pizza

Cauliflower Pizza Crusts

Healthier Pizza it’s Gluten Free Too!

Yes! A healthier pizza and a way to get your kids to love eating more vegetables is a reality. I am super excited about this next gluten free cooking class coming up on May 20th at Mingle. I have had many requests for a class like this so I am sure the event will sell out. You can reserve your seat here. There is lots of talk about gluten free foods these days and some say it is just the next fad diet. Maybe it is and it too will pass but I know for me choosing to go gluten free has radically changed my family’s lifestyle for the better. I only share what I know and what I believe to be beneficial in supporting happy healthier families. I am passionate about cooking and eating real foods and this is just an extension of that. There are plenty of “all natural” “gluten free” “organic” junk foods out there disguised to be healthy options for you. It is really hard sometimes to know what foods are actually good for you.

Cauliflower Pizza Crusts
Cauliflower Crust Pizza

 

I was tossed into the gluten free world just over a year ago due to a sensitivity my son had. At first I struggled because I still wanted cookies, bread and pizza, don’t we all love them? There is a reason these are called “comfort foods” I was tired of feeling deprived. I knew there had to be simple solutions to gluten free cooking. I took to researching and testing to only find, like I do with many recipes, items that took too long, were too complicated and often not producing good results. I needed tasty, easy and quick to keep up with the demands of life as a busy working mom. I have tested and tried so many recipes and now I get to enjoy healthier versions of things like pizza with a super easy cauliflower crust. Gluten free cooking may not be for everyone but choosing healthier real food alternatives to processed foods can benefit anyone.

 

Changing our lifestyle to eliminate gluten and almost all refined sugars has created these results for my family; my son’s eczema has completely cleared naturally. We all sleep better at night, and fall asleep quickly. I have more energy and am 25 pound lighter than my pre pregnancy weight. Yes mommas, all the baby weight and 25 lbs. extra all gone from just changing how we eat.

Gluten Free and Refined Sugar Free Christmas Cookies
Gluten Free and Refined Sugar Free Christmas Cookies

The recipes I am sharing in this gluten free cooking class are some of my favorites. I also don’t believe in making separate meals for anyone in the house. We all eat the same food regardless of age, taste, need or preference. I also learned to never share that a recipe is gluten free with others as it tends to create this pre conceived idea that is must taste bad. When in reality good ingredients prepared simply almost always create amazing results. At Christmas time I made a platter of cookies that was all gluten and refined sugar free. I set them on the table right next to all the others and everyone enjoyed them just as they would any other cookie or brownie. They only learned of the difference when they commented on how good they were and asked about them did they find out that my double chocolate brownies were made out of black beans. When you use real ingredients you can have treats and not feel bad about eating them.

 

This gluten free cooking class shares that idea that real food creates real good results that anyone can enjoy. No need to purchase a variety of strange flours, starches or gums just real rood for real people. Join me and learn how easy it can be. Register today!

Do you or your family struggle with food sensitivities? What helps you continue to eat well?

Pantry Essentials

Pantry Essentials

Pantry Essentials

It happens, we all get busy and all of a sudden we need food and need it fast. Here is how to keep from running out of fast food. Stay in by having a few of these Pantry Essentials on hand for simple and creative snacks anytime. I often make my own pizza crusts and keep them frozen and ready for use but sometimes you just need a quick snack, appetizer or lunch. I always have some type of tortilla shells yet pita bread, naan, flat bread, even English muffins or bagels will work too. Basically you are looking for a flat bread-type items to serve as a base, then add a sauce a variety of toppings and in 15 min or less you have food on the table. Here is a basic guide.

Base (pick one)    

  • tortilla shells
  • pita bread
  • naan
  • flat bread
  • English muffins
  • bagels

Spread Base with Sauce (pick one)

  • Marinara
  • Blue cheese dressing
  • Buffalo sauce
  • Herbed cream cheese
  • Ranch dressing
  • Italian dressing
  • BBQ Sauce

Add a Topping or two (pick 1-3)

  • Deli meats
  • Pepperoni
  • Chicken
  • Tomatoes
  • Cheese
  • Olives
  • Herbs
  • Artichoke Hearts
  • Sausage
  • Grilled Vegetable
  • Canned Beans
  • Leftovers

* be creative! Many items are shelf-stable. Keep a few of your favorites on hand and you will never be hungry again!

Place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes and you are set with hot and tasty snacks. Slice and serve like pizza or fold in half like sandwiches.

Party in an Instant

Party in an Instant, Pantry Essentials for Easy Entertaining

Having a well-stocked pantry means you can have a party in an instant. The summer is always a special time for casual gatherings. In addition to my everyday pantry I like to keep a few of these special summer treats ready for an impromptu get together. It is easy to have confidence in the kitchen when you know you already have what you need on hand to make quick, easy, delicious meals at home.

Party in an InstantQuick Breads: Banana bread in the beginning of summer and zucchini bread for the summer-end and into fall are perfect for a simple breakfast or snack on the go with fresh fruits and yogurt. You can make multiple loaves one for now and one to keep frozen for when you need it later.

Cheese: Cheese is wonderful for simple grilled cheese sandwiches, addition to green or pasta salads, simple snacks or my favorite for entertaining cheese plates. Cheese plates are the best, no-cooking-required entertaining appetizer, first course or dessert. Get your Cheese Wheel Paring Guide to easily choose delicious pairing combinations.

Out of Hand Snacks: For on-the-go snacks or putting together a simple elegant cheese place for appetizers keep a variety of cheese, smoked sausages, crackers or chips nuts and dried fruits available.

Pizza Dough: You can get this already prepared, in 5-min mixes or make your own. Pizza dough is so versatile! Use it for pizza with any topping or as flatbread with dips and spreads. In the summer I love to grill it and keep all the heat outdoors.

Citrus: lemons, limes, oranges add flavor and freshness to water, make lemonade and easily mix up a batch of lemon curd for dessert or breakfast.

Canned Beans: Beans are great to have at any time of the year to quickly mix up a bean dip like hummus or a spicy black bean dip for appetizers or a side dish. They are also a quickly prepared and inexpensive protein source to mix in with fresh vegetables for salads, tacos, quesadillas, or salsa.

Fruit: especially melons like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew. These are great for breakfast with yogurt and granola, snacks, side dishes and even dessert with a little ice cream. Melons in the summer are sweet and large, which makes them perfect for many people to share.

Something Special: Everyone loves a little sweet in the summer and if you have a campfire s’mores are a must have. I like to keep the fixings sealed in mason jars to have a party in an instant. This is a nice approach for a DIY snack. The jars keep ingredients fresh, clean and easy to handle and they are quite darling if you want to wrap with scraps of fabric or ribbon to match a theme.

S’moresOther freezer treats: like Ice Cream or Popsicles for children, and a batch of Brandy Smash for the adults are sure to please a summer crowd.

Pick up your copy of The Pretty Plate for more simple techniques and recipes, and learn about the five elements to make your everyday meals magnificent.

IAH 5-16 pretty plate