Gluten Free and Low Sugar Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe!

Gluten Free and Low Sugar 

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Recipe!

Due to some serious tummy distress I've been experiencing over the last year (and really, beyond that) I've recently decided to try and pinpoint any possible food allergies I might have, and I started with gluten. This has been exceedingly tough because I LOVE whole grains, and products made with gluten (such as seitan, which I make from scratch with vital wheat gluten). Also, for those who suffer with celiac or wheat allergy, it can be so frustrating when products have hidden gluten in them (I was definitely bummed about most soy sauces, lots of soups, and craft beer...sad times). Still, it's worth a shot to see if I can cure some of my tummy woes. If this doesn't work, dairy is up next! 

As far as gluten free baked products go, I've tried some that I really like, such as LiveGFree from Aldi (great taste and fabulous price) and Glutino (their pretzels are the best!!). Still, some of the gluten-free products leave something to be desired--that great, chewy texture, or softness that breads, tortillas and other baked goods have.

I was a little nervous, for that reason, to bake a cake using gluten-free ingredients simply because sometimes the texture of things like coconut flour and other wheat-free substitutes can seem too crumbly or pasty to me. Therefore, using other recipes as inspiration, I set out to create my own low fat, low sugar, gluten-free version, and it turned out awesomely! It even passed the gluten-loving eight-year-old boy test. =)

Recipe and directions below! Recipe serves 14. Or you might like a bigger slice...=)

PS--I feel fairly confident that you could sub just one of your favorite gluten free baking flours instead of what I used (as long as you keep the total amount of flour the same), or a different blend (again, same total amount). I intentionally used a blend of flours to create a complex taste with the batter.

 

INGREDIENTS:

--1 fresh pineapple, peeled (I use the core as well, as not to waste) OR about 2 1/3 cups crushed pineapple (you could reduce this amount if you prefer without any repercussion though your cake topping might not be as moist) 

--5-6 Maraschino cherries (optional)

--(1) pre-packaged 1/2 cup serving of natural, unsweetened applesauce (or 1/2 cup either way)

--1 whole large egg

--7 tablespoons of egg white OR an additional 2 whole eggs (will add more calories and fat to nutritional information)

--2 tbs butter (or your favorite fat--coconut oil or margarine, etc.)

--1/2 cup white sugar (or sweetener equivalent of your choice)

--2 tbsp brown sugar (save for pineapple topping)

--1 teaspoon of liquid or powder stevia (which is equivalent in sweetness to 1 additional cup of sugar)

--1 pre-packaged 1/2 cup serving of natural, unsweetened applesauce (or 1/2 cup either way)

--1 tsp vanilla

--1 tsp almond extract

--1/2 tsp salt

--1 1/2 cup coconut milk (or any other nut milk or dairy milk you prefer)

--1 cup all purpose gluten free baking flour (I used Bob's Red Mill, a blend of garbanzo, tapioca and potato flour)

--1/2 cup gluten free baking/pancake mix (I used Krusteaz brand, which is a blend of rice flours)

--1/4 cup coconut flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)

--1/2 cup gluten free corn starch (or tapioca starch)

--1 tsp gluten free baking powder (most brands seem to be)

--1 tsp baking soda 

--1/2 tsp salt 

 DIRECTIONS:

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees, spray or grease your pan very well. I used a typical bundt cake pan (that's how mom always did her pineapple upside down cake!) but you can also use a typical 9x13 or 2 round cake pans (you'd need to split your pineapple mixture up differently, so that's up to you!). For these purposes, the directions are geared toward baking in one pan.

Because I used a fresh, very ripe pineapple, my first step was to peel and chop my pineapple in to large chunks. I did not remove the core. I then blended it in the processor, just briefly, to create a crushed pineapple texture. It yielded just over 2 cups of pineapple, which I then set aside.

Next, blend your applesauce, white sugar, liquid stevia, vanilla, almond extract, 2 tbsp butter, whole egg and egg whites. I mixed this cake by hand, intentionally. You could absolutely use a mixer on a typical cake setting, which would lend a lighter and fluffier cake. I appreciated the density of the hand mix on this cake though--it made it moist and a little heavier, which was tasty!

Combine with dry ingredients (all flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cornstarch) while also incorporating the coconut milk. Beat by hand for around 2 minutes, or around 150 strokes. If you prefer to use a mixer, this would be about 1 minute. If your mixture is too thick and not a nice pouring batter consistency, you may want to consider carefully adding more liquid. I do believe that different gluten free flours may change this variable a bit, so use your best judgment.

Pour pineapple into the bottom of your VERY well greased pan. Add crumbles of brown sugar and maraschino cherries if desired (I placed mine in a little pattern around the bundt cake). 

 

Carefully pour cake batter over the top of pineapple, evenly distributing around pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for around 40 minutes (or less if you use two small cake pans), until cake springs back to the touch or a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes. Carefully use a spatula or another tool to gently loosen the sides of cake from pan. Pay special care to this part if you are using a bundt pan. In a quick motion, carefully tip pan upside down on to your serving tray (or, if you prefer, leave the cake "right side up"--who cares!).

We served our pineapple upside down cake with a dollop of whip cream! ENJOY!

NUTRIENT INFORMATION:

Yeilds 14 slices.

Calories: 158 per slice

Total fat: 3 grams

Cholesterol: 19.3 mg

Sodium: 30.6 mg

Carbs: 26.1 grams

Fiber: 1 gram

Sugars: 10 grams

Protein: 2.6 grams 

 

Two Birch Jewelers: Service and Product Review for Wedding and Engagement Ring Products

Two Birch Jewelers: 
Service and Product Review for Wedding and Engagement Ring Products

My fiance proposed to me with a beautiful, simple white gold solitaire. It was a family ring and amazingly, fit me perfectly without needing re-sizing. Anyone who knows me and my viewpoints on finances and expensive jewelry knows that I was thrilled that our engagement didn't create any sort of monumental debt. I don't subscribe to the idea of expensive jewelry and I'm always shocked in horror when people tell me that they are walking around with a $10,000 ring on their finger--particularly if their other half can't really afford to make a purchase like that! It's not what's important, and statistically, there's a lot of research out there that suggests a little humility might be an imperative thing if you actually want your marriage to last.

With that sort of frugality and sensibility in mind, I set out to find a wedding wrap (or ring guard) that would compliment my engagement ring on our big day. I was also interested in selecting two rings: one sterling silver or white gold that I could wear with silver jewelry, and one rose gold that would work with my bronze, rose gold and regular gold jewelry.

But wait--before you think I'm a total diva--you'll have to reserve judgment. =)

I knew I didn't want to spend much, and the local selection at  jewelers for ring guards and wraps was almost non-existent.

That's where Two Birch came in.

I found both of these rings--the Sterling Silver Contour Ring and the Rose Gold and Sterling Silver Vintage Fan Style Ring (both with Cubic Zirconia) for under $60 each. I viewed the Two Birch site but mainly did my shopping and browsing on Amazon. They are both beautiful! And if you are the sort of person who demands diamonds, you can get any style Two Birch ring for more with diamonds instead of CZ. Their selection of ring wraps, guards, wedding sets and engagement rings is amazing. I personally found their jewelry to be among the most affordable thing I'd found online!

Everyone who has seen my rings is impressed with their quality and luster (I couldn't really capture the sparkle and clarity with my camera!). When I noted my choice of Cubic Zirconia, people said, "You wouldn't even need to tell anyone! No one would ever know!" The quality pleases me, but I want EVERYONE to know...I paid very little for these rings, and they are beautiful! It's OKAY to choose CZ! 

I didn't have to worry about blood or conflict diamonds, and my wedding wrap didn't cost the equivalent of down-payment for a car. I'm saving for home ownership, why would I want to take on debt like that?

The best part about paying very little is the freeing feeling. If I were to lose or damage my rings, it's ok. The world won't end. It's just a ring.

I've saved the best thing about Two Birch for last--the customer service. (By the way, this post is not sponsored by Two Birch--the photos and opinions contained are all my own as a consumer, with no compensation given. They had no idea I was going to review their company in my blog...)

Before I purchased my rings, for $10, I ordered the PerfectFit kit by Two Birch, which came with ring sizers (handy) as well as molding material (very easy to use). This allowed me to send a mold of my solitaire to Two Birch for fitting purposes. The company then took this mold and matched it with different ring wraps, sending me photos along the way, and discussing the fit and different choices I might want to make. Because I really wanted something that would nicely compliment my solitaire and something I would love for--well, hopefully a VERY long time, haha--this took almost a month of sizing, pictures, and I even sent a few rings back in the process.

Dozens of emails and pictures later (I worked with a representative named Maria who was very helpful), I had my two rings--which I adore.

I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of customer service and attention I was given during this time for my purchase, which only totaled $120 all together.

I honestly can't recommend Two Birch enough as a jeweler, particularly for the couple who is trying to make an informed, reasonable purchase for their engagement or wedding. There are affordable CZ and diamond choices, and you can feel GOOD about not breaking the bank.

Who I am: Future Blog Plans and Changes on the Horizon

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” -Marilyn Monroe - See more at: http://exploreforayear.com/clarity/45-inspiring-quotes-change#sthash.mIpcwRJA.dpuf

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” -Marilyn Monroe - See more at: http://exploreforayear.com/clarity/45-inspiring-quotes-change#sthash.mIpcwRJA.dpu

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” -Marilyn Monroe 
Image courtesy of Fanpop
 
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WHO I AM

Future Blog Plans and Changes on the Horizon

It's hard to believe that I started my blog four years ago.

I had so many vintage and thrifted treasures to share. I wanted to blog about a lifestyle that was centered around reduced consumption, and I loved the idea of sharing vintage and secondhand clothes. I also happened to be PETRIFIED of photographing my body, and I was working through quite a few body image issues, finding my voice, and shifting gears professionally.

While I never found my blog to be vapid in its content (fashion or otherwise), I was afraid to over-saturate my readers with too many posts regarding body image, or life topics that didn't seem to be calibrated for a thrift fashion blog. Slowly, bit by bit, I began to add healthy cooking, and more pieces on image and self-love. I still maintained my love of thrift, and fashion, but the content became a little more heady, and I was glad for that--because I'm a writer, and I love sharing myself with my readers!

Still, sometimes I worried that new readers and Facebook fans would wonder about my blog's name--that perhaps "Thrift Trick" wasn't really an accurate handle for me anymore.  For the last year, though I've very much enjoyed connecting with readers on my website and through re-published content on Grand Haven Tribune and even an interview on NPR, I've felt that my name was a limiting container--something that was keeping me from fully expressing myself.

Re-branding your blog (and essentially your voice) is actually quite an intimidating process. Each time I thought about doing it, a new opportunity for my existing blog would prevent itself, and I would think, "How can I risk stunting this momentum right now? My blog is really starting to become what I've always wanted!" Yet, there was a little voice inside of me that proposed that perhaps my blog's name was actually holding me back.

It's taken me a long time to make the decision, and I'm finally pulling the trigger.

I'm re-branding.

More answers and new changes will be on the horizon, but the most important thing that I'd like to communicate to my readers (and I appreciate EVERY single one of you!) is that my content won't really be changing too much. Here's what you can expect from the new blog:

  

--Thrifting and a lifestyle that promotes reduced consumption

--Healthy cooking

--Fashion and Beauty

--Positive Self-Image

--More interviews, guest writing and street fashion that spotlights real people with interesting stories

--My photography

--The addition of new media (more on that soon!)

The truth is, it's really what I'm doing right now! However, the new blog will be more appropriately named, so that more people who are interested in a conscious, mindful lifestyle can successfully connect with me.

If you are already subscribed to my blog and visit frequently, I hope you will continue to do so once the changes begin. I also value your feedback as readers, and I'd love to hear from you. I will begin applying changes over the next month, and by April, I will have completed everything.

Do you have any questions or suggestions for me? Please comment below--I value your input!

#BodyPositive February Roundup!

"Because gender and beauty are not defined by hair." @theinlandlyon

#BodyPositive February Roundup!

You may remember last month's #BodyPositive roundup from Instagram, and this month I found some new favorites to add to my February Collec.to folders! Why have I featured these photos here? I found them to be moving the idea of body positivity along with forward momentum, and I love hearing from people about their personal journey with self-image. I'm also including one of my own photos hash-tagged #BodyPositive! Check them out above and below! Also check out all of my #BodyPositive albums on Collec.to!

 
"I won't let anybody tell me how i should look or how they'd prefer me to look. I am comfortable in my skin and will continue to be..." @lynsimplymade

"Pounded out 3 super sets of push-ups and planks to Failure, and some HIIT cardio to finish off my workout tonight!"  @thelovelyaphrodite

 "#effyourbeautystandards #allbodiesaregoodbodies #everybodyisagoodbody #nobodyshamecampaign #bodypositive #bodylove"  @wastingthyme

"Amazing new sensations all over my body from yesterday's push up challenge.#strongissexy...#bodypositive" @colecochick

"#toproll #armwrassle #gunshow #bodypositive" @Channystar

 

"National eating disorder awarness week : since the age of 10 I've struggled with an #eatingdisorder . From not eating - binging - being sick. I hated myself for a very long time. When weight wouldnt come off I turned to using drugs. I've been nearly every size imaginable. However, I learned to love myself, appreciate life and celebrate who I am. Life is too precious to live & die by your scale. For anyone out there who is struggling : it's never too late to get help, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. We are beautiful creatures of all shapes & sizes. No one should ever feel ashamed of themselves because of a number. #bodypositive" @velouria.doll