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Good Morning and what a B-E-A-U-TIFUL Saturday morning it is! The sun is shining, there's no humidity in the air... And not a cloud to be found in the sky... And considering I didn't fall alseep until close to 4 am (for no other reason than my body just wasn't letting it happen...It was just one of those nights...)this morning... I'm up and functioning (well...Somewhat functioning...) with my 20 ounce Mug-O-Coffee closely by my side (excuse me... I need a refill...) and what a better way to start my morning than with my morning cup of greek yogurt with a sprinkle of cinnamon and some back spasms (Oh Lupus if I ever meet you face to face... I'm gonna Kick your @ss!) But it was a lovely breakfast nonetheless, and I hope you all are feeling well and have an abundance of spoons today (I'm still running off of I.O.Us...luckily my spoon bank doesn't hold them against me, and my interest rates are not too bad)...And as for my appointment last night, I still have a slight amount of fluid around the heart (nothing major) and some inflammation around it that we are hopeful we can get down with the continual use of anti-inflammatory medication (hopefully we will not have to increase my dose of Prednisone...)But enough of that because there are bigger and better happpenings going down this weekend starting with our dear friend Hannah (yes, our guest blogger the other day) who is holding a "Lemonade-for-Lupus" Stand today to raise funds for the LFA and
the Butterfly Gala! She is doing wonderful things to raise awareness and I'm sending her all my love today, and so thankful she got such an amazing day for her stand! Way to Go Hannah!
So as I sit here trying to get comfortable (and failing miserably) and debating taking a muscle relaxer/painkiller at 10 am, I'd like to point out a little trend that has been brought to my attention.... The phrase "Gluten Free!" Now, I myself, eat a Gluten Free diet as I tested positive for a sensitivity to gluten shortly before my diagnosis with Lupus.... and I have found it helps (especially that first month...What a difference!) and as more and more Lupies and others with Chronic Illnesses are testing positive for Gluten Allergies (A.K.A Celiacs Disease) So I'd like to share my adventures on a Gluten Free diet, trying to find food who's flavor and texture was not compromised, and that did not cost and arm and leg to purchase, because if we are being honest, some days it is hard enough just to eat, and I'm sure many of you find yourself eating for the sole purpose of taking your medication and trying not to destroy your stomach lining in the process! So today, I'm happy to share with you some of my CHRONICLYsILLy Treats, Tips, Snacks & Recipes (The kids will love these too, as I love to make my food look fun and vibrant...hey it's the little things... and whoever said you shouldn't play with your food obviously never had to force himself to eat to take his medication...sometimes food that looks aesthetically pleasing can go along way!)
CHRONICLYsILLy Gluten Free Treats, Snacks & Recipes!
Butterfly Rice Crispy Treats! (Yes, Rice Crispies are Gluten Free!)
You'll need:
6 cups of rice crispies cereal
4 cups mini marshmellows (5 if your me, because I'll eat about a cup on the process of making them!)
about a half of stick of butter (melted)
Butterfly cookie cutter
sprinkles, icing, any other decorations you'd like (GF of course)
Directions: Melt butter and marshmellows together in a sauce pan over medium heat. Remove from heat and combine with Rice Crispies in a bowl. Spread into a 13 inch x 9 inch baking pan and press down. Let cool for about an hour and they are ready! Then Take your Buttefly Cookie cutter, dip it into warm water and create beautiful butterfly rice crispy treats! Then decorate to your liking! (Kids love this one too and it's entirely Gluten Free!) Who said taste needs to be compromised when you eat Gluten Free!) Enjoy your buttefly treat while spreading awareness all at the same time!
CHRONICLYsILLy Guiltless Gluten Free Bars! (Great to take on the go!)
You'll need:
about 5 cups Gluten Free Chex Cereal (either corn, chocolate, or honey flavored!)
a few tablespoons of Honey
1/2 cup of Raisins
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional, if your me...a necessity! I have an unhealthy obsession with dark chocolate)
1/2 cup of nuts of your choice! (I usually use Almonds of peanuts!)
Directions: Melt honey (so it's easier to work with!) and (if needed add a tablespoon or two of butter) add in nuts to honey mixture. Remove from heat. Combine Chex Cereal of your choice, raisins and extra nuts (if you wish) into a bowl. Then coat with the honey mixture and mix well! Press firmly into a 13 x 9 inch baking pan and let cool. While cooling, melt down Dark chocolate chips (or melting chocolate of a fun color to make this a vibrant and delicious treat!) Once pan of mixture is cool and room temperature, drizzle chocolate on top and let chocolate harden! Then Chill, and cut into bars! Wrap them up in seran wrap to take them on the go! (A great variation of this bar is a Chex Cereal Trail Mix, instead of melting honey, just combine all ingredient (minus the honey!) in a bowl and you've got a delicious trail mix to take anywhere your little heart desires!)
CHRONICLYsILLy Twisted Strawberry Banana Smoothie!
You'll Need:
A container of Strawberries
1 Banana
About 1 cup of Greek Yogurt (I use Fat Free! and Greek yogurt is much creamier and thick and really works well for these smoothies!)
About 1 cup of Ice
1 Tablespoon of honey
Directions: Blend all items together in a blender and you have yourself a delicious smoothie! Want an added Twist? adults add a drop of your favorite liquor into these smoothies for a refreshing summer cocktail (I could go for one right now!) ! They also work well when you have company! Serve them as desserts in double sized shot glasses with a strawberry wedge on the side of the glass!
CHRONICLYsILLy Cold-Cut Sushi!
You'll need:
Turkey cold cuts
Ham cold cuts
Cheese(s) of your choice
Avocado
Cucumber
Mustard/Mayo
lettuce!
Optional-Gluten Free Bread (I myself am not a fan but if you like it, it will add something for sure to your cold cut sushi!)
Directions: Place two slices of turkey cold cut on the counter. Lay a piece of ham directly on top and the cheese directly on top of that so you know have 4 slices of cold cuts laying on top of one another. Then, Dice the avocado and cucumber into long strips to lay along the cold cuts. Add in a piece of lettuce (laying flush) and a squirt of Mustard or Mayo. Then, Roll up the entire cold cut combination and cut into 1 inch pieces! (Optional: add bread as your first layer (GF of course) and use a rolling pin to thin it out before layering cold cuts on top!) Serve with a side of your favorite dressing (or more mayo or mustard) and you now have a plate of CHRONICLYsILLy Cold Cut Sushi!
CHRONICLYsILLy Chocolate Covered Banana Bites!
You'll need:
3 bananas (that are almost ripe work best!)
2 cups of dark chocolate (again...my obsession, and if your like me you'll need at least 3 cups because you'll eat about a cups worth in the process of creating these CHRONICLYsILLy creations!)
Any toppings of your choice: Nuts, Sprinkles, Coconut...
Directions: Cut bananas into about inch slices. Melt Chocolate down over medium heat. Then, using a fork (usually works best...or your hands) dip banana slices into chocolate and cover entirely! Then sprinkle with your favorite toppings and freeze! They make for an awesome summer treat and are a light and Gluten Free recipe that is a staple/go-to in my house! (Sometimes I just freeze banana slices...If you've never done it try it...it's delicious!)
These are just some of my favorite Gluten Free Recipes... I try to keep them healthy and delicious (and yes I have convinced myself that dark chocolate is on the food pyramid, right with my 5-6 servings of fruits and veggies daily!) and the best part: They are simple and do not use many spoons (I know most of us do not have many to spare!) I hope you all enjoy these CHRONICLYsILLy Treats! And now I'll leave you with our page of hope, Nothing is Kimpossible, and our daily Jolt of Java, as I am off to find some relief! Please feel free to stop by the page of hope, sign the guestbook and if you'd like, make a donation for Lupus Research/Buttefly Gala (all proceeds go to the LFA)! I am also leaving the link for detailed ticket and table information for the Gala and if you'd like to be a corporate sponsor please message me for details, and check out the link!
Jolt-of-Java: "I smile easily, knowing that of all the things I wear, a smile and good humor are the most important...Life's most prized possession is a pleasant dispostion...and remember No one is perfect... That's why pencils have erasers!" -adaption from Unknown
These recipes are tantalizing! I, too, am gluten free and have trouble finding tasty recipes. But your twisted Strawberry Banana Smoothie and Butterfly Rice Crispy Treats looks delectable!
ReplyDeleteBeing gluten free has helped my IBS symptoms and stomach pain, but it hasn't helped my fibromyalgia and mysofasical pain. Has it helped with your lupus pain/symptoms?
ThaNKYOU! It has helped a good bit! Especially the first few months when all the Gluten was leaving my system I noticed an improvement in joint pain and inflammation...However now things have leveled out but I beleive that if i were still eating gluten i would be in a good bit more pain, I also tested positive for the allergy so i techically should avoid it anyway, but i still ahve stomach trouble (im pretty sure from the handfuls of meds i take daily haha) but yes i find it to be helpful! But def. a challenge at first to find some tasty recips!
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