The Gluten Free Life of Alex G

The time has come...

2012-12-01T13:56:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone for reading my blog but it seems the time has come for me to move on

Thank you for reading my words, thank you for letting me into your homes and thank you for letting me be part of your day.

I've really enjoyed writing this blog and have learned so much in the process.

I thank you all each and everyone.

Alex G.

Quote of the Day

2012-10-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

GF Product Testing - Pamela's Chocolate Brownie Mix , Part II

2012-09-28T10:42:00.002-07:00

As I stood attentively at the microwave sure enough the mixture started to rise. It looked like a cool science experiment. Sixty seconds later my brownie was ready. The end product was a dense and fudgy brownie. Perhaps a little too dense. If you like your brownie light and fluffy this isn't the one. The taste was a little off. It's not the most chocolaty brownie I've ever had. Oddly enough it was also a little salty most likely coming from the addition of sea salt. I found it to detract rather than enhance. The brownie is best when eaten right away. I saved a piece for the following day but that proved to be an unwise decision. Overall, I love the idea but hate the execution. Hopefully with time some much needed improvements will be made.

Overall Rating: 2.5 out of 5

GF Product Testing - Pamela's Chocolate Brownie Mix , Part I

2012-09-21T11:04:00.001-07:00

I do love a good brownie, who doesn't? When I bite into one the world seems to fade away. When I saw Pamela's single serving Chocolate Brownie Mix I thought to myself "I've got to try this!"

The instructions are pretty straight forward. Simply pour water and oil into the dry mix, then stir. I was a little concerned at first I didn't think there was enough liquid to go around but if you keep at it the mixture eventually comes together. The batter is pretty thick and takes on the consistency of silly putty with the sheen of dark lacquered wood (see picture). The only thing left to do is to pop it in the microwave for 60 seconds.

GF Picture of the Day!

2012-09-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

Homemade bread crumbs using Udi's Gluten Free Bread.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

2012-09-01T11:37:00.001-07:00

Happy Labor Day Weekend, you deserve it!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

2012-08-23T12:19:00.001-07:00

A big thank you to all of you who have read my blog. I can't believe it but I have officially written 52 post. It's amazing how time flies by. I just thought I was going to write a small little blog about my GF life but it ended up being more than that. What will the next 52 post bring us? I'm not exactly sure but whatever it is we'll do it together.

Diet Wisdom

2012-08-16T15:57:00.001-07:00

Start saying no to soda by making your own sun brewed ice tea. Simply take a few of your favorite tea bags and place into a glass pitcher. Place in direct sunlight and a few hours later you'll have fresh sun brewed tea. The longer it sits the stronger the taste. You can of course steep a few tea bags in hot water as well. Whatever method you chose enjoy the bounty of tea...hot or cold.

GF Update - De Boles Pasta

2012-08-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

Back in February I did a review on De Boles Multi Grain pasta. I was pleasantly surprised with the spaghetti but the penne pasta didn't work as well as I had hoped for. I followed the directions on the package but still find it difficult to get perfectly cooked penne. I think I'll stick to the spaghetti pasta.

GF by the Numbers

2012-08-03T12:19:00.000-07:00

The number of calories per 1 oz of peaches, sweet : )

GF Product Review - thinkThin

2012-07-27T11:00:00.003-07:00

Back in January I did a review for PureFit protein bars. While they are excellent I believe I found another post worthy alternative, thinkThin bars. thinkThin High Protein Bars consist of 12 flavors packed with 20 grams of protein. Some of their noted flavors include white chocolate, peanut butter, brownie crunch and chocolate covered strawberry. These bars are some of the tastiest I've ever had. My favorite has to be caramel fudge and peanut butter. It didn't even feel like I was having a protein bar, it was more like a treat. Since trying them I've added them to my weekly grocery list. They're perfect for when your sort on time and don't want to stop at the drive thru. While PureFit protein bars don't melt thinkThin bars do so make sure to keep them in a cool dry place.

The company also features four more additional lines that include thinkThin Crunch bars, thinkThin Crunch Fruit & Nut Bars and thinkThin Bites. All products are gluten free and the fruit & nut bars are vegan.

What's on my Plate

2012-07-20T11:08:00.001-07:00

Today I have on my plate a delicious Soy Sauce (gluten free of course) and Sesame Turkey Burger paired with an Asian style coleslaw consisting of napa cabbage, carrots, red pepper and toasted sesame seeds. To finish my meal fruit makes for the perfect dessert.

Observations

2012-07-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

I have long heard about our food proportions getting out of hand but it wasn't until I ordered a medium drink from a fast food chain that it really hit me. Upon receiving my "medium" drink I thought the cashier had made a mistake. This drink was almost as big as my head but apparently it was no mistake, my medium drink was a medium drink. Puzzled I went home to measure how many ounces it contained. To my surprise it was 30 ounces! That's two and half cans of soda. I was thirsty but not that thirsty. I guess it's a good thing I ordered ice tea?

Happy Forth of July!!!

2012-07-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

A very Happy Forth of July to one and all.

Remember our freedoms, remember our liberties and remember to uphold democracy.

Out of Office

2012-06-29T11:02:00.001-07:00

Hi Folks,

I'll be out this week but I'll be back soon with some more tips and tricks to share until then have a great time.

Thanks,

Alex G.

Favorite New Thing - W.S. Chile Lime Rub

2012-06-22T11:26:00.001-07:00

Sometimes the day just seems to get away from you or your running a little short on time that you end up needing a little help in the kitchen. My newest favorite thing is just for that occasion, it's Williams-Sonoma's Chile-Lime Rub. A spice blend consisting of a variety of flavors including lime, peppers, cilantro, cumin and sea salt will conjure up the taste you would expect to find in Mexico and Latin America. It's perfect for a variety of proteins especially chicken and shrimp but feel to experiment with beef and pork. With the summer in full swing this will make a great addition to all your BBQ. Just as a caution the ingredients are gluten free but it's not made in a gluten free facility.

The Big Idea

2012-06-15T12:28:00.001-07:00

Every now and then it's important to remind yourself why it is your eating gluten free. This will help to reinforce the goal you have in mind.

GF Recipe - Mango-Sesame Dressing

2012-06-06T11:47:00.001-07:00

I love chicken as much as the next person but it can get a little bland. How do you bring back life to this stable? Try using a sauce. Bon Appetit Magazine has a really great recipe for Mango Sesame Dressing that's great on chicken and vegetables. It's got a really unique taste by incorporating Major Grey's Chutney. The dressing is a little sweet, a little spicy but with great depth. It last for a week in the fridge. Not all the ingredients are gluten free but by swapping out soy sauce for gluten free soy sauce you can add this recipe to your repertoire.

Mango-Sesame Dressing: bonappetit.com

GF Video - Plantain Crusted Mahi Mahi

2012-06-01T08:53:00.001-07:00

I came across this interested video for making plantain crusted (as in banana chips) mahi mahi. I have never heard of it that I just had to share it. What an interesting use for what I thought was just a snack.

Try plantain-crusted mahi mahi with pineapple salsa

Happy Memorial Day

2012-05-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

A special thanks to all our troops serving in our Armed Forces.

Thank You

GF by the Numbers

2012-05-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

The number of calories in one cup of strawberries, go ahead enjoy every bite.

GF Quick and Easy

2012-05-11T15:17:00.000-07:00

As the summer months quickly approach the last thing you want to be doing is spending time over a hot stove. This is the perfect time to use fresh fruits and vegetables in their natural state. In today's GF Quick and Easy we'll be making a salad, best of all you'll only need 3 ingredients! Start of by cubing watermelon into bite size chunks, follow that up be slicing rounds of cucumber. If your cucumber slices are too big slice them in half, making them into half moon sizes. Season with fresh chopped cilantro and salt. There you go a quick and easy refreshing salad that will become a stable in the summer months.

Deals and Steals - C.B. Mixing Bowls

2012-04-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

Taking cooking classes in my spare time isn't just a hobby, it's so much more. I always seem to learn an interesting fact or tidbit that makes the cost of enrollment all worth while. While attending a cooking basics boot camp the chef instructor took a moment to talk about essential tools that every chef should have. As he went down the list I checked the items off in my mind. Then all of a sudden he said "mixing bowls... lots of them" and then I realized the closest thing I had to a mixing bowl was a cereal bowl.

Determined not to fall in that trap I set out to find my own set of mixing bowls. I started looking online and came across Crate and Barrels 10 piece glass bowl set. Dishwasher and microwave safe, they come in varying sizes from 1 oz to 4.5 qts. They're sturdy, perfect to serve out of and they stack inside each other for added space saving benefits. All that for only $29.95...SOLD! I've had my set for some time now and I don't know what I would do without them. I'm surprised how useful they've become time and time again. Thanks chef for the great advice!

If it's free, it's for me - Chick-fil-a

2012-04-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

I wasn't born in the South but I may have been in a past lifetime. I have an obsession with barbecue sauce. I can't seem to get enough of it. One of my favorite places for "free" sauces and dressings is at Chick-fil-a. They offer a wide range of gluten free condiments. The service is excellent and the product is always top notch. See below for a listing of GF sauces or head over to their website for the complete list of GF foods.

Barbecue Sauce

Honey Mustard Sauce

Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce

Polynesian Sauce

Buttermilk Ranch Sauce

Chick-fil-A® Buffalo Sauce

Tools of the Trade - Fitness

2012-04-01T07:57:00.001-07:00

My sports sack I take to the gym is filled with all my essentials towel, water bottle, ipod shuffle and one of my favorite gym gadgets, my heart rate monitor. A heart rate monitor is a great tool to have. I find that it keeps me focused by ensuring that I stay in the right heart rate zone and that translates to no slacking off. My heart rate monitor can also track laps, the duration of my workout, the calories I've burned and it's waterproof. If your fan of cardio (and I know you are) you'll love this tool. P.S. Best place to get one, eBay or Craigslist.

If your looking for a tool to assist with your general fitness I suggest the Fitbit Ultra. It's like a pedometer taken up a couple of notches. It tracks your steps, sleep patterns and is used in conjunction with the website for further capabilities. I haven't tried it yet but it looks interesting from the reviews I've read and the information I've seen. It you try one let me know what you think.