measure it as you would brown sugar, packing it into the measuring cup. And due to it not being as sweet, you may want to add a little more than what your recipe usually calls for until you are used to it.
On to the recipe...
I had a special helper in the kitchen on this particular day. My nephew (who is a much better baker/chef than I am by the way) loves to help me try out new recipes. I love how excited he is in the kitchen, creating healthy food - he's so full of passion and loves to experiment. I do believe he could be the next Iron Chef!
These muffins are really easy to make once you have all the flours. Just mix wet and dry in separate bowls and then combine...how easy is that? You could also mix together the dry ingredients ahead of time and then keep them in a baggie in the fridge so that whenever you want delicious, homemade muffins, you can whip them up in just minutes! (I used Bob's Red Mill products for the flours. Also, you'll want to make sure that the baking powder and vanilla you are using are gluten free.)
Preheat oven to 350. Line or grease a muffin tin. Blend together the following dry ingredients in a bowl:
-1 cup sorghum flour
-1/2 cup almond flour (or meal)
-1/2 cup ground flax meal
-1/4 cup tapioca flour
-1/4 cup coconut flour
-1 tbsp. cinnamon
-1 tsp. baking powder
-1/2 tsp. baking soda
-1/2 tsp. salt
In another bowl, whisk together:
-1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
-1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
-1/2 cup pure maple syrup or agave
-1 tbsp. vanilla extract
Mix the wet into the dry. Stir in:
-2 cups grated (peeled) apples (about 2 apples)
*Could also add some chopped walnuts or some raisins, if you like
Scoop into muffin cups and fill about 3/4 full (makes 15 muffins.) Bake 25 minutes. Let cool in pan on a rack 20 minutes (otherwise they stick to muffin papers and could fall apart.) Awesome drizzled with honey!
The recipe I promised you is for Apple Spice Muffins. A moist, delicious muffin that is gluten free, dairy free, vegan AND contains no white sugar whatsoever. All of this and it tastes AMAZING! Can you believe it??? These delicious morsels are not dense and crumbly, not too sweet, and are loaded with fiber. This is a muffin that you don't have to feel guilty about!
 |
| Apple Spice Muffin drizzled with wild honey |
I borrowed the original recipe from Kelly at 18 Hour Kitchen and tweaked it here and there just a bit until I came up with this version. Kelly's original recipe calls for Xylosweet and stevia. I haven't tried Xylosweet yet and I'm just not a huge fan of stevia. It seems to impart a strange aftertaste in my baked goods. Perhaps it's because I haven't been off of white sugar long enough yet. Not sure. (I've been told that the longer you're off of the white stuff, the better stevia will taste.)
For now I like to use agave, honey (for non vegan recipes), pure maple syrup and coconut sugar. Yes, they do have higher glycemic index rates but they are still better than standard white/brown sugar by far and have that yummy sweetness sans any odd aftertaste. As an FYI, here's a list of common sweeteners and there GI value:
White/Brown Sugar (64)
Black Strap Molasses (55)
Pure Maple Syrup (54)
Sugar Cane Juice (43)
Coconut Sugar (Palm Sugar) (35)
Raw Honey (30)
Brown Rice Syrup (25)
Agave (11-30) *Depending on brand
Xlyosweet (7)
Stevia (less than 1)
Some of these may be a bit higher on the scale but take longer for the body to metabolize so they do not lead to crazy blood sugar spikes like white sugar will produce. I'm new to using coconut sugar but love the fact that not only does it have a low GI, it is also full of nutrition and also does not cause spikes in blood sugar. It is very similar to brown sugar in it texture and appearance but has a more mild flavor and sweetness. Be sure to measure it as you would brown sugar, packing it into the measuring cup. And due to it not being as sweet, you may want to add a little more than what your recipe usually calls for until you are used to it.
On to the recipe...
 |
| My lil' helper! |
I had a special helper in the kitchen on this particular day. My nephew (who is a much better baker/chef than I am by the way) loves to help me try out new recipes. I love how excited he is in the kitchen, creating healthy food - he's so full of passion and loves to experiment. I do believe he could be the next Iron Chef!
These muffins are really easy to make once you have all the flours. Just mix wet and dry in separate bowls and then combine...how easy is that? You could also mix together the dry ingredients ahead of time and then keep them in a baggie in the fridge so that whenever you want delicious, homemade muffins, you can whip them up in just minutes! (I used Bob's Red Mill products for the flours. Also, you'll want to make sure that the baking powder and vanilla you are using are gluten free.)
 |
| Mixing it all together! |
Preheat oven to 350. Line or grease a muffin tin. Blend together the following dry ingredients in a bowl:
-1 cup sorghum flour
-1/2 cup almond flour (or meal)
-1/2 cup ground flax meal
-1/4 cup tapioca flour
-1/4 cup coconut flour
-1 tbsp. cinnamon
-1 tsp. baking powder
-1/2 tsp. baking soda
-1/2 tsp. salt
In another bowl, whisk together:
-1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
-1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
-1/2 cup pure maple syrup or agave
-1 tbsp. vanilla extract
Mix the wet into the dry. Stir in:
-2 cups grated (peeled) apples (about 2 apples)
*Could also add some chopped walnuts or some raisins, if you like
 |
| These are so very good!!! |
Saturday
Celiac vs. Gluten Intolerance: Which am I?
Good Morning and Happy Saturday!
I wanted to post a couple of links about being celiac vs. being gluten intolerant today. You can find the first article here and the second one here. These are two very good reads that can help you have a better understanding about celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
I'm currently working on a longer, more in-depth post titled "Gluten 101" in which I'll describe what gluten is in more detail and why/how to live gluten free.
And I'll be posting my very first recipe tomorrow - Apple Spice Muffins! Be sure to drop by and check it out!
Wishing you all good health!
I wanted to post a couple of links about being celiac vs. being gluten intolerant today. You can find the first article here and the second one here. These are two very good reads that can help you have a better understanding about celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
I'm currently working on a longer, more in-depth post titled "Gluten 101" in which I'll describe what gluten is in more detail and why/how to live gluten free.
And I'll be posting my very first recipe tomorrow - Apple Spice Muffins! Be sure to drop by and check it out!
Wishing you all good health!
Thursday
Origins Ginger Souffle is a Miracle Worker!
It's late so I'm going to make this post short and sweet. I've been asked to share what hand and body moisturizer I use. I like Origins Ginger Souffle. It healed my chapped, cracked hands like no other product has. The scent is heavenly and my skin stays hydrated for hours.
And if you are looking for a fragrance free lotion, Desert Essence Fragrance Free Lotion is a good choice (I cannot say enough good things about them!)
I feel I should also mention my favorite hand soap too since soap can dry out the hands to begin with (and gluten is in so many of them out there.) I like the South of France brand (and you can find it at Raley's and Cost Plus.) The Orange Blossom Honey is my favorite but there's a variety to choose from including shea, lavender and mint.
I promise not all of my posts will be about my favorite products! But if I can help someone out in some small way then I feel like this whole gluten experience has been worth while.
Wishing you all good health!
And if you are looking for a fragrance free lotion, Desert Essence Fragrance Free Lotion is a good choice (I cannot say enough good things about them!)
I promise not all of my posts will be about my favorite products! But if I can help someone out in some small way then I feel like this whole gluten experience has been worth while.
Wishing you all good health!
Wednesday
GF Shampoo and Conditioner
Hello and welcome to my new blog!!! I thought I'd start with something that has been an ongoing issue for me since going gluten free four years ago. Finding a decent GF shampoo and conditioner. I'm one of the ones who has a dermatitis rash-like reaction to gluten in topical products and this has made finding a good shampoo/conditioner quite difficult. I've also experienced hair loss since going GF - not fun - so I've been on a constant quest, trying everything that I could find.
I finally had settled on The Everyday Shea Body Wash from my local Nugget supermarket and Desert Essence Organics Fragrance Free Conditioner (I love their products!)
The Everyday Shea Body Wash wasn't terrific but it was getting the job done (my hair was clean but still dry even with the conditioner.) And then the irritation started up again. Ugh. As I was flipping through my latest Natural Health magazine, I saw an ad for Derma e Psorzema Body Wash. It is designed for people with sensitive skin, dermatitis and eczema.
Since I'd already been using a body wash on my hair (and this product can be used on the scalp) I decided to give it a try. OMG! This stuff is amazing! After the very first use my hair was soft and manageable again! It looked shiny, healthy and I hardly lost any hair while washing/drying - a major bonus!
I still use the Desert Essence Organics Fragrance Free Conditioner but the Derma e Psorzema Body Wash is now my new shampoo and new best friend! If you also suffer from gluten induced rashes, eczema, or just have very sensitive skin, consider giving these products a try.
Wishing you all good health!
I finally had settled on The Everyday Shea Body Wash from my local Nugget supermarket and Desert Essence Organics Fragrance Free Conditioner (I love their products!)
The Everyday Shea Body Wash wasn't terrific but it was getting the job done (my hair was clean but still dry even with the conditioner.) And then the irritation started up again. Ugh. As I was flipping through my latest Natural Health magazine, I saw an ad for Derma e Psorzema Body Wash. It is designed for people with sensitive skin, dermatitis and eczema.
Since I'd already been using a body wash on my hair (and this product can be used on the scalp) I decided to give it a try. OMG! This stuff is amazing! After the very first use my hair was soft and manageable again! It looked shiny, healthy and I hardly lost any hair while washing/drying - a major bonus!
I still use the Desert Essence Organics Fragrance Free Conditioner but the Derma e Psorzema Body Wash is now my new shampoo and new best friend! If you also suffer from gluten induced rashes, eczema, or just have very sensitive skin, consider giving these products a try.
Wishing you all good health!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)