Book Review: Cook Book Edition

IT'S ALL GOOD

I always love cook books, cooking blogs, and all things cooking. However, it has been tricky to find something that is really pertinent to my diet. Gluten-free recipes usually use a lot of corn, vegetarian may use a lot of fruits and vegetables I can't have, and vegan doesn't avoid the gluten. Throughout my frustrations of recipe-hunting, I stumbled across Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook: It's All Good. I had no idea what to expect, and though I was aware it had come out, I had no intentions of buying it. One fateful day in Target, I picked it up and started thumbing through it. The recipes were amazing. Everything is so natural, adaptable, and delicious. Although some of the things I still can't have (she uses raw honey and maple syrup as sugar substitues, but I still can't have those), I have earmarked multiple recipes I am anxious to try both now and once I am bringing more foods back into my diet.

I loved the book so much, I sent one to my sister. I highly recommend it to everyone - only $17.39 on Amazon, while marked at $32 on the book. 

What are you waiting for?? Go pick up your copy!! 

My recipes I am most excited to try:

Chinese Chicken Salad

Spicy Sweet Potato Soup with Chipotle Coriander

Chicken Burgers, Thai Style

Bummer Bars 

Once you've purchased the book, let me know which ones are your favorites!

Snack Time

A delicious snack I have quite a bit is an apple. Sometimes, an apple just doesn't cut it. To make the snack a little bit heartier, as well as tastier, I did the following:

-Chop up 1 organic Fuji apple (or apple of your choice)

-Add to bowl

-Sprinkle a generous amount of Organic Cinnamon* into the bowl 

-Drizzle Cultured Coconut Milk over the mixture 

I really enjoy this because it is crunchy, sweet, and the coconut milk makes it feel a bit more like I'm having yogurt, which I really miss. Eating the apple chopped up makes it feel like I am eating more, and therefore feels more filling to me. 

*Organic Cinnamon (not just plain regular store-bought cinnamon) is incredibly good for your pancreas. Since that has been a source of my problems, I try to incorporate it into my diet as much as possible.

Restaurant Review

BLOSSOM

Neighborhood: Silver Lake 

Cuisine: Vietnamese 

Price: $$

Website

When meeting friends for dinner, I'm usually asked to pick the restaurant (or at least type of food), since I am the one that can't eat most things. When meeting my Aunt and Uncle for dinner, I suggested what has become one of my major food groups and a staple in my diet: pho. 

You may not know the incredible deliciousness that is pho (pronounced FUH). I didn't before I moved to LA, so let me describe it for you. It is a large bowl of delicious broth, rice noodles, chicken (or your choice of meat/tofu), and onions. On the side, they serve you a plate of fresh basil, bean sprouts, jalepenos, and a lime wedge, for you to add in as you please. Obviously, I add in everything - and request extra jalepenos. As I'm not supposed to be eating peppers, I merely float them in the broth to add a litte kick. 

{photo courtesy of Google Images}

I would consider myself almost a pho expert, as I have tried various places all over LA, from trendy to total authentic hole in the walls. My aunt suggested this place called Blossom in Silver Lake. She said it was hip and trendy, and the food was good. She was right! 

I ordered the Vegetarian Spring Rolls (rice paper rolls with tofu, rice vermicelli, and fresh herbs), and of course, a large bowl of chicken pho. It was delicious. The spring rolls weren't my favorite that I have had, but the pho was incredible. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. It was a very cool vibe, wooden booths (which were a tad uncomfortable, but cool looking). 

{photo courtesy of Google Images]

Overall out of 10, I would rate it:

Food: 8.5

Ambiance: 7

Smooth Moves

One thing I have been missing greatly is a smoothie. With so many fruit and dairy limitations, it makes it incredibly difficult to ever order one at a smoothie bar. So I did one better - I created a delicious smoothie of my own!

-1 cup cultured Coconut Milk
-1/2 sliced Mango
-1/2 cup frozen Sweet Dark Cherries
-2 Tbsp Organic Cinnamon

Add to blender, blend, and enjoy! The great part about using frozen cherries is there is no need to add ice; the mixture is already nice and cold. The smoothie is delicious and creamy, completely fulfilling any sweet, icy cravings.

Blind Taste Test

Today at work, we happened to have something very few people have. It is rare, and almost unheard of. We had both Pellegrino and Perrier in our fridge. So, I could not just sit back and watch people drink these rival sparkling waters (and only watching, as I can't have carbonation, remember?). Instead, I decided to host a blind taste test!

Personally, Pellegrino is my favorite sparkling water. Of course, that comes with many rolled eyes from people, and lots of, "can you even tell the difference?" Today - I put this to rest once and for all.

I took out a bottle of each water. 

I wrote on the bottom of white cups, marking which is Pellegrino and which is Perrier. I filled each cup equally.

Four coworkers participated in the tasting. Might I add, none of them even like sparkling water. 

Jordan, who cannot get over how bland sparkling water is, and wishes it were sweeter.

Christina, smelling the odorless bubble water.

Kimi, sampling the waters.

Adam, the pro, quickly distinguishing which water is which.

The one quote that kept being repeated: "I keep waiting for it to taste like Sprite...and then it doesn't." 

I'll admit, I was envious. I love Pellegrino, and wish I could have added a squeeze of lemon and lime, a splash of fresh lemonade, and downed the whole bottle. 

In the end, the winner of the blind taste testing was:

My favorite, Pellegrino! Now I can say, I told you so. There is a difference, and I was right. After my in-depth scientific blind taste testing, it is proven. 

Let's Not Go Hungry

You may be asking, so what the heck do you eat? I've learned a few very important things so far.

1. Keep hydrated. I have always been a big water drinker, and it turns out I was still dehydrated. Now I know better! My headaches have disappeared, and I am not constantly so hungry.

How do you know if you are drinking enough water? Take your body weight and divide it in half. That is the amount of water you should be drinking daily. For example, if you weigh 120lb, you should be drinking 60oz of water per day, at the very least.

I'm also a very hangry person (hangry: whiney, angry, and difficult when not fed for long periods of time). That has made me realize the importance of always having things on hand that I am able to eat. It is incredibly frustrating to be hungry, and feel as though I am unable to eat anything due to my limitations.

So - I've created a guide to what is in my kitchen. These are things I try to always have on hand, as things can be easily mixed and matched to make delicious meals, and great for my constant snacking.

They are a lot of the basics for my recipes to come!

Solving the Stomach

My whole life, I have had issues with my stomach. I've had everything from stomach aches and pains to actually getting sick after eating. However, though I have seen numerous doctors, no one could pin down what it was, and said I was fine. 

When I moved to LA, I began seeing an amazing doctor who through muscle testing was able to easily diagnose my problem, and set me on the path to a happier stomach. I have a fungus in my stomach and a thrown-off pancreas, both of which need to be fixed. The solution? An incredibly strict eating regime...for 6-9 months. 

Well, I am 2 months in, and it is sometimes incredibly tough. So, rather than have a total melt down and stuff my face with all of the pizza, Mexican and dirty martinis I can get my hands on, I am going to channel my energy here. I have found some great new foods I never would have tried otherwise, as well as some delicious, easy, and healthy recipes. 

The breakdown of what I can't eat:

1. Coffee

2. Chocolate 

3. Alcohol

4. Nuts 

5. Citrus 

6. Carbonated Beverages 

7. Dried Fruit 

8. Berries

9. Potatoes 

10. Eggplant 

11. Sugar (including honey, agave, and any other sweetener)

12. Peppers (including bell peppers)

13. Tomatoes 

14. Dairy 

15. Bananas 

16. Rice Cakes

17. Corn

18. Sprouts

19. Wheat 

20. Grapes