Fitbit One Review

Fitbit One Review - Healing and Eating

When we were moving our stuff out of our old rental, I happened to find my Fitbit One Wireless Activity Tracker ($93.49). I didn’t use it that often when I first got it as a gift, since I tended to use the pedometer app on my phone. However, since finding it during the move, I started using it on a regular basis. And I’m in love! It even worked on the treadmill, for keeping track of my steps. It’s small and lightweight so you hardly notice you are wearing it. The battery has such a long life, that you barely have to charge it, and the fitbit app on the iphone can show you in real time your steps increasing.

The app also keeps track of your miles, calories burned, floors, and active minutes. Basically,  the active minutes times your workout, so you can set goals not just for steps, but also how long you want to work out per day. Even as a much as a half hour can give huge health payouts. I was really impressed with this feature. It could tell the difference between a low intensity workout and me walking around at work during the day.

One of my goals this year, is to go back to good habits that I’ve let slide. That includes long walks, which are gentle on the body and great for stress. Walking has always been the best way for me to relieve my nerve pain and I couldn’t be happier walking with my fitbit.

Disclaimer: I am not associated with the fitbit company, nor have I accepted payment, or even a free product for this review.

Nonni’s Pizzelles

Nonni's Pizzeles - Healing and Eating

This is the first recipe I made in my new kitchen. Our first night at the apartment was Christmas Eve, and I desperately wanted some homemade Christmas cookies. I tried to stay as close to Nonni’s recipe as possible, so I only substituted regular flour for white rice flour to make them gluten free. This was the first time I tried this type of flour and although it wasn’t grain free, it made for a seamless and easy gluten-free substitution. I also split the batter in half and used a tsp of vanilla extract in one half, and a tsp of anise extract in the other. I like both flavors, but my husband, and generally most people prefer the vanilla. You can also sprinkle some confectionery sugar over the top to make it look pretty, but that’s optional.

Nonni's Pizzelles
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 25-30 cookies
Ingredients
  • 6 eggs
  • 1.5 cups of sugar
  • 1 cup of non-gmo canola oil
  • 3.5 cups of white rice flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp anise extract
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, beat eggs, canola oil, and sugar.
  2. Then slowly add white rice flour, while using a hand mixer on a low setting to mix in flour.
  3. Divide batter in half, and add 1 tsp of vanilla extract to one half, and 1 tsp of anise extract to the other.
  4. Follow directions on pizzelles iron. Spoon batter (about 2 tbsp) onto iron and do a test to see if it is the right amount of heat and browns pizzelles just a bit, and if you need more or less batter to get a nice looking circle.
  5. Place finished pizzelles on a cookie rack to cool. Do not stack pizzelles when warm or hot, let them cool completely first, and get crispy and firm before stacking.

Finally Moved In … New Kitchen!

Finally Moved In ... New Kitchen! - Healing and Eating

I wanted to apologize to my friends and followers for the long hiatus. My husband and I bought a duplex that has been consuming our lives since October. First, we needed a tenant in the upper unit asap, to help us with our mortgage.  Then, we renovated our unit, which needed a lot more love than we anticipated. We still have a bit of work left to do, as you can see in the picture. We need some open shelving and to install the cabinet handles, but we’re finally moved in and cooking again.

Since we were staying at my mother-in-laws, and I didn’t have my cooking tools (and we were crazy busy), I gave myself a break on my normally pretty strict diet. I still stayed away from dairy, since I know it makes me sick, but I wasn’t careful about anything else. Ironically, less time spent in front of the computer and cooking was great for my pain level. I did have issues with some of the food I ate, but it was trial and error. I’ve never been completely 100% paleo, since I want to maintain, not lose weight, but I did start to eat rice, and rice based carbs, on a regular basis. Since most dessert involves dairy, I had to stay away from it, unless it was dairy free. (Rising Hearts Bakery in Culver City was amazing for my gluten and dairy free sugar cravings. I highly recommend it.)  After months of slacking, it’s a new year and a new kitchen, and I’m ready to start being healthier in 2016.