Being in control...

 Today  is one of those days after a long week that just seems to set my mind on whirl with thoughts...Thoughts about the course of my life, family, health.. You know what I'm talking about, I am sure you have all been there at one time or other.. Its that state of mind that reminds you about the things in life we actually do have control over.

We can't control the weather. We can't control the price of gas, or even the price of the food that we eat. We can't always control unruly children, or sometimes the course of our marriage, or whether we have brown eyes, or blue. We can't control the fact that an inexperienced driver will ram the back of your car, as I had happen to me just last week. These, and many other things, are out of our control.

The one thing I "AM" sure of, is that I can control what goes into my body with what I choose to eat. I have to say first off that I am not a "Expert" when it comes to knowing everything there is to know about being gluten intolerant. I don't know every product by name to live a gluten free lifestyle, nor am I am proficient in reading labels when it comes to finding products available to live a gluten free lifestyle. If it states that it is gluten free,  I'm in! For this reason I trust the advice and knowledge of the experts along the way. I'm still very much a newbie in some areas...

There is much information available out there on this subject via the web. There are also many great blogs on the web with which to visit and gather information from. I just read the other day that someone who had gone gluten free decided to not start a blog on the subject because he was not a "expert' on the subject of living a gluten free lifestyle.

If a surgeon never performed that much needed first surgery he would never have become a great surgeon. If Christopher Columbus would never have sailed the "oceans blue" we would not be the great United States that we are today! We all have to start somewhere!

This blog might not contain all the information that one who is living a gluten free lifestyle might need, (you would need a set of gluten free encyclopedia's just for this subject alone)  but it can be a starting ground...The recipes are all delicious, or they wouldn't be posted here. The tips and information all come from great gluten free and Celiac Disease sites, or books, from which I have gathered information. Even from my own personal experiences of trial and error :-)  Everything posted here is to help you in your gluten free adventure...

Product reviews are done with all readers in mind. Gluten free products can be costly, and it is always nice to have the honest opinion of someone to help save a few bucks here and there...

As I mentioned in the beginning of the post...There are things in life that we just can't control. Living gluten free is often not a decision many of us would have made on our own, but is often dictated by our bodies for health reasons. We are all just trying to live our lives to its fullest.

If this blog has helped you on your journey then I am blessed. If my research  has helped you in any way I hope you will take the time to leave a comment or become a follower so as to let me know I have been a asset in some way.

Last weeks accident was a eye opener to the fact that life is ever changing. Nothing stays the same forever. In the gluten free world recipes change and can be altered. Flours can be substituted, and different spices are used to make a whole difference in taste and texture. However one thing will always stay the same with each end product...it will remain... gluten free!

Until next post....
Sharon



 

Tasty croissants...

Thought I would share this photo of delicious tasting croissant rolls that you can find the recipe for at the Maninis Flours home site. Stop bye and check out this, and the many other delicious recipes made with their gluten free Maninis  flours...See ya there! Yum!!!

Nothing about nothing.....

Hi all. Today's post is basically nothing about nothing....I would be doing a product review today but my car was rear ended on Monday while I was sitting at a red light, and I am just not up to it. It is another rainy day here in Ohio and it would normally be one of my favorite days to tinker in the kitchen baking and such, but today is just not one of those days.

I don't know how long it will take for me to be back on top of things, but I promise to try my best to be testing products for review again very soon. Until then I can say that the blueberry cooler recipe I last posted is absolutely delicious.  And I am so glad I do have a few gluten-free cupcakes stored away like a squirrel in my freezer just for days (weeks)  like this.

Chores will have to wait until the stiffness goes away...and meals will be pretty much from the crock pot, or the nearest restaurant! Glad I have several easy recipes on hand.

I have several bread mixes to review, along with cheese snacks, soups, and a few other products, so please bear with me through this transition. I am sooooo in the mood to try a new bread mix sent to me from Charles Luce but am just not up to the task at the present. Darn!!! I am so in the mood for a great slice of warm homemade bread...

I hope your week is going well and you are becoming more accustomed to a gluten-free lifestyle. Until next post....be safe, and enjoy your gluten-free week.

Sharon

 

Next On the List - is Blueberry Bliss!

I am definitely not a big water drinker, and with the hottest days of summer upon us I needed to find a way to keep myself  hydrated...I find water tasteless, so it does nothing to satisfy my taste buds, or quench my "mental" thirst. I do however realize it is something my body needs to survive. So when I came across this delicious recipe for a blueberry soda I decided to give it a try.

Everyone knows blueberries are not only an excellent source of fiber, but they also contain vitamin C, as well as manganese, potassium, and vitamin K. I figured this way I would be getting the much needed water which I seem to avoid to keep my body healthy, along with quite a few added benefits. I found it was not only refreshing, but quite delicious, and satisfied both needs. With blueberries at the peak of their season it is a drink that is not only good for you, but also cost efficient.

As "Mikey" use to say in the cereal commercial from years ago..."Try it, you'll like it". Oops...did I just give away my age????? The directions are quite easy, and it is well worth the few minutes it takes to prepare. I hope you enjoy...


Ingredients:
 1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries
9 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 cup granulated sugar

 

Directions for making Syrup:

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Slowly bringing to a simmer over medium heat, stir constantly until all the berries have popped, about 10 minutes. Remove pan from the  heat and let cool.
2. Pour syrup into an airtight container, like a mason jar, and refrigerate overnight.
3. To use, take out of the refrigerator and strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days (in the refrigerator)

To make the drink you will need ice; blueberry syrup from the above recipe; and sparkling mineral water.

Directions:

1.  For one drink, fill a tall glass with ice. Add 3 Tbsp. of the Blueberry Syrup and then top with seltzer water. Stir gently and enjoy!  It is so refreshing and great for hot summer days!

 

Enjoy your gluten-free week!

Sharon

 

FABE'S cookies...

Morning all. It is finally a beautiful sunny day here in Ohio after all the rain the past few weeks. I am so glad to see a glimpse of sun!

This past week I seemed to be on a "sugar rush' with all the gloom surrounding me. So since sweets always seem to lighten my mood it was a perfect week to try some cookies sent to me from Fabe's all natural bakery. You will find no refined sugars in Fabe's products as they believe in sweetening  natures way, with things like beet juice syrup, palm sweetener, and organic white grape juice, producing a healthier "sweet".

I had the opportunity to sample three of their cookies, the Coconut Macaroon, Dark Chocolate, and their Cranberry Orange. I had to say their Coconut Macaroon was at the top of the list for me. I loved the sweet taste and texture of the cookie. It reminded me of a Mounds bar without the almonds, or the chocolate of course...

Second on my list would be the Cranberry Orange. Its flavor was a mild orange flavor with just the right amount of chewiness. Last on my list was the Dark Chocolate. I love my chocolate as you all know, and although this cookie was a nice flavor, it did leave me desiring just a little more.

The cookies are not of the dunkable nature, but each contained its own distinctive taste and texture, and I love the idea that they contain NO refined sugar....Lord knows I could use some help in that area!!!

The cookies ARE certified gluten-free, although they are made in in a factory that also manufactures products containing soy, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, dairy, and wheat, as they do offer goodies made with gluten as well, to those who are not gluten intolerant.

Their gluten free line consists of several options:

Cakes: Chocolate Fudge, and Homestyle Carrot

Snacks: Mini Fruit & Nut Cake - 4" Which is only available Oct.-Dec.,
and a Chocolate Fudge Cupcake 

Mini Cookies:  come in 6.5 oz Tubs and are available in Dark Chocolate, Cranberry Orange, Ginger Snaps, and Organic Macaroons

Single serve cookies: - 2.25 oz come in Dark Chocolate Cookie, Cranberry Orange Cookie, and Organic Macaroon Cookie

Pies: come in - 6" & 8" which include a Dutch Apple Pie as well as  Pumpkin

They even have a  gluten free pie crust  in a - 8" version which was recently added to their list, in case you would like to bake your own.

If you live in a area where Chuckie Cheese restaurants are available then you will most likely find their Fabe's chocolate gluten free cupcake available to enjoy, as they have teamed up with the company to bring a smile to the faces of those of us who usually have to pass on the occasional Birthday cake offered there for parties....Its also a healthier way to have your cake and eat it to :-)

You will find no preservatives, artificial ingredients, refined cane sugar or juice, high fructose corn syrup, trans fats or GMO in Fabe's products, so they are indeed a healthier solution to offer your kid's.

This company truly believes in their products. Not satisfied? They will give your money back- 100% guaranteed good taste.

I will be in Pennsylvania this coming week for a family visit and we are planning a family outing to Chuckie Cheese's...I can't wait to try the chocolate cupcake!!! 

So until next time...Have a great gluten-free week!
Sharon

 

Dunkin' Donuts Enters Hole New World of Gluten-Free Products | NFCA

Dunkin' Donuts Enters Hole New World of Gluten-Free Products | NFCA

New York Joe's Onions...

Dreams do happen....New York Joe's Onions,  or N.Y.J.O. in its shorter term, is by far one of the best onion style relishes I have ever tasted. This "hot-dog" onion sauce, as Joe Cachia the owner of the company calls it, comes in two recipes, the Original, and the Mild. Joe is a retired school teacher from Brooklyn who's home-made onion sauce became so popular with family and friends, that in 2010 he decided to take the leap from a home-based cook to a commercial hot-dog topping entrepreneur after moving to the sunny Florida Keys.

Now first let me tell you that I am not from Brooklyn New York as Joe originally is, so plain old ketchup and onions sat just fine with me being the country girl that I am. That is until last week when I tried Joe's onion sauces on grilled hot dogs, and Italian sausages over the holiday....Wow! I definitely will look at eating my hot dogs and sausages in a whole different way now.

The Original sauce on the dogs and burgers was quite a hit, and the Italian sausage on a bun smothered with the Mild onion sauce topped with some grilled green peppers was definitely something to write home about. Makes me a little jealous that I was not brought up in Brooklyn :-)

 My husband could not get enough of this sauce, and I actually had to remind him to share with our guests. It is now his favorite topping for everything from steak, to chicken, and fish.. All kidding aside, this product really grabs not only your attention, but your taste buds as well.

Even people like Woopie Goldburg, and Guy Fieri, have raved about these sauces. In 2012 Joe's Mild sauce won a Silver Scovia Award. I had no idea what this Award was so I looked it up on the Internet...Seems it is a Award given to fiery foods and barbecue sauces found to be the best. I agree that this onion sauce wholeheartedly deserves such a award.

The nice thing about Joe's sauces is you can buy in bulk as they have a shelf life of 2 years. This sauce would be great on sizzling fajitas, as well as a great breakfast scramble, the possibilities are endless. The list could go on....and on...I know my husband and I are big fans!

Thanks Joe for a great product, and for continuing our education in this area....

Till next time....Have a great gluten free day.
Sharon




 

Crystal Noodle Soup...

It's another overcast day here in Ohio today....where has all the sunshine gone? Days like today remind me of Fall, except for the site of the lush green foliage I can see out my front living room window. I was just recently diagnosed with having a very low Vitamin D level, and gloomy days like today sure don't help.

I sat around for awhile wondering what could boost my mood...BESIDES chocolate :-) If it is going to be gloomy out I needed  to think about what I could make to lift my spirits for lunch. Mmmmm...
I have always loved a good bowl of soup and a sandwich on a dreary day, so today would be perfect.

Last week I had received three different varieties of soup from Crystal Noodle to sample and review. Since I have a special love for onions I decided to try their Caramelized Onion soup. I enjoy making home made soup on a cold Winter day, but being we are in the middle of summer with just one of those completely gloomy days looming overhead and no place to go, I decided to try something quick and easy.

I had some cooked bacon leftover from yesterdays breakfast so I threw it on some gluten free rye with a slice of cheese, and made a bacon-grilled cheese sandwich. Then I threw some water in the microwave to boil to add to the soup cup. While the soup steeped I finished the grilled sandwich and then sat down to a very tasty lunch.

The Caramelized Onion soup is as delicious as any onion soup you will find in a restaurant, minus the bread and cheese of course, but never the less very delicious. I enjoyed the taste of the onions with the texture of the mung bean noodles. These noodles are a clear thin noodle made from the mung bean, and are flourless, making them gluten-free, and always non-fried. The cup makes a 1.09 oz serving of soup and was quite filling  with only 110 calories. It did not disappoint! I am anxious to try their other varieties as well.

Although the Sodium percentage was slightly higher that the regular canned onion soups I currently stock in my cupboard, I would definitely add this to my grocery list in the future. The fact that these soups are gluten-free, have no added MSG, 0 Trans fat, are great for Vegetarians, and ready in three minutes make them great time savers. Not to mention it was great tasting as well, as all the fresh ingredients are freeze dried to preserve the taste.

You all know how I love to experiment....I believe by adding just a touch of cornstarch as a thickening agent that this could make a wonderful glaze for pot roast.....Mmmmm...

Well until next post, have a great gluten-free day, and check out Crystal Noodles site where you can purchase the soups. You'll be glad you did...

Sharon

Mrs Bickel's pizza crusts...

A few months back I had received several of Mrs Bickel's pizza crust to sample. Needless to say I had placed them in the freezer and they got overlooked until yesterday when I had a real hankering for pizza. Suddenly it was as if a light bulb went off in my head when I remembered them!

With all the traveling I have done the past few months visiting family,  they had just got pushed to the back of my mind...This was a big error on my part, because I have to tell you that these pizza crusts are the best gluten free crusts I have tasted to date! Wow!!!

Even though I had to dice and chop fresh ingredients, it was well worth the effort. I had received their Original crust as well as the Italian Herb, so I decided to make both as they were  the 8 inch versions.

It didn't take long for the crusts to defrost after taking them from the freezer, actually just the right amount of time to slice my tomatoes, onions, and green peppers, along with my fresh spinach leaves.
On the Original crust I added my sauce then topped with the green peppers, onions and cheese.

The Italian herb got the workings of the sliced tomatoes and fresh spinach leaves....yum! Both were equally delicious although I preferred the Original, only because I love onions almost as much as I love my chocolate :-)

The crusts are thin and baked up crisp and crunchy, not soggy like so many other gluten free crusts I have tried. OK...I admit that in my pre- gluten free days I absolutely loved the doughy, gooey crust of pizza, but life throws you a curve ball sometimes, and I am proud to say I have adapted fairly well to my gluten free lifestyle, thin crust and all....

I am really drawn to companies such as Mrs Bickel's that personally know what it is like to be gluten intolerant or who have Celiac disease themselves, because they really seem to get it right. The owner of this company is no exception as she found out at a early age that gluten was something that was to be avoided in her life. She has worked over 20 years perfecting this crust and I have to say she has done a excellent job.

If you check out their home page you will find several restaurants that carry their pizza crusts, so if you live local to one of  them I hope you will stop in and enjoy. Better yet...have your favorite restaurant owner stop by the site and order some samples to try, or order your own crusts to make at home. Yum!!! As always, their shipping is FREE...I don't know many companies now days who can say that!

I really enjoyed the pizza crusts, in fact I have a few slices left over for today's lunch in just a few minutes. So until next time....Have a great gluten free day!

Sharon

 

Pillsbury steps it up...

Thank you Pillsbury! You have once again out done yourself with your new offerings of gluten free pie and pastry crust, chocolate chip cookie dough, and thin crust pizza dough, pre-made in tubs for convenience.

 I was recently surprised that General Mills, who owns Pillsbury, has long been a friend of the gluten-free community. Its associated companies now offer more than 300 gluten-free products. Chex Cereal was its first mainstream product followed by Betty Crocker baking mixes. Today there are seven varieties of gluten-free Chex cereal. Now Pillsbury has added 3 new gluten free varieties of dough in tubs for us to enjoy.

I discovered this merely by accident when our local Giant Eagle ran an ad for these three dough's in their sale flyer. Needless to say I was off in a dash to purchase some...The sale price was a little over $3.40 and the tubs looked rather small, but I opted for the chocolate chip cookie dough and the pizza crust anyway.

The Pillsbury team had developed at least a dozen different formulas to test. Wheat flour was eliminated. The cookie dough contains rice flour. The pie crusts have rice and sorghum flour. The thin pizza crust contains tapioca starch, rice, millet and sorghum flour.

I love chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven, and since I like to dunk them they had to pass the ‘dunk-able’ test, meaning it wouldn’t crumble when dunked  in milk, as well as tasting good.” I was not disappointed. The cookies browned evenly, were moist and chewy, and help up to my "dunk" test without crumbling. Although the tub looks a little small I did get over 1 1/2 dozen fresh baked cookies fresh from the oven, more than I had expected...YUM!

Very impressive Pillsbury, kudos to you....keep up the great work! Be looking for these new gluten free products in your local grocery store pronto.

Have a great gluten free week, and enjoy!

Sharon

                                                                         

Gluten Free flour tortilla recipe...

If you are like me it has been some time since you have had a decent gluten free Tortilla wrap. Most you buy in the stores are hard, and break when you try to roll them, or taste like cardboard, uck!

I have been on a long awaited search for these, and finally found a recipe that seems to work for me. These make great wraps not only for sizzling fajitas, but also to use for tuna and egg salad sandwiches as well. You are only limited by your own imagination. They would be great as a bread replacement as well. I can't wait to try them the next time I make my Cherry enchilada bake, as the corn wraps I used last time with the cherries wasn't my favorite mixture as far as taste went.

I love the fact they are made with white rice so the flavor will be milder. ...I have put the leftover wraps in the freezer for future use and am not sure how  they will freeze, I will have to keep you updated on that at a later time. Hope you enjoy!

          Ingredients

2 c. Gluten-free all purpose flour (or 2 c. White rice flour)
2 tsp. Xanthan gum or Guar gum
1 tsp. Gluten-free baking powder
2 tsp. Brown sugar
1 tsp. Salt
1 c. Warm water

Directions


1) Add the dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix the ingredients thoroughly.

2) Add the cup of warm water to the bowl and mix the dry ingredients into the water with your hand until its an even mixture.

3) Separate the dough into 8 pieces and roll each piece into a ball. Place all but one of the dough balls back into the bowl and cover with plastic wrap until you're ready to work with them.

4) Sprinkle a clean, flat surface with a bit of buckwheat flour and then roll your dough ball into a roughly circular shape and get as thin as possible.

5) Throw the tortilla onto a hot griddle (I use a cast iron griddle on medium heat with just a smidgen of olive oil) and let it cook approximately 1-2 minutes or until it has started puffing up and the bottom side is developing those lovely brown spots. Flip the tortilla and cook the other side until is toasty as well.

6) Slide the cooked tortilla onto a covered plate to stay warm and repeat from step 4 until you've cooked all 8 tortillas. I generally roll one tortilla out while another is cooking, so that there is always a tortilla on the griddle.

7) Serve these warm with your favorite filling, or heat up later and use as a roll up for quick sandwiches.!
Happy gluten free day!
Sharon