My DairyFree GlutenFree Life

Clean Living Eating Plant Based Foods

$300 Falling Cash Giveaway

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$300 Falling Cash Giveaway

Fall is here! Fall is a magical season to me that contains so many fun things. There are pumpkin patches, falling leaves, apple cider, cornstalks, hay rides, first frosts and of course Halloween. And oh the smells of the season, how I love them. I can remember in college seeing raked leaf piles and jumping into them.  I love the colors of the season as well, they invoke memories of all kinds for me.
What is your favorite thing or smell related to Fall?

I love the idea of having a  Falling Cash Giveaway to celebrate Autumn, how about you?    A group of fabulous bloggers have come together to bring you this blogger sponsored event!  One lucky reader will receive their choice of a $300 Amazon Gift Card or Code OR  PayPal Cash!  The bloggers that have donated towards the cost of this giveaway will be found on the Rafflecopter with their entry options.

This giveaway is open WorldWide and ends October 7, 2015 at 11:59 PM EST.   

Enter on the Rafflecopter below:

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Disclaimer: This blog and any participating blogs did not receive compensation for the published material in this post. No purchase required to enter this giveaway and there is a limit of one entrant per household. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning are determined by the number of valid entries received. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and will be emailed via the email address used to enter the contest. New winner(s) will be chosen if original winner(s) has not responded within 48 hours of email notification. Participating bloggers are not responsible for shipment of prize(s).  My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life is responsible for prize shipment. This giveaway is not administered, sponsored, endorsed by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Google, Pinterest or other social media outlet. Disclaimer is posted in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

 

20 Quick Bread Recipes ~ gluten-free and yeast-free

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GF YF quick bread edited

Fall is when I start thinking baking.  I love quick breads, how about you?  These recipes are for gluten-free yeast-free quick breads.   If dairy is used you can easily replace the milk with rice, almond, coconut or other milk replacement.  And if butter is used there are great dairy free butter replacements and my go to is coconut oil!   I am always wanting great quick gluten-free bread recipes! I hope you enjoy these gluten-free quick breads.

Basic quick bread from Low Carb Yum
Low-fat chocolate chip raspberry quick bread from Chocolate-Covered Katie
Meyer lemon poppy seed bread from Oh My Veggies
Pecan banana bread from Amy’s Healthy Baking
Bacon banana bread from Around My Family Table
Gluten-free flatbread from A Girl Defloured
Triple chocolate quick bread from Edible Perspective
Gluten free peanut banana bread from Mom Foodie
Double chocolate zucchini bread from Not Enough Cinnamon
1 bowl Nutella banana bread from Minimalist Baker
Grain-free sandwich bread from Against All Grain
Paleo pumpkin bread from The Healthy Foodie
Cranberry walnut bread revised from Elana’s Pantry
Clean eating grain free bread from The Gracious Pantry
Flourless paleo pumpkin bread from Healy Eats Real
Pumpkin zucchini bread from Little House Living
Gluten-free sourdough starter from Whole New Mom
Grain free chocolate chip peanut butter zucchini bread from Ambitious Kitchen
Paleo blueberry banana bread from The Little Green Spoon
Sweet brown oatmeal bread from Tessa The Domestic Diva

How Male-Dominated Workplaces Negatively Affect Women’s Health

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How Male-Dominated Workplaces Negatively Affect Women’s Health

If you work in a male-dominated workplace, then shattering the glass ceiling should not be your only concern. A new study from Indiana University Bloomington has found that these types of workplaces can have a negative effect on women’s health. A combination of stress factors leads to higher cortisol levels in women.

Researchers from Indiana University Bloomington presented their study at the American Sociological Association’s annual meeting. They shared that the study included 440 women who worked in male-dominated fields. This included areas such as construction and engineering. The male-dominated fields had at least 85 percent male workers.

Researchers found that women in male-dominated fields had higher levels of cortisol. It is a stress hormone that is linked to multiple health problems. High levels of cortisol that last for a long time can lead to depression, anxiety, fatigue, heart disease, insomnia, weight problems, headaches and other issues. Chronic stress can also increase the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, high blood pressure, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome and gastroesophageal reflux disease. This is why health experts warn that long-term stress can damage the human body and lead to premature death.

Women in male-dominated workplaces often face a variety of challenges that include sexual harassment, isolation and lack of support. They may face problems advancing in their careers and may be overlooked for raises. Researchers are concerned that this chronic stress can build to unhealthy levels that create long-term consequences.

Researchers are not suggesting that women avoid male-dominated workplaces or find other employment. Instead, they want to see the problems of chronic stress caused by inequality addressed. They also want women to be aware of their stress levels and how it can affect their health in the future. It is important to take steps to reduce chronic stress and not ignore the potential health problems.

Coming! Information about New Products from the 8th International Food Blogger Conference

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I found out this spring that Seattle would be hosting the 8th International Food Blogger Conference (IFBC) September 18 – 20, 2015.   I shared this with my Editorial Assistant Bobbi, and we decided it would be a wonderful venue to learn all about new products and food blogging.  Bobbi and I  signed up last spring and now it’s only 2 more days and we will be attending our first food blogger conference learning from the best speakers, sponsors and food providers, and also networking with other bloggers!

I absolutely love the Pacific Northwest (PNW) I was born and raised in Portland, OR.   So when I had an opportunity to come to Seattle for the IFBC15 I was thrilled.   I have been taking a nostalgic trip along the Oregon Coast with Bobbi for the past week.   Bobbi has not travelled much in the PNW so I’ve been able to tell her about many places from my childhood as we travel the Oregon Coast.  Tomorrow we are heading up to the Seattle area for the conference.  We can hardly wait, we are so excited!

Friday morning is the beginning of the conference.  Friday afternoon we are going on a Sur La Table and KitchenAid Excursion where we will be learning all about the newest products they have.   I am so eager to share them with you!

Then Friday evening the IFBC15 will have the Taste of Seattle Grand Opening Reception where I especially want to learn more about Teavana and special tips for brewing! My first experience with Teavana was just two months ago when I was in Portland visiting my sister.  I have been a tea drinker most of my life and I have never experienced such flavorful and aromatic teas as I did in the Teavana tasting room.   I look forward to sharing more about this fabulous Tea Company with you.

Saturday will be a day full of wonderful classes of all kinds, and I’m particularly excited to learn more about food photography. Franciacorta and Stoneburner Restaurant are presenting “Bubbles and Bites & Why Sparkling Wine is the Best Food Wine”. But I love the bubbly so I don’t need much persuasion.

Sunday I am looking forward to learning tech stuff from the WordPress Crew and how to be more effective in making my WordPress site more user-friendly for you. As a result of this conference I’m hoping to enhance my website giving you more pizzazz.

Keep tuned because I will be posting again from the conference as well.

$25 Starbucks GC Giveaway #fallingforprizes

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falling-for-prizes-giveaway-hop

I’ve joined another Giveaway Hop with Planet Weidknecht and LeahSays’ Views for some giveaway fun!  All the bloggers who have joined will be giving away prizes valued at a minimum of $25.

You all know that I love to go to Starbucks so I figure everyone else does too!  And if you don’t I bet a friend would love one as a gift! We are giving away a $25 Starbucks GG to those who fall for prizes and give them a bit more fun!  So enter our giveaway below, then check the linky party hook up under our giveaway and visit the other bloggers to see what fun prizes you could win!

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Vegan Chili Recipe

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There’s nothing more comforting on a chilly night than a nice, hot bowl of chili. This vegan Chili is a perfect go-to meal. It’s easy to make, delicious and loaded with protein and nutrients.

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Vegan Chili Recipe

This simple Vegan Chili recipe uses just a few ingredients, but packs a serious flavor punch. Although you can pull this dish off in under an hour, the longer it cooks the better it tastes. The leftovers the next day are even better!

As you can see, with just a few ingredients you can create a hot, comforting bowl of chili. What’s your go-to cool weather comfort food?

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Vegan Chili

There’s nothing more comforting on a chilly night than a nice, hot bowl of chili. This vegan Chili is a perfect go-to meal. It’s easy to make, delicious and loaded with protein and nutrients.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 249kcal
Author: My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium Serrano pepper finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 large green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 15 ounce cans kidney beans or beans of your choosing

Instructions

  • In a medium pot, heat oil over medium heat
  • Add Serrano, onion, bell pepper and garlic and saute until onion is soft, about 8-10 minutes
  • Add chili powder, cumin, crushed tomatoes, and beans to pot, stirring to combine
  • Lower heat and cover
  • Simmer, covered for at least 40 minutes, and up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally
  • Uncover for the last 10-15 minutes

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Nutrition

Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 635mg | Potassium: 1076mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 2330IU | Vitamin C: 46.2mg | Calcium: 135mg | Iron: 5.4mg

 


Dear Diary, A Day in the Life of a Dairy Free Woman

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Dear Diary…
A Day in the life of a Dairy Free Woman

7:00 am
Dear Diary,
Life of a Dairy Free Woman. Currently watching my husband eat 2 huge bowls of cereal with lots of milk poured on top this morning. I remember how much I love the taste of  milk, but I also remember long trips in the bathroom as my digestive system rebelled against it. This morning, I joined him and had my Crispix with my favorite, unsweetened almond milk. I actually am to the point where I don’t even notice that I’m not drinking milk! That is a miracle. Thought you’d want to know.
Love, me

10:00 am
Dear Diary,
I decided to share my grocery list with you this morning. It has changed so much in the past year. Here it is:

almond milk, cherries, salmon, dairy free cheese; shredded and slices, soy yogurt, oatmeal, rice, quinoa, pistachios, soy ice cream and napkins!
Pretty different from my old grocery lists which were filled with every form of dairy, huh?
Love, me

12:00 pm
Dear Diary,
Getting stuck at the store, there was a huge sale on ice cream today and the whole town showed up! I got so hungry and last year I would have grabbed a slice of pizza while I was out and then paid for it later with terrible stomach cramps. I’m glad I packed a baggie of nuts with me! My nuts tided me over until I got home.

Now I am sitting down to a big salad with spinach, romaine, purple cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, leftover salmon from last night and raspberry vinaigrette dressing. I’ll feel so much better with this power salad in my system!
Love, me

3:00 pm
Dear Diary,
After working in the garden all afternoon, I came into the house hot, thirsty and hungry. Last year I would have had a big glass of lemonade and then sat down to a bowl of ice cream.

Today, I came in and drank a big glass of water and made myself a smoothie. I used frozen strawberries, soy yogurt, almond milk and fresh raspberries. It was amazing! I feel refreshed and energized! I feel like I could tackle some laundry now, too. I wonder if being dairy free has given me more energy, too? I used to feel much more sluggish. Talk to you later!
Love, me

chili-1

5:00 pm
Dear Diary,
Well, it’s time to make dinner. I’m glad I planned ahead and filled my pantry and fridge with lots of healthy, dairy free options. Tonight I’m going to sneak dairy free cheese into our main meal. I get tired of making special meals just for me. I think if I don’t tell my family it’s dairy free, they won’t even notice.

I’m going to make vegetarian chili with sides of cornbread and fresh fruit cups. My husband likes to put shredded cheese and sour cream on top of his chili, tonight I will serve the dairy free in dishes on the table, so he can’t see the packages. I hope everyone likes it! Don’t tell!
Love, me

7:00 pm
Dear Diary,
Would you believe that no one noticed my switch? I am shocked! Of course, I have tried many brands of dairy free foods and now buy the ones I think taste the best, so I shouldn’t really be so surprised, right?

My husband just gave the kids some money for the ice cream truck and they are bringing back an ice cream sandwich for Dad. I am content to eat my bowl of strawberries with dairy free whipped cream-yum! I never thought I could go dairy free, but it’s not as hard as I thought it would be. Thanks for being my sounding board, Diary, you’re the best!
Love, me

strawberriescream

10:00 pm
Dear Diary,
Well, it’s that time to hit the sack! It feels good to go through a whole day without stomach cramps, rashes or acne break outs! I feel so much better than I did on dairy.

I can be pretty sure that I will not wake up with horrible cramping and have to run to the bathroom unless I catch a virus. When I focus on all the good foods I can eat, instead of things I can’t, I have a much better outlook. Choosing dairy free substitutes that I enjoy makes me feel like I am not missing out on anything! Good-night, Diary, until tomorrow.
Love, me

Butternut Squash Risotto, Vegan Gluten Free

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What better way to welcome in the fall than with a Butternut Squash Risotto recipe!  This Butternut Squash Risotto tastes absolutely decadent. Its rich, creamy flavor is surprising in this vegan and gluten free dish.

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Butternut Squash Risotto, Vegan Gluten-Free

Butternut Squash Risotto, Vegan Gluten-Free

Risotto is elegant enough to serve at a nice dinner party, but can be enjoyed any night of the week with this easy recipe.   You can garnish your Butternut Risotto with some fresh, chopped herbs like thyme or sage for an extra level of flavor.   The recipe calls for a blender or food processor and I highly recommend the Blendtec Blender !  and check out my Blendtec review HERE!

 

butternut squash risotto 1

Recipe for Butternut Squash Risotto, Vegan Gluten-Free:

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Butternut Squash Risotto

What better way to welcome in the fall than with a Butternut Squash Risotto recipe!  This Butternut Squash Risotto tastes absolutely decadent. Its rich, creamy flavor is surprising in this vegan and gluten free dish.  
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 473kcal
Author: My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life

Ingredients

  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 ½ cups risotto short grain rice, like Arborio
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons vegan butter like Earth Balance
  • 5 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 small butternut squash cubed and roasted

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Cut butternut squash into 1 inch cubes, and roast for about 30-40 minutes
  • In a medium saucepan, heat oil and butter over medium/high heat
  • Saute onion until golden
  • Add risotto and stir over medium heat for 3-5 minutes
  • Just cover risotto with broth and simmer, stirring constantly
  • As risotto absorbs the broth, add remaining broth, a little at a time
  • Continue stirring until all liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes
  • Remove from heat
  • In a blender or food processor, puree squash
  • Stir pureed squash into risotto

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 642mg | Potassium: 757mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 20510IU | Vitamin C: 41.4mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 4.5mg

 

Shopping list from Amazon.com:

risotto 
olive oil
vegan butter 
vegetable broth

 

6 Tips to Combat Seasonal Affective Disorder

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Beautiful brunette female leaning against a tree looking out

It is that time of year when Seasonal Affective Disorder,  also known as SAD, shows its ugly head. Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression, is experienced during the fall and winter. Most people begin experiencing the disorder when the days begin to shorten.

I’m going to share 6 tips to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder with you. You can do may things on your own such as, light therapy, CBD Oil, Gummies or Lotion but psychotherapy or medication may be needed in addition.  Always check with your doctor for treatment.  I am sharing with you what has worked really well for our family who are affected with this disorder.

6 tips to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder:

TIP 1. Light Therapy – Light Therapy has been the number 1 thing that has helped our family who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

This is the SAD lamp that I use and it is recommended by my mental health professional.  All you need is 15 – 20 minutes daily, first thing in the morning when you get up – sit in front of this light or another SAD lamp that has 10,000 lux of light.

You can purchase a lamp on your own but if you have a prescription from your health care provider, it is covered by insurance. We have used our lights for about 15 years and the light bulbs are still going strong!   My husband, son and myself each have our own light therapy lamp just like the one shown above!

Dawn Simulator – These are awesome little devices that you set on your bedside table. They wake you up slowly by using a series of increasingly bright light. So when it’s time to get up, the light is at its brightest, waking you up gradually.

TIP 2. CBD Topicals, edibles and oil – is the 2nd line of products that has greatly reduced my depression from seasonal affective disorder.  I prefer to take oil drops which are highly effective for me.  But, many people enjoy the ease and flavor of edibles.  Whereas, many others prefer to soothe the blues with Charlotte’s Web topical CBD lotions.

TIP 3. Vitamin D – Vitamin D deficiency is suggested to be one of the major factors in seasonal affective disorder. Think about the amount of time that you spend inside or unable to get into the sun. If you are in the sun you slather on sunscreen – you could be deficient!  I was and I spent hours in the sun!

A physician or health care provider orders a specific blood test to see if you are clinically deficient.  IF you are, adding  supplemental Vitamin D3, “Cholecalciferol” and monitoring your blood levels will help you. See my story of how I found that I had a Vitamin D level of 11!

Tip 4. Exercise – Keep yourself moving, even though you don’t want to! Exercise releases endorphins, which are proven to improve mood. Go for a quick walk outside at lunchtime or find an exercise video online or on-demand.

Get Outside When the Sunshine is the Brightest – When it’s dark and cold outside, it’s so hard to want to look out into the world. However, it’s best to keep curtains or blinds open during the midday for when there is sunshine. If the sun is out,  get out and do your exercise to get the most exposure possible.

Tip 5. Get Enough Sleep – Your rhythms are already disturbed by the change in the season, so get extra sleep by going to bed earlier and getting up at the same time every day.

Tip 6. Eat properly – Be sure to follow a balanced diet with a variety of healthy foods. Include as much fresh food as possible, especially fruits and vegetables. Eat foods in a multitude of colors!

These are just a few simple tips that everyone can do to feel better through the winter.  Even if you don’t have seasonal affective disorder, we all want to feel our best.

**I am affiliated with Charlotte’s Web, they have the best CBD Isolate Oils, Softgels, Gummies and Creams! Free ground shipping on orders over $75

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

$800 Back to School Cash Giveaway

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Back2School My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life

I have joined forces with a bunch of great bloggers in bringing to you this great Back To School Cash Giveaway!  TWO WINNERS will each win $400 PayPal Cash.  You don’t have to have kids going back to school, you can still enter this fabulous giveaway and win!  And this giveaway is open WorldWide!  It’s always great to have some extra moola to use for yourself or for the upcoming holidays!

What would you do if you won some extra CASH?  I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Enter on the Rafflecopter below!

Terms and Conditions:

  • The Back to School $800 Giveaway starts on September 1st @12:00AM EST and ends on October 1st @11:59 PM EST.
  • There will be two winners ($400 each).
  • The winners must be 18 years or older to win.
  • The giveaway is open world wide, void where prohibited.
  • Full Lives Reviews will choose the winner no later than Oct 6th 2015 and the winner will be contacted no later than October 7th 2015.
  • The winner has 48 hours to respond by email before forfeiting the prize. The co-hosts will be notified no later than October 10th 2015 with the winning names.

By entering on the Rafflecopter below, you agree to the terms and conditions above:

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