Fruit Smoothie to the Rescue ~

As you might know, I've been reeling from gluten poisoning that happened to me 3 + weeks ago, and boy did it knock the wind right out of my sails. Once I progressed beyond organic baby food, I have been in serious need of some protein, calorie-rich foods that I could basically...well, drink! My stomach is still not fond of "real food" yet, especially veggies and any kind of meat or denser protein...but a girl's got to eat!

I came up with this terrific smoothie recipe two weeks ago and have been blending away every single morning and with good results. I'm convinced that I cannot be the only Celiac who suffers this intensely when poisoned, and knowing that our bodies are already lacking in some essential vitamins and minerals, I felt strongly compelled to share my GF hangover smoothie recipe and hope that it will come in handy for any of you, God-forbid, if you mistakenly encounter gluten in one of your meals.

GF Fruit-Protein Smoothie:
- 1/2 Organic banana

- 1/2 Cup of your favorite fruit juice (I used and Odwalla power juice/blend)

- 1/2 Cup of Almond milk

- 1 Cup of Brown Cow vanilla yogurt

- 1 Tbsp. Organic peanut butter

- 1 Tbsp. Ground Golden Flax

- 1 Cup of organic blueberries

- 1 Sliced nectarine OR 5 organic strawberries (or any fruit you like - I mix it up)

- 1 Tsp. of Flax oil

Blend together in mixer on "liquefy" or "high" for two minutes, pour into your favorite mug or glass and voila! Breakfast or a delicious snack is served.

If you have other "hangover" recipes or ideas to share that you prepare and are able to eat when suffering through this situation, please write to me and share them.

Blueberry Muffins ~

It's guest-blogger Friday - Enjoy this lovely story and delicious GF recipe from my good friend, Cristin. She's a blogger, as well.

(If you enjoy interior design and home organization, please stop by my blog, Simplified Bee for some inspiration.)

My dear friend Aimee and I meet in Tahoe after we graduated from high school and were heading off to college. We both have a passion for sports, fashion and food. For the most part, we've lived in different cities, but may have overlapped while we both were living in San Francisco in the 90s. In any case, our friendship was rekindled this last year as we realized how much our diets have changed since our teenage years. Aimee because of Celiac Disease and mine because of an illness last year. Thankfully we are both doing great! My new diet is tough at times, but I love how I feel. I don't eat any refined sugar (no alcohol!), red meat/pork/some fish, and very little dairy and gluten. It is mostly plant-based. I actually find it easier to avoid sugar than gluten - I feel for you that have Celiac Disease!

I am always looking for new recipes and here is one I'd like to share that is gluten-free, sugar-free and dairy-free - yippee!

Alan's Blueberry Muffins

1 cup organic brown rice rice flour

1/2 cup organic GF oat bran

1/2 cup organic flax seed meal

1/3 cup organic agave nectar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 beaten organic egg

3/4 cup organic rice milk

1/4 cup organic canola oil

1 cup organic fresh blueberries

Mix dry ingredients; In a separate bowl mix wet ingredients. Pour dry ingredients into wet, mix gently. Pour 1/4 cup mix into muffin pan. Bake 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

Let cool and enjoy!

Food Blogging ~

Food blogger, Amy Green of her Simply Sugar and Gluten Free blog, happens to be guest blogging today about dining out with food allergies at EATS, the local food blog for Dallas' big newspaper - the Dallas Morning News. Her hope is to really raise some awareness about what can happen when our needs aren't taken seriously while dining out...and if you read my last post, you will understand what she's talking about.

She and I have been sharing stories lately and I find her blog to be very well done and informative and fun to read.

If you have a minute, stop in and share your story.

I think it would help.

I did - mine is posted, as well!