HOW TO: Cauliflower Rice

It's not a new concept, and it's definitely not my concept, but I'm a lover and wanted to share how mind-blowingly easy and delicious Cauliflower Rice is.

Whilst I'm currently off grains while my tummy heals (yep, even the gluten free grains), and whilst it's at its peak and in season, cauliflower rice has been a staple in my home. Not only is it sooo good for our bodies (see here) it's been a wonderful addition to mid-week stir-frys or served alongside a slow cooked casserole made on the weekend.

However you want to eat it, it takes only two steps.

Yep, just 2!

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighAugust 10, 2016How To, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free10, Vegetarian10, AIP, Small Bites10, vegan, Paleo6

Seedy Square Treats

So no grains and legumes, huh!

No problemo. I've been off gluten for over a year now and kicked refined sugar to the curb over 2 years ago. Grains and legumes. Easy peasy.

And then I thought about it.

I thought about the brown rice I have cooked and frozen in my freezer for emergency meals. I thought about the simple mid-week meal I often whip up of roasted pumpkin and chickpeas. I thought about how I use white beans as a simple quick "mash" instead of cooking up potatoes. And I also thought about the lentil salads I loved, especially when using my favourite legume of all...du puy lentils.

Holy cow! To say I'm now overwhelmed is an understatement.

Recipe, Gut Health1LeighAugust 3, 2016Sugar-Free10, Gluten-Free10, Grain Free, Dairy-Free, Thyroid Health, Paleo2, Vegan1

3 Tips for a Healthy Thyroid

Suffering the horrible effects of thyroiditis? I hear ya sista!

For me it varies, from a swollen/sore thyroid, a splitting headache and extreme lethargy to dry skin, mood swings and the desperate wanting to curl up in a ball and not interact with anyone!

Chatting about these symptoms with my everyday GP last year, I was told there was nothing I could do – this was just “how it was”. Seriously????

So you guessed it, I started to research this fact for myself.

I turned to whole, organic foods and I listened to my body…very closely. Straight away I implemented 3 simple everyday steps into my daily routine as an experiment. So far, I haven’t looked back. Perhaps you may also like to experiment with them? I figure, anything is worth a shot when trying to support your healthy thyroid.

Coconut Flour - A Gluten Free Alternative

Coconut Flour.

A pain in the arse to bake with, but when you get the combination right....oh my!

One of the first struggles I encountered when I took gluten from my diet was the vast array of "gluten-free" alternatives out there. The supermarket shelves these days are packed to the brim with them and I found it hard to decipher between those that were actually nourishing and helpful to my body, and those that are synthetic, processed, bleached and potentially contain gut irritating soy products. Clever marketing can be very persuasive.

I don't know about your story or reasons for going gluten free, however removing gluten from my diet was for health reasons, so I certainly didn't want to then start adding all that crap into my body, just because it didn't contain gluten.

Should you quit sugar?

It’s a big, and somewhat daunting question.

Perhaps you could ask yourself this:

Do you get an energy slump in the afternoon?
Do you need something sweet after lunch and/or dinner?
Are you unable to eat just one slice of cake or one piece of chocolate and then walk away?
Do you have hypothyroidism and wonder if quitting sugar might make a difference?

If you ticked yes to the above (I ticked yes to all!) then perhaps sugar is playing a bigger role in your health and your life than you thought.

Pecans + Your Thyroid

Pecans. Rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, they can help decrease “bad cholesterol” and increases “good cholesterol” levels in the blood.

Seriously. A simple nut can help do this?!

They’re also a wonderful nut to consume for those of us suffering the effects of hypothyroidism, as they’re a rich source of manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium.

A Plum Tart

About 2 years ago a dermatologist insisted that steroids were the answer to the mind-numbing “scratch till you bleed” rash that was taking over my body (and my patience).

That was the day I left her office in tears (without the prescription) and stumbled across the I Quit Sugar website. I was signed up to the program within minutes, and have never looked back.

By the end of the 8 week program, the rash had all but gone, my eyes shone, my skin glowed and I once again felt in control.

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighMay 15, 2016Gluten-Free10, Sugar-Free10, baking10, Dairy-Free, Chocolate, Grain-Free, Paleo6

Almond Meal

Almond Meal. Probably my favourite gluten-free “flour” to bake with as I substitute it 1:1 with any plain flour recipe.

I absolutely love its soft and moist texture, however sometimes it does need a little hand to hold so it can keep its shape - like adding in a little buckwheat flour or perhaps some brown rice or quinoa flour.

To store, like all nuts, I keep enough almond meal/flour readily available in a glass jar in my fridge. It will last for up to 6 months this way, although mine disappears a hell of a lot sooner as I bake A LOT! The remainder, as I buy in bulk (soooo much cheaper to do so), gets stored in the freezer.

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighApril 27, 2016Gluten-Free10, Sugar-Free10, Grain-Free, Summer, Dessert10, Paleo2

Cherry Choc Chip Cookie

I mentioned the other day that one of the most frustrating issues with having Hashimotos is the constant, ever present game I play with my weight. It falls of me within a matter of days, and then what can feel like a matter of hours, be back with a vengeance. No signals, no warnings, no SMS messages.

Sugar (well, the removing of it) was one of the big factors I changed in my “diet”. The other; grains.

Ho hum.

RecipeLeighApril 20, 2016Gluten-Free10, Sugar-Free10, Dairy-Free, Chocolate, Summer, Grain-Free, Paleo2, Vegan1

cheesecakes

For those of us living with Hashimotos or any thyroid disorder, keeping the weight off is one of the most frustrating things EVER!

One of the things I’m doing/have been doing/will continue to do is keep off sugar. Did you know it is 4 x addictive as cocaine? Not only does it cause havoc with your blood sugar levels and create a false sense of hunger, it causes considerable inflammation in the gut …. and this includes “natural” sugars.

RecipeLeighApril 13, 2016Sugar-Free10, Gluten-Free10, baking10, Dessert10, Grain-Free, Summer, Spring

Magnesium + Thyroid

Did you know that our thyroids cannot function without magnesium? It’s something I’m learning a lot about at the moment.

It’s actually responsible for converting the inactive T4 thyroid hormone into the active form of T3, which is extremely important for those of us out there with hypothyroidism. This is what affects our metabolism and is something I’m working on with my naturopath at this very moment, as it’s a depressing sight when you see your weight increasing as if by magic in such a short amount of time.

Recipe, Nutrition 101LeighMarch 23, 2016Gluten-Free10, Sugar-Free10, Chocolate, Paleo3, Vegan2, Thyroid, Nutrition1

Pistachio + Cakes

A punch of lemon, the crunch of nuts and a soft, sticky texture - these little cakes are pure Summer in a white paper wrapper, waiting impatiently to be de-robed and gobbled greedily.

They stick to the wrappers a little, giving you total permission to indulge in the lady like ritual of "licking the paper". A favourite past time of mine, normally completed behind closed doors, but when taken to a picnic on a hot Summers day.....bring it on, is all I'm sayin'.

Recipe, Thyroid HealthLeighMarch 20, 2016Gluten-Free10, Sugar-Free10, Grain-Free, Autumn, Summer, Spring, Paleo3

An edible gift . .

I love birthdays. There's cake. There's smiles. There's food galore.

Even when celebrating your sister's birthday 2 months later, there's cake, there's smiles and there's food galore.

There can even be food in the shape of a present. A box filled with slices made lovingly with cashew nuts, coconut and the zing of lemon.

Yep, just another reason to love birthdays!

RecipeLeighMarch 2, 2016Gluten-Free10

IN SEASON: Root Veggie Fritters

In Winter, root vegetables are indispensable for those of us that love to cook. As the weather cools and the days get shorter, our thoughts turn to long, slow cooking. Cooking that warms our kitchens and fills our homes with comforting aromas.

These are the days when I cook with a cup of tea in hand and my book not too far away.

My weekly organic veggie box from Ceres is filled to the brim with these delicious vegetables for a reason, they're in season. This is their time to shine, and these little fritters, I think (and so do my family) make them sing from the roof tops.

RecipeChit Chat ChompAugust 12, 2015Vegetarian, Small Bites, Gluten-Free10, Grain-Free, Paleo5

I WANT FUDGE !

I WANT fudge....all of the time.

In particular, peanut butter fudge.

This recipe makes me want to stuff ALL of this fudge into my face. It makes me want to dance a jig whilst in the process of stuffing.

It makes me very, very happy.

My birthday also makes me very, very happy which just happens to be today!

Happy Birthday to Me!

RecipeChit Chat ChompMay 7, 2015Sugar-Free, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free10, Dairy-Free1, Vegan2, Paleo6

Lemon Coconut Balls!

I've recently discovered I have an obsession for tea towels.

I never knew I did until I started pulling out hundreds of tea towels from my storage boxes...wholly smoke....I don't even remember buying half of them.

I do, however remember buying these ones.

100 year old tea towels brought home all the way from Normandy, from a little village called the vallee de l'Eure. This village holds beautiful memories for me. Memories of riding bikes, drinking cider and shopping for brocante and of course staying in the most exquisite little cottage.

RecipeChit Chat ChompMarch 26, 2015Gluten-Free10, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free1, Sugar-Free1, Paleo3, Vegan2

Raspberry Chia Seed Pudding

RecipeChit Chat ChompOctober 28, 2014Breakfast, Dessert10, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free10, Dairy-Free1, Vegan2, Paleo6

My Morning Porridge !

I'm home from work, not feeling 100% today. The morning sun is shining through the windows and Poirot is playing on the TV. I'm in my pj's curled up under the blanket and in my hand is a bowl of Wintry goodness. One of my favourite breakfasts at the moment. I feel like with each mouthful I take I'm doing the world of good for my body and my sole.

I'm feeling better already.

RecipeChit Chat ChompSeptember 8, 2014Breakfast, Gluten-Free10, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free1, Vegan2

The Petite Kitchen Cookbook

RecipeChit Chat ChompJuly 28, 2014Breakfast, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free10, Dairy-Free1, Paleo, Vegan2

The mighty green split pea !

RecipeChit Chat ChompJuly 16, 2014Small Bites, Vegetarian10, Gluten-Free10, Vegan3

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