I have become more and more interested in superfoods. It seems that it’s the new catchy, hot term in health and wellness these days. So I will be discussing each and every one of them in detail for you to explore and try for yourself!
Cacao: All chocolate is made from cacoa, which is a nut. It does not contain sugar, dairy, or chemicals. It contains the highest amount of antioxidants, more than blueberries, acai, and goji berries combined! It contains:
Magnesium- helps to relax muscles and increases alkalinity
Iron-about 300% of the RDA and fights anemia
Chromium- keeps your blood sugar in check
Manganese-helps iron and forms hemooglobin
Zinc- to boost immunity
Vitamin C- cacoa must be raw , the cooked form will lose it
Omega 3 Fatty Acids- great for inflammation but it must be raw!
Phenylethylamine (PEA)- increases focus and alertness.
Anandamide- is an endorphin that gives us that good feeling along with tryptophan and serotonin.
You can purchase cacoa in many different forms: Nibs, powder, butter, paste, raw chocolate bars, and in trail mixes.
Fly High Goji Berry Bonanza:
4 cups of water, or hot/cold tea, coconut water, or any nut milk
3 tbsp cacao powder
1 tbsp cacao nibs
1 tbsp maca
3 tbsp goji berries
1-2 tbsp sweetener of your choice( agave, yacon, or raw honey)
I know, I know these muffins have been around a while. But ever since Whole Foods finally starting stocking Udi’s, I’ve just had to try these buns. Not only are they gluten free, but soy, dairy, and nut free! It comes with a packet of cinnamon icing that tastes sinful! 300 calories per bun, assuming this includes the icing as well, but who’s counting! Warm these tasty buns in the microwave for 15 seconds and place icing generously and stick back in microwave for 5 more seconds. Indulge in these with your favorite cup of latte or tea.
I am so looking forward to speaking for the Lupus Foundation in NYC, see events for further details. My passion is to truly empower these women and not allow the diagnosis to alter or blemish who they are or affect the fulfillment of their desires.
Here is a video of a young woman told she would not be able to play basketball.
This picture conveys so much to me. Being away, the ocean, alone time, and a cat quietly watching!
As I sat enjoying a beautiful Sunday, I decided to write down some of things that I do or at least try to do that makes me feel whole, the small things that can make a not so good day into a great one.
Here is a glimpse into that I call my self nurturing acts :
restorative yoga
walking through Central Park
aromatherapy massages
pedicures
cooking
taking long bubble baths with beautifully scented salts and scrubs
reading spiritual books
planting herbs
comfort foods like baked ziti
swimming in the ocean
listening and chanting to kirtan
deep breathing
eating raw foods
a succulent gluten free dessert
journaling
buying a new lipstick
gratitude list
dancing around to I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross!! This one always gets me into a great mood, I highly recommend it before a date!
I hope this list has inspired you a bit to make your own list of self nurturing acts, have a beautiful Sunday evening! Until next time.
As I lay on the beach in Miami alone, listening to meditative tunes, thinking of ways I can serve others. Getting away from the noise and bustle of NYC and listening to the soft crashes of the water on the shore, thoughts became very clear for me. Its amazing when we quiet down a bit, we can really hear the subtle guidance, the whispers of what’s next. How can I shed some light for others with autoimmune issues?
Thoughts of approaching the Lupus Foundation came to mind, yes this feels right. I can share my story, my journey with lupus. It took me a long time to say that word out loud. Really. But now that I am living a healthy, super delicious life, I feel moved to spread the word. To teach others what I learned about this disease. The disease that affected every organ of my body, robbed me of my long, luxurious hair, that kept me captive in my home for months just to recover. Wow, what a long journey it has been, learning to truly listen to my body as she speaks to me, sometimes very loudly.
Mainly, the discovery of my severe gluten intolerance, now that was life changing. Officially, I am a gluten free fanatic, celiac educator, and now possibly a speaker to individuals of lupus. Those still suffering muscle or joint pain, fatigue, foggy brain, pleurisy, kidney issues, abnormal liver functions, and the list goes on and on.
Yes, I can and will enlighten those who may be still battling this disease, shedding some light on alternatives for testing from the prospective of functional medicine.
Maybe the Lupus Foundation will be interested in my mission, my voice, finally the opening up and the strength that has come forward, fulfilling my purpose.
Us gluten free foodies will join just about anything involving cuisine and gluten free flavors. This meet up group called Celiacs About Town met at Pie By the Pound in Union Square. This was actually my first outing with this group and I met some really cool woman. We exchanged some gluten free brands, restaurants, and where to get great italian cookies. Since I’ve moved back to NYC, I have not a single gluten free partner in crime. I usually will go to restaurants alone, don’t get me wrong, eating and taking photos of my food is fulfilling but I do miss critiquing with at least one other person.
Jeffrey, the owner, has a gluten intolerance and recently added gluten free pizza to his existing menu! We got to sample many different delicious pizzas. My favorite was the Fresh Cubed Pie with cubed tomatoes, mozzarella, arugula, olive oil, basil and garlic. It had so much flavor, the garlic flavor added a nice kick, really wonderful! They kept us very happy by bringing pie after pie, each with its own distinct flavor. At the end when we actually started refusing pizza because we were so stuffed, then they brought out dessert. Homemade marshmellows, oatmeal cookies, and rice pudding, what a nice ending to a great gluten free night!
So the next time you are in Union Square don’t forget to get your gluten free pizza, just 2 blocks from the Whole Foods.
The pictures came out a little blurry, I felt so rushed to take them, I had to stop everyone from diving in!
So when was the last time you bit into a soft, mildly gooey dumpling? Well I thought those days were over for me. As I walked by Lili’s 57, the urge took over, I hesitated for maybe 2 seconds and I walked in. Chose a seat by the window for good lighting and waited patiently, slightly skeptical. The dumplings arrived looking like a regular one and I had to question if they were in fact gluten free. Yes they were. Slowly, I indulged in every bite. Until next time!
So it was a cold night in NYC and I just was in the mood for a warm, gooey, plate of mac n cheese, plus it was the end of a busy, hectic week of work. As I stumbled upon SMAC in the east village, I realized that I wasn’t the only one who felt the same! Tiny place, long line, barely a place to stand and wait. Getting a table was very difficult, watching eagerly as everyone seemed to really enjoy their dish. Finally our dishes were ready and we had a seat! I ordered the Parisienne, which had brie with rosemary, figs, and roasted shitake mushrooms. Overall the pasta was cooked well for GF, lacked a bit of salt, but the combination of flavors went very well together. Next stop: Tully’s GF Bakery. These 2 eateries are 1 block from each other, so I had to satisfy my craving for cupcakes! My favorite was the strawberry vanilla cupcake. They also serve pannis.
As I settle into living in NY once again, I find myself wandering into so many different restaurants, sampling gluten free foods. Being here has allowed to me to truly delve into my passion of food. I was invited to attend the Gluten Free Food Expo in Chicago in April,http://gfreelife.com/, as a nutritional consultant. Hopefully I will be able to cook to my hearts content!
Will be starting to work with a book coach for my gluten free cookbook, excited for this momentum!
My newest recipe is for empanadas. I have yet to find anyone that makes them gluten free. So here I went, actually the crust came out very flaky and moist!
Stuffed them with chicken with an onion, garlic, olive mixture. So delicious!
The crust is GF but not dairy free, its got cream cheese and butter in the mix which makes it very moist! My flour was from Pamela’s Baking/Pancake Mix.
Dough:
2 cups GF flour
6oz cream cheese
1 cup butter
1 egg
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp xantham gum
Mix dry with wet ingredients and form into ball, refrigerate for 15 minutes
Stuffing: You can use beef or chicken or anything you want actually, my version has chicken:
1/2 lb chicken diced
1/2 onion and 1 clove garlic-minced
8 pimiento olives chopped
1 tomato chopped
Salt and pepper
In a pan, saute onions and garlic with oil until golden brown. Add chopped tomatoes and stir. Add chicken and olives, cook until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Roll out the dough, have a large round cookie cutter, place 1/2 tsp of the chicken in the center and fold over, making a crescent shape. Press sides together. Place on a non stick baking pan, brush a beaten egg on the surface of the empanada. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
This picture conveys so much to me. Being away, the ocean, alone time, and a cat quietly watching!
So when was the last time you bit into a soft, mildly gooey dumpling? Well I thought those days were over for me. As I walked by 
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: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing.jpeg)