Feast and Flop Day: Brownies

Gluten Free Brownies.

Fast and Easy to Make!
I thought Gluten Free meant no more chocolate brownies. What did I know???
I made these from simple ingredients, NO grains or flour in these yummy chocolate treats!



Gluten Free Brownies
1 15 ounce can rinsed and drained Black Beans
3 eggs
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 cup ground almonds
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup sugar [I used brown sugar]
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla

The easy part: put all ingredients in a blender or food processor! Blend until smooth and there are no 'bean lumps'.

Place batter into lined muffin cups and bake at 350* for about 20 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 15 - 20 minutes before eating. Makes 12 Gluten Free Brownies!



Books.

This is one of the best books I've read in the last few weeks! If you have been considering a Gluten Free lifestyle but are not sure if you would benefit...Get your hands on this book! An easy read, very informative and encouraging to know that it is possible to be free of so many ailments directly related to the consumption of wheat and other gluten.




At the Dinner Table.

MENU:
Wild Caught NC Shrimp
Steamed Squash
Kale Chips















Lists from my phone.

A Quick Glance what to Avoid!
Wheat,Wheat Germ, Bran, Bulgur, Couscous, Male, Malt Vinegar, Barley:barly grass, malt, groats, pearl barley, caramel coloring, malt vinegar,"Natural Flavors", Durum, Vegan protein sub sriram, Einkorn, Emmer, Farina, Farro, Cream of Wheat, Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl, Triticale, Tritcosecale, Tritium, Graham Flour,Matzo, Orzo, Panko, Seitan, Semolina, Spelt, Udon, Rye, Oats[many are cross contaminated], Dextrin, Brewer's yeast, Modified food starch, Smoke Flavoring, Softener [in foods],Vegetable starch:many are created from gluten grains, Citric Acid:in USA in most cases is created from Wheat and not citrus fruits.
Disclaimer: this list was created from reading many many books and much research on gluten. It is not the 'end all' list and most likely many sources have been eliminated.



Breakfast.

Carrot Juice! Each morning I start my day with Carrot, Apple Juice...somedays I add spinach, celery and cucumber to the blend. I use a Champion Juicer to make the juice fresh and blend crushed ice into the juice to create a festive start to my day. I also drink a large glass in the afternoons to which I add fresh spinach...the color is not as bright or beautiful but the trace elements in the spinach = a better night's sleep!


Flops:
*The gluten free brownies mold when not stored in the fridge.
*Gluten hides well in many foods...I paid the price for a hasty lunch when I didn't read the food label. I'm learning to ALWAYS READ ALL LABELS!

Hopping you have a wonderful weekend!
 

5 x 6 = 30 Or so I thought!

I was preparing my blue and green churn and dash blocks this morning for a simple 5 x 6 [30 blocks] small quilt.
When I realized the blocks were beginning to multiply! 

I had originally cut out the pieces and assembled the pieces for 30 12 inch completed blocks yet there are now 52 blocks!

I could understand 1 or 2 extra blocks...but 22 extra...I have no idea how this happened!
The only logical answer at the moment is that the elves visited last night and created the extra 22 blocks!
Now if I could get my chocolate supply, my fabric stash and bank account to multiply like this...oh what a happy day! :)

I shall now be making a nice big quilt 7x7 with 3 extra blocks to be used creatively in another quilty project.

Happy Tuesday!

Feast and Flop Day

Knowing that there are others besides myself who have had their world changed overnight by health issues or the resolve to live a better healthier life, knowing the need for support and understanding...
I have decided that beginning today, Friday will now be known as Feast and Flop Day here at Sowing Stitches.
Pretty much, I went 'cold turkey' eliminating gluten, dairy, eggs, artificial sugars,meats that are not wild caught or organic and corn.
Each week will have spotlight something different and primarily I will dedicate this time to share tips [what works & doesn't], support, book reviews, helpful websites and blogs, recipes and be available to answer questions....and if I don't know the answer we can research together! :)

Thankfully the local Public Library has a wealth of information! [And if by chance your local library doesn't have these titles, if you ask, they may just order the book! Our local branch has ordered several books just because I asked!! One of the great things about public libraries, they truly do like to have available the books patrons want to read!]These are a few of the books I have been reading since July. Unfortunately I didn't record the first dozen or so stacks of books...I may try to check them out again so you can have more titles available.

 

And if the library is 'not your cup of tea' the internet has loads of information! I will have a list of internet resources available for you soon.

First of all...eating a diet free of Gluten and other foods mentioned above is not a 'death sentence' there are many great tasting foods free of Gluten! One of my favorites, wild caught shrimp. One just has to be very dedicated to read labels...and when in doubt...do without! The effects of hidden gluten can be quite devastating.

I have found weekends to be the most difficult with the transition to a better healthier lifestyle. It does require a bit more planning for grab and go meals...but...I am new at this and with time comes knowledge and increased speed of preparation!

  One of the biggest helps is the list "Foods to Avoid" in my phone so that no matter where I go I have a handy reference. I have another phone list of every imaginable name for gluten,corn, dairy, eggs etc... this has been a 'life-saver' when reading labels in the grocery store! I also keep a list "Feast and Enjoy" foods that are 'user friendly' to my body.

Happy Feast & Flop Day!
with love as always,
Beulah

National Sewing Month!

Yippie!
An entire month to celebrate the love of sewing!

September 1st marked the launch of Sowing Stitches' Calico Dots and Gingham Online Quilting Bee!  
 

Block Design selected by Nan

Block Design selected by Sharon

My health continues to improve as I learn to recognize the hiding places of the 'no-no' foods. All gluten, corn, oats, dairy, eggs some meats are the worst offenders. I am currently juicing like crazy with my Champion Juicer and progressing towards a more vegetarian lifestyle. [Eating meat = no sleep...unless it is wild caught fish/seafoods.]
Personally, I feel that the food industry should provide all food sources on their labels....The vague labeling practices of such as 'spices' 'natural flavors' etc...really should be eliminated. I've also learned that citric acid in the US comes primarily from corn and wheat and not from  citrus fruits as one would expect.
It continues to be an eye opening journey...food can be fuel for the body or poison. Ditching the 'toxic foods' has made such a difference!

with love as always,
Beulah