gluten-free musings

Day 20: The dairy-free challenge

2012-01-21T17:56:00.002-05:00

Oh boy! I am 2/3 of the way through the month of no cheese, and I am not going to lie to you, I am not liking it. Frankly, I am hating it. I am following it very well, but it is getting me down. M tells me how he actually doesn't mind it, and as long as he can have some milk in his tea, he can keep on going with this challenge. Yeah, we'll see about that mister!I have to admit, I am looking

A slight detour...

2012-01-13T20:51:00.006-05:00

First, I am going to give a disclaimer, this is not a post about gluten-freeness. But this is about something I have spoken about before and something that is very difficult and painful for me, and dammit, this is my blog, so I will write about it, and maybe it will be cathartic. Pregnancy and non-pregnancy.I have written before about how we have one wonderful, amazing, superstar daughter, Z,

Day 11: The dairy-free challenge

2012-01-12T11:42:00.004-05:00

I am officially on Day 11 of being dairy-free, and honestly, I am not crazy about this. I want my yogurt back!On a positive note, it is really opening my eyes to how much I rely on dairy. Making eggs for breakfast...I want to mix it with milk and cover it with feta or cheddar. I am craving a snack...I want to slice apples and dip it into my favorite mixture of Greek yogurt mixed with peanut

Happy 2012!!

2012-01-02T12:20:00.005-05:00

I know it is technically, the 2nd of January, but for all practical purposes being that it is Monday, it is the real start to the new year. As a result today is my official Day 1 of being dairy-free. As I am still recovering from New Years Eve, I slept in and have only had mint tea today, so...so far dairy-free has been a breeze! But, of course my mind cannot stop thinking of the yogurt that

January dairy-free challenge!

2011-12-27T16:26:00.005-05:00

Who else is in??I have said it, I have put it in words and now I must stick with it. My husband thinks I am crazy, asking 1) why would I go dairy-free if I don't have to; and 2) if I say it now, why don't I just start now. My friends ask why would I do this to myself when I already can't have gluten.He is right, I do not need to be dairy-free, dairy is one of my vices, and since being

Mexican hot fudge chocolate sauce

2011-12-18T15:03:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I wrote about my current holiday gift endeavor, peppermint bark. Another favorite of mine, which is also very easy, and gives great results is Mexican hot fudge chocolate sauce. So good, you can use it on ice cream, cookies, cake or just eat it straight from the jar with a spoon.I like to recycle jars that I collect through the year from jelly, jam, tomato sauce, salsa, glass water

Peppermint Bark

2011-12-17T13:41:00.006-05:00

For the holidays I love to give edible gifts, but of course being gluten-free can throw a wrench into it. Doesn't it always? Thankfully, there are lots of fun things you can do that are naturally gluten-free, and you don't need to spend lots of dough on gluten-free flours.For the past two years, I gave chocolate fudge sauce, which was simple and easy (recipe to follow). But this year, I

And the winner is....

2011-11-27T20:26:00.002-05:00

...of last week's giveaway of The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen cookbook is...Nicole of Nicole's Special Diet Creations. Congratulations!! Nicole, please email me at anne@glutenfreemusings.com, so I can get your contact details and have your new cookbook mailed to you! I think you will love it. Thank you everyone for entering, and reading my blog!

Giveaway: The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen

2011-11-16T21:58:00.006-05:00

Recently, I wrote about how much I loved The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen cookbook by Laura B. Russell. I was so excited about this cookbook that I contacted the publisher and they have generously offered a copy of the book for me to giveaway. I know others will be excited by this book too.To enter this giveaway*:1. Leave a comment, with your name, on this post and tell us what Asian dish you miss

Chatting with President Clinton....as one does....

2011-11-11T11:19:00.004-05:00

...on a Thursday morning.If someone told me I was going to meet former President Bill Clinton, I would never have believed it. Especially while dressed impeccably in my walking morning sweats, sporting messy pig tails, and completely make-up free.Though, something tells me that no one who knows me would be surprised that when I did get the chance to meet the former leader of the free world, I

Pumpkin pancakes with caramelized bananas

2011-11-06T12:03:00.009-05:00

What is better during the season of pumpkins, colorful falling leaves and hot chocolate than pumpkin pancakes, or pumpkin anything, for that matter. There is something about pumpkin that is so hearty and warming, and putting that into a pancake is the perfect package.Pancakes are something that are so fun to experiment with, especially throughout the seasons. My favorites are my eggnog

The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen & Laura B. Russell

2011-11-05T13:39:00.002-04:00

I recently received this most fabulous cookbook written by food writer, Laura B. Russell. I was so in awe of the photography and the recipes, it has really given me some new inspiration. I really do miss eating out at Asian restaurants. And while it may still be possible, the availability of safe items can be seriously lacking. Some seem to be easier...Vietnamese seems a bit easier to me

A sore recovery

2011-11-04T16:52:00.005-04:00

I decided to document my glutening yesterday, because not only was it the first time since going gluten-free that I knew exactly what the offending gluten-filled item was, but I haven't eaten this much gluten since before I knew I had celiac, so I had no clue how my body would react.Typically when I get glutened, I will feel it within 30 minutes of the offending crumb or cross-contamination, I

The awful waffle!

2011-11-03T09:27:00.011-04:00

By complete accident, I ate a gluten-filled waffle this morning. How does that happen you ask. Because I am an idiot.Friends will comment how extreme I am when checking ingredients, asking questions at restaurants, asking friends about cooking methods when they cook for me, so for this to happen to me makes it even more ironic.I typically buy gluten-free waffles for Z for her to have a quick

Starbucks Anonymous

2011-10-30T21:27:00.005-04:00

I am writing this, because one, I have an addiction; and two, I kind of want to see if my husband really reads what I write, because this post would probably thrill him, since he rolls his eyes every time I step foot in Starbucks.I admit, I have become addicted, like seriously (what do they put in this stuff?)...and I don't even drink coffee. Actually it would probably be better if I did since

Winner of Green Beaver Giveaway

2011-09-01T09:37:00.003-04:00

The winner of the Green Beaver giveaway is Diane M!! Diane, please email me. If you go to the About Me page, there is a link on the right-hand side to email me and I will get you the details. Thank you to everyone for entering! anne

Quick-Fix Gluten Free: Spinach and ricotta cheese eggplant roulades

2011-08-31T22:22:00.004-04:00

Today I wrote a review on this very pretty cookbook, Quick-Fix Gluten Free, by chef Robert M. Landolphi. But for my blog, this is where I put the book into practice. My sister was coming over for dinner, and being that I have been in a slump lately on my dinner repertoire, I decided to open the book to a random page, and that is what I would make. And I choose Spinach and ricotta cheese

GFIW: Wallaby European-Style Sour Cream, Aug 29, 2011

2011-08-29T14:32:00.002-04:00

First...yum!! As I was walking through Whole Foods the other day, they were sampling Wallaby European-Style Sour Cream. And usually, as many of us with celiac, turn away samples, because of possible cross-contamination. But this table seemed pretty safe...it was just..sour cream. I already love their yogurt, so I looked through the ingredients and it looked safe. It just contains cream and

Green Beaver personal care products and giveaway!

2011-08-24T14:38:00.007-04:00

I love getting samples for new gluten-free items. And this time was definitely no exception. The people at Green Beaver sent me some personal care products to try out. They have an extensive catalogue of products that include shampoo, conditioner, facial cleanser, eye-make-up remover, exfoliant, lip gloss, body lotion, bath oil, deodorant, toothpaste and more. They also carry a line

Winner: Joy Bauer's Food Cures giveaway

2011-08-02T17:36:00.002-04:00

Last week, I posted about my giveaway for Joy Bauer's new book, Food Cures.And, I have the winners to receive a copy of her book...1. Missy Mutchnik2. Laura BosakPlease email me at anne@glutenfreemusings.com, with your address so we can get a book out to you.Thank you for entering!

GFIW: True Lemon/Lime, Aug. 1, 2011

2011-07-31T23:35:00.007-04:00

This is my favorite thing to add to my water, after real fruit. I first discovered these from the dietician at the University of Chicago Celiac Center. True Lemon makes these packets one can add to water to make water more interesting, and not so boring. The best part is that they contain nothing artificial, or sweeteners...unlike so many other ones I see on grocery store shelves. This is just

GFIW: Wellshire Farms uncured pepperoni, July 24

2011-07-25T11:15:00.000-04:00

I am not much of a meat eater, but my daughter loves her pepperoni pizza, so this is what we use, since I try to think of it as "happy" meat. And I definitely have my share of pepperoni slices as I make her pizza (oops, and yum). Wellshire Farms has loads of gluten-free items. For a complete list, check out this page on their web site.

Giveaway: Joy Bauer's Food Cures

2011-07-24T21:36:00.008-04:00

Recently, Joy Bauer's people contacted my people (meaning me), and asked me if I would like to review her new book and offer 2 copies as a giveaway. How fun! Getting food, in a giveaway. is always nice, but it is also nice and a much longer-lasting gift when it is something that can help us with that food we are eating.As many of us can agree, being gluten-free does not necessarily mean that we

Small disclaimer

2011-07-24T21:26:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to interrupt my regular musings with a small disclaimer. I don't normally do many reviews on my blog. Usually, I will write reviews on celiac-disease.com, but the same disclaimer stands there as well. I am always thrilled to receive samples from companies of their new products, and am happy to review them. With that being said, I feel it is important to say it like it is. I want

Genius has landed, but.......

2011-07-23T18:21:00.005-04:00

...there's a catch, read on...Having friends and family in England, I hear lots about what gluten-free goodies they get to indulge in, and it can sometimes make me extremely envious (mince pies, people!!). I kept hearing about this gluten-free Genius bread, and how delicious it was, and how even the Starbucks across the pond was providing gluten-free sandwiches with it in their shops. Why doesn't