Tag / gluten free

by findingbackroads

Easy Black and White Cake – Almost Paleo!

black and white chocolate cake

I don’t know about you but I eat chocolate when I am stressed. Because duh, chocolates solves half of the world’s problems. Maybe. Almost. In my case, at least. I found this very easy recipe from one of my favorite gluten-free (I should say wheat free because it sounds less fanatical) recipe creators, Elana of Elana’s Pantry dot com.

It’s very easy to make, basically just mix and bake, like most of her recipes are. This one is almost Paleo as it uses no wheat flour and sugar but has white chocolate chips so it’s not entirely great for someone who’s trying to lose weight (me!) but it’s a good weekend treat when I miss chocolate cake. It is hands down less evil and because it’s made from almond flour rather than wheat flour, I don’t have to worry about the carb load and the roller coaster of blood sugar spikes. It’s also very filling so I can’t eat two small portions at one time.

[yumprint-recipe id=’3′]There you go! The next time you have a chocolate cake craving, try this. My family loves this (except for Benjamin who is allergic to nuts). Yummy and so easy, a definite win in my book! 

Almond flour chocolate cake
by findingbackroads

Almond flour Chocolate Cake

Almond flour chocolate cake

We had a lovely weekend last week and I thought, what better way to celebrate it but by baking a chocolate cake. Because even if you’re watching your diet, there are times that you just need a chocolate cake. Like nothing else would do.

Chocolate cake, mmm.

This chocolate cake doesn’t involve wheat flour and has only 4 main ingredients. Put down those eyebrows, this doesn’t taste like burned card board! It actually tastes like real cake and would be great to cook once in a while for a weekend treat. Put in the fact that this is gluten-free gives it an extra oomph in my books. 

This is basically a mix and bake cake. It’s very easy – don’t take my word on it, make it yourself to see what I’m talking about. (I got this recipe from Elana Amsterdam’s book, The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook).

Here’s the recipe:

[yumprint-recipe id=’2′]chocolate cake with marshmallow frosting

Many are asking, “why are you going gluten-free if you’re not diagnosed with celiac?!”. My answer is, this is not just about gluten. This is about the other stuff that’s in wheat that creates compromises our wellness. And how a high carb diet is a major contributor to obesity and other autoimmune diseases. I have read the books, Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis and Grain Brain by Dr. David Perlmutter – it is easier to stop eating wheat and grains when you know the real, scientific reason why.

I won’t ask you to jump into this gluten-free bandwagon but even if you’re not a diagnosed celiac, it’s undeniable looking at the rate of obesity and diabetics on the rise how consuming carbohydrates (highly glycemic food that raise blood sugar, and wheat raises blood sugar, not to mention stimulates your appetite so you crave for more) is contributing to health woes and medical expenses of many people.

I could go on and on but to make the preachy statement short, I feel better without wheat in my diet. I won’t convince people what and what not to eat, it’s just that, this way of eating is better for me.

So, all that serious talk aside, dive in to that chocolate cake! You can even make a fluffy Marshmallow frosting using just 2 egg whites and 1/2 cup agave nectar. Double the recipe to make a layer cake.

Have a great weekend!

gluten free carrot cake
by findingbackroads

Classic Carrot Cake with Coconut Cream Frosting…gluten-free!

gluten free carrot cake

Is 5 am too early to get excited over carrot cake?

I have not posted something about the stuff going on in my kitchen, not that I have stopped cooking but because I have not found anything exciting to mention…until I decided to go gluten-free for health purposes and bought the book, The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook and experimented on the recipes in it.

Suddenly my kitchen was exciting again. Sort of.

Going gluten-free, eliminating wheat from my diet is not a fad for me. I’ve been a migraine sufferer for years and years not knowing what is the cause but speculated on fatigue, stress, astigmatism, etc. I never thought it had anything to do with what I eat. My typical nutrition is fairly what every other person (at least those around me) eats: toast for breakfast, some fruit juices, sandwiches for snacks. Then I read Dax Moy’s Elimination Diet a few years back where it says, “how you look and feel can be traced back to what you eat” and it struck a chord in me. 

Dax suggested to eliminate potential allergens for at least 7 days or as long as you can and then see how you feel. Then re-introduce those foods and see how you feel again. I know this sounds so advertorial but this is my personal experience: the moment I got off from wheat, my headaches were gone. And I used to have headaches at least 4 out of 7 days a week!

So from then on, I knew wheat was the culprit but who can ever avoid wheat completely? Scary enough, wheat is practically in most foods available (especially when you’re eating outside): breads, cookies, cakes, thick soups, sauces, store brought burgers, sausages and most processed foods. Anyway, I’ve been avoiding wheat as much as I can but do indulge in a slice of birthday cake or a piece of bread…and bam! the day after, the headaches would come back.

Long story short, I searched for gluten-free options of snacks and treats for me and my family…something that don’t taste like cardboard or require hours of hard work in the kitchen.  Because, duh, I have a two year old boy, I can’t linger in the kitchen that long. Elana Amsterdam who blogs at ElanasPantry.com opened doors for people like me wanting to go gluten-free and enjoy their food, without feeling sluggish, common effect after consuming wheat – I made Cinnamon Muffins before using the recipe on Elana’s website and from her book, The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook – Banana Blueberry Muffins, Chocolate Chip Scones, Chocolate Chip Cookies, all gluten-free and using almond flour. All of Elana’s recipes are fool proof, even a 10 year old can make it.

With Elana’s permission, here’s the recipe of this rich, moist carrot cake that is healthy and high-protein. Bonus: your room will have that wonderful aroma of cinnamon and coconut so if you’re into those things like me, then this recipe is for you. 

[yumprint-recipe id=’1′]Here’s the ready to serve carrot cake with all that creamy coconut frosting! I baked the cake last night and prepared the frosting but only frosted this morning, at 5 am.  The cake is moist and nice and the kids can’t stop licking the coconut cream frosting! Ok, me too, me too.

Classic Carrot Cake

My daughter said she can’t wait to bring this to school to share with her best friend! If you’re looking for a gluten-free recipe for carrot cake, this really works and it looks like you really labored for it. Guaranteed to impress anyone!