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!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Safe Personal Care Products
In my inbox this morning, I had an email from the Environmental Working Group (a wonderful resource!) about how to choose safe personal care products, for ourselves and for our children. http://www.ewg.org/healthyhometips/ingredientsinpersonalcareproducts I knew the importance of "paraben-free"; but, this article takes it a few steps further, highlighting all of the ingredients to avoid (just a few) and are so, so important to remember. Because, as the article points out, our government does not require testing on personal care products. So, companies can label their products, "natural" or "hypo-allergenic" or anything else that appeals to consumers so they can sell their product. It is up to us to educate ourselves on what is good for our bodies (and what is bad!).
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Gluten Free Flour Substitutes
A few months in to my gluten-free life, I have been tampering with more recipes and finding my favorite substitutes.
I have tried Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour and I don't like the flavor very much (most likely the bean flours). In most of my recipes (my scones, my chocolate chip cookies, my oatmeal cookies and my pancakes to name a few), a substitution of half rice flour and half oat flour (along with some xantham gum) works the best.
I purchased a 4-pack of Bob's Red Mill Organic Brown Rice Flour on Amazon.com for a few dollars less than I could've gotten it at the grocery store (if they even carry it).
I have also found that rice flour works just as well in my roux for cream sauces and soups.
I have tried quinoa flour (not bad, but expensive!) and I will also try making some bread with it.
I have tried corn flour which I have had before and I may try with some other combinations.
I have also tried sorghum flour and millet flour (as part of a bread mix) and I find them both a little too sweet.
I will keep working on combinations; but, my favorite "go to" flour is definitely brown rice flour.
I have tried Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour and I don't like the flavor very much (most likely the bean flours). In most of my recipes (my scones, my chocolate chip cookies, my oatmeal cookies and my pancakes to name a few), a substitution of half rice flour and half oat flour (along with some xantham gum) works the best.
I purchased a 4-pack of Bob's Red Mill Organic Brown Rice Flour on Amazon.com for a few dollars less than I could've gotten it at the grocery store (if they even carry it).
I have also found that rice flour works just as well in my roux for cream sauces and soups.
I have tried quinoa flour (not bad, but expensive!) and I will also try making some bread with it.
I have tried corn flour which I have had before and I may try with some other combinations.
I have also tried sorghum flour and millet flour (as part of a bread mix) and I find them both a little too sweet.
I will keep working on combinations; but, my favorite "go to" flour is definitely brown rice flour.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
"No, Gracias"
Before we left for Mexico, we had spoken a little Spanish at home; but, not enough for the boys to be drawn in. When we returned, they had both learned some phrases that stuck.
My 22-month-old knows that "Gracias" and "De nada" are "Thank you" and "Your welcome"; so, when I say "Thank you", he says, "Gracias". His favorite phrase right now is, "No, Gracias". So, when I say, "Sweetie, Do you want some cereal?", his response is, "No, Gracias".
I don't recall actually saying that phrase. I have often said, "No, Thank you"...but, I think it is cool that he learned to say it in Spanish. He also loves to say, "Buenas noches" (good night).
My boys both bonded with their grandparents (and cousins and aunts and uncles) in Mexico. But, there were moments when my Spanish-speaking in laws and my 22-month-old clearly understood each other. That was really cool.
My 22-month-old knows that "Gracias" and "De nada" are "Thank you" and "Your welcome"; so, when I say "Thank you", he says, "Gracias". His favorite phrase right now is, "No, Gracias". So, when I say, "Sweetie, Do you want some cereal?", his response is, "No, Gracias".
I don't recall actually saying that phrase. I have often said, "No, Thank you"...but, I think it is cool that he learned to say it in Spanish. He also loves to say, "Buenas noches" (good night).
My boys both bonded with their grandparents (and cousins and aunts and uncles) in Mexico. But, there were moments when my Spanish-speaking in laws and my 22-month-old clearly understood each other. That was really cool.
Welcome Back, Pasta
Rice pasta, that is. I have tried a couple of different varieties. Let me just say I need to remember to do due diligence and continue to check ingredients! Some "gluten free" pastas have ingredients I try to avoid--namely, mono and di-glycerides and high fructose corn syrup!
One that I really like is Hodgson Mill Gluten Free All Natural Brown Rice Pasta Penne (with Golden Milled Flax Seed). Ingredients: Brown Rice, Golden Milled Flax Seed. Verdict: good flavor, good texture, and overall, I did not notice a difference. It was very good! I will be buying this one again!
I always liked rice noodles at Asian restaurants; but, I had not had any luck trying rice pasta that is supposed to have more of the "tooth" of traditional semolina pasta. Thank you, Hodgson Mill!
One that I really like is Hodgson Mill Gluten Free All Natural Brown Rice Pasta Penne (with Golden Milled Flax Seed). Ingredients: Brown Rice, Golden Milled Flax Seed. Verdict: good flavor, good texture, and overall, I did not notice a difference. It was very good! I will be buying this one again!
I always liked rice noodles at Asian restaurants; but, I had not had any luck trying rice pasta that is supposed to have more of the "tooth" of traditional semolina pasta. Thank you, Hodgson Mill!
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