Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Sugar Free Bread

I have decided to start seeing a naturopath for my IBD condition where the specialists have been trying me on drugs I don't want any part of and say my next options are even stronger drugs or surgery and he said no but what he doesn't know is my answer would have been no also, that is only last resort options to me and I am no where near there.  So the naturopath has me on a 3 week elimination diet where you are stripped of many food groups, including gluten, dairy, sugar free, wheat and for me red meat ,potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, certain fruit, no liquior, 1 coffee a day (all of which cause inflammation). But I am very focused when I am given a task and I will give this 100 %.  So in the last 3 weeks the only problem was finding a bread that had minus everything she wanted so after a couple weeks there was one my daughter found on pinterest and of course I tweeked it to what I had in the house, where having IBD having raw salads are a big no no also, it is hard to find something to keep you full a little longer.  So here is my recipe for the bread and only mixing in a bowl required, which I am happy with.  Of course it is a little dry, but what gluten free bread isn't, right.  I toast it and put organic peanut butter on it and I am a happy girl :) , so here goes:

1/2 cup gluten free flour (I used 2 c rice flour)

1/2 cup sorghum flour or extra 1/2 cup gluten free. But I substituted both for the rice.

1 tsp xanthan gum (I used maple syrup)

1/4 cup ground flax

5 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp sea salt

5 eggs

1/3 cup coconut oil - melted

1/2 cup water

2 tsps. apple cider vinegar

 

Oven 350 degrees

Whisk flour(s), gum, flax, baking powder, soda & salt.  Set aside.

In another bowl beat eggs & add melted coconut oil, water and vinegar.

Beat well

add dry ingredients, mix well. Pour batter in greased loaf pan.

Makes 1 loaf.

Cook 35 - 40 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean (mine was 40 mins)

Once cool keep in the refridgerator and enjoy.

 

 Easy mixing

Easy baking

 

I had to take my rubber utensil and gently get the sides lose then came out easy. Easy peasy I say, enjoy.



Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

We decided to take a drive to Yarmouth.  It is in Western Nova Scotia, and since they have taken the ferry away that travels from Yarmouth to Portland and Bar Harbour I think it has hurt the town. There is a lighthouse there that I was interested in visiting so we took the over 2 hr drive.  We started at a Restaurant called the Rudder. A very nice place overlooking the water. It is a restaurant and pub and they brew their own beer on site. I was on a strict diet plan so I couldn't be a good judge on food, but my husband said he really liked the fish, only lightly coated so you get more of the fish.  So if you are there give it a try, so here goes:

Nice rustic atmosphere, comfy, can eat inside or out on the patio.

 

Overlooking the harbor.

It was such a foggy day, as we get a lot of fog along our coast line. I could hear the birds making lots of noise so I had to zoom in and pray something came out, this is a little piece of land in the water.

 

Our next stop was a Cape Forchu Lightstation, it is only a 10 minute drive from Yarmouth.

 

The lighthouse is sitting on top of volcanic rock that was formed many many years ago.

Some of the volcanic rock.

A very nice place to visit, very well kept, a must see if you are in the area.

 

 

The 81st Apple Blossom Festival

It is the 81st Festival, and there are many, many activities a person can take part in. For example even before the weekend they have the many princess teas to take part in.  When our daughter was Princess Wolfville we had the opportunity to be part of this and it was so much fun. They go on to the Ceremony in picking a Queen.  This year Princess New Minas, Michelle Saade, got Queen. There has only been 2 other Queens picked from New Minas in the festival history.  The girls are no stop busy the entire time and after the festival. Then there is many events the whole time, like the fair comes to town, concerts, special appearances, fireworks, childrens parade, grand street parade, duck races. And of course you are in Nova Scotia so there is also beer gardens, wine tours, and that is just to name a few.  This year the weather was perfect to show off our beautiful Valley. Our Festival is making a big name for itself.  For example an estimated 80,000 people attended the Grand Street parade alone. 1500 people attended the Valleys Got Talent. 410 people attended the Coronation Ceremony.  The fireworks drew approximately 18,000 people! The Childrens parade had 850 entries, while the Grand Street parade had 110.  So there is no doubt people went away happy. For us we chose to go to the Grand Street Parade and can share a couple pictures of that.  So here goes:

This is our new Queen Annapolisa LXXXl Michelle Saade, New Minas.

Our RCMP make an awesome appearance.

The Princess floats were awesome this year!

Another Valley Princess

Princess Kentville

I believe this is Coldbrook

Winsdor had a beautiful float, and their Princess was Lady in Waiting, Candace Kimball.

And our hometown Wolfville float.

The Knot, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

Well summer is almost here, and a few road trips are in the air.  I can wait to get to the ocean as soon as it warms up enough to enjoy.  So we had our second road trip, and this time decided to go to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.  With stops in Mahone Bay and Chester.  I was told of a little restaurant in Lunenburg that I must eat at, and of course being the fish and chip girl, I am ready to try some new places and give my recommendation, gladly :).  So we ate at a little pub in Lunenburg called "The Knot". I have never heard of it and have drove by it many times on the drive into Lunenburg.  It isn't hidden or anything, but it is before you enter the main streets and is totally unnoticeable, but this time knowing what street name to look for, it was a piece of cake to find.  So looking on the outside I was skeptic and if I wasn't told by a reliable source I wouldn't have went in.  But was pleasantly surprised when I did.  The staff were friendly, the place was clean, and the food was quick and the price was amazing and good.  So I will give it a check mark for places to go.

 

As I said, Don't judge a book by its cover. My price was $6.50 for a 1 piece fish and chips, and that is the best price in Nova Scotia that I have found so far, and my plate was full, and home cut fries.  I have a picture of it and am having difficulty getting it on. My husbands order was 2 piece for $10.00. Gotta love it!

 

This is also another place we have eaten, it is located right on the waterfront. and it is a very nice restaurant, you can either eat inside or outside. Prices may be higher but the food is good.

 

I am sure anyone who has been to Lunenburg has seen these beautiful red buildings, where there is a restaurant, museum, gift shop.

 

This isn't the real Bluenose, but I liked it.

 

Here is another place we have ate at.  And it was very good also.

 

 

So for anyone visiting Nova Scotia, Lunenburg is a must see.

 

 

 

 

 



Awesome Homemade Cornbread

I was given this recipe from a friend and it is the best. So I had to make it this week.  Problem is I ate most of it myself!  But I tweaked it as usual with the ingredients I had on hand, but it was still good!  So here goes:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 c. sugar (I used splenda)

1/2 c. yellow cornmeal

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2/3 c. plain low fat yogurt (I only had vanilla)

1/4 c. melted butter

3 tbsp. milk

1 large egg

2 tbsp. fruit sugar (I didn't have)

 

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cup & level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar, cornmeal, baking powder & salt in a bowl stirring with a whisk. Make a well I the centre. Combine yogurt, melted butter, milk and egg, stirring with a whisk; add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Place 12 muffin cup liners in muffin cups. Divide batter evenly among cups. Sprinkle batter evenly with fruit sugar, if desired. Bake at 375 F. for 20 mins. Cool on a wire rack.

I used a small loaf tin and cooked for 24 mins. Or until toothpick comes out clean. Also recipe can be multiplied up to four times. This was as good as any cornbread I have had at a restaurant. Good luck and enjoy!

 

Add dry ingredients together.

 

The egg, yogurt, milk & egg

 

Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Whisk together.

 

Put in loaf pan.

 

All done.

 

Problem, one piece is never enough.

 



Crockpot Fish Chowder

I decided to make something out of the fish I had on had this week so this is what I came up with.  Next time for sure I would add more potatoes & carrots and cut my fish in bigger size pieces.  But like with each recipe you learn from it and do different next time.  It had an awesome flavor, especially the next day.  So here goes:

Remember I tweet a lot and make things my own, so I will give you the original along with my own.

4 slices of bacon

1 onion

2 cloves of garlic

6 cups of chicken broth ( I used 4 cups and 2 cups of water)

1 cup of corn (I didn't have so I used peas)

2 large potatoes (I used 5 medium, and I could have used more)

celery (I didn't have)

2 large carrots ( I used 4)

pepper

1 cup scallops

1 cup uncooked med shrimp (I didn't have shrimp, so I used haddock)

1 can of can milk

I added 1 can of boneless skinless salmon.

 

Cook bacon, drain excess grease. Cook & stir onion and garlic into bacon until tender.

Pour chicken stock into slow cooker. Mix corn, potatoes, celery & carrots into stock.

Season with Pepper & red pepper flakes. (I used S&P)

Cook on high for 3 hours

The next part I precooked a little in my fry pan. I put a little oil in pan and added scallops, haddock and can of salmon (or used fresh)

Add to vegetables. Cook 1 more hour.

Add a can of evaporated milk and heat through and serve.

Oh yum.

 

Adding the potatoes to the broth.

 

I love my new Rachael Ray fry pan my family gave me :)

 

I used the fish I had on hand, you can use whatever you like.

 

Looking good!

 

Auh, supper. Along with my homemade cornbread which I will share also!

 



Sunset Time

I probably have a hundred sunset photos.  To some it may be boring, but to me it is fascinating.  The sky has so much beauty and mystery, so much to take in and explore.  We are finally having nice spring temperatures, the grass is now green, the spring flowers have all awakened.  My tulips are almost ready to bloom. Love all of the new growth and rebirth.  The sun sets this week have been very beautiful, so I will share one with you all.

The fun part is, that it keep changing colors (the sky) as the sun disappears.

Same trees, same yard, just different sunset.

 And it disappears pretty quickly.

There is just something about it.

Down she goes.

Another one done, can't wait to see tomorrow nights!

Pudding Poke Cake

I haven't been blogging in awhile, so I thought I would get a couple of my recent recipes put on.  It's great when you try new recipes and they actually turn out good!  So here goes:

You will need a box of yellow cake mix
a few Nilla cookies
2 boxes of pudding of your choice, I chose chocolate,
mixed with 4 cups of milk
One container of cool whip (I picked low fat)

Bake the cake as instructions call for.
Cool just a few minutes and take a wooden spoon and poke your holes, (this is the fun part haha)

Take your 2 pkgs of pudding whisk with 4 cups of milk.  I found if you whip to long it gets thick, you don't want that, so just mix until they are combined.  I had to add more milk to make mine thinner.

Looks a little thick, but maybe the heat from the cake made it go in the holes nicely.

By this time it has cooled enough to put your whip cream on top.

Put some Nilla cookies in a baggie and crush with a rolling pin.

Add them to the cake.

I don't like rich desserts so this was a "PASS" It is light and fluffy with low fat ingredients to boot.  Got to Love It.