Delicious Gluten Free Recipes

About a month ago I was pretty sick for a few weeks. The only way I can describe the illness was this: the worst morning sickness you've ever felt, but you're not actually pregnant. Sounds horrible right? Because if I'm going to be nauseous and miserable for a couple weeks straight, I'd at least like the reward of knowing I'm growing a baby, but alas, no baby. 

I finally decided to go see someone about my illness, and it was decided that I was either gluten intolerant, or my body just didn't want gluten for a few weeks. We'd decided for me to go off of it for thirty days to see what happened, and then I could reintroduce it into my diet after thirty days and if I got sick again, no more gluten forever, and if I was fine, my body just needed a break.

I lasted an entire two weeks because I'm weak and can't do diets or fasts, but the two weeks was enough time for my body, and gut to heal, and I haven't been sick since reintroducing gluten. It was a relief to know it wasn't a permanent thing, and I feel so much better than I had just a few weeks ago. 

While I was going through my gluten free period, iHerb.com reached out to me wanting to know if I wanted to try their service, and their products, to which I gladly said yes. They're an online marketplace for all natural, organic, gluten free, and even vegan food products. Basically anything that you would pick up at your local health food store, they have for you on their website. The fun doesn't stop there though, because they also have an extensive inventory of beauty, baby, sports, and vitamin products. 

My favorite part about their site is the customer loyalty program. Whatever amount of money you spend on your first order, they give you 5% of that off your next order.  It's awesome because most of the items that you'd purchase from iHerb.com are things that you'd need on a regualr basis, and so it's nice to know that you're consistently getting that discount. 

When I ordered my products from them, I chose things that would help me get a mini gluten free pantry going, so that I could keep eating and making yummy things while I was going through this cleanse. I wound up finding a lot of things that I loved to eat, but here are three recipes that I loved the most. 

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies:

I made these cookies with the same recipe that I use for my normal chocolate chip cookies, but swapped out the normal flour for the Bob's Red Mill 1-for-1 Gluten Free Flour. They tasted amazing, and I even gifted them to someone else who was gluten free, and they said that they were the best gluten free cookies she'd ever eaten. I also fed them to three other people who didn't know they were gluten free, and they were never any wiser. So I'll take that as a win. I also used the Enjoy Life vegan, dairy, and gluten free semi-sweet mini chocolate chips, and they were just pure perfection. 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill 1-for-1 Gluten Free Flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp hot water
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350°. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugars. Add in the egg, mix until combined, and then the vanilla. Dissolve the baking soda into the hot water and then add it to the mixture. Mix in the flour until just combined, and then add the chocolate chips. Place cookies 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet, using a rounded tablespoon scoop and rolling into balls. Bake for 10-13 minutes until golden brown. Mine took about 12 in my oven. Cool on pan for 2 minutes before transferring to wire rack.

Chicken and Rice Soup

This is one of my all time favorite recipes in the winter, but I usually make it with noodles instead of rice. I made the swap for this recipe, and used the Edward & Son's Not Chick'N vegan and gluten free bouillon cubes and the soup turned out perfectly. I'll definitely be making this again.

Ingredients: 

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

8 cups of water

Edward & Son's Not Chick'N vegan and gluten free bouillon cubes (or 8 normal ones)

3 large carrots, diced

3 celery stalks, diced

2 cups instant rice

Directions:

Add all ingredients except for the rice to your slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours. When the chicken is cooked all the way through, shred it, and then add it back to the pot with the instant rice. Let it all cook together for another 10 minutes, until the rice is cooked all the way through, and then serve. 

Gluten Free Granola Bowl:

This one is pretty self explanatory, but there was gluten hiding in the granola that we were previously using, so I grabbed a bag of the Bear Naked Cacao and Cashew Butter Granola, and would have that on top of some vanilla yogurt each morning, and some berries on top, and it was by far my favorite way to start the day. 

Facts About Animal Pak Supplements

The Animal Pak dietary supplement is a product manufactured by Universal Nutrition, a sports nutrition company founded in 1977. Animal Pak is "your nutritional insurance," according to the company, meaning that it is a nutritional supplement designed to provide all of the nutrients that athletes, bodybuilders in particular, need to maintain proper health. Despite the potential benefits, you should consult a doctor prior to using this or any other supplements.

History and Recognition

Animal Pak was introduced in 1983, and was voted multivitamin of the year in Bodybuilding.com's Supplement Awards from 2005 to 2010.

Intended Use

According to the official website for Animal Pak, this supplement should be taken once daily, unless you are dieting for a bodybuilding contest or training more intensely than usual, in which case Universal recommends two daily doses. Potential beneficiaries of Animal Pak include power and strength athletes, or those engaging in high-intensity training.

Nutrition Facts

Animal Pak provides 40 calories per serving, with 4 g of carbohydrates, 2 g of which come from fiber, and 6 g of protein.

Vitamin and Mineral Content

Animal Pak provides large doses of numerous vitamins and minerals, including 900 times the recommended daily intake of vitamin B-6, more than 500 times the RDA for thiamin, nearly 200 times the RDA for vitamin C, and 100 times the RDA for vitamin E.

Amino Acid Complex

Animal Pak provides all of the essential amino acids, or EAAs, and the branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, which are building blocks of protein that may enhance athletic activity. A study published in the March 2011 issue of "The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness" found that BCAA supplementation could improve endurance and increase the amount of fat your body burns for fuel during exercise.

Performance Complex

Animal Pak contains a performance complex that includes a number of herbal ingredients, such as milk thistle, ginseng and inositol. These ingredients may support intense athletic endeavors, as research from the March 2011 edition of "The American Journal of Chinese Medicine" found ginseng to be effective in reducing muscle damage associated with hill running.

Antioxidant Complex

Animal Pak provides several antioxidant ingredients, such as lycopene, alpha lipoic acid and coenzyme Q10. Antioxidants protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are produced by bodily stresses, such as exercise.

Digestive Enzyme Complex

If you engage in intense training, you will burn a lot of calories, which means you'll need to eat more to support your activity. If you are not used to eating so much, you may experience digestive discomfort, which makes the addition of enzymes such as lipase, inulin and papain potentially beneficial.

You can BUY Animal Pak at IHERB.COM

The Health Benefits of Psyllium

What is psyllium?

Psyllium is a form of fiber made from the husks of the Plantago ovata plant’s seeds. It sometimes goes by the name ispaghula.

It’s most commonly known as a laxative. However, research shows that taking psyllium is beneficial to many parts of the human body, including the heart and the pancreas.

Your bathroom buddy

Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative. This means it soaks up water in your gut and makes bowel movements much easier. It also helps promote regularity without increasing flatulence. It can be used as a one-off to ease constipation, or it can be added to your diet to help promote regularity and overall digestive health.

People with irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease are all too familiar with the banes of the bathroom. The results of studies on psyllium’s effectiveness in treating these conditions are still mixed.

Some research has shown that consuming 7.9 grams of psyllium per day (+/- 3.6 grams) with probiotics is a safe and effective way to treat Crohn’s disease. However, other results show soluble fiber like psyllium can make symptoms worse for some people.

Besides keeping your bowel movements regular and managing a chronic condition, psyllium has the ability to soften your stool. This can come in handy with short-term ailments, such as constipation. Used in this way, it can prevent complications of constipation, such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

Preliminary research shows that psyllium may help the painful symptoms associated with these conditions. Since there is no real scientific consensus, talk to your doctor to see if psyllium could help you.

Heart health

Research has shown that taking soluble fiber can help people manage their cholesterol levels. Proper cholesterol regulation is important for everyone, but vital for people over the age of 50. One study shows that at least 6 weeks of daily psyllium intake is an effective way for people who are obese or overweight to lower their cholesterol with very few side effects.

If you’ve been told that you need to watch your cholesterol, ask your doctor if adding psyllium to a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet will help you.

High cholesterol is merely one way a bad diet can affect your heart. Numerous studies have shown that fiber like psyllium, taken as part of a healthy diet, can help lower a person’s risk of heart disease. Psyllium can affect your heart by lowering blood pressure, improving lipid levels, and strengthening heart muscle.

Watching your weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is a concern for many people, especially those with a chronic condition like diabetes. Besides being good for your heart and blood sugar levels, psyllium may help you lose weight.

Because psyllium absorbs liquid in your body, it can help give you a feeling of being full. This can help you control the amount of food you eat. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of taking psyllium if they have suggested you lose weight.

Diabetes

People with diabetes are constantly watching their diet to maintain a healthy balance of insulin and blood sugar (glucose). Some research has suggested that fibers like psyllium can help people maintain a healthy glycemic balance.

One study found that taking 5 grams of psyllium twice a day can help patients with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. Another study of men with type 2 diabetes found similar results, but stressed that psyllium therapy should be tailored to the individual.

How can I get psyllium?

Psyllium is most commonly consumed in powder or wafer form. It is also available in capsules, granules, and in liquid form. It is the main ingredient in many over-the-counter laxatives

Follow the directions on packaging, and remember that a key component of psyllium’s work in your lower intestine is its ability to soak up liquid, so make sure to drink plenty of water daily. 

You can find Psyllium Husk products at IHERB.COM

Making your own natural beauty products

Making your own natural beauty products is fun, and it’s a great way to save money and avoid the toxic stuff that shows up in a lot of beauty products. You can find these ingredients and other food items (organic, without GMOs, paraben-free, toxin-free) at iHerb.com.

This face mask is easy to make, and it is perfect for all skin types – from super oily, sensitive and acne-prone (like mine) to dry, mature or damaged skin.

Ingredients:Green Tea
Manuka honey (optional)
Vitamin E oil
Coconut oil
Turmeric (optional)

Instructions:

First heat about 1/4 cup of water to near boiling (I use a 900 watt microwave and heat for about 2 minutes).

Add a green tea bag to your cup of water. I like Yogi Tea Green Tea Super Antioxidant for drinking of course, but it’s also perfect for this facial mask recipe because it’s got added herbs that are full of antioxidants and other nutrients (grapeseed extract, amla extract, jasmine, burdock root, dandelion, irish  moss, alfalfa leaf, lemongrass and licorice root). I love the licorice root for brightening and reducing the look of red and brown spots.

Let it steep for about 60 seconds and then add a tablespoon of manuka honey. This is optional if you’re vegan or allergic to honey. I love PRI manuka honey in my tea, and it’s also perfect for hydrating skin and killing bacteria. This ingredient is perfect for acne-sufferers like myself.

Next, add a tablespoon of coconut oil (I’m using Spectrum organic coconut oil). I think everyone knows how great coconut oil is for all skin types. It helps with dry or oily skin, and doesn’t clog pores – especially if you use it as a rinse-off mask instead of a moisturizer. If your skin is over-producing sebum because you keep drying it out with acne medication, this will help! It’s also a natural bacteria killer.

Next, add a teaspoon of Vitamin E oil. I’m using a very concentrated version – Sundown Naturals Vitamin E Oil 70,000 IU. Because it’s so concentrated, it has major skin healing and moisturizing properties. But it’s also very sticky (like honey), so dissolving it in your face mask will help it apply easily (I also use it as a spot treatment at night to heal acne spots). There’s no mineral oil or anything in the Sundown Naturals Vit E oil – just pure Vitamin E!

Finally, add a teaspoon of turmeric. I’m using Simply Organic Turmeric, which is organic (hence the name!) and very inexpensive. So, here’s the deal with turmeric – it’s a great antioxidant and is really great at reducing inflammation (which is a major issue for those with acne). BUT – it will stain! You want to be careful not to get it on any clothing or nice towels. And it will stain your face unless you follow the mask with a good face wash or scrub. It’s so good for your skin, but if you have to go somewhere right after your mask, you might want to save it for cooking instead!

When you’re done mixing all the ingredients, let it cool for an hour or two. Don’t put it in the fridge, or it could harden up and then you’d need to heat it up again. It’s not going to be pretty, but your skin will thank you for it! You may have to add more of the thicker ingredients (honey, coconut oil, Vit E oil) if it’s too watery. Mine came out as a sort of watery paste that I was able to apply with my fingertips. I left mine on during my workout for about 45 minutes (mostly to test it for you guys – to make sure it wouldn’t stain my face and make me yellow forever!), but you only need to leave it on for 15 minutes or so. And voila! Happy skin face mask!

You can pick up all these products and mask ingredients at iHerb.com. As I mentioned before, I’ve been a customer for YEARS and I find that they pretty much always have what I’m looking for. They sell over 35,000 products, so I mean – if you need it, they most likely have it! Plus, they ship to over 160 countries. iHerb is also a Google trusted store and you can talk to customer service in 10 different languages. Pretty impressive! If you’re a new customer, click here to get $5 0ff your first order.