It is getting to be that time of year! All of the goodies and sweet treats will be out in full force.
As a woman who married into a family of foodies but who’s body requires making smart lifestyle decisions, this can be a slippery slope.
Do not get me wrong, I love sweet treats. I have not, however, had them so abundantly available to me growing up. So now that I am around other families that do not do what my family does, I find it more challenging to resist those tasty treats!
So what is a girl to do? Make versions for herself!
So I will admit, I like to bake. I however do not always have time to do so. I do have to pick and choose which goodies to make for myself and which ones to give myself grace on.
Please, if you decide to enjoy some of those sweet treats, give yourself grace in those moments. Learn from them and love yourself. It was one day and you can make better decisions next time. That cookie or piece of pie will not be your undoing.
With that said, let’s back to baking! I have had to relearn how to do this baking thing over the last few years.
I am sensitive to gluten and dairy. I learned this through an elimination protocol. While I feel so much better without these foods, I was missing some of my favorites.
I am so thankful for the many resources that exist today. Danielle Walker is my favorite resource. Her book Celebrations:A Year of Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Paleo Recipes for Every Occasion, was a game changer for me at the holidays.
If you are looking info alternative baking and cooking, please go check out her stuff! She has a website with lots of freebies.
Here are a few things I have done to help me enjoy treats as well as stay within my lifestyle choices.
Looked into the alternatives: I looked into different flour options as well as dairy alternatives, and most importantly lower glycemic options for sugar. Things like almond flour, coconut milks/creams, monk fruit, and date syrup.
Looked for already prepped items: I found some many options to pie crust, alternative whips, and chocolate chips that are for people with food allergies (I promise they taste so good).
Lastly, I simply asked if anyone else is willing to try and make tasty treats for me. Whether it is my mother-in-law who also loves to bake or I am at a bakery. I check out my options and go from there.
While I will never eat perfectly during the holiday season, I try my best. These are just a few things I have done to help support my body better with food while also enjoying some of my favorite things when it comes to the holidays.
So go out there, give it your best go, and just enjoy the day. No matter what you eat, enjoy it!
Cheers to the Holiday Season,
Terra
We love sushi in your house...especially the California Roll. It is the sauce that makes it I tell ya!
Unfortunately, my son decided that he no longer liked the Nori wraps in the sushi. So our plans to create deconstructed sushi bowls began.
Now our bowls are not much different that any other recipe out there, but as usual they are always evolving in flavor and style. After all everything we cook or make at home gets Macklinized!
So here is the Macklin version of Sushi Bowls, of course customized to how we eat. Feel free to customize to your meal needs.
Ingredients
Sauce:
¼ c of mayo
3-4 tsp sriracha sauce
Filling:
4 cups cauliflower rice
2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
¼ cup Coconut aminos
â…› cup Fish Sauce (optional)
Toppings:
1 large avocado, scooped out and sliced, mashed, or cubed
12 oz of shrimp, fish, or crab (skip the imitation crab if you are a low carb eater)
1 cucumber, sliced
1 tbsp toasted black sesame seeds
2 green scallions, chopped
1 carrot cut into strips, ribbons, or shredded
Instructions
Sauce: mix mayo and sriracha sauce until mixed thoroughly together. Set aside to allow it to flavorize.
Rice: Steam cauliflower rice until tender. Then add in rice vinegar, coconut aminos, and fish sauce to rice. Taste and add more to reach the desired flavor profile.
Meat: cook according based on the meat of your choosing
Toppings: Chop up cucumber, green scallions, and avocado.
Divide rice into 4 serving bowls, add 3 oz of meat, and top our choice of toppings from above or get creative and add your own flare to your dish. However that sauce...you have got to add that, I promise it makes the dish!
If you like seeing how food is made, my son and I walk you through the steps:
The best part for me is this recipe makes 4 servings. So in a house of three, there is always a bowl left over for my lunch the next day.
If you decide to add Nori to your dish, just make sure to add it to the bowl before eating. Otherwise it gets too soft when sitting in the bowl over time.
What will you be adding to your Sushi Bowl tonight?
Enjoy,
Terra
Everyone needs a good BBQ sauce! You may ask, why make it?
Because trust me when I say you know exactly what is in your sauce and only you can make it taste this amazing without added refined sugar!
The amount of dates needed is really up to you. We use dates for the low glycemic affect to our bodies and because it is a natural source of sweetness without being altered multiple times.
This recipe is great for anyone who takes pride in making their own flavorful sauces. It is also a great option for those looking for a low glycemic sauce option.
Check out my boys making it below.
Recipe
12 pitted dates, soaked and peeled
14 oz can tomato sauce
1/4 c coconut aminos
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
1/4 c apple juice or orange juice
1 tsp each: salt, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
So here is how this works
Soak your dates
You will start to see the outer peel coming off, that is when they are done soaking
Peel the outer skins off of the dates and put into your high speed blender or food processor (we use a food processor)
Process until smooth
While processing your dates, warm up your pan of tomato sauce and seasonings
Once the dates are done, add to the tomato sauce
Cook on med low for about 20 minutes
The sauce should thicken
Allow to cool and then run through a strainer when pouring into a glass storage container
Sauce will store for about a month (if it lasts that long)
Enjoy!
Terra
