Yogurt anyone?

Dairy free, of course! I am about to attempt my first batch of homemade dairy free yogurt (recipe courtesy of The Spunky Coconut). I have my brand spanking new yogurt maker ready and I will post pictures and results tomorrow!!!

A call to action

In lieu of a regular blog post, I would like to take the opportunity to bring a little more attention to the crisis in Somalia. In less than 3 weeks...3 WEEKS...Somalia is going to run out of food. How does that even happen in this day and time? How can WE let it happen? Children are dying every single day from starvation because there has been such a severe drought that there is no food left for the people of Somalia.

So now, I challenge each and everyone of you to join the ONE campaign to help bring awareness and remind the leadership of the world that despite what they may believe we are ONE world and we need to help each other.

Also, I challenge you to DONATE whatever amount you can to help the families of Africa.

Lastly, I challenge you to challenge your friends and family to join the campaign and donate to the people of Africa. If we all give a small amount, imagine what a difference we could make!

Time out

This weekend was the tax-free shopping weekend here in TN and I had planned on locking myself up in my apartment until it was over, however, my sister had other plans for me! Yesterday she invited me out with her and the kiddos for a little back to school shopping. Not one to pass up time with the niece and nephew, I decided to venture out into the land of the crazies. And of course it happened to be pouring down rain the entire day. Their was laughter, tears, fun, and at some point during the day I managed to pull a muscle in back. So, I've been camped out on the couch since yesterday afternoon not really able to move, let alone cook, so I've been eating a lot of Amy's meals and quinoa pasta...and veggie chips.

I'm starting to go a little stir crazy, however, so I am wanting to try and make these for breakfasts and snacks for next week. I don't have the quinoa flakes, though, so I will just be using my baking mix...might be a disaster!

I'm melting....

Holy lord was it H-O-T today. Seriously. I'm talking 106 degrees hot (and that was at 5 o'clock as I was leaving work)!!! On a day like today you just want a big ice cream cone! Well, I feel like I had a little break through with the dairy. As soon as I thought of eating an ice cream cone I felt sick to my stomach...so I got a big glass of ice water instead and felt so much better! Also, one of my patients made a cake today and, although it smelled delicious, I really didn't feel like eating any (which is unheard of for me). 

So I CANNOT wait for this to get here! I miss yogurt and I can't wait to make this recipe from The Spunky Coconut. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Sidebar: I love Chelsea Handler. Chelsea Lately has quickly become one of my favorite shows, and I love Chuy. The dude, not the restaurant.

(She) was born in the summer of (her) 27th year...

Wise words from the legendary John Denver (somewhat tweaked). Though I won't be making a trek to the Rocky Mountains and feel the high that John was talking about, I feel as if this summer has been a kind of "rebirth". And though I am certain that this new life I am beginning is the solution, I know it is not going to be easy. I find it so bizarre how many people are saying "Good Luck" when I tell them I've begun a gluten and dairy free life. It's almost as if they expect me to "fail". This isn't something I can fail.

Now to go have some coconut milk ice cream and watch bad tv :)

-H

Shark Week

In honor of Shark Week, I decided to make this recipe from The Spunky Coconut. I love Hawaiian pizza, and I figure there are sharks in Hawaii, so bada-bing bada-boom, Hawaiian quesadillas! Instead of making the tortilla I used a pre-made brown rice tortilla, added oregano, and nixed the hot sauce.

A new find...Daiya vegan cheese. It melts well, tastes like actual cheese (which is a nice change).

Next on the agenda tonight: baking gluten free chocolate chip cookies while watching the Bachelorette and of course, Shark Week :)

Something I am quickly discovering is that this new lifestyle involves a crap load of cooking/baking. AND everything seems to be twice as expensive. If anyone has any budget tips/ meal planning pointers then, please, help a sister out. My stomach, and bank account, thank you!



On a side note...just found out that one of my favorite bands is in Nashville doing a little songwriting. Fingers crossed I run into them at some point!!!! :)

-H

The beginning...

Here starts my journey. A self proclaimed lover of bread, pasta, milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice-cream is going gluten and dairy free. Why in the world would a person do this to themselves, you may ask? Well, it all starts about 4 years ago when I started having a lot (and I mean, A LOT) of stomach issues. Don't worry, I won't go into details, just know it was painful and miserable. My oldest sister was having similar problems and had just found out that she had a multitude of food sensitivities including gluten and dairy. She suggested that I begin by removing dairy from my diet as dairy is one of the most common allergens. I did a two week trial elimination and, VOILA!, I felt so much better! Over the past 4 years I have started to reintroduce dairy into my diet with varying results. After much deliberation (and to be honest, a farewell Cappuccino Blast) I have decided to say adios to dairy for good.

Now for the gluten. This part is more of a trial elimination. Because I have a family history (thanks, JJ) of the gluten sensitivity, I have decided it is worth trying.

This blog will follow my path in this new lifestyle. I'll be posting recipes, tips, brands, and maybe even sidebars that are just for fun! I hope you all enjoy and if you have any tips, feel free to share!