A Delicious Gluten-free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free Thankgiving Guide!

Have family or friends or maybe yourself who are coming for Thanksgiving who are on a special diet or have health issues and concerns and you don’t know how to manage? Whether you just want to eat healthy and delicious food or have a food/health issue…you don’t have to spend the whole day cooking and cleaning in the kitchen this Thanksgiving! Everyone that has eaten my Thanksgiving recipes all said they are as good or better than what they have had, and they did not miss the gluten, dairy or refined sugar! Wow, this is so wonderful and many heartfelt thanks!

Here is an easy guide to help you prepare things ahead of time you so you can enjoy your holiday and guests. Trust me after 20 years of doing this…it is so much easier that trying to be the Superhero on Thanksgiving…especially if something goes wrong-very embarrassing. Don’t be afraid to send the recipe to one of your guests/relatives and ask them to make it and bring it-delegate and accept the help. I know it is not easy, especially for people who like to be in control/charge! Remember, we allow others to grow and feel needed and be blessed by their contribution/help too. This is what helped me to realize micro-managing was stunting the growth of my employees! Let go, ah, it feels so good! There is still plenty for you to do.

I am listing all the goodies you can prepare ahead of time by day from my cookbook, No Wheat No Dairy No Problem-order it now on this site!

Up to one week ahead: Pie Crust (see Recipe of the Week-15 minutes), dairy-free and Gluten Free, Cranberry Sauce(refined sugar free and way better than anything that is store bought-15 minutes)

Up to three days ahead: Candied Yams( adapted from Paul Prudhomme)-40 minutes, Mashed Potatoes 30 minutes, Sweet Potatoe Pie Filling 10 minutes

Up to two days ahead: Dry Rub and refrigerate Turkey(fresh or frozen)-will be the juiciest ever!  And clean your house or have it cleaned, do laundry etc..!;) See my directions for thawing turkey according to weight-must be done in the refrigerator. You can now buy a Brined or Kosher Turkey and skip this step. Diestel makes a very juicy boneless Turkey Roast that is much easier than the whole bird! A bone-in Turkey Breast is also nice.

The day before:  make salad dressing/vinaigrette, chill wine, Pecan Pie Filling, Cornbread for stuffing or cube the gf bread(Bread SRSLY), chop vegetables(onion, celery etc…can buy these pre-cut), Assemble and bake pie-Sweet Potato Pecan, Pecan, Pumpkin. I highly recommend the Sweet Potato Pecan-it’s a sure winner! See my utube video for rolling pie crust and dicing an onion at http://www.youtube.com search under LaurenHooverAuthor and laugh out loud!;) You try being videotaped and then laugh at yourself…I did!

Take a hot bath and get a good night sleep, you’ll need it. Spend quality time with those you love, play a game together, go for a walk etc… because Thanksgiving is so busy that you may not get a quality conversation in that day. It so important to remember to be thankful and tell our loved one’s how grateful we are for them-especially children…they really are not mind readers!;)

Vegan Lentil Loaf: Cook Lentils and Quinoa or Brown Rice

Go to the grocery store for anything you forgot and pack your patience-it will be crowded and filled with crying children and you(or your spouse) will circle several times to find a parking place-don’t give the teenagers the car today!

Thanksgiving day: Eat Breakfast so you are not ravenous all day and then get a stomach ache from not eating for hours-you will be so much happier and your family will be very thankful. Try my Persimmon Smoothie. This is a lovely time to have quality time with whomever is in your home before all the rest of the guests arrive and it is crazy.

Begin with a Clean Kitchen-which will keep you organized and calm. Set out ingredients, measure them out and follow the recipes. Have fun! I like relaxing or upbeat music playing while I cook.

Get the kids/husband/family/friends to set the table, build a fire,  decorate-it will keep them busy and out of your kitchen-unless they like to cook! Kids love to make the name tags for the place settings-great project to keep them entertained.

Vegan Lentil Loaf, make and bake! Prepare stuffing(cornbread or regular or Gluten Free) and chop herbs, Stuff Turkey and bake (see my recipe that was even good enough for a US Senator)! The secret…cooking it at a very high temperature will create  crispy skin and juicy meat- not to mention-save time and energy! Yum! Reheat Mashed Potatoes, Candied Yams in the oven or microwave if absolutely necessary, cook and chop vegetables and wash/spin salad greens-toss at the table. Teenagers who like to cook will love to make salad or this is a good item to ask some else to bring. Pour organic wine(dryfarmedwines.com or ThriveMarket.com) and enjoy!

I do not put out a lot of snacks…just a few to tide people’s appetite, but not spoil it for a huge dinner. Perhaps a bowl of nuts and some raw vegetables and hummus or dip and deviled eggs all of which can be made the day ahead or store bought(of course I make them myself)!

Important tips: See Professional Secrets and Tips section of my cookbook-it will help to ensure YOUR success.

Use  oven and digital read thermometers-temperature is key. Enlist help, people love to help. See my guide for cooking times according to the weight of the Turkey.

Clean(with hot water and soap) all surfaces, sinks, counters, cutting boards, utensils and hands that touch raw Turkey to prevent spreading salmonella-food poisioning.

Keep Turkey refrigerated at 38 degrees until ready to stuff and bake.

Stuff the Turkey just before baking so bacteria will not grow.

Do NOT and I repeat, DO NOT leave food out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. It is best to put out smaller batches. Optimal Bacteria growth temperatures are between 40-140 degrees…yep, room temperature! It grows extremely rapidly by the hour after four hours throw it out. I hate waste…so I put out smaller portions or serve everything at once and put it away or send it home with guests just after eating. Only follow this advice if you want to avoid food poisoning or a big tummy ache-really you will be so much happier and healthier.

Final Tip/Preference: To baste or not to baste? I like to soak a large piece of cheesecloth in Avocado oil, fold it in half and in half again to fit over the Turkey. Cover the Turkey with it and I do not baste if you  like a crispy skin. The high temperature will crisp the skin and seal in the juices. Resting the Turkey for 20-30 minutes is the ONLY way to have the juice stay in the meat. If you cut into the Turkey right away or before 20 minutes, watch all the juice run away and there is nothing to get it back into the meat…it will be dry, I promise.

Let someone else, especially the teenagers, do the dishes!

BTW, I did all of this in a cooking class last week in 3 1/2 hours with no help- I slept very well that night!  So, You can do it too. Just follow my recipes carefully-read them first. I like to read them the night before I cook/prepare them. and again just before making them. Buy my cookbook even if you only use the Thanksgiving recipes!

Take a deep breath, have a glass of organic wine, relax and have a very Happy Thanksgiving. From my heart to yours…may you have much to be grateful for this year. I am so grateful for many things/people  including everyone who have been so supportive of my mission in helping you change your life with delicious, healthy food & my Online Holistic Healing Program. Thank you for all your continued support and passing the word about my blog, cookbook and Holistic Healing Journey. I am so grateful for you. What are who are you grateful for! A great question to have everyone go around the dinner table and answer….keeps the conversation positive!

Many Blessings, Be Well and Happy Thanksgiving, Chef Lauren Hoover-West

Halloween & Candy!

 

Happy Halloween! Sweet Treats without the sugar blues!

I have fond memories of trick or treating as a child and big hayride Halloween parties at school. Honesty, I really am not a fan of this holiday, but dressing up and eating sweets is a lot of fun!

If you are a parent, or human, you know that sugar blues that come after sugar highs can be really horrific! We know so much more about sugar these days and how it adversely affects our health. To name a few, Diabetes is a huge epidemic, and sugar is very hard on the pancreas, causes skin breakouts, cavities, mood swings, addiction, disease and more. None of the aforementioned are going to make us feel good and thrive in our lives.

So, you know me….I have a solution to this problem! I have lots of recipes and sweeteners you can use in your favorite recipes to transform them into a healthier, and tasty treat. A friend of mine says, you are not “treating” yourself when you eat something that harms your wellbeing, you are “mistreating” yourself! So true.  Go to my Recipes Page and get my kid-approved recipes that are a range of white sugar alternatives to sugar-free!

Psss, I am going to let you in on my secret of the week….I am making a Pumpkin Pie with Stevia Sweetener(www.ThriveMarket.com)  or coconut palm sugar, and I will enjoy it for breakfast! I will top it with coconut milk whipped cream! Husband, if you are reading this….I will save you some! ;P

Store bought candy. No time or interest in making your own treats? 

As a child, I loved Rolo carmel candies! I found some even better chococlate chewy caramels called Amelia, and they also make a dairy-free/Gluten-free, white sugar free version that will melt in your mouth as you are transported to Heaven!  If you like a soft carmel, and not so chewy, try Cocomels, which have coconut milk. My second favorite was Almond Joy, well I found a nut-free, dairy-free and gluten-free candy bar with coconut filling and a dark chocolate coating called OCHO(does contain organic cane sugar). Lily’s vegan stevia sweetened chocolate chips and bars are delicious. I buy all of these candies at local Health Food Stores and Thrive Market.

There are also sugar free lollipops at local health food stores that are good and without artificial dyes! Please avoid candy with artificial dyes as they cause many harmful neurological reactions in kids and adults. I have seen numerous children’s severe symptoms disappear when they are taken off all foods that contain artificial colors, dyes, sweeteners and flavors. I have even seen them taken off of Ritalin! There is always a reason for symptoms and behavior. You just need to care enough to figure it out and find experts to help you.

Note on Sweeteners: please do not use the stuff in pink or blue packets, it’s toxic and harmful to your health. Diet soda is the worst. Some of these artificial sweeteners are made from the same ingredient as ant poison!!!! YES! Try stevia sweetened soda called Zevia or Kevita Coconut Water Kefir which tastes like bubbly soda, and has probiotics. I like the pomegranate and Lime Mojito Kevita, black cherry Zevia the best. I did not like Dr. Pepper as a kid, but love the Dr. Zevia! If these are too sweet, cut them with sparkling water! I like Grolsteiner best b/c it tastes great, high in minerals and is in glass!

Soda:

Kid’s in my summer cooking camps loved Zevia! For the past 6 years I’ve been getting kids off soda by dipping a 1/4 cup measuring cup into a container of white sugar and asking them if they would pour it down their throat all at once! They all freaked out and unanimously replied, “NO WAY”! I enlightened them by telling them that a 12 ounce can of soda has that much sugar and a Big Gulp had double, 1/2 cup! Please share this with your kids, relatives and friends. Soda is one of the main reasons the kids are overweight along with the rise in diabetes and many other diseases.

In our camps we used 8 drops of flavored liquid Stevia by Sweet Leaf(variety of flavors including Root beer, Cola and Raspberry), and added it to sparkling water from glass bottles(avoiding harmful toxins in plastic bottles) and walah, you have homemade sugar-free soda that is bubbly and sweet which is what most of us love in a soda! Try this and let us all know how it goes/went! Caution: too much stevia will become quite bitter so, start slowly and add one drop at a time. Stevia is 250-300 times sweeter than sugar and is made from a leaf of a tree grown in South America.

Another sugar-free sweetener I like is Lakanto Monkfruit w/Erythritol which is ideal for people with SIBO or Candida, however some people do experience cramping, so eat it in moderation. Xylitol is great for teeth, but new research is showing that it can destroy good gut bacteria!

I still love coconut palm sugar as a 1 to 1 substitute for white sugar. White sugar is not only inflammatory, but also is bleached and often sifted through bones, so not vegan! YUCK! Have fun trying these sugar alternatives. Remember natural Real Maple Syrup is a good choice and local raw honey is also good.  If you are experiencing gas, bloating and burping seek a Naturopathic Doctor who will know how to cure it. In California go to www.CalND.org and elsewhere go to www.Naturopathic.org

Naturopathic Medicine saved my life and was able to diagnose me properly and treat me naturally with success! BTW, my husband is a Naturopathic Doctor. I am so grateful for him and Naturopathic Medicine which has been working well for years!

If you want to feel like you are back in college, get your teens or Mom’s together and go to my Video page and get educated about sugar by Dr. Lustig’s talk, “The Bittersweet Truth about Sugar”! It will blow your mind. Please share it. This can save our lives and the one’s we love. Sending you all love and hugs so you can Thrive living the life you dreamed!

Be safe and have fun! Snack Safely has a list of safe snacks that are gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free, but do read ingredients and choose wisely. Just because it is free of what you are avoiding doesn’t mean it is good for you!

Get your FREE Recipes on the Recipe Page on this blog!

Happy Halloween with good Treats! Boo!

Happy Back to School & New Year!

Wow summer sure flew by didn’t it?! I have been super busy and super excited to share with you a few things:

1. I hope you all had a great summer. I must first apologize for not posting more often, but I have been passionately working on a NEW 12 WEEK HOLISTIC HEALING JOURNEY that will launch in October/November…so, stay tuned! I will be offering YOU, MY AWESOME FOLLOWERS, A HUGE DISCOUNT! Thanks to tech we can now work together!

2. I went to a life-changing retreat in Florida and met a super-talented new friend who is Hosting a Virtual Summit & Retreat with 7 Talented Healers of all kinds(mind, body, spirit)!! I have been invited to Present about healing through food and diet on a Virtual Healing Summit/Retreat! I really hope you will join us for the free calls and sign up for the Summit and please share this on your FB/Social Media. oxox This will blow your mind and touch your heart. For more info http://practiceselflove.com/virtual-retreats/

3. Finally, my new favorite Bagel! Yes I said Bagel! OMG, IT IS THE BEST I’VE HAD IN 18 YEARS OF BEING GLUTEN-FREE & DAIRY-FREE! See my Recipe page for a homemade Dairy-free Cream Cheese recipe-after you read this article/interview!

I have longed for a chewy New York Style Bagel that is gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free  for 18 years, and FINALLY  found one after trying every single one I could find on the store shelves which were all light, airy and so unsatisfying! I cannot tell you how many bagels I have thrown away and finally gave up until this summer when I found an Everything Bagel while shopping at Bi-Rite Market in San Fransisco.

I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve b/c I could not wait until the next morning to have my new Bagel! Then, I realized I needed to make some cashew cream cheese first…and the wait was prolonged! I could hardly wait for it to come out of the toaster as smells of home-baked bread with onion and garlic wafted across my kitchen. And, When I finally got my Bagel and Cashew Cream Cheese,  without all the allergens, I was in food Heaven…a Sally met Harry foodgasm moment happened! So, I had to call the company that made it and…

I interviewed Andre of the ODD BAGEL COMPANY, in Oakland, and here is what he had to share.

Our story started in 2013 when my business partner, Brent Woodard, discovered he was gluten intolerant. Having lived nearly a decade in New York (as did I, coincidentally), his perfect morning routine was a cup of coffee and a bagel with cream cheese – which he now sorely missed. He tried a lot of the options out there, but everything he found was severely lacking; they were primarily just “bread in a loop”, and not even very good bread, at that.

Luckily, Brent’s a very process-minded guy, so he went in the kitchen and started experimenting until he found a recipe that actually started to resemble a “real” bagel. He started small, baking every night and making drops every single morning to couple coffee shops and places like Berkeley Bowl and Saul’s in Berkeley.

Fast forward a few years, and after finding space in a number of shared kitchens over the years, we finally moved into our own dedicated bakery space last year. Most importantly, this means we are now finally working out of a true, dedicated gluten free facility (and as mentioned, will hopefully be certified gluten free as soon as tomorrow!). But it has also allowed us to really accelerate the improvement of the recipe. It also let us get our Kosher designation.

From day one, once we were gluten free, we didn’t really want to stop there – we wanted to make this a bagel that was accessible to everyone. Step one was to make it a vegan bagel, as well. Most true bagels ARE already vegan, but a lot of the gluten free options use egg as a binding agent. Besides the vegan aspect, we also noticed that a lot of people try to avoid dairy and eggs for a wide variety of dietary reasons, including allergies. So, Odd Bagels became a gluten free AND vegan bagel! 

But we didn’t stop there – we’ve also managed to avoid using peanuts, tree nuts, corn, soy, and potato – a large portion of the top allergens out there. (Also no shellfish… 😉  ) Then, in the past year, we’ve also been able to eliminate the sugar and oil from our recipe. We’ve ended up with a highly refined recipe that is really just “simple”, and gets back to the elements of what makes a bagel a good, baked item!

Our final step is that we also hope to transition to organic by the end of this year, which has finally become realistic now that we’re a bit bigger – it’s hard to find organic, gluten-free flours, unless you have it milled specifically.

I think that’s really what sets us apart from a lot of the other gluten-free options: the fact that we are really accessible to just about anyone. That’s pretty hard to find in the Bay Area, even without talking about gluten-free! And most importantly, we’re a real New York style bagel that is boiled and baked! 

And even more most importantly… Odd Bagels are delicious! Although I might be just a little biased when I say that. 🙂 That covers a lot of our story!, said Andre.

Okay, even your friends and family that don’t think they have a problem with gluten, dairy, egg or any other food will looooovvvvveeee these Bagels! I recommend you make your own cream cheese(my recipe) or buy dairy-free Kite Hill Almond Chive Cream Cheese. Great with Smoked Salmon or Lox-see recipe later.

 I order 12 bags at a time, the Everything is the #1 seller and its delish, the plain is great for when you want to spread something sweet on top like jam or nut butter. They have many more flavors.

These bagels DO NOT NEED TO BE REFRIGERATED, so you can send them to school or take them on outings and traveling. The shelf life is 10 days without refrigeration and a month in the refrigerator and a few months in the freezer! I recommend buying a lot if you have the space in your freezer b/c you are going to want more. Do remember that they are high in carbs so, if you want to release some weight keep them in the freezer and save them for a weekend treat! If you need to gain weight, these will help and I say go for it as long as you are eating a lot of healthy food too! I will post recipes on my Recipe Page. Hey, lets help this small artisan company grow…ask your local grocery store to carry them! Get them now and you’ll have them by next week and for Yom Kippur. Happy Holidays and Back to School! Oh, do toast them for sure!

Just for YOU my readers: Order Online a discount code. Enter “LAUREN” at checkout, you’ll get 15% off your first order with ODD BAGEL which expires at the end of September! Order now! http://www.oddbagel.com

Happy St. Patricks, Easter & Passover!

Wishing you a very happy Easter. May you have a lovely time with friends and family. I am posting recipes for you here

I love American Lamb that is pasture-raised, grass-fed and organic because it is mild in flavor, healthier and more loving and kind way of raising animals than factory farms! If you like a strong gamey flavor then you may prefer Australian Lamb. If you think you don’t like Lamb, try American and see if you change your mind. My favorite is Neiman Ranch.

If you must drink green beer, please make it gluten-free(see a list on the Recipes Page) and use natural green color, available at health food stores and online. Artificial colors and dyes and flavors cause a host of adverse health issues including neurological damage and brain disfunction. These cause severe reactions in children, especially children on the Spectrum(ADD, ADHD, Autism etc…)…it sends them into violent rage or just super hyper behavior. PLEASE DO NOT EVER EAT OR FEED PEOPLE/ESPECIALLY CHILDREN ARTIFICIAL COLOR/DYE/FLAVORS! If a label has a color with a number, i.e. Red #5, it is artificial and detrimental to health and well-being. Buy the powdered natural vegetable dirived colors if you must color things.

I don’t know why, but I think of Lemon and Lime at Easter time. So, I’ve posted my favorite Lemon Tart recipe & Sugar-free Lime Yogurt/Mousse for you. The Lemon Curd is delicious on Scones or as a cake filling. You may want to use 1-2 teaspoons of kudzu or arrowroot to thicken it more. If you use it for cake filling, be sure to refrigerate or freeze, until well set, the filled cake BEFORE you try to frost it or it will slide all over! I learned that one the hard way!

 

Happy eating, cooking, baking and celebrating what is important to you. Remember Love is the answer to everything!

Blessings

Vegetables

I don’t usually post recipes on this page, but thought you would like a new veggie for the New Year! I loved potatoes, but they are a nightshade which can cause a lot of pain in one who has inflammation and particularly arthritis! Nightshades are all in the same family and they are tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and all peppers both hot and sweet/bell.

A study was conducted in Italy that correlated nightshades with increased pain in arthritis. I had really achy joints especially in my fingers, so I decided to remove them and within less than a week my pain went away! When I try to eat a raw tomato or potato now, I pay for it the next day with terrible pain in my fingers.

I have gotten bed-ridden patients back into their gardens and onto their sailboats having fun by just removing nighshades! This is why it can be good to see a Nutrition Coach! We have secrets that can get you out of pain and suffering! 🙂

Some great alternatives for potatoes are Jerusalem Artichokes and Yuca and Cauliflower which are all available now! I hated Cauliflower, but when I mashed it I loved it. So, I teach my culinary students that sometimes we don’t like something because of flavor, but other times it can be texture! Yuca is excellent diced and boiled in salted water like potatoes, just mash them by hand and keep some lumps or it turns into glue! You can reheat leftover Yuca in oil and it gets crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside!

Here’s a recipe I bet you have not tried: Enjoy!

Jerusalem Artichokes

These tubers remind me of potatoes. You can even eat the skin! You can eat them raw or cooked. They can be sliced and sauteed in oil or oven roasted or steamed then mashed or braised in water and coconut milk. These are high in prebiotics which feed probiotics(healthy bacteria), but if you have SIBO they will feed the bad bacteria so avoid them and try peeled Kohlrabi instead using the same cooking methods. 

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 pound Jerusalem artichokes, washed well(they are sandy)

Avocado or Grapeseed Oil or Olive Oil(cook on medium heat or 350 degrees)

Directions:

1. Wash, and slice thinly by hand or in a food processor or a mandolin.
2. Put into a large saute pan in a single layer for maximum browning. You can use 2 pans or cook in a few batches.
3. Saute over medium heat in a stainless steel or cast iron pan for 3-5 minutes until golden brown on one side.
4. Turn over and cook until golden, about 3-5 minutes.
5. Season with sea salt or Himalayan salt and freshly ground pepper.
6. Serve hot.

Roasting: slice or cut into quarters and drizzle with oil and salt and pepper. Bake until fork tender, about 15 minutes.

Braising: dice and put into a larger pan or pot with 1/2 water and 1/2 coconut milk just halfway up to the middle of the Jerusalem Artichokes. Bring to a boil, turn down to low and simmer until fork tender, 8-10 minutes. Drain and season with salt and pepper. Juniper salt if very good on these. I make my own Juniper salt with 1/4 cup Himalayan salt and 1 tsp. whole organic Juniper berries and grind until fine in a coffee grinder.

Steam: wash well and quarter. Steam in a pot until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Serve with vegan butter or olive oil and salt and pepper. You may also mash them by hand or in a food mill or food processor.

Be adventurous and try these out! I hope you love them as much as I do. Happy cooking and eating! Please Comment and let us know how you do and how you like these veggies!

Be Well & Thrive in 2018!

Happy, Healthy New Year! A Love Letter from Me to You!

From my heart and soul to yours…I wish you a very happy, healthy 2018!  Please take the time to read this entire heart felt letter from my heart to yours. I don’t do this often!

This is a new beginning. A time to reflect on what we accomplished in 2017 and what we learned and how we grew.

This is an opportunity to forgive ourselves for any shortcomings, and to affirm that we did the best we could at the time with what we knew and were able at the time. A very wise quote I hear is that, “Forgiveness is looking back and knowing that nothing could have been different, and learning from it.”

Today we can start setting our intentions, goals, hopes and dreams for our best in 2018! My husband and I love to pull out all the magazines and make a vision board this time of year to solidify and put onto paper our hopes, dreams, intentions and goals. Every time we do this we can look at it throughout the year and see things coming to us and feeling so grateful and blessed. Then, at the end of the year we are in awe and enormous gratitude that not only did most or all of these things on our board come true, but we were blessed with so much more. It works! It really really works! I promise you.

Making a vision board:

Get a big poster board, glue stick, magazines and markers, or print out words & pictures from your computer.

Draw two lines on your board to make 4 equal squares.

Give each square a category like:

• Work/Career
• Personal Growth
• Family/Romance/Marriage
• Fun/Travel
• Spiritual Life/Growth
• Volunteer/Giving Back/Paying it Forward
• Physical Well-being(exercise, diet, stress reduction)
• …you may need to make 2 vision dream boards!!

Then, cut up those magazines…mind you, you may need to go buy some positive magazines or create your own words, and pictures or print from internet! Be creative and don’t limit yourself…DREAM BIGGER!

Remember we are a body, mind and spirit and all of these aspects of ourselves need to be tended to like a garden. What does your body, mind and soul need and long for at this moment?

You may like to put on meditative or classical music and do a meditation and prayer before starting this project.

How do you want to be a positive influence on this world, on your community, on your friends and family, at work? Shine Brightly this year, be big and bright! The world needs us all to come together and SHINE and love and support each other for the greatest good. Love conquers ALL! We all need more LOVE! How will you show your love and compassion this year? What matters to you? What charities can you volunteer or contribute to this year? Start at home and with your neighbors! Too many times we forget the people within our reach and think we have to go to great places and lengths…when the people who need us most are right in front of us!

My prayer is that 2018 will bring all of us our heart’s desires and all our needs will be surpassed with many blessings. I am sending you all so much love, many blessings and a big hug.

I promise that I will walk my talk and will post my vision board soon. Some of the things I am doing are:

1. helping each patient I have as if they were the only patient I will ever have…helping them heal with love, patiences and kindness along with great tasting, healthy food!!! ;P
2. Being a more loving and kind person
3. Volunteering at the Animal Shelter and giving animals as much love and attention and healing I am able.
4. Learning as much as I need to grow in order to help others with their health(physical, mental and emotional)

Donating to causes that call to my heart and bring tears to my eyes(Feeding Hungry Children and Americans, Building Wells for clean water and education for girls that would otherwise have to spend their days fetching water! Saving Elephants! Planting Trees! Shopping Consciously on Thrive Market and local farmers markets, small artisan companies, CredoBeauty.com, Credo Cell Phone Service, Buying organic, local, sustainable, reducing our footprint, Spending time with Animals! Blogging/Vlogging more helpful information. Living more mindfully each day, one day and one moment at a time. Surrendering to going with what arrives and arises. Healing my own health. Loving my husband better. Giving up control! Stepping into other peoples shoes asking myself what they must be feeling before I respond….finding the silence between the many thoughts that bombard me…quieting my monkey mind. Accepting that I am enough. Learning to love myself more…this will be my biggest challenge!

Looking back at 2017, it was a very challenging year for me. I had many health challenges because I did not listen to my body, or my loving Husband, screaming at me to slow down and to stop. Now, I am forced to stop some things and really slow down and change some of my habits and create better ones. Not easy, but essential to living my best life. That said, I also did do some positive things like learning to play the violin which gave me great joy and also taught me balance! I lost my balance because I played so much everyday for 7 months that I developed tendonitis in my elbow! I had to stop playing, which saddened me, for a few months and I healed my elbow…along with CBD Oil Balm! Now, I will resume with more balance…playing 10 minutes every other day and slowly working up to more as my body allows.

I have learned that being ambitious vs. being stupid is a delicate balance! I have pushed myself hard, too hard, for too long and it has lead to poor health and mental exhaustion. I have momentarily lost that sense of drive b/c I am just exhausted.

Some things I have found to be helpful are remembering to use the tools and resources in my box! Listening to Hay House Radio .com and APP, turning off the news and only listening or reading the weeks review on Friday, Listening to educational webinars, summits, podcasts and Pandora Radio. Music is so healing and moves my soul! Watching documentaries and comedy and movies that touch my heart. Starting my day with opening my eyes and being grateful, finding something to appreciate, praying and setting my intention for the day, swinging my feet out of bed and grounding myself and lighting up all my chakras, releasing any negative energy and bringing in the love of God throughout my whole body and resonating love, setting a morning routine that makes me feel good(sauna, hot shower, aromatherapy, hot drink, healthy breakfast, supplements, petting my kitty and sending him outside surrounded in love and God’s protection, sending my husband out into the world with love, a good healthy lunch and God’s love and protection and surrounding him with Angels to work though him with ease and grace to heal all of his patients(who adore him)! Remembering throughout the day to take breaks, go in the sunshine, breathe deeply, do a short meditation, listen to music, learn something new, reach out to someone who needs some love or my time or just to listen to them(hard for me), and keeping my balance throughout the day! Finishing my day with a prayer of gratitude, telling my husband how much I love and appreciate him, telling our fur baby that I love him and feeding him the best raw food diet money can buy, listening to a meditation(Glenn Harrold Relax & Sleep) and setting the intention of what I want to dream about! I have also bought a library of books to read and now I need to use time management to schedule that in along with my violin playing! Remembering to schedule in fun and time to do NOTHING! Time to remember to use my 5 senses and take in the here and now!

Every time I start to freak out that the world is going to Hell and wonder where I can move to that is better…I stop myself, look around and get really grateful and give myself a reality check…all is well at this moment for me and I am blessed, safe and grateful! You can do this too. It works so well! I think of Cher, saying “Snap out of it”!!! ;P Old movie!

Also I have a milestone birthday next week, and its been a very interesting year of shifting for me in all areas of my life and mind and body! At my age, I will not say, I am learning to be wiser…thank God! I am now listening to my body, mind and spirit and honoring what it needs and wants. I am trying to live more simply and mindfully. What was once important to me is no longer. I am focusing on what really matters and how I can use my life to matter…really matter and leave a positive legacy. I believe that I came here with what I am suppose to have and to be…each day I try to use my gifts for the greatest good. I always feel I could and should do more. I am setting the intention that I will do my best at the time and that it will be enough. I wish that for everyone.

I am so inspired by watching Oprah interview amazing people who have had an enormous positive impact on countless people on Super Soul Sunday. This is my Sunday morning ritual to watch and be inspired while sipping my Matcha Tea Latte(see recipe on Resources page)! I never feel that I am making a big enough difference or that I can, and seeing that 1 person really can have a huge impact inspires me and drowns out my own insecurity and false beliefs! Watch and be inspired…there are still super good hearted people doing super good things in this world…we just forget especially when we get sucked into the news and media hype!

If we all focus on being loving and kind and radiating that energy into the world imagine what an impact and ripple effect it causes!!!! Just close your eyes,  take a deep breath and IMAGINE! I truly hope that I am helping you on your journey because you matter….you really matter. You are loved….very loved….but you must open your heart and receive that love. Let love flow into your heart and from your heart to all.

Now, be safe and have a fun and wonderful New Years Eve and Day! We are off to a spiritual celebration tonight with friends and community to ring the New Year in with a healthy dinner, meditation, dancing and healthy dessert, yes there is such a thing!!! Be safe, use UBER & LYFT, read my post on Gluten-free Alcohol and stick to your diet…no cheating! Until I post next time…be safe and you take good care of YOU! Find at least one new tool you will use in 2018, many are listed above. Now, go make that vision board and please post on this blog post that you did it! Share it on your FB!

Happy, Healthy, Fun 2018! May you be blessed beyond your wildest dreams. May you thrive instead of survive! I am here for all of you who are ready, willing and able to address your diet to create a customized diet and meal plan with recipes just for you according to your health. Feel free to contact me for Health Coaching. Find a Naturopathic Doctor if you don’t have one: in CA, wwwCALND.org, outside of CA, http://www.Naturopathic.org…need to find one through these sites to ensure they have have had a 4 year degree/are Licensed ND’s & primary care physicians and not a unlicensed Naturopath that only took an 18 month course! Get your team together to support you for your highest good! Thanks for taking the time to read this love letter and for supporting my life’s work/passion in helping you Thrive.

Blessings and Hugs!

Holiday Help!

I would like to send you my heartfelt Holiday wishes and tell you how grateful I am for all of you who read my blog. My intention is to pass along what I learn and to help you improve your health. going from surviving to thriving so you can enjoy this life and have the energy and excitement to follow your dreams. I wish you a very happy, healthy holiday season and 2018! One of my favorite affirmations is, “What is for you, cannot pass you by”! Its so true. So, relax, learn to stop worrying and have more faith that you are well taken care of and loved. It will all work out. Breathe and ground yourself and meditate for just 10 minutes a day and change your life for the better. Check out tapping with Nick & Jessica Ortner or Brad Yates. Please read this post even though its a little long it has life saving info! Love ya!

Secondly, I want to share my tips for the holidays, and anytime really,  on what to do if you get “glutened” or “dairied” or food poisoning, or drink a little too much Egg Nog/Cocktails! Here is my bag of tricks that have never failed me in many bouts of being glutened or food poisoned or just a severe gas attack! These two items below are the first 2 things that go into my carry on cosmetic bag along with medications, tons of safe snacks/food, change of clothes and toiletries(all in case my luggage gets lost-God forbid)!

I could tell you many horror stories of being glutened and severe cases of food poisoning I have had, but I will spare you the gory details and you can believe me when I tell you its happened to me and it was awful the times I did not have charcoal. Typically, if I ate even a molecule of gluten from a pizza oven I would react severely for 2 weeks and was bedridden. Last time I was served a regular hamburger bun instead of Gluten-free, I took 3 Gluten enzymes immediately with tons of water, went home and took 5 charcoal caps opened up in a glass of water. I was so relieved that for the first time ever, I had NO SYMPTOMS! This was a miracle I’m telling you!

First, you can take digestive enzymes that target Gluten & Dairy, DPP-IV. I always take one before a meal at a restaurant or someone else’s house for a little insurance. I am not under any circumstances giving you permission to down an enzyme and order gluten or dairy!!! If you choose to mistreat, not “treat”, yourself and eat gluten or dairy when you are sensitive/intolerant/allergic to it, then at least take a few enzyme first and charcoal after! But, you are only harming yourself not me or anyone else. These enzymes don’t eliminate 100% of the gluten/dairy, but do significantly reduce your exposure lowering your severity and duration in symptoms. You can buy them at Pharmaca, or even on Amazon, heres the link for my preferred brand Gluten/Dairy Enzymes

Second, Activated Charcoal is made from either wood or coconut(preferred) and absorbs poisons in the body and gently escorts them out…note: your stool will be black and thats okay/good. It acts as a sponge and will mitigate any nasty symptoms you may have/had encounter(ed). It comes in capsules or powder. Powder works faster, but is a little messy and chalky, but who cares when you could avoid suffering! You can open the capsules if you need it to work faster than 20 minutes which I recommend.

If you think you have food poisoning(nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), there is no such thing as 24 hour flu-its food poisoning take 5 capsules or 1 tsp. charcoal powder in 1/3 or so cup of water and chase it with a glass of water(filtered of course), You may take the same amount 2-3 times a day until symptoms are gone, but it usually works in a dose or two.

NOTE/WARNING: Charcoal absorbs other supplements and medications if taken together, so just take your supplements and medications 2 hours away from charcoal. Yes, your poop will be black, don’t panic. Drink plenty of water to help move things through.

Charcoal Uses:

• Gluten or dairy exposure(not a license to eat gluten!)
• Food poisioning
• Gas & Bloating(if acute, take charcoal and a hot bath to ease and pass the gas)
• Avoid hangover or cure hangover
• heavy metal or mold/mycotoxin detox or adverse reaction to detoxing/juice fast(GI issues/headache)
• you can even use it as a tooth powder and it whitens
• after a dental procedure to help clear any harmful materials or anesthetic

You can purchase this in a health food store, many drugstores and online, heres a link Coconut Charcoal Powder

If you are traveling abroad, I highly recommend Grapefruit Seed Extract which is like a natural antibiotic…kills everything…you can take it daily and clean your toothbrush with it too.

Now for the emotional support we all need over the holidays! Do yourself a favor, get as much sleep as possible and your tolerance will go up and you’ll feel better. Eat healthy, drink plenty of filtered water, use stainless bottles not chemical filled plastic. Try to choose alcohol wisely if at all…organic natural red wine, gluten free(not removed) beer, cider or one gluten-free spirit like some vodkas…see my full list and article on this blog on Alcohol. Not all alcohol is GF even Vodka and Rum!

Remember to take Uber or Lyft if you have even 1 drink or have someone else who commits to no drinks be the designated driver. Seriously, one drink of any kind puts me at my weight at risk of a DUI! Only one drink can ruin your life and end other peoples lives….please please take this seriously. Be safe. Your friends/family would rather have you crash on their couch than crash your car and loose you forever!

I had to take someones keys away from them once and they said they were fine…I said oh really, is that why your eyes are crossed? Seriously. Then, you won’t believe I got pulled over and put through all the drunk driving tests as the drunks in my car rolled around and laughed! What a night. Nobody thinks they are not safe to drive. If you have had any alcohol, it is a risk.

In the mornings, before you get out of bed, say a prayer by setting your intention for the day, put your feet on the floor and ground yourself before you get out of bed and run your energy and envision being the loving shining light in the world you are…then go forth and have a wonderful day.

When you get stressed or upset:

• Take 5 deep belly breaths, signals your body the tiger is not going to eat you…gets you out of Fight of Flight, it works
• Excuse yourself from others and go to the bathroom and do this and pray and ground yourself until you are calm, cool and collected and then return to your party/work etc…This has kept me out of trouble numerous times! ;P
• Try to put yourself in others shoes and imagine how they may be feeling and why. Most of us have tremendous pain and suffering and it can come out in comments and behavior…be compassionate and let some things slide
• Use Apps: Hay House Radio, Relax & Sleep Well w/Glenn Harrold(Library is free), Pandora, Tap with Brad(Brad Yates)-these have all saved me and really helped

Before or during a trip, go onto TripAdvisor.com or App and choose the city your are visiting and then restaurants then the meal then hit filter to choose dietary restrictions:

• gluten-free
• vegan
• vegetarian
• halal or kosher

You can find great restaurants that will accommodate gluten-free and dairy-free and any other dietary desires and needs you have when eating out. I have never been disappointed with anywhere I’ve been directed to by Trip Advisor and have usually written rave reviews and told everyone all about what amazing food I had! It even finds restaurants in airports and its international as well as domestic! You can find hotels and spas and fun things to do as well. Its my go to App!

Finally, just be grateful especially when you don’t feel like it. Did you know your brain is not capable of being depressed and happy simultaneously? So you can trick yourself by just thinking about a few things you are grateful for at the moment. It can be tiny things like the snow, a bird, a flower, food, pet, person or huge things…it doesn’t matter. This is a great way to end your day as you get into bed(organic I hope), your last thoughts of the day can be what you are grateful for and then you will set your mind to a positive place to hopefully have sweet dreams. If you cannot sleep, or if you can, listen to Glenn Harrold’s Relax and Sleep and you will sleep deeper and wake more rested and happier!

Again, sending you so much love, best wishes for your health and happiness. I wish you a very peaceful and happy holiday season and hope my tips will help ensure that you do have a good one. If you are hurting this time of year, please try my tips and know you are loved and you matter and make a difference in this world. We need you to be here and share your gifts and talents.

Take good care of yourself, you only have one you that needs to last a long time. Maybe make a vision board for 2018 or at lease make a list of your dreams and goals! There is so much power in vision boards and writing things down…everything I’ve wanted and done this with has come to me! Even my wonderful Husband! Remember, “What is for you cannot pass you by”! So, create a happy ending of 2017 and great 2018!

Love, Hugs and Blessings! I have some big surprises in 2018 for all of you…So Follow me if you aren’t already. 🙂 Jump over to see my recipes for you holiday…and eat safely! 🙂

Step by Step Gluten-free, Dairy-free Thanksgiving Planning Guide

Gluten-free, Delicious Thanksgiving Recipes and Menu Planning Guide

Do you have family or friends or, maybe yourself, who are coming for Thanksgiving who are on a special diet or have health issues and concerns and you don’t know how to manage? Whether you just want to eat healthy and delicious food or have a food/health issue…you don’t have to spend the whole day cooking and cleaning in the kitchen this Thanksgiving! Below I’ll give you a week long planning guide along with recipes to make a deliciously healthful Thanksgiving that everyone can eat.

Everyone that has eaten my Thanksgiving recipes all said they are as good or better than traditional gluten recipes, and they did not miss the gluten, dairy or refined sugar! Wow, this is so wonderful and many heartfelt thanks!

Here is an easy guide to help you prepare things ahead of time you so you can enjoy your holiday and guests. Trust me after 20 years of doing this…it is so much easier than trying to be the Superhero on Thanksgiving…especially if something goes wrong-very embarrassing. Don’t be afraid to send the recipe to one of your guests/relatives and ask them to make it and bring it-delegate and gratefully accept the help. I know it is not easy, especially for people who like to be in control/charge! Remember, we allow others to grow and feel needed and be blessed by their contribution too. This is what helped me to realize micro-managing was stunting the growth of my employees! Let go, ah, it feels so good! There is still plenty for you to do.

I am listing all the goodies you can prepare ahead of time by day from my cookbook, No Wheat No Dairy No Problem-order it now on this site!

Up to one week ahead: Pie Crust (see Recipe of the Week-15 minutes), dairy-free and Gluten Free, Cranberry Sauce(refined sugar free and way better than anything that is store bought-15 minutes)

Up to three days ahead: Candied Yams( adapted from Paul Prudhomme)-40 minutes, Mashed Cauliflower & Celeriac or Parsnips 30 minutes, Sweet Potato Pie Filling 10 minutes

Up to two days ahead: Dry Brine Rub and refrigerate Turkey(fresh or frozen)-will be the juiciest ever! See my directions for thawing turkey according to weight-must be done in the refrigerator. You can now buy a Brined or Kosher Turkey and skip this step. Now, Clean your house or have it cleaned, do laundry etc..!;)

The day before:  make salad dressing/vinaigrette, chill wine, cook Turkey neck in broth and chill or gravy, Pecan Pie Filling, toast and dice bread(BreadSRSLY.com)(GF/DF/VEGAN/EGG-FREE) for stuffing, chop vegetables(onion, celery etc…), Assemble and bake pie-Sweet Potato Pecan, Pecan, Pumpkin Pies. I highly recommend the Sweet Potato Pecan-it’s a sure winner! See my utube video for rolling pie crust and dicing an onion at http://www.youtube.comsearch under LaurenHooverAuthor and laugh out loud!;) You try being videotaped and then laugh at yourself…I did! Take a hot bath and get a good night sleep, you’ll need it. Spend quality time with those you love, play a game together, go for a walk etc… because Thanksgiving is so busy that you may not get a quality conversation in that day. It so important to remember to be thankful and tell our loved one’s how grateful we are for them-especially children…they really are not mind readers!;) If you have Vegans coming, make my Lentil Loaf.

Go to the grocery store for anything you still need. Make Crockpot Oatmeal for breakfast!

Thanksgiving day: Eat Breakfast so you are not ravenous all day and then get a stomach ache from not eating for hours-you will be so much happier and your family will be very thankful. This is a lovely time to have quality time with whomever is in your home before all the rest of the guests arrive.

Begin with a Clean Kitchen-which will keep you organized and calm. Set out ingredients, measure them out and follow the recipes. Have fun! I like relaxing or upbeat music playing while I cook.

Get the kids/husband/family/friends to set the table, build a fire,  decorate-it will keep them busy and out of your kitchen-unless they like to cook! Kids love to make the name tags for the place settings-great project to keep them entertained.

Prepare stuffing(Gluten Free) and chop herbs, Stuff Turkey and bake (see my recipe that was even good enough for a US Senator)! The secret…cooking it at a very high temperature will create crispy skin and juicy meat- not to mention-saves time and energy! Yum! Reheat Mashed Cauliflower/Celeriac or Parsnips, Candied Yams in a double boiler(or glass bowl above boiling water)  or the oven, cook and chop vegetables and wash/spin salad greens-toss at the table. Teenagers who like to cook will love to make salad or this is a good item to ask some else to bring. Try chopped crunchy Persimmons in your salad with Pomegranate seeds! Pour wine and enjoy!

I do not put out a lot of snacks…just a few to tide people’s appetite, but not spoil it for a huge dinner. Choose 2: bowl of nuts,   hummus(put in a bowl of ice to keep cold) & raw vegetables, olives, deviled eggs all of which can be made the day ahead or store bought(of course I make them myself)!

CHEF’S Secrets and Tips section of my cookbook-it will help to ensure YOUR success.

Use oven and digital read thermometers-temperature is key. See my guide for cooking times according to the weight of the Turkey. Enlist help, people love to help.

Clean(with hot water and soap) all surfaces, sinks, counters, cutting boards, utensils and hands that touch raw Turkey to prevent spreading salmonella-food poisioning.

Keep Turkey refrigerated at 38 degrees until ready to stuff and bake.

Stuff the Turkey just before baking so bacteria will not grow. You can also save time by baking bone-in Turkey Breasts instead of the Whole Bird, and baking the stuffing in a separate baking dish. Or you may like to get gourmet and stuff a boneless breast of turkey, roll it up and truss it and bake it like a roast.

Do NOT and I repeat, DO NOT leave food out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. It is best to put out smaller portions/dishes. Optimal Bacteria growth temperatures are between 40-140 degrees…yep, room temperature! It grows extremely rapidly by the hour after four hours throw it out. I hate waste…so I put out smaller portions or serve everything at once and put it away or send it home with guests just after eating. Only follow this advice if you want to avoid food poisoning or a big tummy ache-really you will be so much happier and healthier.

Final Tip/Preference: To baste or not to baste? I like to dampen a large piece of cheesecloth in avocado or grapeseed oil, fold it in half and in half again to fit over the Turkey. Cover the Turkey with it and I do not baste if you  like a crispy skin. The high temperature will crisp the skin and seal in the juices. Resting the Turkey for 20-30 minutes is the ONLY way to have the juice stay in the meat. If you cut into the Turkey right away or before 20 minutes, watch all the juice run away and there is nothing to get it back into the meat…it will be dry, I promise. While Turkey is resting, make gravy.

Let someone else, especially the teenagers, do the dishes!

BTW, I did all of this in a cooking class last week in 3 1/2 hours – I slept very well that night!  So, You can do it too. Just follow my recipes carefully-read them first. I like to read them the night before I make them. and again just before making them. Buy my cookbook even if you only use the Thanksgiving recipes!

Take a deep breath, have a half glass of organic wine, relax and have a very Happy Thanksgiving. From my heart to yours…may you have much to be grateful for this year. I am so grateful for many things/people including everyone who have been so supportive of my mission in helping you change your life  through delicious, healthful food. Thank you.

In our home, we like to go around the table, while enjoying all these dishes, and give everyone an opportunity to share what they are grateful for in their life! Helps keep things positive and feeling good! Please reply to this post and tell us all what you are grateful for now!

FOR ALL RECIPES GO TO THE RECIPES PAGE ON THIS BLOG.

In Gratitude with love and Blessings,

Happy Thanksgiving, Chef Lauren Hoover-West & Dr. Brad West

Back to School and Fall

Wow what a busy summer! I am so ready for some quiet, cool Fall days to nest at home and recharge my body, mind and spirit! Health is mostly impacted by 3 catagories: 1. Food/Diet, 2. Lifestyle/Stress levels, 3. Chemicals/Environmental Toxins.

I have been on a nerd fest lately, and attending several medical webinars and seminars, and they all are talking about the 3 factors above being scientifically linked to illness, disease and death!

I have a confession to make, I eat really clean and healthy most of the time. I am 100% gluten-free, dairy-free, white sugar-free expect for the quarterly Mexican Coke which I have vowed to give up since it’s just not satisfying! I also eat all organic and am not eating out as much anymore and look for restaurants that use local, organic produce and meats.

My house has an Austin air filter, well-water with extra whole house filters, no chemicals of any kind in cleaning for house, pet or humans, we remove our shoes(not to drag in chemicals and toxins and gross dirt we’ve walk in) and organic furniture and so on. We have a timer on our wi-fi and tested our home and it has very low Wifi registers on the Geiger meter! We live in the woods with fresh air, nature and peaceful quiet.

This all must seem like I am an extreme whacko, but I want to control what we can and do what we can because we are exposed to so many chemicals we cannot control. So, just do what you can and make progress as you are ready. This all happened for us over time.

So my confession is that my missing or broken piece of the puzzle of health is STRESS! I do everything else pretty well most of the time, but I screw up too b/c I am human too. The one lesson I have not mastered to to surrender and know that all is well and everything always resolves itself. I know it in my head, but my body hasn’t gotten the message yet! I am a certified yoga and meditation teacher, but don’t practice it enough myself! So, this is my focus this Fall to really calm my mind. I give all my worry over to God and Angels and I let go and hope to heal my own health.

I recently was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and probable Fibromyalgia! I have suspected it for a long time, but have been in denial b/c I did not want to have those health issues! Well, I do. ;( And, I am having to slow down and adjust my lifestyle.

I have never thought of myself as an over-acheiver, but a therapist pointed out the definition and I sunk down in my chair and said, ok I am guilty. I have pushed myself very hard for as long as I can remember. I am always chronically overdoing it. I strive to be better, smarter, more loving, healthier, etc…I mistook ambition for stupidity. I thought if I just kept trying harder and harder I would somehow achieve Nirvana in all areas of my life!!! Instead, I am just exhausted with serious health issues.

The good news is that I have a lot of compassion and understanding for others who are ill and suffering. I also know the signs and symptoms to look for and the solutions. It is very challenging for me to just rest and relax when I feel I constantly have a never ending To-Do list. I need to be okay with not getting the list done and see the progress of what I have accomplished, and to be okay with just relaxing or having fun! What is that I ask? So, I will report back to  you periodically on this.

I did start playing violin this year which has become very meditate and joyful! It is never too late to learn something new or do what you’ve always longed for or dreamed of doing. Do it! I am having a ball! Again I over practiced…one hour a day for 6 months and now I have “Tennis Elbow”. So the lesson of slowing down and pacing myself keeps showing up! Now I have to play in short spurts a few times a day and I’ve taken a month off and nurtured my elbow. So, back to food…my favorite subject and thing to do is cook and eat!

I know the holidays are around the corner so I am going sugar-free until the holidays, then I will choose my sweeteners carefully to keep my health and immune system strong! I am boosting my immune system now so I stay strong and healthy this fall and winter. I have been making homemade bone broth for free, from veggie scraps and leftover bones; and soup with lots of veggies-so delicious and satisfying. And, I am really amazed at how much more satisfied I feel after a delicious piece of organic fruit than a sugary dessert.

Sugar is the root of inflammation, illness, lowered immune system and disease! See the video, The Bittersweet Truth about Sugar,  on my video page by Dr. Robert Lustig. You will be astounded! A few excellent documentaries are, What the Health and Whats with Wheat! Check them out and have a movie night at your house with friends and family. They are very insightful and motivating!

I am choosing to enjoy organic berries and organic apples that are low in sugar and high in anti-oxidants and hundreds of nutrients and health benefits. Try an organic apple with 2 Tablespoons of  organic/unsweetened nut or seed butter. I love cashew butter from Trader Joe’s, www.ThriveMarket.com or homemade. Valencia Peanut butter is the only peanut that does not contain mold so go for Valencia…at Trader Joe’s. Beans and Lentils, nuts and seeds are a great source of fiber and protein without the animal protein.

Berries and apples that are not organic/conventional have over 40 pesticides!!!! These pesticides will adversely effect health of the endocrine system, neurological and brain function and are linked cancer. If your child, or you, have ADD/ADHD or just some difficulty focusing…try removing all processed sugars and artificial dyes/colors are very harmful too.

Go pick your own if you live near organic farms…its a great outing for the family and the kids love it. If you cannot get to a farm, a farmers market is the next best thing. Also, Costco has organic berries and apples for a great price if you are on a tight budget! Remember baked apples and homemade applesauce too.

Soda is another place that is loaded with sugar! A can of soda has 1/4 cup of sugar and a Big Gulp has a 1/2 cup of sugar!!!! I have introduced many kids and teens for the 7 summers, to Stevia sweetened soda..either Zevia store bought or they can make their own! Go to http://www.Sweetleaf.com for lots of flavors of stevia and just add 6 drops to 12 ounces of sparkling water from a glass bottle. Kevita Coconut Water Keifer is even better b/c it is a bubbly sweet drink with no added sugar, and has fermented probiotics and lots of electrolytes too. Please toss the Gatorade which is loaded with sugar and artificial colors, and trade it for a natural/delicious version called Recharge. Teach your kid’s now and change your own habits and you will all feel so much better with these small changes.

Remember to buy everything in glass when you can b/c the plastics may be free of BPA, but hey are loaded with other harmful chemicals. Get stainless steel bottles to take on the go…at Bed Bath and Beyond for $10! I also put my smoothies To Go in 12 ounce glass Mason Jars.

September and October can be a time loaded with parties and holidays and sugar! So I have posted cake/cupcake & frosting recipes made with homemade alternative milk or store bought on my FREE RECIPES Page. Please send them with your bundles of love to parties and school. They are so delicious and will not give them the sugar spike, crash and overwork their pancreas and cause diabetes!

Finally, remember sugar is not only the white stuff. It is all forms of sweeteners which the pancreas has to produce insulin to process. When you eat fruit that contains fiber it will slow the absorption of sugar and blood sugar levels will be more even and steady.  High carb grains like rice, potato, tapioca convert into sugar too. Our bodies need a certain amount of sugar for fuel, but most people are eating more than they realize.

Everyone is unique and has different needs, so listen to your body and watch how your children behave and feel after eating certain foods. Keeping a food journal on an APP like Cara or on a calendar along with health symptoms can reveal so much. Kid’s need some carbs and a good amount of protein and tons of veggies for nutrition and to help them grow. Adults need less carbs typically. The exception is if you have Adrenal Fatigue and you may need a few red potatoes or sweet potatoes or root veggies at lunch and especially dinner.

I challenge you to try a new veggie each week! You will find some new favorites!

My specialty is to help people create a super tasty customized diet that meets their personal needs and that of the family to reach your best health. I want you to Thrive not just survive! I have gone from barely surviving(2 hours of energy a day) to much more energy(12 hours of energy) through diet and lifestyle. I have had a temporary set back, but I am making the necessary changes to find my balance and you can too.

I understand how it feels on both ends of this spectrum of health and illness. I am now doing phone consults, so call me to get a fresh start as we go into the Fall and Winter. See Contact for details. I am here to help and support you because I care and want the best for you.

Be Well & Thrive and Many Hugs and Blessings to you. Have a fabulous day and week! Go to the Free Recipes page now. Remember to check out the video for a good parents movie night!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Okay, I may look Irish, but I am not! Not all red-heads are Irish! I am just a mixed UK/French mut! I do have green eyes, so nobody is allowed to pinch me!;P

This holiday is fun and I love the food and Beer! This is not the day to cheat on gluten! Remember, gluten antibodies stay in the body for 6 weeks!!!!! There are so many good gluten-free beers now, but you need to know the facts. There are beers that are labeled “gluten-free”, but they are actually gluten-low because the producers start with a gluten grain(barley, wheat, spelt, rye) and throw a bunch of enzymes to “remove gluten”, but they cannot accurately measure how much gluten is left over! This is not safe in my opinion.

We really like sorghum beers and a few brands we love are Glutenberg, Redbridge and Greens and they all have several varieties(ale, IPA, dark & lager) which you can find in health food stores and some bars and restaurants. If you really have no other options when you are out partying, Corona light claims to be gluten-free. See my post on gluten-free alcohol for safe spirits.

Please remember to either not drink at all and drive or take UBER or LYFT or have a designated driver. The legal limit is very low on breath allizer tests…only one drink an hour can find you legally drunk with a DUI and yourself in Jail!!! No drunk person ever thinks they shouldn’t drive! It is so not worth ruining your life, or killing someone else, for that lousy beer or drink! Have fun safely is my motto! You are special and here for a reason, so please stay safe.

Now for the best part….the food! My house smells so good right now….I’ve got Irish Stew in the crockpot and Irish Soda Bread in the oven, and yes Glutenberg and Greens beer chillin sans/senza green food coloring! Click for the recipes https://wordpress.com/page/nowheatnodairynoproblem.com/36

 

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY!