Another Recipe!!!

It's that time again! Time for another one of my crazy random easy on a budget recipe! It's very few ingredients, quick, and adjustable to preference. This one is a veggie stir fry!!! Basically, tonight I was trying to sleep and I couldn't because i was hungry and all I could think about were all the vegetables sitting in my fridge. They were all so boring. I felt bad for them and how little I wanted t eat them and then a stroke of genius hit me, (as it often does as I'm trying to sleep) I should make a stir fry and so I did. So here is my quick easy little midnight snack!

Stir Fry:

• Veggie Medley bag (mine had broccoli, carrots, and snap peas)
• Green and Red Bell Peppers diced
• Mushrooms sliced
• Oil
• Sriracha Sauce (I really do put it in everything)
• Salt

Directions: Pour some oil in the pan and light the stove then add the vegetables of your choice. Next drizzle a bit more oil on top for even coating. Now drizzle on the sriracha, as much as you want. I did a lot for flavor and because the heating diluted some of the spiciness. Then sprinkle a pinch of salt and cook on high moving and flipping the veggies so they get evenly heated. (About 5 to 10 minutes depending on how many veggies you use and how soft you want them). Then let it cool, because it will be hot. Drain out any excess oil, put in a bowl and enjoy.

Next time I'm going to try it with tofu or chicken for some protein and maybe put over some rice and make a full meal out of it. But one thing is for sure, it is a keeper. It's cheap, easy, and delicious! Have a good night everyone <3

My delicious snack :)

A Miracle Find!!

The other day I found something that I have spent the past few years searching for. It was a gluten and dairy free Pizza Place. It was a miracle. Both gluten and dairy free pizza is almost impossible to find anywhere. Usually you have to make it and believe me when I say it's not the same. If you have ever eaten real pizza the substitutes you make at home fall flat and are choked down with a smile because you aren't willing to admit how much your life sucks. There are the Amy's frozen pizza's, a few of which are either gluten or dairy free and only one that I've seen that is both. I admit they are better than the ones I've struggled through at home but they still weren't quite the same. Now I am an avid pizza lover. Losing pizza was really difficult for me. So believe me when I say I searched long and hard to find a suitable replacement. And about a week ago I found one right near my house.

It all began when a friend of mine who has my same intolerances told me about a place she had found in Santa Monica called Fresh Brothers. I got really excited to try it but I'm almost never in Santa Monica so I never got the chance. I merely filed the name in the back of my mind for a later date. Now fast forward to almost a year later. Here I am planning to go to the beach with my roommate and I remember Fresh Brothers. I decide to look up where in Santa Monic it is. Up pops it's website and low and behold it has other locations. I begin seeing which ones might be closest to me and I see one that looks like it is next to one of my favorite nearby sushi places. I quickly type in the address on google and see that it is less than a mile from me and not only that but it delivers. I couldn't contain my excitement. The next day we ordered in  their pizza and I was in heaven. I tried their BBQ chicken pizza and it tasted just how I remember pizza tasting back in the good old days.

I need to go again because they had a very extensive menu. There were a ton of very gourmet pizzas that could all be made gluten and dairy free. And the pricing really wasn't too bad at all. I can't believe my luck with this place. Anywhere else is either only gluten or dairy free and usually only has one or maybe two options but this place was full of options. You could never get bored with it. Here is the link to their gluten free menu:

www.freshbrothers.com/gfree.htm

They have multiple locations all over LA. Check out their store info to see if there is one near you or if you head over this direction on a vacation where the nearest one would be. Believe me, you won't regret it. This pizza alone would be worth the trip for anyone who is allergic to gluten and dairy. If you try it, let me know what you think. And if you know of any other restaurants that cater to our picky stomachs feel free to share. I'm always looking for more :)

Recipe 1

So I told you guys I would eventually get around to posting recipes so here is the first. It's a very simple, very quick recipe. I don't have exact measurements, it's really a however much you want sort of thing. So here it is, my super gourmet omelette!

Ingredients:

• Canola Oil
• 3 egg whites
• Hand full of Spinach
• A few slices of smoked salmon
• Sriracha sauce

Directions:

First pour a generous amount of oil into the pan so as to cover the whole bottom and then heat. Once it is heated dump in the egg whites. (I used egg whites because they are much better for you and technically you should only consume one egg yolk a day, particularly if you are dieting.) Then once the egg is almost fully cooked and little bubbles are forming add the spinach and salmon to the middle. Let it cook a short bit longer (only a few seconds really) and then flip the top over. Then move it to your plate and garnish with sriracha sauce. (Honestly I put sriracha on everything, But I would suggest putting something with this to add zing even if it's just some lemon). 

Here is a picture of my creation. I hope you all enjoy! And there will certainly be more to come. I'm feeling very creative this week :)

Update!

Hey guys!
I'm so sorry I haven't posted in a while. I was in the process of moving as I said in my last post and yesterday we finally got our internet installed, so here I am again. I have quite a few things I'd like to post but I won't overwhelm you. First off I tried a new tea I found on one of my Whole Foods excursions. It was called "Smooth Move" supposedly meant to relieve those with mild constipation. I read the directions and followed them to a tea hoping to gain the regulated bowel movements it claimed to bring to those of us who are a bit challenged in that department. I must say I was thoroughly disappointed. I would admit it did make me poop but first it made me feel more constipated for a good 6 hours and then it began to allow me to slowly have the runs throughout the next 3 hours. It had almost the same effect mild amounts of gluten or dairy will cause and frankly those would be a lot more enjoyable for me as I never get to eat them these days. Needless to say I have stopped drinking this tea as it is not worth it. I will post a picture of this tea so you can recognize it when you see it. Now maybe it's just because of my abnormally sensitive stomach but my roommate tried it too and she had similar results. I'm going to suggest if you want to poop regularly just eat natural laxative foods like raw fruit and vegetables, nuts, and drink lots of water as well as work out. Also I'm back on the Good Belly and it has soothed out my stomach quite a bit. I also am trying this new thing out to jazz up my Good Belly. I'm using it in fruit smoothies just to switch things up so as to not get bored and make sure I keep up with it. Plus we just got a blender and I'm a bit obsessed. ;) Next I hope to post some of the recipes I want to try out, if any of them turn out successful that is. Wish me luck!

                                                 Here is the tea... :(

Hey Guys,

Sorry I haven't posted recently. I'm in the process of moving so I have been floating about without a lot of time to post but I do have some stuff to tell you guys. First off, due to my moving I haven't been able to take my GoodBelly for a few days and it has made a difference. My stomach has been a bit persnickety since then. So it clearly is doing something to help, so once I can I am getting some more of that stuff.

Now here is a tip if you are ever in California and looking for a place that is gluten free friendly. Just search on your little smart phone for a Mendocino Farms. Their menu is very clearly marked with what is or can be made gluten free and what is vegan. Today I accidentally ordered something with soy sauce and the manager came and told me when he saw and then helped me pick out a new sandwich, which he made sure was gluten free. Then to top it off he gave me some free potato salad while I waited for my order. I had accidentally forgotten to check for the little GF next to what I ordered. They were great about it and are one of the few places that really understands the gluten allergy. I'm now feeling great after my fabulous meal, no horrible side effects. So if you need a definite safe place for a meal (a sandwich nonetheless, difficult for us bread-free folk) then this is the place for you! I'm not trying to go all commercial on you and don't worry, once I'm in my new place and can cook again I will posting any successful recipes I have. Most will be cheap and quick as I'm poor and very busy. So if that's what you need and are willing to trust me then be looking forward to that in the coming weeks. :)

Good Belly

So I began using a probiotic called Good Belly and so far it's been pretty helpful. I'm only on day 3 but it's delicious and certainly hasn't caused any harm. Good Belly is a probiotic drink that is both dairy AND gluten free. This is the first I've found. I had tried a few before but they all made things worse because they contained one of the two allergens. My family and I then did some research and found this drink. They have a variety in dairy free that are really easy to find and then the slightly more elusive gluten free versions. It took me a while to find one but the other day I did and am now testing it out.

For those of you who don't know what a probiotic is, it's a supplement that puts some good bacterias in your stomach that are necessary for healthy digestion. These bacteria are very important, especially for people with issues like mine who are lacking specific bacteria that are needed to digest the foods they have issues with. Now it's not going to magically make you able to tolerate cheese and bread if you can't but it should help you digest everything you do eat easier. So for me it could mean I might be able to eat peanut butter again or one of the many other things that I have mild issues digesting.

I have the gluten free and dairy free version of it. You can tell easily because of the green cap and it also says "Now Gluten Free". I got the orange kind and it's a great way to start my morning. They have this thing called the 12 Day Challenge. They say if you don't notice a difference in that time you'll get your money back. So I will keep you updated as I try this out for 12 days. I have 9 days left! But so far so good! :) If this doesn't work out I will post my continued search for a probiotic and a healthier happier stomach.

Starbucks Drinks

I figure I'd start off with a staple in the life of all American's, Starbucks. I know that going to Starbucks, or really any cafe for that matter, is hard when you have restrictions. You can't get your old favorite drink anymore or try that new supposedly fabulous drink that everyone has been talking about. And if you've heard of Starbucks "secret" menu, you better believe it's off-limits to us. So what is safe at Starbucks and what isn't? You'd think it's as simple as ordering it with soy milk or almond milk but it's actually a bit more complicated than that. I have a friend who works at Starbucks and she let me in on a little secret. Even just asking for a drink with soy milk does not make it safe to drink. Apparently if you do not specifically state your allergy they sometimes will run out of one of the cartons of soy milk and instead of opening a new one they'll top off your drink with regular milk. And for someone who just prefers soy milk this is no problem. They go on their merry way not knowing the difference. But we end up with stomach aches or the runs or horrible gas and have no idea why. You think through what you ate that day and try to pinpoint it and nothing seems to add up, then you get to that Starbucks you splurged on. Are you now allergic to something else too? Nope. It's the dairy that was slipped into your drink without your knowledge thinking no harm would come. Now you can't blame these people. They don't know your issues. They're just trying to do their job and are taking a little short cut. Who hasn't done that? So my suggestion is to let them know of your allergy. If you're afraid to sound too demanding or to sound spoiled phrase it like this, "Hey, I'm lactose intolerant so I was wondering if (insert drink here) had any dairy in it if I use soy milk?" This is a good question to ask anyways as some of the drinks have a syrup in them that contains dairy. I always get a Soy Chai Tea Latte. This is a completely safe drink if you get it with soy milk and make sure to let them know you're lactose intolerant.

Just remember, it's okay to ask questions and to be a little difficult. This is your body, treat it right and don't put yourself through unnecessary pain due to your own over-politeness. Any more questions on Starbucks safety?