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Christmassy Coconut-Chocolate-Buns (vegan, wheat-free, sugar-free)
Some of you have been waiting for this recipe as long as, when it first made an appearance as part of this post. Ever since, I have received loads of messages the likes of: “Tell me Deniz, how do I get my hands on your recipe for those fructose-friendly chocolate buns?”
Request after request I kept putting you on hold saying: “The recipe isn’t ready yet. It’s too hot in Istanbul to bake at the moment. We don’t have an oven in our new flat. I don’t have access to the right ingredients right now.”…
5 Ingredient Low FODMAP Challenge: Mackerel-Hazelnut-Spread With Feta-Tomato-Thyme-Salad
Food blogger are a tight-knit group of people. We comment on each other’s Instagram posts, retweet like hell, delve into each other’s blogs and seem to “know” the same people. Sometimes we even exchange a few mails or invite one another over for an interview. If we seem to get along like mac ‘n’ cheese, we might even meet up for lunch. Crazy on one hand. Brilliant on the other. I really appreciate those virtual connections, as I’m not granted any fructose malabsorption allies among my circle of real-life friends. So just like you ask me your questions, I send mine over to Steph, Melissa, Sonja or Colleen.
Just like you, Colleen has a long past spiked with ups and downs: She went through numerous surgeries, and was officially diagnosed with Hashimoto and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), just to name a few. At some point Colleen was sick and tired of being sick and tired and decided to henceforth focus on her personal healing process and that of her clients. As a certified nutrition counsel she is an expert on all things FODMAP and develops fun recipes for her site FODMAPLife.com. With over 42.000 follower on Facebook she also built up one of the most successful communities for food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac, Hashimoto’s and Crohn’s disease.
Because I’m a huge fan of Colleen’s work myself, there was no way of turning down the low FODMAP cooking challenge she came up with. …
Sugar-free Multigrain Pancakes with Chia Jam | wheat-free, low fructose
Now and then I get invited to talk on other blogs by other inspirational bloggers, who also happen to be affected by fructose malabsorption, IBS or allergies of some sort. Before every interview I worry that I won’t have anything new to tell. But I’m always surprised at how much I learn about myself and my own habits, when asked the right questions. Eva (individualisten.at) and Danée (lucyvstheglobe.com) know their craft and I’m particularly proud of being featured on their blogs this month.
With Danée we talked about FODMAPs, FOMO and Berlin. Our interview was the last of its kind, which she conducted for Lucy vs The Globe. But I’m sure there are more exciting things to come! Read the full interview here.
Eva is everything I’m looking for in a modern yet grounded nutritionist. Unfortunately her blog and our interview are in German only. I did translate the recipe I shared with Eva’s readers however. Even though I’d love to translate the full blog entry for you someday! Enjoy! …
Sugar-Free Things I love in September
If you are anything like me, you are constantly on the lookout for new sources of inspiration, cool kitchen gadgets and awesome cookbooks. This post is jam-packed with awesome things I found around the interweb that are definitely worth checking out!
The University of California created an amazing video on how glucose works in our bodies compared to fructose. Must see!
Now I know what all that wheat flour is good for!
Have you had a look at Jamie Oliver’s latest cookbook yet? Apparently he lost 8 kilo just by quitting sugar and is now on the same track as us! Can’t wait to see his new book “Superfoods Everyday”!
Can somebody lend me a kid? I need a reason to buy this app!
Food for thought: Aubrey’s organic, natural and holistic story
This is somewhat of an oldie but goldie to you english speaking lovelies, but Sarah Wilson’s bestseller is finally available in German!
Are you in love with kefir? Rightfully so! With these kefir grains you can even prepare that fermented glory at home! …
Easy Low FODMAP Lunch Recipe: Gluten-Free, low carb Polenta Frittata
“It needs to be quick, taste great cold, but nothing that’ll ruin my handbag!”
Right, okay! So how about some crisp bread, lactose-free cheese and plain lettuce on the side? No?
Fructose Friendly Lunch To Go
I know, every day, lunchbox, low FODMAP meal planning can easily tire you out. Especially if you want to make things fun and varied.
But don’t fret, your prayers are about to be answered! Here’s your easy, ultra flexible and handbag-proof lunch recipe to take to work, uni or even on a plane: Gluten-Free Polenta Frittata With “Whatever Tickles Your Fancy”! …
The Sultan’s Breakfast: Çilbir – Poached Eggs On Yogurt And Garlic Infused Oil
It’s been pretty quiet around here the past couple of weeks. But don’t be fooled. Behind the scenes there was some serious tinkering and thinking going on. Why? Because Istanbul worries us. The city is nervous, its air is hot and sticky and our mood is low. Not feeling safesetting foot in the subway anymore is one thing, but seeing the frustration with this country’s government written all over our friends’ faces is another thing.
These days, Istanbul is changing right in front of our eyes. Rapidly. And we literally feel the growing pains. There is this thick layer of heat, bluster and political outrage covering the city. And it has become increasingly difficult to maintain our initial euphoria, to keep our love for this unique city alive. The way out is out.
It’s a wrap. We’ve come to a decision and already gave notice to leave our flat. Three weeks left until we turn our backs on Istanbul, for now. A kneejerk reaction? Maybe. But an important one.
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Toasted Quinoa Salad With Grilled Halloumi And Herbs (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Fructose Free)
The culprits: Black tahini and coconut butter! The victims: Two broken kitchen machines in less than a week, one of which wasn’t even mine.
After destroying two tools in such a short period of time, I had to ask myself whether I
a) own the wrong tools,
b) live in the wrong country or
c) should stay away from ‘fancy recipe’-land for a change?
Why? Because I keep thinking, this “Braun/Magic Bullet”-dilemma wouldn’t have happened with a Vitamix. And would I have been in Germany instead of Istanbul at the time, I most likely would have simply picked up ready-made coconut butter or tahini at the nearest health food store instead of bothering to make it from scratch. Leaving us with c) and the realisation that too much of Pinterest’s rainbow-cake-wonderland-inflow can be destructive at times. …
My Morning: Friendly Little Kitchen and her classic Spelt Pancakes
This interview took place as part of the “My Morning” interview series.
When I reflect on my first baby steps into the FODMAP free diet about two years ago, there is one lovely lady who played a major role throughout my field trip: Steph Papillo from Friendly Little Kitchen. Steph was my first real blog-pal, my guide through the crazy FODMAP jungle, always there to help out. With her delicious recipes and dreamy pictures this curly beauty from Melbourne continues to show how easy a wheat free and fructose friendly diet can be on a daily basis. Full of wit, her Instagram stream is not only an endless source of inspiration, but of sunshine as well! …
Fructoseintoleranz: Alle Symptome Und Beschwerden auf einen Blick
„So ein bisschen Bauchschmerzen, ein aufgeblähter Bauch und extreme Müdigkeit”. Das und keinen Pieps mehr hättet ihr vor 5 Jahren an Symptomen bei einer Fructoseintoleranz aus mir herausgekitzelt. Peinlich berührt war nach dieser Erklärung das Thema für mich gegessen.
Wer heute fragt, bekommt mehr zu hören. Egal wann und wo es auf die “Leiden der jungen Fructopia” zu sprechen kommt, versuche ich möglichst offen davon zu berichten, was übermäßig viel Fructose und Zucker in unserem Essen anrichten kann.Wenn ich heute Symptome auslasse, dann schlichtweg, weil ich vergesse, wie dreckig es mir damals wirklich ging. Und siehe da, so schlimm kommt das in der Regel bei meinen Gesprächspartnern gar nicht an. Die Rückfragen werden zahlreicher und zuckerfreie Rezepte sind hoch im Kurs. Aber vor allem leuchtet beim Gegenüber immer wieder die Frage auf “Vertrage ich vielleicht auch keine Fructose?”.
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Gluten Free, Sugar free Strawberry-Raspberry-Tartelettes aka Princess-Tartelettes for Emmi
It’s not always easy. People like you and me, are surrounded by endless menus, we run around supermarkets for hours, but in the end we still end up going home hungry and annoyed. “Do we really need to add onions, wheat, tomatoes, sugar, honey and dates to every freaking dish?” According to research, “every third German suffers from fructose malabsorption”, so do I really need to argue with the waiter when all I need to know is exactly what they put in the that dressing? Whoever came up with fructose malabsorption, must have loved complaining. After all, it’s what really comes naturally to us (sarcastic undertone), isn’t it?…
Black-Sunflower-Brittle (fructosefree, vegan, gluten free)
Happiness is when you receive “2 star”-ratings on Amazon, but still have every reason to smile. Who cares about critics, when there are care-bears like you?! Okay, give the critics some credit. It’s true, I didn’t include any tables or hard nutritional facts in my cookbook, but why should I have done so in the first place? I never pretended to be anything I am not. I am not a professional dietician or physician, but simply someone confronted by the daily difficulties of handling fructose malabsorption and trying to do my best to turn the negatives into positives and live a healthy life. …
Behind The Scenes: These two photographers helped breathe life into Fructopia – The Book
It’s already May 7th and Amazon claims my book’s currently ranks at number 7.130. Meanwhile I’m still eagerly waiting for my personal copy to finally arrive here in Istanbul. Dear postal service, don’t you recognize the exceptional urgency of this matter?
It’s been eight days now since my first very own cookbook *cansomeonepleasepinchme* hit bookstores in Germany, but its proud mom has yet to hold it tight in her arms. This of course might explain, why your feeds aren’t flooded by “selfies with my cookbook” yet.
It also enables me to embark on a public display of affection for two truly enchanting ladies, who breathed life, color and joy into my recipes. Two photographers, who gifted my book an enchanting atmosphere to dream and smile about. Dear readers, let me introduce you to Marta Greber and Maria Köhler. …
My Morning: The Fructose Friendly Chef + Homemade Granola
Lately nothing has fascinated me more than the art of starting the day in beautiful and productive style. Everybody seems to have his or her own way of claiming the day’s first sunbeams. Seeing as the morning hours hold such a precious place in my heart, I thought it might be time to find out how other talented bloggers and bloggerettes start their day and thus created this interview series. So instead of asking „How was your night?“, from now on I’ll rather be asking „How was your morning?“.
After a beautiful prelude to this series with earlybird Steffi, I should probably warn you ahead of today’s interview: If you too are a child of the sun, you might find yourself packing your bags for Australia right after finishing this read! Why? Because today’s guest, the fructose friendly chef Melissa, wakes up where koalas and kangaroos kiss each other good night, while being surounded by cafés sure to make your food sensitive heart leap for joy. Morning walks on the beach in dreamy light and an enviably healthy tan on Melissa’s face: If being a morning grouch looks like this, I’ll take an extra large serving! But see and read for yourselves…
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App-Review: “Food Intolerances” + A Giveaway
Sweet Pumpkin Bread With A Cinnamon Swirl (Low Fructose, Wheat Free)
The word is out: Last week I gave my final approval for my very own cookbook to go into print, but my small chipmunk heart is still pounding like mad. Between writing posts, testing recipes and the usual chaos here in Istanbul, I somehow forgot that the real excitementis only just about to begin. Writing a cookbook on the quiet is one thing. But waking up everyday to your good wishes, knowing that there are people now actually waiting for my cookbook to bet published, that’s pretty absurd.
So bear with me, while I get a bit emotional: I just wanted to say that I am really grateful for each and every one of you! Thanks a million for your lovely words and support! Thank you for every single like and share! Now come here, let me give you a hug and then I’ll bake you all the fructose free cakes in the world. We’ll have loads of low-fructose wineas well, but don’t tell anyone, okay? …
5 surprising ways to use coconut oil
Before we jump into today’s post, I’d like to talk about money for a second. Some of the links in this post are so-called affiliate links. You are most likely familiar with this already, but let me explain quickly for those of you who aren’t. If you happen to order some of the mentioned products in this post or other posts through the provided links, Amazon or other affiliate partners will pay me 3-7% commission. Of course for you as a buyer the price of the product stays the same as for everyone else shopping at Amazon. So far I „earned” a total of 3 € through the linked products in the sidebar to the right. But Amazon only pays me if and when I actually cross the 100 € line. Nothing to get rich with I guess. But maybe at some point this will cover the running costs for this blog. I just wanted to be open about the links I provide on this space. Because in the end it should be your choice, who get’s a share of your currency spent. Now let’s move on to today’s post.
While a pot of rice is happily steaming away on my cooker in light of my next kitchen experiment, let me offer you another peak into my pantry. You’ve probably noticed my love for unusual ingredients: Asofetida, nettles, bee pollen, you name it. Today’s starlet is on the exotic side as well, but I’m sure you’re more familiar with this one: Hi there coconut oil! …
Chocolate covered orange peels (fructosefree)
Welcome in 2015! This year will be great! The mere thought of it makes my whole body tingle and I can’t stop grinning from ear to ear like the Cheshire Cat. According to Google, „to grin like a Cheshire Cat“ is the equivalent of the German idiom „grinning like a honey pie horse”. Now you know. 😀 Anyway, like I said, 2015 will be great!
For one, I just kicked off writing for German lifestyle magazine i-ref.de as a regular contributor. It is all in German, but you should check out this talented and absurdly good-looking team anyway! I’m also super flattered to be working alongside one of Germany’s most famous food bloggers: Jeanny from Sugar, Cinnamon and Love. She is the queen of backing, which is why her books are currently being translated into English as well!
And, as if that wasn’t enough, there’s more big news. I know I’m being a tease, but bear with me. Let’s just try to enjoy the anticipation for now. And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter. That way you won’t miss any of the big news. No spamming of course!
I must admit, the new year has activated some sort of “green smoothie” gene in me, which comes as no surprise seeing as my skin is craving the sun and my nose is constantly seeking the smell of spring bouquets. I’ve really come to love blending lush greens and nuts and turning these into a filling meal. That being said, I’ll continue to stick to the earthy winter produce for now, as long as it’s available. So let’s talk oranges. …
Sweet Parsnip Bread
Seeing lettuce heads hanging low, mere pale shadows of their former selves, while all the iridescent and plump berries have retired to the freezers emphasizes the writing on the wall: Winter in Turkey has arrived. Not only are the temperatures dropping, so is the availability of fructose free fruits and veggies. But don’t despair, there are still some fructose friendly gems around just waiting to be turned into warming soups and stews, hearty casseroles and fondues. All we need to do, is to switch our focus from green to white: Wake up dear celery roots and parsnips! These days we require more nutrients and energy to keep us warm than during any other time of the year. …
Purple basil lemonade
Most of my recipes are a byproduct of me going nuts at the weekly farmers markets, buying more produce than I can handle. That’s why recipes such as this rainbow salad, which are designed to taste amazing, while coincidentally using up as much food as possible, are clearly among my favorites.
Today, instead of salad, I present you this basil lemonade.
Um, is that supposed to be tasty? Yep, very much so!
Purple basil, or thai basil, is vibrant in color and dulcet in taste. Add fresh lemon juice, powdered glucose and a pinch of anise, and you are set to go. It reminds me of ‘şerbet’, the refreshing, yet absurdly sweet lemonade from Ottoman times, that is still popular in Turkey to this day. But don’t worry, my blend is hardly as sweet.
It’s the perfect drink to ask summer for another extension.
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Cornbread Comeback (Gluten Free, Fructose Friendly)
Is this really today’s date? Are we already this close to October? As for the summerlong silence on Fructopia, that could only mean one thing:
Faces held out towards the warming sun, legs dangling in the sparkling sea, endless nights on the terrace of a summer house located somewhere along the manifold azure blue coastal landscape of southern Turkey. A table bending under the weight of all the delicious mezze and fresh produce, brought forth by the fertile earth we are surrounded by. Standing nearby, a grill with delicate fish, bought off of a local fisherman on our way home from the beach. He shares a faint smile as a long day out on the sea comes to an end. Sun, wind and water have left their marks on his face, hinting at all the stories he could tell.
You are probably thinking, that I must have thoroughly been enjoying myself this summer. After all, every true „Istanbullu“ spends summer at their summer house, right?
Cut, rewind. Let’s start from scratch. But this time, let’s stick to the facts, okay? 😉
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Rainbow Salad With Herbs Galore
Spring arrived in Istanbul a few weeks ago and we are already heading full speed towards Summer. While in Southern Turkey the skin-warming sun lures people into the sea for the first time this year, in Istanbul we are celebrating the sun’s return by letting sweet and plump, bright red strawberries melt in our mouths. All the while the Spring showers, turning the Black Sea region into a bright green wonderland, are responsible for the abundance of delicate and rich greens on display at our weekly farmers market. Trying to refrain oneself from those treats would almost be an insult to this country’s fertility. Thus, happily volunteering to pay tribute, mint, parsley, dill, thyme, basil and other greens pile up in our kitchen every week. We’ve become quite creative in terms of putting the various herbs to use, though sometimes we just can’t keep up and the delicate little plants wither away. To use up all of the leftover herbs in due time I came up with this little rainbow salad. Instead of the usual lettuce I put in bol bol (Turkish for plenty of) fresh herbs resulting in a feast for the eyes and fireworks for your taste buds. I wouldn’t even mind having this salad two days in a row. …
Fructose Friendly Smoothie Istanbul Style
When it comes to breakfast, pretty much everyone has his or her own idea of the “perfect” set-up. The choices are endless, be it cold or warm, liquid or solid, savory or sweet, or nothing at all. Since being diagnosed with FM breakfast is not only mandatory for me but also a way to start my day in a calmer manner. It’s a chance for me to be nice to my stomach first thing in the morning, so that it won’t be too upset later in the day if something wrong comes along. Whenever I skip breakfast entirely the day is basically ruined. Then all I think about is ‘how on earth will I get something quick to eat on the way to wherever I’m headed. Which is, as you probably know yourselves, rather impossible. So breakfast has become a very important part of my morning routine. …
Going Gluten Free IV: A side note on dairy
Last year, during my initial phase of going gluten free I reflected not only on my wheat consumption but also on my diet in general. I figured that I was consuming a lot more dairy here in Istanbul than I used to do back in Berlin. Since moving here I had yoghurt for breakfast every single morning, drank many, many café lattes and ate lots of salads topped with loads of feta cheese. Everybody knows, too much of anything is never good, so I felt the urge to put a halt on this. In the back of my head I developed this thought that just maybe I could hit two birds with one stone: Going gluten and dairy free at the same time. I mean, why not? I was about to change my diet completely anyway, right?
Some of you might break out in hysterical laughter right now and I can’t even blame you.
Little did I now, how time consuming and sometimes frustrating it would be to go gluten free. This process once again put all my previously acquired eating habits into question (see Unlearning snacking). Cutting out dairy as well was just as naive as believing in sticking to one’s New Year’s resolution. …
Fructose friendly Brunch for one
Sundays for me are preferably spent relaxing and in most cases also cooking ahead. Even though I do not meticulously plan out my meals for the upcoming week, I still like to be prepared. Prepared in terms of knowing that sometimes it can be difficult for people like us to quickly whip up a healthy and filling meal. That is why on Sundays I usually cook up a batch of buckwheat, potatoes or millet, or all of the above, to store in the fridge. That way I have a fructose friendly and gluten free base on hand to ready a nice meal. This is particularly convenient when I’m running late and still need to pack lunch rather than returning home on an empty stomach.
Speaking of planning ahead it is about time I share this recipe for gluten free millet patties with you. While millet has become one of my favorite gluten-free super foods, these millet patties are quite the perfect all-rounder. Due to their subtle taste they go well with almost everything: Have them with eggs and salmon for brunch like I did, with a spicy yoghurt dip for lunch or with a salad for dinner. They taste equally good warm and cold, that’s why they also make a great take away snack. Be warned though, this recipe is a bit time consuming. Then again, Sundays are usually more slow-paced anyway, right? Plus, in my opinion it’s even more rewarding to treat yourself to a nice meal you’ve worked hard on. 😉 So make a batch of millet patties and grab whatever else your heart desires on the side and enjoy a cozy, well-deserved Sunday brunch!
P.S. I created a Facebook page to share my posts as well as interesting research finds. Only four more to crack the 100, so go ahead and share some likes! 🙂
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Willkomen in Fructopia! In dieser kleinen Welt dreht sich alles um ein gesünderes Leben ohne Fructose, ohne Zucker, ohne Weizen. Schön, dass ihr da seid! 
