Thursday, October 24, 2013

New Potato Salad (Free of all that gross stuff)

 Gross Stuff Free Potato Salad
So, my mom makes this potato salad, this isn't it.  My mom's potato salad is one of those old staples and at every family event she is asked to make it. There is never any left, everyone loves it.  But I can barely stand opening the fridge when it's in there. The smell alone! This isn't that recipe.  That recipes is full of super boiled potatoes, mayo, hard boiled eggs, yuck!  Salad should be fresh! It should be refreshing, it should have green in it!  So, here's my healthier, happier, yummy, yuck free version of potato salad.  Looks good right? Yes. Much better.

Recipe:

1-2 pounds of New Red Potatoes
2-3 TBS Dijon Mustard (I also used this maple dijon mustard, sweeter and yummy!)
2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar (with Mother for more yum!)
2 TBS Olive Oil
1 bunch Green Onions minced
 Small Sweet onion minced
3-4 stalks of celery minced

Boil your potatoes whole for 15 minutes until fork tender, still firm. Rinse with cold water. Let cool a little so you can cut them into quarters. Mince up all your veggies while the potatoes are boiling. In another bowl, like a mad scientist, mix your mustard, olive oil and vinegar until you taste it and want to swim in it in delight. I usually play around to find the right amount of acidity and flavor so the measurements are flexible. The potatoes will stop sticking together once you toss in your dressing (this also makes a great salad dressing in general. (Oh and try plum wine instead of vinegar sometime, yum!)  Mix them all together until well incorporated.  If you aren't sure you want so much onion, add it in a little at a time till you are happy.  Like hardboiled eggs? Add those too (but I think they are yucky!)

There it is, the yuck free potato salad, giving you onion breath you are in love with, not regret!

What do you put in your potato salad?

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Tummy Troubles and What It Means For Delicious Treats (Amazing Gluten Free, Refined Sugar Free, Vegan Chocolate Banana Bread)

I have tummy problems. It sounds pretty tolerable to say it that way, but truth is, the pain and discomfort I feel on a regular basis had made the past year quite distressing, depressing and frustrating.  Doctors are slow to come to a real answer and my symptoms are wide and changing.  Right now, its a toss up between IBS, Gluten Intolerance, Lactose Intolerance and probably at least a mixture of all three, if not something else entirely.  While on the medical front, I've had a few ER visits, multiple doctor visits and no answers, on the home front I have tried to be as proactive with my health as possible.  I take glutamine for my intestine health, a probiotic, and exercise daily, (I play Roller derby too! More on that later!)
Recently, I found Fennel Tea, which honestly, seems to really help with cramping and bloating, I recommend it, although I was quite skeptical at first myself, I now drink at least three cups a day. Heather's Tummy Tea is actually quite affordable and makes the whole thing easy, although you could also just brew your own lose fennel, that is how I started.

 I also found cutting out gluten and cutting down on dairy helped A LOT. Plus, I lost at least twenty pounds! Nice side effect.  But, I am a gluten lover. I mean, me and bread are best friends, we made our own loaves and went through two or three a week in my household, that's gluten love! So, it was a bit depressing to leave my gluten behind and I've been determined to find yummy, awesome alternatives since.

 Cue my Chocolate Banana Bread! ( Really, you can leave out the cocoa powder and have normal banana bread too, but who wants that?!)  I don't feel like this is a replacement at all, it is as good if not better than the wheat banana bread I use to make and better for you!

I know, I know, get to the recipe. You've got it!



Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

3 cups Gluten Free Oats (I use Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats )
( Blend them into a course flour we have a ninja blender and its magically)
1/2 Cup of Walnuts also ground small (or omit if you don't like nuts)
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3-5 very ripe bananas (I say the more the merrier!)
1/4 cup natural applesauce
 1 tablespoon coconut oil
 1/3 cup of maple syrup  (if you want to use brown sugar you can)
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup cocoa powder ( or not if you want regular banana bread)
2/3 cup Chocolate chips ( or not, up to you!)

Grease a 9x5 pan, Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix all dries together. Mix and blend all wets together making your banana only slightly chunky. Add dries to wet, until well incorporated, then add chocolate chips. Bake for 35-40 minutes.  When it comes out, cool in pan for 5-10 minutes then take it out and let it cool the rest of the way on a wire rack.  If you can wait that long.  I can't.

I do not think you are going to be disappointed.



Momma Morgan is Back and has a New Groove! Bzz Agent Away!

So, I recently became an agent with Bzz Agent! and have started my first campaign! Carton Smart is very cool way to buy, store and use soups and other liquids, that might usually come in a yucky, heavy can!  I'm in love already! I mean look at how much more organized my cabinet is!

I am a big foodie and make at least one big meal for my family every day, usually more, not to mention the baked goods. So I look forward to trying out these soups and broths and sharing my recipes here.  I am especially interested in gluten free things, since I've been having terrible tummy issues since the birth of my baby girl! (More on that later.) So, catch me here for gluten free recipes, new products to look out for, thanks to my friends over at BzzAgent.com and lots of cool family activities, arts and crafts projects and more! I am one busy lady!#gotitfree