Wednesday " Word"... Sugar

I came across this article http://www.foodmatters.tv/content/5-more-reasons-to-quit-sugar  and it brought sugar back to my attention. Talking about "Sugar" can not be mentioned enough. It is a very subtle and seductive ingredient in our food. I wrote about it earlier this year http://whole-food-living.blogspot.com/2014/02/thursday-3-tips-to-cut-down-on-sugar.html but I thought it worth mentioning again with the holidays approaching. Sugar is a hard thing to avoid and with Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas coming one month after the next, the choices are difficult.

A good tip to help bring awareness to the sugar that your consuming on a regular bases, is to read the label and just notice the amount of sugar per serving. And maybe go a step further and write down on a piece of paper for one day the amount of sugar and then add it up. This is not meant for a guilt trip, only to bring awareness, because we can't begin to change what we are not aware of.

Here are a few words to look for when reading a food label - looking for sugar:

• white sugar
• brown sugar
• raw sugar
• high fructose corn syrup
• corn syrup
• corn syrup solids
• malt syrup
• maple syrup
• pancake syrup
• fructose sweetener
• liquid fructose
• honey
• molasses
• anhydrous dextrose
• crystal dextrose

~ Look for more tips and ideas in the coming months to help with your  "sugar awareness" 

Tuesday "Try"... Gluten/Dairy Free Cornbreads

A few years ago I found (on Google) a really good homemade gluten/dairy free cornbread recipe. It has become a family and friends favorite. I have altered the recipe as I often do to accommodate my families dietary restrictions and/or to make it healthier. I made a big batch to bring to my sisters house for Thanksgiving last year for the many family members that had not tried it yet and "again" - it was a big hit!!! I wasn't able to leave until I handed over the recipe.

One day while at the grocery store, I came across this gluten/dairy free box mix of cornbread and wanted to see how it compared to mine and the kids wanted to give it a try. It was delicious and would probable use it again if I wanted the convenience, but for me personally it still had too much sugar. (The very first ingredient is sugar). But when something is homemade I have control over how much of an ingredient is used or not.

My Homemade Gluten/Dairy Free Cornbread Recipe

1/2 cup (non-GMO- if possible) cornmeal

1/4 cup ( or slightly less) sugar

6 TB rice flour

1 1/2 TB Tapioca flour

1TB cornstarch

1/4 tsp xanthan gum

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup dairy free milk

4 TB Earth Balance - natural buttery spread - softened

1/2 tsp vanilla (generous tsp full)

1 egg ( warmed)

Add dry ingredients ( first 7) in a medium size bowl

Add all wet ingredients ( last 4 ) to dry ingredients

Mix until all combined

Pour in 8x8 pan or make muffins

Bake 350 degrees for about 20 - 30 min.

( time will vary depending on what you cook it in and your oven)

* The recipe is easily doubled and can be frozen.

* I once made corn bread croutons with the leftovers

http://glutenfreerecipebox.com/gluten-free-croutons/

( This recipe used gluten free bread I just substituted corn bread cut in cubes )

ENJOY

You won't be disappointed!!!

Monday Mention ... Egg Substitutes

There are times when I'm low on eggs and want to conserve them so I don't have to go out to the store right then (or the farmers market that is only once a week) or I don't have enough eggs for a recipe, or I just want to experiment with other nutritional ideas that are available. The more you play with ideas the easier it becomes second nature when you want to create something with leftovers or needing to substitute for whatever your making/baking. There are other reasons to not use eggs, like eating vegan, you have a allergy or sensitivity to eggs or you have trouble with soy ( see my post on soyfree eggs http://whole-food-living.blogspot.com/2014/09/monday-mention-soy-free-eggs.html )

*Here is a link for eggless recipes - http://www.egglesscooking.com/egg-substitutes/

*The original source of the list below - http://www.theholisticingredient.com/blogs/wholesome-living/13568994-easy-egg-substitutions-a-how-to-guide

1 Egg Equals:	Best in:	Notes.
1/2 banana, mashed	Pancakes, cakes, breads	Very ripe bananas will add sweetness
1/4 cup applesauce or 1/4 cup ripe mashed pears	Breads, cakes, brownies	Avoid using more than 1/4 cup total in any recipe
1/4 cup natural or Greek yoghurt	Brownies, smoothies	Can cause final product to be heavier
2.5 tablespoons ground flax mixed with 3 tablespoons water, set in fridge for 10 minutes	Granola bars, smoothies	Adds earthy, nutty taste and chewy texture
1 tablespoon coconut oil mixed with 2 teaspoons baking powder & 2 teaspoons water	Gluten free baking	Adds fat to the recipe, can be tricky to work with
1 tablespoon chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons water, set in fridge for 10 minutes	Smoothies, baked goods	Binds and thickens
1/4 cup pureed prunes (or any high pectin fruit)	Breads, cakes, brownies	Adds sweetness to recipe
1/4 cup pumpkin, mashed (canned works well, choose BPA free cans)	Breads, brownies	Can be heavy
1/4 cup potato, cooked and mashed (sweet potato might be yum!)	Savoury dishes	Can be heavy
1 tablespoon agar mixed with 1 tablespoon water, whipped and chilled	Gluten free baking	Used to replace egg white only
1 tablespoon gelatin dissolved in 1 tablespoon cold water, add 2 tablespoons boiling water, beat vigorously until frothy	Gluten free baking	Binds and thickens

Monday "Mention".. Soy Free Eggs

I have been looking for soy free eggs for awhile and I finally found some at Davidson farmers market http://www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org/ and the farm is also local to where I live ( you can make an appointment to pick up at the farm). Since my daughter was little, she always had trouble with eggs and never wanted me to make them for breakfast if she had to go to school or somewhere because it bothered her stomach. But since eating the soy free eggs she can eat eggs as often as she wants. Most eggs come from places that feed there chickens with soy because it's cheaper. Soy free eggs are a little more expensive 5.00 a dozen instead of 4.00 ( These are fed some non-GMO corn).
So if you are local to Lake Norman, North Carolina and your looking for soy free eggs, here is your source http://eastofedenfarm.cmail2.com/t/ViewEmail/j/DA255D0DEC697570. Check out all the other goodies they offer and visit them on facebook and see the pictures of how the chicken and animals are raised.
Even if you don't need to eat soy free it is nice to pick some up occasionally to cut down on soy in your diet. You could use the soy free eggs for making scrambled eggs etc. and use the regular soy eggs for mixes.

Wednesday "Word"... Alginate

Alginate

(alginic acid, algin, sodium alginate, pacific kelp)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alginic_acid

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/alginate

Bulking agent, emulsifier, fiber, stabilizer, thickener.  Brown seaweed-derived ingredient that can stabilize foam and act as a thickener in products like jellies, salad dressings, beverages, custards, ice cream, soups and cheese. Sodium alginate is the sodium salt form. Theoretically, due to its ability to trap dietary cholesterol in its gel-like structure, it may have cholesterol-lowering effects. Limited studies suggest it may create fullness or satiety, although this concept needs further testing. May cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

*info from book: An A-Z Guide to Food Additives - Deanna M. Minich, Ph. D.,C.N.

Tuesday "Try"... Goal Planning

I try to home - make as much of my food and some non food items as I can, but with that comes  strategies, such as "goal planning." This past week I had been really really busy for about four days and the list of things I've been wanting to make, had become long. So as not to get overwhelmed I decided to set goals for the days that I had the time to accomplish one or more on the list. Some things on my list that I wanted to make in the coming week(s):

pesto

lara bars

master tonic

tinctures

granola

laundry detergent

planting fall seeds/garlic

chicken broth/chicken noodle soup

give away things already in piles ready to go

One of the things I need is garlic for my pesto and master tonic, so one goal is to purchase enough from the store and then I will be that much further along when I have time to get it done. I bought a few things the other day for granola, tinctures and chicken broth so I am now ready to make those when I have the space in my week. And with each thing made, it will last for weeks or months depending on what it is and that leaves me space, to home - make other things.

Here are the five steps to help you eat and live a healthier life and get done what you want:

1) Make a list of the things you want done in the coming weeks

2) Put them in order of priority.

3) Make another list of what you need to gather/purchase for the items and make a goal when you are able get them.

4) Look on your calendar and pick a day when you can - without being stressed - to accomplish making your item.

5) Repeat - with a new list of items

Monday "Mention"- Flourless...

Baking/Cooking without flour? 

Why you ask? It gives your body a small break from flour of any kind ( http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Your-Body-Can-Do-Without-Grains---Including-Whole-Grains&id=3648259 ). And if you can make/bake, and it tastes good, why not! The internet is full of recipes to try your hand at baking/cooking without the use of flour. Here are five websites to get you started...

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/great-recipes.asp?food=flourless

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/flourless-peanut-butter-cookies-recipe.html

http://recipeland.com/recipes/list?q=flourless

http://homecookinginmontana.blogspot.com/2011/03/flourless-bread-with-no-sugarmade-with.html

http://www.yummly.com/recipes/flourless-cooking

If you would like help reading labels, shopping and/or making meal planning easy contact me athttp://www.wholefood-living.com/contact.html