Tangy Ginger Lime Apple Ribbon Salad! GF, V, SCD & Paleo!

Hey Happy Tummies!

I hope everyone is staying warm with these plummeting temps around the country!!

I have to admit: I love getting all snuggled up and watching a movie, knowing that it's blustery and freezing outside:)

Speaking of movies, I cannot WAIT for the new Hunger Games movie to come out on Friday!

I'm going to see it with my fam when I go home next week for Thanksgiving.

I can't wait to see my little niece!! Isn't she just the cutest ever?!

And I guessss I'm excited to see this little princess too :) haha

SO tonight, I made a particularly delicious and colorful meal.

I used my fave gadget...the spiralizer! (You can make this without a spiralizer, just chop the veggies into small pieces and it'll be a chopped salad!)

I call this colorful pile of deliciousness the Tangy Ginger Lime Apple Ribbon Salad!

Now friends, don't take the word "salad" lightly --- this dish PACKS. A. PUNCH!

"Noodles" of carrots, beets, zucchini, and cucumber smothered in a nutty ginger lime sauce, and kissed with cilantro and honey crisp apples!

Now, if you've been following my blog, you'll know the special place honey crisp apples have in my heart:) I mean, I love them, like woah.

I even made an entire post about them a while back :) haha

And let me tell you, those sweet little nuggets of honey crisp glory really shine in this dish.

And it's gluten and Grain Free, Vegan, Specific Carb Diet friendly, and Paleo!

Here's what you need: (Serves 1 as a main, 2 as a side)

1/2 zucchini, made into noodles
1/2 cucumber, made into noodles
1 carrot, made into noodles
1/2 beet, made into noodles
1/2 honey crisp apple, diced
1/2 red onion, sliced paper thin
1/4 cup cashews, chopped
2 Tbsp cilantro, minced

Sauce:
1/3 - 1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated on a micro plane
3 Tbsp Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
Juice of 1 lime
8 drops pure liquid stevia alcohol-free (SCD use 1/2 tsp honey)
2-3 Tbsp water

Spiralize (or chop) your veggies and put them in a large bowl.

After you slice your onions, let them soak in a bowl of ice water for about 5-10 minutes. (This gets rid of that harsh, onion-y bite that raw onions have)

Combine your sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Add enough water to thin out the sauce until it is "drizzly" - about 2 - 3 Tbsp.

Toss your veggie noodles, onions, cashews, and cilantro with the sauce until evenly coated.

Garnish with cashews and cilantro.

My goodness, you guys. This was SO GOOD! This dressing. I'm serious, I could drink it it was so delicious! Tangy, fresh, a little gingery, nutty, sweet -- AMAZING!!

It pairs so wonderfully with the subtly sweet veggie noodles, the buttery cashews, and the bright and fresh cilantro.

And it's so crunchy and fabulous. My favorite part was the honey crisp apple bits -- super sweet and juicy.

Finally, it really is a beautiful dish with all the colors. Red, Orange, Green, Purple -- it's a rainbow of nutritious goodness!

With this cilantro and lime action, all I need is a margarita! :D

Do you like trilogy movies like the Hunger Games, or Twilight, or Lord of the Rings?

Until next time!

Also -- be sure to follow GlutenFreeHappyTummy on Facebook or Twitter for instant updates!!

A Busy Girl's Guide to Practical Juicing!

Hey All!

How's everyone's week going?!

It was just a beauuuutiful day here in NYC. It was 70 degrees and just lovely outside. I took an evening walk and captured the sunset. So pretty.

SO. Since we are officially entering the holiday season (read: lots of feasting and drinking), I thought I might dedicate a post to...JUICE!

Now, before you roll your eyes, or change the "channel," just hear me out:

First Things First: I don't personally advocate a juice "fast." I want to be clear about that. My motto is "everything in moderation." But if that's your thing, then more power to ya. I like to think of juicing as a great supplement to a healthy diet!

Treat Yo'Self

That being said: say you had an especially indulgent weekend (*cough* Halloween *cough*), or are feeling a little under the weather, or have "fallen off the wagon" in terms of healthy eating: having a green juice for breakfast is a terrific way to get your body back on track and into health mode!

That's right! Kinda a "no brainer," but green juice is suuuuper healthy. Drinking fresh pressed juice provides your body with a highly concentrated dose of vitamins and minerals. Plus, when you drink it within 20 minutes of pressing, the live enzymes from the juice actively repair the cells of your body! Juicing also strengthens your immune system, builds strong bones, helps with weight loss, and gives you an energy boost too:) What's not to love?

Would ya look at all those active enzymes -- mmm ;) Get In My Belly!! 

Juice can also be great for an afternoon pick me up! When the 3 o'clock slump hits, who needs Starbucks when you can enjoy a green juice!?

Now, you may be thinking ... "enjoy" and "green juice" in the same sentence? This girl has lost her marbles. Well, not quite.

You see, there's a system to making green juice taste great, while still packing in the dark leafy greens.

Enter: the "trinity" of all your juicing needs: GINGER, LEMON, & GREEN APPLE

Yep, just make sure to include half a lemon, an apple, and 1/2 inch nub of ginger in your juice, and you'll be all set!

Additionally, I like to stick to a 70/30 or a 60/40 (if you're new to juicing) ratio of vegetables to fruit. 70% of what you add should be veggies, and 30% should be fruit for the most delicious and nutritious bevvy.

So here's what I had for breakfast this morning:

*Caralyn's Standard Green Juice* (Serves One)

4 Stalks of Celery
2 Carrots
5 Stalks of Kale
1/2 Cucumber
1 Apple
1/2 lemon
1/2 inch nub of peeled ginger

This is my favorite juice. It's sweet and tangy with a "zing" from the ginger. I'm not kidding guys: you can't taste the kale.

You could even get kids excited about drinking this "Shrek Juice!"

Final Tips:

1) Put a plastic bag in the "garbage" part of your juicer -- where the pulp is discarded. That way, you won't have to clean the basket because it's in the bag! (Because, let's be honest: cleaning the juicer can be a pain.)

2) If you're pinched for time, make a double or triple batch ahead of time. 3 Juices -- 1 Cleaning of the Machine. Just be sure to store them in a sealed glass container in the fridge. They keep for up to 2 days. Just be sure to shake before drinking!

3) You can peel ginger with a spoon! Yep! So much easier, and less dangerous too!

4) Be sure to peel the skin off of your lemon -- the skin gives your juice a bitter taste.

5) Even with the "holy trinity," if you still think it needs to be sweeter, you can add a few drops of pure liquid stevia. (Just be sure to use alcohol free).

6) Finally, drink your juice out of a wine or martini glass -- it makes you feel special, and that you're treating yourself -- because you are!! :D


Alright guys, cheers to health!!

Stuffed Acorn Squash w/ Rosemary Roasted Beets, Brussels & Pistachios! Gluten Free, Vegan, SCD & Paleo!

Hey Happy Tummies!

Are we surviving the Polar Vortex? 

It's hard to believe the temperatures here today. New York was FREEZING. We hit 4 degrees today, which broke the record low from 1896! Although, that was warm compared to some of the negative temps in the Midwest!

Stay warm and stay safe everyone!

Freezing cold temperatures only mean one thing: hot tea, pajamas, and Netflix marathons! That....and comfort food!!

It's funny, I'm sitting here watching the news (yes I'm a 20-something that actually watches the local news) and they just did a piece on eating comfort food to stay warm in this deep freeze. And their theme: CARBS. More specifically, gluten-filled carbs.

Well, my dear friends...two can play at THAT game! :)

May I present to you, comfort food -- "Happy Tummy" style!

Yep, this is an amazingly cozy dish that will warm you from the inside out. And the best part? IT'S GOOD FOR YOU! 

Yep, it's Gluten/Grain Free, Vegan, Specific Carb Diet friendly, and Paleo!

It's actually what I made for Thanksgiving. (Sorry I'm JUUUST now getting around to posting it!!)

I made a Roasted Acorn Squash, stuffed with Rosemary Roasted Beets and Brussels Sprouts, Mushrooms, Pistachios, and Apples.

In a word: Unbelievable.

Here’s what you need: (Serves 5-6)

3 acorn squash - halved
24 brussels sprouts – halved
4 beets, sliced in to ¼ inch rounds
1 box of mushrooms (about 18), sliced
1 apple, cubed
1 sprig of rosemary, minced
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried basil
1 cup pistachios

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Carefully slice your acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Place the halves cut-side-down on two tin-foil-lined, olive-oil-sprayed baking sheets. Bake for about 40 minutes, until tender.

Meanwhile, prep your veggies. Place your beets on two tin-foil-lined, olive-oil-sprayed baking sheets. Spritz with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 40 minutes, flipping once halfway through.

While you’re waiting for oven space, brown your brussels sprouts on the stove. In the largest pan you have, place your brussels sprouts cut-side-down in an even layer in 2 tsp EVOO. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, ½ tsp oregano, ½ tsp basil, and your fresh, minced rosemary. Let it sit over medium heat for about 7 minutes, allowing it to brown and caramelize. Then, flip and allow the other side to brown for about 5 more minutes. Take off the heat and set aside.

In the same pan, do the same thing with your sliced mushroom. Place them in a single layer in about 2 tsp EVOO. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Allow the one side to brown for about 5 minutes. Then, flip and allow the other side to cook for about 4 minutes.

With your apples, you can either roast them in the oven or sauté them in a frying pan on the stove. I used the oven, because I made this the night before. Place the apple cubes on a tin-foil-lined, olive-oil-sprayed baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for about 2 hours in a 275 degree oven until they have significantly dried out.

To assemble, slice your brussels sprouts in half again (they should now be in quarters), and slice your beet rounds into matchsticks. Toss your beets, brussels sprouts, mushrooms, apples and pistachios together. Place a heaping mound of the filling inside the cavity of the acorn squash. Garnish with a few extra pistachios. Each person gets 1 acorn squash half.

Goodness gracious, you guys. This meal was outrageous. The taste, the texture, the appearance. Everything --- let’s start with the taste:

Acorn squash is so wonderful. It’s the sweetest of the winter squash. That sweet creaminess was complimented by the earthy sweet beets, nutty pistachios, super sweet apples, and earthy mushrooms. And then the subtle aroma of the rosemary, basil and oregano gave it a depth of flavor that was just out of control!

And the textures: wow. The creamy luxurious acorn squash provided the perfect backdrop for the chewy beets and mushrooms, the almost crunchy brussels sprouts (which had caramelized beautifully), the juicy-sweet apples, and the crunchy/salty pistachios. Mmmm.

Finally, it was truly beautiful. It was like a perfectly wrapped present of your plate. There were so many beautiful jewel-tone colors l- the deep purple, orange, green – so pretty!

Comfort food to get you through the Polar Vortex!! ((By the way, what even is a Polar Vortex?? What are we, in the latest sci-fi movie?!?))

Want more GFHT?  You can now get my e-cookbook, The Best of GlutenFreeHappyTummy for only $2.99 on Amazon!

Gluten Free Baby Shower!

Hey Happy Tummies!

So as promised, I'm going to give you all the deets on throwing a Gluten Free Party!

Last weekend, I had the privilege of going to/helping host my sister-in-law's baby shower! And what fun it was! She's expecting a little girl later this summer! I'm so excited!

So we threw her a shower:) And she's gluten free, so it was a Gluten Free Baby Shower!

Throwing a gluten free party may seem like a daunting task, but let me assure you, with a little planning and creativity, you can pull it off with flair!

First, the non food:

A Diaper Cake...classic:)

We had an organic onsie-making station. The guests could decorate organic onsies for my Sis in Law to take home. They turned out so cute. 

We hung them from ribbons around the house.

OK, now for the FOOD!

We had one heck of a spread!

SAVORY:

Mini spinach quiche pops....recipe coming soon

Veggie cups with gluten free ranch dressing in the bottom - I made special ones sans ranch for Vegans

And the Vegan ones:

Beet and Sweet Potato chips - store bought (not pictured)

Shrimp w/ GFree Cocktail sauce

Cucumber rounds with Hummus

Caprese Skewer Bites - recipe coming soon

SWEET:

Baby Buggy Fruit Salad: made out of a watermelon

Organic Yogurt cups with GFree granola

Apple Pie Bites! My recipe here!

Kind Bar Bites w/ Raspberries (not pictured)

Meringues - store bought or homemade

Mini Cupcakes (GFree and Regular)

Bottle and Bib Cookies (NOT GFree)

Chocolate Chip Cookies in Paper Diapers (NOT GFree)

SNACKS:

Dark chocolate M&M's

Mixed nuts

Chocolate covered goji berries

DRINKS:

Mimosas

White Wine

Water with Lemon and Lime

Assorted Hot Teas

Other GFree ideas are Chocolate covered GFree pretzels; Homemade chex mix with rice chex, raisins, M&M's and almonds; Assorted cheeses with Mary's Gone Crackers; Olives; Dried fruit; Rice tortilla chips w/ salsa or guacamole; Popcorn; Chocolate drizzled popcorn; Chocolate covered strawberries; or Strawberries with fresh whipped cream; Cheese stuffed mushrooms; Babaganoush with veggies; Fondue with crudites; Ice cream sundae bar; GFree Rice Crispies; Oysters, Watermelon slices; Prosciutto wrapped melon, Falafel pops; Deviled eggs. The possibilites are endless!

Also, instead of everyone getting her a card, we had them get her a children's book with their name on it!

While she was opening the gifts, everyone played the "dirty diaper" game where different candy bars were melted in the microwave onto diapers. The diapers were passed around and everyone would write which candy bar they thought it was. The 3 winners received manicures at a local salon!

The shower was a huge success. We had so much fun showering my sister-in-law with love! A shower is a great occasion to make someone feel special and show them that you care.

And having a gluten free shower was so much easier than expected! Everyone loved the food! It was all gobbled up! There was truly something for everyone.

The next time you have a special occasion, use some of these ideas! They're super easy, and crowd pleasers! Head to your local party store and find some cute little containers to spruce up some veggies. Add a personal touch to the place settings. Use fresh flowers to brighten a room. Little details like that go a long way in dressing up a simple dish and make it seem extra special. And plus, everything feels fancy when you're wearing a Lily sundress:D

Do you like throwing a party?

Big announcement coming up! See you soon!