Gluten-free Ladybug

funny how time flies...

2008-10-31T17:05:00.000-07:00

So I ran into someone yesterday and she asked how my blog was.....well....should I be honest?

No good.

Sometimes I find it discouraging to type away, post, photo shop and put effort into something that only has one reader. Then I think, one reader who may not know anything about Celiac disease may be enough.

My ego is still adjusting.

So I am planning to blog more. To keep in tune and in touch with the new faves.

Thanks Millstream Market for the kick in the pants.

My sister's visit

2008-05-20T07:22:00.001-07:00

Hayley, Steph and Quinn outside the ferry terminal.
Me and Steph - photo taken by Hayley!

My sister flew here for five days to take in the National Celiac Convention with me. We had such a good time! Actually, I am a big believer in "you never get more than you can handle" - and she arrived on Wednesday and was able to be here and be a HUGE help to both Roger and I during the time of Chantal's funeral and all the arrangements that needed to be made. I love her! So do the girls, who had a blast with their "Aunty Stuffy".

The Conference was a huge success. Every year a new city has the privileged of hosting it, and Victoria seems to have a huge drawing card with it being the provincial capital and home of the gardens. It was held adjacent to the Empress, with a gluten free tea provided to all those who had nothing better to spend $60 on than tea and sandwiches with the crusts cut off as well.

We had over 400 people registered (the last conference was capped at 280) and when we opened it to the public on Saturday afternoon - we had a staggering 850 people come through the door! We had to have security and everything! It was a huge awareness weekend for us in the Celiac Community - we had home tests that are approved for use here in Canada for sale and over 100 untested individuals took them home! Poor doctors.....

Steph and I had a great time, it was a huge bonding weekend for us, with us both sharing the common gene of Celiac and sisterhood. I miss you Steph!

Buckwheat pancakes

2008-04-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

These pancakes pack a punch. They are beautiful, filling and simple to make. It is a great breakfast option, with butter and pure Maple syrup and topped with strawberries. They are very filling, and so for this, I recommend eating one only. But you might not be able to stop at just one!

Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes

**These highly nutritious pancakes contain more than double the protein of a couple of traditional ones, plus they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids**

I cup buckwheat flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup hemp protein
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 ts[ nutmeg
1 banana
1 1/2 cups water
1/2-3/4 cup blueberries
1/2 cup buckwheat grouts, sprouted or cooked

Instructions:

In a bowl, mix buckwheat flour, flaxseed, hemp protein, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

In a food processor (or in my case, a blender, as my Kitchen Aid does not arrive until we move into our new house!!) process banana and wanter while slowly adding dry ingredients. Process until mixture is smooth. Stir in blueberries and buckwheat grouts.

Very lightly oil a pan with coconut or grape seed or olive oil - and put on medium heat. Pour in pancake batter and cook for about 5 minutes or until bubbles begin to appear. Flip and allow to cook for another 5 minutes. Since these pancakes contain essential fatty acids that are destroyed at high heat, they are cooked at a lower temperature than traditional pancakes and therefore take a bit longer to cook.

**you can further increase nutritional value by replacing the hemp and ground flaxseed with Vega Whole food Smoothie infusion. This will give the pancakes a slight greenish colour, but is super yummy.

This recipe was found in a magazine called Clean Eating an is one of the best new magazines out there. It's statement is to "...improve your life, one meal at a time...." It has gluten free recipes, shopping tips, meal plans, and tons of interesting articles. I highly recommend this magazine!

Enjoy your Sunday, we had a freak snowstorm here in Victoria BC - a place that is world famous for its Butchart Gardens....but today is sunny and little bug and I are off for a bike ride to see big sister play a lacrosse game. All fueled by these buckwheat pancakes!

I saw my name in print!

2008-04-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

Well, it happened.

The Celiac newsletter that our Chapter puts out published my blog address! So that means one of two things......more readers stopping by my humble blog...........OR.............life going on as normal.

Let's hope that I have some readers!

I have been busy as of late, but with the added pressure of knowing that I will have my fellow Celiac sisters and brothers reading my latest contribution, I may have to update more often.

I will leave you pondering this question:

Would you eat a protein bar that you made yourself? With the knowledge of knowing without a shadow of a doubt that it is gluten free?

If you answered yes, then this recipe is for you:

PEANUT CRUNCH BARS

1 TBSP honey
1 TSP vanilla
1/2 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta)
1/2 TSP cinnamon
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 cup almond butter or chunky all natural peanut butter
5 scoops of vanilla protein powder**
1/2 cup gf flour (I used garfava - for added yumminess)

Puree honey, vanilla, cottage cheese (or ricotta), cinnamon, and water together in a food processor. Then transfer all to a large bowl. Mix in peanut/almond butter.

Add protein powder, gf flour and mix well. Add water.

Line 9X9 dish with plastic wrap. Put mixture in dish and top with slivered almonds. Gently pat down the almonds so they are "stuck" to mixture. Chill overnight and then cut into bars (I did small bars, as they are filling)

**Hartland Gold, Sprouted, non GMO Brown Rice protein powder is gluten free, soy and lactose free. Each scoop contains 16g protein. Yummy in smoothies or pancakes if you are trying to add more protein in your diet.

Enjoy!

An Epiphany

2008-03-21T09:45:00.000-07:00

I am two weeks into boot camp and loving it. I love the feel of new muscles budding out of places ne'er seen before. I love the fun and inclusion of working out. I love that I do this without kids, talking to adults and sculpting my body in the process.

I especially love that I can now do TWO military push ups instead of ONE a week ago.

What I have discovered on this journey through a change in nutrition and food journaling is that my body does not like dairy. I took it out of my diet one week before boot camp began, and started to see the difference then. No bloating, no nasal congestion, no fatigue and really full feeling after eating. No trips to the bathroom - so to speak..... So I began to listen to my body once again, and what I heard it saying was .....cut out the cheese please.

So I am a modified lactose intolerant chick now. I still eat cottage cheese, but only two times a week, and never two days in a row. I also have plain, unflavoured yogurt with fresh berries and homemade granola. Other than that, I really try hard to not eat it. My body, and tummy love me for it.

I used to think that I was cross- contaminated, or "glutened" as some say when really it was dairy. I used to doubt my ability to eat truly gluten free when I felt sick after, when it was dairy. I used to think my body was self-sabotaging when it was really dairy. Take dairy out of the equation, change nothing else, and BINGO it was dairy as the culprit all along.

So now I am a gluten-free, dairy-free girl!

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

2008-03-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

I got adventurous and made some new muffins. Roger is taking them to work, and I need something quick and easy to eat now that I am bootcamp. They were wonderful - moist, lemony, they did not taste gluten free at all!

**for the flour I used Carole's quick mix (sorghum flour, potato flour and tapioca starch) but you could use any gluten free flour that you like.

LEMON POPPY SEED MUFFINS

1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. powdered milk
3 eggs
1 c. oil
3 c. gluten free flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp xanthan gum
1 1/2 tbsp. poppy seeds
1 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
1 1/2 tsp. melted butter
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Grated lemon peel from 2 lemons

Cream together sugar, powdered milk, eggs and oil. Add flour, salt and baking powder alternately to creamed mixture with 1 1/2 cups milk. Add remaining ingredients. Beat 1 to 2 minutes. Pour into muffin pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Magnificent Mushroom Soup

2008-02-26T13:53:00.001-08:00

Not blurry, that is the steam rising from the sauteed veggies.

When I was a kid (like two summers ago) the thought of eating a mushroom was enough to throw off the gag reflex. Seeing them on a raw veggie plate left me feeling slightly off. Knowing what they grew in was enough to do me in. The thought of them in spaghetti sauce, or from a can for .98 at the grocery store was repulsive.

Then I was diagnosed with Celiac. It opened my eyes to my limited veggie repertoire. I ate broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots with vigor. I had peppers when I remembered to buy them. I ate avocado when it was a premix for guacamole. Basically I ate three veggies. I guess five - I forgot to add in lettuce and tomato on my fast food burger.

We try to eat healthy. We eat veggies every day now. I have a container in my fridge with cut up veggies and dip that comes out on the table every night about 4pm/the witching hour. My girls gobble up sweet peas, peppery radishes, sweet peppers, celery, carrots and ....yes....raw mushrooms.

I saw a great recipe in the Gluten Free Girl book that I recently blogged about, and thought that I would try it out. It was amazing. Photos first, recipe and instructions to follow.

simmering in the sherry and rice flour mixture.

then add enough stock/water to cover by 1"

The finished product accompanied with flax and ground corn tortillas.

Recipe:

1-2 pounds of mixed exotic mushrooms (I used white and brown button, shiitaki, enoki, oyster, and portabello)
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves - minced fine
2 tbsp fresh thyme
1 large carrot - finely chopped
2 celery stalks - finely chopped
1 large onion - minced
3/4 cup sherry
3 tbsp rice flour
2 cups cream
**I used vegetable stock to cover my mixture, but you could use water if you wanted**

Instructions:

easy peasy.

Melt butter and olive oil. Add garlic and only cook for about 30 seconds. Add in all veggies and toss to coat in lovely garlic blend. Turn heat to medium and cook down for about 5 minutes. Add thyme. Sprinkle with rice flour and add sherry. Cook until sherry is reduced by about 1/3. Add stock/or water to cover mixture by about 1-2". Cover and cook for about 10 minutes. Transfer to food processor or use hand blender to puree down to fine mixture. Put back in pot and add cream. Stir gently in until well incorporated.

I found that it was too thick this way, so I played around with the stock ratio, and added a bit more.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Get ready for it to not last long.

Hello new relationship with mushrooms!

OMG!

2008-02-24T18:16:00.000-08:00

We are mentioned in the CeliacChicks website!

Yahoo!

TGIF Conference.

Scroll down to second post there.

An Amazing Book

2008-02-24T17:56:00.001-08:00

I just finished reading the most amazing book. I have read/stalked/commented on her blog, read recipes from her, but never in the completed form as her book.

The gluten free girl rocks!

Her book is well laid out, full of poignant stories of her childhood, tales of processed food that she (and all of us within the same demographic and age line) grew up on, as well as practical advice. She is an easy read, full of great dialogue and when she explains food - the way it feels in your hands, the smell, the taste, the texture - you can close your eyes and picture it all. I loved this book.

It helped that she speaks of home as Seattle. With familiar places within the pages as Pike Place Market and others. I love that she embraces the 100 mile diet when at all possible, and supports the ma and pop stores. She made me take a good long look at my gluten free lifestyle and examine some of my habits and traditions.

Gluten free can be just like a gluten filled lifestyle. One can opt to eat frozen gf pizza from the shelves or you can find a great mix and make one at home. You can reheat a mac and cheese or you can buy Tinkiyada pasta, grate some fancy cheese, sprinkle it with rice flour and season to taste. While it is bubbling away in the oven you can read a book, or surf the net, all the while anticipating the great taste that only homemade brings.

My life is full of cooking potential. We made a pact when I was diagnosed that we would not eat anywhere that I could not eat as well. That means when we eat as a family, we do not enter anywhere where I have to stare at them while they eat and I nibble on a rice cake. We only eat where I feel safe to order, and it is becoming more and more apparent that I am affected more with cross contamination as time goes on. So we eat out less. That is the bad side.

The good side is all the money that we can then spend to experiment in the kitchen. We can try new recipes, eat good food that is in season, buy fresh and from a butcher or a fish monger, and introduce our girls to a whole host of good eats.

So tonight we are having lemon herb garlic organic chicken, quinoa and brown rice pilaf, steamed broccoli topped with pistachios and parm cheese and a yummy glass of white wine.

Gluten free goodness, all within reach of our front door.

Lunch with Quinners

2008-02-23T16:36:00.000-08:00

Today, being Saturday, we had some running around to do. Like return my $100 shoes that were the most uncomfortable things known to mankind. And book a birthday party at Build A Bear workshop for my older daughter who turns eight on Sunday.

While at the mall, Quinners (who is almost three) decides that she can no longer walk properly, talk properly, or act appropriately until she has food. As all of you with allergies/sensitivities/Celiac know - the food fair at the mall is no place to be ordering food and not have some cross-contamination involvement.

Except New York Fries. Who knew?

Yes, they use 100% Canola oil, and only potatoes are dropped into the oil. Nothing is coating the potatoes. No batter of any kind. Nothing else is deep fried there. Utensils are only used for fries, salt shakers contain only salt. Employees washing their hands. A designated "fryer operator". No cross contamination here.

So Quinners and I spent a mother daughter moment, in the food fair of Hillside Mall, sharing a small milk and eating fries. Each with our own ketchup. Mine sprinkled with white vinegar. Talking like a 37 year old and a two-and-three-quarters girl can.

It was fast food bliss.

A new find for me!

2008-02-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

Yet another product from Lundburg (the most amazing rice manufacture in the world) that is gluten free/vegan and organic too!

I have to be honest, we attempt very hard to eat "outside of the box", but with this amazing product, one wonders why.

The taste does not indicate that it is from a box, with easy instructions and a yummy taste. I was curious to see how the ginger miso tasted, and it was delicious!

Accompanying the rice was a beautiful baked trout with fresh herbs and garlic butter infusion, roasted carrots with curry and honey, and tender brilliant green asparagus.

All this for a Wednesday night with our two girls and my main man. We celebrated hump day, which means that the week was halfway over. We slurped up the asparagus without cutting it, ate up the still crisp carrots, lingered over the salmon and rice. We had great communication and wonderful food.

Who needs gluten anyhow?

Bad photo, but you'll get the idea...

2008-02-22T12:58:00.000-08:00

My favorite tea, Raspberry Zinger, now boasts to be "gluten free".....

Who knew that previous to being diagnosed that one would have to concern oneself with gluten free tea, but I guess that is where we have come to as a society.

I applaud the Celestial Seasoning company for putting this on their packaging!

One baby step for us.....

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

I always get a box of chocolates for Valentines Day. Roger makes every attempt to buy gluten free, and I love him for it. This year, I jumped the gun.....so bad me.

I bought a box of Lindt Lindor chocolates and low and behold the ingredients have changed and are as follows: Sugar, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, cocoa butter, milk, cocoa mass, soya lecithin, barley malt extract and artificial flavour.

No more lindt lindor chocolates for me. Damn, and they were good.

Lovin' GF style!

2008-02-14T13:56:00.001-08:00

Last night Roger came home from work and said that he had the best recipe! (pause for effect)

Yep, quinoa! (he pronounced it kind of like kinky - wah) So we made pilaf!

1/2 cup of quinoa
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 shallot diced small
1/2 red pepper
minced garlic

In a pot I put a little olive oil and added the veggies. After about 2 minutes I added the quinoa to toast a bit then added the chicken stock. I brought it to a boil and then turned down the heat and simmered it for about 15 minutes.

Yum!

Even Roger liked the kinky wah!

Yet another mention in a mainstream mag!

2008-02-03T08:18:00.000-08:00

In the March issue of Canadian Living we are mentioned once again! yippee!

In the letter section, it mentions that in the December recipes, they featured "Gluten-free gingerbread mini-cakes with lemon glaze." It has since had rave reviews!

THEN... on page 34 there is a great idea for food section. The heading reads..... Gluten-free, YIPPEE! Quoting directly, " Gluten-free, these tasty and formerly taboo foods may lure in people without celiac sensitivities, too.
1. Brewed from gluten-free rice and buckwheat, La Messagere beer is made by Quebec microbrewery Les Bieres de la Nouvelle-France. With honeyed citrus aromas, it tastes like a cross between a lager and cider; 4.7 per cent alcohol, 341 ml, $18 per six pack.
2. JK Gourmet Granola contains heart-healthy nuts, seeds and dried fruits - with no gluten, refines sugars, grains or preservatives. Available in four varieties; 350 g, $9.99."

Then there is a health/prevention article that talks about Extreme Food Allergies and Celiac is mentioned here as well.

I am over the moon that mainstream mags are talking about us Celiacs! It is great to subscribe to this Canadian publication and upon opening it, there is a recipe that I don't even have to modify!

I will be digging out my December issue and cooking up some gingerbread men. Await the results!

Another book to my library

2008-01-28T14:09:00.001-08:00

This is a very good read. She is hilarious, which makes the medical jargon easier to swallow - pardon the pun.

You should read it!

Yahoo! Success in the Kitchen once again!

2008-01-25T13:46:00.000-08:00

Roger bought me this book for Christmas, and inside it, Carol has an amazing flour recipe. It is as follows:

1 1/2 cups of sorghum flour
1 1/2 cups of potato or corn starch
1 cup tapioca flour

Now, this is the first recipe that I have tried with the above mixture, and was a bit hesitant. I love banana loaf, and when one is deemed inedible by even the daycare kids standards, a part of my soul shrivels up.

IT WAS NOT ONLY A SUCCESS, IT WAS DELICIOUS!
Here it is, cooking away, look at the domed top. The golden crust, the height. The not so clean oven. Oh well.

It was amazing warm, with real butter and raspberry jam. We ate half a loaf just yesterday alone. Below is the recipe.

Banana loaf

1 stick of butter
3 large very ripe bananas
2 cups gf flour - see above
1 cup sugar (although I used 3/4 white and 1/4 brown)
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup of dried cranberries

In a large bowl, cream the butter and the sugar together. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and bananas. Slowly add the flour/baking powder combo until dry ingredients become moist. Stir in the cranberries. Spray loaf pan for best results.

Turn into loaf pan and bake at 325 degree oven for 1 hour 20 minutes. Do not underbake.

Yahoo!

A great restaurant night

2008-01-23T21:02:00.000-08:00

Tonight we went to an East Indian restaurant with the other members of the Victoria Celiac Association. It was yummy. The menu was veggie pakoras, daal, tandoori chicken, shrimp curry, garbanzo bean and chicken curry, spicy veggie dish, basmati rice, and various yogurt, chutney and topped off with rice pudding for dessert. So nice to eat in confidence with other members, and it was a great night out.

My goal is to publish here more often. This is my first entry of hopefully many more.

Chicken Corn Chowder

2007-06-01T07:49:00.001-07:00

I had some leftover potatoes, corn and chicken in my fridge - so I concocted this yummy soup.

In a large saucepan add 1 tbsp olive oil and heat slightly. To this, add 1 cup chopped shallot and 1 cup carrots. Saute until shallots are turning clear and carrots are slightly tender. Add red potatoes, cut up chicken, and spices that you like. I use McCormick garlic and herb, and salt and pepper. Add to the pot 10 cups of chicken broth and one can of corn. Simmer on the stove for 30 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Add one cup sour cream. With a hand held blender, puree some of the soup to create a thicker consistency - incorporating the sour cream.

Enjoy! I love this soup as it is slightly thick, but no flour is used at all. Yummy!

Chewy cholate chip cookies

2007-05-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

Finally I found a recipe for choco chip cookies, gluten-free of course, that stay chewy and soft. Believe it or not, it was found on the "Land o'Lakes" Butter website. It is amazing what you can find when you google "gluten-free chewy chocolate chip cookies".

2 1/4 cups gf flour**
1 tsp bp
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
3/4 cups softened butter
3/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips

**gf mix I used was as follows: 2 cups rice flour, 2/3 cups potato starch, 1/3 cup tapioca flour - makes more than what is asked, store extra in container for next time!

Method: cream butter and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs and beat until frothy. Slowly add all dry ingredients until well incorporated. With a spatula add chocolate chips.

Drop on a ungreased sheet (either covered with parchment paper or not) by the spoonful. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 5-7 minutes or until JUST browning on the top. Be careful not to overbake, they lose their chewiness.

Important to allow to cool fully on sheet before moving to cooling rack. Store batter in the fridge while previous batches are in oven.

They are incredible!

Dinner from Greece

2007-05-21T09:14:00.000-07:00

Home made hummus. Recipe is easy.....

1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed.
2 tbsp of organic tahini
1 tbsp garlic, minced
large handful of parsley
1 tbsp cumin
salt and pepper

Place all in a food processor and slowly drizzle olive oil in until consistency is how you like it. I personally like it a bit chunky.
Greek salad - chop up cucumber, red peppers, and roma tomatoes ( no olives or onions for this girl - but feel free) and break up feta cheese. Top with dressing of choice, although I found a new one on the market here. Renee Gourmet greek feta. On the side of the jar it states..."no artificial flavours or colours, trans fat free, source of omega-3 polyunsaturates, low in saturated fats, no added sugar, gluten-free. How can one go wrong?
Risotto (I know, I skipped a region in Europe and this is from Italy...but we love it), with butternut squash and parm cheese. Pork skewers, marinated in olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and oregano. We dipped them in tzatziki and Roger had pita bread.

A great Sunday night dinner.

Quinn ate tzatziki.

The best product on the market (imo)

2007-05-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

The FAMOUS product. You can make cookies, waffles, pancakes, muffins, and it substitutes straight across in traditional recipes.
Turkey bacon....just because you are Celiac you should not deprive oneself! Everything tastes better with bacon....yummy.
Light, fluffy, loaded with flax seed pancakes. With real butter and Lundburg farms Brown Rice syrup. So delicious. I am in heaven readers!

The first year of being diagnosed with Celiac I bought about every kind of gf-flour that there was. Brown rice, chick-pea, white rice, tapioca, potato starch, .......and attempted many a concoction to create my own mixes. No avail. I was cautious to purchase any "already made" flours as not only are they pricy, but I thought they would be akin to buying cheese slices versus block cheese. Full of preservatives, convenience, and what if they are gross too? Then I am out $7 for a package of flour. Then I fell in love with Pamela's. It is AWESOME. So versatile, so tasty, and best of all, so convenient....all the things a Celiac looks for!

Now, what to do with all the flours in my pantry? Any ideas what I can do with chick pea flour?

A new member of the club

2007-05-15T20:59:00.000-07:00

My sister was diagnosed with Celiac today. Funny story though. She did not have to wait very long to have a biopsy done, but had to wait 3 weeks to see her doctor. Funny how that is. She is overwhelmed right now, but like almost all of us, is so thankful to know what is that made her so sick.

My thoughts are with you sis, I have loads of information for you when you are ready.

Repost of Pizza Recipe for fabgrandma

2007-05-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

Hey! I hear that you are experimenting with pizza - the ultimate in fast food. One of the items that I miss most being gluten free.

This is my stand by pizza recipe - so easy and fast. My daughters like this one better than the gluten-filled one. This one is thin crust, crispy on the outside and slightly chewy texture in the inside. I love it!

Enjoy!

The easiest and tastiest GF pizza dough recipe.

WARNING: not modified for your other allergies, Lynn, sorry!

1/4 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/3 cup cornstarch
2/3 cup rice flour
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup melted butter

Beat eggs and milk together. Add the other ingredients, minus the butter. Mix well, THEN add butter.
Spread on greased pizza pan (biggie) that has been sprinkled with cornmeal. Leave a thicker crust on edges.
Spread on your sauce, toppings and *cheese*. Often I eat this with pesto, chicken, peppers and goat cheese. YUM. So west coast though.
Bake in 350 oven for 20-25 minutes. Under broiler for last 5.

Piece (of pizza) out to you too Lynn.

BLOG LIFTED, BUT I LOVE THIS ONE!

2007-05-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

On a blog site I like GF mommy wrote this for a contest. I thought that you would all get a kick out of it, I know that I relate to each point. Cut and copied in entirety.

I used to get irritated when people would compliment me on losing my baby weight from my first pregnancy and then immediately discount it when they found out I was on a gluten-free diet. Oh, of course, you are thin! Of course, nothing! It takes discipline whether you are following a diet for health reasons, due to celiac disease, or to just plain lose weight. However, some things about having Celiac disease does make it easier. I will let you in on the secret.

1. Convenience- I think one of the reasons America is overweight is the prevalence of convenience (read ‘junk’) foods. When you go on a gluten-free diet these foods might as well cease to exist. Nearly all convenience foods contain wheat or gluten of some kind. These high-fat, high-sodium foods are off-limits on the gluten-free diet. I am sure you can imagine your dress size dropping too.

2. Low prices- Specialty gluten-free products are much more expensive than mainstream products. I don’t know about you, but I think twice about eating a second cookie after paying $4 for a box of six small cookies. I buy and eat in moderation!

3. Strawberries- Well, ok not just strawberries, but naturally gluten-free things like strawberries. I am talking about things God has put on this earth that don’t come with labels at the grocery store. I never appreciated the full flavor or value of a strawberry until going gluten-free. I eat my five fruits and vegetables a day now that I am on a gluten-free diet. Instead of grabbing a cookie or some other processed food, I grab a handful of strawberries. Aw, the simple things in life! (By the way, this goes hand-in-hand with #2 - compared to prepackaged junk food, fresh fruit and veggies cost next to nothing–in both the short and long term.)
4. Immunity to most Marketing Tricks. Since I avoid most of the central aisles of the grocery store that contain the processed foods, I am not subject to most of the marketing ploys that food companies and grocery store chains are using*. I cannot just grab the newest brand or newest product in the shiny new packaging without calling or sending the company a letter or email inquiring about their manufacturing practices and the product’s gluten content. It really kills the ‘impulse’ in the impulse buy. (Which subsequently kills the ‘buy’ too.)

5. Ubiquity- People living on a gluten-free diet can not stop at every restaurant or buy gluten-free products at every corner grocery store. Since gluten-free food is not available everywhere, you don’t eat so much or so often. So many people in America talk about cutting back on their fast food intake, but one quick diagnosis of celiac disease and that problem has been eliminated for you! I estimate that about 95% of the food served at fast food restaurants contains gluten and the other 5% of the menu items have been cross-contaminated. Just imagine packing a healthy cooler filled with sandwiches, fruits, vegetables, and homemade baked goods when going on a road trip. Who does this? Celiacs do! Some celiacs even take their rice cooker on the road with them! How much weight would you lose if you could never eat fast food? I bet the thought has made you reconsider throwing away those college jeans for one more year…I certainly haven’t thrown mine away yet.

*If you are interested in learning more about how the food industry manipulates consumers into impulse buys and other unwise purchases check out Marion Nestle’s book What to Eat

* Also, check out Lucy’s Free From Blog! She wrote a great post for the contest, Top Five Places to Eat Gluten Free.

*Also, check out Karen’s post at Gluten Free Food Reviews, Top Five Gluten Free Foods to Make Your Mouth Water.

Interesting....

2007-05-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

Just finished reading "Celiac Chicks" blog and this was a link within her rave review of gf pizza crust (nudge nudge Lynn). When I read it I was awestruck. I cannot believe how much crap is making its way into our food. No wonder our life expectancy is shorter than that of our grandparents. I guess being celiac does have its positive points after reading what is added to flour and wheat.....

read all about it here.

Clean out your fridge Quiche

2007-05-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

I LOVE quiche. Something about the texture of baked eggs, cheese and whatever filler you want to add is very appealing to me. I make it about twice a month, and dine on it whenever the craving hits. It is modified (as is everything) to make it gluten free - just omit the crust. I never use a recipe for this one, just chuck whatever the fridge may hold in its clutches for the week.

Clean out your fridge Quiche.....

*6 eggs
*1 cup milk (or cream if you are daring enough)
*lots o' cheese, whatever you have - cheddar, parm, havarti, goat, or a mixture thereof
*seasonings (now, I use McCormick seasonings, they are gluten-free and come in a whole host of flavours like garlic, table salt, lemon pepper, cajun.....)

*Fillings:
-chopped mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, broccoli, bacon, chicken, or WHATEVER you want to add to make up 2 cups.

Mix egg and milk together in a bowl, add seasonings and cheese. Pour into a "pam-sprayed" pie plate or quiche pan (which believe it or not, I do not own). Add filling and push down into egg mixture so that it is covered. Place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. You know the drill.

Yummy goodness. I especially love the bacon, tomato, havarti cheese combo. Spinach, chicken and pinenuts is good too. Make up your own concoction and enjoy quiche. It is for real men you know.

The best cookies ever!

2007-04-28T07:11:00.000-07:00

My first post is dedicated to my blogger friend, Lynn, and her freetoeat blogspot. She is an amazing individual, who despite having to eliminate a whole host of foods from her diet continues to think positive and radiate creativity.

Thank you Lynn for your unwavering support of all things that make us "free to eat".

I bake something every week, so you can see where the frustration would come into play when I had to modify my favorite recipes to be gluten-free. I was stuck on baking the same things, and sadly, not as satisfied with my results. This cookie recipe will soon rank top of the food chain for me, soft, moist, chocolate-y goodness.

Pumpkin Choco Chip Cookies

1 cup honey
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup margarine, butter or shortening
1 tbsp orange juice
2 cups white rice flour
2 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients together in a big bowl, stir well. Drop on an ungreased sheet and bake for 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

*you can add/substitute raisins for chocolate chips.

Lynn, these are truly the best cookies I have tasted in a lonnnngggg time. Thank you!

New blog for me!

2007-04-26T11:10:00.000-07:00

I am beginning to realize that my family blog often has recipes, gluten-free articles and Celiac postings. So I created a new blog.

Here you will find all things pertaining to Celiac Disease, gluten-free living, and my attempts at creating tasty meals. I will even be so brave as to include my failed attempts. I know they will be a plenty!

Sit back, enjoy and thank you for reading!