Pumpkin Donuts- Gluten, Dairy and Refined Sugar-Free

I made my family a fun treat this morning for Halloween: Gluten-free Pumpkin Donuts! They are also dairy-free and free of refined sugar (the recipe calls for coconut palm sugar). I’m still learning how to use almond flour and some of my baked goods have turned out better than others.

Put ingredients in a food processor.

Fill up donut baking pan with the batter.

Bake for 15 minutes (or a minute or 2 longer). Be sure to let them cool for at least 5 minutes in the pan before removing them to a cooking rack. In the meantime, make the glaze. I got out my coffee grinder, which I never use, but I’m glad I have it for situations such as this! Grind up coconut palm sugar and tapioca starch into a powder as instructed.

Finish the glaze and drizzle on donuts.

Yum yum! A great fall treat!

Recipe here from simplygluten-free.com Gluten Free Pumpkin Donuts

Gluten-Free Chicken Noodle Soup

I made a really yummy chicken noodle soup today! I used leftover chicken I cooked in the crockpot yesterday. It’s chock full of veggies – carrots, celery, onion and potato.

I found some cute little tiny O-shaped gluten-free pasta that I used for the noodles.

Yum, yum, yummy for fall weather!

Here’s the recipe from food.com .
I omitted the boullion and used gluten-free noodles. I would use less thyme next time too.

Dealing With Gluten and Sugar on Halloween

I just wanted to share the list the Celiac Disease Foundation has put out for those looking for safe candies for Halloween. It’s a fun week for the kiddos and it’s important to protect those that are sensitive to gluten and other foods.

Gluten-free Halloween Candy List

Also, Children’s Medical Center in Dallas came out with 4 ideas for limiting sugar on Halloween. Many kids are sensitive to refined sugar and need to limit their intake. I think these are some great ideas that I might consider for my own kids, especially with the candies they can’t eat (chocolate, etc).

4 Ways to Enjoy a Sugar-free or Low Sugar Halloween

A Little Guilty Pleasure Time

My newfound guilty pleasure is (wait for it)… Barney Butter!

This is by far the best almond butter I’ve tasted. It’s really smooth and creamy, not grainy and gritty like others. It’s all-natural, gluten-free and peanut-free and comes in these little single serving packets! You can buy it in jars too. I just ate a packet for breakfast because I was on the go today and didn’t feel like making eggs. So yummy with an apple or banana too. The one thing about it that is a negative is that it has evaporated cane juice and I prefer unsweetened almond butter. It’s too yummy to pass up though and I don’t feel too bad about enjoying it. (There are much worse for you treats out there!) Loving the Barney Butter! My not-so-guilty guilty pleasure!

Banned Foods That Americans Still Consume

I read this article today on foods that are banned by some countries but are still allowed and consumed in the United States. This is so frustrating to me. Come on, U.S.! It’s time to catch up to the rest of the world! It’s time for us to stop allowing foods that make us sick and unhealthy to be consumed here in our great country. Vote with your checkbooks, people and only buy the good stuff!

Check it out: Foods That Americans Eat That Are Banned Around the World

DIY Project #2- Hand Sanitizer

Today, I made the essential oil hand sanitizer that I mentioned in this post.

I had leftover Aloe Vera gel from the summer so I got that out. I bought a small bottle of Vitamin E oil that had the least amount of ingredients (the most pure) at Sprouts. Then, I cleaned out an old hand sanitizer squeeze bottle I had on hand.

Next, I added 8 drops of DoTerra On Guard essential oil.

I stirred them together, added a little water and it made a creamy lotion/gel consistency.

Next, came the tough part- getting it in that teeny squeeze bottle. I looked through all my kitchen drawers and finally found a cake decorating tip! I used it as a tiny funnel and spooned the gel into it. It took a while to slowly fill up the bottle.

Finally, done! I’m going to buy some bigger squeeze bottles to put the rest of the gel in. I am putting this one in my son’s school backpack!

This is very exciting to me (I know, I’m a nerd) because it is all natural and much better for the skin than other hand sanitizer I usually buy! I feel great using this on my kids knowing how good the quality of ingredients are and how effective the On Guard oil is in protecting them from germs. DIY project #2 done!

DIY Project #1- Foaming Hand Soap

Today I finally got around to making my first batch of DIY foaming hand soap using DoTerra essential oils. I posted the recipe in this past blog post.

I found the unscented Castille Soap at Sprouts. I used a foaming dispenser that had just run out of soap and washed the remnants of the old soap out first.

I decided that for the first time I tried to make the soap that I would use the same oils they listed, though in the future I’d like to use On Guard.

Then, I filled the dispenser with water to the top and replaced the pump. I shook it and then it was ready to be used!

So quick and easy to make! It will be much better for the skin and not so harsh like the soap I usually buy. Next on the agenda: essential oils hand sanitizer!

Free Essential Oils E-book Today!

I just downloaded an E-book on amazon.com about Essential Oils! Here’s the link:

Essential Oils: 60 Oils You Need and How To Use Them Now

Just wanted to pass it along!

The Joy of New Jeans

I bought size 4 skinny jeans this week! (I’m still in a little bit of shock and disbelief.) I haven’t been this size in 8 years! Pre-pre-baby (before i got pregnant with my first child). The weight loss has happened solely from focusing on health- good, clean diet and taking the vitamins and supplements my body needs. The weight loss is a by-product and I’m healthier than I probably have ever been! I have only been doing yoga a couple times a week because my body has needed the break. I’m working back up to full-speed working out as I regain strength. I look happy in this goofy photo because let’s face it- I AM!! I’ve also started getting rid of my larger post-baby clothes because I’m determined NOT to go back the other direction! It’s such a good feeling to purge the closet! It’ll be a challenge to maintain the weight loss because all I have to do is look at pumpkin pie and I gain 5 lbs. Focus and determination! This will be an interesting holiday season. I’m really enjoying learning to make yummy foods but in a healthier way. I’ll be sharing holiday recipes I find soon!

Burgers and Brownies

Ooh, look what we found at the grocery store today!

These look soooo good and are gluten-free and dairy-free! Double win! Who doesn’t love a fudgey brownie? My 3 year old son sure does! I primarily bought these to make for him. Darn you, Sugar Control Diet! 😩 Until I’m allowed sugar again, I’ll just smell them. And salivate a little. Man, I miss chocolate.

Mmm…Chocolate heaven.

I also treated myself to lunch today since I didn’t have anything good for lunch at home and we were on the run. If you’ve never been to Smashburger or there’s not one in your area, you are really missing out! I found out today you can order a burger without a bun. I created my own with lettuce, bacon, avocado and truffle mayo. Served in a bowl with a knife and fork. Yum! I tried the Veggie Frites (flash fried carrot sticks and green beans). I decided to forego the ranch dipping sauce. Soooo tasty! I tried the Mango Tea sweetened with Stevia! All on my crazy diet plan! A greasy meal, but still on my plan and so fantastic! Check it out if you have one close! They also have amazing chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, veggie burgers and salads. We love the Smash Fries too. I so wish I had taken pictures of all that tasty goodness to share with you but I didn’t feel like ripping my smartphone out of my 3 year old’s hand at the time… Getcha some Smash stat!