Everything Free Pizza Dough

The title is no lie. I swear

This pizza crust is gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, yeast and sugar free but wait- Its still amazingly delicious. It still has flavour, is super easy to make, and a chewy crust. I don't even know how many times I have made this, but I know I am never going to stop.

The only down fall , is the amount of flour it requires, but in my opinion, it is so worth it.

** Not sure where the original source is from so you just have to trust one girls opinion

*This is how mine turned out , it tastes more delicious than it looks!!

Recipe

2 Cups GF All purpose flour (See note below)
2 TSP Xanthan Gum
3 TBSP Vegetable oil
2 TSP. baking powder
1 Cup Carbonated water (See note below)

Combine all dry ingredients, then add in the wet.
Place on a pizza pan
Cook for 12-15 minutes and add the desired toppings
Cook for another 5-8 minutes to finish cooking the crust, and cook the toppings a bit
Enjoy!

Tips 
For the flour, I have used 2 different kinds of flour. The first time I used Bobs Red Mills GF All Purpose and the dough turned into a very stick consistency. It still tasted amazing , but it was just harder to work with.
But , the second time I used Robin Hoods GF All purpose, and the dough turned out much better. It looked and felt like actual dough, and was extremely easy to work with a form a pizza dough with. I have only tried this once , so if the consistency changes back when I make it again, I will update! (Robins used in picture)

For the carbonated water, I just used a can of Perrier and measured a cup worth!

Leave Reviews Below! And check back for updates. Also , read back soon for a post about flours I used to cook/bake with an reviews!

Stay Healthy!

Flourless Cookie Dough

Well!

I can very much so follow through on my promises hey! Wow! I feel horrible. What a super busy week and a bit I have been having. I got a call last week from a family member, asking if I could work part time at her office this summer. Just a couple days a week.

Ha! No one told me that GST was due at the end of the month. I went from being home all day everyday to working full time and getting up at 5:30 everyday to work out before hand. Well,I am exhausted!

My day:

5:15- Wake up
5:30-6:30- Gym/ Working out
7-8:30- Get ready
9-4 Work
5-6 Start to prepare supper

And then I eat , clean up and by the time I am done its about 7:30. I am exhausted!! Hopefully things will begin to calm down once Wednesday rolls around.. Until then, I may no promises to blog everyday!

As well, I am leaving this weekend! It is just for the weekend but it will be a nice get away. My dad and I are going to Golden, BC tomorrow for some hiking and whitewater rafting. Should be a nice enjoyable and relaxing weekend hopefully. A ton of exercise too, which I look forward to.

So until my life gets back on track, I will post a super healthy and easy summer recipe for you all to try. I am a type of girl who can sit down and eat a whole containter of peanut butter cookie dough to myself-Whoops! But I always feel majorly guilty.

But I don't have to with this recipe! It is gluten, dairy, eggs and corn free. As well, the combination of chickpeas and peanut butter make it super high in protein and an ideal post workout snack I highly recommend.

This is derived from Chocolate Covered Katie , a blogger who I follow extremely closely too and love so many of her recipes, so you all must check out her website

Anyways. Onto the recipe. Original Source: http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2011/05/23/want-to-eat-an-entire-bowl-of-cookie-dough/

How I style it up:

1 can of chickpeas
1/8 TSP baking soda
2 TSP vanilla extract
1/4 Cup peanut butter
1/2 Cup brown sugar
2 TBSP. rolled oats (Certified GF)
1/3 Cup chocolate chips (Enjoy Life Dairy Free)

Just blend all ingredients, but the chocolate chips, together in a food processor until smooth.
Add in the chocolate chips after and enjoy :)

*Myself personally, I don't have a food processor (yet) so in my first attempt, I used a hand blender/masher
In my second though, I ground up the chickpeas in this nut crusher, then added in all the ingredients to that and just blended as much as I could. It worked out amazing

Breakfast For Supper

BUCKET LIST
[X] Breakfast for supper!

Well, I can finally cross that off my life bucket list.

Yesterday was extremely hot here. We don't get to many of those days, but when we do, its wicked hot! And on those days , who really actually enjoys cooking? Not me!!

So my mom and I put our heads together and decided that why not just have breakfast? So that's what we did.

Usually, I'm not really a pancake kind of girl since its extremely hard to find a gluten free, vegan AND easy enough to make recipe. So, its been probably since the fall that I had a pancake.  But I was determined to have that perfect pancake with that perfect recipe. And surprisingly, I was very successful!

This gluten, dairy, egg and corn free recipe turned out amazing (with some of my special modifications of course) and was superrr easy to make!

Original Source: http://minimalistbaker.com/chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookie-pancakes/

My Version:
Yields around 3 medium sized

1 very ripe medium banana
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 TBSP. flaxseed meal with 3 TBSP water (Let sit for 3-5 minutes)
*Note. If you don't have a problem with egg
1 TBSP nut butter
*I used peanut butter (guilty)
1 TBSP. coconut oil
3 TBSP almond milk
1/2 Cup certified GF rolled oats
1/4 Cup certified GF All purpose flour
Handful of chocolate chips

1)If needed, prepare the flaxseed egg
2) Mash the banana with a fork and combine with the baking powder
3) Combine with the flaxseed egg, oil, nut butter and almond milk.
4) Mix well
5) Stir in oats and flour until just combined
6) Gently fold in chocolate chips
7) Cook on each side fr 2-4 minutes or until golden brown

Drizzle with maple syrup and enjoy!!

Coconut Oil Oatmeal Cookies

First of all. Lets just do a quick checklist how how healthy this recipe really is.

Now quickly! With my version of these cookies, I myself used white cane sugar (I felt like I needed a sugar kick-How much can it REALLY hurt). But the original recipe calls for coconut sugar or sucanat, which would essentially make this recipe extra healthy.

But already this cookie recipe is gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soy free, AND corn free.  And the best part? They are freaken delicious! I have had to hide them in my room to keep me from gobbling them all up.

To substitute which should be margarine in this recipe- is coconut oil. Now I only recommend following the recipe if you don't mind the taste of coconut. Although its not a very strong flavour, the coconut is very noticeable. Personally myself, I especially like the taste of coconut and really, who can go wrong with all the added nutritional benefits of coconut oil?  (Let me know if you want a full post purely on coconut oil-I'd lovee to share my knowledge)

Such guilt free cookie. Like really. My sweet tooth daddy absolutely loved them. Now if I haven't convinced you by now, well, I guess you will just have to try for yourself!

But enough of my rants. Lets get to the recipe!

Original Source: http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/blogs/gwen-leron-50-shades-of-green/20130619/vegan-gluten-free-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe

My version:
 1/2 Cup. White sugar
1/2 Coconut oil
1 TBSP water
2 TSP vanilla extract
1 Cup. All purpose gluten free flour (I used Bob Red Mills)
1 Cup. GF certified rolled oats (I used Bob Red Mills)
1/4 Cup. Shredded Coconut
1/4 TSP. baking soda
1/4 TSP. xantham gum (omit if your flour blend contains it already)

Optional:  1 Cup. raisins or DF chocolate chips

**Note. My first round cookie dough was very crumbly. But I just had to work with it. I will try it again and see how it turns out

1. Preheat oven to 375 and line 2 baking sheets with parachment paper or lightly grease
2. In a large bowl, stir together coconut oil, water, vanilla extract and sugar
3. Stir in flour, xanthan gum, oats, coconut and baking soda until all thoroughly combined. 
4. If adding extras, gently fold in the rest. 
5. Scoop desired amount onto your baking sheet
6. Bake for around 10 minutes, or until edges slightly brown.  Let cool for 10 minutes and then transfer carefully to a cooling rack

Chest/ Back

When working out, it is essential to work on 2 or more muscle groups per workout, so you don't strain a particular muscle.  Often times, antagonistic muscles, or some in the same areas are the best to work out on the same day.

For myself,  I have

• Tricep / Bicep / Shoulder
• Chest / Back
• Shoulders / Traps (More Trap focus but a good combination)
• Quads, Calves & Hamstrings

These are essentially the ones I switch off between in the mornings, when I actually go to the gym. 

I myself tend to do 3-4 different exercises, and 3-4 sets of each, just depending on the mood. 

For chest and back, I tend to do 4 of these exercises and typically 4 sets of each. Also, I do chest and back in pairs and  will do 1 Chest, 1 Back , then break. This is to ensure I am getting an equal number of each in and nice evenly toned muscles.

(The following are links to a website which will show you step by step how to do it)

Chest: Barbell Chest Press

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/barbell-bench-press-medium-grip 

Butterfly (With a machine)

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/butterfly 

Decline Dumbell Chest Press

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/decline-dumbbell-bench-press 

Regular Dumbell Chest Press

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/dumbbell-bench-press 

Dumbell Flies 

* Essentially, this is just butterflies using dumbells and lying down. 

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/dumbbell-flyes

Machine Chest Press

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/machine-bench-press 

The most basic exercise for chest is actually the push up. Yes it is boring and repetitive. But , you could easily switch it up.  Try it with your feet on a bench, against a wall or simply just changing the width and positions of your hands. This is especially good for those without any equipment or gym membership

Back: Close- Grip Front Lat Pulldown (Machine Based)

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/close-grip-front-lat-pulldown 

Elevated Cable Rows (Machine Based)

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/elevated-cable-rows 

Wide-Grip Front Lat Pulldown

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/wide-grip-lat-pulldown 

Wide-Grip Pulldown Behind the Neck

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/wide-grip-pulldown-behind-the-neck 

**These exercises all work your LATS (latissimus doris)

One Arm Dumbbell Row

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/one-arm-dumbbell-row 

Seated Cable Row

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/seated-cable-rows 

**These exercises all work your Mid Back 

The most basic exercise to work your back is essentially chin ups or pull ups.  This is basically without equipment or even a gym membership. Like push ups, you can make many variations of these as well, but in the end, they will mainly work your LATS

Updates

Where have I been lately??

Well SOO much has been going on, I thought I would give you all a little update and explanation on my flaking out.

So it seems like forever, but really its been a couple of months that we have been getting renovations done. Complete gutting of our bathrooms, putting up walls, painting, organizing, blah , blah and blah! Basically the whole shibang. So for the past week or so has been assembly time. I have been in charge of organizing the master bedroom closet and kitchen, and basically painting ALL the spindles, doors and trim in the house. Yay me! So between the gym, recipe trying and that; it has been eating up most of my time! Pictures will be up soon!!

Lets see what else. Well, I have a new mister in my life! Sweetest boy ever. So obviously I have wanted to spend some time with him. New relationships and all. But trust me. He won't be taking much out of my gym and healthy life style. Ain't nobody gets in the way of that!

And honestly just everyday life gets in the way. I went to the farmers market and street performers with my mom the other day! I got a fantastic new gluten free, vegan bread, potato flour pitas and fresh, raw chocolate spread! Pictures will be posted too. Although I spent a fair bit, it was all worth it.

If you want to order the chocolate , or look at the products, the website is:
http://thechocdocs.com/

But life is hopefully starting to calm down a bit now , so I PROMISE to blog everyday again and post what I have promised. Starting tomorrow,

I Lindsay pledge to start posting everyday. My list includes:

• Gluten, dairy, egg, corn and yeast free pizza dough crust
• Coconut Oatmeal Cookies
• Terriyaki chicken for the crock pot
• Single lady apple crisp
• Flourless Cookie Dough
• My chest/ back routine & exercises
• My legs routine & exercies
• Loads more crossfit!
• My secret July workout (Post will come August 1st)

Please forgive me for my negligence! And I promise to keep posting everyday!

Tricep Bicep

My days at the gym generally consist of 3 different categories on which I switch off on through-out the wake (Give or take a few exercise substitutions)

These generally include: Legs, Chest/Back and Tricep/Bicep/Shoulder

Usually, my routines consist of mainly free weights and machines. But I understand not everyone has that convenience! So I will post some of my favorite exercises I do to tone these certain areas.

Since today was a Tricep/Bicep day, I will post some excellent exercises and links to "how to do" as well.

Keep checking back for more!

*Note. To make these MORE strenuous. Do more reps and sets or just increase the weight
for LESS strenuous. Do a lower weight or less reps and sets

Biceps: Barbell Curls
http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/barbell-curl

Bicep Curls (Alternating) With Free Weights
http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/dumbbell-alternate-bicep-curl
* Can be done at an incline, sitting 90 degrees or standing up

Hammer Curls (Alternating)
http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/alternate-hammer-curl

Tricep: 

Bench Dips 

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/bench-dips 

To make this one more strenuous, and to get a better workout. I either do more reps or add plates just on my upper thighs

Skull Crusher

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/band-skull-crusher 

I often do this with a barbell, which works just as effectively

Standing Tricep Extension 

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/standing-dumbbell-triceps-extension 

Shoulders:

Alternating Deltoid Raise

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/alternating-deltoid-raise 

*This is fairly difficult. Definitely stick to a small weight when starting out

Dumbell / Free weights shoulder press 

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/dumbbell-shoulder-press 

Dumbell or Barbell Shrug

http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/detail/view/name/dumbbell-shrug 

Works both traps and shoulders

I, I I workout!

What a day I tell you.

Started off hopeful! Enjoyed my Cinnamon Bun smoothie for breakfast and some delicious homemade gluten , dairy, eggs, corn andd yeast free pizza! (Recipe will be up soon!)

But the day didn't stop there. I had a test. Oh yes a summer test. It was my license test!

I passed!

Yes! Everyone better stay off the road and onto the sidewalks, because Lindsay can drive :)

But as much as I am enjoying this celebration, the past 2 days have been horrible for me! When I am nervous, I get grouchy, and cruddy and well no one enjoys being around me. So to calm me and distract me   basically, well. I workout! Thus the title. 

Now I myself attend a gym 5-6 times per week and do serious training. But some-days I am lazy and would really just like to take a nice easy breather at home. But I am too much of a fitness fanatic and health freak to actually take a day off . My "chill days" result in either abs or crossfit at home. 

So I developed a series of exercises, plans and workouts for those days I really just feel like hanging around the house. Most of these are equipment-less to and can easily be adjusted for those who want an easy/quicker or more intense workout. 

Honey Roasted Chickpeas

Snack attack coming on?
Got the late night munchies?

I am sure we have all been there! Too bad there is always guilt that follows closely behind those annoying hunger pains. But why feel guilty?

Most people when they snack , tend to go for junk for and artificial sugar. Our mind mistaken our hunger pains for our sweet tooth cravings. Now I am in position for criticizing because I myself am a victim of it. Unfortunately for me, I always need the crunch! And crunch tends to lead to pretzels and chips. Until, I found this yummy, easy recipe.

These honey roasted chick peas are not only fast and super easy to make, but are also extremely nutritious ! Not only are chickpeas very fibrous, but are an excellent source of protein, zinc and are low in fat. (Isn't that what we all like to hear)

As well, the honey is a natural sweetneer- so no added sugar and the cinnamon is just overall a natural health booster , that I personally believe, we should all try and incorporate into everyday meals.

Original Source: http://www.fitsugar.com/Healthy-Chickpea-Garbanzo-Beans-Recipes-21711056?slide=4&image_nid=28761265

My Style:

1 can. garbonzo beans/ chickpeas.

1/2 TSP. olive oil

1 1/2 TBSP. Honey 

1/2 TSP. cinnamon

1/8 TSP. nutmeg

1. Preheat the oven to 375 and line a cooking sheet with parchment paper or tin foil
2. Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas. Pat dry with a paper towel
3. Spread the chickpeas on the baking towel, in a single layer.  
4. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until desired consistency is reached. (Personally, I enjoy a little crunch)
5. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients
6. Toss the chickpeas in with the mixture, until evenly coated
7. Place the chickpeas bake on the cookie sheet and cook for another 10 minutes to achieve a glazed effect
8. Store in air tight container. 

Alternatives:

1. Depending on the sweetness, add more or less honey. 

Overall, I give this recipe a solid 9/10. 

Red, White and S'mores!

Happy Canada Day to my Canadian viewers! I feel so blessed to be living in such a free, and welcoming country. And very proud to call Canada my home. Just for the occasion I decided to put my Canadian artistic skills to the test.

Clearly, I ain't no artist and I should probably stick to what I am best at- baking, cooking and working out. But hey! Can't blame a girl for trying, now can we? Its all about Canada today.

Now last night on the other hand, well, lets just say I need to learn to follow my advice better. My family and I headed over to our friends house for a nice fire and marshmallow roast. And yes, I do release what that entitles- Pretty much the death of me. With the gluten containing graham crackers, dairy filled chocolate and corn abundant marshmallows, I would be riding in so much pain!

But surprisingly, Kinnikkinnick sells S'morables. Which is gluten, lactose, corn and egg free! And with dark chocolate (70% Cocoa or higher is ideal), the s'more should be possible right?

Well, for someone with no allergies, or just purely gluten and dairy allergies then essentially yes! It should. But since I have the corn on top of all that , the marshmallows is what got to me. But , all the pain was really worth it. S'mores have always been a nice summer treat and no way am I letting it bring me down!

Luckily, I had a sleep on it, got up and went to the gym. And currently recovering with my Peanut Butter Smoothie
. Yum!

What I did?
I will soon post my full chest/back/ abs workout routine for everyone's curiosity.

Happy Canada Day !