Getting into the Bubbly...............

Some of my "bubbly" experiments.
 Some water kefir and lacto-fermented vegetables.
Going to need more counter space.......

Nope. Not what you think. 

I still don't drink. Sorry Parkland ladies. Fun Bobby Chanty is still in hibernation.

But I have been making my own bubbly...........WATER KEFIR.

Completely addicted. In love. Enamored. 

Haven't had this much fun in the kitchen since I discovered Chia seeds.  Look it how it bubbles........I made that.........so fun!!!

Most of you don't know what the hell I'm talking about. Don't feel bad - my spell check doesn't even recognize the word. Well, here is the official definition:

1. Water Kefir (pronounced keh-FEER) is not as well known as milk kefir. But it is the same concept - symbiotic grains of bacteria and yeast that ferment a specific liquid - in this case, a sugar-water-fruit liquid. It produces a mild, light and refreshing, slightly carbonated beverage.

Basically, you feed sugar water to "water kefir grains" and it turns it into a slightly sweet, mildly carbonated beverage that is FULL OF PRO-BIOTICS. You drain off the fermented kefir water after 24 - 48 hours (drink it or use it for a second ferment), add more sugar water to the grains and you just keep going. You can flavor/feed it with different fruits, dried fruits, extracts, etc. Dozens of flavor combinations. 

I got me some water kefir grains from a trusted local source. Kijiji, of course. She is actually a legit business person with a pretty robust website so it's all good. Hubby was pretty skeptical. I was pretty desperate to get my hands on some.

Why the desperation you ask? 

Well, two things really:

1) I had been experiencing a pretty bad IBS-c flare up over the winter. Unfortunately, it escalated over the Easter weekend into a full fledged fibromyalgia attack/food flu/severe sickness. Call it what you like. It was bad enough that I had been dealing with severe digestive upset but then I got slammed with full body aches and pains, severe brain fog and extreme fatigue. No - it wasn't the flu. And it happened more than once this winter. Frankly it scared the shit out of me. I know digestive issues are just the first step down the slippery slope to auto-immune disease........and;

2) I got some blood work back for all three of my rug rats. All three have "nutritional deficiencies". Various states of low iron and B12, among some other unusual things. I know their guts aren't working properly. We also went through some dietary changes with our 2 year old over the winter after he started behaving like a raging lunatic most of the time. Plus he was having weird facial rashes. We stopped feeding him eggs and, go figure, he's really only a lunatic some of the time. But I suspect the fact that we were feeding him a diet of almost exclusively eggs (dumb in hindsight - I know) has done some serious damage to his system. 

Needless to say, I believe that we all need some gut healing to take place.  Things just aren't quite working properly for any of us - even on a gluten (grain for me) and dairy free diet. A low sugar diet made up primarily of whole foods. 

How can I be working this hard at it and still not seeing results? Grrrr. Frustrating.

Had a small pity party and then got serious about figuring this shit (no pun intended) out.  

I took out a small truckload of books from the library (only a couple shown - Thank you City of Winnipeg), spent many, many (many) hours scouring the internet and am in the process of coming up with a new game plan.  A plan that includes lots of cultured/fermented foods full of natural probiotics.  A game plan that requires me to learn how to make lots of cultured/fermented foods full of natural probiotics. 

It is so easy to order (hold) books from the library. They also have lots of digital version available if that's your thing. What a great way to do some research!

Bring. It. On. I'm jazzed. Pumped. Can't wait to tackle this next kitchen adventure. Fuck you IBS. You're not going to win. Sorry - I rarely swear but I'm fired up.

So expect to see some new recipes and experiments coming your way!

And for the record. I'm currently trying the FODMAP diet that is specifically for IBS sufferers. It calmed my stomach down pretty much immediately (about 2 days after starting it). Just throwing out there if someone else is confused on what to do next. I don't think it's a long-term solution but its giving me the relief I need to get feeling good enough to tackle this next chapter of my gut healing journey.

Stay tuned. 

My experiments at the Gym - Focusing on Gaining Muscle not Losing Weight

Hello Everyone,
Sorry I have sort of disappeared for a while. We have just been very active with hockey, dance, swim..........And I have been on a bit of a spring cleaning binge. So I rarely get to the computer and I haven't been doing much experimenting in the kitchen with recipes.

Instead I have been experimenting in the gym. I'm on a bit of a roll with my work-outs. I'm up to about 5 work-outs a week, and sometimes I actually have to force myself to take a rest day because I know I need them but I don't really wanna.

I'm not saying this to brag. Exercising is just a habit. When you're out of the habit - its brutal and it sucks. When you're in the habit - its pretty easy. I'm in the habit today. Friday March 20th, 2015. Life could throw me a curve ball any day and that might no longer be possible so I'm just enjoying it.

I feel really fit and energetic. I feel good. I'm a slave to my grain and dairy-free diet, sleep rules, hormones and supplements but generally I feel really good so its worth it.

But. There's always a butt (a slightly jiggly one as the case may be).

Even with working out 5 days a week and eating my grain-free, dairy-free, low sugar diet I started gaining some weight. Not lots of weight. Just five pounds in all the wrong places so my clothes were starting to feel tight and things were starting to look mighty jiggly.

I'm not looking for sympathy. This may annoy the hell out of people who need/want to lose a lot of weight but I'm just telling my story so chill. And keep in mind that I had already gained 15 pounds (in about 6 months) post breast-feeding so I'm not trying to be super skinny - just the right weight for me. The weight where I feel best without depriving myself.

I wasn't freaking out or anything. I have a pretty comfortable relationship with my body. Its not perfect but I'm pretty impressed with all the crazy shit it can still do. Make babies. Do headstands. Dance like its nobodies business.

But I did decide it was time to look at what I was doing and how it was possible that I was gaining weight (and no, it wasn't all muscle) when I'm the picture of a clean-eating fitness princess from the outside looking in.

Well, I have a few secrets.

1) My "low-sugar" diet isn't always that low sugar. I have a sweet tooth that won't quit. I don't eat "unrefined white sugar", but let me tell you, there are lots of ways to let sugar sneak its way back into your life disguised as clean-eating. Paleo pancakes with syrup anyone. Grapes (did you know they are addicting). Dark Chocolate (my nemesis - sorry for saying that - I really do love you chocolate);
2) I have a huge appetite. Huge. Always. Hungry. Plus I love food. My husband is almost twice my size and most days I eat more than him. Enough said. I eat a lot of calories in a day. Everyday. Lots. You would probably be shocked, maybe disgusted, if  you spent an entire day with me;
3) I hate cardio. Hate it. Actually not a secret. I was bragging about my new-found love of yoga and hatred for running a while back. Well, I was getting to the point where I was almost exclusively doing yoga and no cardio or weight training;
4) When you give up grains its hard to find snacks. So I was eating a shit-load of nuts. Fatty. delicious. High calorie nuts.

Well, after lots of reading and a hard look at my diet and exercise plan I realized that obviously doing yoga 5 days a week was making me super stretchy and I was learning lots of neat tricks...........but my line-backer diet and lack of cardio and weights was not giving me the body I wanted. Yeah, I looked fine. But I didn't want to replace my entire wardrobe for 5 pounds. And I like to train with a goal.

So after all my reading (really love the Eat to Perform Facebook page and articles) what did I conclude:

1) Although its okay to eat lots of calories (its actually really bad to under-eat if you are active) - my diet was a little too heavy on calories from sugar and fat and not enough from protein.............and I CAN'T BELIEVE I'm saying this but not enough carbohydrates.  I wasn't feeding my workouts with carbs for energy or protein so that I could actually maintain/build muscle;
2) I didn't/don't need to lose weight. I just want to lose some fat and gain some muscle;
3) Muscle burns lots of calories (and looks damn hot) so if I'm going to eat like a 250 pound football player I'd sure as hell better build some muscle to torch some of those calories;
4) You will only build muscle by lifting heavy things while feeding your body the right macro-nutrients and calories; and
5) Its okay to hate cardio. Its not a necessity.

Enter the "8-week challenge". I'm on week three. And I feel great. Here is what I decided to do for eight weeks:

1) Don't worry about restricting calories but get lots of protein at the right times.  I don't track my food (tried for a day - too much bloody work) but just try to a) get some carbs before a work-out for energy and enough protein after a work-out for muscle recovery, and b) get enough protein throughout the day (I have a rough idea of what it should be but I don't track it or over-think it - I just make sure I have protein with each meal and snack);
2) Cut out sugar (pretty much, almost). Now I can say I'm on a low sugar diet. Not no-sugar. Just low-sugar. Wow. Do I ever feel better. Energy levels are WAY more stable. Moods are better. but for the record, the CRAVINGS DO NOT GO AWAY. Yes - they are less intense. But they are still there;
3) Take it easy on the nuts. Eat them, just don't go nuts on them. LOL.
4) Lift HEAVY weights twice a week;
5) Do high intensity intervals (with or without weights) at least once per week.

So this is what I'm experimenting with. I'm in week three and my clothes feel loser around the waist. Yay - I hated that feeling of flab spilling over the top of my jeans.  I'm never hungry, well, I'm always hungry but I'm never hungrier than usual. I'm already starting to feel stronger - I'm lifting heavier weights all the time- its actually pretty fun.

And this morning my girls were looking at my scrawny arms and said "Mommy you don't have much muscle". Point taken - I have long spindly arms. So naturally, I pulled off my shirt and flexed my back for them. Their eyes went big and one of them said "You look like a man". LOL. I think its working.

So that's my update. I'll let you know how my experiment goes...............is this the end of my love affair with yoga? Can you eat a shit-load of food and still lose fat if you focus on gaining muscle? Can you really forgo steady state cardio and look your best?

I guess only time (and willpower) will tell.

Why I had to give up Coffee........and Decaf..............and Dandy Blend. Sigh.

The answer to my coffee-free existence. Maybe not.

There is nothing better than that first taste, sip, gulp of coffee in the morning.

That is unless it causes severe insomnia (which over time results in moodiness, weight gain, frustration and exhaustion - to name a few things).

Good thing there is decaffeinated coffee for us poor souls.

Nope. Actually, that's not the answer. Even decaffeinated coffee F's up my sleep.  Seriously. I know some people reading this think I'm crazy or its all in my head. Its not. I started drinking decaf again in November. OH DID I ENJOY IT. But after not having one proper sleep in two months I had to look really hard at what had changed. I tried to blame the stress of Christmas (it really was a crazy December) and work and general busy-ness. But no. It was the darn decaf.

I knew it. Deep down I knew it. But I kept putting it off. Looking for other excuses. I wanted to keep drinking it so bad.

But I finally admitted to myself that I can't even handle decaf. BIG. HUGE. SIGH.

I really am a delicate creature. A delicate creature that started sleeping again in the New "coffee and decaf free" year.

But I wasn't ready to give up my morning shot of happiness. So I went on a hunt for an alternative. I scoured the Internet and found Dandy Blend. Yay - they sell it in Winnipeg (at Hollow Reed on Corydon). My prayers had been answered.

Daddy blend is a mix of dandelion, chicory and beet roots, and barley and rye grains - are all health-promoting foods respected throughout the world. Its full of minerals, tastes great, gluten-free, etc. etc. etc. You get the picture - this stuff is the bomb.  I couldn't find one issue with it (and I read a million reviews). All the granola cruncher, health-food junkies are loving this stuff.

And WOW was I loving this stuff. I was making myself amazing "lattes" with cinnamon, stevia, vanilla and almond milk. Life was good.

Except, there was trouble in paradise.

I was noticing that I was feeling pretty bloated. After a couple days I tried blaming it on my diet.......had to be something I ate. I wasn't about to give up my beloved lattes........again.

But after a week, my stomach was actually sticking out so far I looked about 4 months pregnant. And I was EXTREMELY uncomfortable.

Again, I did a check-in and had a long talk with myself.

Time to face facts Mama C - Dandy Blend does not agree with you. It seems to agree with EVERY OTHER bloody person that tries it. But not me.

I'm pretty sure its the chicory root (I've reacted to it before).

So I've gone back to water and herbal teas. And I'm surviving. After a week of withdrawal I no longer stand over my husbands coffee doing deep breathing to try and soak up the sunshine.

Some people think my dietary troubles are all in my head. Some people probably think I have orthorexia (an unhealthy obsession with healthy food). But I have to live in this body. And if giving up coffee and decaf and bloody Dandy Blend makes me feel better then that is what I'll do. And trust me, if I have an unhealthy obsession with anything its good tasting food. So I wouldn't be giving up anything if I didn't have to. 

So if we go out for dinner and I just drink water and eat a seemingly boring and healthy meal, don't be annoyed. I'm not doing it to make you feel bad about your food and beverage choices. I'm doing it so I can feel my best - and that isn't as easy for us delicate-digestive-challenged flowers.



















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Magic Pina Colada Tofu Slice - Raw, Vegan and Grain Free

I sprinkled some candied coconut on top. Oh. Yeah!

I had to put "magic" in the name of this recipe because I am still amazed by how tofu can be made to replace "cheese" in recipes. And its super low calorie (if you care). Before I had to give up dairy, cheesecake was one of my all-time favorite desserts. So I missed cheesecake. And I wanted a Pina Colada slice at Christmas-time. I had originally also given up soy. But I find that I can handle it in moderation and I stick with the organic, Non-GMO variety. For this dessert you need to buy the Silken tofu (I used firm which they were selling at Costco - not sure if its still there but you can get it at any grocery store). 

Anyway, I got my Pina Colada slice. Did. I. Ever. I made it three times in December. 

This recipe is super simple. The hardest part is letting it sit in the fridge for long enough to completely cool and set. And its actually got a fair bit of protein............so it makes a pretty good afternoon snack too. I think you could easily convince yourself to eat it for breakfast. Not that I would ever do that;)

Pina Colada Slice - Raw Vegan and Grain free Pineapple tofu Magic

by MamaChanty

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0

Keywords: raw dessert candida-diet friendly low-carb vegan gluten-free coconut silkken tofu pineapple

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Ingredients (8 x 8 pan)

Crust/Base

• 1 Tbsp Truvia or sweetener of choice
• 1/4 cup oil (I actually used 2 Tbsp coconut oil and 2 Tbsp Earth Balance)
• 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (ground in coffee grinder)
• 1/4 cup almond flour (or almond meal)
• 2 Tbsp ground golden flax
• 2 Tbsp arrowroot starch
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• pinch fine sea salt

"Cheesecake" Layer

• 1 package firm Silken tofu
• 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp Truvia or sweetener of choice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tin (14 oz) crushed pineapple, in juice
• 2 Tbsp organic gelatin
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

To make the base, combine all ingredients together. Mix until fully blended. Pack down into an 8 x 8 pan. I use a piece of parchment and the palm of my hand to pack it down rather than trying to do it with a spoon.

For the creamy layer/topping. Blend the Silken tofu first until it is creamy and smooth.

Drain the juice from the crushed pineapple into a saucepan. Heat the juice over medium heat until just boiling. Turn off heat. Sprinkle with gelatin and let sit for one minute. Use a whisk and vigorously whisk the mixture until all the gelatin has dissolved. Add tofu, coconut, honey, Truvia, and drained crushed pineapple. Thoroughly mix together.

Pour the creamy topping onto the base.

Refrigerate overnight or for at least 8 hours before serving to ensure it is fully set. That's the tough part.

Keep refrigerated until serving.

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FItness Friday - Fun for the Whole Family

She is obsessed with going this one now..........................

Some of you might know that I'm going through a bit of a YOGA phase. Addicted.

I have an intense personality. And I constantly need new interests and challenges.

So although I am LOVING yoga so much that I wanna swear this is it. I found my exercise soul-mate. I'm done searching. This. Is. It.

I really don't know. I kind of felt that way about Zumba two years ago. And then biking. And then HIIT. And now yoga. But damn do I love it. Really really love it.

I guess the point is that you need to keep searching for things you love doing to keep exercise a mainstay in your life. Don't try to force yourself to do something you no longer enjoy. Don't feel bad when you walk away from an activity. As long as you are walking towards something else. And there are so many things out there to try. Oh - if only I had more time.

Although I am LOVING my yoga classes (I do all kinds from restorative/gentle to Ashtanga/Vinyasa Flow/Power), I guess I started to get a bit itchy to try something new.

So yesterday I went completely out of my comfort zone and dropped in for an AcroYoga class.............OH. WHAT. FUN. Taking turns flying and being flown in the air by complete strangers. What an experience. Bucket list - check!

And tonight the kids and I did AcroYoga all night. Now my 5-year-old is completely addicted too. Her last words before bedtime were "Please mama, one more yoga".

So I'm challenging all of you, if you are bored with your usual routine or just don't have a routine, go find something fun to do.

I need someone to do this with me............hubby is athletically gifted by flexibility challenged. 

Now I have a partner to help me work on my scorpion. Much better company than the wall.

A family affair. Still need to figure out how the little one can get involved in this pose. So far he just likes to stomp or sit on my face. 

Resolutions for a New Year - Eat LOTS of Vegan Gluten-free Queso Cheese Dip - Because It's Awesome

This is my New Year's gift to you. A really EASY recipe for a dip that will make you forget you had to give up dairy. According to friends at work, "soaking cashews" doesn't qualify as easy, but they have obviously not given up major food groups and/or processed foods. This is relatively simple for those of us that are used to cooking from scratch and know how to boil water. I got quite a laugh out of that conversation as I sometimes forget that the average person eats a ton of pre-packed/prepared foods. It's all relative and for me this is relatively simple. 

I am so excited about this recipe. I've made it three times in two weeks and I'm making it again tomorrow. Its great with gluten free chips. And I used it to make nacho super fries. French fries smothered in nacho cheese and salsa............something I haven't had in almost three years. And it was damn good.  I can't wait to try this in all kinds of recipes.....watch out 2015. 

I was going to do a big New Years post on all my goals for 2015, my reflections on 2014, blah, blah, blah. But you know what, I've got a great recipe to share so I'm just going to send out a challenge instead..................soak some cashews and make this dip to celebrate the new year! 

And I left you a little motivation/tip just for fun! 

Happy New Year! Bring it on 2015!

Vegan Mexican Queso Cheese Dip

by MamaChanty

Prep Time: 10 minutes + 1 hour to soak ca

Cook Time: 1-2 minutes

Keywords: blender saute appetizer vegan gluten-free nutritional yeast cashews green chili

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Ingredients (serves a crowd)

• 1 cup raw soaked cashews
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other non-dairy milk substitute)
• 1/2 Tbsp arrowroot starch - optional
• 1 1/2 Tbsp taco seasoning (I used homemade so low salt)
• 3 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• 1 Tbsp Earth Balance (or other non-dairy butter replacement)
• 1/4 cup onion finely diced (I used red onion)
• 1/4 cup pepper finely diced (I used orange)
• 1 large clove garlic - finely minced
• 1 Tbsp fresh Cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 1 can mild green chili's

Instructions

You can either soak the cashews for 4 hours in cold water or speed things up (if you are impatient like me) and soak them for 1 hour in boiling water. Drain.

Add almond milk, nutritional yeast, starch and taco seasoning to cashews.

Blend in blender or food processor until full pureed and smooth. I was able to do this using my Magic Bullet.

In a frying plan, melt Earth Balance over low/medium heat. Add onions, peppers and garlic. Saute until vegetables are softened. This will just take a few minutes. Add sauteed vegetables, can of green chili's and Cilantro to pureed cashew mixture. Mix by hand until fully combined.

You can refrigerate mixture at this point. When you are ready to serve, warm up in microwave for 1 - 2 minutes - stopping to stir every minute.

Serve with gluten free taco's or crackers. You can top the dip with diced tomatoes, green onion or additional Cilantro if you want to jazz it up.

Enjoy.

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Merry Christmas and a Little Vegan Gluten free ginger bread man.........

Hello Everyone!!!
Just wanting to send out a big, huge, gingery Merry Christmas to you.

I am finally finding some time to "slow" down. Okay - kind of impossible with three kids but spending some time at home at least.

We've got one sick kid but we still managed to get them all helping with baking some cookies. I originally posted this recipe last year. I decided to dust it off and try it again.........still works. My 7 year old still loves them "Mommy this is the best batter ever....even better than cupcake batter". And she knows her batter.

I added an extra tablespoon of maple sugar this time. They are still not super sweet but they did the trick for my kids. If you want more sweetness - go for it. Or add some sugary toppings.

December was trying to do me in but I survived and now I'm ready to catch my breathe. 

I hope this finds you all well. Take some time for yourself. Slow down. Breathe. 

And eat a cookie..........................Merry Christmas!

Vegan Gluten Free Ginger Bread People or Cookies

by MamaChanty

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Keywords: bake dessert gluten-free vegan almond flour coconut flour gluten-free flour

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Ingredients (18 - 24 cookies)

• 1 Tbsp ground chia seeds
• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/4 cup organic coconut flour
• 2 Tbsp Almond flour or Almond meal (I just grind blanch slivered almonds in my coffee grinder)
• 1/2 cup All purpose Gluten Free Flour (I used Cloud 9 brand from Costco)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• pinch fine sea salt
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 Tbsp molasses (I used Blackstrap)
• 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup

Instruction

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine Chia seeds with water and let stand for 5 minutes to gel.

Combine all dry ingredients.

In a seperate mixing bowl combine all wet ingredients including Chia gel.

Mix wet and dry ingredients together until just combined. It should form a ball (like dough).

Let stand for 5 minutes. If it seems sticky add some additional coconut flour.

Roll out dough until about 1/8 inch thickness on a piece of parchment paper. Cut shapes out of dough and transfer to lined baking sheet. I just kept reusing the scraps (forming into a new ball and re-rolling out) until there was no dough left. I let my kids choose and cut the shapes. They loved this job.

Bake for about 12 minutes.

Let cool and decorate.

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