My Gluten Free Child http://www.myglutenfreechild.com A gluten free diet: easy gluten free recipes and the celiac child Wed, 13 May 2009 18:24:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 en Why I haven’t blogged recently… http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyGlutenFreeChild/~3/zb3UM3CksAc/why-i-havent-blogged-recently http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/why-i-havent-blogged-recently#comments Wed, 13 May 2009 18:24:31 +0000 admin http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/?p=167 It is not an excuse but it is a reason!

Pippa is an eight week old west hihland white terrier puppy and we picked her up last week after months of waiting and preparation!  So I haven’t had a lot of time to blog recently, but I’ll be back soon!

ShareThis

No tags for this post.

Related posts

  • No related posts.
]]> http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/why-i-havent-blogged-recently/feed http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/why-i-havent-blogged-recently Easy Gluten Free Recipes - Gluten Free Gingerbread http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyGlutenFreeChild/~3/5A0spRfTZos/easy-gluten-free-recipes-gluten-free-gingerbread http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/easy-gluten-free-recipes/easy-gluten-free-recipes-gluten-free-gingerbread#comments Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:43:26 +0000 admin http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/?p=165 Latest in the ‘easy gluten free recipes’ series: gluten free gingerbread. 

Jamie had ginger flavoured icecream while we were on holiday last week.  I was quite surprised, a) that it exited, and b) that he had chosen it, but he informed me that actually it was his most favourite taste in the world and he wished that there was gluten free gingerbread!

So, when we got back I searched, didn’t find much so adapted and here is the easy gluten free gingerbread recipe, which I have made a few times now, and which never lasts long because it would appear that it is his Dad’s ‘favourite taste in the world’ too!

Gluten Free Gingerbread

Ingredients

  • 175g plan gluten free flour or brown rice flour
  • 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 1 tsp mixed spice
  • 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 100g golden syrup
  • 25g margarine
  • 25g brown sugar
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 2 tblsp milk

Method

Put syrup, margarine and sugar into a pan and stir over a low heat until melted.

Put flour, xanthan gum, ginger, spice and bicarbonate of soda in a mixing bowl

Pour in egg and milk with syrup mixture and stir well

Transfer to greased loaf tin or 15cm cake tin and bake for about an hour at 180′ (gas mark 4)

Cool on a cooling rack (smells delicious)

(Jamie did wander into the kitchen while I was typing this up, and when I explained what I was doing, commented, “Good job, Mum!  The world does need to know about that!” - so for the part of the world tha does want to know, enjoy!)

ShareThis

Tags:,,,

Related posts

]]> http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/easy-gluten-free-recipes/easy-gluten-free-recipes-gluten-free-gingerbread/feed http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/easy-gluten-free-recipes/easy-gluten-free-recipes-gluten-free-gingerbread Easter Hols http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyGlutenFreeChild/~3/a7MJc5ZWLTI/easter-hols http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/easter-hols#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:43:23 +0000 admin http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/?p=161 I’m so sorry that I haven’t blogged for ages!  We have been away - on our first ‘proper’ holiday since Jamie was diagnosed with celiacs disease last June.  It is hard to believe that this time last year we had a very sad and ill little boy with permenant tummy aches, exhaustion and weight loss.  He had a great holiday, no tummy aches at all, all the energy in the world, and although he is still of a very thin build, he is no longer skeletal!

Anyway, we went to the south coast of Devon (in the South West corner of the UK) and if you have never visited, you must!  It is amazing.  We stayed in our own self catering apartment so that we were in complete control of Jamie’s diet this first time, and that was lovely.  He did like the ice-creams down there (we all did!) so we chose a quiet time to go the first time, and the man in the ice-cream shop was fantastic, letting us know which flavours had gluten in and which didn’t.  After that, we went every day, and Jamie wasn’t at all bothered about eating from a tub instead of a cone, although I think in future I might find some gluten free cones to take with us.

Anyway, back to earth with abump.  That was a long winded way of explaining why I haven’t blogged much lately.  Many apologies and thanks for keeping coming back!

On Bantham Sands, Devon, UK

On Bantham Sands, Devon, UK

ShareThis

Tags:,

Related posts

]]> http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/easter-hols/feed http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/easter-hols Gluten Free Easter http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyGlutenFreeChild/~3/o3apeI6P-N4/gluten-free-easter http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/gluten-free-easter#comments Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:28:40 +0000 admin http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/?p=157 Our first gluten free Easter!  So that means no hot cross buns (which Jamie is not ever so happy about but will get over) and probably as much chocolate as ever!  I have had to be careful to check the labels on the Easter eggs: some contain gluten, some don’t… but there are enough that don’t for it not to be an issue at all.  He likes ‘Crunchies’ best and they are gluten free.

I have also had to be careful when we go out on ‘treasure trails’ and ‘Easter egg hunts’, all of which seem to end in chocolate at this time of year.  I carry a supply of small ’safe’ eggs with me, and swap what he has found for the ones I know are gluten free (then I eat the others!)

Easter hasn’t been a big deal as far as Jamie’s gluten free diet is concerned.  I don’t think he really thought about it all all - except that I have been told to invent a recipe for gluten free hot cross buns for next year!

My God Bless you richly this Easter.  Enjoy!

ShareThis

Tags:,

Related posts

]]> http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/gluten-free-easter/feed http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/gluten-free-easter Sign a Petition for Better Rates of Coeliac Disease Diagnosis (UK) http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyGlutenFreeChild/~3/UgP6SDRoHeI/sign-a-petition-for-better-rates-of-coeliac-disease-diagnosis-uk http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/sign-a-petition-for-better-rates-of-coeliac-disease-diagnosis-uk#comments Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:57:24 +0000 admin http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/?p=152 We were very fortunate.  Our GP spotted the symptoms of coeliac disease on the first visit and referred Jamie for blood tests immediately.  But I know that for thousands of people suffering from coeliacs, diagnosis can take years, and unmanaged coeliacs disease can lead to many more health problems, such as infertility, osteoporosis, anemia, and certain forms of cancer.

Coeliac Uk have launched a petition to the governemnt, asking them to better prepare doctors to diagnose coeliac disease quickly, and thus reduce the risk of long term health problems for sufferers.

To sign the online, simply go to http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/coeliacdisease/ This is a two step process and you’ll first need to add your name and email address.  You will then be sent a confirmation email with a link.  Simply click on the link to register your signature.  Please note: depending on your email security settings, this might go into your Spam folder.

ShareThis

Tags:,,

Related posts

  • No related posts.
]]> http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/sign-a-petition-for-better-rates-of-coeliac-disease-diagnosis-uk/feed http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/sign-a-petition-for-better-rates-of-coeliac-disease-diagnosis-uk Easy Gluten Free Recpes: Gluten Free Beef Casserole http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyGlutenFreeChild/~3/aTivJ7JDtZo/easy-gluten-free-recpes-gluten-free-beef-casserole http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/easy-gluten-free-recipes/easy-gluten-free-recpes-gluten-free-beef-casserole#comments Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:42:38 +0000 admin http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/?p=159 This is one of those easy gluten free recipes that I use every week during the winter months.  Quick to prepare (the emphasis really is on the ‘easy’), I like to put it all in the slo-cooker before I go to work and come back to a healthy ready meal which I don’t feel like I’ve had to cook!!  If you don’t have a slo cooker it is just as easy to do in the oven.

Easy Gluten Free Recipes: Gluten Free Beef Casserole

Ingredients (for 4)

  • 1 tray of diced stewing beef
  • 1 tbl spoon cornflour
  • 1 tin ratatouille
  • 1 tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 in mixed beans and/or sweetcorn
  • garlic granules

I tend to also throw in any veg that need using up

Method

Simply brown the stewing steak in a frying pan, sprinkle with cornflour and continue to cook for another minute. Add tinned chopped tomatoes and mix well so the cornflour is blended in.

Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to the boil.

If you are using a slo-cooker, put all the ingredients in and leave on low for 5-7hours, or high for 4-5 hours

If you are using the oven, leave to simmer on the hob for 20 minutes, then transfer to a casserole dish and bake for an hour or so until the meat is tender

Delicious served with baked potatoes!

ShareThis

Tags:,,

Related posts

]]> http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/easy-gluten-free-recipes/easy-gluten-free-recpes-gluten-free-beef-casserole/feed http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/easy-gluten-free-recipes/easy-gluten-free-recpes-gluten-free-beef-casserole Easy Gluten Free Recipes: Plain Gluten Free Biscuits http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyGlutenFreeChild/~3/FbkirMh3kmQ/easy-gluten-free-recipes-plain-gluten-free-biscuits http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/easy-gluten-free-recipes/easy-gluten-free-recipes-plain-gluten-free-biscuits#comments Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:28:37 +0000 admin http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/?p=155 Next in the ‘easy gluten free recipes’ series: these gluten free biscuits never last long and can be cut any shape the kids like for added interest! Not as quick as some of the other recipes due to the rolling out and cutting stuff, but not too fiddly either (I am getting lazy!)

Gluten Free Baking: Plain Gluten Free Biscuits

Ingredients

  • 100g margarine
  • 150g castor sugar
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
  • 450g gluten free plain flour (or rice flour) - and some extra for rolling out
  • 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 1 teaspoon gluten free baking powder

Method

Cream together margarine and sugar until light and fluffy then add the eggs and vanilla essence and beat together.

Fold then knead in the remaining ingredients until well mixed.

Roll out onto a clean surface sprinkled with gluten free flour and cut into shapes

Bake in a preheated oven: 180′C / Gas Mark 4 for 10-15 mins until starting to turn golden.

ShareThis

Tags:,,,

Related posts

]]> http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/easy-gluten-free-recipes/easy-gluten-free-recipes-plain-gluten-free-biscuits/feed http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/easy-gluten-free-recipes/easy-gluten-free-recipes-plain-gluten-free-biscuits Another Gluten Free Birthday Party http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyGlutenFreeChild/~3/_61BRCZwuWI/another-gluten-free-birthday-party http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/another-gluten-free-birthday-party#comments Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:27:45 +0000 admin http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/?p=148

null

Another birthday, another gluten free birthday cake!  This time it was my daughter’s.  She is not celiac and does not follow a gluten free diet, but her birthday was gluten free anyway because:

a) She’s a kind hearted little person and wanted her brother to join in.

b) All my baking stuff is gluten free and I didn’t want to contaminate it.

c) The kids have decided that gluten free baking tastes nicer anyway!!! ; )

So here are the results of our gluten free ‘puppy party’ - the birthday cake recipe is on another page, and the biscuits are adapted from the gluten free lemon star recipe also on another page (in another shape!)

ShareThis

Tags:,,,

Related posts

]]> http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/another-gluten-free-birthday-party/feed http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/another-gluten-free-birthday-party The Gluten-free-last-minute-lunchbox-solution http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyGlutenFreeChild/~3/Qx4n0Q0_ooc/the-gluten-free-last-minute-lunchbox-solution http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/gluten-free-challenges/the-gluten-free-last-minute-lunchbox-solution#comments Sat, 14 Mar 2009 21:20:46 +0000 admin http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/?p=146 Have you ever had that sinking feeling at about ten o’clock at night, as you turn the TV off and are about to head upstairs, and you suddenly remember that you didn’t bake and you’ve nothing in for his lunchbox tomomrrow? The old standby options (such as easy, wrapped chocolate biscuits) are no longer available, you have none of the expensive ‘free from’ alternatives in the cupboard, you feel like the world’s worst mum becasue you should have planned for this…

Okay, maybe it’s just me that is totally disorganised!  But it does happen, more regularly than I would like, and the options have always been:

a) Get the car out and head for the local supermarket

b) Switch on the over and bake the world’s easiest gluten free cake (which is easy, but I’d have to stay up to switch off the oven)

c) Give him extra fruit instead (healthy but not popular)

Anyway, I have recently come up with a fourth option, which you may have already thought of… but I hadn’t!

Chocolate Crispie Cakes!!

They are naturally gluten free (as long as you have pre-checked the cereal and the cooking chocolate) and soooo simple.  All you need is a bar of cooking chocolate, gluten free breakfast cereal and some paper cake cases.  The chocolate goes in the microwave for a minute, stir in the cereal and pop it in the cake cases.  Five minutes max!  Then leave it to set overnight.

The kids love ‘em (and sometimes request them) and it has got me out of a tight spot on many ocassions!  Also great if you suddenly have to supply gluten free goodies and have nothing in the house.

If you have any last minute standbys, please post!  Would love to hear about them!

ShareThis

Tags:,

Related posts

]]> http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/gluten-free-challenges/the-gluten-free-last-minute-lunchbox-solution/feed http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/gluten-free-challenges/the-gluten-free-last-minute-lunchbox-solution Should the Whole Family go Gluten Free? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyGlutenFreeChild/~3/v1_c72oNF8E/should-the-whole-family-go-gluten-free http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/should-the-whole-family-go-gluten-free#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:20:29 +0000 admin http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/?p=144 One of the biggest questions we had when Jamie was first diagnosed with celiacs disease was ‘Should the whole family go gluten free?’ And it is a question that must be asked in any family where one member is diagnosed with celiacs.

Certainly there are advantages to this option: equally there are disadvantages.  It is a question that needs discussing and working through,preferably as a whole family, as everyone is affected, the earlier the better.

The first option is for only the affected family member to go gluten free, and the rest of the family to eat as they always have. This may be the most popular option if brothers and sisters object to eating gluten free food - especially if they object to giving up certain gluten containing favourites such as cakes and biscuits!  As my daughter used to say on occasion, ‘I’m not celiac- why am I suffering because he is?’

So this option would in some ways maintain family harmony, although it does continually point out the celiac child as being different.  It also means that whoever is cooking for the family will often have to make multiple meals which is both time consuming and difficult. 

Another argument is that if the rest of the family are eating gluten all the time it is incredibly difficult to avoid cross contamination for the celiac child.  The whole family needs to be very aware of contamination issues but mistakes happen - especially when children or teenagers are in a hurry!

On the other end of the scale, the whole family could go gluten free.  This has the great advantage of eradicating gluten from the kitchen completely, so cross contamination is not an issue at all.  The family can eat together, the cook only has to prepare one meal, and the celiac child is not the ‘odd one out’. This can work well in a family where someone does most of the cooking and also bakes gluten free cakes and biscuits on a regular basis.  The big disadvantage of this option, however, is the cost.  If pre-prepared
meals are a large part of the diet, or if you buy a lot of gluten free cakes and biscuits, this can be an incredibly expensive option!  Gluten free products are generally quite pricey and for the whole family to eat it unnecessarily will cost! You may also get complaints from other family members who neither want nor need to eat a gluten free diet.

We, like many other families I have talked to, have settled for the middle option.  We all eat… mainly gluten free!  Everything I bake is gluten free: the whole family has homemade gluten free cakes and biscuits in their lunchboxes and there have been no complaints about this at all.  Family meals are also gluten free: this is very easy as I do not rely on pre-made sauces etc, and there are so many meals that are naturally gluten free that it really doesn’t take much planning.

However, because of the expense (and my complete failure with the bread maker) my son has his own gluten free bread while the rest of us have sliced (to avoid contamination) bread. We also have a separate tub of margarine with a big red cross on it for using on wheat bread, and two toasters.  Also because of the  expense, Jamie will have things like gluten free fish fingers while the others have normal, and the normal ones are cooked on a special baking tray.  In fact it is the gluten things that are singled out as being different in our kitchen, because most foods and kitchen areas are completely gluten free.  It has worked for us. My son never feels any different, and the ‘gluten things’ are kept separately and carefully.

It is an issue that needs thinking through.  But life gets so much easier when the whole family knows where they stand with it.  And compromises can be reached to ensure that every member is happy.

ShareThis

Tags:,,,

Related posts

]]> http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/should-the-whole-family-go-gluten-free/feed http://www.myglutenfreechild.com/general/should-the-whole-family-go-gluten-free