My New Favorite Food!

Wow, the one thing you really miss when you eat paleo/healthy meaning "no more junk!" is BREAD.

We can't eat the bread they sell.  Sheesh!   I can't even hardly make my own bread!  I mean you could make it with something other than traditional wheat flour, no extra gluten, but you still can't be using traditional yeast if you're fighting a yeast infection or other health issue now can you?

Well as I delve deeper into the world of What to Eat (sounds like a twisted version of what not to wear, doesn't it?) you discover you CAN eat things you think you can't or shouldn't.

But bread is the tah mahal of what not to eat isn't it?  Well apparently, not anymore.  So I was experimenting with Dana Carpender's new cookbook "Fat Fast Cookbook" and discovered her Coconut Flour Bread.  Let me just say right now, we almost held a ceremony er... I mean funeral for my wonderful food processor.  She had even assured you this wouldn't happen.  Maybe it was just too old.  But that got me hunting for more because the smell of baking bread was a welcome treat and the taste was such a nice reminder of the feelings that only home-baked goodness can conjure.

I realized quickly that we could save the food processor from further abuse and here is my current "bread" for your "ahem"  consumption!

My Version of Gluten-Free Coconut Flour/Flax Bread

Servings: 8-10
Time: 60 minutes

• 1/2 cup coconut flour, sifted
• 1/2 cup flax seeds, ground
• 1 Tablespoon xanthan gum or 1/2 tablespoon each xanthan and guar gum
• 1 pinch xylitol (optional but may improve flavor, you decide)
• 1 /2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 5 eggs
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/8 cup water
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a small loaf pan (73/4" L × 41/2" W × 3" H).

2. Mix all the dry ingredients together.

3. Combine all the wet ingredients.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and beat well. Batter will be thick.

5. Pour into loaf pan and bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

6. Cool completely before slicing.

I make this in the trusty bread maker.  I haven't tried mixing it in there.  I use a whisk till it becomes too stiff and finish adding the dry ingredients with a silicon scraper/spatula.  It's very important to use the xanthan in a no true flour recipe or the results will be very crumbly I'm told.  

Here's a link for everything you need to make this recipe. It even has a coupon code.

This is such a huge hit.  I haven't tried it for sandwiches because I find it too sweet with or without the sweeetener added.  But we serve it with either four-fruit jam (my personal fav. or buttered and topped with cinnamon/xylitol sprinkled on top to which I then add pecans and throw in the toaster oven.

Enjoy!

How To Do Real Food (paleo/vegan/vegetarian) On the Road

I have a friend who asked for tips for his brother who travels a LOT.  I mean like really.  So here it goes.

I found out that Jamba Juice is now in many airports.  Traveling through airports seems to be the hardest places to eat well.  I used to carry a lot of snacks with me and a bottle of water.  Not sure if the food would be confiscated at check-in.  Well thank God for real food choices finally!

Here's the link to all Jamba Juice Airport locations and you could always search their website for locations by city, even international.  They are in South Korea and other places.  Who knew?

Jamba Juice Airport Locations Worldwide

Find Jamba Juice by City


Jamba Juice also finally now has green smoothies and more vegetable combos.  Yeah!!!
They still have low fat dairy and too much juice high in sugar so get creative and then add your own fats.
You could also throw in one of their boosts like chia, CLA, or even a wheat grass shot!


Here is a list of foods you can carry with you.  If you have concerns about them in your carry-on put them in your luggage.

Almonds and other nuts like pecans, sunflower seeds) will give you some good fats and protein.

Trail Mix of nuts, coconut, seeds and dried fruit (cranberries are excellent)

Beef/Salmon Jerky

Lara Bars (higher in sugar so Watch Out if that's a concern)

Dark Chocolate (70% or higher in cocoa for max anti-oxidant love!)

Baby Carrots and othe non-starchy veggies.

Deviled Eggs or just plain Hard-Boiled

Sardines, wild salmon (canned, last for weeks)

Protein Powder and a sealable shaker cup will make sure you have a quick fix.  My favorite whey protein powder is Mt Capra's Deep 30.  This would also make sure you are getting a good probiotic while traveling but...

I would also bring Dr. Ohhira's Probiotic because it doesn't need to stay chilled so it is ideal for traveling and staying well away from home.

Here's these two great products plus save $10 on your first order.

Some people bring a stick blender, and other supplies but I wanted to keep this simple.  You decide how fancy you personally want it.

These and other items can be thrown in the fridge of your hotel room if you have one.  Hit the local food shops, talk to people to find good local food to add to the mix.


In Airports and elsewhere opt for fruit bowls, veggie bowls, avoid salad dressings since they have bad oils like soy, better to add in your own good fats like guacamole or salsa.
Low-Calorie dressings are better.  No good fats, but also, none bad.

Coconut chips, or even a jar of coconut oil that you can use to stir into your food to increase the fats.

In restaurants your best bet is to try to find the menu online and look for allergy menus. Very helpful to identify all the bad ingredients like soy oil, soy protein, and other things such as gluten, wheat, sugar, dairy, it you are avoiding milk products.

Also be really polite but not afraid to ask questions of the servers.  You can always reward them later for being so understanding with an extra tip.

Remember to also take ginger for travel if you need it.  It's works better than Dramamine and you'll feel so much better. (Side affects, anyone?)  Take it by tea or even the candy in health stores.  I always carry tea wherever I go like this.

I hope these help you stay healthy, happy and satisfied until you can eat your own familiar food again.

Always think outside the box and you will see solutions to any problem.

For overview of what I did to vastly improve my health see my other site!

Here's more tips and even workouts from Mark's Daily Apple

This post was shared at Real Food Wednesdays at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
and Allergy Free Wednesdays