Not being able to enjoy whatever I want, whenever I want, is tough! (I really did/do eat well...I just also love to treat myself!) Having previously avoided many pre-packaged foods (in favor of homemade), there are a few gluten-free "treats" I have come to enjoy!
For example, this morning my family and I tried Kinnikinick Gluten-Free Donuts, Cinnamon Sugar (in the freezer section). They were delicious! Just the tiniest difference from the "real thing".
I also finally found a bread that I love! I mean it! In the gluten-free section at a nearby Jewel, I found Schar Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread. This bread is made in Europe and the company has been making gluten-free products for decades; so, practice must make (almost) perfect! Please note that I have so far only made grilled cheese; but the flavor and texture far surpass any other gluten-free breads we have tried. Toasting or grilling gluten-free breads is probably going to give you the best results.
My whole family also loves Udi's Gluten-Free Pizza Crust. I just found some in the "soon to expire" bin at our grocery store and I was even more excited to pay half price! These range from $4.99 to $6.99 for 2 single-serve (double for us) pizza crusts; but, they are delicious and still less than a restaurant, which I can't eat anymore anyway.
What I have found (from being in the practice of always reading ingredient lists) is most gluten-free products are also made with wholesome, healthy ingredients and very few (rarely any) preservatives. Hmmm...
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Gluten-Free Blueberry Muffins
These muffins are fantastic! You would never know they are gluten-free! I modified a recipe from the blog, http://iamglutenfree.blogspot.com. The blogger got her recipe from the cookbook, "Gluten-Free Baking Classics", by Annalise Roberts. I have made these a couple of times and I found it was very easy to make substitutions! Enjoy my version or yours!
Heavenly Blueberry Muffins
2 c. brown rice flour mix (I used 1 part tapioca flour to 2 parts brown rice flour; but, the original author/chef recommended 2 c. brown rice flour, 2/3 c. potato starch and 1/3 c. tapioca flour)
2/3 c. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
3/4 t. xanthan gum
1/4 t. sea salt
1/4 t. nutmeg
1 1/2 c. unsweetened blueberries (I used frozen organic blueberries)
1/2 c. milk (I have used coconut milk and regular milk; the blogger used vanilla almond milk)
1/2 c. canola oil (I prefer melted coconut oil. I have also used melted unsalted butter)
2 large eggs
1/2 t. vanilla extract
Streusel Topping
1/2 c. brown rice flour mix (see above)
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. xanthan gum
3 T. unsalted butter, melted (I want to try coconut oil, but I haven't yet)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Position rack in center of oven. Grease muffin tins.
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt and nutmeg in large mixing bowl. Add blueberries and stir to coat evenly.
Combine milk and oil/butter in a small bowl; remove 1 T. of combined liquid and discard it (I did not do this the second time and it was totallly fine). Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add liquids to blueberry mixture and stir until just blended.
Fill muffin pans 2/3 full. Sprinkle with streusel topping. Bake 18-25 minutes until lightly golden (and spring back from touch). Remove muffins from pan and serve or cool on rack. Enjoy!!!
Heavenly Blueberry Muffins
2 c. brown rice flour mix (I used 1 part tapioca flour to 2 parts brown rice flour; but, the original author/chef recommended 2 c. brown rice flour, 2/3 c. potato starch and 1/3 c. tapioca flour)
2/3 c. sugar
1 T. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
3/4 t. xanthan gum
1/4 t. sea salt
1/4 t. nutmeg
1 1/2 c. unsweetened blueberries (I used frozen organic blueberries)
1/2 c. milk (I have used coconut milk and regular milk; the blogger used vanilla almond milk)
1/2 c. canola oil (I prefer melted coconut oil. I have also used melted unsalted butter)
2 large eggs
1/2 t. vanilla extract
Streusel Topping
1/2 c. brown rice flour mix (see above)
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. xanthan gum
3 T. unsalted butter, melted (I want to try coconut oil, but I haven't yet)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Position rack in center of oven. Grease muffin tins.
Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt and nutmeg in large mixing bowl. Add blueberries and stir to coat evenly.
Combine milk and oil/butter in a small bowl; remove 1 T. of combined liquid and discard it (I did not do this the second time and it was totallly fine). Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add liquids to blueberry mixture and stir until just blended.
Fill muffin pans 2/3 full. Sprinkle with streusel topping. Bake 18-25 minutes until lightly golden (and spring back from touch). Remove muffins from pan and serve or cool on rack. Enjoy!!!
Friday, May 6, 2011
One Car, One Computer
We have had one laptop computer for a couple of years. Just one. My husband uses it a lot for work, even taking it with him to his office at times. I use it for our household needs and for fun.
Our computer serves as a source of entertainment because we also don't have cable television. So, we watch hulu.com or network websites to catch up on our favorite shows. There have been a few times when I have felt frustrated because I want or need the computer when my husband needs it. But, thankfully, those times are few and far between.
Last November, we sold our old second car. We knew it still had a lot of life left in it (to be able to sell it) and we also knew that we would not be using it much in the winter, as we were away in Mexico for a month. So, we went down to one car at that time. Did I mention we do not have any public transportation to speak of in Ottawa, IL (I think a Trailways bus comes through a couple of times a day)? So, this seemed harder than it actually is turning out to be.
I actually (most of the time) ENJOY only having one car. I enjoy not having to maintain two cars, keeping track of stickers, oil changes, even gas! I do wish that our car was more fuel efficient; but, we do need the space (in our Honda Pilot) for the third row for the car seats and my dad and his walker! Having one car does enable us to be more efficient overall-we combine trips and errands whenever we can. We also have become more active as my youngest is approaching 2 years old-we ride our bicycles around town more and my husband even jogs home from the office when we have the car!
I'd say that having one computer has taught us to better manage our time and to share (yes, even us grown-ups need some lessons every now and again) and that having one car has enabled us to be healthier and more efficient! Less really IS more!
Our computer serves as a source of entertainment because we also don't have cable television. So, we watch hulu.com or network websites to catch up on our favorite shows. There have been a few times when I have felt frustrated because I want or need the computer when my husband needs it. But, thankfully, those times are few and far between.
Last November, we sold our old second car. We knew it still had a lot of life left in it (to be able to sell it) and we also knew that we would not be using it much in the winter, as we were away in Mexico for a month. So, we went down to one car at that time. Did I mention we do not have any public transportation to speak of in Ottawa, IL (I think a Trailways bus comes through a couple of times a day)? So, this seemed harder than it actually is turning out to be.
I actually (most of the time) ENJOY only having one car. I enjoy not having to maintain two cars, keeping track of stickers, oil changes, even gas! I do wish that our car was more fuel efficient; but, we do need the space (in our Honda Pilot) for the third row for the car seats and my dad and his walker! Having one car does enable us to be more efficient overall-we combine trips and errands whenever we can. We also have become more active as my youngest is approaching 2 years old-we ride our bicycles around town more and my husband even jogs home from the office when we have the car!
I'd say that having one computer has taught us to better manage our time and to share (yes, even us grown-ups need some lessons every now and again) and that having one car has enabled us to be healthier and more efficient! Less really IS more!
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