OATMEAL

Oatmeal is the greatest grain if you ask me and if you are reading this you already have probably had some contact with me and know how much I LOVE THIS PRODUCT. I love explaining what I think it does for the body. I feel like it is a scrub brush to your arteries and you digestive system. It helps lower cholesterol, helps with your cardiac health (heart disease) as well as your colon (colon cancer) and stomach. I have researched so many foods and this in one I just can not find a negative too. It does not spike your blood sugars, it keeps you full longer most people feel 4-6 hours - WOW that is a a long time without PROTEIN ATTACHED. Magazines spend pages on pages talking about health benefits but I am going to conclude with it is premise to ALL of Bizzy Lizzy Products and we LOVE IT.

Let's start with celiac's because the first comment I get from people when I demo is, "Is this for those people." I remember the first time I heard that statement. I know I had a blank look on my face because I could not figure out what they were referring to. I had very little contact with individuals with Celiac's Disease. I had a friend from the local college that had many health issues but was not told she had it until years later. I had no idea what it was, how it effected people, how you got, or anything else about it. Now I would say I may fit into the well-informed category not expert by any means. I am not sure there is an expert because everyone handles it differently, have different side effects, levels of illness and recovery times. What I do know is it is a pain in the pocket book, in the stomach, maybe in the head, or all over the body. I have met several people that don't have side effects that are noticable but in the long run has terrible damage to the digestive system. I have met people who break out, have severe aches and pain, can't gain weight - and others who have never had problems with gaining weight. The list goes on and on. I have met groups that try to keep others informed, dieticians who have tried to teach these individuals how to shop and cook. I have met doctors that feel they have not really figured anything out because there are just too many variables.ou do What I have discovered is if you are not a celiac DO NOT EAT AS ONE. We were told by researchers that if you are a non-celiac and decided to start eating that way you will become intolerant of gluten. We have discovered if you are having trouble conceiving it is possible this is the issue. We have met several women who had went years without being able to conceive - were tested and started eating the celiac diet and got pregnant. Certainly not the only problem but never thought your digestive system could be a cause. For me I started Bizzy Lizzy on the theory of OATMEAL. Love it!! It is a great carbohydrate, fills you up and lasts, doesn't mess with most peoples blood sugar. For a celiac, oats can be an enemy and for others they have no trouble. When celiac's disease was first noted in medical journals they felt all grains that were similar in size, processed in the same facilitiess and grown in the same field had to all have gluten issues for celiacs. I recently was told by a researcher that they think those that are very sensitive could have problems but those with milder case or are just gluten sensitive probably would not be bothered. They felt these individuals should also be tested for oat allergies. My take on this is be safe not sorry. Wheat products have gluten in them - that is a protein and it is found in Barley, Rye and Wheat. Which is the first family of grains. Oatmeal is in the second family but molecular chains are very similar in all. So how do these people cook without gluten. Cooking I do not see as an issue but eating out has to be a nightmare. I would not personally eat out. But I know many do and I don't blame them. I have heard the comment more than once I just want to feel normal.

Grains are important in the diet!!

Breakfast eaters fare better in the area of health then the breakfast skipper.

They first of all take in more nutrients and less useless calories over the course of the day. Breakfast boosts intake of important nutrients that your body requires to work correctly if you stick to the whole grains.

They also improve heart health. Research indicates that people who eat breakfast have better cholesterol levels and it also improves blood pressure.

Eating breakfast helps us weigh less. People who eat breakfast weigh on average 30 pounds less than the average breakfast skipper.

Breakfast eaters have better work attendance, concentration and perhaps better cognitive skills than those whose run off forget breakfast.

Whole grains beat refines grains nutritionally, no doubt. In general, fact that whole grains haven't had their bran and germ removed by milling means that they have more nutrients that the consumption of whole grains can decrease the risk of heart disease and diabetes, protects against stroke and some types of cancer, and help battle weight gain. In fact, the health benefits of eating whole grains are so apparent that the government finally has set recommendations but they are a little slow in the reaction to obesity and diabetes. If they would do their job and remove "bleached" white flour from the food base we all would be healthier.

Whole grain food has more texture, and flavor than the white powder that just messes up or digestive system.

Mini Meals

As I research more for Bizzy Lizzy Bakery, I find more and more research on the change from 3 meals a day to 5 mini-meals. I designed the Bizzy Lizzy Products around this theory. They are not low in calories but they are packed with nutrition.

Redbook recently stated that we should each 2 MINI MEALS of about 300 calories. Our cookies and muffins don't quite make the 300 mark but they are close and I always think you should have a health drink with them or just a glass of water - new research says you should not drink overly cold water it is better for your metabolism.

The first meal should be 3 hours after breakfast and the second 3 hours after that. This will keep your blood sugars steady and your metabolism fired up. These two times of the day are when we have a tendency of putting stupid things in our mouths.

OOPS- i just ran out of time

This has been a very intersting month for me and going flourless. First of all I have to say it is difficult task. As a person who spends half my life on the road eating out is a challenge that makes me really think about the food on the market. "FLOUR" is the root of almost every food that covers the shelves in quick stops, fast food would not exist without it, grocery stores fill about a 1/3 of their space with something that contains it. I thought I would actually count at some point but time is not always my friend.

To actually eat this way I can say made me feel much better. My stomach did not make funny noises, I did not feel sluggish - I actually can say I felt amazing and it was not from eating ALL good food. I found my self stopping at a quick stop and picking up a bag of potato chips and a water because it was the only thing in the store that qualified under my eating conditions. To be honest I thought I would loose a lot of weight. I did loose weight but not to the degree I thought I would. I think it was from the bad choices I made with my new found challenge. I found myself overeating when I had an opportunity to eat something tasty and it was flourless.

I guess what I am trying to convey is that flourless is an amazing way to eat but it also takes more planning and a lot more thought. I know that having Bizzy Lizzy Bakery items available to me at all times made the task at least doable.

Half Way Point

This is not that hard at all. Supper last night was delicious, Elk Steak coated lightly in corn meal and corn starch and fried. I was craving something a little crispy and this fit the bill. We served it with snap peas and baked potatoes and finished the supper off with Fresh Michigan Strawberries and Calder Ice Cream - YUMMAY (new word I made up and it drives my son crazy so it makes it even more fun to say). Erik is still feeling it is very challenging on the road. I have to agree. When I was out on Saturday, I was making a stop at Sparrow Hospital and I made a salad on the salad bar and topped it with Chicken Salad it was delicious.

I notice we eat more salads because we think of it quickly. We are big summer salad eaters anyway. I have to say though I hate making salads but the beautiful Michigan Greens keep calling my name. I even got fresh Michigan Tomato's on Saturday at the Novi Farmers Market they grow them in green houses in Romeo. Hoop Houses are become the future in garden farming in Michigan. The big produce producers are really getting into it to extend their growing season.

The challenge

As I have said I am not really feeling the challenge of eating flourless because I almost always do anyway. However, my husband is really struggling. He feels that there is just so much limit to what he can eat. I guess if you think about it you are right. Flour is everywhere and takes up a very large percentage of the traditional grocery store. From of course the bread and bakery items and as you travel through the aisles it is coating the pepitas seeds. In the cooler section with pastries and cookies as well as in the meat, where many items are coated in the bi-product to increase the weight of the item as well allow for a crispy texture.

I would be curious to know how many items actually contain flour. It is in pasta, cereals, bakery items from cake mixes to coatings for meat. How do people with celiac's disease do it? I am choosing not to eat, I don't have to avoid it.

Sunday Night and All is Well

Flourless is a state of mine. Erik made fish tonight and you fried the fish in cornstarch and thinks it might be the best he ever had. I know this has been a challenge for him so far not because he does not want to do it but it is the preparation to think different all the time. As you already know we don't use much flour but we also do not avoid it like the plaque but for the month we are going to. It just going to take a little more thought.

Last night we had Buffalo Burgers with saute onions and mushrooms. YUMMY! It was absolutely delicious and we had it with some broccoli and it could have not been better if we tried.

Today, was a little challenging I was at the Canton Farmers Market and had a muffin for breakfast and a cookie for lunch but that was all with some water by the time I was done I was getting hungry and tired. I had to make stop at Sparrow Hospital and picked up a dish of chicken salad to get me home. It was a good filler and when I got home Erik had made fish and baked potatoes.

PF Chang is the inspriration to dinner

We are moving through the week with ease. Breakfast have been very simple with just a muffin or Bizzy Lizzy Cookie. Lunch on Friday was at our favorite little Coffee Cup Restraurant in Hillsdale. Tia made us a Red Chicken over Rice. It was Yummy.

Supper was inspired by the chicken lettuce wraps. I slow roasted a buffalo roast in an Asian Salad Dressing for 6 hours. Then cubed carrots, waterchestnuts and minced some onions and garlic and saute with brown sugar and rice vinegar. I made a light dressing with sesame oil, ketchup, soy sauce and some other spices. I actually found the recipe online.

I served it with fresh local Michigan Lettuce that I had gotten at the Zingerman's Farmers Market on Thursday in Ann Arbor.

We had puppy chow for dessert.

Saturday: Breakfast was a fresh Pumpkin Chocolate Muffin. Lunch was left-over supper from Friday and some Tatar tots. Supper is going to be brauts on the grill if the rain hold off.

Sunday will be a challenge we will be at the Canton Market and I usually trade with another vendor for lunch but nothing will fit under the no flour rule. I will let you know what we decide to do.

Day 4

Well again another day without flour. I visited with several people at Zingerman's Farmers Market about the idea of no flour. People are really buying into the idea. Some people are choosing to go flourless because they are diabetic. I am so pleased when I meet people who understand how flour breaks down in the body.

As usual breakfast was easy, I ate a Bizzy Lizzy new date muffin. Lunch was more difficult we decided to go to a Chinese Restaurant. I knew they made a lot of food with flour, so I had to have a watchful eye. I ate green beans, salad, chicken, and rice. I know that soy has gluten but I was not that watchful. I feel sorry for celiacs they have to be so careful.

I had a Bizzy Lizzy Brownie for a snack and chili from Wendy's for supper.

Day 2

Today was interesting not in my process but with discussion with others about their process of elimination. The first person I talked to had joined our flourless month because he thought it would be an interesting challenge and it was right from the get go. He had not thought through the process of finding food while trying to challenge. When he was on the road, which he is about 12 times a month, he just grabs fast food for lunch. Well without flour that can be a challenge, everything is served on a bun. Wendy's is the only fast food restaurant that does offer "gluten" free as an option and will make an effort to help people with gluten allergies. They have chili, baked potato's and will make sandwiches without the bun. He said after much contemplation he just gave up and ate a drive thru sandwich but after our discussion he feels better equipped for his next outing.

The second person I visited with had started this process months ago and shared how she feels so much better and has eliminated headaches that have been an issue for her for a long time. She said, "I still eat pasta once in a while with my family but in very limited quantities." Other than that no flour for her.

For me I really don't think this will be much of a challenge because I already limit this item extensively. My biggest challenge is going to be my son. He has mentioned calazones three times since I started this Tuesday. Calazone certainly to not fit this scenario.

Breakfast: Bizzy Lizzy Pumpkin - Pepitas Seed Muffin
Lunch: Two eggs with a little bacon and cheese
Snack: A frozen coffee - I went out with a friend on an outing and treated myself - delicious
Supper: Nacho - fried elk burger, taco seasoning, lettuce, cheese and a few flourless tortilla chips.

Day 1 of NO FLOUR

Great day! No problem at all giving up flour. I had an amazing Bizzy Lizzy Muffin for Breakfast. I had an orange at lunch, I was just so busy I really didn't have much time to eat. The kids got home from school and I put supper in as we ran errands and finished some house work.

Supper:
In my roasting pan with lid I added 1 1/2 cup brown rice, 1 packet of Satay Chicken Seasoning.1 can of chicken breast in water, 3 cups of water (stirred) and 8 cups of frozen veggies.

I put it in a 300 degree oven (I did not preheat) for 1 1/2 hours, I think it was probably done before that but we were just not ready to eat.

I spent about 30 minutes talking to one of my neighbors this morning we were discussing how I may make flourless bread. She had a couple of great thoughts I will let you know how they work out.

The Night before the Mission Begins

I talked to my partners in our mission tonight. We are ready to go. The thought of avoiding all flour seems a little overwhelming. I have visited with so many Celiacs over the past 3-years. They have shared stories of frustration with labeling and finding foods that tastes good. I know how much food means to me. I love food that WOW's my mouth but don't get it from bleached white flour so I know I can give it all up.

Celiac's eat flour. They eat a variety of flours just not wheat based. I have to say I am not impressed with all their choices at the present time but some are great. I actually love to bake with gluten free flours I have a fondness for potato and tapioca.

But my mission is to prove that bakery can be great without flour. I started with the oats and flax because there is really no negative effects to either of these products. They are both great carbohydrates that clean out your digestive system as well as providing other heart health benefits. I already have breakfast thought out. I will of course eat a cookie or muffin. I will have to think about lunch.