Product review...Sun Flour Mills Pastry flour...

I received my free box of whole grain gluten free pastry flour from Sun Flour Mills just in time for a family visit. Everyone likes some kind of pie and my family's favorite is apple. I was kind of leery about making a gluten free pie crust as this was my first try for a wheat free pastry and I didn't want to disappoint my family, yet at the same time I wanted to be able to enjoy dessert right along with them.
I followed the recipe on the back of the box except that I needed to double the recipe for the crust for the apple pie and the recipe on the box is only for a one crust and  obviously for such fillings as pudding, as the directions called for the crust to be pre-baked by itself...Seeing as I didn't have a choice of it being the last minutes for preparing for family  I was going to have to give it a try.
I followed the box's directions using corn syrup in place of the agave nectar ( it gave me a choice of the two ) and everything went seemingly well.
Please note that when adding the water do exactly as the directions say adding only 1/2 teaspoon of water at a time as you will be amazed at what just 1/2 teaspoon will do to the mix.
I rolled the dough between the sheets of sprayed foil and placed in the refrigerator for the required length of time.
I found that when trying to place the dough in the pie pan I had a hard time getting the foil off the dough even though I had sprayed the foil with a non stick spray as per the directions. I think the next time I will try parchment paper and see if that does the trick. I also might stick the rolled dough in the freezer instead of the refrigerator for about half the time called for.
I  put the apples in the bottom unbaked shell and added the top shell. I once again had some trouble getting the foil off the dough and had to fill in a few spots with left over "edge dough". I made a few slits in the top crust for the apples to vent and put in the oven.
I must say that even with the few drawbacks of the dough sticking to the foil and the refrigeration time this was a excellent tasting pie crust. It was so soft and flaky with a great taste. Although I give it 4 Stars for the way the dough stuck I have to give it 5 Stars for the flakiness and taste. It is one of the best pie crusts I have ever eaten, and well worth the extra time to make. My family loved it and asked for seconds!

Week 5 weigh in...

Okay...Once again before I post my weekly progress chart I need to say a few words. My husband and I had company visiting all this past week so I guess you could say I had a few extra items I normally limit myself on  ( SWEETS ) but all in all I feel pretty good about most of my choices. Seems that when I  have company I go into a baking mode,  and this week was no exception as we indulged in apple and pumpkin pies.... My guests had no idea the crust on the pies was wheat/gluten free! Actually, if I wouldn't have made them, neither would have I...

In comparison:

Week 1 weigh in:                    Week 5 weigh in:

Weight   131.8                        Weight    130.2
Waist      37 "                          Waist       34 "
Stomach  40 "                          Stomach   37 1/2 "
Hips        38 "                           Hips        37 1/4 "

Now for the news that floored me!!!!! I have been literally "fighting" my doctor on the issue of taking a medication for high cholesterol for several years now, I hate taking medication unless it is a definite must do and so I promised to eat healthier, exercise and whatever else they would recommend to help bring down my numbers.
I gave up red meat totally a year ago...okay, I slipped a few times and always ended up with cramps and the diarrhea so I finally learnt my lesson on that one and stay away from any form of red meat. I also tried the soy thing for awhile and felt even worse as my hormones were everywhere but under control, on this plan my cholesterol when even higher, go figure!
Six months ago I had my cholesterol checked and kept the numbers on record. I have only been on the wheat free diet exactly 5 weeks today and last week I went in for my 3 month blood work. Not only has the numbers  for both my total cholesterol  and bad cholesterol totals come down 9 points each...but my good cholesterol number has gone up by 9 points....Now that is what I am talking about!!!
I am still sleeping soundly, feel like I have more energy and wake up ready to start the day! I will keep you posted on my next cholesterol reading in a few months.
So until my next post, have a wheat free day!!!

*Note
 I  only post results from my own personal experiences to share with you. The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.