Gluten Free Maui

Garden Fresh Gluten Free Arugula Pizza

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Amanda

What do you do when you have garden fresh arugula and basil? Make a pizza! Well, there are many things you can do with these two ingredients, but I really wanted to highlight them by making them the stars of a pizza. Pairing them with this gluten free crust recipe from Living Without magazine was clearly the right thing to do. My first intention was to do a pesto sauce, but I realized that I’d upstage the arugula and possibly make a flavor clash if I did. So, I decided to just go with olive oil on the crust (though a little minced garlic would also be nice now that I think about it…). Although arugula is already quite peppery on its own, especially when picked the same day it’s being used, you should put a bit more fresh cracked pepper with it as the nutrients become more bioavailable (according to a good friend of mine with whom I shared this pizza).

Everyone said this was the best gluten free crust they’ve ever had.

Once the crust is ready to go this pizza comes together quite quickly, so it’s a good choice for a healthful meal on a busy night if you have a ready made crust. It’s also a good choice if you want to take some time to make a crust from scratch. In the ingredients list I am estimating at the amount of each topping used, and this is fine to do because you might more or less of something that you really like. But, it’s a good starting point. You can also choose not to use the feta, but you’ll lose some of the saltiness so add it back in with a few pinches of quality finishing salt. I also added a tablespoon of chia seed to the crust recipe for some extra nutrition. Feel free to leave this out as it was not a part of the original recipe. Chopped chicken breast would also be outstanding here.

Super crispy and well flavored.

I invited a friend to join us for dinner and Battlestar Galactica time, and although she wasn’t a huge fan of the show she was a huge fan of the pizza. She declared it the best gluten free crust she’d ever had, and Devin agreed. They both really loved the freshness of the toppings; and we all had to restrain ourself from devouring both pizzas in one evening.

Garden Fresh Gluten Free Arugula Pizza

AmandaonMaui

One recipe of Easy Gluten Free Pizza Crust by Living Without (or 2 ready made medium crusts)
Cornmeal
4 Tb good tasting olive oil (plus extra for the pan and drizzling)
4 cups roughly chopped arugula
4 ounces feta, crumbled
Zest of one lemon
1/2 cup of basil leaves, medium chiffonade
1 tsp cracked black pepper

Place your pizza crust onto an oiled pizza pan sprinkled with cornmeal. Onto your unbaked pizza crust brush 2 tablespoons of olive oil (you can use your fingers or a basting brush). Top each crust with half of the arugula, half of the feta, half the lemon zest, and half the basil. Sprinkle each with half of the black pepper. Bake at 450F for 20-25 minutes. Drizzle the baked pizzas lightly with olive oil.

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Gluten Free Study Snacks

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Amanda

It’s a total stud(y) muffin.

As a university student (Did you know, “a” is appropriate since “university” begins with a “y” sound. Thanks Grammar Girl!) I find myself studying quite a lot. What a shocker! Not. Anyway… I like to have something to snack on during my hard core study sessions, but I don’t want to hit up the vending machines for junk food (even if it is gluten free) so I often pack a snack at home to carry with me when I’m on campus. A good study snack ought to have some good fat and protein for brain support. Whole grains, and fruits and vegetables are also wonderful options. Here is a list of a few of my favorites:

Granny Smith apple with crunchy peanut butter
Brown rice cakes with sunflower butter or peanut butter
Hard boiled eggs with hot chili sauce
Full fat yogurt with fruit and/or granola
Almonds
Stove popped popcorn with salt and/or cinnamon
Cheese and whole grain crackers or apple
Green smoothie made with yogurt or protein powder
Venison jerky or salami
Broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower with herbed plain, full fat yogurt
Tuna or salmon salad with whole grain crackers or brown rice cakes
High protein muffins [e.g. peanut butter banana (as in the picture) I made by following a recipe from Simply-Gluten Free]
High protein snack bar

What snacks do you find to help you with heavy duty brain work?

Posted in Food | 2 Comments

Nature’s Path Organic Honey Almond Granola

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Amanda

Crunchy & Sweet

“It’s oatmeal cookies.” That’s what Devin said to me after he had his first bite of this new gluten free granola by Nature’s Path. While attending a demonstration of a line of essential oils, I met a young woman who represents multiple natural and organic food companies through a local firm. I mentioned my blog, and she said that she had two samples for me in her car from Nature’s Path. The first is this Honey Almond Granola with Chia.

I have to say, it’s mighty addictive. I could probably eat the whole bag in one sitting. But, it’s probably not a good thing to do considering “evaporated cane juice” is the second ingredient, and the fifth is “clover honey.” Despite there being sugar right away in the ingredients list, the amount of sugar per serving is 7 grams per quarter cup. Yet, you can taste how sweet it is, so it still makes my mind tell me to ease up on the handfuls!

There are 2 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein per serving as well as 4.5 grams of fat (0.5 g saturated, 2g Polyunsaturated, and 6 grams monounsaturated…wait that doesn’t total 4.5, that’s more like 8.5…mislabeled perhaps?). There is a minimal amount of calcium and iron. Oh, and there are 16g of whole grains per 30g serving. It is considered “Low Sodium” with 65mg per serving.

The ingredients read as follows: “Gluten free rolled oats*, evaporated cane juice*, sunflower oil*, roasted almonds*, clover honey*, flavor*, rice starch*, sea salt, chia seeds* tocopherol (Vitamin E). *Organic. Contains tree nuts. Produced in a facility that uses soy, peanuts and dairy. Vegetarian.”

The packaging is a nice little bag, though it’s not something that may be recyclable everywhere. It’d be nice if Nature’s Path could make their packaging more sustainable, but even I don’t know how they could do that right now. Packaging directly in recyclable cardboard really isn’t an option.

The bag carries the “Non-GMO Project” label, as well as a “The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations” kosher certification mark, and a “Quality Assurance International Certified Organic” mark. They do not appear to be certified gluten free as there are no marks to make this distinction. Yet, their website shows that it is certified gluten free.

I like the nice clumps of the granola, and I like the flavor. It’s maybe a bit too sweet for me, but it’d be really nice for trips I have planned in the future. As this is a newer product, I am not yet sure of the pricing. If I had to guess, I’d bet it’ll be somewhere in the seven dollar range here on Maui based on comparable products.

With the granolas I would love to see more nuts and seeds, with their high protein, to balance out the sugars and carbohydrates. A nice bit of high protein milk may help to balance out the sugars, as it does help to reduce the sweetness on the palate. This particular granola also maintains crunch once doused in milk.

My rating scale in my head says that this is a good choice if you’re looking for a gluten free granola, and don’t have time to make it yourself. The price of gluten free granolas still seem out of proportion for the amount you get (in this case 11 ounces), and what’s really in there. I say, if you’ve got the time then make your own. It’s not too hard and you can control the ingredients even more. If not, then give this a go and let me (and everyone else) know how you like it.

P.S. Nearly half the bag is gone, and I just opened it today. Whoopsie!

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48 Questions

Posted on March 24, 2013 by Amanda

A friend posted this on Facebook, and I thought it would be fun to do here. I’ve seen other bloggers share such things, and I think they can be a good way to get to know the person on the other end of the wire. Feel free to post your own responses in the comments, or a link to them on your own site. Happy Saturday!

P.S. I have a recipe for you next week, so keep an eye out for it. I also was given a couple of new products to test, so a review on those will be coming around soon.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

Not that I’m aware of.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Last week. I was having an anxiety attack.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

It’s my handwriting. It’s never going to change. It’s not the prettiest, but I’m okay with that.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Probably pastrami. I haven’t had it in a really long time, but I love the flavor.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

I don’t, and they’re not in the plans. I’m happy to be a good auntie.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

Sure. I really can be a lot of fun, and I laugh at my own jokes enough already!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?

I don’t think I use it very often. It can be annoying, and lead to miscommunication and hurt feelings.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?

Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

No, it’s not something that excites me.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

I love a bowl of hot teff with chopped prunes, coconut oil, and a touch of honey.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Sometimes. It depends on the shoes.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

Oh, I can’t decide between Butter Pecan, Vanilla Swiss Almond, Pistachio, and Pralines-n-cream. When I was a kid I had so much love for Rocky Road and Heavenly Hash, but not anymore. I must have had my fill.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Whether or not they’re smiling.

15. RED OR PINK?

Red. It’s an on again, off again favorite color.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

My perfectionism. It’s something I’m working on. It is something I can change.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?

I miss many people, but I’m so lucky to see them when I can.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?

No.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Jean shorts and bare feet. It’s Hawai‘i in March!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

The purring of my cat, and the singing of the birds.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

No one crayon in the box matches me. I am a rainbow of colors!

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

Citrus, lavender, and clean laundry.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

My dad. I’ve been trying to help him decide on a new iPad or tablet pc.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?

Yes. While we don’t talk much anymore, I am glad for the memories we share.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Polo! I haven’t been to a match in a while, but it sure is a fun way to spend a Sunday.

27. HAIR COLOR?

Natural dark blonde.

28. EYE COLOR?

Brown eyed girl!

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

No. I love the look of glasses on my face, but I have no need for lenses. I absolutely love the old time term for glasses: cheaters.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

Coconut! I’ve always loved coconuts, and shrimp. Though, I must say that vegetables fresh from the garden, and a good steak are near the top of the list.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Happy endings. I have never been able to watch scary movies. I was shown Freddy Krueger by my sitter when I was a child, and since then I have not been able to handle scary films. The last one I saw was Sin City, and that’s because the previews didn’t make it seem like it was going to be so awful. I hid my face in Devin’s shoulder most of the film, and even then it took a while for me to shake it out of my mind.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Oz the Great and Powerful. It was pretty fun and cute. I’d get it and watch it again. I thought it was a little short on plot and character depth, but the visuals were stunning.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

Olive.

34. Summer or winter?

Winter. I much prefer winter over summer. Now, you might ask why I live on Maui if I prefer cool weather and then I will have to refer you to a relief map. I don’t live by the beach. I love my mountain life.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

What, I can’t have both? If I had to choose, I’d go for the hugs.

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

Golly, nobody has to respond and I’m not even sure who would.

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

Somewhere near 7.074 billion people, give or take a few.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

The Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart, plus some books for school.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

I use a track pad, and nothing is on it because I am typing.

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?

I didn’t watch TV last night. I listened to the audiobook for “Mort” by Terry Pratchett. You could count my yoga video though if you want.

42. FAVORITE SOUND(S).

The wind through tall eucalyptus trees, and the voices and laughter of those I love.

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

The Beatles. No particular reason.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?

I live on Maui and visit my family on the East Coast of the United States mainland. I think that’s a pretty good distance.

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I’m a pretty good cook.

46. WHERE WERE U BORN?

Tampa, Florida.

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?

I expect nothing.

48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?

We met online, but not on a dating service. It was through a web community he built prior to the advent of Myspace or Facebook.

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Land of Illusion

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Amanda

Have you noticed the multitude of gluten free products on store shelves these days? I’ve never seen so many boxes, bags, and cans with the two little words “gluten free” on them! We are truly living in the height of the gluten free food movement. Yet, does this mean we are at the peak? Will it all be down hill from here? Or, are we actually in a land of illusion where there aren’t actually as many gluten free products in the stores as there are gluten free labels?

For a long time now I have figured that the big name brands will drop the gluten free products from their lines once the gluten free dieting fad is over. I have always figured it would be like what happened with the low-carb, Atkins craze. Even though we’ve had more and more gluten free products hitting the shops, and there hasn’t yet been a slow down, I still think it’s coming. It took a while for Atkins to retreat, while leaving a few companies putting out ready made products to meet that small market demand. This is what I figure will happen with gluten free too. It’s not that I’m looking forward to being more limited, but I am looking forward to the end of the gluten free equals weight loss craze. I’m looking forward to a more serious attitude being put forward in relation to gluten free products, especially since we have no legislation over the use of “gluten free.”

This lack of labeling regulation is what makes me wonder if we’re really doing as well with so many gluten free products on the market. Are we really better off? Or, are we living in a land of illusion? Too many of us become sick after eating products labeled gluten free. The only products it seems we can trust are those certified by independent organizations. Yet, I’m even beginning to see formerly certified products lose that trusty label. I picked up a box of Blue Diamond Almond Thins yesterday, knowing they were, up until now, marked with a certification by the Celiac Disease Foundation. The box I inspected yesterday now states that the crackers are produced on the same lines as wheat containing products. Damn. I’m so glad I read that label out of habit. However, I will say that there are more items becoming certified gluten free at the same time.

In the markets I see many products labeled gluten free while having been produced on the same lines as wheat products, lacking certification, and not having gone through regular testing, or any testing for the presence of gluten.

It’s a minefield in this land of illusion. Be careful. Read labels. Do your research. Don’t automatically trust a product you’ve eaten safely before. Trust me. I speak from experience.