How to make an awesome quick dairy free and wheat free pizza

Gluten free dairy free vegetable pizza

First see what you have, no sense buying more ingredients if you have some on hand. Then decide how quick and easy you want your pizza to be.

Options for the crust:

1. making a dough from scratch (obviously this takes the most time and work)
2. Using brown rice wraps (gluten free) or whole wheat wraps for the crust
3. Using a pre-made ciabatta pizza crust from trader joe's (easiest method, and I think it;s vegan too)

Now, we are in a mostly dairy-free household, and I kindly encourage everyone to live the same,

see article, here.

So for the pizzas I made, I used vegan rice milk cheese, you could also use daiya mozzarella shreds, or whatever works best for you.

If you are making dough from scratch do it in the morning so it's ready to go when you need it.

Here is a simple dough recipe from food network (-I like to add garlic powder, olive oil, and dried herbs)

when your ready to make your pizza preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

Shred your cheese (if it's not shredded already.)

If you put your "cheese" in the freezer for a few minutes prior to shredding, it shreds nicer.

Now the vegan rice milk cheese, you want to shred it extremely fine, because sometimes it doesn't want to melt easily.

See what's in your fridge for toppings.... Possibilities are endless.. Check your freezer too.

My boyfriend's BBQ chicken pizza:

1. take a pre made ciabatta pizza crust, and spread an even layer of your favorite natural BBQ sauce.
2. Then lay pieces of cooked leftover chicken on top. Lightly drizzle or brush with more BBQ sauce.
3. Then top with shredded vegan cheese. 
4. Your best bet with these cheese is to put the pizza on the middle rack, on broil, for about 2-3 minutes, checking every minute. Once the cheese looks melted, then cook the pizza at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes or so. For a crispier crust place directly on rack.

Gluten free Vegan vegetable pizza:
You can also do this with regular wraps, it's really really quick, and easy, and great when you have leftover wraps in your fridge.

1. take 2 wraps. sprinkle vegan cheese entirely on one, put other on top, like a sandwich. Cook that at 400F, flipping once for about 5-10 minutes, depending on your oven, your wraps, and how you like your pizza.
2. While it's cooking take out some frozen artichokes hearts  (or whatever you want) and brown them in some olive oil. Add some fresh kale, sea salt and garlic powder. Let cook for about 2 min longer, or until kale starts to wilt.
3. Check the wraps.. After the inside cheese melted and the wraps cooked a bit, take it out and smother it in a good homemade tomato sauce. 
4. Then place your cooked veggies on top, and sprinkle with vegan cheese.
5. Your best bet with these cheese is to put the pizza on the middle rack, on broil, for about 2-3 minutes, checking every minute. Once the cheese looks melted, then cook the pizza at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes or so. For a crispier crust place directly on rack.

Decadent Vegan Cinnamon rolls

Why vegan? I looked up a recipe for cinnamon buns, it has tons and tons of butter, sugar and whole milk. Gross. I mean delicious, but gross. If you could d have something that tastes Delicious  but is a 100 times better for you, wouldn't you want that instead??

Read directions carefully before starting. These are somewhat time consuming, they take just about all day to prepare, so do it on your day off. Here, is a video on how to make them, which may be helpful to roll them properly

Dough ingredients:

• 2 cups rice milk
• 1/2 cup sunflower seed oil ( or grapeseed, or organic vegetable oil. Corn and canola oil are certainly GMO)
• 1/2 cup organic sugar (or you can use stevia, maple sugar or coconut sugar but I'm not sure on the ratio)
• 1 package dry active yeast
• 4 1/2 cups unbleached flour (or all purpose gluten free flour will work fine I'm sure)
• 1/2 heaping teaspoon aluminum free baking powder
• 1/2 scant/small teaspoon baking soda
• dash of salt
• dash of vanilla extract

Filling ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons of cinnamon
• 1/2 cup organic agave syrup (or a different organic sweetener)
• maple syrup to taste (about 3 tablespoons)
• dash of vanilla extract

Icing ingredients:

• 1 cup organic agave syrup
• 1/4 cup almond milk
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• dash of salt
• 4 tablespoons maple syrup

For the dough, heat the milk, sugar, and oil in a pot for about 5 minutes, or just under a boil. Set aside, and wait to cool to Luke warm or 95 degrees F. After it has cooled sprinkle the yeast on top, and let sit for 1 minute.

In a large mixing bowl combine 3 1/2 cups flour, with the milk mixture. Stir/mix gently until well incorporated. 

Then cover with a clean dish cloth, and set in a somewhat warm place for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, the dough should have almost double in size. Remove the cloth and add remaining 1 cup of flour, the baking powder, the baking soda, vanilla and salt. Mix until everything is combined.

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour.

While the dough chills prepare your surface, a clean countertop or cutting board is best, wax paper moves around too much. Flour your surface and prepare your filling.

You can heat all ingredients together, or only melt the coconut oil and sprinkle/drizzle the other ingredients as you go. I though it was easier to just make 1 simple sauce.

I combined all filling ingredients in a small pot, and melted it on the stove. Taste it and make sure it's good!

** Edit-- If you let the coconut oil start to cool back to room temp, it will thicken, and ooze less while you roll your cinnamon log.

Take out your dough, and take about half of it, stretch and flatten it, and try to roll it out into a thin rectangle. Have paper towels close by, this gets extremely messy. 

completely cover your flattened dough with the filling mixture, spreading around with your fingers.

then gently tap the horizontal ends up a little bit, almost like making a pizza crust, to try and keep some filling from spilling out. Then take one end and tightly roll it into itself. The filling will ooze everywhere so be prepared.Once it is completely rolled, place it seam side down.

This is what your cinnamon log should look like once it's rolled. Grease 1-2 deep dish pans, and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

slip a cutting board underneath your log, and slice about 1 inch thick "rolls" off the end of it.

Do the same technique with the remaining dough, and then stick your cinnamon rolls in your greased pans. Make sure to line your oven shelves with tinfoil in case the filling bubbles over.

Dump remaining filling on top, cover with a clean dish cloth and let sit for 20 minutes.

after 20 minutes pop it in the oven and prepare your glaze.

For the glaze, heat the coconut oil in a small pot, and other other ingredients, stir and remove from heat.

Cook the cinnamon rolls for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Do not let them get too brown unless you like them crunchy. If you don't pack your rolls as tight as I did it should be 15-20 minutes.

As soon as your sure they're done, take them out of the oven, and immediately pour glaze over-top.

Let cool for 1 hour at least. Serve and enjoy.

Why you should have aloe vera in your home

Aloe vera, nature's medicine, what makes fresh aloe so much different then the bottled stuff at the store? 

First off, usually anything fresh and raw is better than processed. Bottled aloe vera is heavily processed, and chemicals and preservatives are added.

Benefits of Juicing your aloe vera

• helps asthma
• boosts immune system
• digestive aid
• mild laxative, lubricates digestive tract
• lowers blood sugar
• lowers cholesterol
• fights cancer
• boosts oxygenation of your blood
• protects the body from oxidative stress
• prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates
• alkalizes the body (brings it to correct ph)
• treatment for ulcers, IBS, and crohn's disease
• provides minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients
• prevents and treats candida infections (candida infection is usually caused by antibiotics)
• protects kidneys
• provides electrolytes
• speeds healing

But, it's great on your skin too!! If you see acne developing, clean your face using diluted tea tree oil (diluted with water), and witch hazel. Let dry and apply fresh aloe vera.

Repeat 1-3 times a day.
Aloe is also claimed to slow down the effects of aging on the skin. And if you thought aloe vera gel felt nice on your sun burn just wait until you try the real deal! You'll never want to use the bottled stuff again! Aloe works great on all burns, and is great to keep in the kitchen.
Aloe contains bradykinase, salicylic acid (main component of asprin) and magnesium lactate, which help reduce inflammation. Applying aloe directly to a cut or burn will not only soothe it, it will protect it from infection, and speed the healing process.


I am not a doctor, and these statements have not been approved by the FDA. Only drink aloe juice in moderation because it can have a laxative effect. Aloe cannot treat 3rd degree or serious burns. If you get an infection while using aloe, consult a physician.

No bake vegan chocolate avocado pudding

First off, I would like to say this recipe is definitely not for everyone. Black bean brownies- yes, most people will love it.

 This, is definitely different than your average pudding. I thought it was nice, good flavor, and creamy pudding consistency. My son absolutely loved it. But, I think you can taste the avocado, so if you really hate avocado, you might not like this pudding. 

My boyfriend who hates avocados and mashed potatoes... hasn't tried it yet. I'll post his review tonight. ***So my boyfriend says "not as lumpy as the other one, I guess it's okay.."

So I found this recipe on the cooking channel

The original recipe makes a lot more, I cut it in half, and added peanut butter.

You will need:

• hemp or chia seeds
• coconut oil
• 2 ripe avocados
• filtered water
• sea salt
• vanilla
• agave syrup or raw honey
• cocoa powder or raw cacao
• creamy peanut butter (optional)
• raw walnuts (optional)
• FRESH LIME JUICE

Step 1: combine 3/4 cup water, and 1.5 tablespoons of chia seeds in a blender or food processor. Blend

Step 2:Add a little under 1/2 cup agave syrup, and about 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Cut avocados in half, remove pits, and spoon out flesh into blender. Discard peels in compost (or use them as bowls!) Cut a lime in half and give it a couple squeezes. Lime or lemon juice is important to protect the avocado from browning.

Step 3: Add 1/2 cup cocoa powder, a few dashes of sea salt, a dash of vanilla extract, and a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter. Blend until creamy and all lumps are well blended.

It comes out like a thick, creamy, luscious, chocolate pudding.

spoon into a cup, bowl, or your avocado peels. Add chopped raw walnuts/pecans or raspberries...

Holistic Flea Treatment

Before reading further, it is important to know that I am not a vet, and I advise you to speak with your vet before testing this on your pet. All animals are different, and some may have reactions.


Now, there are 2 recipes I made; both are topical (for skin), and both should not be ingested. And both need refrigeration.********

These treatments do not work like frontline, vectra, advantix or any of those. For best results, it needs to be applied weekly. If you are using a once a month chemical treatment, and your pet got fleas, you can also use this topical treatment (ask your vet first)

This first recipe, is extremely potent, and should only be applied from the neck to the start of the shoulder blades. Make sure your pet CANNOT reach this area to lick it, especially cats.

When I made this I didn't measure, but here are the basics of it, (all approximations):

recipe #1, potent, toxic if swallowed

• ·       3 tablespoons Garlic powder
•       1/2 cup Concentrated bottled lemon juice
• ·       1 teaspoon Tea tree oil
• ·      3 teaspoons Peppermint oil
• ·      2 tablespoons  Vinegar
• ·       1 tablespoon cinnamon
• ·       1 tablespoon Baking soda
• ·       1 tablepsoon Almond oil
• ·       1 tablespoon Eucalyptus oil
• ·       1 tablespoon Cloves or clove oil
• ·       1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• ·       a pinch Black pepper
• ·      3 tablespoons Sunflower oil (or other oil)
• ·      1/2 cup- 1 cup water Water

        WARNING: TEA TREE OIL IS TOXIC TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS. PLEASE SPEAK TO YOUR VET TO FIND OUT IF IT IS SAFE FOR YOU AND YOUR PET.

I use this, and the other recipe on my dog, puppy, and cat, with no problem. I only treat at the back of the neck so they cannot lick it. This recipe will kill fleas on contact, and repel to some extent. I have also heard that lavender oil, and any citrus oil will help against fleas.
After you speak to your vet about tea tree oil, also know symptoms of toxicity
And if you have a little pet, dilute the recipe with water, and only use a small amount of it. 1-2 militers for a small dog, 3-5 milliltiers for a big dog. This recipe will also be effective without tea tree oil, lemon juice, peppermint, clove and eucalyptus are all very effective against fleas. DIRECTIONS: SHAKE WELL. Using a topical (needle-less) syringe suck up as many milliters as you need. Carefully select a part of the back of the neck/shoulder blades that the animal cannot reach. Part the fur and put the syringe directly on the skin, push gently, and apply in your safe 1-4 inch zone. (depending on the size of the animal) KEEP OUT OF EYES AND MOUTH

recipe #2, non toxic, (use all over)

• 1/4 cup concentrated store bought lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons peppermint oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves or clove oil
• dash of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
• 3 tablespoons water

Now, technically if ingested in small amounts this should not harm your pet, however, always consult with your vet when trying something new. DIRECTIONS: SHAKE WELL. spray directly on fur, skin, and fleas. Or treat directly on the skin with a needle-less syringe. KEEP OUT OF EYES AND MOUTH

If your animal has fleas and has already been treated;

1. call vet and talk about options, and trying new treatments, hazards of tea tree oil
2. Give your pet a flea bath with an all natural flea shampoo.Sentry Natural defense has a good one. Follow directions carefully! make sure you let shampoo sit for 5 minutes.
3. Use a flea comb to evenly distribute shampoo.
4. Rinse, and blow dry using a flea comb as you go
5. (after speaking to vet) Use recipe #1 on the back of the neck to shoulder blades (only where animal cannot reach) 
6. Use recipe #2 as a spray on the dogs body, or with a needle-less syringe draw a line against the skin, from the shoulder blades to the base of the tail, and from the chest to belly.
7. Vacuum your carpets, couches, rugs, floors, furniture, beds, and wash as much as possible. If necessary look into an all natural flea powder for your home.
8. If possible, keep your pet out of tall grass and wooded areas.
9. Limit your pet to only certain areas of the house. (ex: no bedrooms)
10. Brush pet with flea comb and check for fleas every few days
11. treat with both recipe every few days to every week

You should immediately see improvement in a few days, if you followed the directions.

If you find 1-2 fleas, you should remove and kill them, and re-treat. If your pet is re infested, restart from #2, or think about other options, such as outdoor flea preventatives.

We did not have an infestation, but our inside cat kept getting fleas, and then our new puppy also. The cat seems to be flea-less, the puppy only had 2 (that we found), and our doberman never had fleas that we could find.

This recipe works better on short haired dogs, fleas don't love short hair. Which is why I think our doberman never had any on her. The cat we had to shave, and bathe, and treat weekly. But this problem has been under control :)

Vegan Eggplant Timbale - cheesey Italian pasta stuffed in grilled eggplant

This dish is super delicious, and can be very healthy also! It makes a beautiful presentation, however, it does not hold it's shape well once you cut into it. The original recipe is here, on foodnetwork. Courtesy of giada de laurentis.
But my recipe is a tad different.

To make this you will need a spring form pan.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized long eggplants,peeled and  sliced 1/4-inch thick
• organic olive oil (as needed)
• sea salt (as needed)
• ground pepper (optional)
• 1/2 pound penne pasta,(a little over 1/2 lb). you can use whole wheat, corn or rice pasta. (with rice pasta undercook, or else it will overcook while baking)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 package of you favorite vegetarian sausage, (or tempeh, tofu, white beans or artichoke hearts.)
• 1 cup frozen organic peas, thawed
• 2 cups homemade tomato sauce
• 1 package finely shredded alomond milk mozzarella, or rice milk mozzarella (about 6 ounces)
• 1 cup  fresh basil leaves, chopped. (I did not have fresh I used about 5 cubes of the frozen dorot basil)
• garlic powder (as needed)

This recipe is time consuming, so give yourself plenty of time!

1. coat a pan with olive oil, heat on medium heat.
2. add diced onions and stir
3. Bring a seperate pot of water to a boil, once it is boiling, salt it, add oil, and your pasta. cook pene for about 8-9 minutes or just "under al dente" it will cook more while baking. you don't want mushy pasta. Drain pasta, and put in a large bowl.
4. Once onions are translucent add chopped garlic to pan,cook for additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally
5. Remove contents from pan, add more olive oil, and then add your chopped vegetarian sausage, or whatever you are using. Stir occasionally.
6. while that cooks, shred your vegan cheese and put it in the bowl of cooled pasta. Add the tomato sauce to the bowl, the peas, and the basil. (if you are using frozen make sure to thaw). stir. 
7. once your sausage (tempeh or vegetable) has browned on all sides, add the onion mixture back to the pan, cook an additional minute, and then remove from heat.

8. preheat your grill.

9.preheat oven to 350.

10. Peel your eggplant,and slice it long ways. You want long pieces, that aren't very thick. Coat in olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

11.Grill you eggplant on both sides for about 2-3 minutes each, or until there are grill marks.

12. Grease your springform pan with olive oil

13.stir together your onion/sausage mixture into the bowl of pasta. add a dash of sea salt.

14. Once your eggplants are done grilling, take your springform pan, and starting from the center, place a slice in the center, and pull it up the side, and drape some of it over the side. If you are worried you will have a hole in the very center on the bottom place and ugly misshapen piece of eggplant directly in the middle. (come on we all have ugly pieces on our first try)Working your way around the pan, slightly overlap the next piece onto the piece before it.

15. pack in your pasta mixture, and press down firmly to fit as much as you can.

16.one at a time, take the draped slices of eggplant and fold over the pasta. each slice should overlap the last.

It should look like this.If there is a gap in the center use one of your ugly pieces to place under the folded pieces.

(optional) lightly brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and garlic powder.

17.Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

Let rest for a few minutes, and then remove sides of pan.

Using a very sharp knife cut into it, following the folds of eggplant, and spoon some onto a plate!

Wah-lah!  Super yumminess!

It is cheesy, hearty and comforting. I don't miss the meat or dairy, do you?

Hot or cold Cranberry and shaved Brussels sprout salad

This recipe is super easy, and a great way to get extra veggies in your diet.

Brussels sprouts. Not many people like them, but they are super good for you.

If you can't stand them, try shaving them, like I did.

Now technically you can throw this in a salad and just eat it with a nice dressing.

But if you still can't stand the taste, try this:

1. Shave your Brussels sprouts with a cheese grater
2. make a simple (or use store bought) red wine vinaigrette  (you could also use balsamic, lemon, or whatever you like)
3. in a pan heat some olive oil, to the pan add diced onions (about 2 tablespoons or so).
4. cook the onions until translucent
5. add 2-3 cloves of minced garlic   {the onion and garlic are optional, but will add more flavor}
6. after a minute or two, add your shaved sprouts, and a dash of sea salt and cook about 4 minutes or until they start to wilt.
7. Garnish with dried cranberries and chopped raw walnuts.
8. serve hot or cold

**Tip, if this is for your kids or you like it sweet cook the sprouts with the dried cranberries

very yummy, me and my son ate it