The Queen of Quinoa

Homemade Chipotle Burrito Bowl with Cilantro-Lime Quinoa

2012-02-22T18:11:00.000-08:00

My favorite fast food dish, repurposed just for us.

Today was a great day. Why, you may be wondering? What made this Wednesday different than any other? Well, Matt and I got the best news ever. And I mean ever.

We just found out the Chipotle Mexican Grill will be coming to Burlington, VT.

Yes, you heard right. Our favorite Mexican joint is finally coming to our town. And let me say, it's about time. Matt is probably the most excited person on the planet. Literally, jumping for joy when I got home from work.

Ecstatic.

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Gluten-Free Carrot Nut Bread

2012-02-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

A new breakfast treat. Sweet and healthy.

I'm always looking for new breakfast ideas. It's the most important meal of the day, so when I'm reviewing recipes I look for ones that are extremely healthy. I want protein, not too much sugar, and tons of flavor. Of course, gluten-free and dairy-free are a given.

I'm a big fan of dairy-free smoothies, like my favorite Green Smoothie. I do love my pancakes, both Blueberry and Buckwheat. I love French Toast and Granola. Cereal and Oatmeal. Even eggs. Breakfast is just the best, isn't it? By far my most favorite meal of the day.

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Chocolate Buckwheat Orange Cookies

2012-02-15T18:26:00.000-08:00

A perfect post-Valentine chocolate treat

Happy belated Valentine's day to all my lovely readers. I hope each and every one of you were able to spend the day doing something you love. No matter what anyone else says, Valentine's Day is as much about giving yourself some love as it is sharing it with others. You deserve to be loved, so I hope you were able to take the time to appreciate yourself.

For me, Valentine's Day was simple and sweet. We had a quiet dinner at home, and just spent the night together - no TV, no music, just us. The man was in charge of dinner and I was in charge of dessert. He made wasabi crusted tuna with a quinoa side (totally yum!) and I made my very first chocolate souffle (turned out okay, but wish we had some ice cream to go along with it). And to top it off, my present to myself was four new pairs of earrings. I mean come on, I deserve it, right?

Chocolate and totally delicious.

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Gluten-Free Quinoa Thins & Hummus

2012-02-11T14:33:00.000-08:00

Homemade crackers and hummus - another healthy & delicious snack

I know what you're probably thinking, another snack recipe? But don't worry, I'm not in a rut I promise. I've just been craving the savory lately and gluten-free snacks have been on my mind. Plus, this one is different. This one is special. This one is healthy, salty, and seriously addicting.

I always thought crackers were hard to make. That they took forever to prepare, then you had to fry them up and it would end up being much more hassel than it was worth. I avoided them, didn't even look at recipes, because I figured it wasn't for me.

It wasn't until I started reading, that I realized gluten-free crackers are simple. Just throw a few ingredients into a bowl, whisk it up, beat in some liquid, roll it out and bake it. They're almost easier than cookies.

My first gluten-free crackers - my take on Wheat Thins

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Healthy Zucchini Chips

2012-02-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

My new healthy snack.

I'm a snack person. There's no way around it, no sugar coating done here. Plain and simple, I just love to snack. And I'm not ashamed to admit it. Problem is, finding the perfect snack can be tough. I've thought long and hard about what makes the perfect snack for me, and I've narrowed it down to my top 10 criteria. To be a perfect snack, it must meet the following:

Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Vegetarian (preferably vegan)
Low in calories
Low in fat
Savory
Satisfying
Crunchy
Light
Colorful (preferably green)

This one meets all the criteria.

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Gluten-Free Mixed Berry Scones

2012-01-29T18:42:00.000-08:00

Amy's scones were the perfect Sunday morning breakfast

Sunday mornings call for decadence. Sweet gluten-free treats, mint tea, lazily perusing the internet in search for new quinoa inspiration. To me, that sounds like perfection.

I was debating between muffins and scones, but when I came across Amy's recipe (from Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free) for mixed berry scones, my mind was made up. I simply could not resist. This Sunday, gluten-free scones were going to be on the menu.

Freshly baked scones to satisfy my sweet tooth.

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Curried Cauliflower & Squash Soup with Quinoa Flatbread

2012-01-21T16:00:00.000-08:00

A seriously delicious indian inspired soup.

I am so excited about this recipe. This is my favorite soup yet. It may have been the amazing sweet curry flavors or the soft, fluffy gluten-free flatbread, but either way this meal was fabulous.

A light, creamy, incredibly flavorful soup, with the rich color of curry. One bite and I was hooked. I felt like I was transported to India (although I've never been, I'm just in love with their cuisine), comforted with this steaming bowl of delicious soup in front of me.

With my love of indian food, I have missed naan the most. The restaurant by my house that we order takeout from occasionally, has the most amazing naan. It's fluffy, slightly browned, and truly perfect. Alas, it's packed with gluten.

Curried Garlic Quinoa Flatbread

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Gluten-Free Quinoa & Butternut Squash Cakes

2012-01-20T04:42:00.000-08:00

A new gluten-free vegan burger to add to my recipe collection

I've been in a lunch rut lately. It's pretty much a quinoa saute over greens, drizzled with balsamic vinegar everyday. Now don't get me wrong, I will have a gluten-free quinoa salad over anything else, hands down, each and every day. It's my all time favorite. However, when you're making batches upon batches of the same salad and have the same lunch for three days straight, it can get a little tiring.

My palette was in need of a little re-boot. Using my very favorite gluten-free kitchen companion, my dear friend Quinoa, I was determined to find a recipe that used this in a different, more creative way.

Veggie cakes immediately came to mind.

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Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

2012-01-15T19:19:00.000-08:00

A sweet and heavenly soup, perfect for this chilly winter night.

Winter has arrived. In full force. The snow has been falling, the temperatures have dropped. My thermometer reads -4 degrees. Oh yes, winter is definitely here and it's threatening to stay.

With the wind whipping outside, our windows bracing themselves against the bitter cold, our bodies were calling for one thing and one thing only. A comforting, steaming bowl of soup.

A deliciouly vegan and gluten-free soup.

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Gluten-Free Rice Crispy Cookies

2012-01-11T19:26:00.000-08:00

Rice crispy treats in cookie form.

What's a girl to do when she's promised herself that she won't eat sugar but she has a killer sweet tooth? One option is to avoid all things sweet to kick the habit completely. The other option is to make sweet desserts that are sugar-free. I don't have the willpower, or desire really, to cut sweets out completely, so some experimenting was in order.

Brown rice syrup and coconut add the perfect kiss of sweet.

I'm a firm believer that when you're trying to eat healthier and lose weight, depriving your body of what it's craving, simply sets you up for failure. Rather than just nixing the things you love, make healthier choices and alternatives. If you love spaghetti and meatballs for example, try raw pasta with turkey meatballs instead. Discover what parts of that dish you love and recreate it in a healthy, but still delicious, way. Trust me, it's easier than you think. And remember, everything in moderation.

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Alyssa's Favorite Green Smoothie

2012-01-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

A healthy, vegan, and nutrient rich smoothie to start your day off right.

Sitting here pondering my Saturday, preparing the to-do lists in my head, all I really want to think and talk about is the delicious breakfast smoothie I'm drinking. This morning, packing up my blender with yummy green goodness, I realized this was the fourth day this week I had made this exact smoothie. I figured since I enjoy this so much, I should share it with all of you.

I've finally found my perfect green smoothie recipe.

If you've ever wanted to try a green smoothie, I'm sure that you've turned to Google to see what your options are, only to find out that there are tons of gluten-free and vegan green smoothie recipes out there. How could you choose? Everyone has their own twist to making a healthy green smoothie and trust me, I've tried my share of them. I've found ingredients that I love to include (like Kale and Spinach) and ingredients I will no longer touch with a ten foot pole (like Spirulina, ick - sorry if you enjoy it, but this seaweed based powder is not for me), and I've finally found a recipe that has the perfect amount of sweet and green. It's so yummy.

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Raw & Vegan Carrot Cake Bites

2012-01-04T17:39:00.000-08:00

A decadently sweet and healthy treat to satisfy your post holiday sugar cravings.

Now that we've entered into a new year, I, like many others out there, have decided to make a change in my diet. Although eating gluten-free and dairy-free feels very healthy, I know from experience that it doesn't necessarily keep your waist trim or block those extra pounds from sneaking up on you.

Despite my best efforts to eat healthy (leafy greens, quinoa, fruit, etc.), it didn't pan out so well for me this holiday season. Cookies, cakes, and other sweet gluten-free treats were staring longingly at me throughout the holidays and since this is a season of indulgence, I just couldn't help myself. And so, much to my dismay, those sneaky little pounds have arrived and are hoping to stay throughout the winter. Well, I'm not going to let that happen.

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Apple and Kale Quinoa Salad

2011-12-23T17:01:00.000-08:00

A healthy quinoa salad perfect for the holidays.

When the holidays come around it can be fairly nerve wracking for someone who eats gluten-free and dairy-free. You may ask yourself, what am I going to eat? Am I going to have to bring my own food to all the holiday parties? Am I going to starve?

Don't worry. Don't beat yourself up. Don't slave away in the kitchen.

Relax.

Enjoy yourself. Spend time with your family. You work hard and you deserve this time to take a break.

Although it may seem scary entering the holidays and eating gluten-free and dairy-free, don't fret. You have options. Tons of options. And healthy options at that.

A delectable quinoa dish with apples and kale.

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Handmade Gluten-free Raviolis with a Butternut Squash Filling

2011-12-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

My very first homemade pasta. Quite a success.

Raviolis are a Christmas tradition for my family. Every year, the four of us pack into the car and drive the eight hours from Vermont to Delaware to spend the holidays with my huge Italian family. It's the most fun holiday of the year - packed with loads of delicious food, bottle after bottle of red wine, and a super loud group of fabulous Italians. Really, it couldn't get any better (or traditional) then this.

Christmas with the Leo family means two things: gluten and dairy. Yes, that's right. The two things that I can no longer enjoy. Last year was my first time spending this holiday with my food sensitivities. It was hard. So very hard. I couldn't enjoy the alfredo sauce, the antipasti, the fried schmelts on Christmas eve. Basically, this whole meal was out for me.

Then there is Christmas day to worry about. We have homemade ravioli - cheese and meat. Made with love by my grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins, these raviolis are hands down the best on earth. They're packed with delectable fillings, smothered in my grandmother's famous gravy, with a side of her even more famous meatballs. A serious Italian feast, sadly all filled with gluten and dairy.

So, what's a girl to do? Why not try my own hand at making my all time favorite meal of the holiday season? And so, that's just what I chose to do.

Make my very own handmade raviolis, of course!

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Vegan Cheezy Kale Chips

2011-12-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

Insanely healthy vegan chips. It's snack time!

After completing the Clean Program a few months ago, my two pitfalls have been dessert and snacks. Dessert has been fun and challenging. Gluten-free baking is fairly easy, but gluten-free baking sans eggs and sugar, not so much. It's been interesting and challenging, but I've found some great substitutes and am fairly content with how my recent Clean recipes have come out.

Snacks on the other hand have been tough. Before Clean I was a tortilla chip and gluten-free pretzel fanatic. Sad to say those are no longer part of my diet (although my waistline I'm sure is happy, my tastebuds are not). I've been searching and searching for snacks that are healthy and Clean. I've found Mary's Gone Crackers which I've grown to love. Of course there is my oh so classic apple and almond butter. Then there are always brown rice chips and other seeds chips that are Clean, but they're just not as good and still aren't as healthy as I would like.

Almonds. Hazelnuts. Walnuts. Pecans.

All four have become a standard in my daily diet. A small handful of nuts before a workout is perfect, but I've been craving something more satisfying and I can eat by the handful and not feel guilty. Enter, kale.

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Dairy-Free Vegetable Quiche with a Quinoa Crust

2011-12-13T19:00:00.000-08:00

Delectable. A new favorite gluten-free and dairy-free quinoa recipe.

Forever and ever I have loved quiche. Creamy, soft, bacony, cheesy quiche. My mom makes a fabulous pie crust (flaky, buttery and delicious), and whenever she used it to make a quiche, it was one of those dinners I would melt for. Theirs of course is loaded with diary, gluten and red meat, so when the craving hit I needed to find a suitable alternative. With the "limitations" (some would call it that, but not the Queen of Quinoa) of being gluten-free and dairy-free, a traditional quiche was out of the picture. I channeled my inner Queen to find the creativity with this one.

When the need for creativity arises, as always I choose to cook with something I'm comfortable with. Yes, you guessed it. I turn to my trusty friend, quinoa. I mean really, what could be easier, tastier and healthier than quinoa? Not much.

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Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookies with Chai Icing

2011-12-11T14:17:00.001-08:00

My addition to the Gluten-Free Holiday Cookie Swap

I just got back from my very first cookie swap, a gluten-free cookie swap to be more exact. The cookie swap was held by a fabulous local gluten-free bakery, From the Ground Up, who have delectable gluten-free treats in many local markets and coops. I discovered them at the Burlington Farmer's Market this summer and fell in love with their muffins. Especially the Gluten-Free Blueberry ones, yum. Amazing.

The cookie swap was great. It was a small crowd, only about five of us, but it was really fun to sit around a table with people I'd never met and chat about life living gluten-free. It's amazing how something like a food sensitivity / allergy can bring people together and build a community.

Not only was this my first cookie swap, but it was also the first time I had baked anything for strangers. I mean I've cooked for my family, my friends and for Matt, but they still accept me even if my food isn't tasty. So baking for a lot of gluten-free strangers, let alone gluten-free bakers (!), I felt like I needed to bake something scrumptious.

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Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

2011-12-04T08:15:00.001-08:00

Sweet and chocolatey gluten-free banana bread

You know that feeling of when you taste something and it makes you feel like a little kid again? Banana bread is that thing for me. The smell of slightly over ripe bananas on the counter, then mashed in a glass bowl, waiting patiently to be doctored up with sugar and spices. Just thinking about that smell makes my mouth water.

Freshly baked gluten-free banana bread

When I was younger, my dad would always make banana bread. The smell of freshly baked bread would waft through our house and I would scamper into the kitchen to see what he was whipping up. Even though I knew it was his trusty banana bread, each time I was just as excited as the last. I would sit in front of our stove, watching it rise in the oven. I would peek as my dad checked if it was done. I would sit on the counter, staring longingly as the bread cooled.

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Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Soup

2011-12-02T17:20:00.001-08:00

Thai Coconut Curry Soup with Mushrooms and Kale

Something you may not know about me is that I love Thai food. It's by far one of my favorite cuisines on the planet. It's healthy, flavorful, easy to make and usually gluten-free and dairy-free.

Chinese food (especially the kind you see in America) and other Asian cuisines typically load their meals with soy sauce, oyster sauce, egg noodles, crispy wontons, etc. All of which are not gluten-free. Read your labels carefully or at the very least know what sauces are typically used in the cuisine you're eating.

We all know that gluten can be sneaky.

Another thing you may not know about me is that I love to travel. I lived in Spain for six months when I was in college and fell in love with the European lifestyle and culture. The food is amazing. The cities are breathtaking. The culture is easy, slow and enjoyable. What more can you ask for? No stress, yummy food, open-air cafes, super classy fashion. My dream.

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Gluten-free Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping

2011-11-27T11:21:00.001-08:00

A fabulous gluten-free breakfast treat, perfect for the Holidays.

Coffee cake is one of those things that warms the soul and keeps you coming back for more. Not much is better that a warm piece of gluten-free coffee cake on a lazy morning, accompanied by a steaming coconut chai lattee.

Traditional coffee cake is loaded with butter and gluten, not a go in my book. Knowing that I was going to need something scrumptious to eat the morning after Thanksgiving, I was determined to find a recipe that was gluten and dairy free. With my stomach full of turkey, quinoa stuffing and vegan pumpkin pie, I was sure that my taste buds would be wanting a comforting and familiar taste the next day.

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A Gluten-free Thanksgiving: Vegan Pumpkin Pie

2011-11-26T08:19:00.001-08:00

Sharing the gluten-free love with my family with this vegan pumpkin pie.

We had a fantastic Thanksgiving. As worried as I was about the menu, fearing that I wouldn't be able to eat most of my family's dishes, I was stuffed by the end of the day. We had lots of gluten-free and dairy-free options to choose from, lucky me!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It's a day spent eating food, enjoying the company of friends and family, and thinking about the things that make your life complete. It's important to take this time to take a step back and look at yourself in a mirror. It's a time to cherish those close to you, to truly discover what makes you happy, and to be grateful for what you have. Give thanks to those things that bring you joy and peace, and that make you feel special.

I am thankful for my family, my friends, and for Matt. I'm thankful that I am healthy and happy. I am thankful that I have a job in this terrible economy. I am thankful that I have an apartment that is warm and cozy and that feels like home. I am thankful that I have this blog where I can write and share my passion. I am thankful for you, my lovely readers, that follow my kitchen escapades and enjoy cooking gluten-free just as much as I do. I am thankful for me and the person that I am.

The perfect slice of pie to end the perfect meal.

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A Gluten-free Thanksgiving: Quinoa Stuffing

2011-11-23T12:55:00.001-08:00

A gluten-free stuffing made with quinoa and sweet potatoes for our family Thanksgiving

Today, all across the county, we are brought together for one thing. Cooking. Thousands of people, whether they consider themselves chefs or not, are trying their hand in the kitchen. We are all connected over this glorious activity.

As I'm sitting down to write this, I'm thinking about all of you out there. Rolling out your pie doughs. Whipping up your casseroles. Baking your coffee cakes. Peeling your potatoes. I feel strangely close to you; it's almost as if I'm sharing my kitchen with each and every one of you.

A gluten-free spin on a Thanksgiving classic

Cranberries, sweet potatoes and pecans bring the classic flavor to this yummy quinoa recipe

With Turkey Day just around the corner, and by around the corner I mean tomorrow, I've been cooking up a storm. First was this stuffing, then came a gluten-free coffee make, next came a vegan pumpkin pie and lastly will be roasted squash and brussel sprouts.

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Rosemary Mustard Baked Halibut

2011-11-21T14:27:00.001-08:00

Rosemary Mustard Baked Halibut served over a fresh bed of greens

With rosemary in my fridge and halibut in my freezer, I was convinced I could come up with something fabulous. I scoured the internet to find inspiration, but this time it failed me. I decided I was just going to wing it and go with what I had on hand. Confidence is all you need to make a delicious meal! My goal: to come up with a recipe that combines the flavors and contents of my fridge and turns them into a healthy, gluten-free dinner.

Before I share this super yummy recipe with you, I want to begin by telling you why and how it came about. Long story short, Matt and I had a very long and lazy weekend. Lots of couch sitting and baking was involved, followed by eating those baked goods and watching another movie. As I'm sure you can imagine, we were feeling on the heavy side by Sunday. Sunday night is usually when we make something comforting, rich and delicious. Pasta. Stew. Bread. Potatoes. You know, the heavy stuff.

Since we'd been enjoying ourselves all weekend and feeling very sluggish, we were craving green vegetables and a light protein. No grains, no heavy carbohydrates, no starches. Something that would satisfy our hunger, but leave us feeling happy, full and satisfied.

Enter Halibut. The star of this incredibly healthy and gluten-free meal. This recipe was one of those things I just threw together on a whim and it turned out to be great!
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Pomegranate Quinoa Salad

2011-11-19T05:50:00.001-08:00

Healthy and protein rich this Pomegranate Quinoa Salad is crunchy and delicious.

When you're world seems like it's spinning at warp speed and you feel like you're getting left in the dust, there is only one thing to turn to. Your comforts.

For me that means surrounding myself with the people that make me happy, doing the things that bring me joy and cooking the food that makes me light up inside.

Quinoa.

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), is that little miracle food that brings a smile to my face with every bite. No matter what ingredients I throw together, quinoa is always the star. It shines brighter than any other food in my kitchen.

The best thing about quinoa is its reliability. I know that if I'm craving something healthy and nutritious, I can make quinoa. If I want something sinfully delicious, I can make quinoa. If I want something to last me through the day and keep me feeling satisfied, I can make quinoa. Quinoa is my go-to, always.

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Mexican Pumpkin Soup

2011-11-15T17:48:00.001-08:00

Deliciously spicy, vegan pumpkin soup

Since finishing my cleanse with the Clean Program about six weeks ago, I have gone slightly off the rails. As I sit here sipping a fabulous glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and pondering life post-cleanse, I realize that I'm quite content. The cleanse has made me more aware of the food I put in my body. It has given me more of an appreciation for the food I cut out and has made me realize how much I adore my beloved Italian heritage.

Wine. Chocolate. Tomatoes.

My top three. All equally amazing and delicious. All forbidden on the Clean Program. All happily a part of my diet again.

The premise of the Clean Program is to nurture the healthy bacteria in your gut. It promotes detoxification, a healthy and balance lifestyle, and has you eliminate the foods that are common allergens. Most importantly, it works. For someone who suffered from stomach pains for years, even after cutting gluten and dairy out of my diet, going through Clean seems to have cured me. I no longer have pains when I eat. It's a miracle. My belly is thrilled.

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Perfect Gluten-Free Blueberry Pancakes

2011-11-11T13:34:00.001-08:00

Warm blueberry pancakes for a perfect gluten-free breakfast

I woke up this morning craving something starchy and sweet for breakfast. Last night I made a fabulous batch of gluten-free tropical granola (based off my delicious Gluten-free Granola recipe), but I wanted more substance. Something that was light and fluffy, sweet, semi-healthy, and packed with antioxidants. That left me with one thing.

Blueberry pancakes. Gluten-free blueberry pancakes at that.

Vermont maple syrup makes all things better.

Delicious and light Gluten-Free Blueberry Pancakes.

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Alyssa's Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake

2011-11-10T17:09:00.001-08:00

Be guilt free and enjoy a slice of this amazing flourless chocolate cake

Winter time in Vermont means one thing, cold. Bitter, bone chilling, unbearable cold. For me, this also means wrapping myself in a down blanket, snuggled up in front of a new movie or baking. Nothing warms you up like being in your kitchen whipping up a batch of gluten-free cookies, watching as a loaf of gluten-free bread happily rises on the stove, or mastering the art of vegan cake frosting.

Yes, winter in Vermont is a time to explore the depths of your kitchen and discover what makes you happy. The best advice I can give? Take this time of year to try something new.

Have you ever made a pie crust from scratch? Have you mastered the art of vegan cheesecake? What about a perfectly puffy cupcake? Don't be afraid. Take the challenge head on and impress yourself. Gluten-free cooking is easy, healthy and fun. Enjoy it.

Chocolate cake. My first winter challenge.

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Gluten-free French Toast with Pumpkin Cornbread

2011-11-06T14:49:00.000-08:00

Sunday brunch. Guess what's on today's menu? Gluten-free French Toast.

Sunday. A day for rest. A day for indulgence. The perfect day for a nice big brunch. What gluten-free breakfast item should be on the menu? Waffles, pancakes or french toast? A tough choice I know, but our lack of a waffle iron canceled out one option and I made gluten-free pumpkin pancakes a few weekends ago. Today we decided we needed to listen to our belly, and so, my specialty it was. Gluten-free French Toast.

Last week I got the weekly recipe from Healthy Bitch Daily (which I must mention is a fabulously funny daily newsletter which you should totally sign up for) and it was Pumpkin Cornbread. I just had to make it (gluten-free of course). I mean really, what's better than Pumpkin-Anything Bread. If you are a Queen of Quinoa follower, you know my two vices: quinoa and pumpkin. Some may feel these are a strange two faves, but to me they are heaven.

Quinoa, as I'm sure you already know, is amazing. As the Queen of Quinoa, I get to explore the depths of this world to its fullest. Exploring the diverse flavor profiles quinoa brings to each dish, reminding myself why being the Queen of Quinoa is so rewarding. I get to eat the food I love on a daily basis and I have the pleasure of sharing my recipes with the fabulous gluten-free and dairy-free communities.

Pumpkin, of course, is a fantabulous addition to almost any dish. I add pumpkin to my smoothies in the morning, it is obviously delicious in pies and muffins, delightful added to cookies (try my Gluten-free Pumpkin Quinoa Cookies) and pancakes (and try my Gluten-free Pumpkin "Oatmeal" Pancakes), and just as scrumptious in casseroles, soups and even mac and cheese. So yes, pumpkin is fantastic and I adore it. It reminds me of my mom and her famous Pumpkin Pie and brings the flavor of Fall to each bite you take. Yum!

Long story short, my love for pumpkin drove me to make the Healthy Bitch Daily's Pumpkin Cornbread recipe. This was a recipe I simply could not pass up.

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Gluten-free Spicy Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

2011-11-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

Chocolatey, gluten-free goodness

I made a plate of gluten-free Apple Ginger scones two days ago and they're already gone. Made with almond meal and completely dairy free, these scones were super healthy and delicious. I couldn't resist the plate sitting on my counter. The almond meal was the star of these little gems and so today, still feeling blue, I decided I needed to experiment with other nut meals. This time around? Hazelnut.

Hazelnut. This rich, semi-sweet, and robust little nut brings its distinct flavor to anything it is baked with. Goes perfectly with vanilla, perfectly with chocolate. My choice is always chocolate. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. What is better than chocolate? Honestly, nothing.

Chocolate cookies are not usually my thing. I gravitate towards vanilla based doughs. Strange, I know since I'm such a chocolate lover. This gluten-free recipe came to life from my favorite chocolate bar. The best chocolate bar on the planet. Chocolove's Chills & Cherries in Dark Chocolate. Sweet and spicy. It's like Angels and Demons but in chocolate bar form.

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The Best Gluten-Free and Clean Granola

2011-11-03T16:55:00.000-07:00

Crunch, nutty and delicious.

What could be better in the morning than a burst of sunshine in your mouth? This fabulous gluten-free granola will provide just that. It brightens up your breakfast and helps kick off your day with happiness. Truly one of the best and healthiest recipes I've had.

I am a breakfast believer. One of those people that wakes up hungry and can't make it out the door without eating breakfast. Skipping that meal would send my day spinning into negativity, and no one wants that.

Yes, I am a breakfast believer.

It is by far the most important meal of the day and should be balanced Packed with nuts, seeds and gluten-free rolled oats, this granola helps to keep you going throughout the day. The protein combined with the slowly digesting carbohydrates, you'll feel satisfied and energized after eating a bowl. And, dear reader, that's what breakfast is all about!

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Gluten-free Apple Ginger Scones

2011-11-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

Insanely healthy and super flavorful. Guten-free Apple Ginger Scones

It seems as though I've been hit by the dreaded seasonal flu. Remedies for the annual Fall cold? Warm, soft, sweet and decadent gluten-free treats. Healthy gluten-free baked goods, cure any ailment.

Lately I've been craving cinnamon. I add cinnamon to everything. My dairy-free smoothies each morning, my granola snacks, and everything baked. I found this fabulous gluten-free recipe on TastyKitchen and am completely hooked. Thanks to Jenni Huelet, I have found a gluten-free baked good that is incredibly healthy, but so yummy!

Almond meal is my discovery of the week. Simple and easy to make, tasty and packed with flavor, and healthy. All you have to do is process raw almonds in a food processor for a few minutes and voila! You have a heavenly soft, crumbly, flour-like substance. Perfect for gluten-free baking.

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Mexican Style Red Bean Quinoa Salad

2011-10-31T18:51:00.000-07:00

Roasted squash and raw onions bring balance
to this Mexican Style Quinoa salad.

I was having a hankering for Mexican food. Living in Vermont we lack authentic Mexican restaurants and good Mexican cuisine is very hard to come by. The icing on the cake being that I'm gluten-free and dairy-free and it's not worth it. Truthfully, I think I can cook better Mexican food in the comfort of my own home than most restaurants serve in this area. Why spend the money when the spicy craving hits? Let's just stay in and cook, it's way more fun anyway.

My ingredients? Butternut squash & white onion. Red beans & quinoa. Organic mixed greens.

I sense a Mexican salad coming on!

My love for Mexican food is a semi-recent development. I always enjoyed bean burritos, chicken enchiladas, and fajitas, but it was never a cuisine I craved. It wasn't until Matt came into my life that Mexican food became a staple.

He loves spice. I may even go as far as to say he is the King of Spice (a new blog perhaps?). He douses his food in hot sauce, always adds red pepper flakes to his Italian dishes and craves the fiery flavors of Mexican food. He brought spice into my life.

Mexican food is one of those cuisines that goes with almost any ingredients. You add the classics, cumin, paprika, cayenne and chili powder, and you've got your base. Mix in any ingredients and it's Mexican night at your household!

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Gluten-Free Pumpkin "Oatmeal" Pancakes

2011-10-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Gluten-free Pancakes. Pumpkin, cinnamon, quinoa and Vermont maple Syrup. Yum.

Pancakes. What could be better than waking up on a Sunday morning and cooking a delicious batch of fluffy, gluten-free pancakes? Add pumpkin and quinoa to the mix and you have perfection. The kind of perfection that puts a big smile on your face. The kind of perfection that makes your tummy happy and full. The kind of perfection that all gluten-free dieters deserve.

Ever since I was a little girl, each weekend my dad would make pancakes and waffles. Pancakes on Saturday, waffles on Sunday. I can remember waking up to the sounds of pots and pans clanging in the kitchen. My dad hard at work adding blueberries to the batter or separating the eggs to ensure our waffles were as fluffy and light as humanly possible. Sitting at the table, eagerly waiting to take the first bite of his creation.

Saturdays meant soft pancakes with amazing wild Maine blueberries that explode in your mouth with each bite and add the perfect hint of tartness. On Sundays it was all about the waffles. We never went Belgian style, we keep it classic in the Rimmer household. The toppings? Plain yogurt and Vermont maple syrup every time. Adopted from my brother many years ago, this will always be the best Sunday breakfast of my life.

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Vegan Quinoa Casserole

2011-10-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

My first casserole. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and delicious.

We watched the documentary "Forks Over Knives" a few nights ago and it was incredibly eye-opening. We watched and commented on the surprising facts and chatted about what it would be like to live on a plant-based diet. When the movie was finished, we stopped and looked at each other. Expecting my wonderful boyfriend to look at me and say it was all a crock, he surprising turned and said, "I want to go vegan".

Vegan? Not even vegetarian? No, full-blown vegan. No animal products at all. No cream, no milk, no eggs, nada. I of course was supportive as I primarily eat vegetarian and don't consume dairy. I figured it would be a cinch!

So far so good. He does still put cream in his coffee, but is making a conscious effort to eat vegetarian at least. I'm super excited about this new development because it means that I get to try some new things in the kitchen. I've been feeling uninspired. I needed a change of pace. Something new to cook. And so, vegan has been my mission.

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Gluten-free Quinoa Pizza Crust

2011-10-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

A new pizza crust for this Gluten-free Girl. Quinoa Pizza Crust.

We have done away with Meatless Mondays in our house. We do tend to eat vegetarian at least twice a week, but our ritual has been forgotten. Tonight we had chicken. Grilled chicken pizza.

Pizza has been one of my most missed foods. I miss the thin, crunching crusts. The crispy and oily toppings. The gooey cheese and spicy hot peppers. My mouth is watering just thinking about that perfect slice of pizza. Since we're wandering down memory lane, I'm going to describe my epic slice. Thin crust, thin layer of fresh tomato sauce, loads of veggies (hopefully broiled and browned), well-done mozzarella cheese, topped with fresh grated Pecorino Romano and hot chili flakes. Buono appetito!

Alas, that is not me anymore and I no longer indulge in those foods that hurt my belly. Ever since going gluten-free I have been trying to find that perfect crust. I started with Udi's Gluten-free Pizza Crust which was just so-so. They're very starchy and kind of fake tasting. Nothing like normal pizza.

My next adventure was with Gluten-free Goddess. As always, she steered my in the right direction and we cooked the best pizza crust I have ever tasted. It was light, fluffy, perfectly crispy and truly delicious. Problem is there's yeast and sugar, both of which I've been trying to eliminate because of the Clean Program.

So it was off to experiment again. I've tried socca a few times, which hasn't turned out so great. It's flat and oily. Really, not that great. I'd like to try to real thing, but I'd have to travel over to Italy for that one, so I'm guessing that won't be happening anytime soon! But hey, a gluten-free girl can dream, right?

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Vegan Quinoa Burgers

2011-10-15T14:59:00.000-07:00

Freshly baked Vegan Quinoa Burgers

I have discovered something wonderful. Quinoa Flakes. It is like oatmeal, but quinoa. The flakes are nutty, light, and fluffy. Just like quinoa. Oh yeah, and they're gluten-free. What could be better? Quinoa flakes are fantastic in all kinds of recipes. They're great for cookies, awesome for warm cereals, amazing in pancakes (my Pumpkin Pancake recipe will be posted soon!), and even better in crisps.

Now I've found a new use for them, burgers. That's right, burgers. Vegan Quinoa Burgers, at that. I'm very familiar with meat burgers. I love hamburgers. Big, juicy, medium-rare burgers. I do also enjoy vegetarian burgers, but I'm not as familiar with the preparation.

This was my first vegan burger and I was unsure how it would turn out. When making burgers, I have always used egg as my binding agent. No egg? What would hold these little babies together? Well quinoa flakes of course!
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Gluten-Free Pumpkin Quinoa Cookies

2011-10-12T04:51:00.000-07:00

A slice of cookie heaven for any gluten-free sweet tooth.

Calling all cookie lovers, gluten-free or not. I have just died and gone to cookie heaven. The most tender, gooey, chocolatey, moist heaven there could possibly be. A heaven made up of clouds of gluten-free goodness and mounds of soft, pillowy quinoa. An amazing place I have to say.

And so my dear, let me share this slice of heaven with you and maybe you will understand just what I'm talking about.

Cookies.

Yes, cookies. No heaven could be complete without them. In my gluten-free paradise, or anyone else's as far as I'm concerned.

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Puffed Rice Cake with Sliced Apples & Almond Butter

2011-10-07T05:12:00.000-07:00

Hand-picked McIntosh Apples

It's apple season in case you don't already know! And here in Vermont, the apples are the best on earth. We have all varieties, tons of local farms and pick-your-own galore.

I recently purchased a deal on LivingSocial that was $20 for a half bushel of apples + a half gallon of apple cider. A great deal if I do say so myself! Not only is the orchard just outside of Burlington, but they're pick-your-own. This means Matt and I have a super fun Saturday ahead of us.

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Gluten-free Cinnamon and Pecan Crusted Salmon

2011-10-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Gluten-free Cinnamon and Pecan Crusted Salmon

In preparation of our long weekend in Maine, seafood was a necessity tonight. Crispy, crunchy, gluten-free crusted fish. A perfect dish for any sea critter admirer.

It's our last weekend to enjoy the ocean and admire the beautiful sunsets from the porch in Kennebunkport. This is always a sad time of year for me as it officially marks the end of summer.

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Balsamic Quinoa with Roasted Autumn Vegetables

2011-10-02T19:58:00.000-07:00

Balsamic Quinoa with Roasted Autumn Vegetables

Today's quinoa creation came to life from all the amazing gluten-free and dairy-free blogs I've been reading. I've been bopping around from one gluten-free blogger to the next, gaining inspiration and ideas from the different recipes I've seen. So much talent and creativity in this bunch, it's astounding!

For me, going gluten-free was hard, but not unbearable. I didn't do much research, I just cut out wheat and went from there. It began with rice and corn. I knew both were gluten-free and so they became the center of my diet. Brown rice, wild rice, corn tortillas (and chips), and corn pasta. To say that I was bored by the second month is an understatement.

Little by little, I began to move out of my rice-corn box. I started reading. I started researching. My first discovery and still my go-to, favorite gluten-free blogger out there: the Gluten-Free Goddess. Her recipes are delicious, her tips are incredibly helpful and her stories are heart-warming. To be honest, it is because of her passion for living gluten-free that I decided to share my love for g-free cooking, and as such the Queen of Quinoa was born.

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Gluten-Free Ginger Quinoa Bowl

2011-10-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Gluten-Free Ginger Quinoa Bowl

It's October. The summer is really gone. I'm still not prepared for what lies ahead. And so, to celebrate, I stayed inside all day long.

My rainy Saturday to do list:

Sleep in - check
Sit on the couch all day with Mr. Henderson - check
Blog - check
Cook quinoa - check

Although most would say the day is still young and there's plenty of time to get stuff done, I mean it is only 4:15, I'm still in my PJs. Yes, it's one of those days. One of those days where you would like nothing better than to just sit on the couch, snuggled under a down blanket, with a steaming bowl of quinoa in your cold hands. I'm in heaven.

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Vegan White Bean and Mushroom Soup

2011-09-30T19:58:00.000-07:00

Vegan White Bean & Mushroom Soup

It's my final day of the Clean Program. I have to say it was not as hard as I expected it to be, but I am glad it's coming to an end. I can't wait to start cooking "dinner", and actually be able eat it that night for dinner, rather than taking it the next day for lunch. I'm sick of cold leftovers. I've missed my kitchen.

On the top of my most missed list: chocolate, tomatoes, peppers and wine. The first and the last, I know, not so good for me, but what can I say? I'm a wine and chocolate kind of girl. And with Italian cuisine flowing through my veins, tomatoes are literally a life blood. Being Clean? Quite difficult indeed.

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Quinoa and Pear Stuffed Acorn Squash in a Lemon Apple Vinaigrette

2011-09-27T19:33:00.000-07:00

Quinoa and Pear Stuffed Acorn Squash in a Lemon Apple Vinaigrette

Yet again I have sought comfort in my beloved friend, Quinoa. Over the past year and a half Quinoa has treated me well. She was my savior when I decided to go gluten-free. She brought me back from the depths of despair, when I was downtrodden and longing for the familiar, gluten-filled foods. She lifted me up with her unique flavor and fluffy texture. Quinoa is easy-going and unassuming, but powerful and confident. She adapts to her surroundings and lovingly takes in flavors as if they belonged to her. I will forever be an admirer of this fabulous grain.

A queen, especially a Queen of Quinoa, must nobly take this grain to new heights. Mixing flavors and ingredients with no fear or trepidation, knowing that quinoa is strong, bold and proud. She will not bend or break when life throws her curve balls. And so, dear reader, I took quinoa to new heights tonight and the results were glorious.

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Dairy-free Broccoli, Spinach & Kale Soup

2011-09-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

Dairy-free Broccoli, Spinach & Kale Soup

For the past two weeks, the majority of my meals have been in liquid form. Although that may sound quite unappetizing for some, it has become part of my daily ritual. Smoothies in the morning, shakes or soups at night. Granted, I am getting quite sick of the consistency, but I have learned to love these meals. UE86UUJC5KZF

I tried my hand green shakes and let me tell you, I was not impressed or satisfied. I couldn't stand the cold, green, seaweedy flavor that so many recipes have (aside from avocado which is my only green ingredient). So I tried my hand at soup and thought I would share this with you all. Although it's not my favorite or the most delicious, it does the job. It's healthy, packed with fiber, fairly low sodium, Clean, dairy-free, gluten-free and surprisingly filling.

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Gluten-free Asian Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Linguine

2011-09-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

Asian Turkey Meatballs with Zucchini Linguine

Ever since I read Karina Allrich's recipe for raw zucchini pasta, it has been on my "To Make" list. Sunday is a day for traditions and Mr. Henderson and I have come up with some goodies. We begin our day either blogging or reading the New York Times, eating a late breakfast and if weather prevails we take a stroll. Today was no exception, we wandered down to Church Street. With Zucchini Pasta on my mind, I made it my goal to find a spiral slicer. We went to all the cooking stores and couldn't find what I was looking for until we stopped at William Sonoma.

I scavenged the store until I found it. A cool, lime green, dual-edged julienne peeler. Rather than spend the money on one that would only end up taking up space on our counter, I bought a delightful little handheld gadget. It worked better than I could have ever hoped for!

Pasta. I love pasta. Anything Italian and gluten-free is heaven for me. Rice pasta, corn pasta, quinoa pasta, buckwheat pasta, you name it. Pasta is always good.

But now thanks to the Gluten Free Goddess, I have a new favorite. Raw zucchini pasta. With my new trusty peeler, I now can have pasta whenever I'd like! I no longer have to wait for water to boil, the spaghetti is ready almost instantly. Truly a revelation for my Italian palette.

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Green Spaghetti with Sauteed Zucchini & Mushrooms

2011-09-24T10:13:00.000-07:00

Green Spaghetti with Sauteed Zucchini & Mushrooms

It's a very gray and gloomy day here in Vermont. The summer has faded away and we are creeping up to Fall rather quickly. The leaves are beginning to turn and we're losing the luscious green that keeps this place so vibrant and beautiful. Before we know it, we will be wrapped in blankets and slippers, completely engulfed by the grips of winter.

Green was my inspiration today. The last few days I've been cooking with autumn. Reds, oranges, browns. I have found ways to incorporate these colors into almost every meal. I needed to break out of this rut and bring some color back into my life. No sense accepting Fall until summer has said farewell for good.

So I looked in the fridge today and said, "I'm celebrating the end of summer with green."

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Curried Quinoa with Roasted Cauliflower and Sautéed Veggies

2011-09-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

Curried Quinoa with Roasted Cauliflower and Sautéed Veggies

Curry. Oh, curry. Whether it's Thai, Indian, Lebanese, Moroccan, you name it, curry is always delicious. To top it off, it's super easy to make and tastes good with practically any ingredient, you can't go wrong.

Indian was on my mind tonight. The idea of a yogurt sauce, simmered with veggies, sweet potatoes, chicken and served over brown rice. Yum. To die for. All things involving Indian food, I love.

Sadly, being gluten and dairy free has limited me in this arena. I can no longer eat my beloved Naan bread. I can no longer have sauces infused with yogurt. So much of this food is now off-limits to me. I try to avoid temptation and have simply steered clear of this cuisine.

Tonight, temptation got the better of me. My jar of curry powder was staring longingly at me from the spice cabinet. The fresh cauliflower was flirting with me from the fridge. I knew Indian was on the menu.

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Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli, Leeks and Chopped Almonds

2011-09-15T14:12:00.000-07:00

Quinoa with Roasted Broccoli, Leeks & Chopped Almonds

On my fifth day of my cleanse, where I can only eat solid food at lunch and I've been in a rut. I knew only one thing could cure me: quinoa.

My love and companion in the kitchen. Each time I boil the water and drop the grain into the bubbles, happiness seeps into my body and I'm ready to cook. I honestly can't describe how much I adore the nutty deliciousness that quinoa brings to my meals. If you aren't a convert yet, I can guarantee this recipe will shove you (nicely of course) in that direction.

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Sesame Crusted Salmon and Quinoa with Asian Vegetables

2011-09-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

Sesame Crusted Salmon and Quinoa with Asian Vegetables

I have decided to go on a cleanse diet. Today is my second day and I feel like I'm adjusting fairly well. The program is called the Clean Program and so far is has been wonderful. I purchased the book on my Kindle (and by mine, I mean the one I am "borrowing" from my mom), and read it all the way through before beginning the cleanse. If you are ever considering doing something like this, make sure you do your homework! Read blogs and user testimonials to hear other people's experiences. Make sure you understand the science and reasoning behind the program. Most importantly, choose a program that will work for you and suit your lifestyle.

For me, the Clean Program was a no-brainer. The underlying premise of the program, like many others, is to detoxify your system by flushing out all the toxins you consume on a daily basis. It begins with an Elimination Diet, which for my fellow gluten and dairy free peeps this is a cinch. The point is to eliminate all foods that are common allergens (like gluten and dairy, among a few other things). Luckily for me, I haven't been eating many of these foods for over a year now, so I figured it would be simple!

I have to have two liquid meals a day, one for breakfast and one for dinner. Lunch has now become the meal that I get to have fun with - and of course, eat quinoa! I still get to chef with Matt which is fabulous. We've hatched a plan that we will cook dinner for him and I will just take the second half for my lunch the next day. Yes, very sensible I know, that's just how we roll.

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Fall Quinoa Salad with Butternut Squash and Apples

2011-09-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

Fall Quinoa Salad with Butternut Squash and Apples

It's been rainy and gray all week. The nights are starting to get colder and it feels that summer is slowly slipping away from us. Luckily for me and my fellow Vermonters, Fall in this state is spectacular. This is the bright, colorful, and fabulous season that buffers our glorious summers with our freezing winters.

Although I'm sad to see summer disappearing before my eyes, Fall in Vermont is truly fantastic. The colors on the trees are breathtaking. The weather is gorgeous. The state literally glows for two months. And to top it off, we have the best, freshest, tastiest food on earth.

Our apples are the heart and soul of this season. All year I wait patiently for our natural food coop to have locally grown apples. From the day they arrive, my meals are transformed and are instantly inspired by this delightful little fruit. Whichever way they are used, apples are always tasty. The wide varieties bring a unique flavor and texture with each and will distinguish a dish in very interesting ways. Sweet, savory, crunchy or smooth, apples bring complexity to your kitchen that you may never have expected.

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Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Avocado

2011-09-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

Quinoa Salad with Black Beans and Avocado

What a whirlwind of a weekend. Thursday marked the first of the month, also marking a large milestone in the life of me and Mr. Henderson. We moved into our first apartment! Granted, we have been living together for the past three months, but I don't think we can really count the Redstone Apartments as "ours".

As I'm sitting in our glorious studio loft, sipping my nightly cup of Mint Magic tea, watching Beerfest on our newly purchased 42" TV, I have to say I am truly content. Our place is amazing, mi amor is done with his crazy schedule (for now at least) and we just had a delightfully delicious quinoa salad for dinner. Now onto the food.

One of our weekly rituals is "Meatless Monday". Each Monday, we cook a new vegetarian dinner, experimenting with different forms of protein and seeing what we can come up with to counterbalance our generally meat-filled diet. This week was inspired by our beloved neighbor down south, Mexico!

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Lemony Tofu-Quinoa Saute

2011-08-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

Vegetarian Quinoa with Lemon Tofu

Let me begin by saying, I am a semi-newbie in the world of tofu. I use the word "semi" simply because I have eaten my fair share of this silky, soy goodness and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, but that's where my journey ends. I have to admit that cooking tofu is not my forte. I can tell you howI like this veggie delight to taste, but I couldn't begin to tell you how it got there. So, my fellow tofu semi-newbies, tonight seems like the perfect night to get my test kitchen on.

All day I have been dreaming of ways to use tofu. Matt is working late tonight, giving me the opportunity to play around with ingredients he doesn't like. I couldn't think of a better night to play with the food I love.

I would not consider myself a risk taker. Although I am not afraid to push myself outside my comfort zone, it does always feels better to stick with things you know. This especially rings true when it comes to cooking. I know I like tofu, I know I like beets, but I also know I LOVE quinoa. Love, love love it (obviously).

My tip of the day:

When new ingredients are brought into the mix, stick with other ingredients you know you love and you're more likely to end up with a yummy meal in front of you!

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Leftovers Repurposed

2011-08-29T00:43:00.000-07:00

Tiny Thai served over Quinoa

Well here it is: my first post about Quinoa. Let me begin by telling you that quinoa is tasty with any and all foods. American, Italian, French, Spanish, Indian, Chinese, Thai. You name it and quinoa is the perfect mate.

Being from Vermont, you would expect our food options to be limited. However I am happy to report that Burlington seems to be a hub of ethnic cuisine, spanning from Japanese to Mexican to Middle Eastern. Matt, who you have yet to be introduced to, is my fabulous boyfriend and gluten-free partner in crime (who is happily willing to be my tester and taster). I bring him up because we love the variety of food in Btown and eat out as much as we can. Bringing me to my next point: leftovers.

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Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-08-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Seeing that this is my first food related post, you would expect that I'd be sharing a quinoa secret with you. Alas, I'm sorry to disappoint, but my gluten-free, dairy-free sweet-tooth got the better of me today and I just needed a little sugar pick-me-up.

So, what to do when a hurricane is threatening to strike, you're a tad bit worse for the wear due to Saturday night exploits, and you're craving sweets? Bake cookies of course!

Cookies are a personal thing. Some like thin, while others like thick. Some like chewy, while others like crisp. The list goes on and on. Now I've had my fair share of cookies and am fairly resolute when it comes to my grading criteria. It's all about the moist, chewy, chocolatey, gooeyness for me. So that's just what I set out to achieve. A delicious little morsel of chocolatey heaven that would bring some cheer to this dreary Sunday.

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The Queen has spoken.

2011-08-23T17:18:00.000-07:00

Quinoa. Oh, Quinoa. The glorious little grain that has become the staple of my gluten-free diet. I discovered this gem while on the pathway to becoming a healthier, happier and most importantly more comfortable me. For me, this meant going gluten-free.

I'm sure many of my g-free peeps out there can feel me, removing this integral part of our diet was one of the most difficult adjustments ever. Pasta. Bread. Baked Goods. The lot. All the yummy treats that we so sadly discovered hurt our bodies to digest. So, what's a girl to do? Suffer through life with constant stomach pains? I think not.

No, it was time for my eating habits to change. I realized it was less about elimination and more about adjusting. This was a time for me to explore, experiment and enjoy new foods. Try new recipes, taste new ingredients, cook using new techniques. This is where Quinoa came into the mix.

Along this journey I was fortunate enough to discover Quinoa. The first recipe I made was mixing Quinoa with Latin American flavors, and I have to admit, it really wasn't enjoyable. The texture was off. The flavors were off. Something was missing. I knew this ingredient had potential, I just needed to unleash it. So, like most amateur cooks, I started experimenting. I used Quinoa instead of rice. I used it with Stir fries, with Indian food, in replace of Noodles. It was a revelation. Not only did it taste divine, it was just as easy to make as rice, but more healthy and satisfying.

Quinoa is AMAZING. That's really the bottom line (and point) of this blog. I will share my discoveries, my experiments, tips, tricks and what I have learned along my way to becoming gluten-free. I hope you are ready! Now, let's get to cooking!

xo Alyssa