Gluten-Free Ginger Snap Recipe

October 23, 2012 | By

By Tanya McCausland of Home Cooked Healing

Love ginger snaps? Me too. I have a fabulous recipe to share with you, but first I want to introduce you to a very versatile grain that you’ll need for this recipe: Teff. You may not have heard of it before, but here’s why you’ll definitely want to know about it…

If you’ve eaten the bread in an Ethiopian restaurant (known as injera) you’ve eaten teff. It’s a miniscule grain native to Ethiopia where it is a staple and important carbohydrate source for the country’s elite runners. If teff gives them the fuel to run at the speed of light,  just imagine what it can do for you.

Teff is a good source of protein and fiber both of which are important for managing blood sugar, keeping you satisfied and clear of the office candy bowl. Plus, it’s loaded with calcium and vitamin C to help keep your bones and immune system strong and it’s gluten free. You can buy it at most health food stores as the whole grain or as teff flour.

You can use teff grain as a replacement for rice in soups and salads or cook it into a creamy porridge for breakfast. To cook teff combine 1 cup of teff grain with 1 cup of water, bring to a boil, lower to simmer for 6-7 minutes. Shut off the heat and let stand covered for five minutes. For a creamier texture combine 1 cup of teff grain with 3 cups of water, bring to a boil, lower to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.

Now, about those ginger snaps! My favorite way to use teff is to bake with the flour. As we get closer to the holidays it seems like cakes, cookies and pies start surfacing everywhere we look threatening our svelte waistlines. But, not to fear my dear! Here is my recipe for Guilt and Gluten Free Ginger Snaps that will whittle your waistline and tickle your taste buds!

Guilt and Gluten Free Ginger Snaps

Ingredients:

2 cups brown teff flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
½ cup all natural peanut butter or almond butter (if your nut butter is thick set it out on the counter or near the preheating stove while you’re gathering your other ingredients)
½ cup molasses
½ cup real organic maple syrup
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and the wet ingredients in a smaller bowl. Pour wet ingredients over dry and blend until just combined. Be careful to not over mix. If your batter seems to thick to mix add a tablespoon of water and continue to mix. Add small amounts of water if it’s still too thick.

3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silpat. Scoop small balls of the batter with a spoon (a little smaller than golf ball size) and place on the parchment paper. No need to flatten, you can just leave them in mounds. Place in the oven and bake for 11 minutes. Remove from oven immediately and place directly on wire rack to cool.

About this Contributor: Tanya McCausland is a Health and Culinary Coach in Alameda, CA She inspires, encourages and motivates her clients to create a life of health and balance through delicious food and simple lifestyle changes. She believes that our kitchens have the ability to heal – we just have to stock our pantries with real food and not be afraid to wield a wooden spoon every so often!

Filed Under: Healthy Cooking, Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

How to Spot Food Label Lies

September 18, 2012 | By

By Tanya McCausland of Home Cooked Healing

I always recommend buying fresh, whole foods at the farmer’s market, but every now and then I might reach for something out of a box or can. The problem with these packaged foods? They’re not always as healthy as their labels claim to be. Here are five common food labels to be cautious of:

“Gluten Free”
More and more we’re discovering that breads and other baked goods contribute to putting on a few pounds but we’re reaching for gluten free products instead. However, these are often sugar bombs and still loaded with carbs. If you’re looking for a sweet treat reach for a piece of fruit with peanut butter or a square of organic dark chocolate instead.

“All Natural”
This label is found on everything from deli turkey to cranberry juice and when we see it our brain immediately thinks “healthy!” But, proceed with caution. “All Natural” is a term not regulated by the FDA and companies can add it whenever or however they want. Many chemicals and other weird substances are considered “natural” but you would never want to eat them!

“Trans Fat Free”
Trans fats have gotten a bad rap and rightfully so. They are a highly processed fat that has been linked back to obesity, heart disease and other serious health problems. However, there is a loophole that states packaged foods can use this label if there is “less than 0.5 grams of trans fats per serving.” That means if you eat two or three servings of those cookies it’s likely you are still consuming this highly damaging fat.

“Cholesterol Free”
This label is one of the most misused and once you start looking for it you’ll be amused. Cholesterol is only found in animal products, not in any fruits, vegetables, nut, seeds or beans. But, companies have no problem adding this label to foods that don’t have any cholesterol to begin with, like dried fruit and nut butters.

“Sugar Free”
We’ve been warned to get the “white stuff” out of our diets and food manufacturers tried to help us out. When you see this label there can still be some sugar (0.5 grams or less) in that food. To still satisfy our sweet tooth artificial sweeteners are used instead like aspartame, which have been linked to cancers and diabetes. Use raw organic honey and real maple syrup to sweeten plain yogurt and oatmeal.

About this Contributor: Tanya McCausland is a Health and Culinary Coach in Alameda, CA She inspires, encourages and motivates her clients to create a life of health and balance through delicious food and simple lifestyle changes. She believes that our kitchens have the ability to heal – we just have to stock our pantries with real food and not be afraid to wield a wooden spoon every so often!

Filed Under: Food + Drink, Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Spa Foodie: Sweet Blackberry Lemon Salad

July 5, 2012 | By

By Amie Valpone

Berries, Berries everywhere… I just can’t seem to get enough of ‘em these days. My clients are requesting them in every meal and snack so I’ve been having fun in the kitchen whipping up everything from Very Berry Flax Waffles to Basil Berry Yogurt Popsicles. The best part…

No added sugar.

No added sweeteners.

Just a few fresh organic berries.

Just the way summer was meant to be.

So, go ahead — break out your berry stash and have a fun lil’ berry party with yourself today. And yes, as always this recipe is totally vegan, gluten-free and #bikiniapproved. Here’s how to add summer sweetness in your bowl..

Ingredients

Total time: 5 mins; Serves: 4

  • 1 pint fresh organic blackberries
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon zest
  • 4 cups packed mixed greens
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 1 scallion, chopped
  • Juice of 1 large organic lemon
  • 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. Barlean’s Flax Oil
  • 2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine blackberries, lemon zest, mixed greens, dill and scallions. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, vinegar, oil, sesame seeds, sea salt and pepper. Pour dressing over blackberry salad; gently toss to combine.
  3. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Amie Valpone is a Manhattan based Personal Chef, Culinary Nutritionist, Professional Recipe Developer and Food Writer specializing in simple Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free “Clean” recipes for the home cook. She is the Editor-in-Chief of The Healthy Apple and the Publisher and Marketing Director of the online gluten-free magazine, Easy Eats. See more of her posts on Spa Week Daily, here.

 

Filed Under: Food + Drink, Spa Cuisine, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Spa Foodie: A Journey to “Clean Living” + Vegan, Gluten-Free Summer Potato Salad

June 7, 2012 | By

What would you do if you struggled with chronic leg swelling, stomach problems and colitis? See a doctor, right? What if every doctor you visited, including those at the Mayo Clinic, told you nothing was wrong with you? Would you continue to let your health deteriorate or do something about it?

Do something about it.

After spending several years dealing with severe digestive issues, Amie Valpone, an aspiring marketing and advertising exec at the time, decided to take her health into her own hands and seek some alternative options. It wasn’t until she began working with an Integrative Medical Doctor that Amie learned she was suffering from heavy metal accumulation and was born without the gene to absorb folate, key in detoxification. Amie is unable to digest gluten, grains, sugar, oils, fruits and dairy. In the past few years, Amie has also discovered she is allergic to sulfates and cannot digest packaged foods. She can’t even go to the corner store and pick up a pack of pretzels or chips without getting sick. This made Amie realize that medicine can only do so much – it wasn’t offering her body what it needed to heal. This realization lead Amie on a “Clean Living” journey and now, using acupuncture, yoga, meditation, herbal medicine, and fresh, whole, unprocessed foods, Amie is healed and remains 100% symptom free nearly five years later.

Now, Amie is a Manhattan based Personal Chef, Culinary Nutritionist, Professional Recipe Developer and Food Writer specializing in simple Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free “Clean” recipes for the home cook.  She is the Editor-in-Chief of The Healthy Apple and the Publisher and Marketing Director of the online gluten-free magazine, Easy Eats.

Over at The Healthy Apple, Amie offers delectable, inspiring and easy recipes that are vegan, dairy and gluten free. One of my favorite recipes is her Gluten-Free Vegan Potato Salad, this mayo-free creation is healthy, delicious and perfect for a hot summer day.

Positively The Best Potato Salad with Parsley Pesto

By Amie Valpone

Ingredients

(Serves 4)

  • 2 lbs. small red new potatoes, scrubbed
  • 1/2 cup fresh curly parsley, finely chopped plus more for garnish
  • 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 tsp white balsamic vinegar
  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp curry
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil; cook potatoes until soft but not falling apart, approximately 25 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine parsley, mint, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, sea salt and pepper; pulse until well combined. Transfer to a large bowl.
  3. Drain potatoes; slice in half as soon as they’re cool enough to handle.
  4. Gently toss potatoes with parsley pesto mixture; season with curry and chili powder.
  5. Garnish with additional parsley; serve chilled
  6. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Health & Wellness, Spa Cuisine Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Vice, Vice, Baby: Your Guilty Pleasures (and what cancels them out)

January 20, 2012 | By

We started the week singing Vice, Vice Baby (with Lose Weight By Accident by Sarah Jenks).

Now, we’re ending it that way too.

What’s your VICE? What’s your ANTI-VICE said?

We asked this to some of our friends around the web, and here’s what keeps them feeling slightly guilty, and the thing that keeps them feeling okay about it.

Nobody’s perfect. It’s all a balancing act.

Vivianne Lapointe from Live Fast Mag said:

VICE: Caviar. Very good things come in small (expensive) packages.

ANTI-VICE: Spiced almond milk with cardamom, turmeric and ginger. The sexiest way to get calcium.

Dina Fierro from Eye4Style said:

VICE: A girl can’t resist a little glitter, and regardless of how many bedazzled pairs of shoes I have in my closet, it’s never enough. My most recent acquisition? These Miu Miu Glitter Leather Sandals:

ANTI-VICE: It sounds a little pretentious, but I eschew processed foods and make it a point to integrate power greens – think kale, spinach and arugula – into my diet daily. It’s made a huge impact on my energy level! Try this Curry Kale Chips recipe.

Bryce Gruber from TheLuxurySpot.com said:

VICE: Sweets! I recently went gluten-free because of a wheat intolerance and thought I’d automatically be able to curb my sweet cravings from the total lack of cookies and cupcakes. Sigh, I was wrong. I’ve found fruit, chocolate, and candied nuts.

ANTI-VICE: Spa time. I’m literally obsessed with steam rooms and massages, and I think I can officially be labeled a “hammam junkie” at this point in my life.

PJ Gach from BettyConfidential.com said:

VICE: I recently met Purity Vodka in LA and well, hello!

ANTI-VICE: Disney gummy vitamins. They’re good for you and tasty too!

Shyema Azam from Beautyandthefeastblog.com said:

VICE: I’m sorry, I just can’t help being addicted to watching anything Kardashian. That family is truly my guilty pleasure.

ANTI-VICE: Beets. I’ve started hoarding them in my salads — they’re packed with antioxidants and are great for your heart (literally).

Ruth Staiman from Thefashionoffice said:

VICE: #twitter #twitter #TWITTER

ANTI-VICE: Giving up my vices! Last year I gave up soda, drinking (except for a on birthdays), red meat, and dairy products.

And from the editors of Spa Week Daily:

Michelle Joni Lapidos said:

VICE: My computer or iPhone at two in the morning. Call me a social media girl but I’m completely addicted to the internet, especially when I should be sleeping. (Case in point – this is me last night on Instagram, playing with my new PicFrame app and Foodspotting photos.

ANTI-VICE: Yoga. Every Monday, no matter how stressed I am or what is on my plate, I escape for an hour to Yoga To The People on St. Marks. It’s my ME time of the week to breathe deeply, stretch, smile, feel strong and forget about the rest of the world.

Stephanie Cavataro said:

VICE: Diet Coke. Since I gave up soda in September, Diet Coke has totally haunted my existence, creeping out from refrigerated section of deli-marts and peering at me from my friend’s fridge, screaming, “DRINK ME!” Once powerless to temptation, I now only have one or two cans a month (instead of in one hour) and save it special occasions like dinner with friends.

ANTI-VICE: Water with lemon (or lime) has helped me replace soda without drinking boring, plain old water. I actually look forward to drinking water now throughout the day instead of dreading it.

Tell us in the comments: What are YOUR vices and anti-vices?

Hammam photo from Trump Soho, Kardashian photo via, beets via, Yoga To The People via, chocolate/nuts via (YUM recipe)

Filed Under: Good + Happy, Health & Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,