Monday, June 7, 2010

Easy Gluten Free

I remember the first time I told someone that we had to eat gluten and dairy free. The blank stares along with the "well, you don't have to eat that way" as if I wouldn't support my husband. Really!!?? I don't think my friends and family were trying to be mean. I believe they were just overwhelmed with the what dinners would be like from now on. Now I just tell people we eat whole foods, not processed and not pre made. Everything is fresh, organic and amazingly delicious. That's easier than trying to explain what we can and cannot eat.

So here's the deal. You season with fresh herbs and spices, no pre made mix, nothing from a sleeve in the grocery store. It's fresh 100% herb or spice. Everything is a rub with olive oil and you are good for meat. Veggies are organic and steamed or roasted. And you can always have a baked potato, sweet potato or rice. EASY!!! Now we do have to put up with some very bland food when going to dinner at someone else house but when they arrive at my house, we eat well and it's spicy! I have learned to cook with Penzey's Spices (http://www.penzeyspices.com/) and they are fresh and gluten free. I have learned the power of the jalapeno pepper. I have learned how coconut, rice and soy milk bake, simmer and stir. It has been a few years in the making but I'm here to tell you I can whip up a meal in 30 minutes or less that is better than anything in a restaurant and definitely more healthy.

Don't let your diagnosis get you down! Really, start to enjoy the journey and learn what tastes you enjoy along the way. Never say I can't make this - say if it doesn't turn out there are rice crackers and salad. You won't starve but if you risk trying a new recipe you may even enjoy your food again! Try them all, even if you think they will be weird, you only have a few bucks to lose.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Bean Salad

This was delicious however there are a few items you have to add to taste...sorry we didn't measure...

1 can Organic Black Beans
1 can Organic Garbanzo Beans
1 can Organic Corn

Dump all into a strainer and rinse off. Let dry for a minute then put into a large bowl.

1 jalapeno pepper diced
1/4 cup of red onion diced
1 Roma tomato diced
1-2 clove of garlic diced tiny (if you like garlic go for 2 cloves)
1/2 a lime
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Add these to the beans and stir

Cilantro (fresh is best and I use a lot of this)
Cumin (like 1 -2 teas, more if you like it spicy)
Pepper
Salt
Garlic salt (just a dash)
White Pepper (if you have it, good without)

The key with adding spices to taste is for you to keep tasting the salad. Start with small amounts and continue to add to the flavor you and your family enjoys. After the first time you will get the amounts down pretty quickly.

This is great for the summer months because you don't need to turn on a stove at all. Delish! Good luck!