For New Year’s! A Dairy Free Appetizer and a Tummy Soothing Giveaway

Just in time for your New Year’s party, a post by my daughter Laura Allen:

Back in September, I made the decision to give up dairy. After a month of almost daily stomach aches, I figured life without cheese, yogurt, and butter was a small price to pay to feel normal again.

During the first few days, I had vivid dreams of cheese: buttery brie spread on thick crackers, bowls of pungent blue cheese crumbles, and sweet goat cheese cheesecakes.

But within a few weeks, the dreams and the cravings subsided, and my stomach felt great. I accepted my new dairy free life…until it was time to entertain.

I wanted to throw a big housewarming party with lots of delicious eats, but virtually all my go-to recipes contained dairy: pimento cheese spread, Mexican seven layer dip, warm goat cheese with pecans and chutney, and my mom’s trifle recipe.

Of course, I could serve veggies with hummus, but I know from experience that party guests aren’t as satisfied when the spread appears too healthy and dips just don’t taste as good with raw vegetables!

So, I give you avocado chicken salad on sweet potato rounds!

Boil around 1lb of skinless chicken breast and shred with fork.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees and slice two large sweet potatoes into discs. 

Season with olive oil and salt and cook on a baking sheet for 25-35 minutes, checking frequently.

Mash up two to three ripe avocados to make a good guacamole. Season to taste with lime, salt, and hot sauce, cumin, or chili pepper.

Mix guacamole with shredded chicken.

Top sweet potato rounds with chicken salad and finish with fresh cilantro.

By the way, my party was a huge success, and I still served pesto gouda and Danish blue for the cheese lovers.

Giveaway!

21-Day Tummy:The Revolutionary Diet That Soothes and Shrinks Any Belly Fast
By Liz Vaccariello, author of the New York Times bestseller, The Digest Diet, with Kate Scarlata, RD
Published by Reader’s Digest

The 21-Day Tummy diet targets excess weight and belly fat while addressing the most common digestive disorders.

We love to eat but that doesn’t mean our stomachs always enjoy digesting what we put in them. Add to this the fact that our nation is heavier than it’s ever been, and it’s clear that our tummies don’t just need to function better, they need to be smaller. In general, smaller stomachs digest food more effectively, and that’s why dropping the pounds isn’t just a matter of vanity but of health.

Featuring carb-light, anti-inflammatory foods, the 21-Day Tummy eating plan slashes inches from your belly (up to 4 ½ inches!) while banishing gas and bloating, heartburn and acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

In addition, 21-Day Tummy includes:

• 50 scrumptious recipes such as Tomato-Ginger Flank Steak and Almost Pumpkin Mini Pies.
• A Digestion Quiz to help you measure your overall digestive health
• Tips on how to combat the Four S’s — Supersizing, Sitting, Stress, and Sleep Deprivation.
• Inspirational stories and advice from our successful test panelists. Our top tester dropped 19 pounds in 21 days and completely stopped taking medications for acid reflux.
• An optional equipment-free workout plan that helps to both sculpt and soothe your belly with a mix of core strengthening, walking, and yoga.
• Guidelines on how to incorporate potentially problematic foods back into your life so you are never deprived of your favorite foods.

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment by January  20 saying you’d like to win.

Publishers Weekly just gave the book a glowing review:  “With lively writing, inviting four-color format, pull-outs, sidebars, nine personal success stories (including the author’s), and enticing photography, this book is a winner.”