We B Gluten Free

So you made it through the day. Dinner, that meal when perhaps you sit at the table and share stories about your day with laughter and smiles (see Norman Rockwell paintings or any television commercial). Or it is that meal that you want to have some magic genie prepare so that as you all drag in to the house you can load your plates and head toward your private television to 'zone'. We live in the real world so you can guess which may describe our abode. In either case, peeps want good food that will fulfill their appetite. Depending on how much time you want to take and how fancy, the options are unlimited. I am a fan of Julia Child's cooking. Her recipes generally are not for those in a hurry nor faint of heart. I have found that some are down right intimidating, a challenge if you will. Good times. The good news is that all of her recipes are gluten free adaptable so for tonight, as an example, we had Poulet au Porto.....chicken, mushrooms and cream sauce. I...

It is one of my favorite meals.  Well, they are all my favorite, but I have learned to have a lot of fun with this. Depending on whether it is a lunchbox meal or one selected from a work cafeteria or restaurant, there are tons of options for you. Lets begin with that sack lunch. Cody's Favorite Meals Cheese Quesedilla - Corn Tortillas (MUST say gluten free as many are made with corn and wheat flours) and shredded cheddar jack cheese. Popchips or Corn Nacho Chips (MUST say gluten free) Fruit cup or Sugar Free Jello Fruit Cup Coca Loco Chocolate Bar Yoplait Light He is a creature of habit. So typically the only change he may want is instead of the Quesedilla he loves his Cheese Pizza. Kinnikinick crust, Classic Tomato Sauce of choice and Cheese.   On days where I have forgotten to buy tortillas or don't have pizza ready made, I will use gluten free bread, bun or bagel and make a chicken and cheese sandwich, warmed 20-30 seconds in the microwave. The...

I find this a fun and easy meal. Lots of options, both home cooking and portable. With a teenager there needs to be a meal that can be quick, packed for school and filling. If I haven't said it, caution needs to be given to CALORIES in food. Much of the gluten free foods that are pre-made tend to have a higher carb, fat and calorie count. A mindful eye on these as you navigate the day will certainly help prevent weight gain, the complaint I hear most often from my adult Celiac friends and have observed in my son who gained 70 pounds in 4 months! Yikes. So what might a gluten free menu look like for breakfast? Following are a few or our favorite hot meal menus and a couple of pack and carry meals to consider. Also, there is that eating out thing. A few suggestions for ordering off the menu! There is much opportunity for creativity. As for cooking, if you liked it before, you can make it now.....with a change in an ingredient or two. Not a "loss" but a change.:-) ...

Finally, WHERE'S THE BEEF? I heard it rumbling in the background. Got all the "supporting" elements, even have dessert, but no protein to be found. Not forgotten, but saved the best for last?! Anyway, this is a relatively easy category if you keep a few basic things in mind. Deli and Dogs:  Many sandwich meats, hot dogs, bacon, sausages and the likes have fillers. These can include wheat or malt, occasionally barley. Whether it is to give it flavor, texture or enhanced appearance, it is there hidden in the ingredient list. My favorite line of sandwich meats and cheeses is Boar's Head. The product line boasts it's always been gluten free including hot dogs. And there is a tremendous variety of lean healthy choices. If you do not have Boar's Head, be sure to ask to see ingredient labels prior to slicing or purchasing. That is one bad tummy ache that will sneak up on you! Boar's Head Brand There are other products you will find as well. I love Hebrew N...

Okay, it is time to think about "the juice". What liquids can we put on, in, around or over our food? This is a bit more complex than it sounds, and yet is not difficult to solve at all. After all, you add liquid to nearly a 100% of things you create. So lets begin. Sauces and Gravies: Red sauces and White sauces are often gluten free. Without that "stamp" on the label you have to look. Where danger enters is the HIDDEN or MISSED gluten in things such as Soy Sauce or Teriyaki Sauce. It is even in licorice ... but that is not a sauce is it:-) Label reading or declaration are critical here. Caution here is to pay attention to the additives for flavor. On the other hand, gravies are "thickened" with flour. Occasionally you will find a blend of cornstarch and flour. If you make from scratch you could use just cornstarch, but may find flavor ....personal opinion ..... yucky:-(   BUT there are many things you can add to enhance flavor and several g...

Well you are on your way to a treat! This has become one of my favorite categories! I have found that not only are there many great options, but there are many more great recipes and mixes that open the door to my creative juices. I love to bake, even more then cooking. But a great Julia Child's cookbook can certainly inspire me. But I digress. As we continue our assessment of foods that are eligible for gnashing, we find not only are there great options, but we might discover that some of our current favorites are already gluten free. This is probably one of the most valuable lessons.....financially and anxiety wise. And one I wish I would have learned pre-trashing my cupboards. See post one if you are "in the dark". Anyway, you will find it well worth your time to visit some websites here and learn what is already on the shelves in the local grocer. As I have encouraged in the previous posts, go to the website of companies whose products you currently consume and se...