Monday, February 24, 2014

"Cheesy" Chicken and Broccoli



Ladies and Gentlemen....I have found gold!

Not that liquid gold everyone these days seems to be talking about. You know..velveeta?
But what I have found is better. For a few different reasons actually. 

1. It's not velveeta 
2. It's not full of chemicals
3. It's dairy free

I haven't had real cheese in about 4 years. I can't believe that I have been dairy free for that long. I can't remember what "real" dairy tastes like. So to me everything that is dairy free tastes normal. I'll admit I have tasted things that have been off...but almost everything to me is now what I consider normal. 

I don't buy a lot of dairy free cheese. Just because I know a lot of it is more processed so I allow it to be a treat once in awhile. It's probably been a good two months since I had any. There are some days that just require a cheesy meal. 

The cheese that I used is from Go Veggie. Their Veggie Slices in the American cheese flavor. I haven't tried the other flavors yet. But to me, this really tastes like american cheese. Also, it melts very easily so you get that stretchy melty cheese that warms your soul. 

This dinner is super easy to make. For me, I used leftover chicken so it only took me about 20 minutes to make. But in the recipe I'll add the chicken prep. 

"Cheesy" Chicken and Broccoli 

Ingredients: 

1 lb Chicken Breasts
3 Cups Frozen or Fresh Broccoli 
1 Cup Rice
4 Cups Water
Salt
Veggie Slices (any flavor)
Poultry Seasoning

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Prepare chicken by adding the poultry seasoning on the top. Place in a baking dish and cook for 30-40 minutes. Until well done. 
On the stovetop boil 2 cups of water and place broccoli on top to steam. 
Use the other 2 cups of water for the rice. Prepare rice on the stovetop by adding water and rice in a small saucepan. Bring to boil. Then turn heat back and let simmer for 15 minutes. Lightly salt.
Once chicken, rice, and broccoli are cooked. Plate and add cheese on top. You can put cheese over everything if you prefer! 

Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Guest Post: Stanford Water System

If you don’t filter your water, your body is the filter
In 2013, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) conducted a comprehensive examination of the health of U.S water and revealed that 55 percent of all waterways in the US was considered to be in poor condition, while just 21 percent was considered good. How did this happen? Our water supply is considered one of the safest in the world. We rely on public water systems to provide and treat over 44 billion gallons of water each day for our cooking, drinking, cleaning, bathing, and washing, etc. 

To make the matter worse, there are presences of pharmaceutical and byproduct contaminants in our water. A study conducted by the Associated Press discovered a vast array of pharmaceuticals or byproducts in treated drinking water of at least 41 million Americans including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones. So how do these pharmaceutical and byproduct contaminants get in our water? As an EPA representative put it, “People think that if they take a medication, their body absorbs it and it disappears, but of course that’s not the case.”  Our municipal water treatments do not remove these, so they just continue to build up in our water supply.

These types of contaminants can create dangerous health issues to people especially young children, pregnant women. In 2006, scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai identified lead, arsenic, and fluoride among other industrial chemicals that are responsible for causing harms to the brain.

Currently, the federal government doesn’t require any testing and hasn’t set safety limits for drugs in water. As a matter of fact, there are many contaminants in our water that are not regulated. Part of the challenge is that our water system infrastructure is heavily underfunded, and it is being strained by growing populations and economic development. 

What can we do?
It is safe to say, if you don't filter your water, your body is the filter. But you can start taking action today and take control of your family’s health by following these tips:
Knowledge is key; know how safe and clean your water is by using the interactive Diagnose Your Drinking Water tool by the Water Quality Association. 
Seek other safer alternatives for water filtration such as distillation, or reverse osmosis filtration. Both of these methods will, for the most part, remove the vast majority of the dissolved solids in your water, and allow you to have great tasting water, which is also free of things, which, should not be in our water. 
Invest in some BPA free bottles to carry water around with you and your family. 

Source:
1. Malewitz, Jim. “EPA Warns of Poor U.S.Water Quality”. Governing.com, Energy & Environment Section. Mar 2013. Web. Feb 2014. <http://www.governing.com/news/state/sl-epa-warns-of-poor-us-water-quality.html>
2. “The Importance of Clean Water”. Gracelinks.org. n.p, n.d. Feb 2014. <http://www.gracelinks.org/2382/the-importance-of-clean-water>
3. “AP: Drugs found in drinking water”. USA Today. n.p, Sept 2008. Feb 2014. <http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-03-10-drugs-tap-water_N.htm?loc>
4. Park, Alice. “Children Exposed to More Brain-Harming Chemicals Than Ever Before”. Time.com, Health & Family Section. Feb 14. Web. Feb 2014. <http://healthland.time.com/2014/02/14/children-exposed-to-more-brain-harming-chemicals-than-ever-before/>







About David Schulhof: David Schulhof is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and the founder of Living Sunlight, a health and wellness platform (Launching April 2014), which will make it easy for consumers to find and get products that support a healthy lifestyle. The company just launched Stanford Water Purification System, a compact and portable water filter system using Reverse Osmosis technology. At this stage, the company is seeking additional funds to help fund volume production and obtain the necessary certifications to make this product accessible to lower income families using Government subsidies. To do so, they are pushing out their first Indiegogo Campaign on February 17, 2014. On top of that, for every funded unit on Indiegogo, the company will donate $4 to Charity: Water, a non-profit organization that brings safe and clean water to people in developing nations. 


Monday, February 17, 2014

Chicken Supreme

How did everyone's Valentines Day go? I hope well! Whether you had a significant other or not. Many of you may or may not know that Valentines Day isn't a holiday that Caleb and make a big deal about. But two years ago he made it a very special day. We got engaged! I was completely surprised because I didn't even think he would propose since we both hate holiday engagements...well he used that to his advantage because I'm not easily surprised. But I was so surprised I didn't even know what was happening! Well more in shock that we were engaged. I could probably go on and on but I'll stop there. 

Well we decided to celebrate our Valentines Day on Saturday. Our dinner that Caleb made is one of my FAVORITE meals. Have I told you that Caleb can cook? Not just the basics either. He's a really good cook. Honestly, he's better than me. He's the chef, and I'm the baker. How cute.
Anyways, the first time I had this dish it was at his house when we first started dating. It was one of his mom's recipes. As soon as I had it, I loved it. Of course I asked his mom what it was and it's called Chicken Supreme. Basically it's just chicken, cream of mushroom soup, and stuffing. It's a simple dish. But delicious. So a cute little story for you. Our one year anniversary, he invited me over to his house for dinner. Well little did I know that it was dinner for us two. His family spent the evening in their basement so it could be like a little dinner for two. Remember, we were just barely 16 and 17, so we weren't quite allowed to be alone yet. He had the table all set with the lights dim and candles lit. He made dinner which was Chicken Supreme and dessert. A peanut butter heart shaped cake. It was seriously so adorable and a memory I hold onto dearly. 
Back then, I could eat anything. No food intolerances or anything. The original Chicken Supreme recipe is filled with dairy and gluten. So I haven't had it in years...
Caleb told me that he was going to make it for me on Valentines Day this year. He even had a recipe to make dairy free cream of chicken soup. Neither one of us like mushrooms, so he made cream of chicken soup instead. I'll link the recipe below. 

The only recipe he went by when making it, is his mom's original recipe. So we had no idea how it would turn out. 
Making this dish was a two day process, because we made the cream of chicken soup the day before so it had time to set. 

How did it turn out you might ask? 





Amazing. It tasted like I remember it tasting. Which making something gluten and dairy free, you would think it would be different. But there wasn't much difference at all. So I can happily say that I can enjoy my favorite meal again. I'm so excited to add this into the recipes that I'll cook for Caleb and I once we are married. And eventually when we have kids. They will defiantly eat this. 




I just want to thank Caleb's mom, for one sharing this dish with me and letting me share the recipe, well my version of the recipe! And also, raising such a sweet and caring son, who can cook ;) 
I'm excited that I'm going to soon call her my mom-in-law! 



Caleb did make this all on his own. I watched and helped a little bit. But he wanted to make it. 
What girl doesn't like to sit back and watch their man cook for them? ;) 

So here is the gluten & dairy free version of this recipe

Chicken Supreme 


Ingredients

3 Chicken Breasts
1 Cup Chicken Stock
2 Tbsp Dairy Free Butter, melted
1 Package Ener-G Light Tapioca Bread
Dash of Salt & Pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 Degrees

1. Make cream of chicken soup the day before. 
2. Season chicken with chicken seasoning if preferred. Cook chicken breasts in the oven at 400 degrees for 40 min.
3. Cut up bread into cubes. And bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 min. 
4. Once chicken is cooked, combine chicken and soup in a medium sized bowl until well combined. 
5. Let bread crumbs cool, after they cool and harden. Mix in a small bowl the bread crumbs, chicken stock, and melted butter. 
6. Pour chicken and soup mixture into a greased 9 x 11 pan. 
7. Add the bread crumbs on top of mixture. 
8. Bake for 45 minutes 
Remove from oven and serve warm. 

Enjoy!! 

Dairy Free Cream of Chicken Soup

It's very hard to find dairy free cream of chicken soup. So making it homemade was the best option. Also, it is better for you because it's not full of unknown ingredients. 

Dairy Free Cream of Chicken Soup

2 1/2 Cups Organic Chicken Broth
1 1/2 Cups Unsweetened Almond Milk
3/4 Cups Gluten Free Flour
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
1/2 tsp Parsley 
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder 
1/4 tsp Basil


Directions

Combine the chicken broth with 1/2 Cup of almond milk in a large saucepan. Bring to a low boil. Do NOT let it get to a rolling boil. 

Whisk the flour and seasonings into the remaining cup of milk until smooth. The mixture will be slightly thick, but still runny. 
If it's to runny, add in a little flour at a time. 
Mixture will get thicker once added to the saucepan. 

Pour the flour, seasonings, and milk mixture into the saucepan and combine with the broth and milk. Reduce heat to low, and continue to whisk so no lumps form. Whisk until well combined and soup will be thick. 
If it's to thick, add in chicken broth to thin it out to get a creamy texture. 


If you do like cream of mushroom soup. You can certainly add in cooked mushrooms to this recipe. 

Enjoy! 

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Secret Ingredient Pasta & Broccoli

I know I post a lot of dessert recipes. But it's because I love baking. I prefer to bake actually. I can be creative and come up with different recipes. But cooking...I lack some creative skills. Thank goodness for Pinterest...(if you haven't heard of or joined pinterest yet. Don't. Just kidding, go join now!) 


 Pasta has been a love of mine for as long as I can remember. Before I had to go gluten free. I would eat pasta a lot...probably wasn't the best idea. But I couldn't help it. When I first started eating gluten free, the very first thing I had to find was pasta. I couldn't live without it. I have had some good kinds, and some not so good. There is a few different kinds of gluten free pastas now. From my knowledge there are corn, quinoa, and rice. My favorite is rice pasta. It really takes on any flavor and the texture to me is similar to a good quality pasta. I can't have corn so I stay away from any corn based, besides a lot of those ones are made from GMO corn, just a little FYI there. 

This quick recipe involves just a few simple ingredients and can be put together in less than 30 min. 

This dish may look like it lacks flavor...but it doesn't. Because it contains a secret ingredient that maybe you haven't tried in pasta yet. And once you have your pasta with this ingredient...you might not eat it plain ever again. 


What's the secret ingredient you might ask? 
Chicken soup base

This is the brand of chicken soup base I used. 
It may sound odd. Or maybe you have had it! 


Seriously it made the pasta taste 10x better and gave it an extra boost. I'm a lover of just plain buttered noodles. So me saying that I don't think I can eat plain pasta again, is a big deal. I do have to say though. That my mom is the one who came up with the idea. So all the credit goes to her. But I know this will become a signature dish in my dinners from now on. 

This dish can be used as a main course, or as a side. I ate it as a side along with baked fish. 
See, eating healthy is really simple and easy





Pasta & Broccoli 

Ingredients:

1 Box or bag of Gluten Free Rice Pasta (any type) 
2 Cups Steamed Broccoli 
2 Tbsp Chicken Soup Base (adjust to your liking)
Dash of pepper 

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to directions on box
2. Steam broccoli in water or use the steam ready bags.
3. Once pasta and broccoli are cooked. Mix together and add your soup base. Combine until no trace of soup base is visible. Add a dash of pepper. 
Enjoy warm as a side to your main dish, or eat a bowel full for a main dish! 

Cheers! 





Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Silk Almond Milk is Free of Carrageenan

Want to hear some awesome news I just noticed the other day. Silk Almond milk doesn't contain any Carrageenan! 




There has been a lot of fuss and concern with all natural and organic products containing carrageenan. Don't know what carrageenan is? Well it is derived from red seaweed and is used as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in many dairy and non-dairy alternatives. As in some deli meats as well. At first hearing it is derived from seaweed it doesn't sound all that bad. But researchers have found links to gastrointestinal inflammation, lesions, and even colon cancers in animals. This is hard information to take in because I'm against testing animals. But that's besides the point. People with IBS and other gastrointestinal disorders are strongly recomennded to stay aways from products that contain carrageenan because it could cause reactions. You're probably asking, well what if I don't have any of those symptoms should I still avoid it? Absolutely. Since it causes reactions and inflammation. It's best to stay clear of it to protect your health. 

More and more consumers are asking companies to remove the carrageenan. I know I had So- Delicious Brand reach out to me and tell me that they are working on removing this additive. It is really nice that companies are taking action to remove it to keep their consumers happy. 

I am positive that Silk Almond Milk doesn't contain carrageenan because just the other day while shopping I decided to check the ingredients, and to my surprise. There wasn't any. 
See for yourself 


This is off of the vanilla almond milk. I also have the dark chocolate almond milk and it doesn't contain any either! 

I used to use Almond Breeze Almond Milk, but I do know they still contain Carrageenan and I haven't heard whether or not they're going to remove it or not. I'm a fan of Silk Almond Milk, so I will continue to buy their almond milk from now on. 

Now you can enjoy a dairy free beverage that doesn't contain the Carrageenan!

Cheers! 



Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Clarisonic Mia 2

How many of you wash your face?
That shouldn't even be a question...EVERYONE should wash their face 2x a day.

Through all my teenage years to now. I have dealt with breakouts, uneven skin, to dry, to oily, and overly sensitive skin. It's been an ongoing battle. I'll try a new product, it'll work for a few months. Then stop working. So onto the next thing. And this time, I decided to try something that I have never used on my skin. The Clarisonic Mia 2. Have you heard of it?

My Fiance really understands how I am with my skin and what I do to try and take of it. He's so supportive and when I started researching the Clarisonic, he heard all about it for months. I'm the type of person who will find something I really like and want, but it'll take me awhile to actually get it because I will weigh the pros and cons. Read every review out there. From the amazing reviews, to the horrible ones. I need to know what I'm getting myself into. Especially if it has to do with my face. I never want to make it worse. I read many blogs, reviews on websites, and even youtube videos. I can't count how much I've read about one product. But the Clarisonic is something completely different than I have ever used. So of course I'm going to proceed with caution.

The Clarisonic is made to cleanse your skin 6x more effectively and deeply than just using your hands with your face wash. But it's gentle enough to use everyday.
Unlike spinning devices, the patented sonic cleansing technology works with skin's natural elasticity, oscillating at a sonic frequency that produces over 300 movements per second. The resulting flexing action created between the outer and inner brushes works to loosen dirt and oil, removing deep-seated impurities from pores and priming skin to better absorb topical treatments.

After weighing all of the pros and cons I could find. I decided to just go for it. My skin has been so uneven, dry, and flaky that it needed major TLC. I thought, the worst that could happen is that it wouldn't work and/or it would make me breakout. So I would just return it and get my money back.

I have been waiting to write this review because I wanted to give the product a good month to see the results. Because it takes your skin a good 4 weeks to accept a new skincare routine and products. And using the clarisonic would be a big change for me.














My results:

I use the Mia 2 once everyday, at night.

Just after one use my skin was more smooth. Still uneven in certain spots.

One week
Skin is still smooth and less flakey.

Two weeks
Smoothness still there, skin is evening out. But having a few minor breakouts.

Three weeks
Breakouts not even there anymore. No flakey spots.

One month of use
Having another minor breakout, but with smaller spots. Even skin on my cheeks and forehead, but still uneven around my mouth and chin. Skin does seem brighter.

Overall?
I really think this is a good product and a nice addiction to my skin care routine. Before I noticed I felt like I couldn't get my skin clean enough and that it just felt like I had so many clogged pores, along with a lot of uneven skin. After using this, I'll take a cotton ball with my toner and there will be no leftover makeup or dirt. I never knew I could get ALL of my makeup off until now. I will say, I was so scared to try it because I just didn't want it to make my skin worse. I guess being through a lot with your skin, you fear that. Has it made my skin perfect? No it hasn't. But it has helped my skin. My skin now does glow. I'm very fair with pink undertones, before I started using this, my skin was so dull it looked like a hint of yellow before. Now it's back to being the right color. It has only been a month of using this product. So I will continue to use it and update if there are any changes.

Would I recommend this?

YES. I say that with a lot of sincerity. Yes, you do experience some breakouts from it. But that's with any change in skin care. But my opinion is, if it's going to deeply clean your skin but gentle enough to use everyday and all it takes is a minute to use...then why not?

Cheers!




Info found on the clarisonic website: http://www.clarisonic.com/why-clarisonic/our-method-your-skin/learn-more-our-method-your-skin.html

Purchase Clarisonic Mia 2 here: http://www.clarisonic.com/shop-our-products/clarisonic-mia-2-CL12.html?dwvar_CL12_color=White