Blissful Gluten & Dairy Free Recipes [Low carb] [Vegan]

The long absence of Cindalou's Kitchen Blues was not merely a cosmic accident, lazy blogging on my behalf, nor an overambitious email spam blocker filter for all our subscribers, dear reader. I apologize for our long intermission from the gluten free blogging community. It looks like you all managed quite well without us :) How yummy your Cherry Clafouti looks Natalie! I am eying it alongside my coconut milk and bag of cherries in the fridge and thinking I might give your recipe a dairy-free attempt. I doubt I can touch your level of delicious with that heavy cream, but I'll try. Karina, your Strawberry Chocolate Chip Sherbet looks like the perfect candidate for our new ice cream maker! Funny, we received the same Cuisinart ice cream maker that you have, cool (no pun intended). Goddess, I love your hemp milk addiction- hemp is such a delicious (and nutritious, not that anyone cares about that :)) superfood!

Cindalou's long break from gluten and dairy free blogging is to blaim on my recent wedding to my long-time physics study partner, best friend, college (and grad school) office mate, pain-in-the-arse match made in heaven, and blog admin Jon. I remember my mother saying things like "be careful what you ask for.." and "just wait till you have children.." ... Thanks Mom, I feel like I'm already half there- heaven has divine retribution for my misdeeds by blessing me with possibly the only equally stubborn person in the world :) All joking aside, we are very very happy. A HUGE THANK YOU to our families, friends, and everyone who made our wedding perfect. Pictures aren't available yet, but we'll be sure to post some for you all later. Sorry no recipes yet from Cindalou's, we're working on it. In the interim, I'd like to share the beautiful "Recipes for a Happy Marriage" I received from friends at my fantastic surprise shower.

Ima's recipe:
50% communication
20% humor (laughter)
20% patience
10% temper control

Communication? Is that when I repeat myself 400 billion times and get stared at blankly with the claim that "you never said that"...? If so, we are on it!

Lauren's best friend prescription:
1 cup Love
1 cup Understanding
3 T. Compassion
1/2 t. of "the no look"
1/2 cup of Romance

Ha, I think I have wayyy too much of that "NO!" look going already!

Sandy's sisterly advice:
truckload o' love
bucket o' passion and romance
2 truckloads of patience and understanding
Lots o' fun
much communication
many kisses and hugs!

Does anyone else notice that my sister seems to also have a problem with exact measurements and recipe equivalents? Hmm, maybe its a Wood household thing... I'm blaming you Mom!

Momma's Good Ole' Recipe for Happiness:
Lots of Laughter
Kindness
Gentleness
Surprise
Empathy.

Mix well and often with love, friendship, openness and sharing.

Mom, strange no precise measurements of ingredients... this from the woman who actually does measure an 1/8 a teaspoon and bakes the same holiday poppyseed bread every year but MUST use her original recipe... Although she did include instructions, yey!

Marriage a la Sweethearts
Patience
Forgiveness
Space to be together
Space to be Separate
A Maid!

Ha! I love the space to be seperate- we live, work, and ride the bus to work together. We do sit in different areas of the bus, however, and do our best to pretend we hate each other in public :) Joking... and I am the joyful maid. I was trained at an early age by my Grandmother to wash dishes. We have photo proof of tiny lil Cindalou on a stool washing them (or whatever a 6 year old thinks is washing).

Untitled:
"In our society we teach unconditional love. Love is like air to women. Take away love and women can't breathe and will fight because they can't breathe. For men, take away respect and they can't breathe and they will fight and act unloving to get a breath.

So give your husband unconditional respect. Avoid saying the word "NO," they can easily experience it as disrespect. Read the book "Love and Respect" by E. Eggrich."

Ohh, respect- now that's a fantastic piece of advice! Something so important is often overlooked in the giddy, romantic beginnings of a relationship, but how crucial it is! I guess I don't have to say "NO" either since as Lauren noted I already have "the look" mixed in :)

Thank you all, and you dear reader, for sicking with Cindalous. We'll be back with some of our own dairy and gluten free delights in a short while.

xoxo, Cindalou

You can tell it is our car, huh?

Spotlight ON

I decided that it was high time that I started a monthly feature on an individual {or local company} to whom I owe some gratitude. This month I'd like to begin by honoring those people who helped encourage and inspire me to start this blog.

First and foremost is my fiancee Jon Jockers who has been my coach and pillar of support throughout all of these crazy past few years, especially as of late with the radical dietary and lifestyle changes that came with my testing and diagnosis. A brief history of us begins back in college where we were rivals vying for top of the class in our physics classes; we started more as competitors whose obsessive over-the-top work would serve as motivation for the other. Of course, this is not the best start to a relationship, but we eventually bonded through many years of intense homework assignments which, as you physics majors know full well, require all of your time and much of your soul :) In fact, reminiscing back to those days makes me think of an old note my friend left me on my stereo once: "Have come for soul, will accept cash." Man, what I wouldn't have given to have the guts to revise that quote and say to my professors "will trade soul for no homework."

Jon and I came to graduate school together and both study nuclear astrophysics (but do vastly different research). He has become my best friend who supports me no matter the circumstances. Throughout the past few years I noticed progressive deterioration in my body despite actually starting an exercise program and eating healthier, all of which prompted me to research my symptoms and eventually get all the canvas tests run. After months of misery and unpleasant testing, I received my celiac and dairy-intolerant assessment from a conventional doctor (thanks, but I already innately knew these facts long before based on just paying attention to my own body). This diagnosis was a relief, surprisingly, since I no longer had to wonder what the heck was going on; it also prompted me to become serious about a permanent lifestyle of gluten and dairy free (at least gluten free). Jon has been wonderful with adapting to me and my radical dietary change. He was one one who encouraged me to make our whole apartment gluten free since I was still getting ill off preparing his wheat bread, oats, and remaining gluten products. He doesn't take "NO" for an answer and after many weeks of "you should start a blog about what you've been through" talking about the harrowing experiences and the personal and family stress that stemmed from this whole ordeal (I was accused of or it was implied that I was just anorexic by doctors, co-workers, and family members on may occasions ... I wanted to strangle them since they had no idea how I continuously overate to the point of nausea every meal and still had the pounds fall off).

So the creation of this blog is thanks to Jon. The recipes, experience, and art is all me; the formatting and behind-the-scenes grunt work is mostly him. We have grown together as a couple and a team thanks to this experience and blog. If you are in a similar place, start your own blog! It is a great way to vent and help others; share your knowledge, I know I need the company sometimes...

And speaking of art and blogging, artistic talent runs in my blood. My mother's side of the family goes way back as great artists and painters; my mother is a fantastic nature painter, by the way (I'll be putting up a slide show of her paintings sometime in the near future). I can sketch and sculpt, but I've never liked painting and I've felt like a outcast to the "talented" group in the family... that is until I ran across the blog of someone you may all know:

Karina Allrich (aka the Gluten Free Goddess)

Her gluten free goddess blog is amazing if you've never seen it- check it out. I have a link to her blog on the right hand side of my blog which is a cupcake picture. Karina's blog was what inspired me to start this blog. I was hesitant to make a blog even after Jon convinced me to do so since I felt like I had nothing to offer which wasn't already out there and, more importantly, I thought I couldn't make it artistic. Art and harmonious balance are at the core of my being, and if I cannot "make it pretty" or appealing then I think it isn't worth the effort. Karina's Gluten Free Goddess blog showed me that YES, you CAN make a blog which is practical (recipes, advice) AND elegant.

I have revived my inner artist and find bliss in not only making up my recipes (usually done on the spot standing in the kitchen with a mug of coffee with my foggy brain stammering "want good food... must use rice bran this time. What else can I add?"... that or laying in bed thinking that bamboo shoots would be nice in something.), but also in capturing their essence by digital camera (I love you my sweet impulse buy , Polaroid i832, on sale at Walmart). Thank you Karina- your recipes and blog are true art and you provided my inspiration. Now I remember why I loved to cook in the first place: it can be healthy, tasty, and ARTISTIC. I know you've had some rough times lately and more allergies crop up, but keep chugging along- you have changed my life and are an inspiration to many others, I am sure.

Manitboa Harvest Hemp Features David Jockers!! [my almost brother-in-law]

[Update - David IS now my brother in law. He has since graduated from Life University as a licensed and practicing chiropractor. If you're in the Atlanta area, check out the Exodus Health Center!]

As you may well know, hemp is an ancient natural superfood which is an excellent source of fiber (low carb), protein, and the ideal balance of Omega3 to Omega 6 fats. At David's, my [almost] brother-in-law, advice I gave hemp protein a try. Through trial and error, I have found that both Nutiva hemp products and Manitoba Hemp products are the best in quality and value. Personally, I prefer Manitoba Harvest since the company is very personable and really cares about their customers. The send great newsletters with recipes, tips, and promotions.

I routinely use Manitoba Harvest Organic Hemp Protein Powder with Fiber or the plain hemp protein powder in my smoothies, soups, and baking. The powder is gluten free, dairy free, and all other "allergy free's" unless you have an allergy to hemp, of course :) It has a great taste and can even be eaten plain, but works best in smoothies (see my upcoming ginger pear hemp smoothie) and especially in soups. The hemp is perfect for any bean, lentil, or marrow bone soup such as my Collard and Grass Fed Marrow Soup (great soup for superb nutrition on a budget!)

The Manitoba Harvest E-Newsletter I received today featuring our very own brother David Jockers!

Team Manitoba

Manitoba Harvest would like to introduce you to David Jockers. Mike Fata, our President and Co-founder along with Autumn Bree, our US Marketing & Education Manager first had the pleasure of meeting David at a consumer show in Atlanta. As David listened attentively and asked what can only be described as the perfect questions, Mike and Autumn were drawn into conversation. Throughout the short time they were able to all spend together a bond was formed. Autumn was raised in a chiropractic family from the age of 3 months to 20 years and Mike is a self-taught expert in self realization and nutrition and both were struck and pleased to see what the next generation is prepared to bring into the world. Read on and be amazed.

"As a health care professional, a nutrition and natural health expert, I give Manitoba Harvest hemp products 2 big thumbs up. The complete protein, the chlorophyll content, and the ideal omega 6:3 ratio with the GLA make hemp a perfect staple food for anyone desiring to live free of sickness and disease and experience maximized living. I discuss the value of hemp in all of my natural health workshops and recommend it to everyone I know. It is one of the best nutritional products I have ever researched and used. Manitoba Harvest’s superior commitment to excellence in their product and their environmentally conscious business behaviours make them the leader in hemp products worldwide. "

David Jockers B.Ed, CSCS

Maximized Living Mentor (Atlanta)

BIOGRAPHY: David hales from St. Augustine Florida where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sport Leadership from the University of North Florida. In addition he holds the nationally renowned NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist distinction as well as various other certifications as an advanced personal trainer, nutrition, lifestyle & weight management specialist, and exercise development and functional rehabilitation specialist.

David has spent time as a personal trainer at a large franchised fitness center; in addition, he has worked as an exercise specialist in a cardio-pulmonary rehabilitation clinic. David is currently attending Life University in Atlanta, Georgia pursuing a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a Master’s in Sport & Exercise Science. He is also working on a Masters degree in Applied Neurology through the Carrick Institute of New York University.

David’s personal mission statement is to “Build strong & healthy individuals, families, and organizations by educating, facilitating, and encouraging the pursuit of Maximized Living in body, mind, and soul.” According to David “Most people know some of the right steps to take to live a healthier, more enjoyable lifestyle. The in congruency between what they know and what they practice has more to do with a lack of support, discipline, and inspiration. It is my purpose and mission to fully empower and inspire as many people as I can to pursue the life of their dreams and live at their highest level.”

David is currently doing advanced health workshop series on nutrition, exercise, posture & ergonomics, peace & time management in and around the Atlanta area.

David's powerful start to his day is a green shake loaded with hemp seed oil and hemp protein powder. Lead your life with energy and vitality and start your day with one too!

David Blissed Out

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Now that's cool- congrats David, we love you and are thrilled to see you further the mission! Love,
Cindy and Jon