My Food Journey

Hey friends!
It has been way too long since I have posted. I apologize.

I have recently begun a journey to determine food sensitivities. My Naturopath gave me a 7-day Detox diet. I don't know if you have ever done one, but I actually felt GREAT!

I followed this up with a Food Allergies & Elimination Diet.
Click here to order the awesome e-book.

How it works: 
You stop eating many foods that commonly cause reactions. After 3 weeks, you begin reintroducing food groups - one at a time. You document any reactions.

My journey:
I began this adventure with eagerness. My kids were even supportive... "Mama, can you have this? Maybe someday you can again." As summer was approaching, I looked forward to lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, complemented with almond butter, rice crackers, quinoa, etc.

After awhile, discouragement set in. I know many people who are gluten-sensitive, and most can have potatoes and corn. Both of these are not allowed during this process- so I had to get more creative. Then, I began having reactions to the food that I was supposed to be eating.... lettuce, pea pods, carrots- well, almost all vegetables. This was followed by a reaction to almonds.

To make a long story short, I am still in the "Reintroduction" phase. My diet is fairly limiting at this point.

The best part: I still feel great!!!

At first, I assumed I would find sensitivities to a couple food groups, adapt, and add the others back in. Now, after growing weary of rice cakes, (which I actually DO like!) I must come to terms with the fact that I might have to eliminate several food groups long term.

So begins the next adventure.... searching for recipes (especially to feed my sweet tooth) that are gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, soy-free, almond-free.

So, stay tuned. Come July, I hope to begin posting some of the new recipes.

In the meantime, feel free to pass along recipes, blogs, resources that you have used or heard about. I already have found a few favorites and just ordered a cookbook. I am looking forward to experimenting!!

Chicks, Eggs & Bunnies

Well- if you want some fun and easy treats for your Easter season.... try this:

Bunny in Eclipse Tray

Chick in Eclipse Tray

Eggs in Egg Tray

The Eclipse Tray and Egg Tray are available this month (limited time!)

Fill your tray with your favorite cake, brownie, or even cookie mix.

Bunny in Eclipse Tray

Use frosting, sprinkles, pretzels and other toppings to create these fun Bunnies, Chicks and Eggs.

Chick in Eclipse Tray

Note:
I do have step by step directions available to all attendees of a home show this month.

So call me and get one on the calendar!

Deep Hearts!

I have enjoyed using my Deep Heart Tray for many things this season:

Sugary Cupcakes....

How to:
1. Cakes: Make cupcakes of your choice in the Deep Heart Tray.
               (Box mix works fine.)
                Chill in fridge for best frosting results.

2. Sugars: used store-bought colored sugars or make your own.
To make: Place sugar in a baggie.(refined or the "raw" sugar is a little bigger. Coconut works too!)
               Put a few drops of food coloring in the bag.
               Seal the bag.
               Smoosh (technical term) with your hands until mixed.
               Place in a small bowl.

3. Frosting: Place pre-made frosting in a small bowl.
              (I used store-bought- not my norm!!)
             Melt in Microwave for 15 seconds or so- until melted.

4. Assemble: Take chilled Heart cake.
             Dip in melted frosting
             Dip in colored sugar or coconut
             Set on cooling rack until frosting is set.

Jello Jigglers - filled about half full.

Other ideas for the Deep Heart Tray:    
        Meat loaf
        Brownies! (They work in every shape!!)
        Rice Krispie Treats
        Baked Pancakes
        Muffins
        Chilies Rellenos/ Egg Quiche
        Chapagne Salad (frozen strawberry salad)
        Ice cubes
        Ice Cream Heats

Long Time

It has been a long time since I have updated. So much for my once a week goal!!! I won't give up!

I thought some of you would find this amusing....

This is Jesus' Family Tree a la Brownies!!

My Foundations Class challenged me to make a visual of the genealogy found in
Matthew 1. The girl can't pass up a challenge like that!!

So I started with Abraham & Sarah...

                                                                  ... and ended with Joseph, Mary & JESUS!

I used the Little Chefs Tray.

Good times!

Coupons & Demarle Pans match up

Hey all-
I just went down the baking aisle at Safeway and found this AMAZING coupon book:

There are a handful of Safeway brand coupons, but most are for national brands. AND..... MOST of them are things I actually buy!!!!! LOVE IT!!!

Here are some of the featured products linked to what Demarle pans might coincide. Click on the pan name to see it.
Crescent rolls - Silpat
Italian Bread - Silform Bread Tray
Bisquick - Baked pancakes in the Teddy Bear Tray
Brownie mix- Mini Muffin Tray
Dryers Ice cream- Ice Cream Cake in Large Round or Rectangular Tart
Puff Pastry Sheets- Silpat
Cake mix- Bundt Mold or Deep Flexipat (Jelly roll style)
Salsa- Crustless Quiche in Sunflower Mold or Square Savarin Tray
Breaded chicken strips- Silpat
Chocolate chips & condensed milk- Fudge in Petit-Four Tray or Mini- Charlotte Tray

Items you WON'T use in your Demarle Pan-
Non-stick cooking spray- remember: Demarle pans are naturally Nonstick!!!
Microwave Popcorn- Much cheaper and healthier to make Microwave Kettle Corn in the Large Round Mold with the Octagonal Silpat.

So.... get out there, stock up your pantry and pull out your Demarle pans!!!

Gluten Free Pumpkins

So- I went ahead and tried to shake up the recipe for the Gluten Free Banana Cake.... 

Introducing: Gluten Free Pumpkins!

I just substituted Pumpkin for the Bananas.
And added some "Pumpkin Pie Spice" - cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves.
Easy Peasy.  (Click HERE for link to the banana recipe.)

I mixed it up and poured it into the Petal Tray (one of my favorites!!!)

Baked about 20 minutes. (I think! Until slightly browning on the top.)

 After removing them from the tray, I placed them on my Roul'Pat 

                                                   (on special the month of October 2010!)

Next, I made stems for my little punkins! 

I just purchased a pack of caramels and sliced each one in half.

I use my Demarle Difference Paring Knife- slices right through!

I took each caramel piece and shaped it with my fingers... 

                stretching it out a little and curving it just a tad. 

Then, I whipped up a quick glaze..... 

      powdered sugar, milk, vanilla (or whatever sounds good to you!)

If you want it show up more, 

   you can choose more of a frosting or a caramel sauce or even white chocolate ganache! 

 (ooooh... What about taking those cinnamon chips and making ganache with that? yum!)

I drizzled each pumpkin with glaze and pushed a stem into the center. 

They were a big hit- even with the gluten-eating crowd!

Happy Fall!!!

Gluten Free Banana Almond Cake

I promised I would share the recipe for the awesome gluten-free cake I made....

Gluten Free Banana Almond Bundt Cake.... yum!

It was so moist and delicious.
You know how many gluten free recipes taste, well, gluten free? This was tasted amazing! The bananas added great texture and the almond flavor was a great addition.

Well- here is the scoop:
I got the recipe from a great website Gluten Free Goddess.

Check out her site (click HERE) for lots of great information and recipes. 

I am thinking about replacing the bananas with some of the zucchini that is overflowing my garden. I will let you know how it goes.

I wonder if it would work with pumpkin.... hmmmm. I better get baking!



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