Awaken

By Christie Hadden

It’s now been four consecutive days of goodness! Hallelujah! It has been 10 weeks of considerable lows and for the first time in over a year I feel clear headed and light as if the thickest, heaviest weighted blanket has been lifted from my entire body. No more brain fog, no more uncomfortable bellyaches, Nope; those have been replaced with a clear mind, an extra spring in my step and radiant energy.

I guess this witch doctery crap really works:  a detox, an introduction of the right foods, a truckload of vitamins and both mental and physical exercise.

My sleep cycle is all whack. Taking early evening naps and waking up at 4 or 5am is kinda insane. But if this is the downside of finding myself I am cool with that.

I have tried a few more GFCF products that I would like to talk about. Since the theme is awakening I’m going share my thoughts on foods all relating to breakfast.

Udi’s Plain Bagels:

5 out of 5 stars

More like a roll with a donut hole than a bagel, this bread is good. What a sigh of relief! I like toasting mine and making a sandwich: like w lox, red onion, capers, pea shoots and course mustard.  The outer skin is thin and offers a crunch when toasted and the inside is surprisingly light and totally unlike the dense GF breads out there. Udi’s are a definite brand to stock in the freezer

Van’s Waffles with berries:

4 out of 5 stars

This one has got me sayin “Leggo my eggo, man”. When I’m not feelin like cooking my typical egg for breakfast and need a quick breakfast to go, my Van Waffles are the ticket. I also love them as mid day snack covered with almond butter.

Eden Organic Brown Rice Flakes

5 out of 5 stars

These cook in a jiffy and are the best of the hot porridges. It’s kinda like eating rice pudding for breakfast. I take mine with soy milk, mixed dried berries, cinnamon and maple syrup. It’s so comforting on a cold winter morning and will stick with you. My family usually eats Irish Oats, but have found that Rice Flakes cook faster are just as good (actually better tasting). You and your family will love it.

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Day 4: Detox (ramblings from a Gluten Free/Casein Free foodie)

By Christie Hadden

I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease, an autoimmune disease where my antibodies attack and destroy my thyroid.  Under doctor’s orders I was mandated to cut gluten and dairy out of my diet for ….the….rest….of….my…………….

life. That’s asking a lot from a food-obsessed gluten. That means I have to put away and retire my favorite “Praise Cheeses” t-shirt and put my GFCF pants on.  I can do this, I can do this, I can do this (self brainwashing begins)

So here I am, Day 4 of 21 in a total detox which means no caffeine, no al-key-hall, no red meat, no eggs, no soy, not even corn on top of the no gluten, no dairy thing. It’s December by the way, so that means I have to do this diet during the holidays. God has a twisted sense of humor.

As the Restaurant Guru, I feel it is my duty to help lead the way for other GFCF souls and navigate not just the restaurant world, but also the home kitchen.

So for my first entry, I will give my thoughts on a couple breakfast items: Turkey bacon and Quinoa Flakes Hot Cereal.

Wellshire Turkey Peppered Bacon, 4 out of 5 stars

Except the fact that its not bacon, not even close to the porky, smoky, chewy, salty perfection that is bacon Mmmm…….bacon…….. tastes good. …………………..

*sigh, sorry my mind wandered off to happy memories in the land of lardo and belly. No joke. It took me 15 minutes to realize where I was in this blog.

OK, focus. Back to Turkey Peppered “bacon”.  Here’s the truth. Although it is nothing like the real deal, turkey bacon is actually pretty tasty and doesn’t give you the greasy mouth. (love bacon, but not the grease that coats the whole clown mouth area). So in this product review, Wellshire Turkey Bacon makes this whole detox diet bearable. It’s a healthier guilty pleasure.

Quinoa Flakes Hot Cereal, 1 out of 5 stars

This cereal was recommended in the diet. Expecting it to taste like oatmeal is a really bad expectation. I had mixed in brown sugar. Gag reflex. OK so maybe brown sugar and honey. Barf. So brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, touch of nutmeg and dried berries. It was barely edible.

TIP: QUINOA FLAKES TASTE LIKE QUINOA. No matter what add ons you smother on it, it is still quinoa. My recommendation for this cereal is to make it a savory dish. It’s not meant to be sweet.

Thanks for letting me share. I hope to make more posts on various products  and tips in the GFCF world.

Be well!

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