Gluten-Free, Grain-Free Pumpkin Muffins

 Since learning my Vitamin A was low, I have consciously added high Vitamin A foods into my diet on a daily basis: Carrot Juice, Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli, and my all time favorite - PUMPKIN! Pumpkin is one of the very healthiest sources of Vitamin A. It's also high in Fiber and contains zero cholesterol. Pumpkin is a healthy choice for those with diabetes or anyone living on a Gluten-Free diet. Celiacs should note that Vitamin A interacts with Vitamin D, and that it helps us absorb protein  better. So - enjoy more high Vitamin A foods and start reaping the health benefits!

My mom and I used the XO Baking Co. all-purpose Gluten-Free flour for this recipe, 

and it turned out FAB-U-LOUS!

Gluten-Free, Grain-Free Pumpkin Muffins

1 - 16 oz can of pumpkin (or 2 cups 100% pumpkin)

1 cup melted butter

4 eggs 

3 cups XO Baking Co. All Purpose Flour Blend

2 to 2 1/2 cups of white, granulated sugar 

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. pink salt

1 tablespoon ground allspice

1 tablespoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons cinnamon

Blend all ingredients with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes.

Bake at 350-375 for about 15-20 minutes or until a fork comes out clean.

This recipe makes about 24 muffins. Happy Baking! 

♥ Christie 

Gluten-Free Girls Need Red Apple Lipstick!

For us Gluten-Free girls, it's a little more difficult to shop for makeup, because we have to make sure all of our cosmetics are GF as well! Thankfully, a lot of companies are developing some amazing GF make-up products. This week I got to try this fabulous lipstick from Red Apple Lipstick - a company who's products are all GF, Soy-Free, Lead-Free, Enriched with VITAMIN E (woo-hoo!) and Paraben-Free. It is definitely the highest quality GF Lipstick I have found. It's safe and 100% non-toxic. One of the reasons I love being gluten-free, is it has made me more aware of toxins in popular brands of makeup. Since going GF, I've been on the look-out for safe, quality GF brands of make-up, and I have to say that Red Apple is one of my new favorites!

If you're looking for a lip color that feels great and lasts all day long.....

Red Apple Lipstick is it!

Red Apple Lipstick comes in TONS of colors..........from Berries to Peaches, Nudes, Plums, and Reds...I cannot wait to try out more colors! 

In this pic I'm wearing Red Apple Lipstick in Strawberry :) 

I also love Red Apple's Raylee Balm  - the secret to "ending chapped lips forever" with it's high content of Vitamin E and Castor Oil. You can put it on over or under your lip color, or use by itself. It will keep you lips smooth and moisturized all day long!

Go to REDAPPLELIPSTICK.COM and order some today - you will love it!

Have a BeAuTiFuL Gluten-Free week! ♥ Christie

Paleo Gluten-Free Chicken Salad with Grapes

You'll LOVE this one.......easy to make, and fabulously delicious. 

Gluten-Free / Paleo Chicken Salad with Grapes 

 Ingredients:

3 cups GF cooked chicken, diced 

1 1/2 cups red grapes, sliced

1 cup finely chopped celery

1/2 cup slivered almonds (optional)

Sea Salt & Pepper to Taste

Trader Joe's Real Mayonnaise 

Romaine Lettuce / Cabbage

Mix together all ingredients an then place on a bed of romaine lettuce and cabbage. 

It's great as a main or side-dish!

♥ Christie 

Gluten-Free Paleo Turkey Avocado Salad

What's for lunch? This simple & delicious salad! You're welcome ;) 

Romaine Lettuce

A few slices of GF Turkey - chopped up

1/2 a cucumber - sliced

1 small avocado - sliced 

Plenty of Sea Salt to taste

Honey Mustard dressing (raw honey + organic mustard + lots of black pepper)

ENJOY!

♥ Christie 

A Gluten-Free Birthday!

This past week I celebrated my 32nd birthday ~ and my 7th year of being Gluten-Free! 

Since I've been doing the grain-free / Paleo thing, we decided to make a pie using the XO Baking Co. Sugar Cookie Mix for the crust. It turned out fabulously delicious! (It probably a little too much  sugar to be considered "Paleo" - but it was my b-day, so let me live a little!)

I LOVE our local grown strawberries this time of year. 

And since my pie was too pretty to put candles in, we decided to light some glutenous hot dog buns on fire instead! (Take that gluten!) I hope my three wishes come true! ;) I have a feeling they will...

Later in the week I celebrated with four of my best friends at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. They are full of GF options- and if you're going Paleo like me, you can enjoy some chicken and veggies, a fresh salad, or one of their giant baked potatoes with plenty of bacon! 

Cheers to another year of being Gluten-Free! Let's make it a good one for all of us... :) 

♥ Christie 

Out with the Bad, In with the Good....

If you've been gluten-free for a while now, and are still not feeling better....suffering from multiple food intolerances, excess fatigue, or a "foggy" feeling - chances are you are dealing with some unresolved intestinal issues. 

From my own experience, whenever I start feeling a little "off" again - it's usually because my gut flora is out of whack. Maybe I'm eating too much sugar and carbs, or have been too stressed out. Whatever the "cause" of it - I have learned how to quickly bounce back and that is by getting rid of the bad, and putting the good back in. 

One of my favorite supplements for getting rid of the bad stuff is Wormwood Combination from Kroeger Herb. It contains black walnut leaf, wormwood, quassia, cloves, and male fern root. These herbs have been shown to help aid in the elimination of any intestinal parasites - which are much more common than people think! A lot of bacteria can be picked up from eating foods like raw sushi or unpasteurized dairy products - and so it's always a good idea to do a cleanse from time to time. This supplement runs around ten or twelve bucks, and lasts for 2 weeks. I would suggest taking it for a whole two weeks, depending on how you're feeling. Ask you holistic nutritionist what would work best for you! There are some possible risks in taking a product containing wormwood, so be cautious! However, I have never had any issues when using this product on a short-term basis.

Remember that it's equally important to replenish the "good stuff" in our systems! My absolute FAVORITE Probiotic Supplements are from the Garden of Life Brand. They contain over 32 probiotic strains as well as raw fruit, veggie, and enzymes blends. The only downside is that they are quite expensive. Whole Foods usually sells these for about $40.00 - some local shops sell them for a bit less. Although they are pricey, forty bucks a month is definitely worth it in the long run for better health! I am NEVER without my probiotics -and if I stop taking them, I immediately feel the difference. I highly recommend that EVERY Celiac take Probiotics indefinitely - since many of our issues started because of antibiotics. We need to continuously replenish the "good stuff" in our systems. Probiotics also help your body utilize B-Vitamins, which are commonly low in Celiacs.

Disclaimer: I am no doctor (even though I think I know more about Celiac than most of them ;) Talk with your health care provider if you wish before trying any of these supplements. Or, just take it from me - they will make you feel GREAT in no time!

Have a fabulous Gluten-Free Weekend!

♥ Christie 

Gluten-Free Paleo Waffle Sandwich

One of the difficult things about going Paleo is finding a good bread for sandwiches! The Paleo breads on the market aren't too tasty....and so I'm working on my own recipe for bread using the XO Baking Company All-Purpouse Flour. But in the meantime - I'm enjoying sandwiches made from my Paleo waffles! Just throw a couple of these in the toaster, add any fixings you like....and BAM! You've got a tasty sandwich.

Fresh & Easy Yellow Mustard... Mmmmm!

Trader Joe's Real Mayo - made with egg whites, canola oil, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice.

I also love adding GF turkey or ham, sea salt, pepper, and fresh romaine lettuce.

Hope you enjoy.. :)
Happy Tuesday!
♥ Christie 

Gluten-Free & Green

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

I'm all about being GREEN - reducing, reusing, and recycling! I also love EATING green - and I can't emphasize enough how important and vital it is to eat your GREENS! Whether you are Gluten-Free or not, make it a goal to too add more greens to your diet. I truly believe that without them, we can't fully enjoy the benefits of good health. 

Some of my favorite GREENS are:

Broccoli - an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and Folate. It contains several phyto-nutrients that help protect and prevent cancers and detox the body. Add a portion of lightly steamed broccoli to your lunch or dinner - and start reaping the health benefits! 

Kale - a true "superfood" is high in Vitamins K and A, fiber, and contains more iron than beef. High in Vitamin C and Calcium. One of the most powerful anti-inflammatory foods. Many people add Kale to their protein drinks. Add some fruit and you won't even notice its bitter taste. 

Cucumbers - a good source of Vitamins, C, K, and Potassium. It is also one of the highest water-containing veggies, at 95% water. So "eat your water" and stay hydrated with cucumbers! I eat cucumber slices with lemon and sea salt all the time - it's one of my favorite snacks, and keeps me feeling good and energized! 

Green Bell peppers - great source of B1, Niacin, Folate, and Magnesium. Excellent source of Fiber. 

Stuff your bell peppers for dinner, or just eat some slices with dip for a healthy snack!

All GREEN veggies contain CHLOROPHYLL -  aka "the blood of green plants" which has numerous health benefits including: Liver detoxification, increased energy, cleansing the digestive tract, freshening breath, aids mold elimination from the body, and helps treat anemia. 

I am also a fan of drinking chlorophyll - aka "the elixir of the gods." My friends from pH Miracle sent me this "gluten-free green goodness." ;0) hahaha. 

Need more reasons to eat your greens? Read more about Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies at GlutenFreeWorks.com. 

Have a fabulous GREEN week!

♥ Christie 

Gluten-Free, Grain-Free Snickerdoodles

I made some snicker-doodle cookies for my piano students the other day, and they were a hit! I used this mix from the XO Baking Company. It's made with Coconut and Cassava Flours. 

Just follow the recipe for Classic Sugar Cookies, but add a few dashes of cinnamon into the mix and then roll each cookie into cinnamon and sugar before baking. They bake at 350 for just about ten minutes -and come out perfectly soft and chewy. You can bake a little longer if you prefer crunchy cookies. One batch will make about 30 small cookies. 

Have a Happy Gluten-Free Weekend!

♥ Christie 

Will Gluten-Free Work for you?

The most difficult thing for me is seeing friends and family who have some of the same symptoms I had during the ten+ years before my diagnosis, and yet they are getting negative tests back from their doctors, so they won't go Gluten-Free. They are being told by their doctors that dietary intervention won't work, and that what they need is more medication. This is so frustrating  - because I'm someone who has LIVED through this - and know that the 

only way to truly know if gluten-free work is to TRY IT! 

I had several tests come back negative for food intolerance in my early 20s. My symptoms worsened to the point where I demanded more tests done at age 26, and sure enough, they were finally positive. However, even at my Celiac diagnosis my doctor told me that I would be OK eating wheat once a month. I quickly learned that that was NOT the case. She also told me to "just eat rice" - and failed to test or talk about the various nutrient deficiencies I might have as a consequence of the intestinal damage. I later found through Spectra Cell Laboratories testing that I had severe Vitamin A and Chromium deficiencies, along with deficiencies in many of the B Vitamins, Selenium, and Lipoic Acid. Our bodies are made up of nutrients - vitamins and minerals - so why don't our doctors test for deficiencies in these? I never thought that my body was deficient in Prozac, or Zantac, and especially not Xanax -- these drugs only worsened the hell I was already going through. The only thing that finally worked - was going 100% GLUTEN-FREE, and replenishing the nutrients that my body needed to function correctly. 

Will going Gluten-Free WORK for you? TRY IT. 

I work for GlutenFreeWorks.com, a company whose president, John Libonati, helped me more than ANYONE did when I was first diagnosed. He laughed that my doctor told me I could eat wheat once a month.  I read his mom's book Recognizing Celiac Disease - which I recommend EVERYONE get - whether or not you have Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance. It explained which foods give you what nutrients and what nutrient deficiencies cause which symptoms. At that point I was in such as fragile state with my health - and looking back I realize that book saved my life (my sanity really) as I began to heal. Did my symptoms go away immediately? Some did, yes. But I had to be persistent, as that many years of damage could not be healed overnight. As I learned about the importance of each nutrient - especially those I was deficient in - and worked to replenish those through a healthy diet - that's when I realized I was truly getting well - looking better than ever - and staying healthy!!! 

I manage GlutenFreeWorks.com Facebook page, and asked our followers the other day:

 Did your test for Gluten intolerance or Celiac Disease come out negative, but you still feel better on a

 Gluten Free diet? Tell us your story! 

Some of the responses I got were these: 

Mine was negative but after cutting them out the gut pain and bloating stopped. I also felt more energetic. I got the point where I was reacting to gluten and my body's way to cope was fainting! I'm much better now

I was never tested. I tried dairy free for a while and it didn't improve my symptoms. So then I eliminated gluten and wha-lah..I had relief from bloating and stomach pain. Went to my doctor for a regular check up and talked to him and and said... "why test? It's obvious that it is making a difference." Since then I have never looked back. Even my allergist/asthma specialist felt the same about what the other doctor said

Like Ann, I cut out gluten with some relief (finally!!). My doctor also said that if I am feeling better without gluten in my diet to not eat it anymore. Same with dairy and eggs (one of my favorite foods - boo!). I was tested a few years ago and it was negative

I was tested & it was negative.... Feel so much better on a GF diet. I had asked my doc for more testing or for an official 'gluten intolerance' diagnosis so that i could get some help with income tax & she was not willing to do more testing

I tested negative to Celiac several times, and my allergy test game back negative in regards to gluten and wheat. I decided to cut out gluten a year and a half ago, and I haven't looked back.

I also read this news: 

 Lisa Rayburn felt dizzy, bloated and exhausted. Wynn Avocette suffered migraines and body aches. Stephanie Meade's 4-year-old daughter had constipation and threw temper tantrums. All three tested negative for Celiac Disease, a severe intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat and other grains. But after their doctors ruled out other causes, all three adults did their own research and cut gluten—and saw the symptoms subside. A new study in the journal BMC Medicine may shed some light on why. It shows gluten can set off a distinct reaction in the intestines and the immune system, even in people who don't have Celiac Disease.

Will Gluten-Free Work for YOU? I'll say it again - The only way to know is to TRY IT! Don't rely on a doctor's test to tell  you what can or can't make you feel better.  Before deciding to go on drugs for the rest of your life, make some dietary changes and see if you feel the difference. 

It's time to take control of your health! 

Comments? Questions? Send them my way! 

Wishing you a Happy Gluten-Free Thursday!

♥ Christie 

Gluten-Free Paleo Honey Mustard Chicken

I love making honey mustard sauce to dip my chicken into, but tonight I thought why not cook the sauce right into the chicken!? It made it moist, flavorful, and fabulous. Give it a try!

Use Trader Joe's Freeze Dried Chicken Breasts, or any GF brand that you like. Just heat up a skillet with some olive oil, cook the breasts on medium low for about 15 minutes (make sure to cook both sides). When the chicken is almost fully cooked, season with Himalayan pink sea salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Stir in as much honey & mustard as you wish and keep stirring until each piece of chicken is thoroughly covered. Cook for a few more minutes until chicken is browned, and serve immediately. Serve this chicken with sweet potatoes and salad, or any side dishes you like. Enjoy!

Need more Gluten-Free Dinner Ideas? There are a ton RIGHT HERE!

Happy Gluten-Free Paleo Week!
♥ Christie  

Food as Medicine

I'm a little under the weather today.....and I blame it on the fact that a lot of my students have been showing up to lessons sick and coughing all over me.... :/. Since I've never been a fan of drugs - (unless they are absolutely necessary) I try to remember this quote to help me get back on my feet:

So what makes the best medicine? 

1- Anything green 

2- Lean Protein 

3- Tons of pure distilled water

4- Foods with Vitamin C 

So today I ate a banana, drank a protein shake made with Dr. Osbourne's Ultra Protein and blueberries. The powder is full of amino acids that help your body repair & rebuild. I ate a green pepper, drank some chlorophyll, and have been drinking a ton of water mixed with Vitamin C crystals.  I already feel like I'm "on the mend..." and expect to be better in no time. 

I hope this weekend finds you happy & healthy...

I'm gonna go back to sleep now! 

Have a healthy Gluten-Free Weekend!

♥ Christie

Dinnertime! Paleo-style

It's the end of Paleo week 3 - and I'm still feeling great! It's been fun trying some new products and creating new meals. Here's what I had tonight:

Miracle Noodles -the perfect Paleo (and calorie-free) noodle. I get them at Whole Foods, and really love them. Just drain, boil for 3 minutes, and they're ready. 

.......with Dave's Gourmet Pasta Sauce (the best sauces on the planet!)

...and some cooked shrimp (fried with olive oil, Himalayan pink sea salt, pepper, and basil)

...topped with Mango Salsa (from Fresh & Easy - this stuff tastes SO good on fish or chicken)

...and some salad! 

Stay tuned - dessert is next..... 

Have a fabulous Friday!

♥ Christie 

Go Paleo for Lent!

Although I don't observe Lent in my own religion, I respect those who do and think it's a pretty cool thing actually. I have always been taught that "Sacrifice Brings Forth the Blessings of Heaven," and I believe that sacrificing things we love (and even the things we WANT - really bad!) will often lead to some of the greatest blessings in our lives. Often that doesn't mean we will have to sacrifice these things forever because remember, "to everything there is a season..." Giving up GLUTEN was something that brought so much happiness and health to my life - and that's lasted a lot more than 40 days now.....More like 2,555 days! Sacrifice leads to greater self-control, more self-confidence, and allows us to let God take control of our lives - rather than being controlled by addictions - even if those "addictions" are to things that are not necessarily bad for us all the time. So what are you giving up for LENT? Send me some comments!! And if you're still not sure - then go PALEO! Here's the  Food Lover's Kitchen 30-day intro to Paleo - they have an eBook that can help you get started!

Good Luck!

Happy Lent! 

♥ Christie 

One Minute Recipe: Guacamole!

Guacamole & chips  is one of my favorite snacks to eat - especially on Monday night (Bachelor night!) with my girl friends. And since I only have a few minutes after work to get ready for the show - I make this super fast and easy dip. Avocados are a great source of healthy fats and a variety of B-Vitamins. FAGE Greek Yogurt is the perfect substitute for sour cream, because it's high in protein and  probiotics...both of which are important to the health of Celiacs. So, if you've got one minute to make it - dig in! ;)  

Super-fast Quacamole Dip

Ingredients

*One or two avocados 

*A huge scoop of FAGE Greek Yogurt

*Himalyan Pink Sea Salt (to taste)

(Whisk it all together)

BAM!

You've got  GUACAMOLE!

(if you've got a little more time, add some more spices like onion powder,

 and maybe a squeeze of a fresh lime). 

Don't u just love a good avocado?

3 simple ingredients

Happy Gluten-Free Paleo Monday Night! 

♥ Christie 

Gluten-Free Paleo Banana Muffins

Tonight I went to my parents house for dinner, and my mom surprised me with these! She used the XO Baking Company All-Purpose Flour (which is gluten and grain free).

 I hope you enjoy these as much as I did! 

Gluten-Free Paleo BANANA MUFFINS

6 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 cup to 2/3 cup granulated white sugar

one small egg

2 ripe bananas

1 scant cup XO Baking Co. All Purpose Flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon pink salt plus a pinch or two more

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

Beat all of the above ingredients very well.  Taste the batter and if it is not flavorful enough, add more salt or a little more lime juice and maybe even a little more banana.  Blend thoroughly once again.  Generously butter a muffin pan with real butter.  Spoon batter in until about half full.  This recipe will make seven or eight muffins.  Bake at 350 to 375 degrees for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown.  A fork pushed into the muffin should come out clean.

Serve with plenty of butter!!

Thank you, mom!

Happy Gluten-Free Paleo Week! 

♥ Christie 

Bye Bye Gluten Belly!

How is everyone doing so far on the 2-month PALEO challenge?! I've never felt better.....and the best thing is, my belly has never been happier. Removing grains from my diet has led to a huge improvement in my digestion and over-all well being. So far I've had a few cravings for the high-carb Gluten-Free grains - but I know that as I continue to stick with this plan - the cravings will be less and less. Some friends have told me that they are amazed at the amount of will-power I have....but I think it comes with being a Celiac. Like many of you, I went through enough trouble for way too many years before a diagnosis, and when it finally came, it was the easiest thing in the world to give up Gluten, because I FELT better. With the PALEO diet, I'm feeling even better than that - and that's my motivation. I've been waking up with so much more energy, and have felt a lot more content throughout the day. On top of that, I've got my abs back! ;) 

Before and After - bye bye gluten belly! 

Who's ready to join me in the Paleo challenge? Message me - or LIKE me on Facebook for more tips and recipes! I'd love to hear how you're doing and help you get to feeling great! 

Have a Happy Gluten-Free Paleo Week! 

♥ Christie 

One minute recipe: Gluten-Free Paleo Pie

It's Gluten-Free, it's Paleo, and it only takes ONE minute to make!

I realized this week that there's absolutely no way I'll be able to stick with this Paleo lifestyle, unless I come up with several "super fast" and delicious recipes. Though I've found several lavish-looking Paleo dinners and desserts I can't wait to try out - I knew that with my busy lifestyle - I had to come up with some recipes that were much more simple, too. So I'll be doing a series of "one minute" Paleo recipes this month!
Here's the first - hope you enjoy!

One Minute Gluten-Free Paleo Pie

*Three Coconut Macaroons (Jennie's Brand - I get them at Whole Foods)

*A handful of frozen blueberries + raspberries

*A dollop of organic (or non-dairy) whipped cream.

BAM!

You've got pie!

(And it's only about 250 Calories).

Happy Gluten-Free Paleo Friday!

♥ Christie 

pH Miracle Living

 One of the best things I've done for my health lately is I've started drinking Chlorophyll......or as my friend Adam likes to call it, the "elixir of the Gods." 
Adam's parents, Robert and Shelley Young, own the company pH Miracle - near San Diego, California. When I was living there in 2008 I was fortunate enough to get to know more about the "pH Miracle way of living." I read their book, the pH Miracle, which you can order HERE. (I highly recommend it!)You should also LIKE their Facebook page - it's amazing to see how they have helped people with mild to serious conditions (have even cured tumors and cancers!) with the pH Miracle lifestyle. It's all about alkalizing your body so that you create an environment in which the body heals itself. They believe that there is only one disease - and that is an acidic environment which leads to a host of problems. As I have adopted more of this way of life - eating a lot of greens, using the right kind of salts, and now - drinking Chlorophyll, I have noticed huge improvements in my energy level and overall well-being.

One of my concerns was about my hemoglobin  levels, since being Celiac and just being a woman puts me at risk for having lower levels. I noticed that my energy level just wasn't where it needed to be, and so Adam suggested I start drinking this stuff: 

Why Chlorophyll?
*It's an anti-aging "super food"
*Cleanses the blood
*It is known to relieve inflammation
*Destroys fungus in the digestive tract
* Dilates the blood vessels to improve circulation
*Improves the immune system and intestinal function
*Improves liver functioning
*Improves hemoglobin levels within just two weeks
*Is a natural remedy for anemia

Need more reasons to drink Chlorophyll? Read this article by Dr. Robert O. Young:
  A Natural, Healthy, and Legal Way to Increase Blood Volume: Pass It Along to Lance
....and don't forget to order a copy of the pH Miracle BOOK.

Thank you Adam and the rest of the YOUNG family - for helping me stay YOUNG too! ;)

(Just be careful - you might turn green! ;) 

Happy Gluten-Free Wednesday! 

♥ Christie 

Gluten-Free Paleo Pumpkin Bread

I contacted the XO Baking Co. and found out that some of their mixes are not only Gluten-Free, but GRAIN-FREE, too! The all-purpose flour, the Pumpkin Bread Mix, and all the Cookie Mixes (minus the Oatmeal Cookies)...are all Paleo friendly. 

I decided to try out the Pumpkin Bread first, since it's high in Vitamin A, a vital nutrient for Celiacs. The mix is made from coconut and cassava flour, which are great alternatives to rice and corn flour. 

GLUTEN-FREE PALEO PUMPKIN BREAD

XO Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread Mix

1/2 c. safflower oil

1/3 c. water

2 large organic, grass-fed eggs

1 can pumpkin puree

1/2 c. ENJOY LIFE chocolate chips

Prepare Mix as directed: 

Bake for about an hour on 350. 

I'm so happy that the XO Baking Company has Paleo-friendly mixes!. ....and I'm very excited to try out some recipes with their all-purpose flour and their cookie mixes soon. Stay tuned! 

Have a happy Gluten-Free Week! 

♥ Christie 

Gluten-Free Paleo Shopping List

I'm helping a friend start the PALEO diet with me, and made her this shopping list - I thought it would be helpful for some of you too. I buy a lot of specialty products at Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, and the rest at my local grocery store, since it's usually a little cheaper.

WHOLE FOODS  

*Miracle Noodles

*Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips

*Cooked Jumbo Shrimp (frozen) 

*LARABARS!! 

Grass-Fed Beef

*Jennie's Coconut and/or Chocolate Macaroons

*Coconut Flour (buy a bunch!)

*Himalayan Pink Sea Salt 

TRADER JOES

*Vegetarian Eggs (grass-fed)

*Freeze Dried Chicken

*Organic Ketchup - TJ's is the best. It has no HFCS

*Organic dark chocolate (the orange bars - they are SOOO good!!)

*I love Organic Carrot Juice - you may or may not like it

*Pasta Sauces you like-marinara

*Pink Alaskan Salmon

*Tuna

LOCAL GROCERY STORE

*Avacados

*Yams (a new staple of your diet!)

*Tons of fruits - bananas, oranges, apples, etc

*Veggies: Carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, mushrooms, etc. 

*Olive Oil (use mostly olive oil or butter when cooking)

*Egg Whites in a carton 

*Cinnamon (used in a lot of recipes & good for you digestion)

*Mustard

*Bacon - I love Farmer John's brand

*Honey - local is best

*Real Butter - never use margarine

*Mozzarella Cheese

*Parmesan Cheese

*FAGE greek yogurt (great for making guacamole and dips)

*Chobani Green Yogurt (we're doing dairy in moderation)

Is there anything else I'm forgetting? Leave me some comments! 

Happy Gluten-Free Paleo Shopping!

♥ Christie 

Gluten-Free Paleo Waffles

Here goes! I made my first Gluten-Free Paleo Recipe yesterday - and it was fab! (As you can see I couldn't even wait to take the photo before I had already devoured some of this waffle...) Thank you to The Petite Athleat for this recipe. I just tweaked a few ingredients - and it turned out GREAT! 

Gluten-Free Paleo Waffles 

3 eggs, organic grass-fed
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 small banana, ripened
1 cup - egg whites
a dash of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon Himalayan pink sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup coconut flour

*Put everything into a blender and blend for 30 seconds
*Grease waffle iron with butter or oil and heat!

(This recipe makes about 6 waffles. You can cook them all, then store in the freezer or fridge. Toast them the next day for crunchier waffles.)

*Add berries, agave syrup, or anything you like! And yes, I know I put whipped cream on mine. I'm cheating a little with the dairy...but just a little!) So far, I'm loving this Paleo diet.
More recipes to come soon!

I made these again the next day with Enjoy Life Choc Chips!

Have a Happy Gluten-Free, Paleo Weekend!
♥ Christie