I’ve been in a major cooking rut lately. I realized I make the same foods over and over again which means we’ve been eating out more because I’m bored with what’s at home. But eating out isn’t really fun and safe for me because of my Celiac disease and my other dietary restrictions (lactose and soy intolerance). I’m also avoiding refined sugars and processed foods and trying to eat an all vegan diet. I know, I sound like a lot of fun. haha
The reason for my diet overhaul is because late last year I started feeling sick again – stomach pains, unexplained bloating, exhaustion, crazy weight fluctuations…I just always felt BLAH. I’m on an extremely strict gluten-free diet since even a single bread crumb can make me sick in bed for a week. Initially I thought I got glutened but the problems kept persisting. Well, it got worse in January and when I woke up one night at 3am with the most horrific stomach ache which lasted a couple of days, I had no choice but to really put thought into my eating habits. It’s been difficult and I end up cheating every now and then (how can I say no to gluten-free cupcakes? And frozen yogurt?? And Thai food???) but when I do eat a clean, plant based, organic diet I feel so much better. It does make a difference and I’m determined to fully embrace it and make it my bff once and for all.
So I’m on the hunt for good, easy, gluten-free and vegan recipes I can make at home. Here are some I found on the trusty web that I’m excited to try (all recipes are gluten-free and vegan):
Layered Raw Taco Salad For Two (Photo source and recipe here)
Baked Chickpea Burgers (Photo source and recipe here)
Kale Pesto (Photos source and recipe here)
Carrot Ginger Soup With Cashew Cream (Photos source and recipe here)
Pumpkin Maple Pancakes (Photo source and recipe here)
I LOVE dessert and just can’t live without it. Here are some desserts that look so good I want to lick my screen (all recipes gluten-free and vegan):
S’more Bites (Photo source and recipe here)
Homemade Twix Bars (Photo source and recipe here)
Homemade Rolos (Photo source and recipe here)
Homemade Ding Dongs (Photo source and recipe here)
Sidenote: I can’t believe these are gluten-free and vegan…awesome)
Pure Maple Cream Butter (Photo source and recipe here)
Here are some tips for cooking gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar free:
• There are a lot of gluten-free alternatives when it comes to breads and anything flour based. Trader Joe’s gluten-free bread is my favorite and the least expensive. I also like to stock up on Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free products. I like their gluten-free all purpose flour and their rice flour.
• If a recipe calls for breading, I just crush up gluten-free Chex cereal. I’ll be finding an alternative solution since cereal is processed food but if you’re unconcerned about, Chex is the way to go.
• Substitute milk with non-dairy milk such as almond, rice or coconut. If you need vegan butter, Earth’s Balance is a good choice as well as coconut butter.
• In place of refined sugar, I use coconut sugar, agave nectar, honey and dates to sweeten up dishes.
If you have any favorite food blogs or gluten-free and vegan recipes, please share! I’m always on the hunt for new recipes. :)
P.S. You can find these and more recipes on my Pinterest boards.
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