Thanksgiving, a time for thanks and gratitude. There is so much to appreciate all year long, and Thanksgiving reminds us to look back and think of all the things in which we are thankful. If you have a gluten allergy or Celiac Disease, it may seem like eating and dining is difficult, and especially the traditional meal at Thanksgiving, but remember you do have a lot to be thankful for. First off, remember that you are not alone in your dietary restrictions. There are so many others that are struggling with this lifestyle, as well as thousands of resources such as blogs, support groups, brands of food, medical professionals and others out there facing the same issues. And secondly, think of all the progress the Gluten-Free and Celiac Disease world has improved over the past 5 years. The variety of choices for substitutes is amazing. Here are some helpful tips to try and make your cooking for Thanksgiving more helpful and enjoyable.
-If dining with others, bring your own dish pre-made GF and encourage others to try
-Substitituing Gluten-Free flour into your gravy, instead of regular All-Purpose Flour (tastes great)
-Make your own corn bread muffins to have instead of rolls (beware of mixes, be sure to buy GF Mix)
-Bake delicious flourless chocolate cake, crust-free pumpkin pie or delicious GF cookies, only having to substitue the flour
-Create your own stuffing using GF bread and breaking into medium chunks and mix in spices, chicken stock
-And remember these dishes are naturally gluten-free if made without additives: Turkey, Ham, Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Caserole (without onion shreds), corn, green beans and so much more.
Be creative, thankful and happy. Happy Thanksgiving!
