If you are on a gluten-free diet for whatever reason, finding recipes to make and eat can be a challenge.  That’s why we here at FaveDiets.com have compiled 25 Top-Notch Gluten-Free Recipes. From the best gluten-free cookie recipes to gluten-free casserole recipes, this collection of gluten-free recipes is great for all tastes.

Looking for even more gluten-free recipes? Here are some more gluten-free recipes from the blogoshpere.

Turkey Soup from Gluten-Free Goddess

Ginger Flank Steak from Gluten Free Mommy

OMG Mac & Cheese from R.O.C.K. Recipes

Gluten Free Breakfast Casserole from Fire and Salt

Cranberry Ginger Muffins from I Am Gluten Free

Jalapeno-Popper Dip from Gluten Free Gobsmacked

Enjoy!

This is a post from: FaveDietsBlog

Need to be Gluten Free?

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This guest post comes courtesy of Freeman Michaels. Michaels, who played Drake Belson on The Young and the Restless in the mid-1990s, is now a nationally known weight-release coach and seminar leader, and author of a new book about his successful approach, called Weight Release: A Liberating Journey (Morgan James Publishing, $16.95). You can find out more about him at www.servicetoself.com.

Childhood obesity is a hot political topic these days – and that scares me.  I just keep thinking about the last hot political crisis related to kids, the education crisis. Remembering the “No Child Left Behind” debacle concerns me.  A few weeks ago President Obama talked about childhood obesity in his State of The Union Address.  Last month, a special government task force came out with new guidelines and recommendations to combat childhood obesity.  Finger pointing has already started on both sides of the political isle.  I am afraid that we are headed down another slippery political slope that may truly make matters worse.  In my opinion politicizing this issue will not do anything to change the trend – it is only when we personalize the issue that the tide will really begin to turn.   This is NOT a childhood obesity crisis this is a FAMILY obesity crisis.  Even thin parents, with thin children, must begin to look at their choices to determine what is healthy and what is unhealthy in their lives.

As a formerly obese person who works with adults struggling with weight issues, I have come to recognize that patterns of behavior around food are established in childhood. Based on my experience I have outlined five factors for parents to consider that effect eating patterns. I believe that addressing these five factors can help establish healthy habits for life.

Routine: Kids need to know what to expect. Children thrive when parents are consistent. Scheduled meals and snacks help develop patterns that support long term healthy eating habits. When parents are inconsistent about meal times, kids will unconsciously overeat because they are never sure when their next meal will come. Also, it is critical that parents stick to the routine themselves – if you have the unhealthy habit of “grazing” your kids will follow your lead and adopt this unhealthy trait.

Family Meals: The single most prevalent pattern that my overweight adult clients face is using food to cope with anxiety and stress. Calm and nurturing family mealtime is critical to the health and well-being of everyone in the family. Dinner is usually the most traditional family meal – but if you can also eat a relaxed breakfast as a family this can be beneficial. Again, routine and ritual are very important – it is so healthy for kids to know what to expect. Be sure that family meals are not distracted by television, video games, toys or reading material. Keep the conversation positive, and spend this important family time supporting and connecting to one another.

No Diets: If a child is struggling with weight DON’T put them on a diet – do whatever you can not to emphasize the “problem”. You must change the eating patterns and behavior of the entire family. This can be very tricky if one of your children is heavy while the other children in the family are thin. Work incrementally to make adjustments and focus on “health” – don’t make this about “sacrificing to help the overweight child”.

Balance: While I promote healthy eating, parents must be careful not to be too restrictive. Allowing a certain amount of unhealthy food may be very important to your children’s health. Kids who feel as if they are being deprived with likely sneak junk food and binge on unhealthy food whenever they are given the chance. Be sure, in moderation, to include some unhealthy foods in your children’s diet. Even letting kids overindulge is important for their natural learning process – for example, on Halloween my wife and I let the kids eat as much candy as they want, then allow them one piece a night after the holiday.

Focus on Fun: Whenever an adult client is choosing a physical activity the most important criteria is that it is fun. When an overweight client begrudgingly commits to going to the gym I know that the choice will not be sustainable. When choosing and promoting physical activity for your family the same principle applies – it must be fun. Be aware of the often unconscious pattern of choosing competitive games that end up being “no fun”. Many of my overweight clients report associating physical activity with competitive sports where they felt as if they failed. Even if your children are “good” at competitive sports, be sure that they experience regular non-competitive physical activity. Also, I recommend doing active things as a family – such as bike riding, hiking, swimming, or flying kites.

Fulfillment: So many of my adult obese clients use food to cope with stress, anxiety, fear, loneliness, sadness, and grief. They are trying to “fill up” a void in their lives. From my perspective, there is one critical question, the answer to which I believe will lead them out of their negative patterns of behavior with food: What really feeds you? So many of us in this country have gotten distracted by the images of success and beauty that we see projected on the TV screens, billboards, and magazines. We have been taught to try and fill ourselves from outside rather than from inside. The biggest gift that you can give your children (and yourself) is love. Teach your children to love themselves no matter what size they are, no matter how much money they have, regardless of whether they fit in with the “cool crowd”. When a child gets love and encouragement, when they feel successful and supported, they will be far less likely to turn to food as a “filler”.

In Chinese there are two characters that are used to represent the word “crisis” – by itself the first character stands for “danger” while the second character stands for “opportunity”.  I believe we have a wonderful opportunity with this obesity crisis to regain our perspective of what really matters. I don’t believe that this is simply a health crisis – I believe this is much more than that. This is a family crisis, an emotional crisis and even a spiritual crisis. No political slogan or government program is going to fix what is broken – this is an inside job. When people personalize this issue and really take responsibility for the choices that they are making, we will see this trend begin to change.

This is a post from: FaveDietsBlog

Guest Post: Personalizing Obesity – Five Tips for Families Looking to Head-off the Crisis in Their Homes

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This guest post comes courtesy of Freeman Michaels. Michaels, who played Drake Belson on The Young and the Restless in the mid-1990s, is now a nationally known weight-release coach and seminar leader, and author of a new book about his successful approach, called Weight Release: A Liberating Journey (Morgan James Publishing, $16.95). You can find out more about him at www.servicetoself.com.

Working with overweight and obese adults, I have come to understand that many people have lost touch with what their body truly needs. Because food has become a replacement for love and affection, often a source of comfort, and even a place to channel anxiety and stress, overweight people come to me to help them find their way out of the patterns they have developed.

Eating patterns are learned behaviors developed, in large part, during childhood. As the father of three children, I am personally concerned with how patterns of behavior around food are formed and reinforced in my own children’s lives.

Behaviors center on needs. Many people have learned to try and meet their needs in ways that are not healthy–namely with food–and those behaviors start to form in childhood. If you are a parent interested in interrupting patterns of behavior in your children that might lead to obesity, here are some effective tools that encourage healthy eating patterns.

Kids need hugs, not candy.

Food should not mean “I love you” or “You did a good job.” Rather, food should represent fuel and nourishment for your child’s body. An encouraging or celebratory hug can mean a lot more to a child in the long run than a treat.

Differentiate between praise and rewards.

Praise is important for both parents and adults. Studies have shown that positive feedback (praise) ranks higher than pay or bonuses (rewards) when it comes to retaining employees, for example. Apply the same principle with your kids. Give them positive feedback rather than rewarding them with ice cream.

Don’t punish by withholding food.

Many people grew up with the threat of going to bed without supper. Besides reinforcing the notion that food is something other than a vital part of human health, the practice of punishing a child by withholding food is both physically and psychologically harmful. Physically, withholding food puts your child into “starvation mode” and this can cause a metabolic imbalance that contributes to weight gain. Psychologically, a child may overeat when she thinks she may be in “trouble,” as a preemptive measure. Later in life, people who developed this pattern in childhood often unconsciously gorge themselves when they feel as if they have done something wrong.

Quit the “clean plate club.”

“Clean your plate” teaches children to ignore their bodies. One of the reasons nutritionists often give for the astonishing rate of obesity in America, compared with obesity rates in other countries, relates to portion size. Studies suggest that portion sizes in America are directly related to obesity levels.

Don’t encourage emotional eating.

The other day I was picking my son up from kindergarten and I overheard a parent say to her little girl, “Did you have a hard day? Let’s go for an ice cream, would that cheer you up?” I did everything in my power to contain myself as I flashed back on the many overweight and obese clients I have coached who report being comforted with food as a child. Using food to “cheer up” a child can create a dangerous dynamic. Later in life, this pattern of eating as a means of dealing with emotional upset can lead to significant weight issues.

Help kids eat consciously.

During Super Bowl 2007 I totally lost track of my behavior and consumed an entire bowl of Doritos by myself. Watching a tense football game and unconsciously snacking on crunchy and salty foods is a wonderful illustration of an unhealthy pattern of behavior. Two things are going on–one is the distraction of watching the game, and the second is the anxiety I am feeling–that contribute to this behavior. Letting children eat in front of the television can create similar unhealthy patterns.

Use food to enhance, not dominate, celebrations.

Celebrations should revolve around special time spent with family and friends. Activities that are fun and uplifting should be the showcase of any child-centered get-together or party. When children learn that expressing joy and excitement involves overeating or eating unhealthy foods it can lead to life-long weight issues.

Make snacking a healthy activity.

Rewarding kids with unhealthy foods at the end of a long day may create a habit that lasts a lifetime. Even juice and crackers can undermine a primary meal–kids who have sweet snacks don’t eat dinner. Rethink snacks as nutritious mini-meals. Try celery, carrots, and apples.

Don’t lead your child into junk-food addiction.

Every parent I know is terrified of their child becoming an addict. Typically we don’t think of food as addictive, but research is starting to link certain types of food coupled with certain behaviors around food with addictive patterns. Dopamine, a chemical released in the brain that’s associated with drug and alcohol addiction, is also released in association with certain types of food. Research has shown that rewarding with “junk food” (foods high in sugar and fat with little nutritional value) may be directly related to the circuits in the brain associated with addiction.

Use strategic dining.

Dinner in my household used to be a bit of a disaster. My wife and I served our children a plate full of food, including a protein, starch, and vegetable. My hungry children would go straight for the starch, leaving the protein and vegetable untouched. Now we serve the vegetable first, followed by a protein. Once those have been consumed we bring out a moderate portion of starch.

Encourage outdoor playtime.

The number one reward in our house is additional outdoor play time. Interestingly, scientists say that exercise also stimulates dopamine release and raises the number of dopamine receptors in the brain.

Finding ways to meet our children’s needs in healthy and positive ways will have lifelong implications. We must help our children to listen to and respect their body signals, so that food is only associated with physical hunger. This is the best way I know of to curb the obesity crisis in America.

This is a post from: FaveDietsBlog

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It’s time to roll out the green clovers and the pots of gold, for St. Patrick’s Day is (almost) here. Whether you are of Irish descent or not, St. Patrick’s Day is a fun green-filled holiday for all. To help you get in the festive St. Patrick’s Day mood, we here at FaveDiets.com have compiled a list 13 tasty healthy green recipes. Granted, these healthy treats are quite different than the Corned Beef and Cabbage and other heavy recipes traditionally associated with St. Patrick’s Day. However, after your first bite of the emerald green recipes, you will have the luck of the Irish for sure!

Easy Authentic Guacamole
Healthy Garlic Cabbage Rolls with Rice Stuffing
Potato and Cabbage Soup
Easy Almost Stuffed Cabbage
Super Cheesy Artichoke Dip
Low-Calorie Broccoli Alfredo
Quick and Easy Beef and Broccoli
Salmon and Peas Sandwich
Dijon Mustard Green Beans
Green Bean Casserole with Pork Chops
Tofu Green Tea Ice Cream
Chili Verde with Chicken
Bizarro Guacamole

What will you be eating on St. Patrick’s Day? Let us know. Post your answer on the FaveDiets Facebook fan page.

This is a post from: FaveDietsBlog

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With 13 Green Recipes

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Let’s face it:  Everybody loves dessert.  That’s part of what makes so many of us struggle with eating more healthfully — we don’t want to give up all those yummy desserts in the name of health.  The good news is that we don’t have to!  To show you what I mean, here are 7 very easy dessert recipes that are healthy.  No need to deprive yourself!

1. Quick and Easy Baked Banana Pudding — This delicious banana pudding recipe is low-fat and a great refreshing dessert or snack. Use fat-free condensed milk and low-fat cookies and you can eat this one guilt-free.

2. Apple-Oatmeal Brownies — These “brownies” are not chocolate, but they are quite delicious! With oatmeal and apples, and very little fat or eggs, they are among the healthiest – and tastiest – desserts out there!

3. Low Fat Cheesecake — Healthier easy cheesecake recipes like this cheesecake recipe makes it easier for you to indulge your sweet tooth. Learn how to make cheesecake with this easy cheesecake.

4. Quick and Easy Banana Pops — Combine ripe bananas with tangy yogurt to make the best tasting frozen non fat yogurt pops you have ever had. This tastes better than any TCBY frozen yogurt recipes. Use high quality ingredients to make one of the best recipes for organic frozen yogurt.

5. Quick and Easy Peach Sorbet — This quick easy dessert recipe is simple and a snap to make. Best of all, it has only natural sugars and no milk or eggs, making this treat a vegan desserts recipe. Get the flavor of peaches in a creamy summertime dessert with this cold dessert recipe.

6. Coffee-Brandy Jello — Coffee isn’t just for breakfast, it can be a jiggly dessert too! Remember, there’s always room for Jello, and there is definitely always room for coffee jello.

7. Easy Chocolate Soufflé — Without milk and eggs, this vegan desserts recipe is not bad for you. Easy chocolate dessert recipes rarely taste this good. A few simple key ingredients combine to make this one of the tastiest quick easy dessert recipes around.

What is your favorite among all the very easy dessert recipes in your cooking repertoire?  Send it to us and we’ll publish it and give you full credit!

This is a post from: FaveDietsBlog

7 Very Easy Dessert Recipes that are Healthy

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This Sunday, the best and the most glamorous of the movie business gathers for the Academy Awards. While actors, directors and producers award themselves with small golden statues, you can reward yourself with delicious healthy appetizers. Whether you’re having a glamorous Oscars party, or just casually watching the festivities, these healthy finger food ideas are great.

Goat Cheese and Herb Toasts

Grilled Shrimp Toast with Fresh Salsa

Prosciutto Wrapped Olives

Salmon Cakes Appetizer

Baked Pita Chips

Healthy Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Roasted Chili Peanuts

Enjoy!

This is a post from: FaveDietsBlog

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It may make your breath smell bad, but boy does garlic pack a flavorful punch. For healthy cooking, garlic is an easy way to add flavor without adding fat and calories. Here are 10 tips and tricks to show you How To Prepare and Cook Garlic.

1. Look for bulbs that are uniform in color and slightly heavy for their size. The skin should be tight with no cracks.
2. Non-broken bulbs will stay good in a cool and dry place for up to four months. Non-peeled heads of garlic are good to go for about a week in the refrigerator.
3. To peel a clove of garlic, first place the clove on a cutting board and put a knife down on top. Using the heel of your palm, press down on the knife and garlic firmly in a smashing motion. The skin should come right off.
4. Incorporate garlic at the end of the cooking process because overcooked garlic equals bitter food.
5. Wash your hands with a piece of stainless steel to remove the garlic odor.
6. Garlic can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart conditions.

For more helpful garlic hints, check out our guide on How To Prepare and Cook Garlic.

This is a post from: FaveDietsBlog

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When it comes to cheap and quick cooking, no ingredient comes close to pasta. The only problem is that easy pasta dishes can be filled with calories. Fear not, because simple pasta dishes can be good for you. FaveDiets.com has recently compiled a list of our top 12 Low-Cal Pasta Recipes. Make any one of these 12 low-cal pasta recipes to discover the quick healthy goodness of easy to make pasta dishes.

Looking for more healthier pasta recipes? Check out these great blogger pasta recipes:

How To Make Fresh Egg Pasta from the blog Memorie di Angelina

Pasta With Arugula from the blog The DC Ladies

Chicken and Artichoke Spaghetti from the blog Jenna’s Journey

Tuscan Pasta from the blog Our Climb

Tuna Broccoli Pasta from the blog A Love for NEW Recipes!

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Sure, many of us have heard about the health benefits of quinoa, pomegranate, wild salmon and dark leafy greens. But there’s one nutrient-packed food that gets no love.

As it turns out, when it comes to a healthy bang for your buck, it’s hard to beat sardines. Yes, sardines.

According to the Mayo Clinic, sardines are actually a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of fat found in sardines and certain other fish. Unlike the fat from say a cow, omega-3 fatty acids help to lower the risk of heart attacks.

A great way to get more sardines into your diet is with this recipe for Sardine Buttery Spread. You will love its smooth and salty taste on a bagel or piece of toast.

Sardine Buttery Spread

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter or butter substitute
• 1/2 cup sardines, minced
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 4 drops onion juice

Instructions

1. Combine butter substitute, sardines, lemon juice and onion juice.

2. Mix well until thoroughly combined.

This is a post from: FaveDietsBlog

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Sometimes, three meals a day just doesn’t cut it. Snacking is actually a great way to keep hunger at bay and ensure that you don’t overeat at mealtimes. Instead of reaching for typical unhealthy snacks like chips or candy, treat your body right with any one of these 30 Healthy Snack Recipes.

1. Low-Fat Banana Yogurt Pops
2. Gummy Bears
3. Red Licorice Candy Bars
4. German-Style Soft Pretzel
5. Low Calorie Carrot Cheese Balls
6. Baked Sweet Potato Chips
7. Healthy Corn and Black Bean Salsa
8. Baked Blooming Onion
9. Baked Pita Chips
10. Cheesy Pizza Mix
11. Healthy Mediterranean Garlic Pine Nuts
12. Fresh Green Tomato Salsa
13. Dark Chocolate and Cereal Snack Mix
14. Crispy Zucchini Dippers
15. Veggie Dip Cups
16. Hot Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
17. Prosciutto Wrapped Olives
18. Garlic Onion Popcorn
19. Warm Pepperoni Pizza Olives
20. Fresh Pico de Gallo Salsa
21. Holiday Orange Almonds
22. Cinnamon Raisin Trail Mix
23. Cherry Chutney
24. Easy Spinach Bites
25. Almond-Stuffed Olives
26. Savory Flavored Nuts
27. Grilled Shrimp Toast with Fresh Salsa
28. Vegetable Hummus
29. Russian-Style Eggs
30. Quick and Easy Bruschetta

Want to see more great healthy snack recipes like these?  Send us yours, and we’ll publish you on FaveDiets.com!

This is a post from: FaveDietsBlog

Satisfy Midday Cravings With 30 Healthy Snack Recipes

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