Gluten Free Chicken Fingers

These Chicken Fingers are gluten-free, healthy, and have the perfect mix of sweet and salty. They are baked, but still have the crispy coating as though they were fried. These chicken fingers make the perfect comfort meal, or appetizer for a party!

Every year time changes and I feel like I could sleep for a week. We get an extra hour of sleep for one night, and daylight begins earlier. However, I still struggle to function for the first few days. This week is about getting back into a daily routine! As the days get shorter it become easier to let routine slip away. Because of a few rough weeks my routine is long gone and I feel awful about it. When I have a normal routine I am more productive in school, I feel better about myself, and I am a genuinely happier person. Now that midterms are over I am taking some days to refresh and relax with my Mom before I have to worry about final exams and the term papers that are looming over my head. It is the perfect time to get back on schedule and to start living a healthy life once again! I am going to find the balance of school, healthy eating, working out, and studying that I had, but lost.

My favourite part about getting into a routine is getting my day planner organized. I need to know exactly where I have to be when, and when deadlines are coming up. I need to see where I have time to go to yoga, the gym, or take a nap. I need to-do lists, and organization. I thrive on organization, it is a calming experience to see how much control I have over my life when so many things seem out of control this time of year. Every aspect of my life is categorized and given a colour in my day planner. This way nothing gets forgotten and I can visually process what is a priority and what is not.

Before getting back into routine in full force I granted myself a grace period to eat the things I crave and catch up on my sleep. This time of year makes me want to curl up on my couch and relax with a cup of earl grey while the fireplace roars. My favourite thing about fall is comfort food! I find myself craving all my favourites from childhood, but this week my weakness was chicken fingers! It took me awhile to decide how I was going to tackle breading the chicken, but I managed to find a way that had flavour and made these chicken fingers as healthy as possible and gluten free!

Gluten Free Chicken Fingers

1/4 Cup Gluten Free Flour
1 Large Egg
2 Cups Gluten Free Honey Chex Cereal (Crushed)
1 Tbsp Parmesean Cheese
1 Tsp Oregano
1/2 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
10 Ounces Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (Approx. 2)

Preheat oven to 425 Degrees. In one bowl beat the egg, place flour in another bowl, in a third bowl combine the crushed Chex cereal, cheese, and spices. Cut each chicken breast in 4 pieces. Dip the pieces in the flour, then the egg, and then the Chex, and place on a cookie sheet. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, flipping half way. Each chicken finger is 2 weight watchers points plus and pairs perfectly with mustard! 

Cooking gluten free does not have to be difficult. You just have to experiment with the items that you have in the kitchen. It involves thinking outside the box. Cooking regular foods comes more naturally because it becomes a habit, you know what you need and what conventionally goes into what. You cannot think conventionally when you are cooking gluten free, you have to start combing the foods that you enjoy and be creative! I realize that not everyone enjoys cooking, or is creative in the kitchen, but do not let that discourage you from trying new things!

Remember that things happen and it can be difficult to stick with a routine. Life gets busy, people get sick, and sometimes you just cannot keep up. Try not to be to hard on yourself, and keep pushing along. When life calms down you will be able to develop a routine again. Just try to maintain a balance that keeps you healthy during the rough times, so you can thrive in the good times!

Enjoy the rest of your week!
K.

Three Goals for Motivation

School starts in a few short weeks and it is time to get back on track so I am prepared for anything that will come my way! Here are three goals that I have for myself and everyone else that is trying to live a healthy life!

1. Plan Ahead - I always find that I eat better if I take the time to plan my meals a few days ahead, find out their weight watchers points, and prepare everything I can in advance. This ensures that I know what I am eating and how many points I have left everyday. Cooking in advance prevents me from eating an unhealthy meal when I am in a rush. It also ensures that I know exactly what is in my food, so there is no chance of eating gluten.

2. Routine - While its nice to have days off, I find that I sleep in, lay around, miss meals, and generally do not do anything productive. To be successful at reaching my goals I need to have a routine. This involves getting up at the same time, eating breakfast, having healthy snacks, and making the time to go to the gym, yoga, or for a walk around the neighbourhood. I am a creature of habit. I like having my days schedule so I know exactly where I will be when. This way I can plan my workout and meals or snacks for when I have school or work. I included the name balance in my blog title because I believe that having a balance between school work, working out, spending time with friends, and making time for yourself is the most important part of living a happy and rewarding life. This is one thing that I need to focus on.

3. Change things up - Eating the same things everyday gets boring. I am going to try to make enough food that I do not need to cook everyday, but something that I can change up everyday and make it good. This is the same thing with working out. If I do the same thing daily I eventually get bored and quit all together. I will make a plan to alternate workouts and make sure I have extra time for some juicy hot yoga.

These are three key things that I need to do in order to stay motivated and reach my goals. I also need to make sure that I make time for the things I enjoy doing. Taking time for myself is one of the most rewarding parts of my day. I love to cook, I need to take the time to make dishes that I enjoy. Figuring out how to make them gluten free and healthy can be a challenge. But if it tastes good then it is incredibly rewarding!

The fruit and vegetable stands are full of delicious and fresh foods right now! Every time I go I find myself inspired with new idea and overwhelmed with all the possibilities! Last week I bought some eggplant and wasn't really sure what to do with it. After much research I tried something simple, and it turned out to be very satisfying! Later this week I'm going to try more experimenting and see what deliciousness I can come up with.

Tomorrow is jam and salsa day! I have never canned before, but I am so excited to try! I got some wonderful looking fresh peaches at the fruit stand today and they will be perfect for jam. There are so many possibilities with all of the fresh foods available. Check out my Rhubarb Muffins, and Cheeky Cherry Bread for some ideas!

Tonight is Sunday, and tomorrow is the start of a new week. A new week full of promise and possibilities. I am going to spend the evening enjoying a cup of tea and planning my meals for the week. I find writing on balance and elegance to be very rewarding, I am still very new to it and would love any feedback from readers (good and bad) so I can grow into a better blogger! My main goal is to blog more frequently. I do post yummy food ideas on my instagram between posts - feel free to follow me for more ideas @_kacimarie

Have a great week! and remember to plan ahead!
K.

Zoku Gluten Free and Healthy Summer Slushes

I had a great find this week at a store in Kelowna! It was the Zoku Slush and Shake maker! It creates healthy slushes and shakes in seven minutes! From what I understand, the liquid in it freezes incredibly cold and then what you place in the cup freezes quickly. You keep stirring the fluid until it reaches the desired consistency. It is great! I have tried two slushes and it really does work in seven minutes. I was thinking that this will be a great way to change up my morning protein shake, however protein powder does not freeze very well because my first slush was a complete bust. However, I made one with almond milk and watermelon puree and it turned out perfectly! My only complaint about the Zoku product is that all recipes require blending first. I am not a fan of this and am going to try to prevent it. If I am going to take the time to blend a shake, I am not going to then place it in the slush maker, I will just drink it from the blender.

I am very excited to see what fun creations for healthy shakes and slushes I can come up with! This one was very easy. It was one cup of almond milk, and one cup of watermelon cut small. It had great flavour and was refreshing! The best part was that it was only one weight watchers point! It was completely quilt free

There are so many possibilities! I want to try making a slush with coconut water and cherries, as well as a milkshake with almond milk and cocoa. You can make them healthy and don't have to run to the store when you are craving a unhealthy treat! This is also the perfect solution to avoid dairy and still enjoy a shake! Zoku has other great products that I would love to try such as a ice cream maker, and popsicle molds.

The last few days have been relaxing. I have been swimming laps every morning at 6, and have been doing my best to eat healthy. Friday involved some wine tastings, so I am counting that as a serving of fruits (sometimes you just have to have a little bit of fun!). This week is filled with many more adventures in Kelowna, so I am going to have to get motivated on my class in order to enjoy the week!


K.

Quinoa Vegetable Salad and Getting Back on Track to Healthy Living

Quinoa is such a versatile grain that can be enjoyed in many ways! It is gluten free and makes the perfect summer salad for summer picnics. It can also be used in stir fry, or eaten on its own. It takes on the flavour of whatever you mix it with, and is perfect with fresh vegetables and dill for a refreshing salad.

Finals are finally done and I have taken a few days off to relax and enjoy the nice weather before starting my online class. It is going to be a busy month trying to get this class done, and finding the time to enjoy summer. I have been hanging out in the Okanagan and to ensure that I stay on track with eating healthy and working out while being away I bought a punch card at the leisure centre. I am excited to try classes that we do not have in Kamloops, like aqua zumba and aqua yoga! I am making sure to track all my food, and before eating I am trying to think "Is this worth the points?" Planning ahead is still a big part of my healthy eating goals. There are so many fun outdoor things to do here! Hopefully there will be some time for SUP yoga, and a few hikes!



The hardest part about eating healthy is that food is always on the mind - And not the healthy food I should be eating. I am consumed by thoughts of slurpees, dill pickle chips, and hot dogs. I want to indulge, but it is to soon. Indulging before eating healthy is a habit again can throw everything onto a bad track. Its okay to treat yourself, but it is also easy to get distracted or keep thinking "one won't hurt!" One often turns into two, and then three. Before you know it you have eaten way more than you should have and you feel bad about it. The key part to staying on track isn't always being heathy, its allowing yourself those bad foods in moderation. If you deprive yourself all the time you will end up indulging way to much and all success will be for nothing.


One of my favourite summer treats is a Quinoa Vegetable Salad. It is perfect to eat fresh, or it can be frozen and enjoyed later, with stir fry, or as a side to any meal! It is great for barbecues and is a fresh change from potato and macaroni salads! It can be enjoyed hot or cold and is perfect for anyone needing ideas for the upcoming long weekend parties!

Quinoa Vegetable Salad 

4 Cups Quinoa (Cooked)
1 Cup Baby Corn
1 Cup Snap Peas
1 Cup Tomatoes
1 Cup Broccoli

Juice from 1 Lemon
Fresh Dill

Combine all ingredients and mix together! It is quick and simple. You can use any vegetables in this. However, I find that these ones freeze best and do not get watery. The lemon and Dill are all that is necessary for the dressing and add plenty of flavour. The vegetables offer a lot of natural flavour, so using too much dressing can ruin the fresh flavour.

Makes 8 Servings

I am very excited to spend some time blogging! If anyone has some suggestions on how I can improve or any changes I can make please let me know! I have a list of things to do on my days off, but I am starting by reading Blog Inc by Joy Deangdeelert Cho! I have heard great things about it and cannot wait to start learning! I really enjoy blogging and hope to create a sense of community for other people that struggle to eat healthy with celiac disease and balance their busy lives with a healthy lifestyle. Have a good day!

k. 

Vanilla Chai French Toast

French Toast is a great breakfast food, but lacks the high amounts of protein that keep you full until lunch, or morning coffee. This protein packed french toast offers a lot of flavour and can be enjoyed at anytime of the day! Just top it with your favourite fruit and enjoy!

This week has been crazy. When I get stressed I crave sweet foods, like waffles. Waffles seem to make everything better. I had a nap and woke up wanting breakfast for dinner. I did not have any bacon or sausages for protein, so I played around and found a way to add protein to my french toast! This tasted just as good as the original, and was probably a bit softer because of all the extra egg. This recipe has no waste, is packed with protein, and is delicious.

For me, cooking is all about experimenting. I do not follow recipes exactly, and I tend to omit items or add new items. That is what makes it exciting. Somethings work, and other things don't. Gluten free can be really gross, but other times it can be truly delicious and can taste like any other gluten filled food. Having celiac disease is no longer a burden, but an adventure that I look forward to most days (I really miss angel food cake! - That is an experiment for another day, and another post!)

Vanilla Chai French Toast
1 Egg
Cinnamon
1 Scoop Vega Vanilla Chai Protein Powder
Splash of Almond Milk
2 Pieces of Silver Hills Gluten Free Bread

Mix egg, protein powder, cinnamon, and almond milk in a bowl until well blended. If it is a little thick add some more milk. Put bread in the bowl one slice at a time to coat well. Place bread into frying pan and cook. Before flipping toast put more of the egg blend onto the toast. Alternate flipping and adding more until there is no more blend left and the toast is nice and brown.

Top with your favorite fruits and a tablespoon of maple syrup! Enjoy

This recipe is higher in points plus than I would prefer, but it is comparable to having a meal with meat and rice or pasta! It is filling, and sometimes you need to treat yourself! This was the perfect treat! It was healthy, filled me up, and satisfied my terrible waffle craving!

I hope everyone is having a great week!

k.

Dijon Garlic Marinade

This marinade is perfect on any meat and can be used on the grill, in the slow cooker, or substituted as a salad dressing! It has the perfect balance of garlic and mustard, without being over the top! It is soon to be a staple during BBQ season!

It is finally grilling season! I am definitely not a BBQ connoisseur, but last week I found myself at the meat market and decided to get some pork chops. I am not a huge fan of pork, but I thought I would give it a whirl and see how I could make something with great flavour and was seasonal. I am so happy I did! These pork chops turned out to be better than I imagined.

I covered the pork chops in a Dijon garlic marinade and grilled them! The marinade was the perfect mix of tangy and sweet. I was able to use it as a salad dressing as well! Even more exciting - It was zero weight watchers points!


Dijon Garlic Marinade
1/4 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
2 Tbs Dijon Mustard
Fresh Dill
3 Cloves Garlic
1 tsp Olive Oil

Mix all ingredients together and cover over meat of choice. The longer it sits the better. However, 20 minutes is long enough if you are in a hurry! I also put this on the meat while it was on the grill, and after flipping the pork chops. 

This was perfect on top of a fresh green salad! Trying new things makes eating healthy exciting. When you can find guilt free ways to change things up, there is no reason not to eat healthy! It is about experimenting with what works for you, your lifestyle, and your body! No one is the same, but if you stay dedicated and motivated things will seem a lot easier!

Enjoy your day!
k.

Chicken Cabbage Soup

Chicken Cabbage Soup is perfect for a cold day! It will warm you up from the inside out and fills the house with the coziest smells. It can be topped with your favourite Mexican toppings for a completely different experience, such as avocado, sour cream, corn chips, and salsa, or enjoyed on its own!

The weekend has been cold and rainy. However, I am not too upset about it because I have caught a bad virus and do not have the energy to do much besides lay around. To help with the rainy day blues, and to fight this virus, I made some chicken cabbage soup! The smells are wonderful and make me feel warm and fuzzy, and it is a great comfort food for those blue days.

While feeling under the weather it can be difficult to eat healthy, or eat at all. I have found it easiest to fill the body with comfort foods and smoothies for some substance. I have not been overly hungry so I have been focusing on eating small meals so my body has some fuel. Once this virus is gone I will get back to eating regular meals and snacks. 

Chicken Cabbage Soup

12oz Chicken Breast Cooked
1 Can Low Sodium Diced Tomatoes
1 Carton Low Sodium Chicken Broth (4 Cups)
1/4 Cup Chopped Onion
1/2 Cup Snow Peas
1/2 Cup Carrots
1/2 Cup Broccoli
2 Cloves Garlic
2 Cups Cabbage
Fresh Dill, Fresh Parsley, Cayenne Pepper, Chilli Powder, and Black Pepper

In a pot saute onions and garlic until clear, add chicken, broth, and the fresh dill and parsley. Bring to a boil.
In a separate pan fry cabbage with 1tsp oil (I used coconut oil) and the cayenne and chilli powder until light brown.
Add tomatoes and remaining vegetables to the soup pot. Once boiling again add cabbage and let simmer for 30 minutes.

This makes 10 cups of soup and is very low in weight watchers point values.

I topped my soup with a quarter of an avocado and some corn chips. It would also be delicious with grated cheese and a tablespoon of sour cream, but I am still avoiding dairy.

Happy Sunday!

k.