Gluten-Free Easter Basket

In an effort to simplify and move away from candy, candy, candy, I chose to fill my little guys' Easter basket with spring themed gifts instead.  I'm really trying to move away from food being the center of every celebration.  I actually found Easter themed Lego online!!!!  Who knew?  I also included a giant bubble wand, a cute little gnome for our "enchanted forest", a roly-poly puppy dog, spring bunny tic tacs, and a Hershey bar.  Simple and sweet.  I hope he loves it :)

gluten-free "happy pills"

Admittedly, I was inspired for this idea by a photo I saw on facebook.  But I quickly thought that my kids would LOVE this idea and I could easily make a jar of gluten-free "happy pills".  Hopefully this cute idea wont translate to teaching the kids to take a pill(medication) to find happiness.  It's just meant to be a fun treat and may work as a mood shifter when the kids are grumpy - especially my teenager.

Gluten-Free Waffle Dessert

I surprised my little guy with a toasted, gluten-free, Van's Apple Cinnamon waffle, topped with a scoop of vanilla yogurt and a bit of dark chocolate sauce for dessert last night!  

Gluten Free Waffle Delight!

After nearly 2 years of plain gluten-free waffles, I was so excited to find Van's gluten-free Apple Cinnamon and Blueberry waffles this morning at Stop & Shop!  My little guy is gonna be thrilled!  I think I might surprise him tonight with a warm, toasty waffle with a scoop of frozen vanilla yogurt on top for dessert!

Gluten-Free Mi-Del S'mores

I have to admit that I have not tasted these little s'more cookies, but, considering the number of times my 2 youngest kids have asked for these, I have to believe they are super yummy!  I ordered these on-line as a lunch box treat.  
The S'mores are manufactured by Mi-Del, are peanut-free and packaged in 90 calorie snack packs.  Mi-Del is a large manufacturer of gluten-free foods, however their foods are produced in a facility that also processes wheat.  Mi-Del routinely employs the ELISA testing method to ensure that their products contain less than 20 ppm of gluten.  
Both kids have been begging me to order more!  So, I just placed a new order for the new year.

Gluten Free Jackpot

I hit the gluten-free jackpot at T.J. Maxx yesterday!  Dr. Lucy's cookies in a variety of flavors for only $3.99 per box!  If you can't find them, buy them in bulk!  They're delicious and my kids love them!

Who knew I could get so excited over a few boxes of gluten-free cookies:)

Favorite GF Product: GoGo Squeez Fast Fruit

Three new fast fruit flavors from GoGo Squeez!

I serve whole fruit every morning with breakfast and after school every day as a snack.  But it's great to have "fast fruit" to toss in a lunch box, throw in a back pack, or stow in the car for "emergencies".  This time of year is incredibly busy with school performances, classroom celebrations, holiday parties, winter concerts.....  So, it's nice to have a quick, easy and healthy snack - that won't get bruised or turn brown and turn off little taste buds.

Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake

My food critic just turned 10!  Double digits:o)  She requested an angel food cake with a blue swirl.  Angel Food has long been a family favorite for Mother's Day, Easter, graduation and birthday events. We've always served it with fresh whipped cream and fruit.  

Finding a gluten-free angel food cake mix was no easy task.  So, I ordered one online directly from Kinnikinnick.  The mix is dairy free, casein free, lactose free and nut free.

I was surprised that I had to add 12 eggs whites to the mix as "regular" angel cake mixes only call for the addition of water!  So, be prepared if you plan on using a gf angel cake mix - don't foret to buy a dozen eggs too!  Egg whites that come already separated in a carton are not recommended for baking.

Our gluten-free angel food cake wasn't quite as light and airy as a traditional angel food cake, but it look fabulous and tasted delicious!  Most importantly, my food critic was thrilled and enjoyed every birthday bite.

The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free

If you're looking for a way to simplify your gluten-free baking, The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free by best-selling baking author, Anne Byrn is perfect for you.  With over 50 recipes from layer cakes to wedding cakes, bundts to bars, cupcakes to cookies, Byrn provides a variety of ways to "doctor" boxed gluten-free cake mix.

The cookbook provides basic information regarding gluten, baking equipment and accessories, helpful tips for gf baking, recommendations for substituting ingredients, and even information on high altitude baking.
The recipes are simple and easy to follow, but some are extremely sugary and high in fat.  Many recipes call for the addition of instant pudding mix, sugar, brown sugar and sticks of butter to a boxed gluten-free cake mix.  However, many recipes also call for the addition of naturally gluten-free ingredients such as fresh berries, shredded coconut, almonds, lime zest, and cocoa powder. They are desserts after all and as an occasional treat, you can enjoy guilt free.
I like the format of the book, the advice sprinkled throughout, the space for notes included as a side-bar for each recipe, the reminders and the dairy free options.  

The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free is a fantastic gluten-free baking guide and cookbook.  Happy Baking!

Barrett's Unusual Ice Cream Party

"Mom, I love that book!" exclaimed my little guy as we finished Barrett's Unusual Ice Cream Party by Michelle L. King.  "Can you get one for me?" It was a copy our local library purchased at my request.  "Of course!", I replied.  "Can we make the ice cream recipe at the back?  It sounds so good!"  My little guy continued.  I can't begin to tell you the joy I felt to see him smiling with such enthusiasm for this story.

The story is about Barrett, a first grade boy with Celiac Disease and a milk allergy.  Barrett is felling left out at school, a little embarrassed, and a little jealous as he gets teased by his classmates. Until, he gets a new classmate, Regan, who has a milk allergy and a positive attitude.  Reagan serves as a wonderful role model for Barrett and Barrett learns to think differently about what makes him special. 
As my little guy and I were discussing the book he declared, "I'm so lucky I just have Celiac!  I'm so glad I'm not allergic to milk too!"  Imagine that - lucky to have Celiac.  I asked him, "If there's one thing you would want everyone to know about having a food allergy or Celiac, what would that one thing be?"  His reply, "Not to be embarrassed about it."

bionaturae gluten free pasta

Over the last 18 months, our family of 5 has tested an awful lot of gluten-free pasta.  The first several tastings failed to please anyone.  So, we gave up pasta for several  months, but then the cravings for spaghetti and meatballs, pasta primavera, pasta with pesto, ziti... were too difficult to ignore.  After a few more failed attempts we discovered bionaturae and haven't looked back.  We can all agree, without a doubt, it's our absolute favorite.

Bionaturae, roughly translating to mean organic nature, is produced in Italy in a dedicated gluten-free facility. 
Find some bionaturae and enjoy the ziti, lasagna, pesto, garlic and olive oil, white wine sauce...

Gluten-Free Living Magazine

I just received my first issue(Fall 2012) of Gluten-Free Living Magazine.  This issue features a newly re-designed, reinvigorated Magazine.  Gluten-Free Living features departments such as:  Quick and Easy - highlighting a simple recipe; Family Matters - a series covering children's issue; Savings - offering both money and time saving tips and more; and Beyond Gluten Free - featuring other dietary concerns and restrictions.  A yearly six issue subscription costs $34 a year.
As helpful as the articles and recipes are, I always like the advertisements because I'm always on the lookout for new gluten-free products!

If you don't want yet another magazine cluttering your coffee table, Gluten-Free Living is also available as a newsstand app for your iPad or iPhone.  

Favorite Gluten-Free Product: Chocolate Pudding Cups

My kids and I absolutely love these puddings - even my toughest food critic!  Not only that, my food critic has a bit of a panda bear obsession - so the panda bear images make these pudding cups irresistible.  
I have to completely agree with the ZenSoy company statement "deliciously indulgent".  These little pudding cups satisfy my chocolate cravings without all the fat, calories, cholesterol, guilt, etc...  AND, ALL ZenSoy products are Gluten-Free, Certified Organic, Certified Vegan, Kosher, Nut Free, Dairy Free and have NO GMO's!  Seriously, what's not to love?!
The ZenSoy website is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and is full of information about their company and causes.  Through their Pandas Against Pesticides program, ZenSoy pledges 5% of all profits to international wildlife organizations and to promote organic farming.
A healthy snack to fill hungry bellies! 

Gluten Free World

Check this out - Gluten Free World!  It's like Pintrest except it's entirely gluten-free!  How amazing is that?!  GF World provides a format for quickly and easily sharing information on gluten free products, books, cookbooks, resources etc.  Be careful - once you get started it's dangerously addictive:o)

Celiac Momma Boutique

Having so much fun creating tees, tanks, sweats & hats that celebrate living gluten-free!  Click on the tank to view more Celiac Disease awareness apparel.

Thanks for your support!

Favorite GF Product: lucy's Maple Bliss cookies

Dr. Lucy's line of Gluten Free cookies are also vegan and peanut, tree nut, milk and egg free so they're perfect for people with multiple food allergies!  

Lucy's are available in Maple Bliss, Gingersnap, Cinnamon Thin, Sugar, Chocolate Chip and Chocolate flavors.  The decision whether or not to eat oats is a personal one for many with Celiac.  If you do choose to eat oats, Dr. Lucy Cookies are also available in gluten-free oat varieties.

The Maple Bliss cookies are light, delicate, slightly crispy with just a hint of maple sweetness.  Look for Lucy's at Whole Foods Market, Stop & Shop and even some Costco's.  Lucy's are also available at some on-line retailers in single size serving packs which are great for lunch boxes, picnics or your next road trip.

GF Halloween Treat: JellyBelly Jelly Beans

Check out these Jelly Belly fun packs - perfect for your Halloween candy dish.  Since they're gluten free, fat free and peanut free - what's not to love?

I'm keeping an extra stash so my little guy can trade in any "toxic" candy he gets, for something he CAN eat!

Celiac School Frustrations

I'm having an emotional day and feeling a bit beat-up as I advocate for my little guy to be included in school activities.  For a better perspective on my feelings and frustrations, please read my blog post C.D. versus the Nut Free Classroom, and School Birthday Parties.
Since my son and husband were diagnosed with Celiac Disease about a year ago, I've embraced the gluten-free lifestyle whole-heartedly.  And I've worked hard to educate our small local elementary school about his needs and restrictions.  Last school year(his 1st as a diagnosed Celiac) was particularly challenging.  Out of necessity I became an advocate for my little guy, which in turn led to my desire to create this blog.  Unfortunately, his elementary school(K-5, 400 students) was neither understanding nor accommodating of his dietary needs and restrictions.
Last night around 8 pm I received a mass email from our school notifying families that the following day during lunch(our school has no cafeteria) students would be served pasta with pesto in their classrooms.  The email went on to explain that this was the culmination of a farm-to-table project as the children had grown basil in the school greenhouse.  The email also stated that gluten-free pasta would be served for those with dietary restrictions and named the small local cafe that would be preparing the meal.  Keep in mind, that out of necessity, I secured a 504 Plan for my little guy at the end of the previous school year, and he is the only g-free kid in his school.  So, I understood that the statement was there for our family.  Hooray! Right?  Not so fast.  I know the local cafe preparing the meal very well and am often a patron.  I also know that their kitchen space is very tight, they have about 5 employees, and the thought of them being able to prepare 500 cups of pasta without the gluten-free pasta being cross contaminated somewhere along the way...clean pot?  fresh water?  dedicated colander?  sterilized utensils?  my son receiving the correct dish?... Waaay to risky.  Waaay too many opportunities for cross contamination.  But, it was 8pm and both the cafe and school were closed.   Luckily, I didn't have to be at work until the following afternoon.
So, I called the cafe early in the morning to ask about their procedures, and to see if I could stop in and pick up some pesto to make my little guy his own dish.  They indicated that they were not asked to make gluten-free pasta, did not have gluten free pasta, and had used all of the pesto!  Exasperating!  So, I called the school, but of course had to leave a message for the assistant principal.  I received a call back from the science teacher who had put the event together.  A truly lovely teacher, whom I respect and I respect her efforts to bring the farm-to-table movement to her students.  It turns out, she had cooked gf pasta for my little guy at home and was bringing it in for him!! Ugh.  Such confusion and concern that could have been avoided with better communication.  In the end, I cooked and brought in his pasta, the science teacher stirred in the pesto she had saved for him, and I got to stay and have lunch with my little guy at school.
Feeling slightly emotionally drained, but tomorrow is a new beginning.

Product Review: Dr. Praeger's kids littles broccoli

I purchased this product because my little guy loves broccoli, the shapes are fun and kid friendly, and right on the front of the box the package indicates: 
NO SALT                     0 TRANS FAT
NO CHOLESTEROL  GMO FREE
LOW Sodium                LOW FAT
                       GLUTEN FREE
Dr. Praeger's products are also manufactured in the USA and I love to support American companies whenever possible. 
I thought the littles broccoli would be a nice, warm, healthy after-school snack.  However, when I got home and turned the package over for cooking instructions, I noticed 2 things.  In large bold letters it says Gluten Free.  Right under that declaration in small print it states:  Made in a facility that uses wheat, soy, eggs, fish and milk.  Sigh:(  
Needless to say, I didn't allow my Celiac son to eat these.  His big sisters and I loved them though!  The littles broccoli were delicious and satisfying!  So, if you're gluten sensitive or intolerant, these are probably fine for you to enjoy, but if you have Celiac Disease I can't recommend them.  Sadly, I won't be purchasing them again unless Dr. Praeger's changes their production practices. 

GF Halloween Treat

I found these Wonderful Pistachios at Stop & Shop.  What a great naturally gluten-free Halloween treat!  I bought a couple of bags to hand out as treats, to send in to school in my little guy's lunch box, and for him to trade in his "toxic" candy after trick-or-treating!