Sunday, August 24, 2014

Sunday visiting WWII Planes & Museum

Wings Of  Freedom, Wall, NJ
Monmouth Airport

Today was such a beautiful day at the Jersey Shore.  
We decided to take a ride over to the Monmouth Airport to see Wings Of Freedom, which was a display of a few WWII War Planes.  Today was the last day of the display.  Davey got to walk through the planes and even watched one land and take off.   We're excited to find things about WWII because Davey will be learning about it during 7th Grade this year.




Lunch at Stay Gold Cafe 
800 Main Street, Belmar

This was such a nice place to have lunch at on a beautiful Sunday near the beach.  They did not have a gluten free menu, however, they told me they could modify some items for me.  I opted for a salad with grilled chicken, roasted peppers, tomatoes and a delicious homemade balsamic dressing.  I made them aware that I could not have gluten or dairy and the waiter told me that would be a good choice.  I did want the spring rolls, however, he told me they recently changed to a different wrapper which was not brown rice, so I was not able to try those.  I was happy to see that they were willing to work with me and modify items for me.  The staff was all knowledgeable about what gluten was, which was reassuring.  

The salad was so yummy and I would definitely go back again.  The lettuce was fresh and crisp and the salad dressing is homemade and had a nice sweet taste.  


I was hoping to try the cappuccino and was so pleasantly surprised that they offered almond milk.  The cappuccino was delicious too!  It was a big cup and I enjoyed every bit of it.


They also had a phenomenal juice and smoothie bar, but we were just too full from lunch.  I will definitely go back to try some juice and smoothies.  

I loved the atmosphere and the staff was super nice and friendly.  The food was perfect and the price was actually not bad either.  We will definitely be back.  I would love to see a place like this in Brick, NJ.  I keep hoping!!  We need it desperately!!  


History Museum and National Historic Landmark
2201 Marconi Road, Wall, NJ


This was such a wonderful place to take Davey.  It's a science and history learning center and they have an awesome military vehicle display that Davey loved.  They have WWII displays, history of television, radio, computers and it's a wonderful walk down memory lane.  Admission is free but they do take donations.  They also have several cute separate museums, including shipwreck museum, surfing museum and more.  It's a great place to visit to learn about history and science.  I loved that they offered guided or unguided tours.  Davey had a chance to speak to several of the volunteers and learned a lot.  It was neat seeing my very first cell phone in a cabinet on display from the early 80's, the old typewriters I learned how to type on and to see how huge the computers were from when I first started working in offices.   

There were some awesome displays ... 


This is called Theremin, a Russian wave machine that makes electronic music from wave sounds.  
We made some neat sounds with it while we were there.


How cool, Davey thought this looked just like the Death Star.  It was called the Tel Star satellite, which beamed the first TV signals across the ocean, 1962, the year Kevin and I were born!  


Here's some of the first TV's with antennas, no cable, no remote and only 13 channels.  Unfortunately, I still remember those old TV's with the antennas and the picture tubes.  The tubes would go and you would have to replace them all the time and I have tried to explain to Davey how we only had 13 channels and all the channels didn't even work.  We had channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 ... that was it!!  By the way, the picture was never very clear and you would have to jiggle that darn antenna sometimes to get the picture to show up... sounds crazy right?  Davey just cannot believe that we didn't have cable and that we actually had to get up to turn the channel.  Montclair did not get cable until I was out of high school, so I grew up with only 13 channels.  I still remember what it was like when we were finally able to get cable.  



And of course there were record players!  I remember them well!  


Here's my very first cell phone!  Not sure how I fit it in my purse, but I loved that thing!  


Here was my dad's - he had it in the car!  Yes, that is a cell phone made for a car!  


Yes, this really is exactly what the computer systems looked like!  I remember them too!! 


I learned how to type on a typewriter and they didn't have home computers yet. I can still remember how many jobs I applied for that didn't even have computers yet.  I was actually not even allowed to use computers in the early 80's because my boss thought it was not a good way to get all the work done.  Luckily, I did it anyway.  Ok, well she was not happy about that, but I got a nice little handshake from the President of the Company for it and it changed the way they did everything from then on.  Hours of work could now be done in minutes ... it was really a very exciting time and something I will never forget experiencing.  I was absolutely in love with computers!  I took every class I could and absorbed it all.  Computers were something I embraced and I had always wished I had computers when I was in school.  Several years after I graduated, schools started to get computers in the classrooms.  Computers open up so many worlds to us.  It's hard to imagine a world without them anymore.  I think of how much has changed since the early 80's and how many people from all over the world we can now learn about, grow together and share lives together, even from thousands of miles away.


The volunteer explained to Davey how the huge computer next to him is now able to fit in his tiny little cell phone.  I love seeing the look on Davey's face hearing that!  Mine too ...


Some neat displays ...


All I can say is this place is phenomenal and we didn't even know it was there.   

If you would like to learn more information, please contact them on facebook or their online website.  They also have talks and told Davey he can come back any time he has a school project, wants to volunteer or just wants to learn.  I love it there and we will definitely be back!  The volunteers were all knowledgeable and encouraged Davey to learn and I just loved that!  I love seeing my son learn and to see him get excited about history and science is a wonderful thing.

After the museum we took a short trip to one of my favorite health food stores, Nature's Corner Natural Market in Wall and I picked up a few things that I will review on my blog shortly.   Then we picked up some vegetable plants at Barlow Flower Farm for our garden for the Fall.  If you have not stopped by Barlow's yet, I would take a trip there because it's a wonderful Garden Center and has some organic vegetable plants and seeds.  They are located at 1014 Sea Girt Avenue, Sea Girt, NJ.  They did have a little room with birds and butterflies, but it's closed now because of some remodeling, but it still has some great stuff!  I'll post about them too!  

Thanks for reading ... 

Remember to always, be inspired ... 
Carrie Hughes

Monday, August 18, 2014

Vegan Chocolate Coffee Ice Cream

Vegan Chocolate Coffee Ice Cream

Recipe by Carrie Hughes
Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Vegan
Calories, approximately 150-160

This vegan chocolate coffee ice cream is super tasty, low in calories and fat and only a few ingredients!  It tastes more like chocolate ice cream and is such a nice treat! 


This recipe is so simple and tastes amazing!  


Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup ice
1 packet of instant decaf coffee or regular
1 small date
Small piece of frozen banana (about 1/3 of medium sized banana)
2 to 3 packets of stevia 
1 heaping tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably raw
2 heaping tablespoons PB Powder
1/2 cup unsweetened Almond Milk + 
A few small pieces of vanilla bean (or 1 teaspoon vanilla)

Directions:

Place all ingredients in your blender.  
I used a vitamix and if you are using a regular blender, you may need to add more almond milk to help it blend.  Please note, it may not be as firm using a regular blender. 
Add a little extra almond milk if you need it.

Enjoy ...

I topped mine with a drizzle of peanut butter!

  
Delicious!  

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Raw Acai Bowl

Acai Bowl 
Recipe by:  Carrie Hughes
Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Raw 


This is a super simple recipe that is packed full of antioxidants, vitamins and is sure to give you lots of energy.  It's perfect for breakfast and a nice break from cereal, oatmeal or yogurt.   You simply blend frozen acai pulp with your favorite fruits, juice or raw nut milk and create a thick and creamy bowl or smoothie.  Top with your favorite fruits, coconut, nuts, seeds or granola for a crunch treat.   

1 Acai Packet
1/2 Frozen Banana
1 Teaspoon Vanilla 
Splash of Raw Nut Milk

Blend and top with your favorite fruits, coconut, nuts, seeds or raw granola. 
It's that simple!  


Here's a video of us making our Acai Bowl.

Gluten Free Vegan Coconut Wraps & Peanut Butter Sauce

Veggie Coconut Wraps

Recipe by Carrie Hughes
Gluten free, dairy free, vegan
Inspired by Lauren from The Green Lean Bean


My friend Lauren from, The Green Lean Bean had a picture of her wraps that she made with Sunfood Coconut Wraps. They looked so good that I had to try them myself.
These wraps are nice and firm, non GMO, raw, vegan and gluten free.  They have a very nice, mild flavor and stay together nicely when you wrap them.  


Making The Wrap:

1 Sunfood Coconut wrap
Veggies of your choice.  
I used lettuce, shredded carrots, onions, tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, pea sprouts.
Lay wrap out flat and begin layering your veggies at the bottom of the wrap and roll slowly, pulling all of your vegetables toward the wrap.  You want to wrap fairly tight so it stays together nicely.  

Peanut Butter Sauce:

1 Tablespoon juiced lemon
1 Tablespoon juiced lime
1 Tablespoon juiced orange
1 Tablespoon natural peanut butter
2 Tablespoons coconut aminos (or gluten free soy sauce)
1/2 Teaspoon Thai Kitchen Roasted chili sauce
1/2 Teaspoon ginger
1/2 Teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 Teaspoon sea salt
2 Teaspoons Bee Free Honee (or honey)
1 clove minced garlic

Let sit for 10 minutes to thicken and serve with your wraps.

Here's the video showing how we made our wraps ...


Gluten Free Send Me Subscription Box

Opening the Send Me Gluten Free Box!


The Send Me Gluten Free Company sent me a box to review of some nice gluten free goodies.  I was excited to receive it and have always wanted to try a subscription box.  I had fun going through it and seeing all the products.  Some I had seen before, but some I had not.  The best part of going through the box is finding some items you have never tried before.  It gives you a chance to try it and see if you like it.

The first item in the box was the black bean pasta.  When first becomming gluten free, pasta was the hardest.  I had a hard time getting used to gluten free pasta, but I have to say, after 3 years I now love it.   I can't wait to try this new pasta and hope to post a recipe soon!


Next up was some Teechia cereal which looks amazing!  They also included a coffee substitute.  It's perfect for trying to eliminate coffee or reduce the amount of coffee you are drinking.  Simply brew your tea bag and that's it.  It's that simple.


Also included was Raw Revolution's snack bar.  
It's raw and packed full of healthy ingredients, organic and delicious!  



Also included were Juice+ vitamin chews, Surf Sweets candy and a sample of Red Apple Lipstick.



Also included were Big Red Tea Bag, cake mix and a sample of a soy sauce packet. 



I really enjoyed the Big Red tea and am looking forward to writing reviews on all the other products we received in the future.  


I would definitely order this box and I think it would make a really nice gift for someone who is recently gluten free or even as a birthday gift.  The fun part is opening the box because you get excited to see what's in it.  I am looking forward to trying new products and seeing what recipes I can come up with.  Be sure to check out the Send Me Gluten Free Company by clicking HERE...

Here is a video I made opening the box and a fun video my son and I made. 




Monday, August 4, 2014

Gluten Free Chickpea Miso Detox Soup

Gluten Free 
Rice Cake Chickpea Miso Detox Soup
Inspired by Lauren from The Green Lean Bean

After a week of having some old symptoms again, I decided to do a week of simple recipes that I know are 100% gluten free, dairy free and have no questionable ingredients.  I am choosing foods that I feel are safe to eat.  Sometimes, I forget that having a kitchen that is both gluten filled and gluten free can be dangerous. 

I started the day with a simple smoothie and chose organic cherries, raw sunwarrior protein powder, cinnamon, water, almond milk and chia seeds.  For snack I had pineapple and a handful of macadamia nuts. 



Lunch was another simple recipe. 
 Recently, Lauren from The Lean Green Bean  had a picture of her rice cake soup on her instagram page.  It looked so good that I decided to come up with a recipe to make one myself... It's very tasty and could definitely be changed to add any type of seasonings or spices you like.  Here's what I came up with!  

Roasted Peppers

Roast 1 red pepper, 1/4 white onion with 1 minced garlic, touch of coconut oil, garlic powder, onion powder and no salt seasoning.  

Now for the soup:

Simmer until soft, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 small white onion and 2 to 3 scallions sliced thin.  
Add 2 cups of water with 2 cups organic gluten free veggie broth 
2 carrots, sliced thin
 1/2 piece of kombu (optional)
1 teaspoons italian seasonings
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon lemon pepper salt free seasonings
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon mustard powder
sprinkle of black pepper, tumeric, kelp & dulce flakes (optional)
Cook until carrots begin to soften
Then add 1 zucchini chopped in bite size pieces
2 to 3 tomatoes chopped 
Let simmer until vegetables have softened.  


Remove from heat and let sit.  
Once cooled a little bit add 1 to 2 tablespoons of chicpea miso and stir.

Serve and top with chopped up roasted red peppers, grilled onions, 
chopped tomatoes and pea sprouts.  
Crumble some rice cakes on top to give it a nice crunchy texture... 

This soup is a very warming and perfect for when you are not feeling your best.  It's very hydrating.  Squeeze a little lemon juice on top for some added flavor.  


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Saturday, August 2, 2014

Gluten and Allergen Free Expo 2014

Join me in New Jersey for the Gluten and Allergen Free Expo on September 6th & 7th at the Meadowlands in Secaucus, New Jersey!   I am excited to be an official blogger for the event.  I will be live tweeting from the expo and sharing reviews on our facebook page and blog.   

If you have never attended a Gluten & Allergen Free Expo before, then you are in for such a treat.  This evene is the best place to try new gluten free products, talk with vendors, ask questions and learn from both speakers and attendees. 
Highlights of the Expo include:
• 150+ gluten-free vendors
• Coupons at many of the vendor booths
• Samples from some of the vendors
• Many informative classes 
• Free reusable bag to carry your goodies
• A chance to meet your favorite vendors, ask questions and take classes.

For a list of vendors, speakers and classes, please check out the Gluten and Allergy Free website. 

 Click here to receive 20% off your tickets to the Expo.
Click here to receive 20% off your tickets to the Expo.