A Gluten-Free Super Bowl for Super Bowl Sunday

January 26, 2012 By 1 Comment

Who are your cheering for this upcoming Super Bowl? Trust me, you don’t have to feel bad if your answer is “no one.” I’m with you!

I’m a Minnesota girl misplaced in California. Once the Vikings were out, I was hoping the 49′ers would make it. And then that didn’t happen. I’m officially only looking forward to the new commercials…..and of course, the food!

Appetizers are essential for Super Bowl Sunday. You’ll find me munching on various things all day, regardless of if I am even watching the game. C’mon….it’s Super Bowl Sunday, it only makes sense! But then again, so does a hearty meal beforehand or during to keep energized all game long. I love appetizers and snacking, but I thought a hearty meal fit this occasion perfectly.

Here is a gluten-free super bowl to try for Super Bowl Sunday!

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Rub the steak cubes with your Argentine Steak Rub (or whatever rub you use).
  2. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Prepare the quinoa (quinoa (Place 1 c. of water with 1 c. of quinoa in a small pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce and simmer, uncovered, for about 10-20 minutes or until “fluffy.”)
  4. Lightly coat a pan with 1/2 tbsp olive oil, and add your steak cubes to it. Cook the steak to your liking.
  5. Lightly coat another pan with 1/2 tbsp olive oil, and add your pepper and onion mixture to it.
  6. Once both the steak and pepper mixture are nearly done, merge them together. Add your desired amount of freeze-dried garlic and jalapenos.
  7. Once the quinoa is done cooking, place your quinoa in a bowl and mix in the steak and pepper mixture.
  8. Finally, top (or smother) with The Laughing Cow Light Queso Fresco & Chipotle.

REALLY like this recipe? Make sure to give it a Follow Me on Pinterest to remind your awesome self of it later!

Ingredients

Quinoa & Garlic

Jalapenos & Mixed Peppers with Onion

The Laughing Cow Light Queso Fresco & Chipotle

Skillet Cooking

Mixed with the Quinoa

A Gluten-Free Super Bowl for Super Bowl Sunday

Filed Under: Foodie, The Laughing Cow Tagged With: , , ,

Baked Bananas & The Integrative Nutrition Book

January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Bananas are loaded with potassium. They are also very friendly to the digestive system, which is exciting news if you are like me and have Colitis or any other form of IBS/IBD. Why? Because bananas are sweet – pun intended – and can be used in many different recipes or are perfect as a stand alone snack!

The suggestion has been made several times lately that I should think about writing a cookbook. I’ve thought of, “Cooking with Colitis” or something of the like. While it sounds real sexy and fun, I’m not sure writing a cookbook is for me. I have many other things around cooking and baking and truly helping people in need up my sleeve.

But that being said, if I were to write a cookbook, it would have many recipes similar to the recipes in Joshua Rosenthal’s book, “Integrative Nutrition: Feed Your Hunger for Health & Happiness.” Why? Because the recipes are practical. I am tired of cookbooks, websites and blogs that think we all have 22.5 hours in the day to do nothing but cook and bake (though wouldn’t that be fantastic?!).

Not sure what a simple and practical recipe looks like? Most of them on my site truly are. Same with Joshua’s. So go ahead, click the banner on the right side of my site (I will be removing this soon for awhile) OR click on the picture below to download his book for FREE! YES – FREE! ps. Wonder what those containers filled with gluten-free goods are on the sides of the book?! That’s coming soon! I had one heck of a weekend creatively organizing pieces of my kitchen!

Follow Me on Pinterest

Integrative Nutrition Book

This past weekend I made the Baked Bananas (found in the book). They were an awesome dessert for Ryan and I. I hope you will enjoy it!

Ingredients (I halved the original recipe, since I only made it for Ryan and I)

  • 2 firm bananas
  • 1 /2 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2-inch piece grated fresh ginger
  • 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tablespoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 c. raisins
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Peel and cut bananas in half, lengthwise.
  3. Oil a baking pan and arrange bananas.
  4. Sprinkle with spices and raisins, cover, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

Ingredients, Prior to Baking

 

Baked Bananas - they look like ants on a log!

 

Baked Bananas

 

Filed Under: Foodie, Integrative Nutrition Tagged With: , , , , ,

3 Things I Learned About Community Management from Church

January 23, 2012 By 2 Comments

Today is Community Manager Appreciation Day. Community Management has been a part of my life for the past few years. It’s not the only thing I do now with Singley+Mackie, but it is a part of my day-to-day activities. So I’m patting myself on the back:)

The community management role is a tough one. I don’t care if you are the community manager for Starbucks or for your local coffee shop. The role expects one to come in as a caterpillar and quickly become a butterfly -> spreading wings, conquering unknown territories, overcoming strong winds and gently floating along the entire time.

One Sunday at church we focused on, “Growing Deeply.” I take a lot of notes during church because I always find myself inspired and eager to think more on the lessons taught and Word spoken. On this particular Sunday, as I reviewed my notes, I realized how many points the Pastor mentioned resonated with the online communities we manage, cherish and adore.

On this Community Manager Appreciation Day, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than to remind myself (and all of you awesome community managers) what a great place a “community” is to start.

Here are 3 simple things I learned about the role from church:

  1. Happy People. In one study, it was concluded that, “Deep, meaningful relationships separate happy people from less-than-happy people.” (Journal of Happiness) In life, and in community management, we aim to create these relationships. Happy people are more fun to be around. Happy people are easier to get along with. Happy people will buy from other happy people they like. Cultivate these relationships with your community; make them happy. Watch what might transpire.
  2. Truth in a Quote. Henri Nowen said, “Community is the place where the person you least want to live with always lives.” In life, and in the communities we manage, there is likely to always be that one person who is very challenging. Know it. Learn to deal with it. And embrace it.
  3. Out of Hiding. Our Pastor mentioned, “Doing life together makes it safe to come out of hiding.” Our personal relationships form security. When we make our online communities a safe place, open for ideas, suggestion and constructive criticism, people will ultimately come out of hiding. Let your community be heard. Give them the chance to come out of hiding. Members add value. They share resources. Allow them to bring their unique presence.

Enjoy your Community Manager Appreciation Day with this awesome 2012 Community Manager Report Infographic from Social Fresh (and yes, I did contribute to this!)

Filed Under: Digital Tagged With:
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