Wednesday, May 18, 2016

A lot is going on, too much that I will not share but this a peek into a moment of my life...

I woke up today with my head pounding, nauseous, and relatively feeling like I have the flu. I had to call for help just to get up to get to the bathroom. After the room stopped spinning I was able to eat some crackers and sip some water. Between the side effects of the infusion and being extremely run down from pushing myself too hard I can hardly walk or sit up. The autonomic dysfunction messes up my blood pressure and heart rate so my body thinks its running a marathon while Im laying in bed. I have to sit up and keep going though, my youngest daughter is sick and hivey and swollen. She has to get to the Dr and I cant walk let alone drive. After that whole ordeal is over we find out yes she has another infection and we have almost zero food in the house. So I request someone to help get us some groceries and seek Gods strength in finding a way to get food made and then pray I don't get her infection. While requests were denied we prayed for God to give strength through the store as at least we had a means to get to the store and the store has electronic carts, praise Jesus! I have mustered enough strength from heaven to be able to sit up for a few before my eyes get blurry and the medicine for my migraine wears off and I try not to  vomit on the nice lady at the register. When she asks how I am,  I look up and just say, good, how is your day?

 When my oldest gets home the inevitable fighting ensues and screaming. I try not to laugh because I want to cry from my head exploding and they don't have a voice so they are basically squeak yelling at each other over nothing. Such is the life of a mom with chronic treatments, illness that doesn't leave every single day, the flare ups, the ok days where you can push through and look semi normal. Today I feel one step away from a hospitalization. My white count is extremely low and I feel things getting worse in my body while all I can do is pray for strength from God. My prayer is that when my daughters need me when Im older Ill be alive and better so they have support. I want them to know in any and all situations no matter what I will be there for them because I know how hard it is to do this life on faith alone. As I gaze into their faces while I mom mute the screaming my heart yearns to run up and squeeze them till they stop but I cant move at the moment so i just close my eyes and pray for the peace to surround the house, the peace that only God gives, that transcends all understanding and meets every need we have. This is where I am...where God meets us...so I will be still and know that God is here and all I need to do is be still and know its all going to be ok eventually. 

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Some examples

Gluten Free eating can be daunting here is a start of a menu, Im not feeling well so I will put more details later...
Gluten free buying tips-

Each week take the circular you shop at and find the fresh items you would like to buy, then look for the coupons associated with it. A lot of times you will have to go directly to manufacturer websites to view the coupons for gluten free items, however I have found several on coupons.com

Now make a meal plan for the week based on what is on sale/coupon.
I buy a lot on amazon with their coupons, or price match amazon with the stores.
Amazon Prime now a lot of times has cheaper produce then my grocery store and it comes to my house!

Now meal ideas-

Monday- Cauliflower crust "Pizza" with your favorite toppings, ham and pineapple, if you cant have cheese see here for alternative cheese like subs- http://paleoleap.com/dairy-free-paleo-cheese-substitutes/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/katie-lee/cauliflower-pizza-crust.html  or
http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/recipe/keto-mini-pizzas/


Tuesday- Steak and veggies (you can use canned, frozen, or fresh whats on sale?)  Salad- lettuce, cucumbers, craisins, walnuts, peach slices with a lemon squeeze dressing with olive oil or balsamic

Wed- Spaghetti- Zucchini noodles - use a spiraler- There are cheaper ones but here is what I use:

http://www.amazon.com/Paderno-World-Cuisine-A4982799-Tri-Blade/dp/B0007Y9WHQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1463516382&sr=8-2&keywords=spiraler  
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/233453/low-carb-zucchini-pasta/

Thursday- Burgers in lettuce wrap with sweet potato fries

Friday- Chicken fingers ( sliced chicken dip in bowl of cornmeal then egg wash then again in meal then  pan cook) Salad of your choice, veggies of your choice

Sat- Gf/DF lasagna http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/2014/10/paleo-lasagna-dairy-free-grain-free-melty-cheese/

Sunday-  pork loin in crockpot, if you are doing potatoes then in tin foil cut in cubes season with sea salt, basil, oregano, and thyme with some olive oil and bake for 15 minutes until cooked   Add carrots in crockpot

Monday- Crockpot chili - ground turkey, spices, red beans, black beans, tomatoes

Tuesday- tacos with lettuce wrap, guac, try goat cheese, corn, tomatoes, black olives, ground beef or turkey use real spices not packet

Wed- Soup http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/2015/01/8-of-the-best-low-carb-soups-you-should-be-eating/

Thursday- http://www.healthfulpursuit.com/recipe/warmed-pesto-shrimp-zucchini-pasta/










Monday, May 2, 2016

Quinoa Stuffed peppers

I'm not the hugest fan of quinoa but this turned out SO good! :)

1 lb Ground beef/turkey
1/2 onion
1 cup Quinoa (I used organic, cook it as directed on package)
2-3 garlic cloves
1 can diced organic tomatoes
1-2 cans of tomato sauce
1tsp of red pepper flakes (honestly I don't measure I do a couple shakes)
Salt/pepper
1 can or package of corn
4-6 peppers (I used one orange, one yellow, one red, and one green)
1/2- 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (I used Dublin cheddar cheese)

optional:
1 drop thyme young living oil
1 drop basil young living oil

This made a lot! You could use the leftover meat/quinoa as another meal or stuff extra peppers. My kids ages 7 and 10 loved this, and they are picky eaters!

First, cook your ground beef and diced onion in pan, as its cooking I add in seasonings.When meat is completely browned add in red pepper flakes, corn, tomatoes,, cooked quinoa and tomato sauce. simmer together for a few min while you clean and cut the peppers.

Now, you want to clean the outside of peppers thoroughly and cut the top around the stem out. Clean out the seeds and then fill it with the quinoa mixture. This serves as a bowl. You could also cut them in half then put in glass pan. Before placing in the oven take your shredded cheese and sprinkle it over the tops of the peppers. I love cheese! So you made need more or less if you like it less cheesy etc.

Now tent the tin foil over the top so sides are closed but not touching the peppers. Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes, then take the tin foil off cook for another 5 minutes. I like my peppers crunchy but if you want them softer simply cook for 25-30 min then take the tin foil off and viola!


Sunday, January 17, 2016

Safe Local Gluten Free Joints

The hardest times are when Im sick and my husband is gone and I need to feed the kids, and myself preferably, but at least the never ending kids stomachs. I have found several places in the area to be great for when you go out to eat at least, but there is not many that deliver to where we live. Here is a list of some safe places to eat gluten free when you have celiac.  There are many places that offer gluten free options. These are the ones I have personally been to and would eat at again. As we go out I will update with my experience. I've been to others but I personally wouldn't eat at some again.

Zoes Kitchen 



Ask for the menu they will show you clearly labeled gluten free and let them know to change gloves etc. for the gluten free food. They will substitute the bread. :)

1912 Landstown Centre Way #100, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

(757) 301-6119



Chick-fil-A


Most places you let the staff know gluten free order they will make grilled nuggets and fries and change gloves. 

877 Lynnhaven Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

(757) 468-1003


Cheeseburger in Paradise



Ask for gluten free menu.

739 Lynnhaven Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

(757) 498-1518


Whiskey Kitchen


2149 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23454

(757) 689-8860


FIREBREW Bar & Grill



1253 Nimmo Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

(757) 689-2800


Texas Roadhouse



4309 Silverleaf Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 497-7427


Red Robin




They have a gluten free fryer!

1088 Nimmo Parkway, Virginia Beach, VA 23454

(757) 427-6900


Azar's Natural Foods Market & Cafe


108 Prescott Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

(757) 486-7778


Boston Market




3981 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

(757) 498-7900

Burtons Grill



741 1st Colonial Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

(757) 422-8970


The Melting Pot




1564 Laskin Rd #182, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

(757) 425-3463



Sunday, January 3, 2016

Gluten Free Zesty Chicken and potato Soup for crockpot

I love the meals you can throw in a pot or crockpot, leave and go do other things. No one has time to be standing at the stove all day. 
My girls loved this! It was a tad on the spicy side for my kids without the chiles, I believe we added too much seasoning. It made a TON and was great leftover also! Also didnt break the bank to make :)

3-4 split chicken breasts (free-range organic, if possible), rinsed, patted dry
8 cloves fresh garlic, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 heaping cups thinly shredded cabbage (we used a whole head)
1 green bell pepper 
1 red pepper
1 yellow summer squash 
2 zucchini squash 
6 to 8 baby Yukon Gold potatoes, cut up
1 4-oz. can chopped green chiles- mild or hot, to taste ( I didn't use)
 1-2 teaspoon each of: dried basil, oregano and parsley
1 14-oz. can Muir Glen organic diced tomatoes
2-3 or more cups of organic chicken broth
Cook 4-6 hours on low