Gluten Free Living

You are hearing it every where, gluten free this, gluten free that! You may not even really know what it means, but you want to learn more. For many, this is a way of life as so much of the population has been diagnosed with Celiac disease. This very common condition means the body is unable to breakdown the protein gluten, and these individuals must avoid gluten for the rest of their life.  Now this is not a curse, this is actually a wonderful way to live as gluten free eating and living can be fun and innovative.

It’s important to understand that this is not a trend or the latest fad diet, it is a serious way of living and some have no choice. However if you are making the choice to eat this way for health or digestive reasons, I must warn you, there are a lot of claims for gluten free products that may not have even contain gluten to begin with. Then there are gluten free products that are made with processed or poor ingredients like: canola oil, sugar, potato starch, corn starch and other overly processed non-health promoting additives. This is a common mistake that people make when “going gluten free”. They think that anything labelled as gluten free is healthy and safe to eat. There can also be traces of milk, butter or eggs in some of these items which is used to replace to gluten to give them their softness and texture, so if you are vegan, you want to be sure to double check your ingredients list.

Now of course where I come from and my standpoint on gluten free eating, is of course to keep it as natural and wholesome as  you can. You can even make soft moist muffins with out dairy! (See the delicious recipe below) Now, I do not have celiac disease, nor am I intolerant to gluten, but I do choose to eat a gluten free diet most of the time. Eating gluten free means that you are ultimately making it really easy for your body to digest (less bloating) and break down that particular grain. What’s even better; is that most gluten free grains like quinoa, millet, amaranth, and brown rice happen to be really good for you nutritionally as they are loaded with protein, fiber and essential vitamins.

So be mindful, and explore the world of gluten free with these tips in mind. Keep it natural, keep it clean and your belly will not only feel less bloated but you will also get the chance to explore some wonderful new ingredients!

To find out more on gluten free grains and Celiac disease please read this article.

The good news!

There are lots of incredible foods to choose from that are natural and gluten free including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Then of course, you can add some amazing gluten free grains while keeping your meals totally pure and natural. You can get breads, pastas, crackers, cookies and other favourites made from real ingredients that are tasty and wholesome – many of which are vegan and sometimes even nut free. Just be sure to practise label-reading so you can become an amazing gluten-free shopper.

Below is my guide to living an exceptionally delicious gluten free lifestyle whether it’s all of the time or sometimes!

Join me on November 19th for our GOURMET and GLUTEN FREE class. We will be cooking up some incredible dishes like pesto pasta, veggie stir fry, carrot soup, and delicious cookies – all without gluten and full of flavour!

Gluten Free Find – a great resource for all things gluten free, from products, to upcoming events, workshops and so much more!

On November 11th, which happens to be my birthday there will be an incredible Gluten Free Garage event in Toronto taking place at the Wychwood Barns.

Some of my Favourite GF Products

Little Steam Bakery Bread

Food For Life

Mary’s Crackers

Sweets from the Earth

Raw Foodz Dressings

Sun Warrior Protein

Navitas Naturals

Coconut Bliss

Ruth’s Hemp Foods

Sunshine Burger

 

Gluten Free Restaurant & Cafe’s I love (In Toronto)!

Live Food Bar

Belmonte Raw

Tabule

Kind Food

Hibiscus

Fresh

Camros

Loving Hut

The Naked Sprout

Villa

Magic Oven

Please share more restaurants that you love below, whether in Toronto or wherever you live. The more resources we can provide people the better!

 

Now you’ve got to try these Yummy…

Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Chia Muffins

1 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup almond flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/3 cup applesauce + 1 tbsp ground chia (instead of egg)

1/2 cup rice milk

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 tbsp whole chia seeds

1 honey crisp apple, chopped into cubes

How it’s made:

Preheat oven to 350F

1. Mix brown rice flour, almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt in a large bowl

2. In a separate bowl, combine applesauce + chia, rice milk maple syrup, coconut oil, chia seeds and chopped apple and stir together

3. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients until well combined. Spoon the  mixture into a muffin tray.

4. Bake for 15 -20 minutes at 350F.

5. Remove from oven and allow to cool for several minutes.

Makes approximately 8 muffins.

Enjoy!!

It Doesn’t Have to be Winter for Apple Cider!

Although we haven’t been getting the harsh, cold weather as we’re usually used to in Toronto, the weather outside can still give you the chills. Enter: Sweet Apple Cider! Apple cider is one of the few drinks that make you want to curl up on your couch in front of a fire. And while sweet apple cider is delicious and nourishing on its own, apple cider can come in another form that’s both tasty and healthy: Apple Cider Vinegar!

Apple cider vinegar and sweet apple cider are two liquids that your body can truly benefit from. There are many brands out there, but my particular favorite is Filsinger’s, a local Canadian brand, that produces incredibly pure and fresh apple products.

Keep reading – you can enter the contest to win a big basket of apple cider products from Filsinger’s!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Filsinger’s apple cider vinegar is fresh, pure, unpasteurized, and unfiltered – this means nothing’s been added or altered in the process of making it, and their certified organic apples are pressed and aged without preservatives or additives.

Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries to help with a variety of ailments due to its powerful cleansing qualities as it’s also a naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic. You can use it as a home remedy for skin, wounds, burns, acne, sunburns, insect bites, or as a weight loss ingredient. Although I don’t like to promote “weight loss”, apple cider can speed up your metabolism, making your body more efficient at burning energy. A good tip is to place 1 tbsp. in a glass of water and drink first thing in the morning or throughout the day.

You can also use it to clean your house (although it may be more costly) but apple cider vinegar makes a great disinfectant, deodorizer and over all household cleaner.

Lastly, you can eat it! Apple cider vinegar is an amazing addition to salad dressings, stir fry’s, and can be used to add acid (or make vegan buttermilk) in recipes such as cookies, pancakes and muffins. (If you are not local to Ontario, just be sure to look for products with similar standards such as Bragg’s, Eden, and Spectrum).

Sweet Apple Cider
Filsinger’s sweet apple cider is made the old fashioned way from whole apples. They blend several varieties of apples such as McIntosh, Cortland, Spy, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Ida Red. According to Filsinger’s, using a variety of apples enhances the flavour. Just like all of their products, they don’t use any preservatives or additives in the preparation of the final product.

How to Enjoy Sweet Apple Cider
Warmed up with a cinnamon stick any time of day! Warm it up in a pot, sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg and a large cinnamon stick. Get into your comfiest clothing and curl up on the couch in front of fire, and just let the apple cider sink in.

Sweet Apple Cider Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup Filsinger’s apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp  Filsinger’s sweet apple cider
1 tbsp local honey
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger powder

Place all the ingredients in a blender or small processor and blend until well combined and creamy. Tastes delicious on spinach or arugula with fresh sliced apples, walnuts and hemp seeds!

If you have never used or tried Apple Cider Vinegar, now is your chance!! Tell me why, what, and how you would like to use it and you just may win your very gift basket full of Filsinger’s goodies! The basket (which is large in size) contains Sweet Apple Cider, Apple Sauce, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Pear Sauce)

Just post a comment below!

At the end of the week, I’ll choose the best answer to be rewarded with the gift basket. Good luck Torontonians!

Note: (Winner must be able to pick it up in Toronto)

Want to hear what Marni’s up to, or grab some #DeliciousTips?

The healthier choice this holiday

Originally featured on Chatelaine

Don’t get overwhelmed with too many recipes when it comes to your holiday cooking this year. You may be deciding whether to stick with tradition, or just go with what is easiest and quickest to prepare. Why not go with some simple, healthy options, even if it means breaking a tradition or two? It will not only save you calories and excess fat, but you will have a colourful and balanced dinner on your plate and actually feel great afterward. Here are some ideas on how to sort through each component of your meal and how to choose wisely:

 

Appetizers

Instead of a cheesy dip, devilled eggs, or cheese puffs, serve a warming bowl of split pea soup. Soup makes a great holiday appetizer since it fills you up without giving you too many calories. It is also served warm, which means it will give you time to sip it before you eat too many bacon wrapped bread sticks!

Starch

White mashed potatoes with butter, cream, or milk are a holiday staple, but try making some squash instead this year. There are many varieties available, such as acorn, butternut, buttercup, or even spaghetti squash. All you have to do is cut the squash in half, drizzle it with olive or coconut oil, add a pinch of cinnamon, and bake it for an hour. Squash is delicious alongside any dish, and is naturally sweet with fewer calories and fat than traditional mashed potatoes.

Veggies

Standard dishes like creamed spinach and overcooked veggies coated with cheese sauce have more calories than necessary for one meal. Instead, choose to lightly steam some green beans, Swiss chard, or broccoli. Be sure not to over-steam though, since you want your veggies to be crisp and green! Drizzle them with olive oil and lemon juice and top it all off with chopped almonds or cranberries for a unique flavour.

Main Course

Instead of ham or roast beef, consider leaner and cleaner options like organic free-range turkey breast baked with rosemary and fresh lemon juice. Or go vegetarian and venture into making a lentil loaf or quinoa pilaf.

Dessert

A good alternative to fruitcake, rich puddings, and parfaits is to opt for a homemade gingerbread loaf or cookies made with spelt flour, maple syrup, and applesauce. You will not only save calories but also actually add fibre and nutrients to your dessert tray!

Stuffing

It doesn’t matter whether you have something to stuff or not, because this veggie stuffing recipe tastes great all on its own or on your plate beside some quinoa, squash, or steamed greens.

This delicious recipe will be featured in my Holiday Harvest Class on Thursday! (3 Spots Left – come and join the fun)

Apple Walnut Stuffing

Ingredients:

6 cups firmly-packed diced whole kamut bread

1/2 tablespoons light olive oil

1 1/2 cups chopped red onion

1 1/2 cups peeled, diced tart apple (granny smith)

3 bunches scallions, minced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon each: dried thyme, savory

3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt, more or less to taste

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Freshly ground pepper to taste

1 1/2 cups apple juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

1. Place the diced bread on a baking sheet.
2. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until dry and lightly browned.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the red onion and sauté over medium heat until golden. Add the apple and sauté for another 5 minutes.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine the bread cubes with the onion and apple mixture. Add all the remaining ingredients except the apple juice and toss together. Sprinkle in the apple juice slowly while stirring to moisten the ingredients evenly.
5. Transfer the mixture to an oiled shallow 1 1/2-quart baking pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until browned and still slightly moist. Stir once during the baking time. Transfer to a covered serving container.

Marni’s Delicious Knowledge

Who doesn’t love stuffing? Serve this recipe at your holiday meal this year and your guests
will savour every delicious bite. Not sure what to do with leftovers? Toss them in a wrap with fresh
vegetables the next day for a filling, festive lunch or snack.

Apple Cider in all it’s glory!

Just the word Apple Cider makes you feel all warm and cozy, especially this time of year. But apple cider doesn’t just mean a delicious drink that you sip on that is pipping hot, it also includes a nutritious wonderful vinegar that has more health benefits than I can keep track of! Both are pure extracts from organic apples that produce incredible products for our health, appetite and enjoyment!

Apple Cider Vinegar:

There are many varieties out there, so I am going to help the confusion and direct you to Filsingers which is a local Canadian brand.  They have the purest products I have ever tasted. Their vinegar is fresh, pure unpasteurized and unfiltered. Which means nothing has been done to it along the process. You are getting their own certified organic apples, which are pressed and aged without preservatives or additives. In case you didn’t know this Apple Cider Vinegar has been used for centuries to help with a variety of ailments because if it’s powerful cleansing qualities. Apple cider vinegar is a naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic.

Used in:

Home Body Remedies: for skin, wounds, burns, acne, sunburns, insect bites

Weight Loss and Metabolism: I don’t like to promote “weight loss”, but apple cider can speed up your metabolism, making your body more efficient at burning energy (place 1 tbsp in a glass of water and drink first thing in the morning or throughout the day)

Home Cleaning: this may be an expensive way to clean your house, but apple cider vinegar makes a great disinfectant, deodorizer and over all household cleaner

Food and Recipes: Apple cider vinegar is an amazing addition to salad dressings, stir fry’s, and can be used to add acid (or make buttermilk) in recipes such as cookies, pancakes and muffins

(If you are not local to Ontario, just be sure to look for products with similar standards – Bragg’s, Eden, Spectrum etc..)

Sweet Apple Cider:

Filsinger’s sweet apple cider is made the old fashioned way from whole apples. They blend several varieties of apples such as McIntosh, Cortland, Spy, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Ida Red. Using a variety of apples according to them enhances the flavour. They also don’t use any preservatives or additives in the preparation of the final product.

“Since 1953 our soils and trees have been balanced with seaweed extracts, trace minerals and compost. Our apples are grown without the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides. We are certified organic by OCIA International.”

Sweet Apple Cider can be enjoyed:

Warmed up with a cinnamon stick any time of day! You can have apple cider cold as well, but it just isn’t the same. So if you can, warm it up in a pot, sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg and a large cinnamon stick. Get into your comfiest clothing and curl up on the couch in from of a fire!

Filsinger’s also makes amazing: Applesauce and  Apple Butter

Sweet Apple Cider Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup Filsinger’s apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp  Filsinger’s sweet apple cider

1 tbsp local honey

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger powder

Place all the ingredients in a blender or small processor and blend until well combined and creamy. Tastes delicious on spinach or arugula with fresh sliced apples, walnuts and hemp seeds!

If you have never used or tried Apple Cider Vinegar, now is your chance!!

Tell me why, what and how  you would like to use it and you just may win your very own bottle of Filsinger’s Apple Cider Vinegar

(You must be able to pick it up in Toronto)

Here’s how to win!

Post A Comment Below

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At the end of the week I will do a lucky random draw – good luck Torontonians!