Gluten is not my friend

I have a confession to make...I might have eaten some gluten in my Thanksgiving meal. I went to a friend's house and did ingest some gluten (unintentionally), but paid for it for days. I realize just how sensitive I am and how cognizant I need to be. Normally I am very conscious of what is in EVERYTHING I eat, but that day was not the day. 

I want you all to know that it's so important to make sure everything you eat, touch and drink can have wheat in it. I am here for you to ask questions, tell me concerns you've had and your story. Celiac Disease is a life-long disease and I hope to help in some way for those concerned, suffering and surviving the lifestyle, because it IS POSSIBLE. On a lighter note, tonight I am going to a blogger event at Whole Foods. This event will be “A Night with Chef Chad Sarno”. This will be a great opportunity to meet other bloggers, get ideas and spread the word of 'Gluten-Free Living Is Possible'. Keep an eye out for the next post about the event. 

Gluten Free and plenty to be thankful for

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! 

Pereg is perfect

If you are looking for a great quinoa with a kick of spice, try Pereg Quinoa. I made this recently for a dinner party I was having and it was a hit! I knew my guests were interested in eating healthy, trying something new and Pereg Southern Style was the perfect item to serve. I combine this with a salad, and some spicy chicken sausage, but other combinations might include, chicken, beef, beans, or veggies. I love the simple, spicy and savory flavor in which this has. I am a big fan of quinoa normally, but this added flavor helps to encompass the entire flavor of a meal and make it more exciting. 
And with the leftovers I had I made a salad the next day, which was just as tasty. The flavors of lettuce, chick peas and quinoa made a terrific meal and I didn't even need to add salad dressing, which really helped to cut down on calories. Pereg has many flavors, so pick some out at your local grocery store, or visit http://www.pereg-spices.com/ to see where this is sold near you. 

Gluten Free Pasta, yum yum yum

I cannot be more pleased with a pasta-Ancient Harvest is fantastic! I recently made a delicious pasta dish using elbow pasta, vegetarian marinara sauce and a Gluten-Free turkey burger. Making your favorite recipes is easy and I find that it can be a painless and simple process, leaving you to feel no sense of awkwardness when dining with Gluten eaters. Sometimes it becomes hard to go to parties, friends and families without feeling like you cannot eat a regular meal, but Ancient Harvest makes cooking and eating completely delicious and enjoyable. I have never felt so good after eating pasta, like I do after eating Ancient Harvest. 

And, not only is this pasta delicious and Gluten-Free, but it is extremely low in calories and fat. Over the past 10 years, the low-carb fad has been a serious talk, especially pasta is something people tend to stray from......but with Ancient Harvest, you don't have to do that. You can enjoy a large portion of this pasta without feeling guilty! Tasty, low-cal, healthy and simple delicious, what more could you ask for?

 

 

Sweet, Simple and Savory

Do you want a sweet treat for breakfast, snack or post-dinner snack? Well instead of reaching for that pie or sugary cake, take a bite of Lara Bars, the most amazing alternative to sugary, calorie filled desserts. The three flavors in which I enjoyed the most were the Chocolate Coconut Chew, Carrot Cake and Apple Pie. 

These delicious bars give you not only the energy you need, but also satisfying flavors, while remaining healthy. 

I LOVED the chips of chocolate and hearty pieces of coconut in this bar (pictured below). It can be difficult to find a snack that's convenient, tasty and gives you enough flavor, while being Gluten-Free, so rest assured, you have now found the Lara Bar. 

Gluten-Free Pancakes

These are the best pancakes I've ever eaten! My Dad bought me this mix and made them alongside a banana and milk and what more could I ask for. The texture, consistency and flavor was better than I've had with any pancake with wheat in it. These make great left-overs as well. The directions on the back call for making probably more pancakes that one needs at a time, so I like to make the full serving and then have them for a snack later. To reheat simply put them in the oven, microwave or even toaster (of course a toaster that hasn't been contaminated with wheat or gluten). Enjoy and know that you're eating a Gluten-Free friendly and healthy meal. 

How Jamie Oliver is changing the world

Food. It's a source of energy, health, growth and friendship. But lately, or for the past 30 years, food has started killing our country. I am sorry if that sounds too intense, but it is the truth. The amount of sugar, fats, excess calories and processed ingredients in food is atrocious. Food is a means to live and enjoy, whereas now food is shortening the lives of people, creating cancer, disease and mortality. The food that our culture consumes is shortening the lifespan of the next generation. 

I have always been a follower of Jamie Oliver, but over the years I have been so grateful for his mission to change the world and how we look at food. 

Please watch this amazing video of Jamie and appearance on Ted-Talks with his wish for the world. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go_QOzc79Uc