Yom Kippur Wrap Up

I cannot believe the weather!!! Usually the day of Yom Kippur I am counting down the hours until I can break the fast and dig into the chicken soup and honey cake that I made the day before. Well, this year there was no way I was turning on the oven or using the stove for that matter. My easy no cook break fast dinner went as fallows.

We had Udi's multi grain bagels. I really don't ever eat grains anymore, but I figure heck, why not it is a Holiday and once in a while cannot hurt.                                                     I paired the bagels with the usual suspects:

-sliced Heirloom Tomatoes sprinkled with garlic black pepper
-fresh yummy cream cheese sprinkled with dill
-beautiful Wild Smoked Sockeye Salmon
-sliced red onions
-would have added capers, but Ben hates anything briney or pickled.

I paired the bagels and lox with a simple butter lettuce, radish and yellow summer squash salad that was tossed with my go to dressing:

1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
1/4 cup or so of white balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp of Herbs De Provence
2 tbsp of EVOO
1 pinch of Kosher Salt

Shake it up in a glass jar and toss into salad.

We had chocolate dipped Macaroons via Wholefoods.

If we where having people over I would have chilled a nice Rose' wine but I already had opened Driven's Tempranillo and had that instead.

Also if we had company I would have probably served some strawberries(yes because of the weird season are still great and coming in the by the truck loads around here) and Heirloom Melon slices, some different olives and a crudite platter with lemon Hummus. It was just Ben and I this year which was fine too hot for company anyway.

I hope everyone had a easy fast and a meaningful Yom Kippur.

A Monday....

      Mondays are always crazy and a mad dash so I keep it as easy as possible when it comes to cooking.

     The morning started with  a Winter Earl Grey White Tea Latte and a half of a Udi's bagel with almond butter and a sliced Banana. I found this White Earl Grey at the Berkley Bowl in Berkley by Harney & Sons Fine Teas.  A White Tea Earl Grey was a great find because the caffeine level is so much lower and packed with more antioxidants then any other tea.  White Teas are not toasted so they are more of a "raw tea" so you get more out of them then any other.

      Later came two loads of laundry, stripping the bed, answered 12 emails and it was lunch time.

     Daiya grilled cheese and sauteed kale. I used this great Gluten Free bread made with Quinoa flour that I found at the Berkley Bowl. It is baked by a Gluten Free bakery called the Grindstone located in Northern California. They do mail order so check them out. Such great breads. I added sauerkraut to mine Ben had his without and asked for five more when he was done. One pan, fast clean up and sooooo good! 

 Now back to working on my secret project. So exciting!!!  I made a Matcha Green Tea latte with Almond Milk which is sooo good. Matcha is another antioxidant power house. It takes a little practice to work with because it is in powder form, but with a latte you just make the steamed milk and whisk in the powder directly in your mug with a small whisk and add maybe some vanilla extract and some stevia and you are good to go.

Tic-toc Ben is home and it is time for dinner. Again, super fast dinner. I made salmon under the broiler just eight minutes and rub the salmon with a Asian rub I buy from Dean and Deluca. Toss  a salad with some left over red quinoa and dinner is ready!

I hope everybody got through their Monday without many bruises or battle scares.

Later,
Shara

Sweet mornings in disquise with super foods....

Sorry the photo is not that great I took it with my old camera that died a few months ago. Thank goodness Ben had a spare for me to use.

My morning almond milk, double shot, home made latte would not be complete with out Raw Cacao Powder from Navitas Naturals. I was reading a article on Harvard Health Publications about the heart healthy benefits of Cacao Powder and anti inflammatory properties. It is for sure a SUPER FOOD in every since of the word reading more into the article. Doing more research I found that two and half tablespoons gives you 2% calcium, 8% Iron, 4 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein and 67.5mg of magnesium. The kicker is that it has fifteen more times the antioxidants found in a glass of red wine and twenty-one times that of a cup of green tea, even blueberries cannot compete with this stuff!!!!

The Cacao Powder is rich in flavonoids that can help with so many things from pre-mature ageing, fighting environmental damage happening in out bodies, anti-inflammatory properties and help with heart health in lowering blood pressure. Even help with your mood and boost endorphin levels.

The cacao powder also makes a excellent hot chocolate as well. I just add a little more sweetness to the almond milk and leave out the espresso shots. If you do not have a milk frothier just add two cups of some kind of milk and two tablespoons of the cacao powder and heat over medium heat while whisking until heated, combined and frothy. I like to add a few pinches of cinnamon and nutmeg and maybe a little vanilla extract or peppermint extract. YUM!!!

Skin by Ann Webb Gluten Free

Ann Webb's Coffee Berry Eye and Lip Balm

How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways...

You soften the lines around the corners of my eyes
You soften the lines around my mouth
You rid my under eyes of the dark circles that never went away no matter how much water I drank and sleep I would get.
You are the best product I have used and hope you never stop being made....


I was standing in line at Whole Foods months ago and saw this at the check out. Usually I do not impulse by items especially at the check out. This stick caught my eye though because it said Gluten Free on the packaging. People do not realize how much Gluten is in make up and skin care as fillers and thickeners. So I went home and did some surfing around the web to find out about Miss Ann Webb. I think I was sold after reading about the ingredients she uses and how happy people are when they have gone to her Skin Spa in Austin, Texas. Most of her products are Organic, Gluten Free, Paraben Free, Vegan and Phthalate Free. This is no easy feet for a skin care line. Most can do only one or the other so this is impressive for sure.

So on my next trip to Whole Foods I picked it up. Now the best way to use this is before you go to bed after you wash your face, and then again when you get up after you wash your face again like most skin products. You can put it under concealers and make up with no problem. Also apply to lips and the outer area around the lips. This will help with those fine lines that all ladies develop over time. I would not reapply during the day because it is a stick and you apply it around your eyes and and mouth so keeping it bacteria free is key. So leave it at home and not in your purse.  Enjoy:)

If you want to find out more about Ann Webb's product range check out her website:
Skin by Ann Webb

With winter coming this  stick would make your face so happy as the cold air whips by as well.

Un-Cheese Spread

Ok another field trip to Whole foods to seek out some kind of Vegan chip or cracker dip. I really love cheese and crackers but not the fat content that comes with it. I just cannot eat as much as I like so I have made some home made Vegan un-cheese and I make a lot of Vegan Queso and un-cheese sauces. I will share those recipes soon. They do the trick for my cravings during the week. Sometimes I am running out of time and just need to grab something instead of making things from scratch.

Off I went to Whole Foods and looked high and low for something that was cheesy, healthy, gluten free and possibly not over processed to slather on my beloved Mary's Gone Crackers Original Seed flavor crackers.

So I found WAYFARE brand "We Can't Say It's Cheese Cheddar Spread"! They make Vegan un-cheese spreads in a few flavors, sour cream and puddings in three flavors. All are GF, Casein free, soy free, all natural. The spread is Pareve(Kosher) and GF certified. I have only tried the un-cheese spreads, but I asked my Whole Foods if they could order the Puddings and un-Sour Cream. I am not a Vegan, but I like to use Vegan products and cook Vegan a few times a week. The WAYFARE website also has quite a few recipes to try using their products. If you are in a pinch these are great.

a monday

Cashmere keeping me company in my almost re-decorated office while re-designing my blog today.

We had a busy weekend full of house remolding, but we managed to escape and go to Apple Hill in Placerville, CA to buy some nice apples and organic produce at Willow Pond. Also stopped by a new Winery called  Grace Patriot Winery. The Winery is very young but had two stand outs. They did not have all vintages out for tasting, but the standouts are the:
2009 Pinot Gris
2006 Syrah
They were pushing a wine called 5pm that is a blend. Now, I like blends just fine and have no issues with Wine Makers blending but this was not the wine they should have been pushing this was a really not great wine. The Syrah and even there Cab was a much better wine for sure. They had a fun very Dry candy like Rose' as well that would be a great pool party wine in the summer time. So all in all a very fun weekend.

Now today I was TIRED. Poor Ben had to drive into the Bay for work so I just had to get breakfast and coffee together and push him out the door. The rest of the day I finished the two week process of re-designing and organizing this blog. I finally got it the way I wanted it so I hope you like it! Feed back would be great! Still not sure on the colors.

So today I went to whole foods and picked up some of there Mediterranean Crunch Salad that looked almost Mediterranean. I just did not feel like making anything for lunch even though when I got home I still had to doctor it up to really make it "Mediterranean". Then before I left I wondered down the raw food isle to see if there was anything interesting. The raw food isle reminds me of a very cold dank old almost deserted European village for some reason. It is isolated from any of the happy food areas and everything looks dead and muted. I know sounds horrible but it is the truth. I find new stuff all over the store so I figured I would take a shot and see what I could find.

The October 2011 issue of Fast Company is a must read if you like to read about business, tech and love Industrial design as much as Ben and I do!

I found these GF breakfast crackers by Mauk Family Farms. They are organic and GF also grain free basically a cracker made with just seeds and some GF buckwheat. Per serving they have 11.8 grams of protein, 17.5 grams of fat, 158 calories, 13.1 grams of fiber and 45 grams of carbs. This is something that you would eat for energy for sure and in the morning or in the afternoon for lunch. I just topped mine with almond butter and organic no sugar added strawberry jam. They have a few other savory flavors that would be great with a hummus or avocado spread along side a big salad for lunch. Not bad.  Now, for the salad I got at Whole Foods needed a lot of help for sure. So here is basically what is in the salad if you want to make it with my additions:

Shara's Doctored up Kale Mediterranean Salad 
(yeah, all the extras I added and I am most certainly calling it my own for sure)

a bunch of chopped kale (WF)
one to two cups(depending how much you like them) Garbanzo Beans (chickpeas)
one diced and peeled cucumber (WF)
one diced red bell pepper (WF)
half of a red onion chopped (WF)
two cloves of garlic chopped (Shara)
1/4 cup or more if you like of kalamata olives halved (Shara)
half one lemon zested and juiced (Shara)
some black pepper (Shara)
some kosher salt (Shara)
maybe some crumbled feta if you want
one good pour of olive oil (Shara)

Just combine and toss it all together. Holds up in the refrigerator well for a few days because the kale takes a while to wilt.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!!!








 

Pizza & Beer a Summertime Friday Night Ritual

Pizza and Beer....Pizza and Beer...say it with me:)

When I was younger my parents owned and operated two Pizzerias, so I know and love pizza. We kept up a Friday Night ritual of Pizza for many years long after they sold the restaurants. Being a Gluten free girl never deterred me from our families Friday night ritual. I have eaten all kinds of gluten free pizza brands and there is only one that I would ever pay money for anymore. Now, I usually make my own crust but during the summer I buy frozen because it is too hot to do that much prep and cooking. So over the years I have picked up a few tricks to making the best doctored up pizza from a frozen pre-made ever!! The brand is called Conte's All Natural Gluten Free and Wheat Free Pizza. I like the Mushroom Florentine Pizza with Garlic and Olive Oil the best.

 Tools and seasonings you must have to get the best tasting pizza. You need a pizza pan with wholes in it. This is crucial for gluten free pizzas so the crust gets crisp even if you do not add sauce and use a regular pizza pan you are going to get a soggy pie for sure. Some instructions say to put them on the wrack but that is too messy to and too hot to try to move off the oven wrack for sure. I like this type because it is easy to deconstruct and add other things. So what i do is let the pizza sit on the counter for about five minutes then un-wrap it with a cuting board under neath you peel off as much of the cheese and toppings as you can.
You need some olive oil and a brush. Red pepper flakes(not as hot as you think give it a try) and Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning! I contacted the company and they say it uses no gluten or wheat in their manufacturing process. Now this is key because it adds a punch to the tomatoes and the pizza in general without it the pizza falls flat in taste in my opinion. Place the doping-less pizza on the pizza pan and drizzle some olive oil on it then sprinkle with the Creole Seasoning and brush all over and set aside. Turn you oven to 400degrees(once the sun goes down I do this in the summer never before).

Now the next step is up to you. I like to chop up about a big handful of mushrooms, a half of a red onion and a whole tomato to add to the pizza. This is a trick I learned from some Pizza pros that if you do not have a wood fire pizza oven you should pre-cook the toppings first to get the flavors to meld together and make the pizza taste better. So I grabbed a big pan and added a little oil and put my chopped onion in first and let it sweat a bit then my mushrooms and tomatoes. I saute till softened and then add to my pizza crust. I usually ad some more Creole Seasoning and the red pepper flakes again in the Sauteing step. I am a big Oregano fan to, so I generously sprinkle about 1/2 tablespoon on the veggies while I saute them. Then I add back the cheese and the few toppings that came with the pizza. Pop in the oven for 30 minutes and bam!!! Great bubbly, crispy goodness.

Now you see I did not mention putting Tomato sauce on the pizza. I find sauteing whole tomatoes is much better then a sauce. The sauce for sure will make the crust soggy no mater what, but if you love sauce I actually make a great blender sauce and then let it cook on the stove for about 20 minutes and serve it as a side and I can just dip my pizza in it or add it to the top of the pizza as I eat it. This way people that love sauce can get as much as they want and people that don't like sauce can have it totally with out. I also like to chop up fresh basil and top my pizza with that to.

Now for the Beer! I am not a huge beer person. I worked at a Microbrew Pizzeria when I was 18 and I could not drink any of it even if I was of drinking age or course, but I got really good at smelling it and knowing if it was good or not. I know crazy, but if someone ask you to recommend a beer and you cannot taste it you have to figure out a way to know what is good from bad. I did well never had a complaint with my recommendations. So as the story goes the Gluten Free beer market like the bread and pizza market was slim to none for a long time. Just in the last few years Beer makers have put some money into researching how to make a great Gluten free beer. Finally, after my trial and error I found a great brand out of Belgium. They make a Dark Ale, Triple Blond and a Amber Ale. All of them are wonderful!! I usually have red wine like a Zin, Cab, Barbara with Pizza durning the winter but Beer is a must in the hot months for me. The brand of the beer is called Green's made from Rice, Buckwheat, Millet and Sorghum. Green's is also vegan as well. You can get it at Wholefoods. If they don't carry it at your local Wholefoods or specialty market ask them to order it for you. I would order a case. Totally worth it and you may get a case price break to boot:)

Gluten Free Travel Tips

*This post was written and posted on my other Food blog. I wrote it right before I left for the trip to Montreal. Wrote it fast to, sorry if there are too many mistakes. 

I am leaving for Montreal on Wednesday. My Besty Laurence, is having a 40th Birthday Party and I am flying in for the big day! Actually, it is a surprise and she has no idea that I am flying in to see her. This post will be published after I am in Montreal just in case. Her Husband and I have been in cahoots with the surprise for about two months. I am also bringing her gift from her Husband with me. She is going to be so surprised. He could not get the ring in Montreal so he asked me if I could get it and bring it with me. Laurence and I met while we where both working the Jewelry Business as Gemologist.

Lucky Girl!!!!!!

Paloma Picasso's Crown of Hearts eternity diamond band in 18kt Rose and White Gold. So cute!!! Her Husband is the nicest of all my friends Husbands and not because he buys her nice gifts but he is very good to her and is great to her friends, i.e. me:) They have been together since they where 14 years old!! True love I think so!!!:):)

So this post is actually about traveling as a person with Gluten issues. Above is a picture of what I travel with when I go out of town:
Organic Quinoa
travels better then Brown Rice Pasta.
Brown Rice and Almond crackers
gotta have them for eating cheese or whatever.
LARABARS
these save my life if I am around town and cannot find something to snack on.
Justin's Nut Butter Packets
life saver. I can just get a Banana or an apple at Starbucks in the airport and just slather it on and keeps me fool for quite awhile. Also I can top my oat meal with it or even yogurt in the AM.
Organic Green Tea Bags
this is a must. Saves a lot of money and non-organic tea and coffee is fool of chemicals.
Almonds
another quick snack and I can put them on my oat meal too.
Sweatleaf brand Stevia tabs
I keep these in my purse at all times. I really limit my sugar in take and these are great to top tea, coffee or yogurt even your morning oats with. You just need one tab for a serving. Very concentrated stuff and no bitter after taste from the Swealeaf brand.
Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soap
 Great for anything. Washing clothes, body face even hair. Gluten Free. No more rashes from Hotel Soap that has wheat protein in it.

EO brand Shampoo and Conditioner
EO does not state that they are gluten free but I have read the ingredients very closely and looks like they are not a problem. 
Probiotic Pearls brand
these are really a must for anyone traveling. Probiotics keep your immune system strong by gabling up bad bacteria that enters your gut. The PEARL brand is great because you do not have to keep it refrigerated. I learned my lesson when I went to Hawaii by not taking them. Not a great scene in the airport bathroom coming home!!!
Baby wipes
just in case you go to the Bathroom in lets say a Pub in London and there is no TP!!!! I use them to wipe off my hands if there is no paper towel in a bathroom too. Also another tip is to bring a half used roll of toilet paper with the card board center taken out. You never know when you will need it. Mother's out there no what I talking about. Kellie Rippa was just talking about how she carries this at all times.
Anti-bacteria wipes
I love the CleanWell brand. I don't do the gels and stuff. I have a friend that is a Pediatrician and he says the wipes are better because you wipe off the germs not just rub them around and kinda kill some with the gel. Plus, you can wipe off the arms of your seat on the airplane and the tray table. Another friend of mine is a Flight Attendant and he says he has seen many people change diapers on those tray tables and never wipe them off after they are done! Especially in first class!!!
San-J Organic Tamari Gluten Free packets
Depends on who I am visiting or where I am going. Also not shown are my
Natural Calm magnesium packets
Whole foods was out so I had to place an order for them. The powder is a god scent because it helps me fall asleep, helps me with constipation issues that go along with time zone changes that always screws me up. Also really helps with Migraines too!!! Don't leave home with out if. Also I will bring how ever many days I will be anywhere a measured out baggy of
Gluten Free Rolled Oats
If I am going to places that have Wholefoods and I have time I just buy stuff when I get there but usually I don't have time and there is not a store near by so I schlep all this stuff with me.

I know it is a lot to bring but these are the cards we are dealt with having a gluten issue and we can either have a great travel experience or a bad one. I say schlep the stuff and have a great time and not pay for it later with not being prepared.