Sensitive Tummy Protein Shake

Guar Gum 
Guar gum is a fiber from the seed of the guar plant.  In foods and beverages, guar gum is used as a thickening, stabilizing, suspending, and binding agent.  It is often used in coconut and almond milk products.  Side effects include increased gas production, diarrhea, and loose stools.  

Protein Powder
No matter what brand of protein powder you use for your shakes, they are all processed which can wreak havoc on a sensitive digestive system.  Most contain soy lecithin commonly disguised using other terminology such as lecithol, vitellin, kelecin, and granulestin. It's used as an emulsifying and stabilizing agent.  

So, why have I listed those two ingredients?  If you are currently using coconut or almond milk and/or protein powder in your shakes and frequently have digestive issues afterwards, you may want to try a different recipe.   You can make a delicious, thick smoothie that's high in protein without either of them. Remember my Facebook post on gelatin? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006621737315; it's a great source of protein!

Protein Additive Ideas:
Two tablespoons of Great Lakes Gelatin = 14g protein.  
Two tablespoons of chia seeds = 4g protein.
1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds = 9g protein.

If you have a Vitamix or an equivalent blender, it will grind the pumpkin seeds to a powder and you'll never know they're in it.  Chia seeds are tiny and blend smoothly.

Blueberry Sensitive Tummy Protein Shake:

1 cup water
2 tbsp gelatin
2 tbsp chia seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (optional)
1/4 cup spinach
1-2 bananas
1/4 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup ice

Blend and serve!  Other fruit will work just as well.

Great Lakes Gelatin Products

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

Crock Pot Beef Stew

I've always been a big fan of crock pot cooking... it makes the house smell good, everything cooks so tender and it's simple to clean up! Plus - I need leftovers for my lunches! I've been browsing recipe sites all week trying to find something tasty that also meets our needs. This recipe is a hodgepodge of what I found.   

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds of stew beef
2-3 cups of cubed butternut squash or sweet potatoes
2 cups carrots, diced
1 cup peas
1 stalk celery, chopped
1-2 shallots, diced
1 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
2-3 cups beef stock

Place all ingredients except the squash/sweet potatoes and peas in the crock pot; place on low for 8 hours. Add the squash or potatoes 1-2 hours before the stew is done.  Add the peas in right before you are ready to serve.

Like always, shop for organic products and grassfed beef.  Beef stock products may contain soy; you can find organic products in the whole food stores.  

"To God we are the aroma of the Messiah among those who are being saved and among those who are being lost."  2 Cor 2:15

BAZINGA! Pina Colada Smoothie

WOW!!!  You're gonna love this smoothie!  I've been experimenting with different ingredients to make a refreshing, tropical smoothie.  I think I have found it!!  

Ingredients:
1 cup coconut milk, unsweetened vanilla
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
2 tablespoons gelatin*
2 bananas
1/4 pineapple, fresh
juice from 1/2 lime, fresh
1/2 cup ice


* Ok, so if you follow us on Facebook, you might remember the post about gelatin.  I'm referring to Great Lakes Gelatin;  two tablespoons have 13g of protein! Check out the post on August 13th to learn more:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006621737315. I used the green can which is labeled "Collagen Joint Care."  It does not gel up in your smoothie.

As always, organic products are best.  Find your neighborhood whole foods store!

"And everyone who has this hope based on Him keeps himself pure, just as the Messiah is pure."  1 John 3:3

A Taste of Pumpkin

Pumpkin.  This is about the only thing that I buy in a can now-a-days.  It is the sole ingredient on the label.  No soy lecithin, maltodextrine, phenylalaline, fumaric acid or any other weird chemicals that I can't pronounce... just pumpkin.  I've always loved the taste and smell of pumpkin pie during the holidays or freshly baked pumpkin bread on a cold, winter evening.  But alas... gluten, dairy and egg, right?  No worries!!  You can still enjoy the delicious flavor of pumpkin in your diet without consuming these naughty ingredients.  I've found a couple of recipes that will work.  Try one and let me know what you think:

Pumpkin Meatloaf:

1 1/2 lb organic grass fed ground beef (85% lean)
1/2 shallet, finely chopped
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1-2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
pinch sea salt
pinch onion powder
pinch thyme

Mix it well with clean hands; pat it into a 9x5 loaf pan.  Cook at 350* for 65-75 minutes.

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie:
1 cup almond or coconut milk
½ cup canned pumpkin
½ banana
1 tablespoon raisins
½ teaspoon alcohol-free pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
pinch ground nutmeg
pinch ground cloves
pinch all spice

Blend it all up and you have a delicious breakfast or afternoon snack!

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"While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, And cold and heat, And summer and winter, And day and night Shall not cease."  Genesis 8:22

Waldorf Salad Wrap

Merriam Webster definition of Waldorf Salad:  a salad made typically of diced apples, celery, nuts, and mayonnaise

My definition:  a salad made of chicken, diced apples, grapes, celery, dried cranberries, walnuts, avocado, and olive oil.  Doesn't this sound delicious?!  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken, diced
1 medium sweet apple, peeled and diced
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup walnut pieces
1 medium avocado, mashed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice

You will also need your choice of greens for an outer wrap; I prefer romaine lettuce. Toss the first six ingredients together in a large bowl.  Add the avocado and olive oil until well blended.  Mix in the lemon juice.  Spoon the contents in to the lettuce wrap and enjoy!!

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"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."
Proverbs 22:9

Naturally Sweet Baked Apples

I love the taste and smell of baked apples! 

I find it odd that all of the recipes I have found include brown sugar.  If you use the right type of apple, they will be naturally sweet.  And instead of using butter -- you guessed it -- ghee!  Here's the recipe I used for dinner:

Ingredients:
5-6 sweet apples; peeled, cored, and chopped
2 teaspoons ghee, melted
ground cinnamon 

Place the apples in a covered baking dish; pour in the melted ghee and sprinkle cinnamon to taste.  Cover the dish and bake at 350* for about 45 minutes.  

Simple, right?  That's all you need to add a sweet, healthy side dish to your meal.  

How to choose the right apple:  here's a website that describes every apple you can possibly imagine!  http://www.orangepippin.com/apples.  Look on the righthand column for a list of the top ten. 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."  2 Corinthians 5:17

Honey Sweet Peas & Carrots

Did you know that peas are a good source of protein?  There are 8 grams of protein in one cup of peas! Carrots -- on the other hand --are rich in vitamin A and a good source of fiber. Together, they make a great side dish for a healthy dinner.  I tweaked a simple recipe that has probably been around forever by taking out the butter and sugar. Instead, I used my beloved ghee and some honey.  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
8oz frozen peas
5-6 carrots, chopped
2 teaspoons ghee
2 teaspoons honey

Place the ghee in a skillet.  When it has melted, toss in the carrots.  Saute the carrots until they are tender (~15 minutes). Add in the honey when the carrots are almost done.  Lastly, toss in the peas and heat for about 3 more minutes.

This dish has a sweet, buttery flavor that even the kids will love!  

"God satisfies the thirsty soul.  God fills the hungry soul with good things."
Psalm 107:9

Plan Like Mom

One of the challenges of eating healthy for me has been planning meals.  I'm sure most of you can relate to that if you live in a "drive-thru window" society.  It's just too easy and convenient, right? Even if I could not get fast-food for lunch, I used to eat in the cafeteria or the closest "grab & go" location at work.  I had no meal planning skills whatsoever!  

One of my friends has a child with celiac disease (gluten intolerance) so they have to plan for gluten-free meals 24/7.  She told me that she spends Sunday evening preparing, cooking, and packing each meal for the upcoming week.  Good advice, isn't it?  So yesterday, I packaged up 5 smoothie meals for the freezer.  Awesome idea!  So this is my new goal: plan, shop, prep, cook and package... just like my mom used to do!  

"A goal without a plan is just a wish."  Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Berry Smoothie

I went on vacation last week to Mexico.  I didn't have room for my blender and all the ingredients to make my beloved protein shakes.  Since my usual routine consists of at least one shake a day, I was a little worried how I would manage without them.  As it turned out, I managed even better!  Apparently the protein powder doesn't agree with me -- and I think I have tried a dozen different brands.  I've always thought it was the main ingredient in a healthy shake.  But yesterday I tried this recipe and now I realize that I do not need those expensive protein powders to make a healthy, delicious shake!  

1 cup coconut milk

spinach, small handful

1-2 dates

1/8 cup walnuts, crushed

1 banana

1/4 cup berries

Blend the coconut milk and spinach so they are pureed.  Add the dates and walnuts; blend in banana & berries until smooth.

I've trimmed the portion size of most ingredients in this recipe for the novice smoothie maker; it packs quite a dose of fiber -- especially for newly transformed gluten addicts like myself!  You can increase or decrease ingredients to your taste and it will still taste delicious. And there is actually a decent amount of protein if you are using all the ingredients. According to the USDA, here's your protein stats: 1 cup walnuts = 4g; 1 cup spinach = 1g; 1 banana = 1.3g; and 5 dates = 1g.

If you are hesitant to add greens, I understand completely.  I thought it would taste less than pleasant with spinach but you actually don't even know it's there.  And the more you add, the darker your smoothie will appear.  It will still taste delicious!

A special shout-out to Jessica McCormick for sharing this recipe with us!

"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."

Proverbs 18:15

Frozen Berry Delight

Frozen Berry Delight... sounds like something we're not supposed to enjoy, doesn't it?! But it's actually like a smoothie on a stick.  If you make protein shakes or smoothies, then you probably already have the ingredients in your kitchen!  All you need are some popsicle molds; if you don't own any, look around your kitchen and use your imagination (toddler cups, jello molds, paper cups, etc).  Here's all you need:

1 cup coconut milk

1 cup mashed bananas

1/4 cup berries

1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

1 tsp honey (optional)

Blend it all up and pour it in the molds; freeze.  That's it!!!

The great thing about this recipe is that you can make several different flavors by changing what kind of fruit you add and keep them stocked up in the freezer.  And, now you can have dessert with your family!

"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more."

John 15:1-2

Grilled Cinnamon Zucchini

How many of you had buttered toast with cinnamon sprinkled on it when you were kids? Delicious, wasn't it?! Well last night, my husband grilled some zucchini with dinner. This time though - he spread some ghee and cinnamon on it for a little added flavor. Oh my gosh -- you guys have to try this!!! It tasted just like that toast we had when we were little! It's my new favorite treat.  Here's the recipe:

2 zucchini, sliced 
ghee
cinnamon

That's it!  Just slice the zucchini however you prefer, spread on some ghee, sprinkle with cinnamon and toss it on the grill.  




If you're not sure what "ghee" is, check my previous post called "Free To Be Ghee."  I'm so glad I finally tried this product!

Did I mention that my husband is an awesome cook?!  I'm so blessed to be his wife...

"From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another."
John 1:16

Hashimoto's Kitchen Facebook Page

I'd like to be able to share some of your favorite recipes, too!  It's a little difficult to do with a blog, so I have designed a related Facebook page for us to meet.  Join the Facebook page so you will know immediately when a new blog post has been added AND so that YOU can share recipes that you have found with the other viewers.  Remember, no gluten, dairy, soy or egg in your recipes!!!

Join me at Hashimoto's Kitchen Facebook Page.  See you there!

Free To Be Ghee

It's SO nice to put "butter" back in my kitchen!!  I had read about ghee earlier when I started researching Hashimoto's Disease but I was a little hesitant to try it.  After a few months of a really bland diet, I started looking for anything that might add a little flavor or texture to my food! What I have learned is that ghee is actually butter but it is further processed to remove the milk solids and impurities which makes it tolerable for those of us that are lactose or casein intolerant.  And yes, it IS on the Paleo Diet!  Actually, ghee has been used for medicinal purposes since medieval times to treat digestive ailments.  Today, researchers are using it to treat inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.  

I found ghee in my local whole foods store in an aisle near the cooking oils.  It's more expensive than butter but it does support a healthy immune system so I think the benefits outweigh the cost.  It doesn't need to be refrigerated and lasts for months.  For more information, check out the article at  http://www.care2.com/greenliving/15-amazing-benefits-of-ghee.html.

Ghee

Last night, I cooked an acorn squash in the microwave for 10 minutes.  I mixed in about a teaspoon of ghee and some cinnamon -- wow!  What a difference!!

"I have sprinkled my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon."  Proverbs 7:17