Blog - My DairyFree GlutenFree Life

Can Broccoli Sprouts Help Treat Autism?

August 26, 2015 By Colleen 8 Comments

There is a new debate about treating autism, and it involves a familiar vegetable. Experts and families are wondering if broccoli sprouts can help the condition. A small study, titled “Sulforaphane treatment of autism spectrum disorder,” found that a chemical from broccoli sprouts helped improve autism symptoms.

4-Tray Kitchen Seed Sprouter

Food To Live Broccoli Seeds for Sprouting

The Study

The study included a placebo-controlled trial, but one of the issues is that only 29 people with autism received the treatment. Critics believe the sample size is too small, so more research is needed before families and caretakers start piling broccoli sprouts on their dinner plates every night. However, the study gives hope that a chemical from a common vegetable could one day help treat the condition.

Sulforaphane

Sulforaphane is the chemical that was derived from the broccoli sprouts in the study and given to patients in capsule form. Researchers found that 42 percent of the people who received the treatment had better verbal communication. In addition, 46 percent of the people who received the treatment had better social interactions. Furthermore, researchers noted that they were less hyperactive and less irritable. On the other hand, the patients who received the placebo did not show any improvements.

Source Naturals Broccoli Sprouts

Stopping Treatment

There is one part of the study that some have found disturbing. Once treatment with sulforaphane stopped, the improvements researchers noted disappeared. The progress made with the chemical did not last. It appears that ongoing treatments are required, but more studies will be necessary to understand this.

Diet Caution

Researchers point out that the extracted sulforaphane from the broccoli sprouts was at a very high dosage that cannot be replicated at the dinner table. Unfortunately, adding huge amounts of broccoli to a patient’s diet may not be enough because the concentration of sulforaphane is limited. In addition, seizures and liver enzyme problems appeared in a few cases during the study. Experts recommend using diet caution.

SOURCE:

http://www.pnas.org/content/111/43/15550

Cinnamon Maple Walnut Oatmeal

August 24, 2015 By Colleen 26 Comments

Is there any way to start your day that’s more comforting than a big bowl of oatmeal? This Cinnamon Maple Walnut Oatmeal is a hot, hearty bowl of goodness. It tastes best when it’s cooked stovetop in almond milk, but it can be prepared with water, and even in the microwave if you’re pressed for time.

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Cinnamon Maple Walnut Oatmeal

Walnuts add some protein to this breakfast, and are the perfect complement to the cinnamon and maple syrup. This Cinnamon Maple Walnut Oatmeal is a sweet and satisfying breakfast that also happens to be vegan and gluten free. What is your favorite vegan and/or gluten free way to begin your day?

Here is what you will need:

Recipe for Cinnamon Maple Walnut Oatmeal:

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Cinnamon Maple Walnut Oatmeal

Is there any way to start your day that’s more comforting than a big bowl of oatmeal? This Cinnamon Maple Walnut Oatmeal is a hot, hearty bowl of goodness.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Servings: serving

Calories: 509kcal

Author: My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life

Ingredients

1 cup almond milk or water
½ cup old fashioned oats
¼ cup walnuts chopped
3 tablespoons maple syrup
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Cook oats in almond milk or water according to package directions (If using microwave, water works best)
Stir in other ingredients and add an extra splash of almond milk to cool down and add more creaminess

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Nutrition

$25 Starbucks GC Giveaway #Hanging onto Summer Giveaway Hop

August 19, 2015 By Colleen 20 Comments

I’ve joined with Planet Weidknecht and LeahSays’ Views for another fun Giveaway Hop! This Giveaway Hop is to help those Hangin’ On To Summer! All the bloggers who have joined will be giving away prizes valued at a minimum of $25.

I love to go to Starbucks so I figure everyone else does too! School has started so it’s nice to treat yourself or a friend to a yummy drink or two. So, we are giving away a $25 Starbucks GG to help ease one lucky reader out of summer. 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!

Hangin On To Summer Giveaway Hop Linky:

Disclaimer: This blog 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. This blog and other participating bloggers are not responsible for shipment of prize(s). Sponsor(s) are responsible for all shipping costs related to prize(s). 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.

14 Must Have Cooking Tools

August 19, 2015 By Colleen 21 Comments

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small fee to keep this blog running.

Well you all know that a cook needs good knives of all kinds, a good cutting board and lots of specialty spoons for cooking. But I am sharing with you my other secrets, my 14 Must Have Kitchen Tools. Without these 14 tools I would be lost! Let me know in the comments if you have some other tools that are a must have in your kitchen. I’d love to know.

I’ve included where you can purchase each of these 14 items in case you want to start a holiday or birthday wish list!

14 Must Have Kitchen Tools

Blendtec Total Blender By now you probably know I am in love with the Blendtec Blender. It has been wonderful for going diary-free! I am able to make yummy dairy-free cheeses right in the Blendtec. It has allowed me to do so much with my cooking. You will have to see my review on the Blendtec to know more about it. It is the cat’s meow when it comes to blenders and prices start at $279.95! Buy it here.

Kitchenaid Mixer If you’ve been in the kitchen for any amount of time, you’ve probably already wished for a Kitchenaid Mixer. Knead, whip, and mix ingredients with ease using this handy countertop appliance. It has so helped my arthritic hands! I have one recipe for gluten free bread that I just adore but it called to mix it for 6.5 minutes. Do you know how long that is having to hold a hand mixer? Plus how hard it is on the engine?

Usually around the holidays, Kohl’s and other stores will have Kitchenaid Mixers on sale for $100 off (or sometimes more!). Can’t wait til Christmas? Buy it here.

Rice Cooker I couldn’t live without my rice cooker. I have grown up with one and I just can’t make rice on the stovetop, I have tried. A rice cooker makes it perfect every time! So easy you just follow the directions for your rice cooker model, put the rice and water in and click the cook button. Most machines will ding when done and turn over to a keep warm position! I love my rice cooker and you can get the one I use here.

Crockpot aka Slow Cooker Dinner is one thing we don’t want to worry about, especially with school here. I pull out my Crockpots this time of year. I just put the ingredients in and set the timer for slow and when I come home in the evening I will have a mouth watering, tender, flavorful dinner! I like this one and use it all the time.

Electric Pressure Cooker I am sold on this time saver! Check out my review on it here. This one has so many safety features that I am not afraid to use it! You can make such flavorful meals in minutes. Buy it here.

Spiralizer Whether you’re cooking a stir-fry dish, or replacing pasta with veggies, the spiralizer makes life so much easier! It is used a lot for raw and vegan cooking. They’re super simple to use, and you can spiralize anything from carrots and zucchini to beets and broccoli stalks in just a few minutes. To cook spiralized veggies, you simply heat them up for a few minutes – you don’t want them to be mushy, so don’t overcook!

Not all spiralizers are created equal, so check them out and See them here.

Immersion Blender From making smoothies and yogurt, to blending up soups, an immersion blender does the job quite nicely. I like that it’s heavy duty but not too heavy to hold, and it’s easy to clean! Compared to a regular blender, it’s fairly quiet – and it’s convenient because you can use the blender IN the bowl instead of having to move all ingredients to an actual blender. I like this Cuisinart Immersion Blender.

Mandoline I think my mandoline slicer cuts my prep time literally in half. I use it for zucchini, squash, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, onions… the list goes on and on. If you get one with attachments (like this one), you can even use it for grating.

Silicone Basting Brushes I like to use these for rubbing on BBQ sauce, or slathering in melted butter. You can use them for egg-washing. My husband and son love them for basting chicken or fish with marinades on the grill. They’re dishwasher safe, so that’s a plus! Buy here.

Melon Ballers I don’t have to tell you much about this one, do I? A melon baller seems like a “silly” purchase to some, but once you get one you’ll see how much you put it to work! Anything that saves me time and makes things pretty, I’m sold! It’s great for a quick treat like fruit salad, or you could even use it to ball apples, cover them in cinnamon and sugar, and have a portable snack. I like this one.

Cookie Measuring Scoops Nothing drives me crazy more than uneven cookie scoops! Okay, so that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s so nice to have perfect scoops every time. This goes for cookies, as well as ice cream! You can actually even use this one as a melon baller, as well. I love when I can get one kitchen tool that has multiple uses.

Handheld Juicer Make a small glass of juice, or use it to make a glaze. This handheld juicer saves you many hand cramps!

Zester aka Microplane No kitchen is complete without a zester! I love using lemon, orange, and even lime zest to top cupcakes and other desserts. It makes them look fancy, without a lot of effort. I also use a zester for many fish sauce recipes.

Ceramic Scraper This scraper has saved my dishes so many times! When I thought they were unusable, just scraping with one of them lifted off everything! I got them years ago and they are still perfect! I love that they have sized edges so they fit into many different pans. Buy it here.

Surprising Link between Tooth Damage and Celiac Disease

August 19, 2015 By Colleen 8 Comments

Surprising Link between Tooth Damage and Celiac Disease

Did you know your tooth damage could be caused by celiac disease? Several studies show a link between tooth damage and Celiac Disease. Oral health should not be overlooked as you deal with this condition.

Diet and Nutrition in Oral Health

Common Tooth Damage

Common tooth damage seen in celiac disease patients is related to enamel flaws, calcium deficiencies, cavities and structural flaws. Oral health problems are being added to the list of symptoms seen with this health disorder. A study, titled “The association between celiac disease, dental enamel defects, and aphthous ulcers in a United States cohort,” also found that enamel defects are common in children with celiac disease. In addition, aphthous ulcers, more commonly known as canker sores, are an issue.

Education

One of the main issues with tooth damage and celiac disease is the lack of education about their connection. Dental professionals and patients need to be educated about the symptoms of the disorder that can be seen in the mouth. In some cases, oral health damage is the only symptom that appears, so patients are at a higher risk of going undiagnosed.

Mayo Clinic Going Gluten Free: Essential Guide to Managing Celiac Disease and Related Conditions

Solutions

Early diagnosis is essential for maintaining health, and it is crucial for preventing enamel defects. In many adult cases, the damage may be irreversible. However, diagnosing celiac disease in children and as early as possible in adults can help prevent damage. In addition, it is important to consider all options because enamel problems can be caused by other issues. Gluten-free dental products are also essential for people with celiac disease. Some patients report their aphthous ulcers stopped being a problem once they eliminated all gluten from their lifestyle. Experts recommend talking to your dental professional about your celiac disease and explaining the importance of gluten-free products. It is up to each individual to educate others who may not know about the disease.

Tom’s of Maine Antiplaque & Whitening Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

SOURCE:

http://celiac.nih.gov/DentalEnamel.aspx
http://www.jcda.ca/uploads/b39/b39.pdf

5 Health Benefits Of Eating a Raw Food Diet

August 15, 2015 By Colleen 3 Comments

You have probably heard about the Raw Food Diet. The basic and common feature of most raw food diets is that they all advocate eating food in their natural state and that is, uncooked, unprocessed, organic and unexposed to herbicides and pesticides.

Raw Food Diet for Beginners: The All Natural Way to Lose Weight Feel Great & Improve your Health

Weight Loss

The main purpose of most people who shift to a raw food diet is for weight loss. Eating raw food will facilitate weight loss because eating raw food will mean that you won’t consume as much fat and calories as with a regular diet.

Raw Food Diet: How I Lost 220 Pounds in 8 Months Using the Raw Food Diet

Disease Prevention

Another main purpose of most people who shift to a raw food diet is to fight what is referred to as lifestyle diseases. Lifestyle diseases include hypertension, coronary artery disease, diabetes and things like Candida. These lifestyle diseases are often caused by eating food that is too high on fat, sugar and cholesterol.

The Raw Food Nutrition Handbook: An Essential Guide to Understanding Raw Food Diets

Chemical Free Eating

Some who go on a raw food diet do so because they want to avoid the accumulation of harmful chemicals in their bodies from food that is exposed to pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics and hormones. Fruits and vegetables grown in commercial farms are usually treated with pesticides and herbicides to keep insects from feasting on the fruits and vegetables.

Animals grown commercially are treated with hormones and antibiotics to prevent disease and ensure optimal growth. Seedless fruit are sprayed with hormones as well.

Anti-Aging And Increasing Immunity

Still some people who opt for a raw food diet emphasize a healthy lifestyle that will keep them looking young.
They believe that fresh, unprocessed fruits, vegetables and grains boost the immune system which keeps infectious diseases at bay and it improves the body’s circulation and systemic functioning which gives them clear skin and radiant hair.

Increased Energy

Getting all the pesticides, herbicides, antibiotics and hormones present in so much of our foods these days will definitely help increase your physical, mental, and emotional energies and make you think more clearly.

Raw Food Diet: Detox Diet: Planted Based Diet & Detox Cleanse Diet to Increase Energy & Natural Weight Loss

As with all diets, you should consult your doctor to see if a raw food diet is ok to begin. There are so many benefits to eating raw food and one thing to keep in mind is that you don’t need to eat fully raw all the time, you can simply add more fresh, and raw fruits and vegetables to your diet on a daily basis and cut out processed foods. That alone is a huge step to improving your health, preventing disease and curtailing the effects of aging.

Blend Away the Summer with Blendtec

August 14, 2015 By Colleen 96 Comments

A great group of bloggers have joined together to bring you this Blend Away the Summer with Blendtec Giveaway! This is a Blogger Sponsored Event which means the bloggers who have joined in this giveaway have donated money to help pay for this Blendtec Designer 625 Blender! You will see the entries of the bloggers on the Rafflecopter who are participating. One lucky reader will win a Blendtec Designer 625 Blender! And the winner will have the choice of 7 colors to choose from!

I have a Blendtec Designer 675 and couldn’t live without it! You can read my Blendtec review here. I need a high powered blender to make things that I just can’t make with a regular blender, I have burned too many engines on regular blenders! Have I mentioned that I Love the Blendtec?

History of the Blendtec Blender:

Inventor, Tom Dickson, envisioned the perfect mixer using freshly milled flour from his mill to make wholesome bread in minutes. “When back in the lab, Tom developed an autoknead feature, enabling the mixer to knead the dough, develop the gluten and turn off automatically when finished. Tom continued to improve the mixer and decided to add a blender with a square jar, rather than the conventional round jar. As Tom expanded his mill and mixer business, new ideas developed. He enhanced the blender and began developing commercial blending machines just as the smoothie era began.”

You have probably seen the Blendtec videos and heard Blendtec say “We’ve blended everything from rake handles to golf balls and glow sticks in our test lab – so you can experience years of trouble-free blending.” And it is TRUE!

About the Blendtec Designer 625

Features include:

3.0 peak horsepower motor
Illuminated, capacitive touch interface
Preprogrammed cycles: Smoothie, Ice Cream, Whole Juice, Hot Soup
6-speed capacitive touch slider + Pulse
Illuminated display indicates remaining blend time
Illuminated Touch Controls
An intuitive touch screen with easy to see icons makes the Designer 625 more versatile and simple to use. It lights up with a single touch, shuts off automatically, and is completely flat so cleaning is as simple as a quick wipe.

Six-Speed Touch Slider + Pulse
Simply slide your finger left or right to control the motor speed for customized blending. Use Pulse for an added burst of power at any speed.

Preprogrammed Blend Cycles
No more guesswork! Four preprogrammed custom cycles enable one-touch blending perfection: Smoothie, Ice Cream, Whole Juice, and Hot Soup.

About the Blendtec Designer 625 Giveaway – GIVEAWAY OVER

This giveaway closes August 31, 2015 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
Open to US only
Must be 18+ to enter
My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life is responsible for prize shipment
Enter on the Rafflecopter Below

Disclaimer: NO compensation was received 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). 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.

Win $50 Paypal! 8/17 US

August 13, 2015 By Colleen 8 Comments

Who likes to win money? Why not RSVP to our twitter party and be entered to win $50 in paypal!! Everyone needs a little extra help during the back to school shopping days. I know I do! Let’s get this party started and enter. Tell me what you would buy with your $50? Do you have pets? Our pet furgiveness twitter party is all about helping our pets figure out how to not have an accident in the house or make some big messes! Bounty paper towels is helping us in this twitter party by bringing pet experts in to help our party recipients solve some problems for their pet babies. So let’s get to entering!

Bounty Paper Towels

Sponsor: @Bounty

Open To US

Twitter Party Pet Experts

@dobbiehouson, @petxpert, @thefurmom, @darafoster, @dogloversdigest

Don’t forget to come back on 8/17 and be a part of the twitter party! Follow the hosts & cohosts below.

Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EST

* To ensure eligibility in the gift card giveaways, all participants must follow @Bounty and include #Sweeps OR #Contest in their tweets. See URL below for complete list of rules

Host: @dinade
Co-hosts: @AcadianaThrifty @SaveMrEspendles @BloggingMomof4
@CouponMomof4 @RealAdviceGal @RobynsWorld @YourLifeAfter25 @acountrydivas

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. This blog and other participating bloggers are not responsible for shipment of prize(s). Sponsor(s) are responsible for all shipping costs related to prize(s). 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.

Dairy-Free But How Do I Start?

August 12, 2015 By Colleen 9 Comments

You’ve decided to go dairy free due to your choice or medical need, now what? When you love all things dairy, but your body doesn’t, it can be overwhelming to think about changing your diet. What will you eat instead of cheese or ice cream? What can you drink instead of milk with your cookies? These are serious concerns, especially when you live with dairy loving people! Here are some practical tips and strategies to help you make the switch to dairy free as easy as possible!

Almond Milk comes in many different flavors – one of them is sure to hit the dairy spot.

* Try to go one week without dairy or use a dairy substitute
“Wait,” you’re thinking about now, “I thought you said this would be easy?” Bear with me. You certainly don’t have to follow this step, but I believe it makes switching to dairy free easier. Here’s why: when you go from a full dairy diet to a dairy free diet, with no break in between, your taste buds are conditioned to the taste of dairy. Anything that is not dairy may taste different or substandard. Taking a week in-between these changes helps get the dairy out of your system, therefore you will start to notice how much better you feel or even how clear your skin is getting. Those positive results will give you even more incentive to want to make going dairy free work for you! The other reason is that your taste buds will not remember as clearly the taste of dairy. Many people notice they can taste fresh foods better during this time, too.

Daiya Cheese is delicious! Check out all of their flavors!

* Start slow and increase your substitutes gradually
Don’t begin your first day on dairy free eating dairy substitutes with every meal. Start slow, for example, have soy yogurt for breakfast or a snack and maybe replace almond milk for milk in a recipe. Give yourself time to slowly try different substitutes, a little at a time. Gradually add more dairy free choices every day until you have tried multiple items and are satisfied with your choices. Instead of starting with pouring a huge glass of soy milk with your meal or snack, try pouring in your cereal first.

* Buy the smallest sized dairy free products in the beginning
As you are trying different products, it only makes sense to buy the smallest size until you know which items you will be using. You may decide you don’t like the taste of dairy free cheese or an alternate milk product. You won’t be wasting food you don’t like if you buy smaller amounts. You can try a wide variety of dairy free grocery items when you buy the smallest size to start with.

* Stock your fridge and pantry with dairy free products. Once you have discovered what items you really like, stock your pantry and refrigerator with a good selection. This is really important, friends! We all have days where we don’t feel well, or we have to stay home with a sick child, or even days where the weather prevents us from going out. You don’t want to be stuck at home without the grocery items you need to stay dairy free! You should plan to always have enough on hand for at least a day or two of dairy free meals. Choose some items that are shelf stable and can go in the pantry and some items that can be stored in the freezer for those days. You can buy an extra package or two of dairy free cheese and stash them in the freezer. You can even buy shelf stable soy, rice or almond milk and store them in the pantry. I love So Delicious Coconut Creamer in my pantry. I use it as I would in place of any cream and I also bake with it.

* Be creative and keep trying new products
Now that you know what you like and have extra stored for emergencies, begin to branch out and try new things. Try going back to some of the products you didn’t think you liked in the beginning. You may find that your tastes have changed enough that you really like them! When I began my dairy free journey, I only liked one soy milk. I loved drinking a big glass of it and no other milk would do! I could tell if I was served anything with another kind of milk in it and it turned my stomach! Now, I happily pour unsweetened almond milk on my cereal and use it in cooking. I love the taste and more importantly, I love the way I feel without dairy in my life! What are some of your favorite dairy free products? I’d love you to tell me in the comments.

Coach Crossbody or Clutch Purse Giveaway 8/21 US

August 10, 2015 By Colleen 14 Comments

Who here loves Coach purses? What’s not to love? They’re quality made purses with the name to back it up. It’s nice to have a Coach purse but it’s even nicer to win one! Who wants to win this beautiful Coach Clutch or Crossbody purse? Here’s some details about it.

Coach Lyla Double Gusset Crossbody in Pebble Leather Black

LYLA DOUBLE GUSSET CROSSBODY IN PEBBLE LEATHER (COACH F53157)
Black
Details
Pebble leather Black
Inside multifunction pocket
Zip-top closure, fabric lining
Long strap with 21 1/2\” drop for shoulder or crossbody wear
9 1/2\” (L) x 5 3/4\” (H) x 1 1/4\” (W)
COACH MSRP:$250

It’s so pretty and serves two great purposes. If you like to travel you want a crossbody purse. It’s really nice that this one will then double as a clutch so you can go out on the town. Want to win one of your own? Just follow the rafflecopter below and win! Contest ends 8/21 at midnight and is only open to US.

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