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Why You Need To Be Taking More Photos

March 23, 2017 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 30 Comments

This post was sponsored by Blurb. All content is my own.

Pictures are a way to tell our stories, capture memories, and give us inspiration. There are many reasons why you need to be taking more photos, of anything and everything, no photograph is ever wasted.

Why You Need To Be Taking More Photos | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 Pictures are a way to tell our stories, capture memories, and give us inspiration. There are many reasons why you need to be taking more photos, of anything and everything, no photograph is ever wasted.

I love photography; I’ve always loved photography. I’ve told you numerous times on this blog that before I became consumed with food photography, I used to be all about nature and architecture photography. Four years of photography classes in high school and spending my weekends finding random locations in New Jersey to take new shots. Then college and turning this blog into a business happened. My photography hobby fell to the wayside and the only photos I did (and do) take are for my recipes. To say that I’ve missed just taking out my camera and driving around to find a new location to just shoot and get creative is an understatment. I’ve made a promise to myself that for 2017 (when the weather gets warmer) I plan on going on my old photo adventures once again to rekindle my long lost hobby.Read More

Filed Under: Personal, Reviews Tagged With: Art, Blurb, Inspiration, Memories, Motivation, Photo Book, Photography, Photos, Pictures

7 Gems Of Gluten-Free Wisdom

November 3, 2015 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 64 Comments

7 years! Wow! That seems like such a long time now. Some days it seems like I’ve been gluten-free my entire life, but others it doesn’t, and I can feel the divide. On November 3rd, 2008, I committed to a life long lifestyle change and diet of gluten-free due to my discovery and diagnoses of Celiac Disease. Looking back, I can recall all the moments in my life where there were huge glaring red flags, indicating there was a problem. Then it all came to a head, the summer before I entered 8th grade, sick, so sick. I couldn’t stomach anything and was down to some meager amounts of rice chex and iceburg lettuce. I missed so many days of school the beginning of that year. Sick, on the couch or in bed. It was pure horror to the girl who rarely got sick who was one of the most adventurous eaters her entire life.

When I learned that the only course of action to take would be to remake my entire lifestyle and diet (for the first time ever), I actually jumped and ran with it. I was so sick of feeling so sick! Going gluten-free was the key to my survival and I would finally be able to heal my insides and eat again! I wasn’t scared, I wasn’t sad, and I wasn’t angry. I gladly accepted my new gluten-free/celiac life. The first “gluten-free” dinner I had (I remember so vividly) was DeBoles brown rice penne with broth, eaten in a bowl while on the computer. Yes, we got fancy in my house (but I was still so sick at that point). Of course things kept moving from there and with a Thanksgiving holiday coming up, I needed to do some research. That’s when I got into reading food blogs, found Gluten-Free Girl and The Chef blog, which lead me to the inspiration for my first ever homemade gluten-free recipe, my gluten-free vegan stuffing for Thanksgiving (which is not a tradition within the family to make)! That success started my love for cooking and experimenting in the kitchen and eventually, the birth of this blog. A place to share my recipes and celiac life with others like me.

7 Gems Of Gluten-Free Wisdom | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666 As told by a 7-year celiac #glutenfree #celiacdisease #autoimmune

Well that’s the shortest rundown for you, but you can read all my specific gluten-free lifestyle posts here. Today, I’m going to share 7 gems of wisdom as a 7 year celiac.Read More

Filed Under: Gluten-Free Living, Health, Personal Tagged With: Autoimmune, Autoimmune Disease, Celiac, Celiac Disease, Food Allergies, Gluten, Gluten-Free, Gluten-Free Anniversary, Gluten-Free Living, Health, Personal, Tips

Last Minute College Stock-Up

August 27, 2015 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

I can remember the Friday before I left for my first year of college so vividly. The kitchen and both living rooms were like an obstacle course. The only way to navigate from room to room was by taking precarious and cautious steps, trying to find a bit of foot space between the boxes and crates. Packing is not fun, especially when you aren’t even sure what you need for a whole year away from home. It’s the little things that you wouldn’t think to be important that end up forgotten and quickly grabbed last minute.

Last Minute College Stock Up | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666

That Friday was the last day before we would leave at 4am the next morning. The truck had to be packed and ready to go before we went off to bed. Doing as much checklist checking as we could, organizing, and rearranging to make everything as consolidated as possible was one task we had to do together even though we wanted to spend that last day doing nothing.

We made one final list of the few items that had been forgotten to that point and knew a trip to the store was a must. It was pouring rain that Friday, but we hopped in the car and set out for those last minute essentials. One last trip to Walmart and the packing could be done and the truck could be loaded up.Read More

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: College, Packing, Razers, Schick, Sweepstakes, University, Walmart

The Need For Creative Passions

June 3, 2015 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 74 Comments

We all have those leisure activities that we look forward to doing whenever we have a spare minute. These activities can vary greatly from person to person and may even seem like a chore to some, but the most effortless pleasure to others. The types of activities I’m talking about, are the ones where we are able to actually create. The things that allow our minds to release their creativity in the form of manual physical work that leaves us with something to show. Painting, drawing, needle-work, writing, wood-working, gardening, cooking, the list goes on. Sometimes we don’t even realize which creative work brings us the most joy, but it’s an essential outlet in life that we all do develop.

The Need For Creative Passions | Strength and Sunshine @RebeccaGF666

A lot of these creative hobbies start out of curiosity, then we keep the ones we find pleasure, joy, and stress-relief in, and sometimes we even take them to the next level and make a living out of them. Even if these hobbies stay just that, as hobbies (or passions), it’s so important that we have and nurture them throughout our lives. They become a constructive outlet to let all our inner beauty, thoughts, dreams, and creativity take form outside of our own heads, so they can become our unique gifts to the world.

I’ve always known what mine is and it’s only become even more solidified in my mind these past few weeks. What is it? I’m sure you can guess. COOKING! The ultimate form of beauty, creativity, and manual work. How did I know and continue to nurture this passion of mine?Read More

Filed Under: Motivation, Personal Tagged With: Cooking, Create, Creative, Creativity, Hobbies, Inspiration, Motivation, Passion, Personal

19 Wisdoms Of Life

June 2, 2015 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 66 Comments

Everyone does these, “insert age” lessons or things learned posts around their birthday. So even though, kinda “cheesy” and commonplace in my mind, I still always enjoy reading them. As I’ll be turning 19 this coming Saturday, I sat down over the weekend and wrote out 19 little pieces of life wisdom I feel to be true. There’s a lot of wisdoms I could give you, even at the ripe young age of almost-19. Some of us learn a lot and very quickly due to how we grew-up. Some of us learn a bit later in life. Nonetheless, we will always be learning and evolving and the more we know at a young age, the more we can learn down the road. As I mention in #14, life = change. You will always be changing because of the learning, experiences, and growing that takes place. With each year you add on to your life, always take a moment to reflect back on those changes and realize just how crazy, difficult, and beautiful life is and can be.

19 Wisdoms Of Life | Strength and Sunshine

19 Wisdoms Of Life

1. Every day should be treated as a gift.

2. The body was meant to move. The lungs were meant to breath. Move and breath.

3. Family. They’re the most important ones, so don’t let them go.

4. A hug is one of the greatest gifts.Read More

Filed Under: Personal Tagged With: Birthday, Leaning, Lessons, Life, Personal, Wisdom

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Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I'm so glad you're here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services!


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Meet Rebecca

Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I’m so glad you’re here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services!

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3-Ingredient Classic Gluten-Free Vegan Shortbread Cookies (Allergy-Free)
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Instagram post 2195283970094291867_462853852 What does Christmas taste like? 🤔🎅🎄 THESE COOKIES! 🍪 Vegan White Chocolate Peppermint Cookies (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free) 😋🍪🍫 * These Christmas Crazy Cookies are:👇 Gluten-Free ❤️ Allergy-Free 🧡 Vegan 💛 Low Sugar 💚 Kid-Approved 💙 Quick and Easy💜 9 Simple Ingredients 💖 Full of Sweet Minty Joy 💗 * Break out ALL the @nestletollhouse Simply Delicious allergy-free white chocolate chips and peppermint candies because these cookies deserve MULTIPLE batches! So glad Nestle brought us allergy-free white chocolate chips this year so we all could enjoy Christmas cookie season in STYLE! 🍪🎅🎄 If you haven't stocked up and tried them yet, hurry up!!! You need to try these Christmas-tasting cookies (plus, Celiac Santa called and he put in a request for these!!) Click the link in my bio @rebeccagf666 for the full recipe on the blog! 👆👆 https://strengthandsunshine.com/white-chocolate-peppermint-cookies/ * #christmascookies #homemadecookies #holidaybaking #whitechocolate #peppermint #glutenfree #vegan #dairyfree #eggfree #soyfree #nutfree #top8free #allergyfree #celiac #foodallergies #thefeedfeed #thebakefeed #bakersofinstagram #glutenfreelife #foodallergymom #glutenfreecookies #veganbaking #vegandessert #glutenfreedessert #glutenfreefood #glutenfreebaking #glutenfreeliving #celiacdisease #cookiestagram #vegancookies
Instagram post 2190210617160115376_462853852 What does your family have for Christmas dinner? 🤔 * We have out big celebration on Christmas Eve (the best day, IMO) and have a big buffet of Italian foods set out in my grandparent's kitchen. As a celiac and food allergic vegan, (and the fact that cooking is my profession, haha!) I bring the free-from dishes! * Not only is eggplant parm great for a cozy winter weeknight meal (Meatless Monday, anyone?), but it makes a great plant-forward entree for the holidays that EVERYONE will love! This one is healthier (hello @gowiseusa air fryer! Crispy oil-free eggplant perfection!) and safe for all our celiac, food allergy, and vegan guests and bellies! 🤗 * Easy Vegan Eggplant Parmesan (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free) | Air Fried & Baked! 😋👌🍽 * This Cozy CheeZy Comfort Food is:👇 Gluten-Free ❤️ Allergy-Free 🧡 Vegan 💛 Sugar-Free + Oil-Free + Low Carb 💚 Kid-Approved 💙 Great Meatless Entree for Christmas/Holidays 💜 Air-Fried + Baked (or totally baked if you don't have an air fryer!) 💖 Simple Minimal Ingredients 💗 Healthier Comfort Food with Veggie-Power 💝 * It's snowing here, so I think some cozy comfort food is in order on this chilly Monday! Who's with me? 😂😅❄️ * Click the link in my bio @rebeccagf666 for the full recipe on the blog! 👆👆 https://strengthandsunshine.com/vegan-eggplant-parmesan/ * #comfortfood #airfryer #casserole #glutenfree #vegan #dairyfree #eggfree #soyfree #nutfree #top8free #allergyfree #celiac #foodallergies #thefeedfeed #christmasfood #meatlessmonday #glutenfreelife #foodallergymom #kidapproved #christmasdinner #eatwellbewell #lowcarbrecipes #vegancheese #glutenfreefood #healthyholidays #glutenfreeliving #celiacdisease #goodmoodfood #easymeals #justeatrealfood
Instagram post 2185119379058648148_462853852 Are you ready for THANKSGIVING? 🤷‍♀️ Trying any new dishes this year? 🤔 I hope you got all your grocery shopping done (we all know that every grocery store is a MADHOUSE this week...although it was already crazy last weekend!) 🤣 BUT, I have one more Thanksgiving (or Christmas) recipe for you to add to your to-make list! 😎 Gluten-Free Brown Rice Stuffing Casserole (Vegan, Allergy-Free)! 😋👌🍽 * This Cozy Baked No-Bread Stuffing is:👇 Gluten-Free ❤️ Allergy-Free 🧡 Vegan 💛 Sugar-Free + Oil-Free 💚 Kid-Approved 💙 Great for a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Holiday Side Dish 💜 Easy Meatless Main for Any Weeknight💖 Simple Real Food Ingredients 💗 Healthy Comfort Food at its Finest 💝 * When you don't want bread stuffing, but want something baked (not the overdone "wild rice dressings you see so many recipes for!) this one is a must-try! 😉🥰 * Click the link in my bio @rebeccagf666 for the full recipe on the blog! 👆👆 https://strengthandsunshine.com/gluten-free-brown-rice-stuffing-casserole/ * #brownrice #stuffing #dressing #casserole #glutenfree #vegan #dairyfree #eggfree #soyfree #nutfree #top8free #allergyfree #celiac #foodallergies #thefeedfeed #thanksgivingfood #holidayfood #glutenfreelife #foodallergymom #kidapproved #thanksgivingdinner #sidedishes #veganthanksgiving #glutenfreefood #healthyholidays #glutenfreeliving #celiacdisease #goodmoodfood #easymeals #justeatrealfood
Instagram post 2180062372549618176_462853852 Are you team Pumpkin, Apple, Sweet Potato, or Pecan Pie? 🤔 When it comes to holiday pies, you really can't go wrong with any! 😅🥧 I never found pecan pie appealing, but to complete Strength and Sunshine's portfolio of "crustless pies", I had to figure out a way to make PECAN PIE a thing! This year it happened... 🥳 Crustless Pecan Pie without Corn Syrup (Gluten-Free, Vegan, Paleo, Keto)! 😋🌰🥧👌 * This Peculiarly Perfect Pecan Pie is:👇 Gluten-Free ❤️ Vegan 🧡 Paleo 💛 Keto 💚 Sugar-Free 💙 Healthier, Sweet, & Nutty Southern Comfort 💜 7 Simple Ingredients 💖 EASY & Quick 💝 Only 1 Allergen: Pecans (can't get around that one!) 💘 Begging for a Spot on the Thanksgiving/Christmas Dessert Table 💗 * Click the link in my bio @rebeccagf666 for the full recipe on the blog! 👆👆 https://strengthandsunshine.com/crustless-pecan-pie/ * #pecanpie #pecans #southerncomfort #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingdinner #holidaybaking #glutenfree #vegan #dairyfree #eggfree #soyfree #easyketo #allergyfriendly #ketodessert #celiac #foodallergies #thefeedfeed #thebakefeed #glutenfreelife #foodallergymom #ketobaking #paleodessert #veganbaking #vegandessert #glutenfreedessert #glutenfreefood #glutenfreeliving #celiacdisease #healthybaking #nosugaradded
Instagram post 2177098251824425516_462853852 What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear “gut health”? 🤔 * It's MORE than just digestion! 🧐 Your gut health is connected to just about every aspect of your wellbeing, from your mood to your immune system. 😮@countrylifevitamins came out with a new line of supplements called Gut Connection that helps us balance our microbiome and target the specific areas of our health we need the most help with! 🥳 I got to try out the Digestive Balance, Stress Balance, and Sleep Balance and I’m so glad I did! 🙌 Check out my latest blog post to find out all the details (strengthandsunshine.com/gut-health/) 👏 #Sponsored * #countrylifevitamins #guthealth #guthealthmatters #guthealthy #glutenfree #vegan #foodallergies #allergyfree #nongmo #healyourgut #celiac #celiacdisease #glutenfreeliving #glutenfreelife #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #gutfriendly #guthealing #healthygut #healthandwellness #healthyfamily #healthykids #gutflora #mindandbody #healthmatters #healthysleep #stressmanagment #healthylifestlye
Instagram post 2174976265205847810_462853852 The secret to a fantastic Monday? 🤔 Something a little SWEET and SALTY! 😎 Loaded Vegan White Chocolate Chip Pretzel Cookies (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free) 😋🍪🍫🥨 * These are BIG cookies and they are stuffed with @nestletollhouse new ALLERGY-FREE White Chocolate Chips and my favorite @shopritestores gluten-free pretzels! A super-soft cookie base with @bobsredmill gluten-free flour and @swervesweetie brown "sugar". They will make a perfect new addition to all the cookie parties I know you have coming up! 😉🥳🍪🙌 * These Tastebud Tantalizing Cookies are:👇 Gluten-Free ❤️ Allergy-Free 🧡 Vegan 💛 Low Sugar 💚 Kid-Approved 💙 Quick and Easy💜 9 Simple Ingredients 💖 Holiday Ready or a "Just Because Dessert" 💗 * Who else is ready for COOKIE SEASON? 🤔 Tag a cookie loving friend below! 👇 These "Naughty and Nice" cookies are perfect for kicking off the holiday season! 🍪🎅🎄 Click the link in my bio @rebeccagf666 for the full recipe on the blog! 👆👆 https://strengthandsunshine.com/vegan-white-chocolate-chip-pretzel-cookies-gluten-free/ * #sweetandsalty #cookieseason #holidaybaking #whitechocolate #pretzels #glutenfree #vegan #dairyfree #eggfree #soyfree #nutfree #top8free #allergyfree #celiac #foodallergies #thefeedfeed #thebakefeed #bakersofinstagram #glutenfreelife #foodallergymom #glutenfreecookies #veganbaking #vegandessert #glutenfreedessert #glutenfreefood #glutenfreebaking #glutenfreeliving #celiacdisease #bakedfromscratch #vegancookies
Instagram post 2169912447125673010_462853852 Thanksgiving debate number 2! Side Dish or Dessert? 🤔 Where does the CLASSIC marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole reside? 🤷‍♀️ * It's always been a "sweet" side dish in our family, definitely NOT a dessert! Boy have I MISSED this controversial dish due to the "all vegan marshmallows contain soy, and all soy-free marshmallows aren't vegan". This recipe has been in the works since last year and it is finally here, on the blog, perfected to a T! 👌🥳 THE Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)! 😋👌 * This Spectacular Sweet Potato Casserole is:👇 Gluten-Free ❤️ Allergy-Free 🧡 Vegan 💛 Sugar-Free 💚 Kid-Approved 💙 Paleo Topping Option 💜 6 Simple Ingredients 💖 EASY & Quick (just 10 minutes in the oven! 💝 The Healthiest Sweet Potato Casserole EVER 💗 Holiday Perfection for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Etc. 💘 * How does your family do the traditional sweet potato casserole? 🤔 We've ALWAYS been a "canned candied yam and marshmallow family. I know some people top it with nuts and brown sugar, but that gets a thumbs down from me. It MUST be marshmallow-topped (or in this case...homemade marshmallow fluff topped!) 😂😎 * Click the link in my bio @rebeccagf666 for the full recipe on the blog! 👆👆 https://strengthandsunshine.com/vegan-sweet-potato-casserole-marshmallow/ * #sweetpotatocasserole #sweetpotatoes #marshmallowfluff #aquafaba #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingdinner #holidaybaking #glutenfree #vegan #dairyfree #eggfree #soyfree #nutfree #top8free #allergyfree #celiac #foodallergies #thefeedfeed #thebakefeed #glutenfreelife #foodallergymom #kidapproved #veganbaking #vegandessert #glutenfreedessert #glutenfreefood #glutenfreeliving #celiacdisease #healthybaking #nosugaradded
Instagram post 2164819317391112965_462853852 It's STUFFING Season! 🙌 Or...do you call it Dressing? 🤔 DEBATE! What do you call this classic Thanksgiving side? 🤷‍♀️ Technically, this is "dressing" since it was baked on its own (not inside a bird). 😝 My family has ALWAYS called it stuffing and I grew up in the Northeast. In the South, they tend to call it "dressing". They also tend to make it with...CORNBREAD! 🤩 * I ALWAYS make my famous "traditional" stuffing recipe (on the blog), but a cornbread stuffing sounded delicious to try this year! What's your favorite way to make stuffing/dressing? 🧐 Southern Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing (Vegan, Allergy-Free)! 😋👌🍞🍽 * This Corny Comfort Food is:👇 Gluten-Free ❤️ Allergy-Free 🧡 Vegan 💛 Sugar-Free + Oil-Free 💚 Picky-Eater Approved (even if they don't like traditional stuffing!) 💙 Great for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or ANY weeknight 💜 10 Simple Ingredients 💖 Uses my Homemade Gluten-Free Cornbread 💗 Makes You Feel Warm, Cozy, and Full or Southern Comfort 💝 * So Team Stuffing or Team Dressing!? 🤔 Click the link in my bio @rebeccagf666 for the full recipe on the blog! 👆👆 https://strengthandsunshine.com/gluten-free-cornbread-stuffing-vegan/ * #cornbreadstuffing #cornbreaddressing #cornbread #stuffing #glutenfree #vegan #dairyfree #eggfree #soyfree #nutfree #top8free #allergyfree #celiac #foodallergies #thefeedfeed #thanksgivingfood #southernfood #glutenfreelife #foodallergymom #kidapproved #thanksgivingdinner #sidedishes #glutenfreebread #glutenfreefood #fallrecipes #glutenfreeliving #celiacdisease #goodmoodfood #easymeals #nosugaradded