Friday's Facts and Findings: One Doctor's Opinion on Eating Gluten Free

I used to think that the whole gluten free thing was a lot of hype.  Don't get me wrong, there are people out there who suffer from celiac disease that can get deathly ill from eating the stuff.  I'm talking about everyone else who jumped on the bandwagon.

Well, I've since jumped on myself because I knew I had a "sensitivity" to wheat that showed up on an allergy test.  I also knew that I didn't have celiac disease (I was tested).  However, even though this sensitivity wasn't high enough to be considered an allergy, it was high enough to cause me problems if I consumed too much.

As you know from some of my other posts, I'm currently following the Primal/Paleo way of eating, which means no grains at all.  And, I've got to tell you, I do feel better.

So, even though I'm not suffering from celiac disease, there's something to be said about eating gluten free.  I've had a couple of gluten (not grain) free pizzas and more recently had some gluten free pasta from a favorite local eatery.  I did not experience the same bloating and digestive ailments that I would have in the past eating the wheat version.  Is it the gluten or the wheat?  I don't care, I just know that I personally feel better.

Here's a video that was posted on Underground Wellness.com.  In it Sean Croxton is interviewing Dr. Tom O'Bryan.  The title of the video is "This is Your Brain on Gluten."  In it, he states that gluten doesn't just affect your digestive system, it can affect your brain as well.  I found it very interesting.

Sean's post starts out like this:

"You eat your morning toast, then can’t remember where you put the car keys?

You have a sandwich for lunch, then can’t seem to focus on your afternoon tasks.

Coffee, please!

Your kids slurp down whole grain cereal for breakfast, then come home from school with notes from their teachers about “attention deficit”.

Could these all be connected?"

What do you think the answer is?  Follow the link above to Underground Wellness to get the answer==I couldn't get the video to load here.

Here's another video from the same doctor entitled, "Top 5 Things You Didn't Know About Gluten."

He is hosting a free on line conference called The Gluten Summit on November 11 - 17 that will have more information on this topic.  You can click the above link to register.  I know that I will.

Thursday's Total Body/Cardio -- Halloween Editions

All treats today--no tricks in sight!

Today's posts are all based on Halloween.

The first one goes along with the challenge for the week--schedule in some exercise.  It is only 30 seconds long--it's meant to be done if you're sitting a lot.  This would be great if you could set a timer at your desk--email the video to yourself so it's easily reached on your computer.  Who knows, maybe your co-workers will join in!

It's called the 30 second Zombie Sprint and comes from Under20Workout:

Here's a more intense tabata workout from JessicaSmithTV

and here's another one that uses a pumpkin from Workout Muse

and for your real treat--here's a couple of links for something yummy to make out of that pumpkin!

the first one is grain free, the second one is not.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie in Two Minutes

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin

Wednesday's Wild/Warrior Workout -- The Great Pumpkin HIIT workout

When I saw this video from Dana Lee at RealFit.tv, I knew I just had to share it.  You really can exercise with anything!!!

Instead of a medicine ball, Dana uses a 10 pound pumpkin.  How awesome is that?!!!

I couldn't get the video to link directly, so click on the title below for the workout.

It's a 15 minute workout consisting of 5 exercises done for 50 seconds with 10 seconds rest.  This is repeated for 3 rounds.  She does include a short warm up and stretch.

So, before you carve that pumpkin, use it for a workout tool!

Great PUMPkin Halloween HIIT workout

Tuesday's Trunk and Core + Some Missed Muscle Work -- Blogilates Challenges

I just couldn't get my act together to post anything yesterday.

So, today I found some fun challenges from Cassey Ho on the Blogilates Channel on YouTube.  These challenges are set to different songs.  I chose challenges for the abs and lower body.  I'll do some for the upper body in another post.  The songs are all between 3 and 4 minutes long.

Remember as always, warm up first and don't forget to stretch after!

The first one is the "Roar" Challenge for Abs and Inner Thighs

The second one is the "When You Love Her" Legs and Lunges Challenge:

The third one is the "Dance with Me"  Ab Challenge:

The fourth one is the "Glad You Came" Calves Challenge:

An easier alternative to the bag of books is to fill empty milk bottles with water = 8 lbs.

Next is the "As Long as You Love Me" Love Handles Challenge:

One more for the abs:  The "Up All Night" Abs Challenge

If it bothers your neck, place your hands gently behind your head keeping your elbows way back--lift chest toward the knees NOT your elbows.  This could actually hurt your neck more if done improperly.

and my personal favorite:  Gangnam Style Call Me Maybe Mash-Up Squat (lower body/cardio) Challenge:

This is such a great idea, I'm definitely going to incorporate some challenges like this into a couple of my own classes.

Sunday's Recipe Share -- Two Easy Yummy Appetizers

I made these two appetizers a few weeks ago when we hosted bible study at our house.  They are easy and can be made ahead of time.

Stuffed Pepper Poppers -- 2 Ways

Here's a tip before I even get into the recipes.  I find that if I freeze the peppers for a few days first, and then thaw, they become softer and more pliable.  This makes it easier to remove the seeds and stem and I don't have to cook them as long, actually, I just use the broiler.

Number 1:    Stuffed Jalepeno Poppers

I started with about 10-12 peppers that I cut in half and seeded.  Put aside

Filling:

1-1/2 pkgs room temperature cream cheese, you can use full fat or light--NOT fat free

1 tsp minced garlic

1 Tbs chopped cilantro

cumin to taste, I used probably 1/2 tsp.

salt, pepper to taste

1 green onion, chopped finely

Mix all the ingredients together.  Stuff into pepper halves.  If you have any filling leftover, refrigerate or serve with crackers.

Broil until cheese is browned and bubbly.  Or you could bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes if you want the peppers even softer

Number 2:    Four Cheese Stuffed Baby Bell Pepper Poppers

I package of baby bell peppers--there were probably about 10.  Cut peppers in half and seed, set aside.

Filling:

1 cup ricotta cheese, again you can use full fat or part skim

1/2 pkg room temperature cream cheese

1/2 c shredded mozzerella

12 tsp garlic

Italian seasonings of choice--you could use fresh or dried, to taste

salt, pepper, to taste

Parmesan cheese, shredded or grated

Mix all ingredients except Parmesan together.  Stuff into pepper halves.   If you have any filling leftover, refrigerate or serve with crackers.  Sprinkle with Parmesan.

Cook the same as above.

The other recipe I want to share with you for the appetizer pictured on the right.

Bacon Wrapped Dates

These are SO good and SO easy!!!

Here's what you do:

Take bacon slices and cut into thirds.  Cut as many as you need, depending on how many dates you have.

Wrap a piece of bacon around each date.  Place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed or wiped with olive oil.

Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, until bacon is cooked and crispy.  That's it!  They are little bites of sweet and salty heaven!

Enjoy!