Monday, August 27, 2012

What we do during a Hurricane.....

Well while in Florida we do have to deal with those pesky hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, etc.  Today it's Hurricane Isaac.  Thankfully for us he decided NOT to hit Florida directly.  Unfortunately it looks like he will hit Louisiana though.  Not cool. 

We have only had some rain & wind.  At times it's pretty strong to be honest.  I know it has knocked down some power lines around our town too.  We are hopeful we will keep our electricity! 

So, I'm preparing for a gathering to celebrate my sons 17th birthday & being gluten free I like to make sure there is something that I can eat too.  Today I tried a new recipe & if you can tell by the picture?  IT'S YUMMY!!  I had to put those last 4 pieces aside for my hubby.  The hand in the picture is NOT staged.  I think he thought I was distracted. 

The recipe says to put this in 2 8x8 pans.  I don't have them so I put in in a smaller rectangle pan & it was a little thin.  My oldest said he thought they were alot like vanilla brownies.  Yum!!  I agree.  I think I may make this for our gathering but serve it with some fruit.  That would be just yummilicious! 

This recipe is from the Carol Fenster cookbook 1000 Gluten Free Recipes.  Let me know if you try it.  I guarantee you won't be disappointed!!



Yellow Cake

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1-1/2 cups Carol's Sorghum blend (or another gf flour blend)
1 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup buttermilk (I made my own)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract

Preheat over to 325 deg.  Generously grease 2-8" round pans.  Set aside.

In mixer - beat butter until smooth, gradually beat in the sugar until smooth.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In another bowl - sift together the flour blend, xanthan gum, salt, baking powder & baking soda.  In a measuring cup, whisk together the buttermilk, vanilla & almond extract.

With mixer on low speed - beat the flour mixture into the egg mixture alternating with buttermilk, beginning & ending with the flour mixture.  Spread the batter evenly in the pans.

Bake 20 - 25 minutes or until the tops of the cakes are golden brown.

Enjoy!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Friday Favorite - PB2

When I first heard of this I was so excited!  Then I got it and I am HOOKED!!!

PB2 is a powdered form of peanut butter (my opinion) without the fat!!  Here is the nutrional information:

PB2
Calories 45
Calories from fat 13
Fat 2g
Carbs 5g
Fiber 2g
Sugar 1g
Protein 5g
Sodium 94mg


Compared to:

Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter
Calories: 200
Calories from fat: 150
Fat 16g
Sodium 105mg
Protein 7g
Carbs 6g
Sugar 1g
Fiber 2g



Don't get me wrong.  I still use peanut butter for certain things & my "go-to" is the Smuckers Natural.  I haven't found another one I can buy at the grocery store that doesn't have sugar in the ingredients.

As you can see there are differences here. I would much rather have less fat then the 2 grams here and there of protein, etc. I use this mostly right now in my protein smoothies in the morning after my workouts but there are recipes that you can use this in as well.  

Don't take MY word for it!  Give it a try!  Oh - and it comes in chocolate too.  YUMMY!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Mini - Remodel!

I'm so excited.  For a long time I have wanted to paint our main bathroom or the kids bathroom as it's been known as.  Stay tuned for some remodel pictures!!  I'm hoping to do as much of this on my own as possible.  Not doing anything major like new toilet/sink or anything.  Just painting, etc.  I didn't realize though how much more "prep" I would have to do just to paint!!

What is the last thing you remodeled in your home?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!!

Friday, August 17, 2012

Friday Favorite - YUM ALERT!!

Haha.  This one is a yummy recipe.  I heard about this on the Dr Oz show & it got me at chocolate :)

Butt Blasting Brownies (these made with dark cocoa)
He calls them "Butt Blasting Brownies".  They are so easy to make & honestly they satisfy a craving & I don't find myself going back for more!  I eat 2 in the afternoon with a cup of coffee.  I'm not sure if they are blasting my butt at all but all my lunges & squats are hopefully taking care of that :)

Ingredients
1 cup raw cacao powder  ( I use regular unsweetened, powdered Hersheys cocoa)
1/4 tsp cayenne
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup low fat milk ( I use unsweet almond milk)
1 cup organic raisins
1 cup oats

Directions
In a food processor purée the cacao, cayenne, cinnamon, milk and raisins until a smooth paste forms. Add the oats to the food processor and quickly pulse to incorporate them. Transfer the mix into a square or rectangular container lined cross wise with wax paper. Press down to form the ‘brownie' base. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into squares before serving. Enjoy!


Do you have a go-to snack that just hits the spot & doesn't make you feel guilty about indulging?  I love new ideas & recipes.  Please share!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Friday Favorite - Hemp Protein Powder

Oops missed a week! 



After my workouts I really look forward to the protein smoothie I make.  I started out with a soy protein powder a while back (it was sweetened) mostly because I didn't realize the extent of protein powders that are out there!  Not necessarily at Walmart or your local grocery store but they are out there.  I ended up going to an unsweetened version of soy protein that is organic.    I am not concerned about having too much soy but started noticing having a harder time then I thought I should with toning my abs.  Looking into it a little bit I realized maybe the soy is causing this problem.  Estrogen tends to cause weight gain around us women that are getting up there in age a little bit (no I'm not getting old :)  )  So, I started looking into other proteins and found hemp.  I like that it's different for sure and honestly don't think I have been using it long enough to tell you I see a big different in the toned ab area.  I use almond milk with it & add some other things as well. 

It's also nice to know I'm getting some extra protein given that I don't get it in the usual ways people do eating meat.  Not my cup of tea.  I choose not to eat meat so love new ways I can incorporate protein into my diet.  Nutiva Hemp Protein Powder has 11g in the 3Tbsp serving.  I add about 1-1/2 cups almond milk, PB2 (look for this fave coming up soon), chia seeds, blueberries & strawberries.  This powder is not sweetened which I prefer.  The berries I add made it just right.  It has 12g fiber & 240mg potassium.  80 calories per serving!  Love this choice!

So, there you have it.  Hemp Protein Powder is my fave for this week.   Look into it.   Research these things.  It is so important to be informed.  Don't just take someone else's word for it.

Do you have a protein powder/source you prefer?  Do you make smoothies?  Leave me your recipe!  Would love to give it a try.

Be Blessed & Healthy!!!

BTW - I found mine at Amazon.com  http://www.amazon.com/Nutiva-Organic-Protein-Fiber-16-Ounce/dp/B001E5E1LE/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1344451246&sr=8-5&keywords=nutiva+hemp+protein