Gluten...Gluten Free???

Gluten...Gluten free, that is the question I have to ask myself. I just returned from Pennsylvania once again from a trip to visit family. It was the grand "Twins" High School graduation, and something I definitely didn't want to miss. I have been back and forth to Pennsylvania a total of six times in the past month and a half, and I feel like I have been living out of my car, along with my sick feline Angel.  She is definitely not enjoying all this traveling in the car lately :-(  , and she sulks.

My dilemma this trip is that I was definitely NOT prepared, and the schedule was so quick paced that fast foods made up most of my meals. We have a favorite hot dog shop in my old stomping grounds named "The Brighton Hot Dog Shop" ...they have been around for as long as I can remember, even as a teenager. Their chili hot dogs are out of this world, along with their famous fries!

After the graduation ceremony this is the spot where everyone decided to meet. Nothing on their menu is even remotely gluten free, but being that I hadn't eaten since around 11 AM and it was now 9:30 in the evening, I decided I would just have to bite the bullet and indulge...

The very next day my choices was almost as bad. Although at breakfast I was on back on track, the rest of the day pretty much went the same as the previous evening....Huge mistake! When will I ever learn???

Since I am the only one who is eating gluten free in the family (my husband has shifted gears ever so slightly) they just don't seem to understand its importance, although with all the physical "symptoms" many of them have, they should be living a gluten free lifestyle as well.

I am now back home and can finally get back on track, although I am pretty sure it is going to take awhile for all that gluten to get out of my system, and for the physical symptoms from indulging in gluten laden foods to go away. Possibly this trip I have learnt my lesson, as even the arthritic symptoms in my hands have seemed to resurface, OUCH! And my body is screaming at me for loading it with foods it has a hard time tolerating. What was I thinking, putting into my body what it considers to be poison????

Some out there might think I am a little off for my eating style, some might even think it is another crazy fad, but for myself I know it is a much needed way of life. Next time I will definitely be prepared, and at this moment I am working on a emergency traveling kit to better stay on track.

If anyone has any ideas on traveling gluten free please feel free to post a comment to share...We all need a little help now and then!

As always...have a great gluten free week!
Sharon 

Pumpkin Cake review...

Hi all. The past week has been pretty much gloom and doom here in Ohio with all the rain and wind we have had lately. I just returned home this past Friday from a week long trip visiting family in Pa., and I will be leaving once again tomorrow for just a few days to attend the grand "Twins" graduation ceremony.

It seems that I have done so much traveling lately that all I want to do is to stay home for awhile now. On days like today, when I feel my stress level begin to escalate while getting ready for the trip,  I did what soothes me the most....and that is BAKE!

I had a Pumpkin cake mix in my pantry from my friends at Taste of Gluten Free so I decided to take a few minutes to relax my mind, and settle myself down.  Besides... I need SUGAR when I am stressed!

The cake turned out delicious as I knew it would.  All products I have tried from this company so far have been quite delicious. The cake was light, fluffy and moist. I once again was not disappointed. The cake makes 9 servings with only 8g of sugar per slice, not a bad way to satisfy a sweet tooth...

I am anxious to try their chocolate and vanilla cake mixes as well since I am currently taking a cake decorating class. If I am going to make my cakes look pretty, I darn well want them to taste delicious too!

Well I am off to finish packing...and enjoy another piece of pumpkin cake :-)

Have a great gluten free day!
Sharon

 

Zucchini bread from XO Baking Co.

Do you want to be able to bake delicious  goodies without all the hassle of figuring out the recipes for yourself? Then drop by the X O Baking Company site. This company has already figured out what tastes great, and now you can make it at home without all the hassle of going it alone!

Their mixes include both sweet and savory goods. All of them are simple to make, and quite delicious! I recently made their Gluten Free Zucchini bread Mix and it was not only easy to make, but quite good. I love the fact they included coconut flour to add a little fiber to the mix. The bread came out nicely browned, moist, and was so delicious fresh from the oven with some butter on top. Mmmmm...All their products are certified gluten free and Kosher.

They offer a All Purpose Flour, Banana Bread Mix, Corn Bread Mix, Pumpkin Bread Mix, Zucchini Bread Mix and Pancake & Waffle Mix.

For more sweeter desserts be sure to check out their Oatmeal Cookie Mix, Gingerbread Cookie Mix, Pound Cake Mix, Double Chocolate Peppermint Mix, Sugar Cookie Mix, Fudge Brownie Mix and Cupcake and Frosting mixes! They offer 19 mixes in all, quite a selection.

I have used several of their mixes before and have never been disappointed. They always come out to perfection and leave you coming back for seconds. I hope you drop by the site and order a few mixes. By the way....their brownies are to die for!!!!!!!

Happy gluten-free baking!
Sharon

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Almonds...

Hi all. Found this great Mothers Day idea over at HGTV.....Great site with lots of ideas. Enjoy!

 

      Ingredients:

     6 cups baby spinach
     1 pint strawberries, sliced
     1/2 cup sliced almonds
     1 small white onion, sliced
     3 tablespoons fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
     Great with GF store-bought poppy-seed dressing, or your Mom's favorite...

Directions:

Fill a large bowl with spinach, then layer on white onions. Add the slivered almonds around the outside. Add a layer of sliced strawberries to the top of the spinach salad. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and top with sliced strawberries. Serve with favorite dressing.

Gluten Free Coconut Macaroon by New Grains...

Morning all. It has been a whirlwind week as I was traveling once again....I had just received a sample pack of goodies from New Grains Gluten Free Bakery before I left, so I took several of their products from the cookie line with me. They had sent me a variety of  breads and cookies, that I am really excited to try.

During the trip I "gave in" to temptation and devoured the Coconut Macaroon that came in its own individual package. I really had a hard time eating only half of the cookie as it was SO delish, but the cookie is really pretty large at 4", and my husband was looking at me like I was Miss Piggy at that point.  I offered to share, relentlessly of course, but he declined, so it was his loss and my gain!!!

This cookie was one of the moistest macaroons I have eaten! I love Almond Joy candy bars, and this was a version of my favorite,  just minus the Almonds. The taste was really unbelievable! Mmmmm...

The second cookie I ate during the trip was the Brownie Chocolate Chip Cookie, also a pretty good size I might add. It tasted just like a brownie in cookie form, with huge chocolate chips in every bite....I was in heaven. I actually didn't want to share this treat, so I made no offers to share. Piggy, piggy, me...

I still have two more cookie choices to try, but for now I wanted to share with you this great company's products. They offer several more cookie choices, as well as a great variety of breads. I was so excited to hear that New Grains also offers several sampler packs that comes with a variety of their products to be sampled for those fairly new to living a gluten free life style, or anyone wanting to try something new, that you can purchase that won't "break the bank" so to speak!

I can be picky when it comes to my SWEETS...but New Grains really has this combination done right in this writers opinion. I am really looking forward to sampling the breads they sent also.

These two cookie varieties sell for $1.99 each, or you can buy a ten pack which I highly recommend. Because as the popular potato chip commercial goes... "you can't eat just one"!

The company also offers three types of cookie dough and a pastry & pie crust dough, if you would like to bake fresh. The company is very versatile and offers not only already baked products, but has a wide variety of mixes and flours as well, which includes a egg, dairy, and gluten free variety of products. This is a company I highly recommend you take a look at!

Well its off to do some chores and get back on track, so until I write again....have a great Wheat Free day!
 
Sharon





 

Wholesome Chow gluten free at it's best...

Today is another rainy day in Ohio and as usual instead of turning up the heat I turned on my oven. I love to hear the sound the raindrops make on the roof and it puts me in a melancholy mood, but it also adds a chill to the air. I guess now is a perfect time to bake and catch up on my product reviews.

Wholesome Chow sent me several products to sample and review, so today I decided to make their Chocolate Lavender Cake...Yes I said Lavender. I have never eaten a real live flower before, although I know there are several that are reported to be very tasty, so this was a adventure in itself.

As I mentioned, this was a first for me, and  I honestly have to admit that the house didn't smell like a lavender bouquet while baking, but I can say there is a slight hint of lavender taste in the finished cupcakes, which was quite refreshing...

I was also pleasantly surprised that out of all the cake mixes and cake recipes I have tried over the past year, that this has the best texture and consistency  I have tried so far. In comparison to a "regular" wheat laden cake mix I would not have known it to be gluten free, if indeed I had not made it myself. This is a great compliment in itself for this company.

Wholesome Chow's  baking mixes are made without and never require: Eggs, Dairy & Casein, Peanuts & Nuts, Cholesterol, or Animal Products. They are always vegan, gluten free, and  delicious!

The mix made 12 cupcakes, or will make 1 - 9" cake. It was about easy to make as opening up the bag, as you only need to mix it by hand for approximately 10 seconds. No need to bring out the mixer for this cake! I used my pastry blender for this step, how easy was that?

This mix is wheat, egg, dairy, casein, and nut free. You don't even have to add eggs. All it calls for is milk and oil in the directions...Their products are certified Gluten free and are also Non-GMO. They are also certified Organic.

I finished off the cupcakes with their Organic Vanilla Frosting mix which was as delicious as the cupcakes. Of course I had to bake them in Lavender colored cupcake liners, just for fun...

This is a mix I am sure you will enjoy. I can't wait to try the PLAIN chocolate cake version of their mix, for as we all know, I am addicted to plain old chocolate in any form.    :-) Either way I definitely give this company, and mix, a thumbs up!

Have a great wheat free week.
Sharon
 

Balsamic Roast Chicken...

Hi all. I seem to be at a loss lately as to what to serve for dinner. I have just returned from visiting family in PA. and the cupboards are bare and in much need of replenishing. So once again I have been web searching for ideas and fell upon this tasty looking recipe from the Mayo Clinic. The ingredients are few, and the picture looks so delicious I will have to give it a try for dinner tonight.

You can visit the Mayo Clinic  website for extra recipes, and tips, about living gluten free. Just go to their home page and type in the words.. gluten free diet, then click the search button. There are several other recipes there that I plan to try as well.  Well I am off to shop with my list in tow....so...Have a Great wheat free Sunday!

Sharon

 

Ingredients

1 whole chicken, about 4 pounds
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 sprigs fresh rosemary
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 F.
Rinse the chicken inside and out with cold running water. Pat it dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, mince together the rosemary and garlic. Loosen the chicken skin from the flesh, and rub the flesh with olive oil and then the herb mixture. Sprinkle with black pepper. Put 2 rosemary sprigs into the cavity of the chicken. Truss the chicken.
Place the chicken into a roasting pan and roast for 20 to 25 minutes per pound, about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Whole chicken should cook to an internal temperature of 180 F. Baste frequently with pan juices. When browned and juices run clear, transfer the chicken to a serving platter.
In a small saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar. Heat until warmed but don't boil.
Carve the chicken and remove the skin. Top the pieces with the vinegar mixture. Garnish with the remaining rosemary sprigs and serve immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic Fluffy Pancakes...with Bisquick replacement...

Hi all. Today I found a flour mixture that is so close to GF Bisquick that I almost did a double take. I love Bisquick...always have. Their pancakes have always been a favorite in my house, but I have found that their GF mix is a little costly.

I came upon this flour mixture by accident in a magazine and decided to give it a try with a "Basic Fluffy Pancake" recipe my mom had given me several years ago. The pancakes turned out so good that I plan on mixing several batches of the flour to have on hand for future use. Then all I will have to do is add the wet ingredients when I want to made them again.

You could make buttermilk pancakes with this mix, or blueberry. I opted for chocolate chip pancakes, and as you can see by the picture I like to make smiley faces just for fun right before flipping...My grandsons love these!

I hope your family likes them as much as mine did. I especially liked the savings! I used Bob's Mills flours which were all less than $3.00 a bag and I have loads of extra flour left over to make many more batches of pancakes.

Enjoy, and have a great wheat free day!
Sharon

 (Gluten Free flour mixture)

1/2 cup rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca starch/flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
* Use this flour mixture for the 1 cup needed in the recipe below

Basic Fluffy Pancakes Recipe:

1 cup of the above gluten free flour mixture
1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil, melted butter or margarine
2 large eggs

Mix the flours, baking powder, sugar, salt, and xanthan gum together in a mixing bowl and set aside.

Stir together the milk, oil, and eggs, whipping lightly.

Stir the milk mixture into the flour mixture slowly until no lumps are visible. Do not over beat.

Bake on a heated griddle or frying pan until bubbles form and the under surface is nicely browned.

Lift the pancake with a turner and brown other side.

Serve immediately with butter and warm syrup, honey, or your favorite topping.

*To make Buttermilk pancakes: Use buttermilk in place of milk and replace the baking powder with 1/2 teaspoon baking soda.

* For Blueberry pancakes: Add 1/2 cup fresh blueberries, or 1/2 cup drained canned blueberries to batter just before baking on griddle.

Serves 4





 

Mothers Day...

Hi all. Spring has finally sprung here in Ohio, and the realization that Mothers Day is around the corner just hit me...

My mother is my greatest role model, and when it comes time to buy her a special gift I am actually  at a loss for ideas.  Flowers only last for a week or so, and I really want to give her something that will give her lasting memories.

I decided to search the web for ideas and accidentally came upon a great site called At Home which has everything you can think of in the gift line, as well as home decor. I found these great gift ideas on the site with several of them on sale. I can actually give her not only flowers, but a beautiful vase that she will always have to remember her special day.

I was so impressed with the site that I actually joined as a consultant! I know....this is a gluten free site you are probably thinking....I ask you though, what could be more gluten free than Home Decor??????? :-)

Anyway I just wanted to let you know about the site, as Mothers Day will be here before you know it. I hope you will stop by. Well I am off to bake my favorite....GF BROWNIES...Yum,!

Have a great wheat free day!
Sharon

Pamela's Bread Mix...

Yesterday it was off to the store for some of my "back up" bread from Udi's in the freezer section with no luck. My favorite store was all sold out, so out of necessity I was going to have to bake a loaf on my own.

I have tried several of Pamela's products  with good results, so their bread mix being one of the least expensive on the shelf of the limited few to choose from, was my choice of the day...

I wish I had read the directions on the back of the bag however as this calls for a heavy duty mixer when making the OVEN version, but I decided to give it a try anyway. On any other day I wouldn't have minded using my trusty 5 Speed hand mixer. It has worked well with other bread mixes I have made, but today I was having a little trouble working with the mixer because of a gardening injury to my hand from yesterday. Still however, even though the consistency of the dough is quite dense, I made it through...I did however add a extra minute of mixing the batter than called for,  and definitely used the highest speed on the mixer.

 Here is a picture of the bread before rising:


I covered the pan with parchment paper and set the timer for 60 minutes. The dough rose beautifully and after placing in the oven, rose slightly more.The thing I liked most about this mix from Pamela's is that it has added Millet and Sorghum flours for slightly more fiber content. There are several recipes on the bag for a chewy pizza crust, bagels, pie crust, sweet bread, and even a egg or yeast free version. Wow! You can even use this mix in your gravies and sauces.

The directions say to bake for 60-70 minutes so I set my timer for 60 minutes and tested with a thermometer inserted in the center to see if it was done. I added just another 5 minutes to the baking time, and got a beautiful, delicious, moist loaf of bread as the results. It is a hearty tasting bread I am sure you will enjoy. Delish.

Happy wheat free day!!!
Sharon
 

Ben & Jerry's Gluten Free Ice cream list...

I scream...you scream...we all scream for Ice Cream!!!

Ice Cream
Butter Pecan
Cherry Garcia
Chocolate Fair Trade-Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl
Chocolate Macadamia
Chunky Monkey
Coconut Almond Fudge Chip
Coffee Fair Trade
Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz
Crème Brulee
Mint Chocolate Chunk
New York Super Fudge Chunk
Orange and Cream
Phish Food
Strawberry
Triple Caramel Chunk
Vanilla Fair Trade
Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch

Yogurt
Black Raspberry Swirl LF Yogurt
Vanilla LF Yogurt

Sorbet
Berry Berry Extraordinary
Jamaican Me Crazy
Lemonade
Mango Mango
Strawberry Kiwi

No Sugar Added
NSA Vanilla Fudge Chip