Pumpkin Pancakes (gluten free) & Halloween

I can't believe Halloween is finally here. To think in two months time Christmas will have come and gone and we will be ushering in 2013. This year has been a big one for the Gaus family. Rich started working on his MBA, I started blogging, and I am starting a Health Coach Certification with WellCoaches next week! I still plan on continuing to practice as a pharmacist, but this certification will enable me to reach some other career goals down the road. I am particularly interested in working with diabetics. Weird, I know, to mention this on the biggest candy holiday of the year second to Valentine's Day.

Weck Jars and a review of Vedge Candles

Cranberry Apple Spice Vedge Candle

My obsession with Weck Jars began a year ago. I was in this horrible slump. I really wanted to write, create, and work on this blog. I just didn't know where to start. My husband had checked out this cookbook, Super Natural Every Day: Well-Loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen, from the library by Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks to inspire me. The cookbook has a lovely photo of pantry food in Weck Jars. I was smitten. The problem was I didn't know where these cute vintage jars came from. Then I saw them on Gluten Free on a Shoe String and again in Martha Stewart Living. I can't quit explain my obsession. Maybe because they hearken back to days of my childhood watching my grandma canning stewed tomatoes and green beans. Perhaps it is their timeless and green appeal (they're reusable.) Shortly after I started actively blogging and tweeting a funky candle company,Vedge Candle, started following me on Twitter. 

Berry Kefir Smoothie

One of the things I loved about college was my roommates. Unlike some people, I never had a nightmare roommate experience. I ended up dorming with some pretty awesome, inspiring, level headed ladies those four years of college.  I only lived by myself in grad school while I was working on my Doctorate of Pharmacy. I lived with Julie my junior year of undergrad. Julie was a senior, an accounting/finance major, meticulous, and still is one of the best people I know.  Julie was awarded for being the "Outstanding Graduate" for her major the year she graduated. We were very different in many ways. She stayed up late and I was in bed by 10 pm. She is a vegetarian. I love meat. She is super organized and on top of her game. I was a huge procrastinator in undergrad (it is still an area I am working on.) Our desks were next to each other in the living room of our apartment; I wish I had a picture of her desk versus mine. It would get my point across no words needed. 

Pumpkin Seed Spice Bars

I had attempted to make pumpkin bars a couple of weeks ago and they flopped. I made Harvest Apple Bars instead. They were good, but I still wanted to come up with a pumpkin bar recipe. This recipe is a great breakfast bar and not overly sweet with some spice. I buy my pumpkin seeds from the bulk bin section of my local Publix Greenwise grocer. This bar was perfect with a cup of chai tea for this blustery rainy day.
Hurricane Sandy is sending tons or rain and wind this morning. This storm is being dubbed a "frankenstorm."  I am praying that it is not as bad as the weatherman is predicting for my Northern friends.

Teff Polenta

I discovered teff six months after I adapted a gluten free diet. If you've never heard of teff here are some fun facts about this gluten free grain

•  Teff is highly nutritious.
• A staple of the Ethiopian diet. 
• Teff is the smallest grain in the WORLD.
• One cup of uncooked teff has 47% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin B-6, 50% for (B1) thiamine, 31% for riboflavin, 32 % for niacin and 18 % for pantothenic acid. B vitamins help metabolism, helping your body break foods down into energy
•  1 cup of raw teff is sufficient to produce 51 %of the recommended daily intake amino acids for protein.
•  1 cup of uncooked teff represents 62% of the recommended daily intake for fiber.
• Teff contains omega 3 fatty acids and is loaded with minerals. Manganese is the most abundant mineral in teff; 1 cup of raw teff  has 892% percent! This mineral supports the production of bones, tissues and sex hormones. The grain also has 35% of the recommended daily intake for calcium, 82 % for iron, 89% for magnesium, 83% for phosphorous, 18% for potassium, 1%  for sodium, 47 %for zinc, 78 %for copper and 12 %for selenium.

How to make zucchini noodles

 I created this recipe back in July in the peak of summer called zucchini pasta pie.

 I used this julienne peeler by OXO Good Grips.

To make zucchini noodles. 

Now that summer is over I am still craving this summer squash.

This post is a primer on how to make these fabulous noodles in detail.

Cider Apple Parsnip Soup

A co-worker recommend this great tasty hard cider a few weeks ago, Angry Orchard Hard Cider. I purchased the Crisp Apple flavor. Since I can't drink traditional beer anymore because of my gluten intolerance I've been hard pressed to find a good gluten free alternative. Gluten free beer is gross. At least the two or three varieties I have tried. I am more of an occasional wine drinker. I enjoyed the hard cider so much I had to use in cooking. I didn't think it would go well with traditional beer and cheese soup so I paired with apples and parsnips and voila! This recipe was born.

Small Plates & Sweet Treats Book Signing and Pumpkin Cheesecake Smoothie

It was back in September when Whole Living Magazine published this beautiful article on this incredible gluten free food blog Cannelle et Vanille written by Aran Goyoaga. 

I was memorized by her photography and beautiful recipes. I pre-ordered Aran's first cookbook Small Plates and Sweet Treats: My Family's Journey to Gluten-Free Cooking, from the Creator of Cannelle et Vanille. I also subscribed to her blog. A few weeks later I received an email that Aran would be holding a food demonstration and book signing at a local Anthropologie store! I was elated and RSVP'd immediately. 

Anytime Muesli

I came up with this Muesli recipes at 11:30 pm last Friday night. I couldn't sleep and I had the munchies! One of my favorite pre-gluten free world breakfast's was Bob's Red Mills Muesli.  It is one of their products that is not gluten free. I would mix it in with yogurt or milk with fresh berries for breakfast in the morning. It was daily quick breakfast I had a lot in pharmacy school.  This version is just as good with way less sugar.

29 Years and Kickin

                                                                   Source: Uploaded by user via Sandie on Pinterest

I turned 29 last week. I am officially an almost 30-something.  I did lots of fun things to celebrate my birthday. My little family and I had lunch at one of my favorite raw restaurants Christopher's Kitchen. When we walked inside Isabella was instantly impressed with the dessert case at the register!

My love for Jerky

Rich and I were driving somewhere...I think it was on our way home from a "guy reunion." The "guy reunion" is an annual summer occurrence where all of Rich's guy friends from college with their respective spouses or significant others meet up for a weekend and have a lot of fun. We have held "guy reunions" for the last  7 years each summer at various Florida locations from Pensacola to West Palm Beach. 

UPDATE (10/18/2012) My blog jerky picture was featured on the Clean Eating Magazine Blog!! 

700 Rep Workout & Green Tea Latte

I wrote a while back about why I gave up coffee.

It was a rather seamless transition for me. I really couldn't believe it. I was expecting two year old temper tantrums, mind pounding headaches, and days of passing out at my computer while verifying prescriptions. 

                                                                                       Source: via @TerryJobs on Pinterest

I didn't have any of that. I did start drinking tea lots and lots of tea. I discovered I love Earl Gray and green tea. Did you know the Bigelow Tea Company makes and Earl Grey green tea?! It is wonderful; combining the best of both worlds! I have been drinking matcha green tea lattes several mornings a week when I have an extra minute to froth the milk.

Green Tea Latte

1 cup of hot water

1 tsp of green tea matcha poweder

liquid stevia or honey to taste

1/4 cup of warmed unsweetened amlond milk frothed ( I use my aerolatte)

Combine water, tea, and sweetener in mug. Top with foamed almond milk. Serves 1.

Workout Blip

I have included a pylometric workout from my trainer,Kyra, that I did last week. It requires minimal equipment and can be done almost anywhere. I completed it in 20:30.9 minutes. Can you beat me? Leave me your time to complete this in the comments below!

700 Rep Workout Directions: Do a total of  5 Rounds of 20 Reps Each Exercise Complete all 7 exercises in a row doing 1 set of 20 reps and rest at end of each circuit briefly if needed.

walking lunges (20 each leg)

incline or wall push ups

squat jumps (100 each leg)

penguins (each side)

jumping jacks

tricep dips

medball slams

Mean Green Detox Juice

My husband and I watched Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead,earlier this year. It is a documentary by this man, Joe Cross, who was fat, sick and nearly dead that went on a juice fast and changed his health around in 60 days. He claims he juiced his way to health. Check out his facebook page here. 

Making fresh juice in a juicer is so much better than buying bottled juice according to this article here. Nutritionally the processed stuff can't compete with fresh juice. Rich and I had to buy a juicer after watching this film and doing our research. We don't juice everyday, but I  do make my own juice when I am needing a little pick me up. Here is a link to several juice recipes. Here is a video by Dr. Mercola on juicing. I appreciate that he mentions that juicing is NOT for everyone depending on their metabolic typing. I do believe I am one of those individuals that daily juicing is not beneficial though I have not gone through metabolic typing it is just a intuitive hunch.

My favorite is my Mean Green Detox Juice. It tastes like apple lemonade. It is very tart with a hint of sweetness. I use my Jack Lalanne PJP Power Juicer Pro Stainless-Steel Electric Juicer, but I have also used my Blendtec in the past as well. The juicer makes a straight smooth juice whereas my Blendtec juice is very fibrous and kinda mushy. I use my juicer and then will use my Blendtec to puree the juice with protein for smoothies.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when juicing.

Food Safety & Juicing

• Wash your hands
• Wash and scrub the produce removing stems and any stickers
• Wash your juicer with hot soapy water or run in dishwasher on the sanitize cycle if dishwasher safer (check manufacturer instructions)
• It is best to drink juice the same day it is made and can spoil if not refrigerated

And now onto the recipe...

Mean Green Detox Juice

1/2 lemon

1 large granny smith apple

4 large stalks of kale

Wash and scrub lemon and apple, Rinse kale. Place ingredients into juicer. Add ice cubes to fresh juice to serve cold. Serves 1.

I am Superwoman

                                                                            Source: ffffound.com via Aubrey on Pinterest

I am superwoman. I workout 7 days a week, eat perfectly, have a well kept house, my child is well groomed and perfectly behaved, I wash and press all of my husband's business shirts weekly, I make my bed every morning, I work full time, volunteer in my local church, shop frugally, do crafts, and I got it all together. 
Don't you think that will make a great Halloween costume this year?! Ha Ha:)
All joking aside. I had a dear reader post on my FB fan page this question this past week:

"So I am having a hard time balancing my schedule to include workouts... I'm always inspired by how you are a full time working mom who has time to cook well and exercise... What's your motivation? How do you structure you day on limited time and still work in exercise, cooking, work, fam & enough hours of sleep to do it all over again?"

Fall is Here & Ginger Pumpkin Pie Cups

Source

I can almost hear the leaves crunching under my boots. I remember what it was like to walk home from school during those autumn days long long ago. Kicking up the leaves as I trudged home. No matter if it was a good day or a bad day a scene as colorful as this made me happy. I still remember vividly having a dream 3 years ago right around this time. I was 8 months pregnant and it was still sweltering hot in South Florida in October. I dreamed I was back home in Pennsylvania, not pregnant, going running in the cool crisp fall air with the leaves crunching beneath my trainers.  I woke up still pregnant and missing home. I can't help how much I love and miss the northern autumn...

What's in my shopping cart: buying my groceries online

Source

I came home to 2 large boxes at my doorstep after work yesterday. I shop online for all kinds of things. I buy everything from clothes, makeup, toilet paper, to rolled oats. I don't have a lot of time to run out and go from store to store looking for the best deals. I am a busy gal. I won't go into where I buy a lot of my make up or hair care stuff online because this isn't a beauty blog. If you want to know about those items leave a comment, tweet me, FB me, or shoot me an email. By the way I LOVE hearing from you. I really do.

I buy most of my dry goods groceries from Vitacost.com and amazon.com.  If it is an item I don't need right away and it is a better deal than at my local grocer I will buy it online. What I love about Amazon is they have a Subscribe & Save option for several items. You pick to have items automatically shipped to your home any where from every 30 to 120 days. You can cancel the subscription at any time and you lock in a lower price. Vitacost has a similar program called Set & Save that is similar to Amazon. Amazon and Vitacost both have apps. The Vitacost app has a bar code scanner that you can scan items in the store and it checks the price compared to the price on Vitacost.

Stuffed Peppers 2 Ways

Vegan Stuffed Peppers

A few weeks ago I tweeted (@LeanGourmet) I was making vegan stuffed peppers, but 
never got around to posting it. I also made stuffed peppers with ground turkey meat last weekend when my parents were visiting. Stuffed peppers are a favorite childhood meal. My mom would crock-pot them all day while we were at school and work. It is a warm comforting dish that I crave during the cooler months. We don't have many of those in South Florida, but I still make this family dish often especially when I'm home sick.

I Belong Here

                                                                   Source: petiteculottejaune.tumblr.com via Margot on Pinterest

It all started in Mr. Liperillo's gym class in elementary school. He was the picture of the quintessential gym teacher. Every day he wore tight windbreaker pants with a tucked in polo shirt neatly pressed. His accessories included his glasses from the 1980s ( this was back in the early to mid 90s), a black sports watch,a curly short hair cut from the 70s, a matching neatly trimmed mustache, and full beard. I hated his gym class. We always started out the weekly gym class by running laps around the gym which was also the cafeteria. It would then be followed by pylometrics and then a different game or sport every week. Some times it was basketball, volleyball, or indoor hockey. I hated gym class; yes I know I already said that. I hated it because I was uncoordinated, taller than most girls in my class, and insecure in my physical competitiveness. Plus I hated getting sweaty in the middle of the school day.
Flash forward 20 years later I am a gym go-er fitness enthusiast. I get cranky if I don't work out on a regular basis. Until this morning. My workout planned by my trainer Kyra, The Get in Shape Girl,reminded me of those early gym class days. I even had to workout in the basketball court this morning to have enough space to perform the exercises.

Harvest Apple Bars (gluten free)

It is the first day of October. My favorite month. The leaves peak with their fall color in my hometown of Pennsylvania in October. I was supposed to be bringing you a pumpkin recipe today. In my mind pumpkin is all that is fall and besides I LOVE everything pumpkin. Pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin carving, pumpkin seeds...you get the picture. I am crazy about this gorgeous gourd.