Keeping the Holiday Splurge Urge in Check

If you're anything like me, and I'm sure you are... the Thanksgiving bounty has left you feeling as bloated as the Macy's parade balloons. Too much of a good thing can sometimes be... well... too much! As good as I tried to behave I indulged in treats and dishes we don't normally eat, and like a fool I paid little or no attention to the fact that the foods I was eating were NOT allergy free. I'm thankful that my allergies do not cause anaphylactic symptoms or hives... they cause digestive upset and inflammation. I suppose I've just lived with it for so long that sometimes I just don't care what the consequences are... until later that night or the next day when I'm miserable.

So, now enough of the complaining. What am I going to do to make sure this doesn't happen again at Christmas, or New Years, or any other food-centric event? I could kid myself and say I'm just going to eat carrot sticks and lettuce leaves... no allergens there, but that's just not realistic. Not to mention it will most likely lead me to binge later. It's obvious I made some typical mistakes, so here are some tips to help keep the splurge urge in check.

First of all, if you're hosting the event then there is no reason to not have foods available that you can eat, but  if you're like most people, you'll be heading over to someone else's house for the holiday festivities. My major mistake this Thanksgiving was not taking control of some aspect of my meal. Don't do what I did. Have a conversation with your host, and be honest with your dietary needs. I don't believe in making it their responsibility to provide acceptable foods for you, but offer to bring a dish or two that you can eat. That way you'll at least have something there that's OK for you. If there's a traditional dish that you just know you're going to have trouble avoiding... research some alternatives. Rework the recipe with ingredients that are acceptable for you. Take control.

I realize that sometime the host is someone we don't know, and there will be situations where you can't control the food being served. My advice in those situations are to find out as much as you can about the foods being served, be smart about the foods you do choose to eat, and if nothing else... eat before you go.

The bottom line is we're all going to come across some irresistible food this holiday season, whether it's mom's special dish that she only makes once a year or a killer recipe someone is just dying for you to try. Don't sabotage yourself, be honest about your needs, and go with a plan.

Frustration!

It's been a while since I've posted. Being back in the full swing at work is a big part of why I haven't been around, but another reason... and quite possibly the biggest driving force for my avoidance of the site is all the SPAM comments I've been getting. It's frustrating, but I just had to remind myself that while I'm happy to share information with everyone, my ultimate purpose here is to chronicle my journey to health. I guess I just needed some perspective.

Fruit Pouches

I am in love with these little guys! My husband and I found Buddy Fruits this summer while preparing snacks for vacation. I wanted to have healthy options available that were hassle free. Since then we've tried a few different brands, and I have to say, they're all really good! The most surprising flavor favorite was Mashups' Orange, Carrot, Mango. The beautiful thing about all of these products is they're not only easy & hassle free, but more importantly, they're made with a conscience! They are all 100% real fruit... no added sugars, colors, flavors, or fillers. Each of these companies believe in providing healthy alternatives without the added "yuck" that some other products use. They're obviously marketed towards kids, but my husband and I keep them on hand to throw in our lunch. They travel well and do not require any utensils. Oh yeah... and they're allergy free (provided you do not have a specific fruit allergy). These little gems are a keeper!

Buddy Fruit

GoGo Squeez

Mashups

Allergy Free Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Adapted from the Rachael Ray Show. The site includes a video clip showing how to make these.

Ingredients
1 pound ground white meat chicken
1/2 small onion, grated
2 cloves garlic, grated
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), for drizzling
2 tablespoons margarine
1/2 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s)
3 scallions, green and white parts thinly sliced
Store-bought, dairy free ranch dressing for dipping
A couple of handfuls celery sticks
A couple of handfuls carrot sticks

Directions

Preheat oven to 400ºF. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with the onion, garlic and parsley, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Flatten out the meat in the bowl and score it into four portions using the side of your hand. Shape each portion into four balls – you should have sixteen meatballs in total. Arrange the meatballs on a nonstick sheet pan and drizzle them with EVOO. Place in the oven and bake until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown, about 10-12 minutes. While the meatballs are baking, melt the margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the hot sauce and whisk to combine. Toss the baked meatballs in the hot sauce to coat. Transfer the meatballs to a serving platter and spike each one with a toothpick or serving fork. Place the dressing in a small serving bowl and garnish with scallions. Serve the meatballs with the dressing, celery and carrot sticks alongside.

Allergy Friendly Halloween Candy *UPDATED*

Halloween is right around the corner. It's time for ghosts and goblins, creepy crawlies and candy! Who doesn't love candy? I've been known to have the occasional sweet tooth. Ok... so maybe it's more honest to say I live with a constant sweet tooth. Whether you have food sensitivities, have a child with them, or just want to have an allergy friendly option for those who do here are some links that might be helpful. These sites provide lists of gluten free and allergy free candies for Halloween. Happy Haunting!

About.com Gluten Free Candy - Updated for September 2012
Gluten Free Nut Free Dairy Free Halloween Candy List - Updated 2012
gfreelife.com - Updated 2012
Sure Foods Living - Updated 2011
My Gluten Facts - Updated 2011
Celiac.com - Update 2011
Dairy Free Candies

As new lists become available for the 2012 Halloween season I'll be sure to update!

Pumpkin Fluff Recipe

This recipe is from All Recipes.

This is one of my favorite fall treats. It's quick, easy, and not too heavy. I normally make this recipe with prepared pudding instead of just adding the powdered mix to the pumpkin and whipped topping. There's just one problem... if you're sensitive to dairy, most pudding mixes will not set with any milk other than real milk. Jell-O brand says on their website that you can make the cooked pudding with soy milk, but the consistency will be thick. It's all rather frustrating if you ask me. Let's hope this recipe is just as tasty and works well!

You serve this as a dip with graham crackers, ginger snaps, or any other cookie of your choice. I'm going to try it with some allergy free ginger snaps or vanilla cookies. Can't wait! Enjoy!

Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Directions
In a large bowl, mix together instant vanilla pudding mix, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Fold in the thawed frozen whipped topping. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.

Gluten Free Donuts

As fall nears and we welcome back cooler temperatures my thoughts drift towards comfort foods that traditionally are not very allergy friendly. I have found something that has me excited and hopeful! The Bob's Red Mill site offers recipes that utilize their products. I was hoping to find something different to make with the GF Pancake Mix I have, and I did! Here's a recipe taken from the BRM site for donuts! I plan on modifying the recipe slightly by adding chopped apples and cooking them up like fritters. Enjoy

Gluten Free Donuts


A gluten free recipe to use with the Babycakes Donut Maker. This recipe was not tested by Bob's Red Mill. Gluten Free, Lactose Free, Low Cal, Low Fat.

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups GF PANCAKE MIX
1-1/4 cups Water
1-1/2 Tbsp Oil
1 Egg
1/4 cup Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla

Directions
Combine all ingredients well to make donut batter. Pour batter into donut molds and cook until toothpick comes out clean, about 5-7 min. Cool donuts on a wire rack and top with powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, or an icing of your choice.

Serves 8.

Notes
3 mini donuts is 1 serving.
Be sure donut maker is completely preheated.
Cook time is per batch.

Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Review

I finally made something with my Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix that I received from Bob's Red Mill. My husband and I had been craving cupcakes, so that's exactly what I made. I have to say, this mix makes a very tasty, chocolaty, cake. I used rice milk and egg substitute and my cupcakes came out moist and delicious! The package does directions for an egg free option using ground flax seed, but since I didn't have that I just stuck with my egg beaters (I can handle egg whites better than yolk, so this option works for me). I definitely recommend this mix and will certainly buy it again!

Getting the Right Nutrients Allergy Free

Having to eliminate certain foods from my diet causes me to worry that I'm getting the right nutrients. Admittedly, I'm still not as disciplined as I need to be about avoiding my trigger foods, but even still... I know I don't eat enough of the right foods. I recently found an article from kidswithfoodallergies.org that outlines some of the common food allergies, the nutrients those foods provide, and some alternative foods that contain those nutrients.

11 Nutrition Myths That Can Cause Weight Gain

Here's an interesting article from Shape.com. Some of the very things many of us believe to help spur weight loss could actually be causing us to pack on the pounds!