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Cooking,Fall,Gluten Free,Healthy,It's a Bug's Life,Life,Lifestyle,Oatmeal,Pinterest,Pumpkin,Recipe,Stnkrbug

Pumpkin Oatmeal (With a Twist!)

posted on : August 27, 2015 posted by : Stnkrbug 0 Comment

It is the end of August, and I am already looking forward to fall. Crisp, cool mornings, pumpkin everything, huge sweaters, crocheting scarves for winter, Halloween…I could seriously go on and on! I grew up with a mother who absolutely lives for the fall, and as I get older I find that I fall in love with fall (ha ha ha get it) more and more each year. It’s the start of the two coziest seasons, and I love watching all of the leaves turn towards the more golden side of the color spectrum. 

Since I’m so very excited for the fall, I decided to make pumpkin oatmeal! I love pumpkin pie, so I thought it would be fun to experiment with pumpkin oatmeal! I’m always looking for ways to spice up my morning oatmeal, since I tend to get bored with the oats pretty quickly. After a couple of tries, I have found the perfect recipe, and the secret ingredient that ties it all together: peanut butter! I know you’re thinking that I just added it in because I’m obsessed with peanut butter, and while that is probably true, I feel like it really ties the whole bowl together! It makes the oatmeal so creamy, and it compliments the pumpkin really well. You wouldn’t think the two would go together, but they make a wonderful fall duo! And this is a wonderful gluten free recipe!

 I have been using almond milk lately since I have a slight sensitivity to milk (I’m just not supposed to have it on an empty stomach), and I really like it! I tried it a couple of years ago and really didn’t like it because of it’s nutty flavor, but now that I’ve been eating more nuts, I don’t mind it at all! I love the flavor it gives oatmeal as well.

 You can’t have pumpkin oatmeal without the classic spices that always go into pumpkin pie! I found this really helps give the flavor more depth, and who doesn’t love cinnamon in oatmeal?

 Quick oats really don’t take long to make (obviously), but I find I like them best when they are super mushy. It doesn’t sound the most appetizing, but I love gooey foods like undercooked cookies! Super weird of me, I know.

My dad thinks he’s hilarious with his labels on my gluten free foods.

 Peanut butter is the secret ingredient here that really finishes this oatmeal! I actually always add peanut butter to my oatmeal, even if only a little bit, because I love how it makes the oats taste! I get tired of bland oatmeal really easily, so it helps to keep it flavorful. And I’m just addicted to peanut butter.

 Ahhhh Libby’s pumpkin! I love this stuff, and I’m so excited to be using it more and more in fall-inspired recipes! Pumpkin is also really good for you, folks.

 Look at that orange-y goodness. You can add in more pumpkin than this, or less! It just all depends on your own personal pumpkin pallet.

 This is after I added the honey, and boy is it pretty! I love using honey to make things sweeter, and to avoid sugar. You can definitely add some brown sugar, though, to sweeten this up! It’s really up to you.

Look at this cute little recipe card I made on Skip to My Lou! I really love doing this because you can print them out, too! (This post isn’t sponsored by them – I just love adorable little internet finds)
Well, there you have it – pumpkin oatmeal! I love the slight peanut butter flavor in this recipe, and I’m so excited to be eating this more and more in the coming fall months. I went to Michael’s yesterday and they have all of their fall and halloween stuff out already – crazy, yes, but it was also fun to look at!
Are you excited for fall?

Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day! 🙂
    Advice,Breakfast,Cooking,Food,Gluten,Gluten Free,Healthy,It's a Bug's Life,Life,Lifestyle,Pinterest,Stnkrbug,Vegetarian

    Gluten Free Breakfast Ideas!

    posted on : June 19, 2015 posted by : Stnkrbug 0 Comment

    When I found out I had to stick to a gluten free diet – you can read more about it on my post How To Eat Gluten Free – I knew breakfast would be a little difficult to figure out. I usually ate some kind of cereal that had wheat in it, so at first it was kind of hard adjusting. But, after reading from sources online and just simply going to the grocery store to check out my options, I’ve come up with some really solid go-to recipes for breakfast!

    1. Gluten Free Waffles From Vans.



    I’ve always loved waffles, so when I found the Vans Gluten Free Waffles, I was super excited because not only are they healthy, but they taste great too (I promise this post isn’t sponsored by Vans, I just really am addicted to their waffles). They have a couple of different flavors which pleasantly surprised me, because usually gluten free foods come in one flavor – and I have seen before where the box lists the flavor as “gluten free.” So the fact that this brand offers many different flavors made me super happy. I like to stick to the all-natural one (just your run-of-the-mill waffle), but I’ve had the blueberry flavor as well and it’s really yummy! I just put peanut butter on them, and depending on how I’m feeling that day, I either put chocolate chips or banana slices on top!

    2. Gluten Free Toast and an Egg

    Can we just appreciate how good this egg looked before I tried to flip it?


    Since I was a kid, toast and an egg has been one of my favorite breakfast foods. It really fills you up (especially this 7-grain kind!), and gives you a lot of energy for the rest of the day. I have also been obsessed with Cajun seasoning lately – I have been putting it on everything guys – and I put some on my egg and it tasted amazing! You seriously need to try it. I just put grape jelly on my toast with no butter or anything since I’m not the biggest fan of butter, and it tastes great! This is also a really fast breakfast for days that you don’t really have time. And nowadays, gluten free bread doesn’t taste any different than regular, so you can have your toast and eat it too!

    3. Omelette With (optional) Salsa

    You know this is full of Cajun seasoning.

    Another obsession of mine: salsa.

    Omelette’s are such a great breakfast food! Not only do they taste great, but they are great for you! I fill mine with sautéed vegetables, Cajun seasoning, and a little bit of cheese, and top it all off with a generous amount of homemade salsa! My taste buds are probably numb from all the spices I put them through, but ohmygosh does it taste amazing. Seriously, add in some bell peppers too and this is heaven!

    Well, there you have it! Three different ideas for gluten-free breakfasts! There are definitely more that I love (gluten-free pancakes, oatmeal, Puffins cereal…) so if you want some more ideas, just let me know! I seriously always wake up hungry so it’s super important for me to always have solid breakfast ideas I can regularly fall back on. And since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, I like to keep them healthy so I can get my body ready for whatever!

    What is your favorite breakfast food?

    Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day! 🙂 

    Advice,Cooking,Food,Gluten,Gluten Free,Healthy,It's a Bug's Life,Life,Lifestyle,Pinterest,Stnkrbug

    How to Eat Gluten Free

    posted on : April 13, 2015 posted by : Stnkrbug 0 Comment

    I’m not sure if I’ve ever mentioned that I have to eat gluten free because of an allergy, but lately I’ve really been wanting to spread the word about living gluten free! I found out I was allergic to wheat about three years ago, and man was it rough cutting out all gluten! Just think of the best foods (bread, pasta, and for me, my mom’s dumplings), and imagine never eating them again! Okay, okay, it isn’t that bleak, but it was definitely a challenge! Today, there are so many gluten free options available so it really isn’t even that hard, you really just have to readjust your taste buds! I thought it would be cool, though, to start sharing my gluten free tips with you guys, and just break down exactly what gluten and gluten free eating is!

    So, what is gluten anyway?
    Funny you ask! Many people have heard the term “gluten” or “gluten free,” but have never actually looked it up before. The more science-y definition is a mixture of two proteins that are present in wheat, rye, and barley that can cause anywhere from mild allergic reactions (things like skin rashes), to more severe ones (like Celiacs disease, in which a person can’t even have food that is processed in the same factory as wheat). Basically, gluten is in wheat flour, so anything with flour in it is a no-go. Personally, gluten gives me really bad headaches, stomachaches, and oftentimes a very unhappy tummy. Gluten allergies can be determined with a simple allergy test from your doctor, so make sure to get one done if you are having any food allergy like symptoms (skin rashes, upset stomach, itching in the mouth or throat, etc.).

    I found out I have to go gluten free…now what?
    So begins your journey with rice flours, coconut flours, xanthan gum, and all of the other flour alternatives! The most difficult part of eating gluten free is starting out. You have to find substitutes for all of your favorite gluten filled foods, and learn how to cook and bake with gluten free ingredients (trust me, it can be difficult at times!). Rice will become your best friend (it’s one of my favorite foods!), as will veggies and fruit!
    When you first find out you have to eat gluten free, start by making a list of all of the foods you eat that contain gluten. Now, start to look for gluten free alternatives to those foods. Breakfast can be difficult since a lot of cereals have wheat in them, as do pancakes and waffles, but with a little research, you can find some really great gluten free brands! Personally, I have the gluten free waffles from the brand Vans every morning topped with peanut butter, and honestly, I like them so much better than I ever did regular wheat waffles! Gluten Free Works is also a great website to get started with gluten free recipes and foods. Pinterest is also a wonderful resource to find all of the gluten free recipes you could ever need or want! I would also recommend simply going to the gluten free section of your local grocery store, and start trying out the alternatives they have. Annie’s has some great gluten free products (their mac ‘n cheese is the best!), as does KIND for things like granola and power bars.
    Okay, I tried some gluten free food, and I think the cardboard box it came in was better. Is this how all gluten free food tastes?
    No! It does take some trial and error to find your favorite gluten free brands (my family can definitely testify to this…we have tried some horrible gluten free brands in the past), but eventually you find some really great food! After a couple of months you will easily fall into a gluten free routine and find which foods work and which ones don’t. Some of my favorite gluten free brands that haven’t let me down yet are Annie’s, Bob’s Red Mill, Vans, and KIND. They have really wonderful substitutes (Bob’s Red Mill has great gluten free flour, and gluten free mixes), and recently Krusteaz has come out with a really great pancake mix; it is amazing and smells like vanilla cake!
    What do I do when I go out to eat?
    This can be really difficult at first, because gluten can be hidden in the craziest of places! Be weary of soy sauce, because it contains flour, and make sure to ask if they have a gluten free version! To be safe at first, always ask the waiter or waitress if the dish you would like to eat contains gluten. That way, you can be 100% sure that what you are about to eat won’t put you in the bathroom all night throwing up! Personally, I always go for rice dishes, salads, or roasted veggies! Restaurants often have gluten free menus, so make sure to ask! You can usually request that your dish be made with gluten free pasta instead, and you can’t even tell the difference. Season salt also usually contains wheat, so if you have a really bad allergy and order fries, make sure you let the waiter know to tell the chef to not put seasoning salt on them.
    What about when I go over to a friend’s house?
    This can be a little tricky, because you don’t want to seem rude and refuse to eat anything they cook you, but you also don’t want to end up with an allergic reaction. The safest way to avoid an awkward situation is to simply tell them ahead of time that you have a gluten allergy, and won’t be able to eat anything like pasta or bread. People are usually totally fine with the heads up, and really appreciate it so they know what to cook! I sometimes offer to bring my own food to fix if a lot of people will be there, or if it’s an event where you can bring a dish, make sure it’s gluten free, and something that you wouldn’t mind making a whole meal out of!

    My tips
    -When it gets really hard and all you want to do is go to the first grocery store you find and eat a giant loaf of bread, just remember what happens when you eat gluten! Also try and remember that what you’re doing is so good for your body, and it will pay off to not make yourself sick for the small satisfaction of eating gluten.
    -Think ahead and always have gluten free snacks available. You don’t want to be stuck anywhere starving, with the only option being your long lost favorite lemon pound cake from Starbucks.
    -Try out as many gluten free recipes as possible, and make a go-to list! That way when you have no idea what to eat, you have a whole pile waiting in the wings.
    -Try and start with naturally gluten free foods. Foods like fresh veggies and fruit will be your best friends at first, because you know for a fact they are gluten free!
    -Get in the habit of always reading the ingredient lists on food! There can be hidden wheat in the smallest of places, so just to be safe, always always always read the ingredients.
    -If you are at a restaurant and you aren’t sure whether or not a food is gluten free, just ask. It can be tedious at times, but it will be worth it in the long run.
    -Try and find other glutards (people who are allergic to gluten), and compare recipes/strategies/motivations/anything else that is helpful, because you will learn a lot from them!
    That’s all I have for now, and this will get you off to a good start! Just make sure to do as much research as possible so you can find the right resources for yourself. Don’t be afraid of the phrase gluten free – it is something that can be well adjusted to with a little bit of time, and I promise it will get a lot easier! If you put in a lot of work in the beginning, it will really pay off in the long run. Good luck, fellow glutards! 🙂
    Cooking,Healthy,Healthy Snacks,Life,Lifestyle

    Healthy Snacks: Avocado Chocolate Pudding

    posted on : February 12, 2015 posted by : Stnkrbug 0 Comment
    I’m back again today with my Healthy Snack series!
    I don’t know about you guys, but chocolate pudding is definitely one of my weaknesses! Ever since I was little I have loved those little pudding cups that my mom would put in my lunch, but being gluten free these past couple of years, I’ve had to avoid pudding! There isn’t any wheat on the ingredients list of most puddings, but some people who are allergic to gluten – like myself – have said that it sometimes causes a reaction when they eat it. So, in order to avoid all of that, I just haven’t really eaten pudding!
    However, since starting this healthy snacks series, I actually found a chocolate pudding recipe that uses avocados as the base! I was kind of skeptical at first because I really don’t like avocados, but the end result was super yummy!
     All of the ingredients you will need, minus the milk because I forgot to put it in this picture…
    Recipe
    2 ripe avocados
    1/3 cup cocoa powder (I ended up putting in about a tablespoon extra at the end)
    1/4 cup honey
    1/2 cup milk (almond or soy works too!)
    1  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    The whole process is super easy – just peal the avocados and cut them into chunks, put them in the blender, add everything else, and blend! As you can see, I used my magic bullet for this, and everything barely fit! I don’t really have the luxury of having a full sized blender at college, though, so I use my magic bullet a lot! 
     Funny story – I could not get the cup open after I blended it! I needed to simply open it real quick in order to stir the last bits of avocado around, but the lid would not budge. I had to go and get one of the guys on my floor to open it for me! Apparently magic bullets double as vacuums now.
    The end result! When I first tried the pudding, it had a very different flavor, but I got used to it after the third or fourth bite! I absolutely hate avocados, so I was extremely weary of trying this, but oh my gosh it is super yummy! It doesn’t taste exactly like classic chocolate pudding, but it is still just as great. I was super satisfied with the results, and I could have a quick little dessert each night this week without feeling guilty!
    Well that is it for this recipe – you guys should really try this one out if you love chocolate! Also, I’m going to try and do a more “savory” snack for the next one since the first two in the series have been sweet.
    What are your guilty pleasures when it comes to dessert?

    Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you have a great day! 🙂
    Cooking,Healthy,Healthy Snacks,Snacks

    Healthy Snacks: Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Mini-Sandwiches

    posted on : February 1, 2015 posted by : Stnkrbug 0 Comment
    The title of this post is about as much of a mouthful as these amazing mini-sandwiches, and trust me, they are a very yummy mouthful. If you love bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate, this snack is for you!
    Lately I’ve been really hungry because I’ve been working out a lot, and I have a lot of walking to do for my classes, but I haven’t been wanting to eat unhealthy snacks like chips or anything really sugary. So, I took to Pinterest to find some healthy ideas and wasn’t disappointed! I found a lot, so I decided I’m going to do a “Healthy Snacks” series, and post all of the recipes I try! They will all be gluten free and vegetarian since I’m allergic to wheat, and don’t eat meat (ha ha ha…insert cringe-y face), so anyone can eat them! I’m super excited for this because it means I get to eat a bunch of yummy healthy snacks! Without further ado, here are the Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Mini-Sandwiches!
    Ok these little globs are a little piece of heaven! Each bite is filled with the perfect amount of bananas, peanut butter, and chocolate!
     The whole process is really simple: start by cutting a couple of bananas into little chucks about 1/4 of an inch thick. Match up the slices for the mini-sandwiches to make sure there is an even amount.
     Look at that peanut butter.

     Spread some peanut butter on one little slice, probably about half of a tablespoon.
     Put the other slice on top, making a little sandwich.
     Once you have made all of the sandwiches, put them on a plate and place them in the freezer for about an hour. (Don’t you just love dorm freezers…)
    Melt some chocolate in the microwave, or the stove top – just make sure the chocolate doesn’t get burned! Then dip half of each sandwich into the chocolate. I didn’t take any pictures of this part because it was extremely messy haha. Once all of the sandwiches are dipped, put them back in the freezer for another hour. After they’ve all set, they are ready to eat! I didn’t eat all of them at once of course, so I kept them in a tupperware container in the freezer. I finished them in a couple of days, and they kept just fine!
    Alright, so that’s it for the first healthy snack in the series! I have a lot planned, so expect many more in the coming weeks!
    What healthy snacks do you like to eat?

    Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you have a great day! 🙂
    Baking,Christmas,Cooking,Holiday

    S’mores Dip!

    posted on : December 21, 2013 posted by : kendralstricklin 0 Comment
    Okay, I’m just going to start off by admitting that I have a slight addiction to anything related to s’mores, and, of course, s’mores themselves. They are just so delicious and remind me of great times with my family. So, when I saw the recipe for this s’mores dip, I couldn’t resist. 
    The ingredient list is quite short, and the whole process is really simple. 
    You will need:
    1 cup of chocolate chips (some recipes said to use milk chocolate chips, and others said to use dark or semisweet, but it really is up to your preference. I used semisweet because that’s what we had)
    2 tbs of milk
    1 cup of mini marshmallows and 1/4 of a cup for sprinkling on top
    Graham Crackers to dip into this delicious creation
    Let’s get to the steps!
     Add the chocolate chips, (1 cup) marshmallows, and milk to a medium saucepan and heat on a medium setting, stirring continuously.  Stir until it looks nice and creamy like this:
    Next, poor the mixture into a small casserole dish. It helps to have a rubber spatula to scrape all of the chocolate from the side of the pan. Top the chocolate off with the remaining 1/4 cup of marshmallows.
    And, of course, you gotta lick the spoon!
    Put it in the broiler for about a minute, or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
    Okay, how pretty is this?!
    Now crack open your graham crackers and go to town with the dip!

    I really can’t explain how yummy this is. I knew I would really enjoy it, because I love everything s’mores, and my family loved it as well. With all of the holiday parties and Christmas Day celebrations, this is the perfect dessert! Everyone can just pop a graham cracker coated with this dip into their mouths, and they will be coming back over and over, trust me. I will definitely be making this on Christmas day since we’re having Christmas at my family’s house this year. But really, it’s perfect for anything or anytime of the year!
    Let me know if you guys have made this, or if you have had it before!
    Have a great rest of your day, and thanks for reading! 🙂
    Baking,Christmas,Cooking,Holiday

    S’mores Dip!

    posted on : December 21, 2013 posted by : kendralstricklin 0 Comment
    Okay, I’m just going to start off by admitting that I have a slight addiction to anything related to s’mores, and, of course, s’mores themselves. They are just so delicious and remind me of great times with my family. So, when I saw the recipe for this s’mores dip, I couldn’t resist. 
    The ingredient list is quite short, and the whole process is really simple. 
    You will need:
    1 cup of chocolate chips (some recipes said to use milk chocolate chips, and others said to use dark or semisweet, but it really is up to your preference. I used semisweet because that’s what we had)
    2 tbs of milk
    1 cup of mini marshmallows and 1/4 of a cup for sprinkling on top
    Graham Crackers to dip into this delicious creation
    Let’s get to the steps!
     Add the chocolate chips, (1 cup) marshmallows, and milk to a medium saucepan and heat on a medium setting, stirring continuously.  Stir until it looks nice and creamy like this:
    Next, poor the mixture into a small casserole dish. It helps to have a rubber spatula to scrape all of the chocolate from the side of the pan. Top the chocolate off with the remaining 1/4 cup of marshmallows.
    And, of course, you gotta lick the spoon!
    Put it in the broiler for about a minute, or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
    Okay, how pretty is this?!
    Now crack open your graham crackers and go to town with the dip!

    I really can’t explain how yummy this is. I knew I would really enjoy it, because I love everything s’mores, and my family loved it as well. With all of the holiday parties and Christmas Day celebrations, this is the perfect dessert! Everyone can just pop a graham cracker coated with this dip into their mouths, and they will be coming back over and over, trust me. I will definitely be making this on Christmas day since we’re having Christmas at my family’s house this year. But really, it’s perfect for anything or anytime of the year!
    Let me know if you guys have made this, or if you have had it before!
    Have a great rest of your day, and thanks for reading! 🙂
    Baking,Christmas,Cooking,Holiday

    S’mores Dip!

    posted on : December 21, 2013 posted by : Stnkrbug 0 Comment
    Okay, I’m just going to start off by admitting that I have a slight addiction to anything related to s’mores, and, of course, s’mores themselves. They are just so delicious and remind me of great times with my family. So, when I saw the recipe for this s’mores dip, I couldn’t resist. 
    The ingredient list is quite short, and the whole process is really simple. 
    You will need:
    1 cup of chocolate chips (some recipes said to use milk chocolate chips, and others said to use dark or semisweet, but it really is up to your preference. I used semisweet because that’s what we had)
    2 tbs of milk
    1 cup of mini marshmallows and 1/4 of a cup for sprinkling on top
    Graham Crackers to dip into this delicious creation
    Let’s get to the steps!
     Add the chocolate chips, (1 cup) marshmallows, and milk to a medium saucepan and heat on a medium setting, stirring continuously.  Stir until it looks nice and creamy like this:
    Next, poor the mixture into a small casserole dish. It helps to have a rubber spatula to scrape all of the chocolate from the side of the pan. Top the chocolate off with the remaining 1/4 cup of marshmallows.
    And, of course, you gotta lick the spoon!
    Put it in the broiler for about a minute, or until the marshmallows are golden brown.
    Okay, how pretty is this?!
    Now crack open your graham crackers and go to town with the dip!

    I really can’t explain how yummy this is. I knew I would really enjoy it, because I love everything s’mores, and my family loved it as well. With all of the holiday parties and Christmas Day celebrations, this is the perfect dessert! Everyone can just pop a graham cracker coated with this dip into their mouths, and they will be coming back over and over, trust me. I will definitely be making this on Christmas day since we’re having Christmas at my family’s house this year. But really, it’s perfect for anything or anytime of the year!
    Let me know if you guys have made this, or if you have had it before!
    Have a great rest of your day, and thanks for reading! 🙂