Sugar Free Spelt Shortbread

If you read yesterday's post than you have already seen the gluten free, sugar free shortbread. Well, I figured I would make a regular shortbread as well! While I do have a wheat sensitivity, I am not bothered by gluten so I thought spelt flour would make for a nice hearty shortbread and I was right! These bad boys are amazing!!! When they first came out of the oven I worried about them tasting a little too healthy for my omni family but once they cooled down and I had another bite, you couldn't even tell that they weren't made with all purpose flour. The recipe is pretty much the same as yesterday's post, derived from my Mom's recipe that she has used for years. I hope you enjoy!

 Sugar Free Spelt Shortbread

• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup xylitol (ground into powder)
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening*
• 1/2 cup vegan margarine*

 

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a magic bullet or high speed blender, grind the xylitol into a fine powder so it resembles icing sugar, this is what helps give the cookie that melt in your mouth texture. You will want to remeasure the xylitol after this step. Sift together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Cut in the margarine & shortening with a pastry blender until the mixture becomes crumbly. At this point you can either roll the dough into 1 inch balls or roll out to 1/2 thickness and cut out using your favorite cookie cutter. I like to roll them into balls, place on baking sheet and press a pecan into each cookie. Bake for 20 minutes. You have to be very careful when you take them out of the oven, if you try to transfer them to the cooling rack too soon they will likely fall apart. Let them cool on the pan first and then transfer to cooling rack.

 

* You could also use 3/4 cup Earth Balance buttery flavoured sticks instead of the shortening/maragine combo.

 

Gluten & Sugar Free Shortbread Coookies

Shortbread cookies are my all time favorite Christmas treat. I love the buttery flavour and melt in your mouth texture. I used my Mom's recipe as a guide and really didn't change anything other than using rice flour instead of all purpose and xylitol in lieu of icing sugar. Most gluten free baking requires a binder such as xanthan gum but shortbread is known for it's crumbly texture so I would advise against it. I also wouldn't use any strongly flavoured gluten free flours such as chickpea or even the Bob's Redmill mix, rice flour is the perfect, light flour to use for these cookies.

Gluten & Sugar Free Shortbread Cookies

• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 cup xylitol (ground into powder)
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening*
• 1/2 cup vegan margarine*

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a magic bullet or high speed blender, grind the xylitol into a fine powder so it resembles icing sugar, this is what helps give the cookie that melt in your mouth texture. You will want to remeasure the xylitol after this step. Sift together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Cut in the margarine & shortening with a pastry blender until the mixture becomes crumbly. At this point you can either roll the dough into 1 inch balls or roll out to 1/2 thickness and cut out using your favorite cookie cutter. I like to roll them into balls, place on baking sheet and press a pecan into each cookie. Bake for 20 minutes. You have to be very careful when you take them out of the oven, if you try to transfer them to the cooling rack too soon they will likely fall apart. Let them cool on the pan first and then transfer to cooling rack.

* You could also use 3/4 cup Earth Balance buttery flavoured sticks instead of the shortening/maragine combo.

Coconut Almond Sautee

One of my biggest goals for 2011 is healthier eating. Upping my veggie intake and making sure I am eating a  wide variety of foods. One thing I miss is being able to eat at a local Thai inspired restaurant, Noodle Box. My favorite was the Spicy Thai Peanut box with Tofu. When I found out it had fish sauce in it I was crushed, but luckily I came up with my own version which is also okay for anyone following the Anti Candida Diet.

Coconut Almond Sautee

• 1 cup brocolli florets
• 1/4 white onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1/4 yam, peeled and diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsps minced ginger
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1/3 cup chunky almond butter
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 2 tsps olive oil
• 1 tbsp Braggs liquid aminos
• 2 tsps lemon or lime juice
• thin ribbon rice noodles

In a shallow dish, soak rice noodles in hot tap water for 25-30 minutes. While the noodles are soaking, heat the sesame & olive oil over medium heat. Stir in the carrots, onions & yams. Cover and cook until tender, approx 5-10 minutes. Add in the brocolli, ginger & garlic, cover and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add in the coconut milk, almond butter, spices, Braggs & lemon or lime juice. Stir together, add rice noodles and simmer on medium high heat for 5 minutes.

I was really pleased with how this turned out. I will definitely be making future variations!

Sauteed Veggies & Roasted Chickpeas

The last thing I felt like doing today was cooking. I lived off of toast & edamame hummus all morning and knew I just needed some good food to kick my butt into high gear. I didn't feel like going to the grocery store so I made do with what I had and I think it worked out pretty darn good! I give you a very simple, quick sinner that is gauranteed to please. Sauteed Veggies & Roasted Chickpeas! This took under 30 mins to make, prep and all.

Sauteed Veggies & Roasted Chickpeas!

Roasting the chickpeas is super easy and you can use whatever spices you like. I didn't measure anything so I don't have a recipe to post, but it is pretty straightforward. Preheat your oven to 425. Rinse a can of chickpeas and dry off in a tea towel. Throw beans into mixing bowl and add your favorite oil (I used sesame), give a few shakes each of turmeric, garlic salt  & garam masala. Toss the beans so they are coated easily and transfer to a baking sheet. Cook for 10 mins, remove from oven and gentlty shake pan to flip beans, making sure not to spill them on the floor. Cook for an additional 10-15 mins. That's it!

While the beans are roasting, heat some olive oil (a tsp or two) over medium heat. Chop up half an onion and two medium size carrots into small-medium pieces. The smaller the pieces, the faster they cook. Stir and cover for 5-10 minutes. Once your veggies are tender, remove from heat and add two handfuls of spinach. Cover and once the chickpeas are done roasting your spinach will be nicely wilted. Toss the veg into a bowl and sprinkle with roasted chickpeas!

Knitting & Crochetting

I am determined to learn how to knit & crochette after viewing this thread on the PPK. Last year my friend, Danielle, bought me this super rad book called Crobots!

It's been sitting on my shelf for quite some time, quietly teasing me. I think I need to learn a few basic chrochette patterns first before I attempt these. But they are so cute and the awesome scarves, socks, sweaters that PPKers have made are really inspiring me. I am not even sure where I can get synthetic wool but my guess is Walmart or Fabricland might have something. So, if there are any knitters/crochetters out there that have any tips for me, post a comment or better yet, come and teach me!!!

The good just keeps on coming...

I've noticed quite a lovely trend in the past few weeks. I have been winning a crazy amount of shitake through MoFo blogs. I guess keeping a positive outlook and taking things as they come really does pay off; not to mention entering said contests also boosted my chances. I have always been into free stuff but since MoFo I have been really on top of entering for free swag and I figured I would share all of those lovely blogs with you folks so you could not only follow them but possibly win things in the future! I am sure those having had giveaways are likely to have more and have really inspired me to do my own little giveaway soon!

Let's start with the first winning care of Alicia A Simpson and her blog Vegan Guinea Pig. I got a copy of Quick & Easy Vegan Celebrations and is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. As mentioned in a few posts before the Mac & Cheeze has been made easily 6 times since I got it. I highly suggest you pick up a copy or try Quick & Easy Comfort Food, another one of Alicia's books.

Second on the win list is a specially designed for me food care package. Thanks to Grey Eye Designs which is extra exciting for me because even though Victoria is a pretty vegan friendly city, a lot of the items are really expensive, there is no vegan gum and so many other items are not coherent to my Anti Candida Diet.

Third is a huge pile of awesome coupons from Vegannifer. This wasn't a contest but I still feel like I won something. She sent me coupons for Seventh Generation, Organic Valley, Earthy Friendly Products, Revolution Foods, Plum Organics, and CleanWell. Some of the products are not available here but there is still plenty of time to share so I will post soon what they are and if they are available in your city I will send them to you!

Fourth is an original Art Print from Boober The Fraggle. A really cool hand drawn rat mosaic style picture. I will post a pic when it arrives!

Fifth is from Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe. I will soon be the proud owner of Why Animals Matter and it's even signed by the author. Too cool!

Sixth is three e-cookbooks care of The Whole Gang. The main reason I entered this contest is for the Anti Candida e-book and was super stoked when I found out yesterday morning that I had won 1 copy of Sweet Freedom, 1 copy of Desserts without Compromise, 1 copy of Anti-Candida Feast Book from the Gluten-Free Holiday event.

So that's my loot so far, we'll see if my luck stays with me through to the new year and be sure to keep your eye out for a giveaway in early January!

Sugar Free Almond Butter Cookies

*Edited to add: I am almost tempted to call these Marzipan cookies, they have that taste to them without the salt.

I am back on the sugar free wagon! No natural sugars or artificial sweeteners other than Xylitol and Stevia. I am not a huge fan of Stevia because it has a weird aftertaste and I also find it hard to figure out the proper ratios in some recipes. If something calls for 1/2 cup of sugar, that's maybe a tsp or two of Stevia but that is a huge difference, what will it do to the texture, moistness, etc...I just recently found Xylitol at the health food store as well as the regular grocery store so I this is my first recipe with it. It looks just like sugar and has the same ratios, it's not crazy swet like Stevia so I have high hopes. I chose Almond Butter Cookies because I cannot have peanut butter due to the Candida and I am still trying to rid my body of it naturaly rather than with antibiotics. It's taking a lot longer because I had a bit of a binge the past two months. I stray easily from routine when I have no obligations which is exactly what happened recently but back to the cookies.

I seem to have misplaced my recipe holder which had a great 3 ingredient recipe for peanit butter cookies, I figured I could easily convert it but I remembered it had egg and I'm not sure how flax eggs, almond butter & Xylitol would end up as a cookie so I googled "easy peanut butter cookies vegan" and found this recipe. I`ll just sub the pb for almond butter, Xylitol for sugar and use spelt flour.

After I made the cookies I realized the recipe had no salt in it, they were very sweet. I think partly because there was no salt and the almond butter (which I subbed for pb which is much saltier); I also used was raw and naturally on the sweeter side. The second batch got a sprinkle of salt on top so they weren't so overwhelmingly sweet. I would recommend adding a tsp of salt if you make these. Other than those few hiccups I would say these are a hit!

Jump start on Resolutions! Yaaay December!

I don't know about you but I like to get a head start on my resolutions! I feel like if I get right to it in December I don't feel overwhelmed or bummed out that I haven't stuck with it come January. I am hoping, scratch that, I know 2011 is going to be way better than 2010. I had a lot of shit thrown my way and now that I look back it was a good thing. It gave me the opportunity to change a few things about where I was headed that I didn't like. Somewhere along the way, I got really lost and became a very angry, sad person which is so crazy because that is not who I am. People have always described me as fun, spontaneous, crazy, funny; that's who I want to be again. The 14 year old me ;) The one who did what I wanted and let no one stand in my way. I had ideas, most of them pretty out there but that never stopped me. This year I have a huge list of wants but I don't think that any of them are unacheivable. In fact I know they are all a lot closer than I think and I already have a few under my belt.

VOLUNTEERING being one of them. I have been volunteering at the SPCA for a month now and I absoluetly love it. I am working with the cats for now and hope that once I get my 3 month probabtionary perios under way that I can also do some dog walking and perhaps even work with the small animals (guinea pigs, bunnies, rats etc). It's pretty amazing having the opportunity to enhance the lives of these cute little furballs and of course I have a few favorites. I love going there, it gives me something to look forward to and I know that they look forward to seeing me and the other voluteers as well. I have only had a few incounters with unhappy kitties, usually when I brush them too much or try to get the mattes out but that is to be expected and certainly has not detered me from going back.

Cactus & Shelbey

Oliver, lounging outside

COUNSELLING is another thing new to me and I love it! I was lucky enough to have an amazing friend refer me to this woman who has been the best thing (next to Vince) for me through all of this.  If you know me that I don't need to indulge or complain about all the crap I have endured. It has been a long time coming and I have known for a while that I needed to talk to someone knowledgable about what was going on with me but I have seen so many therapists/counsellors in my time that I just didn't mesh with, I was really nervous to give in another shot. It's awesome how much better I feel after just an hour a week with this woman. She has changed my life and given me so many tools to work towards my goal. As I write this I have a huge grin on my face and am laughing a little about be being such a "princess".

SCHOOL is number two on my list. I start in January, just doing some part time upgrading which is a great start that only took me 10 (yikes) years to get to the point where I felt comfortable and ready to go back. Math has always been fairly easy for me so I am not too worried but Englsh on the onther hand...frightening! I'm not terrible or anything but I am not good at writing essays or poetry and things. It will be good though, a chance for me to exercise my brain after so long. I need that. Then I can finally start to pursue my dreams of having a job that I love! Leaning towards working with animals (veterinary assistant or receptionist) or making even working with Mental Health & Addictions. Who knows where my school days will lead me but I know it is a good step!

I hope I look this good doing Math

Add caption

So those are the two I have my head start on, now for the rest of my list :)

• Exercise & Nutrition- I want to start walking again and  get back to my Anti Candida Diet
• Positive Outlook- I really need to be more aware of my attitude and I really don't like being a negative nancy
• Less Stress- This one goes hand in hand with the previous two as well as my counselling, I need to stop worrying about things out of my control and maybe if I am ucky my headaches will go away as a result.

I have more that I can't seem to think of right now but enough about me, I hope I inspire others to pre-resolute and get that little jump start so when January rolls around you've got it all under control.

MoFo is Over :( But that doesn't mean the fun has to stop

December is here already and MoFo is over. Although I didn't blog everyday, I still think I did a great job for my first year. I posted more in the last month than I have in the lasy year. It was a lot of fun and I had no idea of how much work it would be but that aside I did enjoy sharing recipes, seeing new followers (still baffled by that one) and reading other's blogs. Next year I plan on being a little more organized, pre writing a few posts, stockpiling pictures and doing some giveaways. In fact, I may do one before the year is over granted that I can pull it off (don't hold your breath though).

I want to thank everyone that took the time to read my posts and those who commented as well. It means a lot that you guys actually enjoy what I have to say and like the recipes I have to share.

I hope to continue posting consistently throughout the new year and look forward to more feedback from you guys. Also, feel free to join my facebook fanpage for the blog, just click HERE!

Thanks again to all my readers, see you again soon!

Mofo Day 28! Thanksgiving Spread, Breakfast & Office Xmas Party Dinner!

Vince and I got up super early to have breakfast with our friends before they headed home to LA and Saskatoon. It was so nice to finally meet Asheligh after all the amazing things we had heard about her. Never have I met such a fun, sweet, honest, charming gal. I really liked her and she seems like a great match for our friend Dan. In the 5 years that I have known him, I have never seen him like this about a girl; totally smitten and real. It makes me so happy to see other people enjoying what Vince and I have; true love. Awwww, ok you can all quietly throw up in your mouths now while I get to the real goods. The Food.

I am going to back track a bit here because I realized I haven't yet posted our Thanksgiving feast! Well, it's actually just a realy crappy, dimly lit photo of my plate because I was  the only one enjoying a cruelty free me. Let me tell yo, it was flippin' amazing. I out did myself, the seitan was to die for, the onion gravy was super delicious, the stuffing rocked and the roasted squash & rutabaga were seasoned to perfection. You know, not to toot my own horn or anything but I follow directions beautifully. I honsetly cannot take full credit for the meal since most of my recipes were found online, well I guess it was really only two, the seitan and the onion gravy  (scroll down to Angie V's post). The stuffing I made a while ago and had it frozen in the freezer so I just thawed it for a bit, then cooked it for 30 mins with the seitan and the veggies were super easy, cubed them into 1 inch peices, tossed in some garam masala, garlic salt, extra cinnamon, ground ginger and olive oil and baked for 60 mins. Over all it was a pretty simple dinner but it really hit the spot and I cannot wait until morning because Kelly and I are totally making this for breakfast, smothered in gravy.

Turkeyless Thanksgiving Dinner!

Ok now back to our breakfast with Dan, Asheligh, Dave, Marijane, Myself and Vince. Shine cafe has always had a vegan option but they had changed their menu since I was there last. It was so much better, more to choose from and they all sounded fantastic. I had the Bean&Rice "sausage", sauteed spinach and garlic, sweet chili sesame tofu and hashbrowns. All of the flavours went so well together and aside from the sweet chili sauce it was totally candida friendly; yay! I am trying to get back to my diet since my body is ever so grateful when I follow it.

Shine Cafe; Karin's Brunch

Now for my office Christmas party dinner which we had at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort. I was kind of dreading going since I haven't been at work in 2.5 months and was really nervous to see everyone. I was also nervous to have to ask for my own special food even though my boss told me ahead of time it would be no problem for me to do so, I just get anxious about silly little things like that. Anyways, I decided to call ahead of time and notify the banquet staff that I would require a seperate meal. I explained to them that I was vegan, have some food allergies and other than that I am really not picky so whatever they could come up with, I would be alright with that.

I was pleasantly surprised with what I was served, it far exceeded my expectations. I thought I would end up with a salad or steamed vegetables. The rest of the party was buffet style so as everyone got up to get their food, I sat and waited for mine to be served to me. Kind of awesome, really. When the waitress came out with a tiny ass salad I had a moment of panic...in my head I am thinking "Are they for real, this is all they are going to serve me" (I have learned to not expect much in these types of situations) but as she set the plate in front of me I heard her say "Here is your appetizer, let me know when you are ready for the main dish". I squeeled inside a little.

Springs Green salad atop golden beets with a lemon, olive oil drizzle

I wanted more of that salad. It was so delicious and I could have eaten 3 or more platefuls. Onto my main dish, as I saw it coming all I could see was a bowl full of what looked like peas and was a little worried. I am not a huge fan of peas but they were sweet peas which I do quite enjoy. The dish had a lot of flavour and was very creamy, I was a tad frightened by that thinking maybe they had put butter or something in it but I think risotto is just like that naturally? At least I am hoping so. ;)

Sweet Pea Risotto garnished with Pea Shoots

Last but not least is my dessert plate. The one thing I forgot to mention on the phone was that I couldn't have any type of sugar, even natural sugars but I didn't want to say anything when they set the plate infront of me filled with fruit. The staff there were amazing, they did everything they could to ensure I enjoyed myself and had plenty to eat. I am so thankful that I was able to eat alongside everyone else and not feel the the weird girl who just drank tea all night ;) Even though I wasn't supposed to have fruit, I did anyway. I have been pretty bad at following my diet lately and figured some fresh fruit wouldn't kill me and I have missed it dearly.

Fruit plate with raspberry puree

There you have it, all this delicious food went in my mouth over that past 2 days. The best part is I only cooked one of the meals. One of my favorite things is when I don't have to cook for myself, I love making food but I hate cleaning up. The other day Vince asked me if I was super rich would I love to have a personal chef? While it does sound tempting, I would much prefer a personal assistant or dishwasher.

With only two more days of MoFo left, I am getting a mild sense of relief but also a wee bit sad. I have quite enjoyed blogging almost daily, acquiring more followers and reading so many other awesome vegan blogs. I even found another vegan blog in my city MyWholeDeal, so I thought that was pretty neat.