September 2, 2010

Back to School-4 meals with 1 Meatloaf recipe

Well, it’s back to school time and new schedules and routines. Here’s a great way to get 4 meals out of 2 meatloaves! Save time and money and feel great with this menu plan. Everytime I ask my friend’s little girl where she wants to go in her dreams she says, I want to stay home with you, my family and my cats!

Parents, HELLO are you listening? Kids really want family time.!:) They want your time way more than they want any new gadget/toy-really. So, turn off those electronics for a few hours and jump into the kitchen together. Kids love to mix up this Meatloaf. I taught a children’s cooking class and all the kid’s felt so empowered that they had the skill to cook dinner for their family and friends! Superheros! It’s such a great way to build their self-esteem and give them life long tools-Win-Win.

Make Meatloaf and have 3 meals-Meatloaf, Taco’s and Spaghetti!See Recipe of the Week Tab for Meatloaf recipe(pg.43) and dessert-Fudgy Brownies!

1.Make Meatloaf(Turkey, Buffalo or whatever ground meat you choose)-yields two loaves, serve with Mashed Potatoes or Scalloped Potatoes, and a green vegetable.

Eat first loaf and refrigerate the second for Taco’s and Spaghetti.

2. Taco’s-crumble up half meatloaf and fill organic tortillas that have been sauteed in grapeseed oil in a pan over the stove. Add any toppings you like, cherry tomatoes(halved), guacamole, salsa, baby greens. Serve with refried or black beans-Amy’s brand is my favorite.

3. Spaghetti-Boil water with 1-2 Tablespoons of sea salt. Cook brown rice pasta/spaghetti until al dente(soft with a little bite-not mushy), drain. While pasta is cooking, crumble up remaining half of meatloaf and heat in a large pot with Organic or homemade Marinara sauce(Trader Joe’s or Pomi is great). Stir pasta into sauce and serve immediately. Serve with a green salad.

4. Cold Meatloaf Sandwich-great option if you don’t want Taco’s or Spaghetti. Serve with hot pureed vegetable soup(pg.123).

Cold Meatloaf Sandwiches on Gluten Free bread or any bread you wish is delicious. I like it with ketchup! This was a childhood, and is still a, favorite of mine for lunch or a quick dinner!

Have a great week! Cook and eat health and have happy meals with your family and friends! Be Well, Lauren

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July 6, 2010

Organic Skincare from the UK-with No wheat, dairy or sugar!

How many times have you returned or thrown away a bottle of skin care you bought and did not like? I cannot even count how many lines of skin care I have tried. My skin is sensitive, and I must read every label to make sure there is not wheat, dairy or sugar, and this is a lot of work that take up huge amounts of time. Wheat protein and milk protein are often in soap, lotion, shampoo and conditioner! Go get your bottles of shampoo/soap etc…and read the labels.

Did you know that your skin is your largest organ? Yes, it is. And, did you know that anything you put on it (soap, cleanser, lotion, sunscreen etc…) all is immediately absorbed directly into your bloodstream? YES! So, if you are making a big effort to avoid particular foods, then be sure you are not defeating that purpose by putting it into your blood via your skin or scalp! Whether these ingredients are in your food or on your skin can cause either an immune or histamine reaction which can diminish your health.

I suffered for many years with eating foods I was allergic to and did not understand why I had a stomach-ache and congestion everyday and occasional hives! This has done a lot of damage to my gut which is the center of health, and it take a long time to reverse the damage. You do not need to suffer or cause damage to your body, mind or spirit any longer.

Are you familiar with the Environmental Working Group*? You can look up ingredients and they will give you the information about it-it is scary and criminal in my opinion what it put into products. Did you know that the UK and EU have higher standards in their skin care? Yes, in fact the EU has banned/outlawed 11,000 chemicals/ingredients from skin care and the US has only banned 11! You choose. That said, there are terrific companies in the US that are very good and do not use anything bad, and they are hard to find.

I have done so much searching and have finally found a line that I love and hope you will too! I have taken the time to read labels and use myself as a guinea pig for all of you! I have been using this skin care for a few months and love it. With the exception of a few products it is wheat free. The lip balm has wheat germ and the Rose&Mallow Moisturizer has Triticum vulgare germ oil which is wheat germ oil!

I was never interested in selling skin care or anything else besides my cookbook, but I love this so much and want to offer additional solutions to your problems to make your life healthier and happier. This company uses essential oils, so it also lifts your mood and gives you a dose of aromatherapy! If you are sensitive to smells, the new Starfruit line is unscented!

This is not a multi-level marketing company, but it is like Avon in that anyone can sell it and make a commission on the sales and not on signing people up to sell it. I am not interested in signing anyone up unless they really want to do it and ask me. I am interested in offering everyone organic skin care line, with EU standards, that is in line with a diet without wheat, dairy or sugar! And, I want to save you time and money; and make a little money so I can continue to do research and keep helping you.

This company is also very eco-friendly and has a zero carbon footprint!  I love the blue glass bottles and recycled plastic bottles. May you be happy and healthy on the inside and out! If you are looking for skin care that is free of EDTA, Mineral Oil/Petroleum, Synthetic Fragrances and Colors, Parabens, Silicones and Phthalates then, check this line out! Many of these ingredients have been linked to cancer!

You can check it out and order it on my other website and share it with your friends and family too-

See Organic Skin Care Catalog Website

Environmental Working Group:

www.ewg.org

Be Well, Lauren

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June 8, 2010

Delicious Bread Alternatives without Wheat or Gluten or dairy

I am constantly on the search for the perfect taste and texture in alternative breads. I have finally found the perfect French Baguette, and some of my favorite alternatives that I will share with you. All of the alternatives below are dairy-free too!

Gluten-free, Dairy-free Bread and Buns

Canyon Bakehouse has my vote for best alternative bread/buns hand’s down!

Canyon Bakehouse in Loveland, Colorado makes the best alternative bread I’ve had the pleasure of eating. Canyon Bakehouse is a gluten-free dedicated bakery! They make sliced bread(white, multi-grain, caraway, cinnamon raisin) that is the perfect texture and closest to wheat or white bread so far. Their hamburger buns are so delicious, perfect in texture and just the right amount of sesame seeds. You will think you are eating wheat or white buns…really.  Some other alternative breads are either too wet and dense or too dry and need to be toasted. Canyon Bakehouse bread is perfect the way it is and doesn’t need to be toasted. It does contain a bit of corn and yeast. It is usually kept in the freezer section. Their products are sold at Whole Foods and their website www.canyonbakehouse.com

Udi’s bread is also good and comes in Multi-grain and white sliced, hot dog buns and hamburger buns. It has a nice texture and not much flavor, yet better than most.

Gluten-free & Dairy-free Baguette

HURRAY, I’ve found the closest thing to the French Baguette! Naturally, it’s made in Italy(Fatto in Italia)! The company Schar makes various types of gluten-free bread in different European countries. Their Baguette is made in Italy and has to be baked for 5 minutes which results in a fresh out of the oven crispy crust and soft/fluffy inside! You will not believe it’s Gluten-free. It does have yeast and cornstarch and soy protein. So it is a treat and great for a submarine sandwich, garlic bread, crostini, bread crumbs, french bread pizza, or top for French Onion soup and more. All the foods we thought we would never enjoy again after going Gluten-free! Bon Appetite!

Wheat -free and Gluten-free Alternatives

Food for Life-Rice Bread and Millet Bread. They are both very dense, but lighten up when toasted. I only eat them toasted. Millet is a very healthy grain. Remember, variety is important-so, you don’t develop an allergy/sensitivity due to overexposure.

Wheat-free Alternatives

French Meadow Bakery Rye Bread or Sourdough Rye which are also Yeast-free. Very thinly sliced and light enough to eat untoasted. It will get too hard if you over toast it, so set the toaster for the light-medium setting.

Staff of Life in Santa Cruz makes a Pumpernickel Rye that is very dense and sweet from the molasses. Great toasted or just plain-especially with Earth Balance (soy-free version).

Spelt Bread/Products

Spelt is a non-hybridized wheat. It is one of the five ancient grains. Many people that have a wheat sensitivity can tolerate Spelt, but it is not gluten-free.

Rudi’s Spelt Bread, Spelt Hamburger Buns, Spelt Hot Dog Buns and Spelt English Muffins-you won’t be able to tell that these are alternative since they have a soft, spongy texture like the traditional versions.

Ozery Bakery Inc.(made in Canada) One Bun is a very thin bun that it similar to pita bread. Great for sandwiches (hot and cold). It has a soft texture and can be eaten as is or toasted. A great alternative to pita bread and makes a great Panini. www.ozerybakeryinc.com

Pizza Crust

Still Riding Pizza is Gluten-free and wheat-free and dairy-free. www.stillridingpizza.com they will ship it to your home and you put your own toppings on it and bake it yourself. Read the article on this site about Amici’s Pizza(a California chain), which also uses Still Riding pizza crust. This crust is thin, airy and puffy with a lite crispiness when baked long enough. If you under bake it, it will be too soft. I like to use a perforated pizza pan for this crust.

Udi’s Pizza Crust-they come frozen, you add your own toppings and bake. Two personal sized crusts come in a package, which fit into the toaster oven! These are made with rice flour with xanthan gum, but I do indulge once in a while when I have nothing else in the house!

Yes, there are other bread alternatives out there. However, most of them have lots of starch and rice flour-which will pack on the pounds and don’t have much nutritional value. Many of the gluten-free alternatives contain xanthan gum or guar gum which are bacteria, and too much is not a good thing. So, we can find alternatives, but are they healthy?

Bread in general is not so easy on the digestive tract; so I save it for times when I must succumb to my cravings for it. When I eat bread I notice that I get bloated and constipated. Next time you eat bread or cut it out of your diet for a while…notice how you feel. Is it worth it? I really love the Irish Soda Bread and Cornbread in my cookbook, and hope you will too.

I have two recipes in my cookbook, No Wheat No Dairy No Problem for great alternatives, Irish Soda Bread(pg.16) and Spelt Bread(pg.18)-tastes like a good French Wheat Boules with a crispy crust and chewy inside! Worth the 8 hour process, and the house smells so good when it is baking in the oven. The Irish Soda Bread does not have to proof, so it is very fast and delicious, and has a scone like texture. I love the Irish Soda bread made with dried fruit for breakfast with a side of my Lemon Curd(pg.225). There is a cornbread recipe too( pg.14). If you order my cookbook on this site using Pay Pal, I will personally sign it and send it to you. I greatly appreciate your support-many thanks.

I hope you enjoy these alternatives as much as I do. Let us all know how you like them. If you know of an alternative bread that does not contain rice flour, xanthan gum and lots of starch, please comment on this post and share it with all of us. Go bake some delicious bread and or go on your own search for a healthy alternative at your local health food store.  All of the brands above are found in health food stores-please support you local independent stores/owners so we can keep getting good, healthy food and supplements while supporting local families.

Be Well, Chef Lauren

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May 6, 2010

Daiya-A dairy-free cheese that melts!

I found this cheese alternative 6 months ago, and am so happy to finally get to tell you that it is available in retail stores! It is a delicious dairy free alternative(no lactose or casein) that is also Free of: gluten, soy, cholesterol, trans fat. It contains lots of calcium too. Most importantly, it melts and tastes great!

When I was diagnosed with an allergy to dairy, I could not imagine life without cheese. I could give up milk, yogurt and the rest, but don’t take my triple creams and salty crumbly cheddar away from me! I lived in Switzerland where I ate cheese everyday and the thought of never enjoying it again was very upsetting to me.

At my doctors urging, I stopped eating dairy for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, of  not one tiny bite of any dairy; upon my first inhale of the day, I had a new understanding of what clear breathing was suppose to feel like! At the age of 35, I experienced my first day with no congestion and how great it felt to breathe completely clearly. Wow, I had so much more energy, and my stomachaches were greatly reduced too. Okay, I had to admit that NO piece of cheese or any other form of dairy was worth it to me any longer. So, from that day forward I have not eaten any cheese.

I decided to try all the cheese alternative, soy, rice etc…Have you tasted them? In my opinion, they all tasted like cardboard and my biggest complaint was that they do not melt.

I was told that Amici’s Pizza has great Gluten-free and Dairy-free pizza. So, as you may have read in my previous article-they do and I love it. I went on a mission to find out what this dairy-free cheese was that they were using on their pizza because it was so good that I double checked to see if it was real cheese. It melts, it tastes like cheese and is so delicious. I was assured that it was dairy-free and not made from soy. What-not made from soy? What was it made from I wondered?

I was on a trip and asked if Whole Foods had a gluten-free/dairy-free pizza in their deli and they did. Guess what? It was the same cheese and they gave me the name of it. I could not get to my computer fast enough to research it and find out where I could buy it.

I found out that it is made from tapioca and a few other ingredients. It was developed by a food scientist(of course)-brilliant. I ordered both flavors-cheddar and mozzarella. With the cold pack and 2 day air shipping it cost me a fortune-$50, and worth every penny!I do not recommend that we eat this all the time, but it is a great treat and high in calcium(15%)!

The great news it that it is now available in retail stores including Draeger’s Markets(www.draegers.com) in the Bay area, check/request it from your local health food store. It is available in 8oz. packages(bags) in cheddar and mozzarella under the name “daiya” and it costs about $5.55-much more affordable than having it shipped! Look in the refrigerated section near the other alternative cheeses.

So far I’ve made rice macaroni and cheeze, omelets, quesadillas and burritos and they’ve all been superb. I will try it in a Quiche this weekend. All of these recipes will be in my next cookbook-stay tuned. It does not taste so good cold-it really needs to be melted. The shelf life before opening is about 6 months, but once opened you need to use it within 7 days. However, I have kept it in the freezer which works great.

I also was so happy to find that Amy’s is using daiya in their New Rice Macaroni and Cheeze which is dairy and gluten free. It comes frozen and can be reheated in the microwave or oven. However, it is about $7 per serving! It is very good, but I prefer to make it for much less at home. Make Brown Rice Macaroni, drain and pour sauce over it and mix. For sauce: Stir in one cup of daiya into”cream” sauce pg. 98 of No Wheat No Dairy No Problem, buy a personally autographed copy on this site. Let us know how you like it.

Daiya Ingredients: Filtered water, tapioca and/or arrowroot flours, non-GMO expeller pressed canola and/or non-GMO expeller pressed safflower oil, coconut oil, pea protein, salt, inactive yeast, vegan natural flavors, vegetable glycerin, sunflower lecithin, calcium citrate, xanthan gum, citric acid, annatto, vegan bacterial cultures.

For more information and recipes go to: www.daiyafoods.com

See my article on this site under Amici’s Pizza-for gluten-free pizza crust go to: www.stillridingpizza.com

Have your cheeze without suffering for it. Enjoy and Be Well, Chef Lauren

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May 1, 2010

Healthy Mexican “Fast Food”-Chipotle Grill!

Have you been to Chipotle Mexican Grill yet? I do not eat fast food, but this is truly revolutionary! Chef’s need to eat out too; and I am inspired many times when I do.

We just went on a road trip through California and Arizona and are now referring to our trip as the “Chipotle trip” because in 10 days we ate at Chipotle 3 times! Typically, I go out of my way to find hidden gems/food that I cannot get at home when I am on vacation or visiting another place. I love to sample the local food, and my intention was to eat mexican food in southern California and southwestern food in Arizona, but we kept finding ourselves at Chipotle. Once, we planned it with friends, and the other two times we were driving and were hungry and saw the sign and pulled off the road with glee and tire skids left on the pavement! Just kidding about the tire skids. ;)

Why? We know what to expect because they are consistent, healthy and clean. Most items are gluten-free and it is no problem to omit the dairy. It tastes great and is very affordable, I can eat for under $10  per person. And, they offer beer, and Margaritas made with Odwalla Limeade(yum), water, Izzy sodas, and your soda fountain for all you who must have your Coke or Sprite! No gluten-free beer yet, but maybe in the future. They also have a kids menu(which I have ordered from)!

Chipotle, is a restaurant that is very healthy(serves naturally raised, no antibiotics used, organic, no preservatives/hormones, seasonal, local  etc…) food. It is a mexican grill that has tacos, burritos and salad or bowls. You stand in line and go through a buffet line where the friendly employees will serve you whatever you choose. You start with what kind of tortilla(corn(crispy or soft) or flour) or skip it and ask for a bowl. Then, you choose the meat(chicken, pork, beef) and or beans(black or pinto(has pork), 3 salsas, rice, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole for an additional charge, but it is the biggest portion I’ve ever seen for a nominal charge!

But, how does the food taste? DELICIOUS! It has lots of flavor, and the meat is tender. I must admit this is the way to go if you are in a hurry. And, you can order/pay online and there is an iPod app to order too!

Here is a quote from the owner Steve who was involved in the film Food Inc. which I believe everyone should see, including children. We need to educate ourselves and be empowered. Go to Chipotle.com for photos of the food and more information or to sign up for online ordering. Give them a try, and let us know how you like the food etc…

Steve says:

“Food With Integrity” isn’t a marketing slogan. It’s not a product line of natural and organic foods. And it’s not a corporate initiative that will ever be finished or set aside to make room for other priorities. It’s a philosophy that we can always do better in terms of the food we buy. And when we say better, we mean better in every sense of the word- better tasting, coming from better sources, better for the environment, better for the animals, and better for the farmers who raise the animals and grow the produce.
The hallmarks of Food With Integrity include things like unprocessed, seasonal, family-farmed, sustainable, nutritious, naturally raised, added hormone free, organic, and artisanal. And, since embracing this philosophy, it’s had tremendous impact on how we run our restaurants and our business. It’s led us to serve more naturally raised meat than any other restaurant in the country, to push for more sustainable practices in produce farming, and to work with dairy suppliers to eliminate the use of added hormones from their operations.” End Quote of Steve.

Besides the food, Chipotle is mindful of making the ambiance/building with eco-friendly and cost-effective materials. It is very clean looking, but the acoustics leave something to be desired-so, it is a bit noisy. Many of the locations have an outdoor patio. What are you waiting for? Jump online, on your iPod or in your car and go enjoy this healthy, delicious food! See the website Chipotle.com for locations. They accept cash(yeah, the green stuff) and credit cards.

I will post a Recipe/Menu of the Week, but recommend that you go out to eat once! Have dessert at home. Luscious, sweet berries are just coming into season so, I will post my Berry Crisp recipe from my cookbook No Wheat No Dairy No Problem. There are many crisp recipes along with 163 recipes-see the Table of Contents page for your favorites.

Enjoy and Be Well, Lauren

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April 16, 2010

Cream & Whipped Cream Alternative!

I love finding out about new products that are delicious and healthy alternatives, don’t you?

There is a new product on the market-it’s a dairy-free substitute for heavy cream. It is called Mimicreme and is made from almonds and cashews. The consistency is thick and similar to heavy cream. The only drawback is that it does NOT whip into whipped cream, but the company is working on formulating it so it will in the near future.

It comes in unsweetened, sweetened and sugar-free. I only like the unsweetened because I do not eat refined/white sugar and I try not to consume things with the least amount of ingredients.Here are the ingredients:

MimicCreme Unsweetened—Purified Water, Almonds, Cashews, Sodium Bicarbonate, Rice Starch, Non-Iodized Salt

MimicCreme Sweetened—Purified Water, Nut Blend (Almonds, Cashews), Sugar (Vegan), Maltodextrin (Corn Based), Tapioca Starch, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Bicarbonate Soda, Natural Flavor, Sea Salt

MimicCreme Sweetened Sugar Free—Purified Water, Erythritol, Almonds, Cashews, Maltodextrin (Corn Based), Tapioca Starch, Guar Gum, Bicarbonate Soda, Non-Iodized Salt

It contains 10-25 calories per Tablespoon, 0-1 gram of fat and no trans-fat(bad fats) and very little else. It’s low in sodium and doesn’t have a lot of nutritional value. That said, it is much healthier than the other “dairy alternatives”. I do wish they would use organic ingredients especially almonds since they are heavily sprayed with pesticides. Let’s hope they will offer an organic version soon.

Healthy Whip-is made from the same ingredients and is a whipped cream alternative. It whips up fluffy and stiff and stays firm for at least a week. It does have a little bit of a funny aftertaste, which can be masked with vanilla, almond or lemon extracts. Excellent in place of whipped cream and delicious on top of fresh fruit or cake.

I have seen it for sale at Draeger’s Markets(Bay Area), Staff of Life(Santa Cruz), Clark’s Nutrition(Southern California). I am sure many independent health food stores are carrying it and if not you can request it. It is not in Whole Foods yet(as of the time of writing this article).

I must say that I love Mimicreme Unsweetened for making a very frothy topping for a warm cup of chai or cappuccino or hot chocolate. It’s so similar in texture to frothed milk that you may even fool your friends. I heat up a 1/2 cup until it is warm and use a hand-held frother (available at  Jones and Bones, Sur la Table and kitchen stores) or the steaming arm of a cappuccino machine works terrific. I slowly pour/spoon the froth over my hot beverage of choice. Try the Chai or Hot Chocolate in my cookbook, No Wheat No Dairy No Problem, which personally autographed copies are  for sale on this site Only. See Recipe of the Week.

I am experimenting with using it for other recipes and will probably use some in my next cookbook. For more information and recipes to directly to their website www.mimicreme.com and let us know how you like it by posting a comment on this blog under this article/post.

Enjoy and Be Well, Chef Lauren

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March 29, 2010

Happy Easter or Passover!

Whether you are celebrating Easter or Passover, a delicious meal is part of the festivities in creating memories. Spring is the best time of year for Lamb because it is young and mild. In my cookbook, No Wheat No Dairy No Problem, there are recipes for Crusted Rack of Lamb and Moussaka a lusciously creamy custard over ground lamb and eggplant with hints of Greek herbs and spices. Since I do not use any dairy, it can be a “meat” dish if you are Jewish, but still have the texture of creamy custard! What’s not to love about that?

I like to purchase local Lamb, from California. I have found Australian Lamb that I like, but usually it is more gamey in flavor due to what they graze on. I am trying to buy as much local food as possible for many reasons-environmental, economical and it usually tastes better and is fresher when it is local. I also love Colorado Lamb. If I were in New Zealand I would find young Spring Lamb! Besides buying local, please remember the well-being of the animals and buy Organic, Free-Range meats.

I went to the San Francisco Farmer’s Market last weekend and just love all the spring vegetables including big leafy, green Kale. Take the kids and the dog and go on an adventure and find some new favorites. See the Vegetable section of my cookbook. Besides cooking without wheat, dairy and refined sugar, I am on a mission to introduce you to vegetable that taste fabulous when the proper cooking methods and some seasoning is applied! No more overcooked, boiled-to-death vegetables are allowed! Help yourself and your children fall in love with nutrient packed vegetables! Yum!

See my Recipe of the Week page for recipes and order the book through this blog and I will personally sign it for you. See links and Resources for sources to purchase various ingredients.

May your home be filled with loved ones and  fragrant smells of delicious food. Sending you many blessings this special week of the year. Have a wonderful holiday and happy cooking and eating!

Chef Lauren Hoover

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