Gluten-Free Traveling Problems

January 30, 2019December 22, 201812 Comments

Since becoming gluten-free we have noticed many changes. First up, we all see a difference in my son’s behavior and learning. We also experienced some weight loss and the feeling that we do not need caffeine all day. I remember I used to have so many cravings like chocolate and snacks; this is not the case anymore.

It is hard to find gluten-free products, though. You have to make sure that you identify what’s truly gluten-free. We have put together a list of favorite items that we buy weekly now. Sticking to real goods (meat, fruits, and vegetables) helps when shopping. We still enjoy snacks, so we have to be careful with what we purchase.

More importantly, it is hard to be gluten-free when you are traveling. We try to take trips as often as we can. Throw that diet away when you go places. Let’s see… people aren’t considerate at parties. You also have to find specific restaurants that cater to gluten-free eating and hope that they have good food.

When we came home from a recent visit, we noticed a significant difference. We had stomach aches and were bloated. You know, all the pains. We felt down and super tired. It took me about three full days before I got my food back on track.

What do you do when you go on trips? Do you take a lot of snacks with you and look at restaurants before you travel? We are starting to research more ahead of time since we haven’t had the best of luck. We do not use fast food when traveling and try to pack our own food. We also make sure we have our own kitchen area in the hotel so we can shop/bring gluten free items with us. There is so much more than going gluten free (bread).. so much more than it.

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Easy Ways to Live a Healthy Life

January 28, 2019December 22, 2018Leave a comment

I don’t know about you, but lately, we have been on a health kick. Meaning, we are trying to live a natural and healthy lifestyle. We have gone gluten-free (read why here). I have always loved the spa, massages, and super girly things. They REALLY do help. I have changed so much over the years since becoming an adult. We evolve and learn what is important.

Here are three easy ways to live a healthy life right now:

-Facial. I use Aveda Cream Cleanser. I do a facial once a month in their location, and then purchase the items that I need to take care of my skin at home. Skincare is just crucial for many different reasons.

–Rock Salt Lamp. I got into a rock salt lamp kick last year (insert link), and they have been amazing. I recently went to an in-person rock salt cave. It was the most amazing experience I have ever had. I felt better both the day of and the day immediately following. You feel so relaxed and improved. It was better than a massage, and I LOVE massages.

-Diet. Your diet is vital; it goes along with the facial. You are what you eat, and if you do not eat healthily, your skin can be affected. I have cut out many foods., read more about our gluten free journey.

Don’t forget to add in some exercise as well. I like to switch it up whenever possible. Sometimes I choose Zumba, sometimes yoga. Changing workouts keeps my interest.

There are so many great ways to live a healthy life, and each person is going to be different. You have to find what you like and want to do.

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12 of The Best Gluten-Free Foods

January 23, 2019December 12, 20183 Comments

Since going gluten-free, we have lost weight and haven’t felt so down. I don’t really know how to describe it, but we don’t feel so consumed. We don’t eat as much because when you give your body what it needs, you feel better. Like, you eat sugar, you are going to want more. I haven’t had real unnatural sugar or candy of any kind in quite some time. We notice the difference immensely. We went out of town for a conference a few weeks ago, and let’s just say we couldn’t even keep their food down because our bodies have adjusted SO MUCH to eating healthily. It is amazing how much a diet can change you mentally, physically, and emotionally. Catch up on why we hopped on this journey.

It’s important to always look at the ingredients. In general, when determining whether a food product is made using gluten-containing ingredients, you are looking for six keywords: wheat, barley, rye, oats, malt, and brewer’s yeast.

I want you also to note that you can still eat bread, tortillas, etc. You merely need to make sure you are eating the right types.

Here are 12 of the best gluten-free foods:

Be careful what you look for in products. If you see any of these, the goods contain gluten:

Triticum vulgare (wheat)
Triticale (a cross between wheat and rye)
Hordeum vulgare (barley)
Secale cereale (rye)
Triticum spelta (spelt, a form of wheat)

Read more about what foods have gluten in them here – https://celiac.org/gluten-free-living/what-is-gluten/sources-of-gluten/

We decided to go gluten-free to be healthier, and to try out some ideas behind autism. We are sharing our journey as time goes on, and this is still fairly new to us. Gluten-free so far has treated us well.

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Holiday Dinner, Without the Fuss

December 23, 2018December 22, 2018Leave a comment

By: Marla Bautista

As families grow, seemingly, so does our holiday budget. It’s not enough to cook a regular meal during the holidays. We need an entire Holiday spread, to include (but not limited to), pre meal snacks (for the cook), appetizers, dinner, desserts, and specialty beverages. There are levels to the Holiday meal madness that we often inflict upon ourselves. The effort that goes into making holiday meals shouldn’t cause you anxiety and exhaust your bank account. Want to prepare a Holiday meal that is not only amazing, but also stress free? In this article, you will learn how to do just that!

Make a Plan

Start your holiday meal planning with lists, Yes, Lists with an S. You will need a list of guests. This will help you know exactly how many people you’re expecting for the holiday. Make a list of proposed food items for your menu. This may be tricky if you are planning on sharing dish obligations with other guests. Have you heard of Sign Up Genius? This is a great place to create sign ups for any event. You can also create a sign-up for Holiday Dishes and share it with your guests, so they too can sign up to make a dish! Best part about it, it’s free!

Find Deals

There are a lot of grocery stores offering coupons and other discounts on your holiday meal ingredients. If you have a grocery rewards card, you could score some awesome deals! Some stores honor the use of manufacture coupons and store coupons simultaneously. Check out your stores coupon policy to find out the best way to acquire a great deal. During the Holiday Season some stores offer discounts on side dish items when you purchase a turkey or vice versa. If you don’t eat meat. Check out the local farmers markets and family farms. Because it’s late in the season, many farms are trying to get rid of produce that may not survive during the winter months. There, you are sure to find deeply discounted veggies.

Think Outside the Box

You don’t always have to make traditional dishes for the holiday. Try making a few non traditional, items that will compliment the dishes you already make. Instead of mashed potatoes and gravy, try making a loaded mashed potato casserole or baked potatoes. Instead of making a Traditional Macaroni and Cheese, try another pasta dish filled with cranberries and other sweet and savory holiday flavors. Kid friendly dishes are always a hit when you have picky eaters. Check out www.recipes.com for a few simple, kid friendly holiday dishes.

Don’t Stress

Holiday meal planning is all fun and full of grandeur ideas until you have to shop, prep, and cook 10 dishes with one oven. Give yourself some time. If there are items you can prep days ahead, do it! Chop your onions, celery, sweet potatoes, and anything else that can be refrigerated, a few days prior to the holiday. Relax, if you’re a planner, make a plan of action for your Holiday cooking times. If you’re cooking a turkey, that’ll probably take the longest. Prep and cook it early on so that you can have oven space for your other items later in the day. If you fry your turkey, even better! Less cook time and more oven space. Take breaks. If you have an item that requires a lengthy cooking time, use that time to catch up on your favorite TV show or book. If time allows, take a power nap.

No matter what your holiday plans, you can do it with ease by incorporating few of these tips. Make a plan for your holiday meal, find the best deals and discounts, and don’t sweat the small stuff. The season should be spent making positive memories with your loved ones. Don’t stress, everything will turn out fine, even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned. Be flexible and have fun! Best Wishes!