Blog - My DairyFree GlutenFree Life

Win a $50 Amazon eGift Card

July 15, 2015 By Colleen 8 Comments

Although it feels like Summer just started it’s almost time to get back to school. Its sad to start thinking about it but summer really is half over! Before you know it you need to get all the school clothes, supplies and don’t forget all the extra’s that they “think” they need!

My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life has partnered with Your Life After 25 to bring you a giveaway with a $50 Amazon eGift Card! That should come in handy for back to school projects.

Share A Fun Memory About This Summer Or A Reason You Can’t Wait For The Kids To Go Back To School…I can’t wait to hear them!

Giveaway Rules:

USA AND Canada 18+
ends August 15, 2015
one person per household
twitter, pinterest etc is not responsible or liable in anyway for this contest
winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be chosen.

Enter below:

Disclaimer: Your Life After 25 is solely responsible for the prize. All other bloggers are NOT responsible in anyway for this prize. If you have questions please message us at canadaswinandsave@gmail.com. Facebook, twitter, etc is not responsible or liable in anyway for this post.

Breville Juicer – Juicing to Health Giveaway (rv $599)

July 15, 2015 By Colleen 33 Comments

My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life along with some blogger friends are bringing you this Juicing to Health Giveaway with a Masticating Breville Juicer (rv $599)! We are into living a wholesome clean lifestyle and want to give one lucky reader the chance to enjoy the health benefits of juicing! Masticating or Slow Juicers work better for greens which is why I like them so much.

From the Dr. Oz Blog – “There are many health benefits of drinking freshly juiced fruits and vegetables, and it’s a great way to add nutrients from the fruits or vegetables that you normally wouldn’t eat. Fruit and vegetable juices retain most of of the vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals (phytonutrients) that would be found in the whole versions of those foods. These nutrients can help protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer and various inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis.”

About the Breville Juicer

There are two main types of juicers, centrifugal juicers and slow (or masticating) juicers. This Breville is a Masticating Juicer. Centrifugal juicers work by shredding the fruits and vegetables and spin at high speed to separate the pulp and juice.

Slow or masticating juicers crush and grind the fruits and vegetables to extract the juice, then filter out the pulp. They’re called slow juicers because they don’t spin rapidly, but they still only take minutes to produce juice! Slow juicers produce drier pulp than centrifugal juicers, and extract more juice from leafy greens like kale. A slow juicer tends to be less frothy.

About the Breville Juicer Giveaway

We are giving away one Breville BJS600XL Fountain Crush Masticating Slow Juicer! You can read more about the Breville BJS600XL Fountain Crush Masticating Slow Juicer HERE. This Breville Juicer retails for $599!

This Giveaway is Open to US residents Only, You must be 18 years or older to enter. The Giveaway Ends at 11:59 PM EST on July 31, 2015. All the bloggers on the Rafflecopter entry form have pitched in to buy this Breville BJS600XL Fountain Crush Masticating Slow Juicer for one lucky reader to win!

Enter for your chance to win on the Rafflecopter below:

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 person entering 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. My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life is responsible for prize shipment, for questions about this giveaway contact Colleen. 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.

9 Travel Tips for Chefs and Other Foodies

July 15, 2015 By Colleen Leave a Comment

9 Travel Tips for Chefs and Other Foodies

When foodies travel, their appetites usually dictates the trip. Whether your love of food is leading the way or you want to make the most of your vacation by doing everything you possibly can, here are nine tips you can adopt from food-loving travelers everywhere.

1. Ask taxi drivers for their recommendations for delicious food at unexpected or unfamiliar places. They’ll help you find eateries you’d never try otherwise. Plus, cab drivers travel all over the area, which means they’re some of the most knowledgeable locals you can find.

2. Always pack food essentials, like salt. Many restaurants won’t have salt at all; some of the ones that do won’t have tasty salt, which can really ruin a meal. Travel with whatever you like to add to your food, including chili pepper paste, oregano, and other spices and seasonings.

3. Pack miniature bottles of your favorite spirits. Many overseas bars won’t have the type of alcohol you like. With just a mixer, you can make your own cocktail.

4. Use Twitter to ask locals for food suggestions. Whichever suggestions overlap are usually the best ones, because more than one person is recommending that eatery.

5. Keep in touch with foodie friends. Wherever they’re from or wherever they travel to, they will have insider tips about places to eat and cuisines to try. Once you’ve sampled some local cuisine, offer up your own advice, too.

6. Prepare ahead of time so you can eat a meal before getting on your flight and in doing so, avoid not-so-tasty airplane food. Then, pack a few hearty snacks to get you through the flight so you don’t have to cave and purchase an in-flight meal. Bananas, protein bars and other dense foods will fill you up until you land.

7. Book a flight with an airline that serves great, gourmet food. Some airlines are making their food offerings a priority and you can try some delicious meals if you’re flying with one of them. Read reviews ahead of time to find out which airlines and meals are best.

8. Check out what dining critics are saying about the local eateries at your destination. Read dining reviews and make a short list of places you want to check out or that were recommended. Combine both new places that there’s a buzz about with old, longstanding eateries that have pleased guests for years. You may even be able to find something like a guide to staying in LA.

9. Browse grocery stores and pick up items that you can’t get back home. Try them out in you hotel room or bring them back home with you. This is one of the best ways to sample true local cuisine.

Whether you’re going on a culinary trip or trying different foods is just part of the appeal of travel, make it a point to expand your culinary horizons during your next vacation.

This article was contributed by Fiona Moriarty of Hipmunk, a travel website that offers customers a fast and easy way to find the best travel deals.

Composting the Easy Way

July 15, 2015 By Colleen 19 Comments

Composting is an easy, fun way to recycle our consumables like food, grass clippings, and yard waste. It is so much better to compost all of those then sending them to the landfill. What exactly is compost? It is the nutrient-rich soil that is left over after tiny microbes and worms have their way with waste. Pretty cool, huh? Here are some tips so you can make sure you are composting the easy way.

Kitchen Scraps

It is easy to get enough kitchen scraps in just a couple days to start your compost pile. You can use a plastic bag, or invest in a countertop kitchen compost bin. Add in your egg shells, coffee filters, tea bags, fruits and vegetables. It is not recommended to add in dairy or meat as they attract vermin and animals to your compost pile.

Stainless Steel Compost Bin – $27

Easy Peasy Compost Pile

In a corner of your yard, you can start building your easy compost pile. On the bottom, start with straw and brown waste which includes dead leaves, shredded bark, and cut up tree limbs – the smaller the better. Next, add in newspapers and glass clippings. At the top of the pile goes your kitchen scraps. Grab the hose and water your compost pile well. With a pitchfork, poke holes into your pile, and then water it again. Once a week you need to turn the pile so that it is evenly mixed. The compost pile should never dry out and should be kept damp like a wet sponge. In about 8 weeks you will have fresh compost to use in your planter boxes and garden.

Compost Thermometer

Easy Compost Tumbler

Although a compost pile sounds like a lot of work with turning it all, it really isn’t. If you want something a bit easier on your back, invest in a compost tumbler. You can buy one for under $200 and they last a lifetime. Start with the same ingredients, water them well, and then give it a few good turns. If you keep it moist and turn it every few days, you can have nutrient-rich compost in as little as 4 weeks! How easy is that?

Dual Batch Compost Tumbler – $169

Spicy Asian Tofu Scramble Recipe

July 13, 2015 By Colleen 12 Comments

Have you ever tried a tofu scramble? It’s the perfect easy vegan and gluten free meal for breakfast or even dinner! The great thing about tofu is that it takes on the flavor of all the spices and seasonings you cook it with, so the possibilities for creating different dishes with it are endless. If you have never worked with tofu check out my post on how to prepare and use tofu.

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This Spicy Asian Tofu Scramble takes on the flavors of sesame and ginger, and the spice of sriracha. Chopped scallions add a fresh crisp to this hearty and delicious scramble.

Enjoy this tofu skillet with a couple slices of avocado or some steamed veggies for a delicious, gluten free, vegan breakfast. This is also known as a skillet meal, and is a quick and easy protein packed meal the whole family will enjoy.

Tofu is made from soybean curds. It is naturally gluten-free and low in calories. It contains no cholesterol and is an excellent source of iron and calcium. It is an important source of protein, especially for vegans and vegetarians.

A diet that contains tofu and a variety of other plant-based foods appears to contribute to overall health and wellbeing, and a lower risk of conditions such as obesity, and diabetes.

It can enhance the skin and hair, boost energy, and help maintain a healthy weight.

Research has linked tofu, with its high levels of isoflavones, to a lower risk of several age- and lifestyle-related diseases such as high heart disease and menopause.

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Spicy Asian Tofu Scramble Recipe

This Spicy Asian Tofu Scramble takes on the flavors of sesame and ginger, and the spice of sriracha. Chopped scallions add a fresh crisp to this hearty and delicious scramble.

Prep Time20

Cook Time15

Total Time35

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Asian

Servings:

Calories: 111kcal

Author: My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life

Ingredients

1 package extra firm tofu drained and gently squeezed to remove excess liquid
2 tablespoons tamari
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sriracha or hot sauce of your choice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
2 scallions chopped
salt and pepper to tastes

Instructions

Put drained tofu in a large mixing bowl and break up with hands until it resembles scrambled eggs
Add everything except scallions and mix thoroughly
Spray a large frying pan with cooking spray, or lightly coat with vegetable oil of your choice. Heat over high heat.
Add tofu to pan, then sprinkle scallions throughout and cook until heated through and a nice yellow color.

Notes

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Nutrition

5 Healthy Reasons For Doing Yoga

July 8, 2015 By Colleen 7 Comments

5 Healthy Reasons For Doing Yoga

There are lots of reasons for doing yoga and a lot of them are very beneficial to your overall health! Many people who being practicing yoga find more peace, happiness, and ultimately feel much healthier for incorporating this form of exercise into their daily routines. This article covers some of the best reasons for doing yoga and how they can help you – so keep reading!

It’s great for posture!
If you struggle with posture, that’s a great reason to get into yoga. Yoga aids in correcting posture which can alleviate a lot of back pain as well, making for a better quality of life all around! When you first begin yoga, you’ll notice that some of the form on your poses is a little off because of your posture. After incorporating yoga into your routine for a long period of time, you’ll notice improved posture, balance, and the poses will become easier each time! If you need to grab a yoga mat to get started, you find some really awesome patterned ones here!

Improved sleep.
Most people wish they could get a better night’s sleep and that’s one of the best reasons for doing yoga! By working on targeted areas of the body and strengthening the muscles, you can alleviate pain and discomfort making it easier to sleep! Additionally, yoga is very relaxing and by completing 30-60 minutes of yoga before bedtime, you’ll notice that your overall night’s sleep is much better quality. Here’s a great beginners yoga DVD to get you started.

Improved flexibility.
You might be wondering how this can help you if you do anything other than gymnastics, but the truth is that having decent flexibility can assist in many other areas! Yoga and flexibility have been known to help with labor pains and delivery for pregnant women as well as golf players and other athletes! Because yoga includes lots of spinal twists and poses that lossen the joints, your body begins to detoxify more and digest better as well! If you’re interested about more benefits of flexibility, this is a really great book with tons of information!

Injury prevention.
If you’re involved in any other sports, athletics, or exercises, yoga is a great option for you! By taking care of your body and sculpting strong muscles, you’re helping yourself prevent injury in the future. Injury is often caused by a lack of muscle stretching and warming up as well as weak muscles and yoga will counter that by strengthening all areas of the body and keeping them stretched and ready for action! If you do happen to get injured during any of your exercise, kinesiology tape is amazing and can help you feel better a lot faster!

Cardiovascular health.
Whether you’re doing gentle yoga, power yoga, or any other form of yoga, one of the best reasons for doing yoga is the cardiovascular health benefit! By doing yoga regularly and exercising, you’re lowering your resting heart rate and improving your oxygen intake for periods of exercise! This is a great way to get in better shape and feel the health benefits of yoga! If you want to improve your heart health even more, consider a supplement like this heart healthy Omega 3!

While this is just a few of many benefits of yoga, which one do you want to try yoga for the most? Let me know in the comments below!

$25 Starbucks Gift Card Summer Heat Giveaway Hop

July 6, 2015 By Colleen 2 Comments

$25 Starbucks Gift Card Summer Heat Giveaway Hop

Planet Weidknecht and LeahSay’s Views are hosts for many great Giveaway Hops. I will be sharing these Giveaway Hops throughout the year with you! Get ready for some fun starting with this first Giveaway Hop and our Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway.

I have joined the Summer Heat Giveaway Hop which runs through July 20. We will be offering a $25 Starbucks Gift Card for our Summer Heat Giveaway Hop Prize.

Whew it’s been between 85 – 101 degrees while I have been on vacation – What better way to spend some time than to cool down with a great icy drink, from Starbucks! This Alaskan gal has been sweltering! Could you use some relief from this stifling summer heat? Enter below for your chance to win a $25 Starbucks Gift Card.

Enter on the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win a $25 Starbucks Gift Card:

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Disclaimer: This blog did not receive compensation for the published material in this post. No purchase required to enter this giveaway. 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. My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life is 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.

Strawberries and Cream Smoothie

July 6, 2015 By Colleen 26 Comments

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Strawberries and Cream Smoothie Recipe

Do you love strawberries and cream? How do you describe luscious, sweet, juicy strawberries? They go with just about anything. I love them in Smoothies and am sharing this dairy-free recipe for a yummy breakfast or anytime Strawberries and Cream Smoothie Recipe!

This smoothie recipe uses Almond Milk Creamer but Coconut Creamer would be another yummy variation on this drink. Any milk substitute will work. I actually am preferring soy milk for richness in flavor. But if you are looking to save a few calories I’d suggest not to use the oat milk. It seems to have more calories.

You could use honey as this recipe does or use maple syrup or any other type of sweetener you prefer. I have been experimenting with Monk Fruit Sweetener. I like it better than Stevia. Stevia is so strong and leaves an after taste.

I am lucky because I have my own strawberry patch. And the berries are local to Alaska, very small and sweet. So I pick like crazy all summer and freeze them so I can use fresh frozen strawberries all year long. Oh did I say they are extra sweet?

Just add ice and blend! I use my Blendtec Enjoy.

Strawberries and Cream Smoothie Recipe

How do you describe luscious, sweet, juicy strawberries? They go with just about anything. I love them in Smoothies and am sharing this dairy-free recipe for a yummy breakfast or anytime Strawberries & Creme Smoothie Recipe!

Print Recipe

No ratings yet

Strawberries & Creme Smoothie Recipe

How do you describe luscious, sweet, juicy strawberries? They go with just about anything. I love them in Smoothies and am sharing this dairy-free recipe for a yummy breakfast or anytime Strawberries & Creme Smoothie Recipe!

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: smoothie

Cuisine: Beverage

Servings: oz

Calories: 45kcal

Author: My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life

Ingredients

1 16- ounce package fresh strawberries
3/4 cup Almond milk creamer
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup ice
Sweetener of your choice to taste (I used honey)

Instructions

Add all the ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth and frothy.
Taste and add sweetener, if desired.
Serve immediately or store, covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake well before serving.

Notes

If you like a thicker/colder smoothie, you can add more ice when you blend it. And if you like it thinner, just add less ice or more liquid.

I use creamer to make it creamier but still keep it light. Any creamer or half & half will work too.

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Nutrition

All Natural Sources Of Probiotics

July 2, 2015 By Colleen 68 Comments

When I began having problems with my gut after eating dairy products, I was told to start using Probiotics. That was many years ago and I didn’t really pay attention to it. But the past 5 years I have been using Probiotics faithfully and I can tell a huge difference in how often I get sick if I run out and don’t take them. Probiotics are easy daily supplements that help you build a stronger immune system and get rid of bad bacteria in your gut. However, you can get probiotics in your diet by including foods that naturally have probiotics in them. Here is a list of foods you can include in your daily diet:

Yogurt. This is one of the well-known options. Yogurt has plenty of good bacteria to increase your gut health and also help with digestive issues. Make sure the yogurt you choose says “live and active cultures” and choose a brand that has minimal ingredients on the nutrition label. There are many non-dairy yogurt companies that include live and active cultures so you can get these good nutrients and still be dairy-free!

Almond Dream Non Dairy Low Fat Vanilla Yogurt

Sauerkraut. A popular hot dog topping, this food also has a load of probiotics. A serving of sauerkraut has over ten trillion bacteria! Buy the unpasteurized version, which has more probiotics than the pasteurized version. Also, did you know fermented foods like sauerkraut can help get rid of sugar cravings? You can make your own fermented foods, like sauerkraut and those below, right at home. Use Google and Pinterest to find how-to guides!

Organic Raw Sauerkraut

Kefir. If you can tolerate dairy products, Kefir is a cultured dairy product which is a very high probiotic rich food. Including Kefir in your diet can help fight against leaky gut. Leaky gut is the is the result of damage to the intestinal lining, and can cause issues such as gas, bloating, fatigue, acne and more. Many companies make Kefir and you can find them in the dairy section of your grocer. They come in smaller bottles or as yogurt. Here are some benefits of Kefir:

Boost Immunity
Heal Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Build Bone Density
Fight Allergies
Improve Lactose Digestion
Kill Candida
Support Detoxification

Kombucha. This is a fermented tea that is also loaded with probiotics. You can make your own, or buy bottled versions. It is made by fermenting tea with a culture of bacteria and yeast. This might sound scary, but these bacteria will actually help improve your gut health and balance out the good and bad bacteria in your intestines. Since Komucha is slightly carbonated, it’s a great beverage for when you’re craving soda or want something similar to soda.

Kombucha Starter Kit with Organic Kombucha Scoby

To feel heathier and improve your gut health, start eating more foods that naturally include probiotics. Here are a few quick ways to get started:

Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. That’s where the majority of healthy and nutritious foods are.
Start small. Don’t tackle everything at once (quitting soda drinking, ditching chocolate, eliminating pasta, etc.). You may feel deprived and go back to your old eating habits. Eliminate one thing per week.
Use Pinterest to find recipes. This is a great way to discover new meals and also motivate yourself to eat healthier.
Enlist family and friends to join in. Start a healthy eating challenge, or get a group together to exchange recipes with.

Try adding in some of these foods into your routine, you’ll improve your overall health and also improve your intestinal health, which will help prevent a myriad of issues and potential diseases. Keep your “good” bacteria healthy and bountiful! I know it has helped me.

I’d love to for you to share any of your favorite probiotic rich foods in the comments below!

If Natural Sources of Probiotics are not always available to you, these are the Amazon Top Best Sellers in Probiotic Nutritional Supplements:

Grow Potatoes in Tiny Spaces

July 1, 2015 By Colleen 16 Comments

Potatoes used to be a crop that you needed a lot of rows and a lot of space to grow a large harvest. But did you know you can grow over 100 pounds of potatoes in just four square feet of awesome gardening space? The secret is instead of growing out in rows is to grow vertically up in mounds. Here is how to grow potatoes in tiny spaces. I am using these black potato grow bags on my deck this year.

Mound It Up

Start with a base layer of top-quality potting soil. Source good seed potatoes and either plant the whole thing or cut the potato eyes out in 1-2 inch pieces. On this base layer of soil, place 2-3 seed eye pieces with the potato eye facing up. Place four inches of potting soil on top of the seed potatoes.

Certified Organic: Red Pontiac Seed Potatoes

Now, you can do this mound without any sort of container, but it is easier if you use one. You can use a potato bag, a Lutovsky box, or even used pallets.

As the potatoes send roots down and stems and leaves up, it is time to add the next layer. Once the stems are 12 inches tall, add three more seed potato pieces and repeat the process over again. You can grow vertically 5-6 times by continually mounding on more potting soil.

Gardeners Grow Bags – Potato Planter

Tips and Tricks

Growing potatoes vertically takes a lot of water. Make sure that the soil never dries out or you will have rotten potatoes in your pile. Once you have grown or mounded up at least four times, you can start to harvest the potatoes on the bottom. Remove the bottom board in your pallet or Lutovsky box and harvest the potatoes that are the oldest in the pile. After you have harvested the ripe potatoes, replace the soil and board. In 10-14 days, you can harvest the next row. What’s awesome about planting potatoes this way is that you have created a succession garden, giving you homegrown potatoes each week.

You can overwinter these potatoes by storing them in straw in a cool dark place.

How to grow potatoes