Sharabelle bakes

Oatmeal and raisin cookies I'm a comfort eater, whenever I was upset or depressed I would eat.  Im 5ft 2in and at my heaviest I weighed 13 1/2 stone.   I'm now a healthy 9 1/2 stone, a weight that makes my IBS much easier to control.  I tried dieting for years and none worked.  Over ten years ago I was diagnosed with depression and was lucky enough to get a great counsellor.   It wasn't till after I started the counselling that the light bulb went off in my head, and switching to healthy eating became easier.  I realised that since I didn't feel good about myself inside, this reflected on my weight on the outside. One of the things that helped me then was snacking on fresh fruit, it filled me up and was a wonderfully sweet treat.   As my IBS gets worse the older I get and with sugar one of the foods I can not really eat a lot of, healthy snacks are just as important to me now.     Raw fruit, seed & nut truffles ...

DRIED FRUIT Cooking Dairy free is easy, so why pay premium prices for Free from Products when you can make your own.   I love dried fruit in both savoury and sweet dishes.  During the summer I love making carrot and raisin couscous salad.  I love added them to cakes and cookies, there sweetness lets me reduce the sugar in the recipes.  As someone with IBS and food intolerance's, my digestive system is a lot happier with the sweetness of dried fruit rather than sugar.   Have I mentioned I love dried fruit!!!!! All these recipes are dairy free, or easy to make dairy free by substituting your favourite free from milk and spread.   1. On the Side Adding dried fruit to side dishes just makes them look more special.   Dried Fruit Salsa Berry Beer Baked Beans Roasted Green beans with cranberries Red Cabbage with Raisins 2. Salads Carrot & Raisin Couscous I love making Couscous ...

More sources than just Dairy.... When I had to give up all dairy products due my IBS & lactose intolerance, my Dr recommended I start taking a Calcium  & Vitamin D supplement.  She also advised me to eat foods high in Calcium.   Why Vitamin D  - It helps the body absorb the calcium.  The body can synthesise vitamin D from exposure to Sunlight.   If you are lactose intolerant like me, always check the ingredient label before your buy  or take any medications or vitamin supplements.    Some pharmaceutical company's use lactose to bulk out pills.     Illogically I have even discovered it in calcium tablets.   Dairy products are not the only way of getting your recommended daily amount of calcium.  Nearly all fruit and vegetables have some calcium in them, however there are some that have really high amounts.  Making them ideal substitutes if you follow a dairy free diet. Calcium in milk ...

All the sugar grown in the UK, is made from Sugar Beet .  So technically it's a vegetable, which is why I think it fits with my 10 ways to cook - dairy free project.   I know its a bit of a stretch, my only excuse is that Iv been craving sweet foods lately.   When you have food intolerances, you can't exactly go to your local shop for a chocolate bar or candy.  Most larger supermarkets do have some in their Free From Range or Aisle.  However it's a lot more fun to make your own. With Halloween and Christmas just round the corner, why not made some as a gift for friends and family.   Homemade gifts always show you care, because they take time and effort to make.   1. Fruit and Nuts Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best Nut Brittle Nut brittle recipes are unintentionally dairy free. Candied Fruit A great article showing you how to candy your own fruit. It takes time and patience but then the best things always do....