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Lightened-Up Moussaka {Grain-free w/ Vegetarian Options}
After sharing the recipe for my dad’s famous Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Cheese Dip earlier this summer, I realized that I haven’t shared enough Greek recipes here on the site.
Growing up Greek is to grow up loving delicious, traditional, homemade food. I can still remember the smells of my Great Yia Yia’s house, the fragrant stews and sauces, like Fasolakia, simmering that you could smell as you walked up the driveway, fresh herbs drying in the kitchen, the smells of homemade chocolates wafting up the stairs from the basement, where she did her candy-making. It is amazing how I can still tell you exactly what that kitchen smelled like and that was over 20 years ago. When my great grandmother passed away, it was my dad’s parents that moved into the home, carrying on many of the same traditions, Avgolemeno soup, lamb meatballs, pastitsio, spanikopita, dolmades, plus of course, the Greek pastries and all of that good sweet stuff.
Now that my parents have moved into this home, that was built for my Great Grandparents many years after they moved here from Greece and has been in family since long before I was born, they continue to make many of these amazing traditional foods in the very kitchen that my Yia Yia Faklaris and my Yia Yia Manos once did. My dad makes the best Greek salad dressing around (I will have to share my version of it soon) for the best souvlaki you will ever eat, he can grill up a leg of marinated lamb like it’s no one’s business and he makes a killer rice pudding that will literally have you on the verge of tears, it’s that good. My mom, though she doesn’t have a bit of Greek blood in her veins, she makes incredible pastitsio, amazing Avgolemeno soup and together she and my dad make the best baklava I have ever eaten.
Sadly, going gluten-free nearly 10 years ago now, has meant that I have had to say goodbye to a lot of the traditional foods I grew up on. I have yet to come up with a gluten-free equivalent to phyllo dough, something so integral to so many of my favorite Greek dishes. With that said, it has taken me nearly 10 years and moving across the country away from my family to come to this – but lately I have been thinking that while I may never have many of those classic Greek dishes as I once knew them, there is no reason I can’t reimagine them. Keeping the classic flavors, but making them gluten-free and trying to generally just lighten them up a bit.
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Zucchini Noodles with Fig, Arugula and Pancetta
According to Pinterest it’s fall already. I am seeing more pumpkin recipes in my feed than what should be legal, Halloween DIY projects, boots and layers of clothing and more. Let’s slow it down a little, folks. It’s STILL summer, it’s hot out and I still have lots of zucchini and tons of figs that need eating.
I know fall is just around the corner and it’s my favorite time of year, but I refuse to be bullied into pumpkin. Let’s enjoy what we have, while it’s still here. There is so much amazing produce coming from the farmers markets, our CSA box and my garden, I just cannot even think about squash and all it’s cooler weather friends.
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Chai Spiced Coconut Fig Popsicles {Vegan}
Though the end of summer is just around the corner, I would say it is hard to know that at times here in Southern California. We had some pretty hot days last week and since we don’t have any air conditioning at home and we both work out of the house, I found myself with a serious craving for some tasty, creamy homemade popsicles. And the beach.
I had been craving some of my homemade chai recently, but the idea of hot chai tea was very quickly dismissed, while I found myself sweating in the summer heat. Naturally, the next logical thought was a popsicle version of the tasty hot coconut chai lattes, that I make during the winter months. With the abundance of figs we have coming from our tree, I was dying to find a way to incorporate them into whatever popsicle I made, so the idea was born for these delicious, creamy Chai Spiced Coconut Fig Popsicles.
For lack of sounding like I am bragging, these are THE BEST homemade popsicles I have ever made. They are full of amazing chai flavor and they are so perfectly creamy and rich. The only bad part of all of this amazingness was the day I decided to photograph these, it was well over 90 degrees in our house and the popsicles were melting so fast I couldn’t keep up. I was scrambling, running, yelling and snapping. I was able to snap these two photos and before you know it I had a puddle of creamy goodness on my hands. I tried to pull the few remaining popsicles out and they had melted so quickly in the molds they were disfigured and wonky, the sticks came out of a couple, it was just a hot mess. Literally. The remaining few were more than good enough to eat, but not really pretty enough for photos. A shame really.
I thought about remaking these and photographing them again, but that would just delay me getting this amazing recipe to you, and I couldn’t bear that thought of that. These are far too delicious not to share. So, please excuse the photos, but trust me when I tell you that you need to make these ASAP.
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Grilled Summer Veggie Gazpacho
I am super excited to share with you guys this amazing summery, chilled soup recipe, aka one of my most favorite ways, currently, to enjoy the flavors of the season. The whole idea for this Grilled Summer Veggie Gazpacho was inspired by one of my new favorite kitchen staples, vegan stocks and broths from Massel.
Earlier this year while at the Expo West Natural Products Convention, I had the pleasure of not only meeting the amazing Blender Girl, Tess Masters, who has quickly become one of my favorite people, but in meeting her I was also introduced to Massel, an amazing brand, new to America, hailing from her home country of Australia. Massel makes high-quality easy-to-use bouillons, stock cubes, seasoning granules and Concentrated Liquid Stock. All of their incredible all-natural products are gluten-free and vegan, so they can essentially be enjoyed by all, regardless of dietary restrictions. Massel never adds MSG and all of their ingredients are non-GMO. Besides all of that, the best part about their bouillons are how they taste just like homemade stocks.
Though I am not strictly vegan or vegetarian myself, I do try to limit the amount of meat I consume. If I cannot get high-quality meat from our local farmer or at the farmers market, I much prefer to eat vegetarian. When it comes to homemade stocks and soups, I generally tend to use leftover bones from our grass-fed meat and/or whatever veggies I have on hand, to make a stock every other week or so. But this just isn’t always a possibility, sometimes I need quick and easy, but I still want healthy and real.
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Blueberry Rosemary Chia Seed Jam
I don’t know if I will ever get over the fact that prior to like 3 years ago, my only experience with chia seeds were those funny chia pets from when we were kids. Cha-cha-cha-CHIA! People really didn’t have a clue they were amidst such a super food!
Not only are chia seeds loaded with amazing nutrients, they are also so versatile. I like added them to homemade granolas, smoothies, you can make pudding with them and yes, you can even make simple homemade jams simply by adding chia seeds.
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Grain-free Zucchini Fritters with Roasted Garlic and Heirloom Tomato Compote
This second to last week of August is always about the time I start to get sad that summer is nearly over. My garden is producing less and less, the sun is setting earlier and I know fall and winter are just around the corner. To be honest though, with living in Southern California, it is hard to remember all of that. We’ve still been having 90 degree days and the sun has been shining like crazy. But in looking at my garden and our various fruit trees, seeing many of them nearing the end of their cycles, I am reminded the next season is nearly upon us.
My veggie garden has been a source of so much joy and great food for us this summer, but it has also been a source of much frustration for me. I am still learning how to garden out west, it is so much different than it was in New York. With the lack of rain plus watering restrictions due to the draught, I struggle to remember to water my garden in the proper times. What ends up happening is it gets watered every few days. Somehow the weeds are all growing at alarming rates, they are taking over in fact, while my vegetable plants have moments of looking like they could just keel over and die at any moment.
Thankfully, though they are both slowing down significantly, I am still getting a decent amount of heirloom zucchini and heirloom tomatoes from our garden. Two things I could never tire of. So, I have been trying to get creative and come up with fun new ways to enjoy them.
These crispy Grain-free Zucchini Fritters are so simple to make and they are so beautifully complimented by the fresh and flavorful Roasted Garlic and Heirloom Tomato Compote. To me this is just summer in one perfect dish!
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Slow Cooker Sesame Ginger Chicken
Life has been busy as of late, between the various design-related events and jobs we have going on, teaching yoga, planning a retreat and keeping up with recipes for this site, I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed. When life gets hectic not only do I crave home cooked food more than ever, but I also find myself looking for easy, delicious and light meals that will not only satisfy me, but also require very little energy and attention. Bonus points for meals that you can make once and eat for 2 or 3 more meals. The perks of being a family of two!
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably noticed that I was up in San Francisco last week, visiting with two of my favorite ladies in the world! Vyana, the amazing goddess with whom I am co-hosting Rise, the upcoming women’s retreat and Gina, of So Let’s Hang Out, one of my most favorite people in the world, and one of the best things to come from all this food blogging fun.
With two long days of filming in San Francisco and at the Sequoia Retreat Center with Vyana, we found ourselves grabbing food when we could, eating in the car on the way to the next location, eating bunless burgers in the park quickly before teaching a yoga class, slicing fresh avoacado and shoving it into our faces while we drove two hours to the retreat center. Not exactly ideal optimal eating conditions. Outside of all of that, Vyana so lovingly made us breakfast each morning and even found time to bake a delicious stone fruit tart, but it was a lot of eating on-the-go. By the time I got to Marin County to see Gina, I was hankering for some home cooked food and a good sit!
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How-to Make Homemade Vanilla Extract
I know it’s been a while since I have shared a Tutorial Tuesday post with you guys, but it’s been a busy few weeks. So, I thought an easy, no frills tutorial would be perfect. No need for step-by-step photos on this one, just one quick step and then we wait.
Making homemade vanilla extract is so easy. You literally need just two ingredients, alcohol and vanilla beans and just a few minutes of prep time. You do need a little patience while the flavor of the vanilla beans is extracted, which takes several weeks. But, it is all more than worth it when you end up with the tastiest, most incredible flavor – perfect for all of your baking needs. Plus, this delicious homemade vanilla extract makes an amazing thoughtful gift.
To start, for a standard vanilla extract, I recommend an inexpensive vodka, at least 70 proof. Cheaper, many times, is better since there are no distinguishing flavors from the vodka, as it can be with a pricer spirit, which can interfere with the vanilla flavor. If you are sensitive to certain grain-based vodkas, I do recommend selecting a certified gluten-free vodka, I like and use Tito’s.
The recommended ratio of vanilla beans to vodka that I have found works best is 1 quart vodka to 1/4 pound of dry vanilla beans. This makes things very easy as I divide this amount among four 8-ounce containers, and it’s very easy to divide the 1/4 pound of beans amongst them. Simple, no crazy math, no crazy precise measuring.
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50+ Gluten-Free Recipes For Summer
Now that we are smack in the middle of summer, I just can’t help but be so excited by all of the amazing produce in season right now. Summer is full of incredible fresh fruits and vegetables, perfect for creating delicious gluten-free dishes with.
As part of my ongoing Restricted Diet Series with Free People, I pulled together a this list of 50+ Gluten-free Recipes for Summer, featuring some of my favorites, from this site and from some of my very favorite bloggers. I hope you enjoy!
Head to the Free People Blog BLDG 25 now to get all of these amazing recipes!
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Zucchini Fig Smoothie
I was trying to come up with a clever name for this smoothie that would sound less, I dunno, intimidating or strange. But in brainstorming kitchy smoothie names I came to the realization, that I want the world to know how amazing zucchini is in smoothies. It provides a creaminess that is so conducive to a smoothie and it also gives me that green that I like to start my day off with – from something other than the same ‘ol greens like kale or spinach. Plus, it’s a really great way to use some of those HUGE over grown zucchini that just get all strange to cook with. I scoop out the seeds if they are big and seedy and I just chop up a cup or so. skin included and throw it in.
We have soo many figs coming from our tree and so many beautiful large heirloom zucchini from the garden, that this Zucchini and Fig Smoothie has become a regular around here. This smoothie is creamy, a little spicy, sweet, filling and sooo totally addicting. You gotta trust me on this one guys, just put some zucchini in your next smoothie!
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Zucchini Noodles with Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes
I have to be honest, I debated even sharing the recipe for these Zucchini Noodles with Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes. It is quite simple and really no frills. But, what it lacks in complexity and concept, it more than makes up for in flavor, ease and satisfaction. I can tell you that while there really is nothing extra special or innovative about this dish, for me lately with the craziness of life, when it comes to cooking, I am drawn to perfect summertime simplicity. As I was trying to decide on photographing this to share, I stepped back for a moment and realized how I actually live on dishes like this, in between all of the fun recipe development stuff. No frills, just classic flavors, easy, fresh, seasonal and light. Most days you will find me eating zucchini noodles, cucumber ribbons or a lettuce wrap of some sort for lunch. If these types of recipes and meals make me dance around my kitchen with joy and really satisfy me, surely I cannot be alone!
Stepping outside first thing in the morning, walking barefoot through the dew covered grass, making my way across the yard to my garden – has to be one of the highlights of my day. Many times this early morning stroll determines the rest of the meals for the day and I just adore that. Letting nature and the season decide for me.
While having a garden can at times feel like another job, most of the time it feels like pretty much THE most brilliant thing you could ever do. It legitimately feels like free food whenever I bring that morning’s bounty into the kitchen. Plus, I really love knowing exactly where my food is coming from and I enjoy connecting with my home and my surroundings in this way. Pulling weeds and looking for things ready to be picked, it is all quite therapeutic and meditative, in a way.
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Grain-free Flatbread with Balsamic Basil Pesto, Peaches, Goat Cheese and Arugula
For me one of the hardest things about blogging has been deciding how much of my personal life to share with my readers. As someone who seemingly only shares gluten-free recipes and the food I am eating, it is quite hard between this site and the various social media outlets, to not let my personal life seep in now and again. How could it not?
While having your life on display can be challenging at times, the incredible trade-off that I have found, both as a blogger and a regular reader of many blogs myself, are the many wonderful positive connections I have made with amazing people – all over the world. Especially through these bits of our personal lives being “out there”. Reading the words and stories of my fellow bloggers and the thoughtful comments of my own readers, have created so many beautiful and meaningful friendships – many with people whom I have never even met.
I met Danielle of Against All Grain several years ago through our blogs, after she had been commenting on my blog and vice versa. She has such a delightful, comforting and nurturing soul. I have always greatly admired the passion she has for sharing her story and her desire to help others gain control of their life and their health through eating.
When Danielle so bravely shared on her blog, her family’s news and journey with her recent pregnancy and then the loss of their daughter Aila Jane Walker, I wanted to reach through the screen, hold her in the tightest hug and cry with her. I wanted to help anyway I could, to show up at their doorstep with food, to comfort them and take care of them, the way Danielle has done for so many people, herself.
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Roasted Grape and Rosemary Savory Goat Cheese Mini Tarts {Grain-Free}
For me, I really don’t think there can ever be too much of the good things in life. Whether that be the grapes growing on the vines in our yard or the incredible lady friends I have met through blogging. I just can’t get enough of either these days.
When my girls Gina of So Let’s Hangout and Emily of The Pig and Quill invited me to be a part of #soletspigout, their virtual summer potluck – I just couldn’t say no! I mean what I would really love is to hang out with all of these fantastic bloggers in person, in the real life – stuffing our faces with food and chatting it up about blogging and all the weird things we do. But, I suppose this is the next best thing – virtual food with virtual friends. All of the fun, none of the calories?
In honor of #soletshangout, all week long these two adorably charming, witty gals have been serving up some tantalizing dishes for their weeklong fest! They’ve shared Sticky BBQ Korean Chicken Wings, Fizzy Herbed Pineapple Limeade, Grilled Thai Beef Salad With Sesame Lime Vinaigrette, Sinless Superfood Devil’s Food Donuts and Grain-Free Stone Fruit Cobbler with Lime Coconut Cream. Phew – are you drooling, yet?
Oh and to see all the fun surround this potluck, be sure to check out the hashtag #soletspigout on Instagram.
When it came time to decide what I would be bringing to this virtual get-together today, with 20+ other food-obsessed bloggers, I knew immediately I would have to bring something that included grapes! If you haven’t heard me mention already here on the blog or on my social media, I am literally overwhelmed by the amount of fresh grapes we are getting from the grape vines we have here at our house.
I have been picking them by the 5 and 10 pound bags. No joke. I’ve been forced to get super creative with all of these grapes, which I have actually been loving and I hope you have been, too! (Did you see this Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts or the Bacon Roasted Grape Salad?) That said, I have also taken to literally giving them away by the several-pound bags, to anyone that will take them. So, please be warned, if you come within even 1 mile of our home or if you invite me to your place, I will send you away with grapes. Lots of them.
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Gluten-free Spiced Zucchini Bread
It’s that time of year again, when the amount of zucchini coming from my garden, is far more than two humans could ever consume. So, I’ve been getting busy making zucchini noodles, chocolate zucchini muffins, raw zucchini bites, stuffed zucchini, crispy baked zucchini rounds and more.
However, while staring at a pile of fresh heirloom zucchini freshly picked from my garden over the weekend, I realized I hadn’t made zucchini bread in a very long time, in fact I hadn’t made bread of any kind in a long time. So I pulled out my favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and I got busy.
This Gluten-free Spiced Zucchini Bread has a delicate crumb and the perfect amount of spice. I like mine toasted with a little pat of coconut butter or real butter.
What’s your favorite way to enjoy zucchini?
This recipe was originally shared on the Free People Blog BLDG 25, as part of my ongoing Restricted Diet series.
[print_this]Gluten-Free Spiced Zucchini Bread
makes 1 loaf- 1 full cup of grated zucchini (from about 1 medium zucchini)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup ground flax seeds
- 2 tablespoons psyllium husk powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 1/2 cup light coconut sugar or other granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup olive oil or coconut oil
- 2 extra large eggs
- 1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9-inch loaf pan with coconut oil and set aside.
Place the shredded zucchini into some paper towels and gently squeeze out any excess moisture then set aside.
Put the all-purpose gluten-free flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground flax seeds, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl and whisk to blend. In another large bowl add sugar, oil, eggs, coconut milk, lemon juice and vanilla. Whisk thoroughly until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet and beat (by hand or with mixer) until well combined. Fold in the grated zucchini and the walnuts, if using. (I always reserve just a little of each to sprinkle over the tops of the loaves).
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, using a spatula to even out the top. Sprinkle over the reserved zucchini and nuts to the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean.
Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully remove the loaf from the pan and let cool completely on the rack. As hard as it can be, I allow the bread to cool for at least an hour, if not longer, before slicing into it.
Once cooled, bread can be wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. [/print_this]
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Bacon Roasted Grape Salad (gluten-free + dairy-free w/ vegan option)
This Bacon Roasted Grape Salad is life-changing in it’s simplicity. Smokey, savory and a little sweet – this salad will forever change how you look at grapes!
I am not one that is necessarily good with rolling with the punches and going with the flow. In many ways I am very easy going and able to just pick up and go, deal with what is handed to me and make lemons out of lemonade. On the other hand, when it comes to my work and the things I am most passionate about, it can be hard when things don’t go exactly as I planned.
This seems to be the theme of my life right now. Whether it’s rethinking my publishing schedule and the few weeks of recipes I had planned to make, due to 20+ lbs of fresh grapes coming from our grape vines or realizing the trip to San Francisco I was meant to go on with my hubby for work, just wasn’t going to happen and that he would be going alone and I would have to stay behind.
The recipe was originally meant to be shared on another website, a big time foodie site that had asked me to put together a recipe for an ongoing gluten-free column they were interested in. After working away on my pitch and this recipe, I found out that they had VERY different ideas and expectations than what I had. What they wanted and what they were willing to offer me, just didn’t add up. It meant a great deal of work for me and from their end I would barely be compensated for the groceries I would be buying. Rather than getting caught up in the glitz and glamour of their name, forgetting about the bragging rights and what it would feel like to have their name on my resume – I decided to respect myself and my work enough to say “NO!” One of the very hardest things to do, especially when my pride is concerned. So, originally this recipe wasn’t going to be shared here on Tasty Yummies today, I was saving it for a this fun new column I thought I was going to have.
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Red Grape and Goat Cheese Salad with Walnuts {gluten-free}
We’ve been living here in Southern California just over 16 months and I still wake up everyday, pinching myself that this is where I live. Palm trees, ocean air, the beach just over half a mile away. And then there is my yard! The huge vegetable garden and fruit trees galore – we have fig, peach, orange, banana, apple and loquat trees and the avocado tree! Oh, that avocado tree! Besides that avocado tree, one of my favorite things, however are the beautiful grape vines behind the house. They span the width of the entire house and then some.
There are several varieties of grapes growing back there – to be honest I couldn’t even tell you what they all are! I think these pictured and used in this recipe might be moscoto (red table) grapes, from the little bit of research I did online. But I haven’t a clue. I just know they are yummy and I don’t have to do much to get them to grow!
Last year, I couldn’t seem to get to the grapes before the squirrels and/or birds did, so we really didn’t get to enjoy too many. But, this year I was determined to eat more grapes than the critters and we are definitely succeeding. The first day I went out to start collecting my bounty, I came back in with over 10lbs of grapes and that wasn’t even 10% of them. We have mostly been eating them as is, bringing them to friends and freezing them for a special frosty, sweet treat – but I have also been having fun getting creative with them. Roasting and grilling them, adding them to salads, to smoothies and juices, and more. I just have to forewarn you now, you may see a decent amount of grape recipes in the coming week or two.
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Rise // A Wild Spirit Retreat // April 2015
I am super excited to announce that coming this April in Northern California, myself and my girl Vyana are hosting our first-ever retreat as Wild Spirit Retreats.Rise // A Wild Spirit Retreat
April 3-6, 2015 – The Sequoia Retreat Center – California
Rise is an escape from the hustle
a plunge into the nourishment of presence
to walk into our shadows
hand in hand
supported by our sisters
to explore the spirit through yoga, cooking, writing, vision boarding, hiking, bodywork and more
a place to transform fear into confidence
hatred to forgiveness
jealousy to understanding
to celebrate movement and nourishment
a gathering to honor the power of being a woman
// What is Rise //
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Sweet Potato Noodles with Sage “Cream” Sauce
Yes, I am aware it is summer and a typical summer recipe, this is not. Amongst the cold salads, popsicles, ice cream and grilled stuff – I had a craving for something a bit more hearty and comforting over the weekend. I guess because of the sage, in my mind, this dish belongs more on a fall menu than summer menu – but I just couldn’t ignore this desire for something other than another cold salad.
Although I am all about eating seasonal and celebrating the freshest local flavors, I am also all about eating intuitively. If your body wants something more hearty than a cold salad, if you are sick of the grilled veggies, or you find yourself wanting something more suited for the cool crisp weather of fall than the hot sweaty summer days – I say go for it. This obviously, like everything should be taken with a grain of salt. If your body is telling you it wants a whole cheese pizza, with a side of Doritos and a 2 liter of Coke, I am not actually suggesting you listen to that voice! You should probably kick that nasty jerk voice right out of your head space!
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Spicy Ginger Sesame Asian Cucumber Salad (gluten-free + vegan)
This easy-to-make salad is one of my favorite go-to, quick summer sides. Now that the beautiful heirloom cucumbers in my garden are coming in strong, I have been enjoying this cool, crisp salad nearly every day. The many wonderful Asian-inspired flavors are all so perfectly well-balanced by the various fresh ingredients.
By allowing some of the liquid to drain off from the cucumbers, you can make this refreshing salad ahead and keep it chilled and not lose and of the amazing crispy crunch of the cucumbers. The cucumbers in my garden are quite high in water, as compared to other varieties, so I find this step particularly important when I use those. I also really love this salad with persian cucumbers, as they hold up super well and their flavor is incredible.
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Infused Waters to Keep You Hydrated this Summer
We all know how important it is to stay hydrated, year round, but this is especially important in the summer. When the weather is hot and you are spending much of the day outside being active, it is extra important to drink more fluids than usual and most especially that you are doing so before you start feeling thirsty – as that is a sure sign you are on your way to dehydration.
Did you know that every single cell in the human body needs water to function properly? Much like the plants in your garden, your cells, too, can perk up immediately upon watering. It’s that simple.
What Does Water Do in My Body?
Water Helps Your Body with the Following:
- Getting rid of waste through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements.
- Keeping it’s temperature normal.
- Lubricating and cushioning your joints.
- Protecting your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues.
Tips for Drinking More Water:
- Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up in the morning (I prefer mine warm with a little lemon).
- Carry a dedicated bottle or container with you are all times, at work, at home, even if you are just out running a few errands.
- Use an app on your mobile phone to track your water intake or simply set an alert on your phone to remind you.
- Choose water at restaurants instead of other beverages. not only will you save on calories while simultaneously hydrating yourself, but it also saves money.
- When you are hungry, start with a glass of water before you reach for the snack. sometimes feelings of hunger are actually your body telling you that it’s thirsty. it may just curb the cravings.
- Drink before you eat. 16 ounces 30 minutes before every meal can actually keep you from over indulging. make this a regular practice and you might even find yourself losing weight.
- Infuse and flavor your own water.
Today, I am sharing with you one of my very favorite ways to stay hydrated during the summer months…
INFUSED WATER!
Infused water is not only a tasty way to stay hydrated but it is nutritional, healthy, fresh and all-natural!
How-to Make Infused Water:
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How-to Make Dairy-Free Ice Cream
I have to say, I have made and had dairy-free ice cream many times before, but it has never as good as this. I received a copy of Dairy-Free Ice Cream: 75 Recipes Made Without Eggs, Gluten, Soy, or Refined Sugar from Kelly Brozyna of The Spunky Coconut and it has forever changed my dairy-free ice cream eating ways! Not only is this book insanely beautiful, but Kelly has us covered on every ice cream and frozen treat you could ever dream of! This cookbook is loaded with 75 amazing recipes, each and every one totally dairy-free and gluten-free.
For this week’s Tutorial Tuesday post, I am teaming up with Kelly to give you a quick how-to on making the perfect dairy-free ice cream, plus a simple recipe for classic vanilla. In the Dairy-Free Ice Cream cookbook, Kelly uses her fool proof method to dairy-free ice cream – sharing her versions of classic favorite flavors like Vanilla, Chocolate, Rocky Road, Salted Caramel, Strawberry, Butter Pecan and more. But, the real treat is the collection of unique and innovative flavors, like White Chocolate Goji Berry, Gingerbread Cookie Dough, Saffron and Rose and so much more. As if all that wasn’t enough, you’ll also find frozen yogurt, sherbet and sorbet and she even shares incredible recipes for ice cream cakes, sandwiches and popsicles, plus there are grain-free cookie bowls, brownies, sauces and toppings and more! All made without eggs, dairy, gluten, soy or refined sugar. It’s incredible really. A summertime frozen miracle!
Below you will find a brief tutorial to get you started making the best ever vanilla bean ice cream, my version of Kelly’s classic vanilla. I am keeping this tutorial super simple and to the point, but, for more in depth information about the various ingredients, notes and tips on freezing, storing, tools and lots more – check out Dairy-Free Ice Cream.
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