Summer Fun: When Life Gives You Blueberries, Make Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins

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With summer coming to an end, I’m soaking up every last bit of the season — pineapple sangria, al fresco dining, fresh berries, and all.

A couple weeks ago, baby girl woke up an hour early, so I quickly fed her breakfast, got her dressed and ventured out to go blueberry picking. While little miss fuss only lasted about 30 minutes (that’s what ya get when you try to stretch nap time), we got enough bleubs to make a couple batches of gluten free blueberry muffins.

If you’ve got yourself a stash o’ berries you’re not quite sure what to do with, I highly recommend making a batch of these bad boys!

I used this gluten free recipe from Iowa Girl Eats (subbing brown rice flour for 1:1 baking flour). Let me tell you: they’re deeelish, and babe’s a fan as well. It’s hard to believe these babies are gluten free and vegan, the only sugar coming from the banana and maple syrup! Win, win.

Recipe hack: sprinkle with cinnamon & brown sugar before popping in the oven for a little extra pizazz. 😉 Enjoy! Read More!

Southwest Turmeric & Black Bean Veggie Burgers on Bibb Lettuce Wraps {Gluten Free & Vegan}

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After a fun-filled 4th of July and birthday weekend, this mama needed a little breather from all the meat. After raiding the pantry, I whipped up some veggie burgers with some budget-friendly kitchen staples like spicy black beans, Lundberg Farms turmeric rice, sweet potatoes and spices!

Served on refreshing bibb lettuce wraps, these gluten free and vegan gems are perfect for a light but filling dinner in a snap. Plus they’re a hit with the whole family!

Turmeric & Black Bean Veggie Burgers

Ingredients: 

  • 1 package Lundberg Family Farms Ready to Heat Turmeric Rice
  • 1 large sweet potato, mashed
  • 1 can Spicy Black Beans (Whole Foods brand has a great organic variety!)
  • 1/2 c. gluten free breadcrumbs (almond, walnut or pecan meal also works well)
  • Few good shakes of cumin, chili powder, and turmeric
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Bibb lettuce
  • Shredded cheddar or vegan cheddar (optional)
  1. Preheat oven to 400. In the meantime, chop sweet potato into 1-inch chunks, and steam for about 8-10 minutes or until you can mash with a fork.
  2. In a large bowl, combine sweet potato, rice and black beans, mashing with a fork to create desired texture. Mix in gluten free breadcrumbs or nut
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Hungry, Hungry Mama: 8 Healthy Snacks to Stash in the Diaper Bag for Moms On-the-Go

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image courtesy of LesserEvil

There’s nothing worst than being a hungry, hungry mama — especially when you’re trapped nursing, trying to cram in some work (before the coffee gets cold) or out and about running errands with babe.

Here are some of my go-to healthy snacks for mom fuel! Let’s face it: the diaper bag is pretty much just one giant purse to stash mom snacks when you need something stat!

1. Chomps Grass-Fed Beef Sticks

Where have these been all my life? I discovered these gems right after I gave birth — and they’ve been a must ever since! I’m usually not a fan of beef jerky (it kind of creeps me out), but these grass-fed beef sticks are legit!

I’ve tried a couple of the flavors but the original is by far my favorite; I love that they’re made with simple clean ingredients like grass-fed beef, without any gluten, nitrates or nitrites. Get ’em at Trader Joe’s or snag your own pack online here with free shipping!

2. Larabars

Larabars were my go-to in my twenties, then I kind of forgot about ’em for a while. I always grab a few every time I’m at Trader Joe’s, and … Read More!

Make This Tonight: Easy Two-Minute Lemony Hummus

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When it comes to cooking, the recipe’s gotta be super easy with minimal ingredients, otherwise I’m not making it. This mama doesn’t have time to peruse the grocery aisles for mysterious spice blends and vegetables I’ve never heard of, or follow a 20-step fancy recipe. Bonus if I don’t need to actually “cook” said food!

This Mediterranean style lemony hummus checks all the boxes: it’s easy, made with just six ingredients (that you likely already have on hand), and no oven required! Win, win, win.

Healthy Chicks Two-Minute Lemony Hummus

Ingredients:

  • 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 tbsp. tahini (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • dash of sea salt
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • juice of 1/2 lemon

Simply toss everything in a food processor or high-speed blender and pulse until smooth, or desired consistency. Top with an extra shake of cumin and drizzle of olive oil before serving. Enjoy alongside rice, salad, gyros or with raw veggie slices as a healthy snack. No need to ever buy store-bought hummus again!Read More!

A Peek Inside My Thrive Market Box: Gluten Free Pantry Staples, Snacks & Natural Beauty Essentials

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Ever since having a baby about two months ago, online grocery shopping has become my new best friend — especially when I’m strapped for time. After all, you never know how long of a window you are going to get before the next poop explosion or crying fit.

The first time I took baby girl to Trader Joe’s, I was in and out of there in record time of about 15 minutes, and religiously stuck to my grocery list. Heck, I even skipped the free sample!

That’s why I love Thrive Market, an online marketplace offering wholesale prices on quality products you can trust. From healthy snacks to natural skincare, Thrive’s my go-to for online shopping.

And I can order all my favorites — one handed, with the push of a finger, while nursing — without even leaving my home. Talk about feeling like a Mom Boss!

Here’s a peek instead my Thrive Market cart, including my favorite gluten-free pantry staples, healthy snacks and beauty essentials. Get 25% off your first Thrive order here!

Pantry Staples

  • Coconut Secret Organic Coconut Aminos – delicious gluten-free, soy-free alternative for sauces, “soy sauce” and salad dressings!
  • Fourth & Heart Grass Fed
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Quinoa Stuffed Peppers {Gluten Free}

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When it comes to dinner, we’re all about simplicity in this household. (Oh, and flavor of course!) These easy-to-make gluten free quinoa stuffed peppers did just the trick for our Monday night dinner this week. Hubby approved!

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers {Gluten Free}

makes about 4 servings (2 peppers per person)

What ya need:

  • 8 medium bell peppers (mix of yellow, orange & red!)
  • 1 c. quinoa (rinsed)
  • 1 jar all-natural marinara sauce
  • 1 package ground turkey
  • 1 can black beans
  • 1 Vidalia onion, chopped
  • olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • about 2 c. shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar or monterey jack best!)
  • salt & pepper to taste

1. Rinse quinoa & add to pot with about 2 c. water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and cover for about 15 minutes.

2. In the meantime, sauté onion in olive oil on medium heat until cooked through. Lower heat, add in crushed garlic, and stir for another minute. Set aside.

3. In same pan, cook the turkey burger on medium heat. Once cooked, add in the marinara sauce, lower heat and let simmer. Mix in cooked quinoa, onion & garlic, and can of black beans. Add salt & pepper to … Read More!

Healthy Chicks in the Community: A Zenned Out, Yoga-Loving, Gluten Free Eating Entrepreneur

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Good morning ladies! Now I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted a feature for Healthy Chicks in the Community, but I’m excited to get it going again this week with a very special lady.

As a past client of mine, this Healthy Chick always wows me with her strength, guts and drive to go after what she wants. Not only did she just start her own biz, but she also works full time at Harvard Business School. Talk about gettin’ stuff done! I’ll let Erica take it from here…I’m sure you’ll fall in love with her mission as I have.

[second to the right]

Name/Age: Erica Zendell, 23

Blog/Twitter: http://erica-zendell.blogspot.com, @ezendell

Current City: Boston, MA

Photo: I traveled to China on a recent work trip and met the lovely founders of the organization ‘Gluten-free Shanghai,’ whose resources made my time in a land of soy sauce and wheat buns so much easier!

What I do for work: I am balancing work as a research associate at Harvard Business School and starting a healthy snack food business, Zen Cookery!

Number one passion: Building my business, which seeks to help those with special diets in their desire to feel … Read More!

Healthy Chick(en), Broccoli & Avocado Fettuccine “Alfredo”

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I’ll let you in on a little secret: my go-to requested birthday meal is Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken Parmesan. Yes, the two of them together. But it has to be homemade by my mother. And it only tastes that good on my birthday. It is my birthday meal, after all. I simply adore the combination of a hearty, homemade marinara with the creamy white Alfredo. Not a likely combination, but it’s genius.

Sometimes I think I could eat that meal every day for the rest of my life, but then again it wouldn’t taste as good that way. Since it isn’t my birthday every day (and no one should consume that amount of cream & cheese 365 days of the year), I’ve created my own health-i-fied version. The Healthy Chicks version.

Using avocados in place of cream and just a pinch of optional parmesan cheese, you can feel a bit more confident indulging. I’m not saying you should eat this meal every day of the year either, but you can feel a little better about it (as will your tummy) when you do prepare it. Enjoy!

Healthy Chick(en), Broccoli & Avocado Fettuccine “Alfredo”

Makes 4 to 5 servings

What Ya … Read More!