Fluffy AND Gluten Free

Folks, I'm really loving my Otto's gluten/nut/soy free Cassava flour (I can't do  the popular gluten-free almond flour as almonds are on my "hit list" from my IBS blood sensitivity test.)  Casssava also has 12 grams of fiber per cup and more calcium and B vitamins than regular flour.

They taste just like my regular fluffy pancakes, it just took a slight tweak to the recipe.

Otto's is made out of the yucca plant (excluding the peel) and acts just like regular flour in most recipes, just lacking the gluten and it doesn't have that artificial taste of most commercial "gluten-free" products. I've tried other brands and Otto's just simply can't be beaten.

In a large bowl mix:
1 cup Otto's cassava flour (I bought mine on Amazon)
1 tsp. no sodium baking soda (Hains)
1/2 teaspoon low sodium salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon sugar.

In another bowl mix:
1/2 cup goat milk yogurt
1/2 cup spring water or goat milk
1 splash of vanilla
1 large egg (whisked)

then slowly stream in 2 Tablespoons melted butter.

Mix wet ingredients into dry.  Stirring until combined.

You want the batter to be slightly thicker than cake batter, but less thick than brownie batter.  I ended up adding an additional l/4 cup water.

Using a small measuring cup to place batter on the oiled griddle, cook the pancakes on a slightly lower heat than regular pancakes cooking until browned on both sides. Keep them fairly small (about 4-5 inches across).  Makes 10-12. Served with Kerrygold butter and pure maple syrup.

Gluten Free with Cassava Flour

Since a blood test determined I was gluten sensitive and I found that typical wheat products trigger my IBS I've been playing around with a number of gluten-free recipes and mixes.  All were pretty good but they did not taste the same way as using regular white flour. Plus I'm also sensitive to almonds so the popular gluten-free almond flour was out and my husband HATES coconut so that is out as well if we're both going to eat it.

Then I found Otto's  Cassava Flour.  It's gluten free, nut free, grain, and soy free, and it works just like flour in most recipes.   I have tried other brands but NONE were as smooth and mellow tasting as Otto's.

It's made out of the yucca plant which has been around for centuries and that use the entire root (minus the peel) to make the flour, they don't just extract the starch and add xanthan gum or fillers.  An added benefit - a cup of flour has 12 grams of fiber and calcium that wheat doesn't have!

I made my Swedish waffles with it this morning and my husband did not recognize that it was "gluten-free" (he can normally tell.).  He just said "new recipe?  These are really good!"

https://www.ottosnaturals.com/

Gluten Free Swedish Waffles

In bowl mix 1 cup Otto Cassava Flour
1 tsp. sodium free baking powder
1/2 tsp. low sodium salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 Tablespoon sugar

In another bowl whisk (adding the butter in slowly)
1 cup milk - room temperature
splash of vanilla,
1 egg - room temperature
2 Tablespoons melted butter (NOTE:  f you are watching your fat you can reduce to 1 Tablespoon and just use a little extra non-stick spray on the waffle iron - they will taste the same).

Mix wet and dry.  The Cassava flour requires a bit more stirring than regular flour to get a smooth texture.  Place 1/3 cup batter in a Swedish waffle iron and cook until done.

What I've Learned About Aging and Healthy Eating

It was the early 60's.  My Brother won the barbecue in a contest.  For the photo op it was raining and the potato was raw.  But I think we nailed the photo!


1. My goal for 2019 was to lose 10 pounds. Only have 14 to go.
2. I ate salad for dinner. Mostly croutons & tomatoes. Really just one big round crouton covered with tomato sauce. And cheese. FINE, it was a pizza.  I ate a pizza, are you happy now ?
3. How to  prepare Tofu:
Throw it in the trash
Grill some meat, chicken or fish
4. I just did a week's worth of cardio after walking into a spider web.
5. I don't mean to brag, but I finished my 14-day diet food supply in 3 hours and 20 minutes.
6. A recent study has found women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.
7. Kids today don't know how easy they have it. When I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through the shag carpet to change the TV channel.
8. Remember back when we were kids and every time it was five below zero outside they closed school? Yeah, Me neither.
9. I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented. I forgot where I was going with this.
10. I love being over 60, I learn something new every day and forget something old.
11. November 4, 2018, marked the end of Daylight Saving Time. Hope you didn't forget to set your bathroom scale back 10 pounds on Saturday night.
12. Just remember, once you're over the hill you begin to pick up speed.
13.  Things I've learned from social media:  I followed a diet - it didn't follow me back, so I unfollowed it.

Young Living Gluten Free Pancake and Waffle Mix - A Review

I tried the new Young Living Gluten Free Pancake and waffle mix.

A review. My husband and I both loved the taste, and my tummy loved the gluten-free (though I do pretty good with Einkorn anything in moderation). It's made out of gluten-free oat flour, arrowroot flour, garbanzo bean flour, sorghum flour, and amaranth flour.  It has no leavening like some "Bisquick" type products so follow the recipes on the box to add salt, baking, powder, sugar, baking soda, etc. Note:  all three recipes are on the box.

Some tips.  We started with a batch of pancakes following the directions on the box exactly, using avocado oil instead of canola oil. They turned out a bit dry in taste and were VERY crumbly, several breaking apart when flipping. I think this was due to using avocado oil instead of coconut oil or butter and making the pancake too big. The second batch I used butter instead of oil, added an extra dash of vanilla, and made them much smaller (slightly bigger than "silver dollar" size - about 3 inches in diameter). A very tasty success!

We both loved the batter cooked in a Swedish waffle iron but you have to spray non stick spray after every one or they WILL stick and come apart. Also, remember to add the sugar to the egg whites as you whip instead of with the dry ingredients for a fluffier batter.

Don't forget to check the side of the box - there is a recipe for crepes that's really good.

We would definitely purchase again, but trust me on the tips. (To purchase Young Living products either as a retail customer or as a member click on the link on my sidebar to go to their website).

Gluten Free Blueberry Bacon Pancakes

Bacon Deprived Abby Lab

Bacon Blueberry Pancakes.

Cook 6 slices of bacon, blot with a paper towel and chop. Thaw 1 cup of frozen blueberries, rinse and pat dry with paper towels.

In small bowl mix 3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons of milk and 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar (I use Braggs) Let sit for a few minutes.

In aother bowl mix 1 cup gluten free flour (I like King Arthur Flour brand), 1/2 teaspoon Xanthan gum, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 Tablespoon of sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder (I use Hain sodium free) and a pinch of Cardammom (or nutmeg if you don't have Cardamom).

To milk mixture add a splash of vanilla, 1 egg whisked and 2 and 1/2 Tablespoons of melted butter (add in very slowly while whisking).

Add wet ingredients to dry, mixing JUST until combined then gently fold in blueberries and bacon. Cook on a hot griddle. (or better yet, get your spouse or partner to cook for you).

Abby can't do grains but she did get a piece of bacon so she is quite happy.

Note:  To make Vegan, replace Bacon with veggie bacon, egg with egg replacement, butter with melted coconut oil, and use almond or coconut milk in place of the milk.

Drinking and Diets

Sorry, I have been MIA the last month, just finished novel 5 which meant 3 weeks (using leave from my job) to finish the last chapters and do the editing (it's hard to edit without alcohol at the end of it).

When trying to watch your calorie intake, social drinking is a difficult decision. Those calories have no nutritional value at all. But with holidays and family gatherings it's hard to be the one sitting there sipping on a diet 7 up when someone breaks out the beer and seven layer dip.

But you can still have an occasional drink and still be healthy.  Simply choose a drink without a lot of added sugar and calories and keep your drinks to one or two at a party.

I don't know if I could actually be satisfied with 3.5 ounces of wine. But give me an ounce and a half of good whiskey with a splash of water, and I'm good for the party. Avoid anything mixed with sugary soda or syrups, and drink a large glass of water for each serving of liquor you consume.

Because that will leave you more calories for dessert. (Such as this light dessert  - a small chunk of fat-free angel food cake topped with strawberries, 1/4 cup vanilla ice cream and drizzled with honey, served in an elegant martini glass).