Lets talk dirty! The dirty dozen that is.

Okay now I have your attention, lets talk dirty. By dirty, I mean vegies that are sprayed a lot and we should try and buy these organic. A general guide is anything with a thin skin but here are the dirty dozen.

Worst to best
Apples
Celery
Strawberries
Peaches
Spinach
Nectarines
Grapes
Capsicum
Potatoes
Blueberries Lettuce
Kale/collard greens

Now we have talked dirty here is the clean fifteen.

Best to worst
Onions
Corn
Pineapples
Avocado
Asparagus
Sweet peas
Mangoes
Eggplant
Rockmelon
Kiwi
Cabbage (I always get this organic)
Watermelon
Sweet potatoes
Grapefruit
Mushrooms

Sometimes people think of organic as being expensive but if you find a good source and buy in season there really isn't much in it. Sometimes my supplier is even cheaper than conventional stuff in the supermarket. I still get the clean fifteen organic where I can.

Okay so I slipped on Saturday night and had a couple of wedges. We are only human after all and it was the least gluten thing available. Needless to say I paid the consequences. Sunday night my little one went down at 7 as usual but then proceeded to wake every hour. Something she hasn't done for more  than a week when I started this adventure. Left over baked beans and banana cake for breakfast...but not together.

Looking forward to going to my green grocer today and seeing what organic produce came in from the market yesterday.

Home made baked beans

So this is a bit of a cheat one but suitable for the whole family. Home made baked beans but using tinned beans and tomatoes so still quick and easy but without the added sugar and preservatives. Great for dinner and have the left overs for breakfast :)

1 tin of organic tomatoes diced
1 tin of organic butter beans
1 tin of organic cannellini beans
1 large clove of organic garlic
1 heaped teaspoon of smoked paprika
1 tbl spoon of organic olive oil
(optional dsrt spoon of whole grain mustard)

Chop garlic saute in olive oil for 2 minutes. Add paprika for 30 seconds. Add tinned tomatoes and cook for a minute reducing the liquid. Add rinsed tinned beans, cook for a further 8 minutes.

Serve over (gluten free) gnocchi for a pasta fagioli with a twist. Or mash or sated potato for a winter warmer.

Yummy scrummy banana cake

This is somewhat of a healthy banana bread. I like to keep in for breakfast on the go and slice and freeze some or make it into muffins. I really love to swap the sugar for dates if giving it to the little ones. Sometimes gluten free baking can be a bit dry but this is perfect!

3 large bananas
2 cups of gluten free self raising flour
big pinch of salt
150 grams of sugar (replace with a cup of finely chopped dates if prefered)
1 cup of walnuts chopped
2 tbl sp of pepitas (good source of iron)
1/2 a cup of yoghurt
2 eggs
70ml of olive oil

Mash banana add ingredients and mix well. Bake for 30-45 minutes depending on container.
Cooking time will change depending on depth of container but makes quite a decent size.


Nutritional facts for Pepitas

Amounts Per Selected Serving   28grms

%DV

Calcium

12.0

mg

1%

Iron

4.2

mg

23%

Magnesium

150

mg

37%

Phosphorus

329

mg

33%

Potassium

226

mg

6%

Sodium

5.0

mg

0%

Zinc

2.1

mg

14%

Copper

0.4

mg

19%

Manganese

0.8

mg

42%

Selenium

1.6

mcg

2%

Fluoride

~

Read More http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3066/2#ixzz1zQDPh5cX

Gluten Free Baby

It has come to my attention that diet can effect the sleep of a breast fed baby. So much to my disappointment, I am giving up gluten. It has been a difficult decision and even harder to put into practice but it seems to help. So here is my first recipe to help you out. Most of the recipes will be suitable for the baby and the family, maybe with a little extra tweak for you. I am not a big believer in dairy for breastfed babies so you will find quite a few of the family recipes vegan. Hope you find them yummy!