Friday, November 29, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Delicious Gluten-Free Cookie Mix!
Since I started eating gluten-free, I have been experimenting with making a good chocolate chip cookie that is gluten, soy, dairy and egg-free. I was making them from scratch and spending a lot of money on different flours and ingredients. One day, I came across Pamela's Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix at our local health food store and decided to try it. I substituted 1/4 cup applesauce for the egg in the recipe and I have even substituted a dairy and soy-free butter spread for the real butter. They are so delicious!!! I have even found it in the Green-Wise section of our local Publix store. I am a sucker for a great chocolate chip cookie. Sometimes it is OK to just treat yourself. Try it and you will see what I mean!!
http://www.pamelasproducts.com/products/baking-mixes/pamelas-chocolate-chunk-cookie-mi/
http://www.pamelasproducts.com/products/baking-mixes/pamelas-chocolate-chunk-cookie-mi/
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
What To Do When You Can't Get Motivated to Exercise
Today was a crazy busy day and I just didn't have time to go for my walk this morning. By 4 p.m., I didn't feel like exercising at all. But the little voice was still nagging me, so I did what I sometimes do when I need to exercise and don't feel like leaving the house. I turn on the TV and watch one of my recorded shows that I haven't had time to watch and I start marching in place. I know, weird, right? Then I just keep on marching or I walk around the house or I do some side steps, all the while watching my show. Soon enough, I have exercised an extra 30 or 40 minutes painlessly. So easy, too.
If you have something you don't really want to do, think of it this way. You can bag it, barter it or better it. 3 B's. I learned this in my Martha Beck life coaching course. Bag it means just don't do it. Barter it means have someone else do it for you. Better it means combining it with a pleasurable activity. Which is what I did with my exercise today. Try it - you will be amazed at how painless your exercise time can be.
If you have something you don't really want to do, think of it this way. You can bag it, barter it or better it. 3 B's. I learned this in my Martha Beck life coaching course. Bag it means just don't do it. Barter it means have someone else do it for you. Better it means combining it with a pleasurable activity. Which is what I did with my exercise today. Try it - you will be amazed at how painless your exercise time can be.
Friday, November 15, 2013
A Simple Gluten-Free Breakfast
People have asked me what I eat for breakfast, since wheat, etc. products are out for me. I generally have the same thing most days - it just makes my life simpler.
When I get up, I typically eat a small piece of my GF cornbread (see my previous post for recipe) and a half a banana or 1 piece of bacon just to get my blood sugar up (I have hypoglycemia). After about an hour, I eat 1/2 cup Perky's Crunchy Rice cereal, with 1/2 cup rice milk with a few walnuts thrown in. Recently, I have tried to reintroduce 1 egg instead of the cereal. I had a sensitivity to eggs, so I had D/C'd eggs. I have only done this once a week and I seem to be handling it OK. I do not eat oats (even GF ones), because I don't want to take any chances and the protein in oats is very similar to that in gluten.
That's it. Simple. If I did not have time for this sit-down breakfast, I would have a Peanut or Cashew MacroBar (love these bars) on the go. I would love to help you with navigating the world of gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Click on the HOME button on this page and contact me.
When I get up, I typically eat a small piece of my GF cornbread (see my previous post for recipe) and a half a banana or 1 piece of bacon just to get my blood sugar up (I have hypoglycemia). After about an hour, I eat 1/2 cup Perky's Crunchy Rice cereal, with 1/2 cup rice milk with a few walnuts thrown in. Recently, I have tried to reintroduce 1 egg instead of the cereal. I had a sensitivity to eggs, so I had D/C'd eggs. I have only done this once a week and I seem to be handling it OK. I do not eat oats (even GF ones), because I don't want to take any chances and the protein in oats is very similar to that in gluten.
That's it. Simple. If I did not have time for this sit-down breakfast, I would have a Peanut or Cashew MacroBar (love these bars) on the go. I would love to help you with navigating the world of gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. Click on the HOME button on this page and contact me.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Can You Be Thankful Instead of Critical?
So Saturday I was at the Painted Pony Farm Fun Day in Monticello, Florida and my amazing grandson was doing a demonstration for the crowd of therapeutic horseback riding which he does at Hands and Hearts for Horses in Thomasville. He is on the autism spectrum and sometimes gets distracted in crowds, like at a horse show. I was side-walking with him during the demo (doing an ankle or over-the-knee-hold) and generally helping to keep him focused on the instructor. It was a fun day and great publicity for H & H, who do amazing work with people with physical and mental challenges.
Later that night, there were even some video clips of my grandson, Granger Henning, on the local news riding at the Fun Day. As they showed the shot of him trotting on Andrew, the H & H horse, I saw myself jogging next to him. The first thing I thought was, "My backside looks huge, instead of thinking, "Wow, I am so grateful to be able to jog with my grandson next to me, at my age and with a diagnosis of CFS and fibromyalgia. My legs are strong."
It is so easy to be critical with ourselves and the way we look. I am guilty of this, as I am sure most women are as well. Can we just stop beating ourselves up for not being 120 lbs. and look like the models in magazines and start being grateful for what we can do with our bodies? Today I am going to volunteer up at the stable and I am grateful to have the energy to do it. What part of your body can you be grateful for today? Can we just be gentle with ourselves?
Later that night, there were even some video clips of my grandson, Granger Henning, on the local news riding at the Fun Day. As they showed the shot of him trotting on Andrew, the H & H horse, I saw myself jogging next to him. The first thing I thought was, "My backside looks huge, instead of thinking, "Wow, I am so grateful to be able to jog with my grandson next to me, at my age and with a diagnosis of CFS and fibromyalgia. My legs are strong."
It is so easy to be critical with ourselves and the way we look. I am guilty of this, as I am sure most women are as well. Can we just stop beating ourselves up for not being 120 lbs. and look like the models in magazines and start being grateful for what we can do with our bodies? Today I am going to volunteer up at the stable and I am grateful to have the energy to do it. What part of your body can you be grateful for today? Can we just be gentle with ourselves?
Monday, November 11, 2013
Great Gluten-Free Cornbread Recipe!
Since my diet is gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free and mostly egg-free (among other things), I am always on the lookout for a tasty recipe that I can eat. I came across a recipe for cornbread on the back of a House Autry brand Yellow Plain Corn Meal bag and modified it so I could eat it. It is so delicious!
Jane's GF Cornbread Recipe
1 cup GF corn meal
1 cup brown rice flour
1 TBS. sugar
1 TBS. baking powder
1 TSP. salt
2 eggs (I substitute 1/4 cup unsw. applesauce for each egg)
1 1/4 cup rice milk
2 TBS. oil (I use olive and coconut oil)
Beat applesauce, milk and oil in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients; beat gently until thoroughly mixed. Pour into a greased square pan or muffin tins. Bake in preheated oven 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until done. I spread a little soy and dairy free butter spread on the top while still hot. This is best when warm. Can be heated up later for 20 seconds in microwave.
ENJOY!!
Jane's GF Cornbread Recipe
1 cup GF corn meal
1 cup brown rice flour
1 TBS. sugar
1 TBS. baking powder
1 TSP. salt
2 eggs (I substitute 1/4 cup unsw. applesauce for each egg)
1 1/4 cup rice milk
2 TBS. oil (I use olive and coconut oil)
Beat applesauce, milk and oil in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients; beat gently until thoroughly mixed. Pour into a greased square pan or muffin tins. Bake in preheated oven 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until done. I spread a little soy and dairy free butter spread on the top while still hot. This is best when warm. Can be heated up later for 20 seconds in microwave.
ENJOY!!
Volunteering Can Give You Energy!
If you are experiencing a health condition that makes you tired, it may seem counter-intuitive to go out and volunteer. But I have found that volunteering somewhere that lights you up and produces feeling of gratitude and satisfaction, your energy level may increase by leaps and bounds.
For instance, even though I have the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia, I decided to start volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding stable which helps children and adults with various physical and mental challenges. I love being around the horses (I grew up riding horses) and since my grandson is on the autism spectrum, he has started riding there also. It is a win-win for me and volunteering there actually gives me more energy. I may be a little tired afterward, but it is so worth it! Think about where you might like to volunteer and give it a try. Check out the article below about a recent event where we went to demonstrate the benefits of therapeutic riding.
Painted Pony hosts Fun Day Sunday
For instance, even though I have the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia, I decided to start volunteering at a therapeutic horseback riding stable which helps children and adults with various physical and mental challenges. I love being around the horses (I grew up riding horses) and since my grandson is on the autism spectrum, he has started riding there also. It is a win-win for me and volunteering there actually gives me more energy. I may be a little tired afterward, but it is so worth it! Think about where you might like to volunteer and give it a try. Check out the article below about a recent event where we went to demonstrate the benefits of therapeutic riding.
Painted Pony hosts Fun Day Sunday
painted pony
Posted: Sunday, November 10, 2013 11:37 pm
MONTICELLO, Fla.-- Horses got a new look at a Monticello farm during an event called the Painted Pony Fun Day Sunday. Organizers say the true cause behind the fun was to show people how animals can help improve lives. The bond between a horse and rider can be an experience like no other. For a veteran horse named Andrew, who is now 23-years-old, and a five-year-old boy developing a unique skill. It’s a win-win situation, a new purpose for Andrew and little Granger receiving therapy in return.
“Many of the mannerisms and the stemming autistic children have stop when they get on a horse,” says Jane Springer, grandmother of Granger.
Granger was learning and demonstrating how to ride a horse in front of a crowd at the event. He lives with a growth disorder. His grandmother says he is on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum, forcing him to overcome everyday challenges.
But Springer says horses like Andrew provide therapy to help strengthen his mind and body.
"His arm muscles when he pulls the horse this way and grips with the horse, it helps his legs, it helps his arms, it helps his coordination and helps with following directions,” says Springer.
"I think that when you get on a horse, you're able to forget for a little while that there is something different in you life,” said Karen Singletary, founder Hands and Hearts for Horses.
After hopping on a horse at young age, Granger hasn't looked back since. Now he is preparing for the therapeutic Special Olympics.
“Many of the mannerisms and the stemming autistic children have stop when they get on a horse,” says Jane Springer, grandmother of Granger.
Granger was learning and demonstrating how to ride a horse in front of a crowd at the event. He lives with a growth disorder. His grandmother says he is on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum, forcing him to overcome everyday challenges.
But Springer says horses like Andrew provide therapy to help strengthen his mind and body.
"His arm muscles when he pulls the horse this way and grips with the horse, it helps his legs, it helps his arms, it helps his coordination and helps with following directions,” says Springer.
"I think that when you get on a horse, you're able to forget for a little while that there is something different in you life,” said Karen Singletary, founder Hands and Hearts for Horses.
After hopping on a horse at young age, Granger hasn't looked back since. Now he is preparing for the therapeutic Special Olympics.
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