Sweet and Sour Chicken&Veggies

Sweet and Sour Chicken from all natural mom of 3
1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
1 medium carrot, sliced
¼ cup chopped onion
1 ½ tsp canola oil
1 small zucchini sliced
1 cup snow peas, thawed
½ medium sweet red or green pepper, cut into strips
3 TB sugar
2 TB corn starch (heartweed-I would recommend using arrowroot- say no to corn!)
1/8 tsp pepper
1 can pineapple juice (6 oz)
3 TB ketchup (heartweed I would probably use 2T of a good organic tomato paste instead -most ketchup contains corn)
2 TB lemon juice (I use fresh)
2 TB soy sauce (if soy free, use soy free sub listed below)(heartweed say no to soy use the substitute below)
1 can (8 oz) of unsweetened pineapple slices cut up or chunks
In a skillet, cook chicken, carrot, and onion in oil until chicken is browned. Add the zucchini, snow peas, and green pepper. Cook and stir until vegetables are crisp tender.
In a bowl, combine sugar, cornstarch, pepper, and pineapple juice until smooth. Stir in ketchup, lemon juice, and soy sauce. Pour over chicken mixture. Add pineapple and bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve over cooked rice.
Soy Sauce Sub:
Combine 1.5 oz of balsamic vinegar, 4 oz of molasses, and 1 to 2 tsp of sugar. Store in the refrigerator.

Italian Chicken

Italian Chicken from All Natural Mom of 3
½ cup chopped onion
1 and 1/8 tsp paprika, divided
3 tsp olive oil, divided
1 ¼ cups of chicken broth (I use Pacific organic)
¼ cup tomato paste
1 bay leaf
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ cup gluten free flour (I used white rice flour, or use any GF flour blend)
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp dried oregano
1 ½ lbs chicken breasts cut into tenderloin sizes
1 ½ tsp grated parmesan cheese (optional)

In a small saucepan, sauté onion and 1/8 tsp of paprika in 1 tsp olive oil until tender. Stir in chicken broth, tomato paste, bay leaf, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large zip lock bag, combine the flour, parmesan cheese (if using), salt, garlic powder, oregano, and remaining 1 tsp of paprika. Add chicken and shake to coat. In a separate skillet, cook the chicken in 1 tsp of oil until cooked through. Remove bay leaf from tomato mixture and pour over chicken and serve. These are also really good as chicken tenders without the sauce.

I make this with Tinkyada GF spaghetti and sauce on the side. Tastes a little like parmesan chicken.

Why Gluten Free and What is Celiac's?

This is a quick overview of what Celiac disease is. There are so many symptoms and so many variations of the disease. One person may have several symptoms while someone else may have none. One person may have weight gain while another has weight loss. One may have diarrhea while another has constipation. Celiac disease is becoming more prevalent in our society as more foods our processed with grains. Although corn is not listed as grain below many Celiacs substitute their wheat for corn and continue having the same problems they have with wheat. In my opinion and it has been studied and documented, corn is not healthy. Corn is not the corn our grandparents were raised on. Most corn in the U.S. comes from GMO (made in the lab) it contains high concentrations of toxins. The way the corn is stored has increased micotoxins (poisons from fungus that can not be killed with heat). These micotoxins cause a wide range of health problems from heart disease, skin disorders, diabetes, to so many more.

There is a fairly quick, free simple test to test for gluten intolerance, Celiac disease. All you need to do is go off gluten for 2 weeks. Then add gluten foods back into your diet. How do you feel off of the gluten and how do you feel when you eat gluten? Feel bad when you it gluten? The simple treatment is don't eat gluten if it makes you feel bad! Check out the symptoms below, does it sound like you?

Most people who realize they are gluten intolerant have not been told by a doctor they have found out through simple elimination of foods they eat. Doctors are not trained in Nutrition, unfortunately (not including emergency doctors) the doctors training is merely matching the drug to the symptom not curing the cause.

Overview Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten and other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. Symptoms The symptoms of celiac disease can vary significantly from person to person. This is part of the reason the diagnosis is frequently delayed. For example, one person may have constipation, a second may have diarrhea, and a third may have no irregularity in stools. A partial listing of gastrointestinal symptoms: Abdominal pain Abdominal distention, bloating, gas, indigestion Constipation Decreased appetite (may also be increased or unchanged) Diarrhea, chronic or occasional Lactose intolerance (common upon diagnosis, usually goes away following treatment) Nausea and vomiting Stools that float, are foul smelling, bloody, or “fatty” Unexplained weight loss (although people can be overweight or of normal weight upon diagnosis) A partial listing of nonintestinal symptoms: Anemia (low blood count) Bone and joint pain Bone disease (osteoporosis, kyphoscoliosis, fracture) Breathlessness (due to anemia) Bruising easily Dental enamel defects and discoloration Depression Fatigue Growth delay in children Hair loss Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) Irritability and behavioral changes Malnutrition Mouth ulcers Muscle cramps Nosebleed Seizures Short stature, unexplained Skin disorders (dermatitis herpetiformis) Swelling, general or abdominal Vitamin or mineral deficiency, single or multiple nutrient (for example, iron, folate, vitamin K) Treatment You must follow a lifelong gluten-free diet. This allows the intestinal villi to heal. Eliminate foods, beverages, and medications that contain wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. You must read food and medication labels carefully to look for hidden sources of these grains.

GF Healthy Croutons

This recipe comes from a new facebook friend/ Celiac group. The Gig Harbor Gluten Free Group.

Take either a avacado diced up or Feta Cheese- place in a bag - coat with a HEALTHY oil then put in Trader Joe's Golden roasted whole flax seeds - coat them on all sides and top your salad with them. Yummy!

I know here in Georgia I can find Bob's Red Mill Golden Flax at our local Winn Dixie and Publix -I am sure they will work just as well. But this recipe sounds really good and how simple can you get. I bet Macadamia nut oil would be a great oil for this. Of course any healthy oil would work just fine.

Say NO to Soy

I would normally write this article on my other blog http://www.heartweeds.blogspot.com but I was just looking at a recipe that called for soy and thought I needed to mention it here. Soy has been labeled a miracle health source. I just wanted to put in my two cents : as a consumer who drank gallons of the stuff I have researched it throughly I would not put this in my body. I not only believe that it is not healthy but it is dangerous. So please skip the soy and look for substitutes like almond milk.

For more info follow this link http://www.mercola.com/article/soy/index.htm

There will also be a future more informative article on http://www.heartweeds.blogspot.com -it may be awhile there is so much information from post menopausal women to the dangers to unborn babies and the fact that this is not a staple food of the Asians.

What is arrowroot?

Arrowroot is made from the dried root of a tropical plant. It is a thickening agent that may be used in place of cornstarch. As a thickener, it can be used for soups, sauces and puddings. It has no flavor of its own and is the easiest starch to digest. Arrowroot is best used at the end of your cooking just before boiling, as continued heating will cause it to lose its thickening ability. It is also an excellent ingredient for gluten-free baking or breading.

Bob's Red Mill products labeled gluten free are batch tested in our quality control laboratory. We use an ELISA Gluten Assay test to determine if a product is gluten free.

Can be purchased at www.iherb.com

I requested that they add this product to their line of food products and I am pleased they granted my request cause this is a most important ingredient in gluten free cooking. Now I can get all my supplies at one place.Thanks iherb!

Bob's Vanilla Pudding

Vanilla Pudding

6 Tbsp. Bob's Red Mill Arrowroot Starch/Flour
4 cups Rice milk (I wonder if almond milk would work also)
1/2 cup Maple Syrup
pinch Salt
2 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg

Dissolve the Arrowroot in 1/4 cup of the milk and set aside. Combine the remaining milk, syrup and salt in a sauce pan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Add the arrowroot mixture and stir until mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and nutmeg. Pour into serving dishes and refrigerate until cold.

Sun dried tomato Dressing

From: Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., C.N.S.

1/2 cup sun dried tomato paste
2/3 cup virgin olive oil (the only kind)
2 T fresh basil
2 t capers
2 cloves garlic
2 T apple cider vinegar

Just blend and pour on.

She says you can also add a pinch of salt if you ae not watching your salt intake.

Lovin' some cheese straws.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup arrowroot (the recipe actually calls for cornstarch but I do not believe that anyone should be putting corn in their mouths -unless it is straight out of the garden, gmo free, ORGANIC)
• 1/3 cup potato starch
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum (or guar gum -a less expensive substitute works jsut as well)
• 1 pinch salt
• 3 tablespoons cream

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, combine and mix well, butter, cornstarch, potato starch, ground red pepper, xanthan gum, and salt.

3. 3

   Mixture will be crumbly.

4. 4

   Add cream and beat until smooth.

5. 5

   Add cheese and mix until dough is almost uniform in color.

6. 6

   Roll out or pat the dough to 1/4" thickness (unfloured surface).

7. 7

   If the dough is too sticky to work with, refrigerate it for a few minutes or so.

8. 8

   Cut into thin straws and place on a greased baking sheet.

9. 9

   Bake about 12 minutes.

Tip you can roll the dough between parchment paper.

Honey

I just found this yummy honey at Winn Dixie-to tell the truth Scott picked it up and I was skeptical because its not the clear amber fluid that I am use to. But I have been won over this white stuff is delicious, regular honey use to be so sweet it burned my throat but this is a smooth, creamy and it still sweetens just as well.

From their site:

Y.S. Organic Bee Farms is built on a foundation of four generations of hands-on beekeeping experience. We are the pioneer in certified organic beekeeping in North America, having been granted organic certification in 1995 after intense research and development for many years. Since then our organic commitment continues to the organic food industry and we maintain organic certification. As a result we have been the most long-standing and reputable national distributor of certified organic honey.

What makes your honey crystallize solid?

Where and what type of plants bees forage on will determine the nutrient level, crystallization, color, fragrance and taste. Y.S. beekeepers have the true knowledge of quality. The results produce a superior, energy packed (intense crystallization) honey with the highest possible levels of live enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healing agents as a functional food. Only truly raw state honey that has never been processed will crystallize with intensity and has full beneficial properties nature intended.

Beneficial Facts; Functional properties and health related applications

Antioxidant Activity: Known antioxidant compounds in natural sweetener to preserve food retarding deterioration, rancidity, and discoloration. The levels of antioxidants found in honey are similar to some fruits and vegetables weight for weight.
Athletic Performance: Honey is a great pre-workout energy source, aiding an athlete's endurance and helping the athlete's muscles recuperate following a race or workout.
Beauty Treatments: Honey is a natural humectant, which means it has the ability to attract and retain moisture. Try using honey in facial masks, bath oils, hair conditioners and more.
Prebiotic Properties: Help promote the growth and activity of bifidobacteria.
Other: Honey tastes sweeter than sugar, so less is needed to sweeten baked goods and beverages. Studies have shown that foods prepared with honey last longer and taste great.

Salt

When you see salt in a recipe I am currently using Morton's canning salt. There have been concerns raised about the dangers of possible mercury in sea salt. So when you see salt just remember Morton's canning salt found in the grocer aisle with the canning supplies. It is inexpensive and pure.

Agave Nectar

Is it good or is it bad. I love the recipes from Elana's pantry who swares by agave nectar but I love the health information I get from Dr. Mercola and Ann Louise Gittleman who say without a doubt that agave can be destructive to your health. I have got to say I don't like messing around with my health. I have posted Elana's recipes as she has written them with the agave nectar/syrup but I am not going to use agave but experiment with more natural sweeteners. Maybe honey, maple syrup, stevia can be used without weakening the integrity of the recipe. As I try them I will let ya know in the comments. Some recipes that I believe will work fine I have already substituted the agave with honey such as the sesame noodles. I have made small changes here and there such as the Celtic sea salt, Ann Louise says she worries about the mercury in sea salt and she recommends Morton's canning salt which can be found within the canning supplies at your local grocer. The noodles that Elana recommends have been discontinued-they were a gluten free lentil based noodle but I prefer the brown rice Tinkyada noodles which can be order online (I know Publix carries some shapes but not all). You can also order Lundberg Rice noodles online @ www.iherb.com ,the spaghetti noodles are $3.36 for a 10oz. box and their shipping is quite reasonable.

Gluten Free baking is the queen of substituting until you find something that works for you.

Elana's Sesame Noodles

Sesame Noodles

Fixings:
1 box gluten free spaghetti (Tinkyada Rice Pasta -my fav)
1 tablespoon oil(coconut, macedamia, or olive oil)
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1 carrot, shredded
1/4 cup cilantro, minced or parsley

Sauce:
1 cup creamy roasted almond butter
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons ume plum vinegar (sold at eden foods)
2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
¼ cup honey
¾ cup water
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt or Mortons canning salt

1. In a large pot, bring 3 quarts (12 cups) of water to vigorous boil, then add 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil and pasta
2. Reduce to slow boil, stirring frequently and cook uncovered 7-9 minutes, until pasta is tender
3. Drain pasta in a steel colander
4. In a one quart jar, combine almond butter, sesame oil, vinegars, agave, water and salt; mix well
5. Place pasta, cucumber and carrots in individual bowls
6. Drizzle with sesame sauce, sprinkle with cilantro and serve

Serves 4

You can also add scallions and broccoli to this dish as well as leftover chicken which gives it an extra hit of protein.

Elana's PB & Chocolate Cupcakes

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Chocolate Icing

½ cup creamy, roasted peanut butter (unsalted)
½ cup agave nectar
2 eggs
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ cup roasted peanuts (unsalted), chopped
½ cup dark chocolate chips 73% cacao

1. In a large bowl, with a hand blender, mix peanut butter, agave and eggs until creamy
2. Blend in salt and baking soda
3. Fold in peanuts and chocolate
4. Scoop batter one heaping ¼ cup at a time into paper lined cupcake tins
5. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes
6. Cool for 2 hours
7. Top with Vegan Chocolate Frosting
8. Serve

Jerry Bakers Garden Recipes

All-Season Tonics

Everywhere I go, folks want to know what the best tonics are for cleaning and greening up their yards. Well, here's how to make my amazing All-Season Tonics that'll turn your yard into a green grass paradise overnight.

All-Season Green-Up Tonic		All-Season Clean-Up Tonic
1 can of beer, 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of dishwashing liquid, 1/2 cup of liquid lawn food, and 1/2 cup molasses or corn syrup (Heartweed-I have also used just plain sugar)		1 cup of lemon dish detergent 1 cup of antiseptic mouthwash, and 1 cup of tobacco tea*
Mix all of the ingredients in a bucket, and pour into your 20 gallon hose-end sprayer. Apply to everything in your yard to the point or run-off every 3 weeks, in the morning, throughout the growing season.		Mix all of the ingredients in your 20 gallon hose-end sprayer, filling the balance of the sprayer jar with warm water. Apply to your entire yard to the point of run-off every 2 weeks, in the evening, to discourage insects and prevent disease.

*Tobacco Tea: To make tobacco tea, place half a handful of chewing tobacco in an old nylon stocking, and soak it in a gallon of hot water until the mixture is dark brown.

NOTE: So if ya see me around town buying beer and tobacco just know its for my GARDEN!!

Food Wash

Update since this posting: Clorox has changed, it is now concentrated and I haven't had time to research and find out what that means so I am currently using 1/4 cup hydrogen instead of Clorox or you can use apple cider vinegar. 

1 teaspoon of Clorox (it must be CLOROX brand -do buy the cheap stuff its not made the same-Clorox is made from sea water and is not the same as the scary stuff they tell us to stay away from with the water supply) to 1 gallon of water. Put foods in the bath for a designated period as below. Then remove the foods from the Clorox bath, place them in clear water for 10 minutes and rinse. Dry all foods thoroughly and store.

Leafy Vegetables 15 minutes
Root, thick-skinned, 30 minutes
or fibrous veggies
Thin-skinned fruits 30 minutes
Thick-skinned fruits 30 minutes
Poultry, fish, meat eggs 20 minutes

Trust me after using this method you will not want to go back to just eating straight out the package. The things the Clorox has pulled out of the food -yuck!

If Clorox just totally freaks you out then you can use 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide or apple cider vinegar.

Almond Flour online

http://store.honeyvillegrain.com/blanchedalmondflour5lb.aspx

A five lb bag of almond flour costs 29.99 +4.99 shipping =34.98

Why almond flour?

For me its gluten free. Almond flour is highly nutritious, easy to use.Low on glycemic index, high in protein, low in carbohydrates and low in sugars.

Elana's Pantry Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting

1 ½ cups blanched almond flour
½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ tablespoon cinnamon
3 eggs
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
¼ cup agave nectar
1 ½ cups carrots, grated
½ cup pecans, chopped

1. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon
2. In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, oil and agave
3. Stir carrots and pecans into wet ingredients
4. Stir wet ingredients into dry
5. Scoop a heaping ¼ cup batter into lined muffin tins
6. Bake at 325° for 18 to 22 minutes
7. Cool to room temperature and spread with creamy cream cheese frosting


Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting

4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
3 tbsp agave nectar
3 tbsp heavy cream
1. To make frosting combine cream cheese and agave in a medium bowl until well blended
2. Whip in heavy cream until frosting is nice and thick

Ya know those nose strips!

To clean out pores try this homemade nose strip.

1 T. Knox gelatin

1 1/2 T milk

mix -heat till slightly warm

Apply to the nose and chin area with a cosmetic brush (wash brush right away)

Allow to dry for 10-15 minutes until stiff and then peel off.

Cinnamon Swirl Coffee Scrub

This scrub is useful to decrease cellulite, varicose veins and to invigorate the skin.

2 cups (caffeinated) fresh coffee grounds (organic would be preferable- the skin can absorb toxins)

1/2 cup raw sugar or sea salt or Morton's Canning salt

2-3 T of a good quality light oil such as almond, olive oil.

1 t. cinnamon

Mix all together and store in an airtight container.

Use as a scrub in the shower and rinse clean with warm water.

Check comments for why this works and more info.

Carrot Kugel

5-6 cups chopped carrots (approximately 2lbs)
¼ cup honey
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon orange rind
3 eggs
¼ cup almond flour

1. Cook carrots in a steamer until soft, about 20 minutes
2. Blend carrots, agave, cinnamon, orange rind, eggs and almond flour until smooth in blender or food processor.
3. Place mixture in a greased 8" square glass baking pan
4. Bake at 350° for 1 hour, until browned around the edges and done in the center
5. Serve warm out of the oven, or allow to cool, then refrigerate overnight and serve cold

Where to buy ingredients?

I know that some of these items might be hard to find at your local grocer but it is getting easier. Publix carries a nice line and online nothing beats www.iherb.com. I like the brands Bob's Red Mill and Now Foods.

Gluten Free Sandwich Bread

Gluten Free Sandwich Bread

1 ½ cups almond flour
¾ cup arrowroot powder
¼ cup flax seed meal
½ teaspoon sea salt or Morton Canning Salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
4 eggs
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1. In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, arrowroot, flax meal, salt and baking soda
2. In a larger bowl, blend eggs 3-5 minutes until frothy
3. Stir agave and vinegar into eggs
4. Mix dry ingredients into wet
5. Pour batter into a well greased 7.5" x 3.5" loaf pan
6. Bake at 350º for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean
7. Cool and serve

Makes 1 medium sized loaf of gluten-free bread

Coconut Pudding

This incredibly easy pudding recipe is best served hot and fresh.

1 can coconut milk
1 egg yolk
3 or 4 tablespoons almond flour
A bit of maple syrup or honey

Stir yolk, flour, and honey/syrup together to form a paste. Using a small pan, heat it over medium heat for one minute. Add the milk and turn the heat up. Once it starts boiling, stir continuously to get all the lumps out. Once it’s smooth, turn off the heat and serve. A few berries, nuts, or banana slices go well with this. Maybe add a drop or two of vanilla, or even a pinch of cinnamon.

Coconut Crusted Chicken

This doesn't even require an ingredient list. Simply take your chicken pieces (or shrimp, or fish), season them with salt and pepper, dunk them in an egg bath (just scrambled up raw egg), then dredge them in coconut flour, then back in the egg bath, and then coat with dried coconut flakes. After that, it’s just a matter of frying them in oil (use coconut) or sautéing them in some butter. Crunchy, delicious, and low-carb.

I am not talking about the coconut flakes we normally use in the South -white flaky bits with cornstarch and sugar. I am talking about real coconut flakes. I believe that you can get them at Publix -Bob's Red Mill. Also on line at vitacost. It is a totally different taste and much more nutritional.

Coconut Bread

Slightly sweet and fairly light.

Ingredients:

6 eggs
1/2 cups ghee, butter or coconut oil
1-2 tablespoon honey, depending on taste
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup coconut flour

Method:
Preheat your oven to 350. Whisk it all together, or blend in a food processor until all lumps are gone. Grease a bread pan with butter or coconut oil and pour your batter in. Bake for 40 minutes.