Green Monster Smoothie–it was a huge hit with everyone in our family, including Jesse!
We’re starting our second week of a gluten-free, dairy-free experiment for one of our children. We’ve been amazed at the improvement in their health issues in just a short while of eating this way. It’s been a bit of a challenge, but overall so worth it. We’ll see how this week goes.
Here’s the menu plan:
Breakfasts
Granola Bars
Green Monster Smoothie
Fresh carrot/orange juice, scrambled eggs
Green Smoothie
Oatmeal with brown sugar and raisins
Cereal
Gluten-Free/Dairy-Free Blender Waffles, FruitLunches
Lunch at Cracker Barrel
Gluten-free pasta, hamburgers, steamed broccoli, apple slices
PB&J on rice cakes, carrot sticks, apple slices
Refried beans, rice, carrot sticks
Tuna salad, carrot sticks
Sweet potatoes, baked chicken, steamed broccoli
LeftoversSnacks
Healthy Chocolate Mousse
Fruit/Veggies
Black Bean BrowniesDinners
Hamburgers, sweet potatoes, broccoli, fruit
Baked chicken, tossed salad, mashed potatoes, fruit
Meatballs, steamed veggies, fruit salad, rice
Frito Chili Pie, fruit, brown rice
Goulash, tossed salad,
Dinner at Valentine’s Banquet at church
Breakfast for dinner: Blender Waffles, scrambled eggs, fruitFreezer Cooking
What’s on your menu this week? Share details and/or your link to your menu plan in the comments.
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We are making
7 Layer Tostadas
Buffalo chicken Dip
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Crockpot chicken Curry
I also am planning on picking up a juicer as we want to start doing some juicing!!
Recipes are located here: http://www.lcvalleymom.com/2012/02/this-weeks-menu.html
That healthy chocolate mousse is looking tasty – especially since I am lactose intolerant!
Nicole- It’s delicious- I recommend just about anything from that site!! I mentioned it in my comment below but I just want to mention that not all coconut milks are created equal and many of them will not make a nice thick mouse- Katie recommends Thai Kitchen and I would definitely recommend it- it does make a big difference (otherwise, it may be more like the texture of melted ice cream).
We have made this twice and love it. My daughter is allergic to milk and my husband and I are on a low carb diet so this works for everyone. It is a yummy treat that makes you feel like you are cheating.
And you can experiment with this base – added chopped fruit to it instead of cocoa powder and plain liquid stevia. (and yes to the canned cocount milk – I have had some brands that were awful – the Whole Foods 365 brand has also worked well when I couldn’t get Thai Kitchen)
After a weekend of over indulging in Super Bowl and party foods we are trying to eat a little bit lighter and healthier this week in our house. We also just booked a cruise for Spring Break so that gives us a little extra motivation too
Here is what were are having!
http://couponingncooking.blogspot.com/2012/02/monday-meal-plan-26.html
Here’s my menu:
http://jandjnewleaf.blogspot.com/2012/02/whats-for-eats-this-week.html
So glad to hear of your little one’s health improvements. And both of those green smoothies sound yummy! Here’s what we’re eating this week.
http://cozycakescottage.com/2012/02/06/our-menu-week-of-february-5-2012/
Here’s our menu for the week. So glad your gluten-free efforts are paying off with your children!
http://www.gettingthroughtheday.com/2012/02/staceys-menu-plan-monday-26.html
what did you use instead of yogurt? A soy yogurt?
I just left it out and added a little extra almond milk.
Anyone know if you can use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Hi. It must be fresh. Frozen would be : shudder :
I don’t think it would be good with frozen. The texture would be quite a bit different, plus the majority of the nutrients would be lost because frozen spinach is cooked first. I’d say to just stick with the fresh stuff. Hope that helps!
def. NOT frozen spinach that you buy pre-boxed and frozen.
HOWEVER, we do use fresh spinach that we’ve frozen. i often buy the 2lb organic spinach that comes in the plastic containers when they’re on markdown and to avoid the spinach spoiling fast we throw the whole container in the freezer for smoothies and just grab and break apart by the handfuls.
I use kale that I have frozen for the green monster smoothie – so delicious. You could always try the frozen spinach and see how you like it. My daughter (19 months old) loves the green monster smoothie. her fave!
I freeze fresh spinach and kale to use in smoothies and it works great.
Crock Pot Mexican Breakfast Casserole http://www.jennifervandahm.com/2012/02/crock-pot-mexican-breakfast-casserole.html Make the night before and wake up to the smells of breakfast!
You may already know this, but certified GF oats are a must. Oats get contaminated by other grains during growing, distribution, and/or processing. Certified GF oats are grown in their own dedicated fields and are tested for gluten. Some celiac/gluten intolerant folks can’t handle oats in any form. When I ate grains, I could handle certified GF oats, but I am feeling so much better since going Paleo and removing all grains and dairy from my life!
I really want to try the black bean brownies!
Here is what’s on our menu for the week (heavily potato based because we have a few pounds of potatoes to use up
)
http://www.momsplans.com/2012/02/menu-planning-for-february-5-2012/
I have been seeing those green smoothies pop up everywhere. I need to try one. Also, I have been wanting to make and freeze a goulash for awhile now. I am going to check out that recipe.
Here is my menu plan for the next two weeks. I also included make ahead instructions for most of it.
http://www.skinnymomskitchen.com/2012/02/06/two-week-menu-plan-february-6th-19th-plus-weight-loss-goals-make-ahead-action-plan-and-a-menu-planning-survey/
So glad you’re sticking with this, Crystal. It is a bit different in the beginning, but it quickly becomes the norm and you wonder what took you so long to make the switch. I just had some dairy for the first time in a while and am feeling SO congested and stopped up in my ears, nose, and throat.
We are having Pizza Sloppy Joes (had them tonight actually), Chicken Enchilada Dip, Stuffed Pepper Casserole, and a few others.
Everything is gluten free! I think you would like the Pizza Sloppy Joes for your family (they are dairy free, too). If I don’t have GF hamburger buns, I eat mine in a corn tortilla.
http://ourfrugalhappylife.blogspot.com/2012/02/menu-plan-25-pizza-sloppy-joe-chicken.html
I don’t know if your little ones are going with you, but Cracker Barrel is outstanding for understanding gluten-free and contamination. It needs to be explained, and the choices are just a few, but my daughter has been to a few of them around the country and they have all been great! Also – we just learned Uno Grill has gluten-free pizza on the menu!
Ohh, thanks for the tip, Sandy! Been gf for 3 years and didn’t know that!!! I had been told the opposite about the Barrel. Yay!
I was just going to post a warning about them. Please be careful at Cracker Barrel and speak with a manager before ordering. If they do not understand, eat somewhere else. I have heard conflicting reports about their gluten awareness. It isn’t worth the risk of being glutened!
That’s funny – I’ve had terrible experiences with Cracker Barrel. I think that it likely depends on the restaurant. A knowledgeable, helpful manager makes all the difference!
If you live near a Mellow Mushroom, all of their crusts on all of their pizzas are gluten free. They also have vegan cheese as an alternative on any pizza. Not to mention they have a huge selection and it is super yummy!
You just made my week, Meredith! I am vegan, and there are not many places to eat around my town in Mississippi that are vegan friendly! I usually cook, but pizza is what I miss the most!!!
Your welcome! You may too check out “wood fired” pizza places too. I know several of our local ones use vegan cheese. We have about five or so options in our town. (I live in Charlotte, nc so kind of a big place though) I’ve traveled and noticed a lot of those style places use Daiya.
I do my freezer cooking a day at a time with our regular meals. Today we had lasagna. The recipe makes a huge pan, and since it’s just the two of us, I make it into 2 smaller pans and then freeze one for later. It’s nice to have the extra meal in a few weeks and it means we don’t have to eat 10 days of leftovers!
We love making Goulash! Here’s our menu. Looking forward to Loaded Baked Potatoes tonight! http://saveliveeatlove.com/2012/02/eat-this-weeks-menu-25/
Here is our *mostly* dairy free menu for the week, with a $50 grocery budget. All the meals are 20-minute prep or less.
http://www.savemoneylivejoyfully.com/2012/02/weekly-menu-february-6-11-2012.html
We are doing an eat from the pantry and prayer for the hungry challenge this week:
http://bigredpot.com/menu/menu-plan-26-212/
Kudos to your healthier eating plan, Crystal. I have been so encouraged to see the juicing and the smoothies here, in particular, as well as the gluten-free. Thanks also for sharing recipes!
I tried the Healthy Chocolate Mouse last week (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Chocolate Covered Katie!!) FYI, she recommends Thai Kitchen Coconut milk and I would definitely second that recommendation. I tried other brands and couldn’t figure out why my coconut whipped cream wasn’t getting thick the way it was supposed to… then I tried Thai Kitchen and discovered that its consistency is completely different from any other brand I found. Also, make sure you buy a full fat version.
My favorite part of my meal plan this week is “Make Your Own” Muffin Tin Taco Salads- a big hit and it will be frequent “visitor” to future meal plans!
http://teachinggoodeaters.blogspot.com/2012/02/weekly-meal-plan-week-of-feb-5.html
we are also doing dairy free – I loved the deal you got on the almond milk – sweet!! on FB go to the Feingold page – it is a group that deals with elimation diets – we are members -https://www.facebook.com/groups/19355996898/
you can join the feingold plan but its $80 a year to be on the member boards its pretty interesting – if you have kids do yourself a favor and check out feingold -
Food Allergy Mama’s Baking book has some awesome diary/egg/nut free recipes. I’m thinking you could adapt some to GF.
Those blender waffles are fabulous!! I have used that recipe for years and they are so tasty. They are only good fresh, though, right off the waffle iron. Enjoy!
http://specedteacherk.blogspot.com/2012/02/menu-monday.html
Check out my blog & meal plan for this week!
Crystal… I am not just gluten free but I am sugar and grain free. It isn’t that difficult once you get the hang of it. Lots of great recipes out there. I use coconut flour and almond flour for baking. I made homemade MIM’s (google Muffins in a minute, low carb for recipes) and Oopsie rolls. (made from cream cheese and eggs)
Eating this way over the last year has allowed me to completely reverse my Type 2 diabetes as well as some other health issues.
we’re grain and sugar free too (also dairy free), and my favorite is coconut flour. also love almond flour (but not the cost)! would love your muffin recipe, will google!
This is my basic recipe for MIM.
1T coconut flour
1 large egg
1tsp oil
spices to taste. You can make it a more savory type of biscuit with italian seasoning, add pumpkin puree and spices, chocolate, banana and nuts… You can make it taste like anything you want.
Mix in a coffee mug. Microwave for 1 minute. Pop out of coffee mug, let cool on a wire rack. Cut it in half. You can toast it, if you want. Eat it like a muffin or use it for a sandwich.
Forgot the 1tsp of baking powder.
Tami,
Thank you for sharing the recipe. It sounds soo good and easy, which is a must for me since am not a baker
Do you have a blog? I’d love to hear more about how you reversed your Type II diabetes with diet, as I am going through the same right now. I’ve started working out and trying to eat right but am lactose intolerant and have a very strong feeling that gluten is the one making so sick as well.
Thank you!
I’m trying to eat mostly from our pantry/freezer this week:
http://www.mymommyworld.com/2012/02/weekly-meal-plan-february-6/
I am definitely giving the Green Monster Smoothie a shot. Here is my menu plan for the week: http://www.nellbe.com/2012/02/06/menu-plan-monday-with-gluten-free-meal-ideas/
I’m glad the gluten free is working well for you and helping the little ones feel better. I have to admit that I’ve been eyeing up those healthy smoothies but don’t that I’m ready to take the plunge on that one yet!
Here is our menu for the week, thanks for the link-up
http://www.wonderwomanimnot.com/2012/02/weekly-menu.html
That’s great news about your little one’s health!
With a name like Green Monster Smoothies, a Red Sox fan like me has to try them.
Here’s my menu and freezer cooking plan for the week:
http://cookingluck.blogspot.com/2012/02/this-weeks-menu-plan.html
I LOVE that chocolate mousse. I’m glad you changed the name, “chocolate shots” is misleading and I for one am very glad there is nothing alcohol related in this amazing dessert. Definitely try the organic Thai Kitchen coconut milk, it’s much creamier (thicker) than the non-organic for some reason.
Hey Crystal, I was wondering about the granola bars, do u buy them or make your own? I see that u post that regularly on your menus.
We made these recently: http://themarathonmom.com/chocolate-granola-bars.htm and also bought some from Vitacost.
We have a busy week ahead so we’ll be eating some freezer meals as well as some simple to fix meals such as tuna melts. Here’s a link to our menu:
http://successfullysaving.com/this-weeks-menu/
We do a lot of smoothies with greens here. My kids’ favorite variation that actually looks green is pineapple (fresh or canned, with juice), frozen banana, and greens. Sometimes I toss in some oranges, too. My kids call it Swamp Juice.
I’m so glad to hear it is helping your family. It is so amazing how the food that we eat can impact how we feel entirely. Once I stopped eating gluten it was like a huge weight had been lifted that I didn’t know I was carrying. I hope the trend continues for you all. I’ve shared a few gluten and lactose free recipes that hopefully make menu planning a little easier!
Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon: http://glutenfreesupper.com/?p=366
Veggie Spring Rolls: http://glutenfreesupper.com/?p=389
Asian Style Chicken Meatballs: http://glutenfreesupper.com/?p=156
Here’s our gf/ df menu for the week:
Breakfasts:
Carob banana muffins (gluten free girl)/ boiled eggs
easy granola
scrambled eggs/grits
oatmeal
fried eggs/toast (gf toast for two of us)
simple fried rice (eggs & rice)
buckwheat pancakes (Hodgson Mill recipe)
Lunch:
Rice and black beans
tuna salad on rice cakes
pb on rice cakes and smoothies
apples/pb and popcorn
lunch meat sandwiches (Have to spend extra for the day we are packing )
refried beans and tortilla chips
leftovers?
Suppers:
Italian Vegetable Soup (all recipes)
Taco Salad
Curry Chicken (Mamababylove freezer to crockpot recipe)
Baked chicken/ potatoes
Chicken salad w/grapes
Chicken Tetrazzini (gluten free goddess recipe and fabulous!)
gluten free pizza (and dairy free for some – still delicious, but they eat more!) (I use Bob’s Red Mill mix from Amazon for the crust)
I am so impressed with how well you are falling into a gluten free diet. I put my son on one starting in Sept and it was such a shock to my regular mode of thinking that it took me months to recover. You, however, are diving right in and coming up with some wonderful alternatives that I have never thought of. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
Can I ask what the benefits of eating gluten free? I am new to cooking and trying to figure out where to start.
Rachel,
It is for some specific health problems. It was quite a transition for me to cook gluten free, and took extra time upfront, but now it is second nature.
If you have some health issues, you can research signs of gluten intolerance and celiac online to see if it might possibly be an issue for you. I didn’t have the classic gastrointestinal difficulties, but was surprised to have more energy without gluten, and I did have several markers for gluten intolerance in the quizzes I took online.
So it’s not really a necessary diet if you don’t have any problems with gluten.
If you are new to cooking, gluten-free is not the easiest way to start. Get a basic cookbook, like Better Homes and Garden or Betty Crocker.
The benefits of gluten-free: If you have celiac disease or other gluten sensitivities, you must avoid gluten to preserve your health. See a doctor if you think you have those conditions.
Gluten-free diets tend to be lower in sugar and processed foods, since white flour is an obvious no-no, so they are healthier. But it is quite possible to cut back on those things without cutting out gluten. Grains have many health benefits, and I don’t think they should be removed from the diet lightly. And I don’t mean to offend any paleo-diet people.
I think its funny.. I think eating gluten free is completely the easiest diet in the world.. you eat meats, veggies, fruit, nuts, & seeds.. just what God put on this earth for us to eat.
We humans tend to complicate our lives by adding recipe upon recipe and scattering our tastebuds all over the place. Mankind did not get here by eating that kind of diet.
Your menu looks yummy. I’ve been getting more into smoothies lately. I need to try a green monster one.
Here’s my menu plan (with recipe links) for the week:
http://readysetsimplify.com/2012/02/06/menu-plan-for-the-week-25-211-and-want-to-hang-out-on-facebook/
Curious aboutyour tunasalad! Do you havea good glutenanddairyfreerecipe? (sorry spacebarnotworking)
I love gluten-free waffles!
it looks like your family went gluten-free at the same time I did. I need help with the menu.
Here’s what we’re eating this week!
http://www.everydayhomecook.com/2012/02/weekly-menu-plan-feb-5-feb-11/
Free of the top 8 allergens!!!
http://tjandjessie.wordpress.com/2012/02/04/menu-plan-33/
Here’s our menu for the week:
http://purposelyfrugal.com/2012/02/06/groceries-menu-8/#.TzCjoYZKLZQ
Here’s our menu for the week http://sandersseven.blogspot.com/2012/02/menu-plan-2512.html
We have Chili Frito pie on ours as well! (Left over SuperBowl chili)
Can’t wait to try out those black bean brownies on my family
I love the idea of a Green Smoothie, but I hate bananas (yes, I’m probably the only American who does!). Wonder if I could substitute somethine else? Like maybe pineapple? Anyone have any thoughts?
You can’t really taste the bananas in it. However, I’d think you could substitute frozen berries in place of the bananas. The color wouldn’t be as a green and it might look more brown, but it probably would taste great!
If you don’t like bananas, substituting with berries won’t give you the creaminess that smoothies are known for. I have another suggestion. Try something else creamy like part of an avocado. Also, bananas are a sweet fruit. Berries, not so much. I love berries in my smoothies, but I have to balance it with another sweet fruit, if I’m out of bananas. I use mango (sweet and creamy) or pineapple (sweet) or grapes. If I don’t have much in the way of sweet (apples could suffice too), then I add some dates or a little stevia. You could use honey, but it tends to overpower the taste of the smoothie.
I just thought I’d add my two cents to the discussion. I make green smoothies every day for our family of four. No two are the same. This is better explained by reading my posts about making dairy free smoothies. You can read how I make them over at my blog: http://veganfootprints.blogspot.com/
Have a great day! =) ~Blessings
Michelle,
I just left a comment and realized after, that I’d replied to Crystal instead (below your comment). Please read my comment to answer your question. =)
Replace banana with 1/2 an avacado! The texture is similar. I hate bananas as well, so I use avacados a lot. They are also very good for your skin!
Finally a quiet week in our house. Here is our menu for this week – http://smainavenue.blogspot.com/2012/02/menu-planning-week-of-february-6.html
Hey Crystal, have you tried subbing quinoa for rice? It’s a complete protein and gluten-free, and a nice change-up if you’re getting bored with all of the rice. Also, I thought I’d mention that the crockpot365 blog’s recipes are all gluten-free. And if you need more ideas of things to cook with other grains, you might check out Heidi Swanson’s cookbooks/websites- not all of the recipes are gluten-free, but many of them are since she does an AMAZING job of using all sorts of grains and flours in her food. As a bonus, it’s all really delicious and healthful. Good luck with the transition- a friend of mine is going through it right now and it’s been a tough one, but well worth it for her.
Can I just ask what kinds of issues was your child having that made you even think of going gluten free? I don’t know much about it.
We are also having green smoothies (my 12 yr old boy calls them “Toxic Sludge”) but always wants one before swim practice!!
We are not 100% gluten-free, but close to it. (Gluten isn’t great for people like me with autoimmune issues.) If you want a change-up from the black bean brownies, I just posted my recipe for gluten-free peanut butter banana brownies. (If you leave out the chocolate chips, they’re dairy-free, too): http://puresugar.net/?p=3596
I am sure you’ve had lots of comments with great link-ups to gluten-free recipes, but just have to add a site that I use every January while my husband and I do a Daniel Fast, where we only eat fruits, veggies and other super-healthy stuff ….www.ultimatedanielfast.com
There are so many wonderful recipes on there that the whole family will like!
Is the green monster 1 serving. I made it, it’s great but seems like a lot?
I’d say it’s 2-3 servings.
Crystal,
If you dont mind me asking, what health issues is the diet helping your kids with? Just wondering if this would work for my girlies!
I think its wonderful that eating a gluten free diet is helping you. Im so very glad for you & for your kiddos..
Many children have chronic colds, coughs, mucus, intestinal issues in addition to just being plain ol sick.. so do many adults, myself included.
Early on, I didnt seem to have the intestinal issues often associated with it, but I had massive chronic fatigue & fibromyalgia like symptoms. When I keep my diet 100% free of glutens they disappear. For me, its like a miracle.
Is there a difference between baby spinach and mature spinach. I see the two recipes call for the two different spinach forms for the green monster and then the green shake. I’m new to this and just want to make sure it tastes good.
THANKS!
Mary
I’ve been using Mrs Leepers corn macaroni noodles for awhile and have been really happy with it. To me, the corn pasta doesn’t seem to fall apart as easily as brown rice pasta.
We have two children with celiac disease. If you are worried about a gluten intolerance you may notice a difference by going GF. But if the child really has an intolerance or celiac disease then you need to make sure there is no cross contamination. If you eat oatmeal make sure the oats are GF (bobs red mill has some). Cracker barrel does not have anything that is GF and they can not prevent cross contamination per a letter we recieved from them. Although there are some restaurants that do have GF menus. I will keep you all in our prayers.
Just had the Green Monster Smoothie and it was awesome. It was the same thing I have every morning (I also add flax seed meal and protein powder) but today I added the fresh spinach! WOW! Once I got past the green… I found it had not changed the taste of my daily smoothie at all! What a great way to get the extra green veggie in my diet! Thanks!
Thank you for posting about gluten free and dairy free cooking! I just found out that I am gluten, dairy, and egg sensitive which means I am not allergic but have inflamation responses when I eat these foods. I am on the look out for recipes so I have appreciated especially your recent posts! Thanks!
You said you are going gluten-free/dairy-free….what did you sub. for the greek yogurt in your green smoothies?