Join Me For The Gluten & Allergen Free Expo Chicago

So, I am super excited to be chosen as a member of the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo Chicago Blogger Team!  I will be attending the 2014 GFAF Expo on April 12th and 13th at the Schaumburg Renaissance Convention Center.

Won't you join me at this huge event!  Your Expo ticket will get you:

Entry into the 150+ booth vendor fair

Valuable coupons at the vendor booths

Samples from the vendors

Discounted products available for purchase

Informative classes related to the gluten and allergen free lifestyle

Free reusable bag to carry your goodies

Meet your favorite vendors, authors, and bloggers (maybe even ME)

You can purchase your tickets online at http://gfafexpo.com/locations/chicago/#tickets.  Be sure to use the coupon code BLOGCHI to receive 35% off at checkout.

I will also be hosting a giveaway of 5 One Day Tickets this weekend!  Maybe you'll be the lucky winner!

All I know is, I can't wait to get there.  There are going to be huge vendors, with all their gluten and allergen free goodies.  There are informative classes where I can learn more about living allergen free.  And, I get a chance to meet some of my favorite writers and bloggers!

Come out and experience the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo with me!  It's going to be such fun!  Let me know if you're coming!  I'll be looking for YOU (not in a weird stalker way)!

Resources:
GFAF Website
GFAF on Facebook
GFAF on Twitter

Paleo Thanksgiving Prep- Day Three No Rest For The Weary!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! The last day of Thanksgiving prep is upon us! First thing, this morning, I put my big turkey to brine.  This is how we do it Cajun style, in an Igloo ice chest. I followed the recipe from Danielle Walker's ebook "Thankful". All I can say is, it smells delicious.

Once my turkey was secure in it's salt bath, I prepped dish after dish. I prepared my gluten free sausage and apple stuffing, traditional green bean Cassarole, Paleo green bean Cassarole, and mashed sweet potatoes with brown sugar apples and pecans on top. I like to do one dish at a time. That way I can pull out all the ingredients for one dish, put it all together, and wash every utensil, bowl, and pot before moving on to the next. This also helps to avoid cross contamination if I'm preparing allergen containing dishes.

Next, I took a break away from the kitchen. I ran around the house, moving furniture (again!), vacuuming, cleaning the guest bathroom, doing a load of laundry, ironing the table linens, and putting yet another leaf in the dining room table.

Back to the kitchen I went! I'm not proud of it, but I shoved a banana in my mouth for lunch. My Paleo, Crustless Pecan Pie was my next project.  I like to eat my pecan pie cold; so, I had to bake it today so I could refrigerate it overnight.  I know, I'm the only person I know who does this. It's just one of my quirks!

It looks so yummy!

By the time I finished baking my pie, it was time to cook dinner.  I could have taken the easy way out; but, I didn't. I made Chicken Parmesan with gluten free breadcrumbs and pasta. I realize it's not paleo. But, I have so many gluten free items in my pantry that I bought before I knew I had to go hard core paleo.  I don't like to waste food.  Besides, I was exhausted!

After dinner, I tackled the setting of the table. I like to set the entire table the eve before the holiday. An hour later, I was done.

Almost done!

Finally, it was time to chill!  I removed my snood and let my hair hang free. In case you don't know what a snood is, it's basically a fancy hairnet.  I didn't want to take a chance of losing some hair in the food I worked so hard to prepare.  Lately, it falls out by the handfuls. I would be mortified if one of my guest ended up with a mouthful of hair. Yuck!

And what was Boho doing as I toiled away?

She was snoozing!

So, everything is ready to go. Tomorrow is the big day, Thanksgiving! I'll let you know how it all works out.  I'll be putting our turkey in the oven at 9:30 AM. I have everything scheduled for the time each dish needs to go into the oven. I'll prepare the remainder of the veggie dishes and the two different gravies (one is paleo). I'm hoping to get dinner on the table by 3:00 PM. We'll see how that goes!

Right now, it's 11:30 PM. As soon as I post this blog, I'm going to bed. Goodnight!

Paleo Thanksgiving Prep- Day Two or What Was I Thinking!

So, this morning I set off to do my Thanksgiving dinner shopping.  I needed to purchase a few hard to find foods; so, decided to shop a grocery store that carried a big variety of specialty foods. I parked my car in a spot pretty far from the entrance, as I always do. I figured there is someone out there who needs a closer spot than I do. Besides, I like to walk. Midway through my walk, I started to feel that old wicked ache in my hip joint. Aargh!  I could not let the pain deter me. I had seven family members and Boho counting on me to provide them with a Thanksgiving feast. I hobbled onward.

Inside the store, desperation festered from last minute shoppers scurrying around like rats in a maze. I carefully maneuvered my way through the fresh produce department. Luckily, I was the rare bird who wanted organic only produce.  I picked out my Fuji apples, sweet onions, sweet potatoes, parsley, and green beans without so much as a sighting of another shopper.  Yeah for me!

In the meat department, I quickly located the fresh free range turkeys. Yikes, fifty bucks for an eighteen pounder!  I knew Trader Joe's had them pre-brined for $1.99 a pound.  As I stood contemplating, a woman came by and started shuffling the turkeys around. " That's an awful lot to pay for a turkey, don't you think?" She asked me.  " Yeah, I think I'm going to get one from Trader Joe's for $1.99 a pound," I answered.  She proceeded to tell me that she'd just come from Trader Joe's because they were SOLD OUT! I grabbed my $50 turkey and placed it into my shopping cart.

The next three hours were spent collecting the ingredients I needed to make my mixed paleo/traditional dishes. I travelled to three different stores to locate everything. Well, almost everything. I could not, for the life of me, find raw cashew butter! I, finally, decided to make my own with raw cashews I picked up at Trader Joe's ( by the way, the woman I met earlier was right- NO TURKEYS). I said a silent prayer of thanks to God for sending me that wonderfully informative woman at precisely the right time.

Once home, I carried my loot into the house, looking like a pack mule. I don't know what it is; but, I hate making more than one trip.  Boho barked at me as I balanced on one leg, slipping off my boot and replacing it with my slipper. She was still barking as I reshifted and did the same with the other side. I plowed through the house until I reached the kitchen and laid the sacks on the floor.

The rest of my afternoon was spent putting away my groceries, taking out the garbage ( tomorrow is garbage day), adding the extra leaf to the dining room table, moving the furniture to accommodate guest, choosing table linens, baking grain free bread for the stuffing, and cooking dinner ( Cilantro chicken and zucchini).

I wish I could answer the question I keep asking myself. What was I thinking? I have never waited until the last minute to prep for Thanksgiving or any other holiday ( I host all of them!). I don't know if it has anything to do with my diagnosis, the trip I took to visit my newborn nephew, or my constantly evolving symptoms. All I do know, is I will never do this again!

Tomorrow, I will clean house ( which includes shampooing the carpet), brine the turkey, and prepare the green bean casseroles, sweet potatoes, and grain free sausage stuffing.  These will all be made in advance and then refrigerated.  Thanksgiving day, all I need to do is pop them in the oven about a half an hour before serving. Easy as pie! Oops, I forgot about the Paleo Pecan Pie! I'll make that tomorrow, too.

All of my recipes can be found on my Pinterest boards, Gluten Free For Me and Paleo-a-go-go.  Http://www.pinterest.com/bohoandmo 

And: Danielle Walker's Thanksgiving ebook on Amazon.com

Paleo Thanksgiving Prep- Day One

Well, I wanted to use a photo showing a beautiful fall day. But, this photo shows the reality of an autumn day in Illinois. And, trust me, from the photo, you cannot feel how cold it is outside!

Anyhoo, today is my first day of formal planning of my Thanksgiving menu. It's the day that I finalize the dishes to be cooked and make my list of items I need to purchase at the grocery store tomorrow. Normally, I have this done already. But, this year, I have had to learn a whole new way of planning and preparing foods. Luckily, I've received some help along the way.

If you are new to the gluten free or paleo lifestyle, your best bet is to find a professional who has been living it for awhile.  I don't know if you've heard of Danielle Walker, founder of Against All Grain.  She offers some of the most delicious recipes I have ever found.  Her book, Against All Grain, has tons of recipes for foods I thought I would never be able to enjoy again.  And now, she has created an ebook just for Thanksgiving. You can find it on Amazon for only $1.99!  Most of the dishes I've decided to cook for Thanksgiving are from this ebook.

This is her original cookbook.

I should tell you, I am not receiving any kind of compensation for this review. This is my honest opinion, nothing more. With Danielle Walker's ebook, I have been able to plan a paleo feast for me and my family, complete with stuffing and dessert.

Tomorrow comes the hard part.  Shopping for paleo friendly meats, where I live, is beyond difficult.  I should have lots of fun tomorrow trying to find everything I need. I already know I'm going to visit at least three stores seeking my ingredients! Wish me luck!

More recipes can be found on my pinterest boards at www.pinterest.com/bohoandmo.

Also, check out www.againstallgrain.com.

Paleo-A-Go-Go!

My veggie and fruit bin is full!

My, things sure do change quickly around here! After getting completely abandoned by my GP, I have immersed myself in research, looking for a cure for all that ails me.  I have also consulted with a Naturapathic Doctor to further my studies. We have come to the agreement that my lupus requires a very thoughtful plan which combines herbal, vitamin, homeopathic, diet, and stress reducing therapies.

My current diet of gluten free foods is not restrictive enough.  I am to now follow a paleo food plan which totally restricts grains of any sort. You can find tons of information online; so, I will spare you the long description. I also have to eliminate citrus ( Boo!) and vegetables in the nightshade category 

( potatoes, tomatoes, sweet and hot peppers, etc.). Don't worry about the lemons and oranges in the photo. I use them for cleaning only now. The citrus is bad for my stomach ulcer and hernia because they're much too acidic.  The nightshade veggies can affect my joints by causing further inflammation.

Great, and right before the holidays!

Luckily for me, there are tons of Thanksgiving Paleo recipes online and for sale as ebooks and PDFs. I will be doing a review of a few of them this weekend. I'm going to blog about them next week, probably Monday.

Since I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner at my home, I will have control over what I cook. I've decided to make paleo versions of my favorite foods, Sweet Potato Crunch, Pecan Pie and Green Bean Cassarole. For my family, I will make the traditional versions of their favorites. My Mother-in-law is bringing the pies, thankfully.  I'm glad I'll be the only one eating the paleo versions, in case they don't turn out so well!

As for the changes to my herbal and vitamin plan, I have upgraded my vitamins to the Melaleuca Vitality Total.  These are, by far, the best vitamins I have ever taken. The Total pack adds supplements for eyesight, joint care, and hormone support.  I have already noticed a difference in my hip and knee pain.  The pain had gotten so bad, it was difficult for me to walk.  These vitamins are not cheap; but, the relief they give is worth every penny.  If you'd like to know how to purchase your own, email me at tmoperillo@gmail.com. I'll hook you up. I'm also taking Cat's Claw, to reduce inflammation, and Paul d'Arco, to cleanse my blood.  I drink 1/2 cup of aloe vera juice everyday, mixed into my fresh fruit and vegetable juice.  Oh, and let's not forget about my fish oil supplements.

We will continue to add various remedies as I need them. Cleaning out my beauty and personal care items was a vital part of my wellness. I am only using the purest, organic products. Successfully, I've been using Organic Coconut Oil as a body moisturizer for my skin rashes.  I will be blogging recipes for my favorite concoctions soon, along with a resource list of where to find the best ingredients.

So, there is much more to come as I maneuver my way around lupus world. I won't go down without a fight! It's ON!

Have you checked out my Pinterest boards yet? I pin lots of fabulous recipes ( gluten free, paleo, and regular), herbal info, alternative health articles, diy ideas, and just some funny stuff.  Www.pinterest.com/bohoandmo 

Be sure to "Like" us on Facebook for daily updates on all that is Boho and Mo.  Www.facebook.com/bohoandmo 

And, I've just updated our website for fall! Www.BohoandMo.com

Grass Fed Beef for my new Paleo plan.

Fridge is fully stocked with organic veggies!

Time To Heal!

Well, I just came home after my trip to New Orleans, visiting my newborn nephew, Grayson. He's absolutely perfect! It's always so refreshing to spend time with a precious new life. It definitely did my spirit good.

Now that I'm home, it's time for me to deal with the realities of my health. A few days before I left for New Orleans, I received the diagnosis of lupus. As if that weren't enough, I'm also dealing with gluten sensitivity and IBD. Oh, and I forgot to mention the fibroids. Basically, every test my doctors ordered found damage to the organ tested.

The next step, for them, was to put me on a drug cocktail consisting of NSAIDS, Corticosteroids, fiber laxatives, Tagamet, and synthetic hormones. Now, I do enjoy a good cocktail here and there, don't get me wrong. But, reading the side effects for these drugs convinced me that they were more dangerous than the diseases they were to treat.

This research led me to my decision to refuse my doctors' treatments. None of them welcomed my decision to go with alternative treatment. I was immediately left on my own, to cure myself. In fact, when I called my GP to report my hair was falling out by the handful, she had her nurse call me back referring me to another doctor. Okay!

I am now researching which alternative treatments I will utilize. I have already placed myself on a gluten free regimen. I have begun a vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplementation program as well.

I will continue to blog,with detailed information, on the alternative treatments I employ in my quest for a cure. I'll let you know which work to relieve symptoms, as well as, those that don't. I'm going to use myself as a guinea pig.

It is time to heal!

My nephew, Grayson. Isn't he adorable!

If you've healed yourself using alternative treatments, I would love to get your comments!

Glutino Gluten Free Frozen Pizza Review

I LOVE cooking! But, recently my fatigue level has been at an all time high. Tonight, I was glad to have purchased a few pre-made gluten free frozen dinners. Usually, I have a few dinners prepared and frozen for such occasions. When I opened my freezer, this Glutino frozen pizza was the only dinner left.

I was in no mood to fight the hunger dragon in my stomach. I opened the box, took off the wrapping, threw a few gluten free Trader Joe's Ciao pepperoni slices on top, and tossed the pizza into my toaster oven. Thirteen minutes later, I had a lovely, toasted pepperoni pizza.

Now,it was time for the real test! I hoisted up a slice and took a bite. I have to admit, it was pretty darn good. The texture of the crust was perfect. The sauce was mild, with a touch of sweetness. The cheese ratio was also perfect. Fact is, this was the best frozen pizza I ever ate. It was even better than any of the non-gluten free frozen pizzas I ate in the past.

Ya'll, I live in the real world. I know it's not always possible to cook each and every meal. It's nice to know that once in a while, I can grab something quick and easy. And, when that food tastes good, that's even nicer.

So, I give Glutino Gluten Free Pizza a big thumbs up for convenience, taste, and texture.

Mangiare!

Being Unwell In Order To Be Well

Apparently, sometimes in our quest for wellness, we have to make ourselves unwell first.  In preparation for medical tests I have scheduled next week, I have had to stop eating gluten free, taking my daily vitamins, minerals and herbs and using my herbal treatments on my skin. This has left me an itchy, bloated, crampy mess, all in the name of science.  In order to get the most precise diagnosis, I have to put my body in it's worst possible state of the disease.  Then, and only then, can they diagnose and treat me.  This is going to be a very difficult week for me.

As anyone with an autoimmune disorder knows, pinning down the exact disorder is a difficult process.  We usually show many markers or symptoms for many of the disorders.  I have gone from a list of five, to now a list of two.  I consider myself lucky.  I know many have gone through years of suffering before finding a doctor who can pin it down.  I have only gone through three years and three doctors.

These tests next week will provide the final answer.  I will finally have the answer! 

So, what I'm saying to you, is to not give up until you have the answer.  If I had listened to the first three doctors, I would have simply lived with my symptoms until so much damage was done to my organs that there may be no saving them.  If you feel something is wrong, continue to search for answers.

I have found it helpful to keep a symptom log.  Every day, I write down every symptom, no matter how insignificant it seems.  I also take my temperature every morning and night.  Taking your temperature can provide a baseline for your doctor.  Some people, like me, may have a lower base temp. Because of this, when you have your temperature taken at the doctor's office, it may read normal to them when you are actually running a low grade temp.

Take this symptom log to your doctor.  You will no longer forget to tell your doctor about symptoms that may be key to your diagnosis.  This is especially important for symptoms that are not visible.  Write down everything! And, try to write it down when it happens.

Well, I'm going to take my cranky, rashy self to get some lunch.  It's actually harder to find something to eat once you are accustomed  to eating gluten free.  I'll be updating my blog next week with the big answer.  Stay tuned!

Don't forget to get your daily updates on herbal remedies, yummy recipes, and health updates.

Warm Mediterranean Quinoa and Black Bean Salad Recipe

Well, it's time for a new recipe. I made this warm salad last week on one of those crisp fall days. As the quinoa was simmering in its spice infused broth, the aroma wafted through my kitchen. Aaah, Fall.  I love these days, before the icy, jarring fingers of winter pierce our skin. Sorry, I get carried away sometimes. Without any further ado, here is my recipe for Warm Mediterranean Quinoa and Black Bean Salad. By the way, it's vegetarian and Gluten Free. Enjoy!

1 cup Quinoa

2 cups Vegetable Stock

1 can Organic Black Beans- rinsed and drained

1/2 Red Onion- diced

1 Tomato- diced

1 Small Cucumber- diced

1 Avocado- diced

1 Tsp Garam Masala

1 Tsp Tumeric

1 Tsp Cumin

1/4 cup Feta Cheese

Salt & Pepper to taste

Tzatziki Sauce- prepared ( I like Trader Joe's.)

Place Quinoa and Vegetable Stock into a 1 1/2 quart saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat, and simmer until 1/2 of liquid is absorbed. Add Black Beans and Spices and continue to simmer, covered, until all of liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit for 2 minutes. Transfer Quinoa to glass or ceramic bowl. Add Onion, Tomato, Cucumber, and Avocado. Toss. Sprinkle with Feta, salt and pepper. Toss lightly. You can add a dollop to bowl; or, you can add a dollop to each individual serving.

So easy and so tasty! It only takes about 20 minutes to make!

Gluten Free Products Reviews Plus Quick Chicken and Waffles Recipe

Last night, I was pretty tired at dinner time.  I really didn't feel like making a big meal; so, I decided to raid the pantry and freezer.  I just bought these frozen waffles from Trader Joe's and decided to give them a try.  Not wanting just waffles, I pulled out an organic chicken breast from the fridge. I was going to make some chicken and waffles. I grabbed my Schar Gluten Free Bread Crumbs from the pantry and set off to make a quick dinner.

I dredged the chicken breast in the bread crumbs mixed with a little salt, cayenne, and garlic powder. Then, put the chicken breast in my toaster oven on 400 degrees for 40 minutes, flipping once. Once chicken was cooked, I put my waffles in the toaster. Then, I sandwiched the chicken breast between the two waffles and poured Trader Joe's Organic Maple Syrup on top.

It was delicious!  The Trader Joe's Wheat Free Toaster Waffles were so good, I couldn't tell they were gluten free.  Even the texture was perfect.  I would recommend them to anyone who likes frozen waffles for a quick meal.

I would also like to recommend Schar Gluten Free Bread Crumbs. I have used them a few times now and they have never let me down. I've even used them to make meatballs.  They are a great replacement for regular bread crumbs.

On a side note, I also tried the new Pillsbury Gluten Free Pizza Dough. It's sold in a tub. Unfortunately, I have nothing good to report. The taste was bland. The texture was too thick, crumbly, and doughy. It ruined my pizza. I was not happy.

Oh, and I tried Amy's Frozen Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese. Can you tell my husband has started hockey season again? I've been left to make dinner for one.  Anyway, the Mac and Cheese was awesome, very creamy and delicious.

Did you know that Trader Joe's has a printed list of the gluten free foods they carry. All you have to do is ask someone who works there to get one for you. I just got mine today. It's quite extensive.

A little trick I learned today, to remember which products are gluten free when it's not on the package, write GF on the label with a Sharpee. I know it seems simple. But, when you're buying different foods for different members of your family, it can drive you crazy figuring out who can have what.

Gluten Free Portobello Sandwich and Fruity Herbal Iced Tea

Sometimes, I'm just in the mood for a good sandwich and a tall glass of iced tea.  This is one of my favorite sandwiches.  If I'm in the mood for cheesy goodness, I add a nice chunk of mozzarella cheese. You can also use Gluten-free hamburger buns or a ciabatta roll.  Schar makes a fabulous ciabatta roll that is gluten-free.  As for the iced tea, I make a pitcher of this every week.  It's refreshing, caffeine-free, and healthy.  What's not to like?

Gluten-free Portobello Sandwich

2 Slices Udi's Gluten-free Multi-grain Bread, toasted
1 Portobello Mushroom Cap
1 Handful Organic Spring Mix Greens
1 Slice Fresh Organic Tomato
1/2 Avocado, sliced

Marinade/Dressing
1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon Crushed Garlic
1 Teaspoon Dried Basil
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 Teaspoon Trader Joe's South African Smoke Seasoning Blend (optional)

Whisk together ingredients for marinade in glass bowl big enough to fit mushroom.  Place mushroom in marinade.  After 15 minutes, flip mushroom and let sit for another 15 minutes.  Once 30 minutes total has elapsed, remove mushroom. You can either grill or saute mushroom.  I like mine grilled for about 2 minutes on each side. You can also saute in a pan with a little splash of olive oil for about 4 minutes on each side ( If you like it softer, just cook for a bit longer).  Pour 1/2 of Marinade into cup to baste mushroom while cooking. Place spring mix, tomato slice, and avocado slices into marinade bowl and toss.  Once mushroom is cooked to the texture you prefer, remove from grill or pan and place on one toast slice. Remove spring mix from marinade and place upon mushroom.  Next, place tomato slice and avocado on top of spring mix. Top with second slice of toast. Boom! It's that easy! You can make as many of these as you like. Just increase the ingredients accordingly.

Fruity Herbal Tea

Big Glass Bowl (Should hold at least 5 cups water)
2 Liter Glass Pitcher
5 Bags Herbal Tea of your choice. I like Melaleuca herbal tea.
4 Cups Filtered Water
1/4 Cup each of 2 Fruits of your choice ( I usually use frozen, organic fruit)

Bring 4 cups of water to boiling point. Let sit on stove for 1 minute.  Pour boiling water into glass bowl. Add tea bags. Let steep for 20 minutes to 1 hour. Some people find herbal teas to be bitter if left to steep for longer than 20 minutes. If you are one of them, don't steep for over 20 minutes. Once preferred time has elapsed, remove tea bags and discard ( or refrigerate them to put over your eyes and relax later).  Drop fruit into pitcher. Pour tea into pitcher, over fruit. Fill pitcher to 2 liter level with cold, filtered water. Refrigerate.
I usually use frozen blueberries and strawberries.  Some other ideas are orange slices, lemon slices, raspberries, or peaches.  Your tea will keep in refrigerator for 1 week.  If you like your tea sweetened, I recommend adding stevia per glass instead of all at once.  In my experience, Stevia can get a bit bitter after a few days.

Enjoy!

Super Simple Gluten Free Orzo Salad

This is a super simple recipe. You can even make it the night before to have for lunch the next day.

2 cups cooked Gluten-free orzo ( I like Delallo brand)

1 small cucumber, diced

1 medium tomato, diced

1/2 avocado, cut into small chunks

1/4 cup feta cheese ( I like Trader Joe's made with sheep's milk in brine)

1/4 cup lemon juice

Splash of red wine vinegar

1 Tablespoon dried oregano

1 Tablespoon Greek olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook orzo according to package. Meanwhile, dice tomatoes and cucumber. Cut avocado into small chunks. Once orzo is cooked, drain and rinse in lukewarm water. Place orzo in large bowl. Add all ingredients and toss lightly. Place in refrigerator and let sit for at least 10 minutes.  Serve.

Voila! Easy and delicious.