Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Panna Cotta

This is probably one of the many times I took one more helping than was polite.
I was just so enamored with the silkiness and beauty of this desert.
Panna Cotta
1/3 C skim milk
1 (.25 oz) envelope unflavored gelatin
2 1/2 C heavy cream
1/2 C white sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Pour milk into a small bowl & stir in gelatin. Set aside.
In small saucepan, stir together cream and sugar and set over medium heat. Bring to full boil, watching carefully as the cream will quickly rise to top of pay. Pour gelatin and milk into the cream, stirring until completely dissolved. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into six ramekins or mold.
Cool uncovered at room temperature. When cool, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before serving.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Nummy Bunnies

Annies's Homegrown Bunnies....
check them out for a few of their treats.
//www.annies.com/glutenfree (old link) the Current link edited in thanks to Haley Studio's contribution, 5/22/11
http://www.annies.com/products/category-32
nummy
delicious
crunchy
soft
sweet
adorable
and such a great easily measured comfort food.
Take a few zip lock bags, and you have some great snack bags.

I take my bunnies to work....
How about you?

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Celiac Expo in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Gluten Free Expo 2010

The gluten free journey can be a struggle, confusing and overwhelming in the beginning. Living gluten free does not mean that you need to give up everything you love. Let's travel the right path where you will live a gluten free life with less struggles. The goal is to help those within the community gain knowledge, research, and resources while providing opportunities for families with allergies to bond with one another. This is an expo for the general public, food industry, and health professionals.

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Lakeland Union High School

9573 State Highway 70

Minocqua, WI 54548

11:00am - 3:00pm

This expo is generously sponsored by:

Trig's Grocery

Additional Sponsors Include:

Madison Top

Great Lakes Carpentry

The Outdoorsman Restaurant

Celiac Resource Guide - Helping to Navigate Life's Detour

Ministry Healthcare System

Lisanatti Cheese


source for this information http://bit.ly/cqi5lH

Monday, June 14, 2010

23 Things Not To Write In An E-mail (NPR cross posting)

I try hard to focus this blog on the life of a celiac in professional, casual, intimate, and networking societies.
Here is something that is for all celiac or non-celiacs.

23 Things Not To Write In An E-mail NPR link

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

I grew up with HONEY, for tea, for sore throats, for allergies

Everyone is trying to find ways to cut sugar and stay healthy.
Go natural and be better for it.
Honey, something that I have always favored is not a substitute for everything. Though I argue there is nothing like a cup of tea with a teaspoon of honey. Delicious.

Well here is a an article regarding the healing properties of honey. Enjoy.
http://bit.ly/bXjKnM

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Beat the Summer heat

I got a new hand wand smoothie maker and BANANAS beware!!!

8 oz unsweetened almond milk
2 medium small bananas
1 teaspoon cocoa powder ( I suppose Hershey syrup is GF so you could do that too and skip the agave)
2 teas agave nectar
2 small GF chocolate chip cookies
(yes I know.. naughty, but I haven't had a cookie with ice cream anything in ten years)
half a tray of ice cubes...

put the almond milk and ice cubes in the container in which you which to blend or mix your drink.
Let sit for a few minutes.. This chills the milk much more and means the cubs when made to chips won't melt as fast when the drink is done.
then add two bananas, the cocoa powder and agave, or Hershey syrup, which ever you find suits you, and last the cookies.. other wise they get pulverized too much.
Also, the cookies two the size of half dollars, add thickness to the already thick banana smoosh... so it is for texture.

*GF - Gluten Free

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Grilled Chicken, Plantain & Pineapple Skewers


Grilled Chicken, Plantain & Pineapple Skewers


You just might kiss me -
Chicken Skewer summer recipe from www.qualityHealth.com

Vitamins

Thiamin B1 0.27 mg
Vitamin K 6.1 mcg
Vitamin A 1100 IU
Vitamin E 9.8 mg
Pantothenic Acid 1.4 mg
Vitamin B6 0.76 mg
Riboflavin B2 0.32 mg
Choline 83 mg
Vitamin D 0 IU
Vitamin C 110 mg
Vitamin B12 0.29 mcg
Niacin B3 6.3 mg

Minerals

Sodium 270 mg
Zinc 2.3 mg
Copper 0.37 mg
Iron 2.3 mg
Calcium 56 mg
Manganese 1.2 mg
Magnesium 76 mg
Fluoride 16 mcg
Potassium 930 mg
Phosphorus 230 mg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
©2010 QualityHealth.com. All rights reserved. The material on the QualityHealth Web site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a physician or other qualified health provider.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

BE Udi Ful - WOW I am in love

One of the challenges of being a Celiac, cardboard bread! You know what I am talking about.
There are lots of option of carboard, or thick pucks of somewhat bread looking substances.
But now, there is delicious bread that isn't so heavy and stuck together, but actually has fluffy air pockets and such in it.
Udi makes a great little loaf of just "can eat it plain" bread.
With jam, almond butter, garlic butter or a little olive oil, this bread is tasty just thawed and made into a sandwich, or toasted to make cinnamon toast.
Better yet, I am sharing with you the new contest they are running.
http://glutenfreeville.com/featured/be-udiful
so share your recipe here, and submit your recipe there... but lets here it for UDI and them finally bringing store bought bread a name we can still enjoy while not always having time to cook.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Facts and figures - Do you know them?

I want to make sure this out there for people to find.
  • Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food.
  • One in 133 Americans have celiac disease.
  • Three million Americans across all races, ages and genders suffer from celiac.
  • 95% of celiacs are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.
  • 10 years is the average time a person waits to be correctly diagnosed.
  • 17% of celiac patients have an immediate family member who also has celiac.
Celiac disease can lead to a number of other disorders including infertility, reduced bone density, neurological disorders, some cancers, and other autoimmune diseases.
http://bit.ly/9iQClx
I get sick of hearing:
- but it is too expensive to go gluten free.
- Well I do it sometimes, that helps right?
- But once I go gluten free, can I eat wheat again?
- But I feel fine except x,y,z symptoms.
- That just sounds like alot of work, can't they just make a pill?

Seriously, this is hard work, if you make it hard. Diligence is the lifestyle, true, but being healthy and feeling healthy are two different things.
Feeling like you spent enough to be healthy with a gluten free diet? Guess how much uninsured cancer surgery costs?
[lower end $20,000]
Why would you think sometimes is good? Do you think, I eat healthy cause Monday/Wednesday/Friday I don't drink poison? But the other days... I drink bleach...
Gluten free, is the only and I mean only cure for celiacs disease, in fact cure is not the best term, it is the best way to alleviate the body of suffering more or the symptoms getting worse.
Most see symptoms reduce and many see the body heal. But if left to be contaminated again, and again... how can the body ever heal?

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Smoothie, frappe, or whatever you call it - Gluten free delicious

I found a nice little smoothie making stick for $12.
I found the best glass jar, and decided that ice cream can be avoided a bit more, if I made delicious drinks for myself.
8 fl oz of almond milk
1/4 cup fage Greek style yogurt
1 banana
5 strawberries
1 tbsp honey or Agave Nectar

frothy and delicious...
Honestly, the stick is easier to wash than a blender, and so much quicker to get out, use, and put away.
Less washing and parts to wash, and truly makes the whole.."making a treat" a quick fix for something smooth and creamy.
Try it...
There are lots of berries and fruits that would make this great

I tried the unsweetened Almond Breeze milk, the chocolate Almond Breeze also works .

Friday, April 16, 2010

I am looking forward to the New Cookbook release are you


I enjoy the gluten free girl [shauna] and her husband the chef [danny].
I find their blogging about life, ACTUALLY blogging about life and food, but also about loving life and loving food and not allowing food to be an enemy, but actually embracing food as one of your best friends that is healthy.


I even got in on the debate of what the cover should be, (with an answer or two responding to my comments... FROM SHAUNA) so...
Let me say this, the cover makes me drool, and the idea of a cookbook that I am going to love and no substitutions and beautiful artwork without just black and white print.... yeah.
Lovin' it.. how about you?
Now i have to add it to every wishlist ever so that I can hopefully get a surprise gift, or a great deal when I earn a gift card.

Here you go.
http://bit.ly/dhdSc2

Monday, February 8, 2010

simple lunch


Sometimes it is simple to be Gluten Free, but cooking a meal for one can be a challenge, so once in awhile a new pot, pan or recipe is great to liven things up.
Here, I use my new Asian themed plates to dish up a burgundy beef steak (broiled burgundy and soy sauce with garlic, salt, pepper) to compliment the yellow and green beans, that mix nicely with the sauteed baby carrots.
enjoy...

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

FRAUD - regular bread sold as GLUTEN FREE...

court is in session.
North Carolina bakery owner Paul Selig is facing criminal felony charges
he sold gluten-free food - bread that were just repackaged regularly +5,000 parts per million gluten.
The rule is 20ppm be the max, 20...
So here you go..
NBC reports

Wake County Story

Story Highlights
  • Judge orders business to close for 10 days.
  • Department of Agriculture said many people got sick after eating the bread.





Local Bakery Closes After Gluten Is Found In ‘Gluten-Free’ Bread Claim

Friday, January 22, 2010

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Stuffed Mushrooms

20-25 mushrooms
1 - 9 oz. box of frozen spinach (it actually assists in the cooking)
5-7 pieces of bacon
¼ cup of cheddar, Gruyere, blue or gorgonzola cheese
1 c sour cream

Defrost and drain spinach.

Fry the bacon, set to drain and cool, and finally crumble into small pieces. Mix bacon, spinach, and cheese, and sour cream.

Fill the cap of the mushroom with a heap of the mixture. Bake in the oven on 325°F for 25 minutes.


Note if you want them a little less decadent and a few less calories, skip the sour cream

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Delicious and elegant

you have to check out a simple and gluten free recipe.
http://www.cookstr.com/recipes/fresh-mussels-steamed-open-in-wine-and-flavorings
Julia Childs and Jaque....
you know mussels are delicious, but watch them cook and "agree" then disagree or feed off each others creative cooking juices is hysterical yet beautiful. Enjoy the show...

Monday, January 18, 2010

Celiac Disease - The social ramifications of a flat mate or roommate

Have you separated the silverware, divided the cooking utensils and dissolved yourself of sharing the kitchen cutting boards? Good, because if they are using them for gluten products, the item is no longer worth using. BLEACH does not break down or lay gluten innert. So even if the cutting board or "bread knife" is used once... how sure are you that you got it clean.
Consider that the butter tub, (margarine), jams, jellies, may not be so selfish of you to claim personal and not communal.
The problem is often that you are trying to share in order to germinate a better and more sharing living environment, also refrigerator space is a hot commodity and two tubs of margarine, especially if you use the same kind, seems to lack sense. Think twice about labeling yourself selfish, but thrifty in that you won't have to only use it, if you opened it for the first time, and then hope or trust the other person didn't double-dip, or let a guest use it, which then really leaves things uncertain.

Be aware, know that it is indeed not selfish, but kind to disallow sharing in order to not have to hog the bathroom, or moan and groan of symptoms.
Be kind and rewind... I mean it.. rewind back to.. it is prudent to be safe and caring of yourself. Fly away guilt, for my food is to stay uncontaminated and I feel great knowing it will stay that way.

Celiac Awareness - Resource Link

You might or might not have thought of the Celiac disease scope on your body or...
Mouth.
Have you talked to your dentist about being Celiac?
http://celiac.nih.gov/DentalEnamel.aspx

I think this is good information to recommend you not only read, but print or provide to your dentist. Proactive, you and I make a better world for all, Celiacs and Wheat-eaters. Because the more we are healthy, the more those that we surround ourselves that can eat - don't have to worry but also, can support us.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

What smells soooooo good?


Hunger rumble audibly from my stomach.
I had committed to not eat until the stomach finally told me that food was a priority. Letting the body reset for the new year.

so I put a LARGE cast iron Skillet on the stove, then started chopping, dicing, dashing and finally sat down to review this weeks mail.
Stomach was trying to leap to the kitchen as the aroma of cooked veggies, meats and herbs mingle in the kitchen, dancing over the stove and pouring out the kitchen.

  • 3 Tbsp - Olive oil
  • 3 cups chicken broth (you can use vegetable or beef if you wish)
  • 2 cups carrots- chipped -Fresh
  • 3 (8") baby zucchini - coined - Fresh
  • 1 cup - thick cut spiral cut deli ham - diced (Gluten free, MSG Free)
  • 1 Tbsp - Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce (gluten free of course)
  • 1 Tbsp Dried Parsley
  • 1 Medium Onion - diced (quantity to your liking)
  • 3 cloves garlic - crushed (quantity to your liking)
  • 1 Tbsp dried red pepper chips
  • 1 Tsp dried oregano - I wanted t pungency of dried
  • 1 Tsp freshly ground Black/Red/White Pepper
Seasoned skillet is warmed and the olive oil is added.
The broth and carrots are simmered for 5 minutes while the rest of the ingredients are diced and coined.
While I whistle with great joy that the skillet is already seasoned so well... I throw in the carrots, the coined zucchini, the garlic and onions, and the herbs.
The ham goes in last five minutes just to warm it, otherwise it gets overcooked and tough.

Now, this might sound strange, but the sweet ham and carrots mix with the dancing oregano, and the taste is certainly strong.... but to soften the taste, no... add to the taste, a little sour cream will be added at the very end to make the juices into a nice sauce. You will find the dish, simple and goes well with many starch choices.
My boyfriend and I are enjoying rice noodle bowls and trying different soup recipes on our weekends together. The fluffy gluten free bread works great to sop up the provincial juices, or simple croutons on top for a elegant look.

Whatever your choice. I am sure that this little one skillet "throw-together" will be enjoyed during the snow day we are having.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Grocery Store list vs. cost

I spent time carefully weighing my options.
I picked up the nice little package of my new favorite cookies.
I picked up the organic half&half for the coffee 3.89 for a full liter. I was disappointed the Cream line Dairy non-pasturized half&half was out. That stuff is delightful!
So I compromised for the liter of half&half, but made sure to pick up the blueberry, Vans gluten free waffles.
I picked up some boysenberry jam, since the grocery store carries a local brand, and I know it is safe.
A sweet potato for a lovely casserole later, some raspberries and a bag of apples to make my own stewed fruit, and some zucchinis for the deep dish casserole.
hmmm what else...
Reb bush tea, vine ripened tomotoes, some local makers sold in the store pickles (also super safe but not a national brand), and my one actual indulgence. GF stuffing made by kinnicinic. Man did I miss stuffing for years. I mean a few tines since 1999 I tried, but it was made of mediocre - not-worth-it product.

So when I got to the check out counter with my 12 items that came to $50 dollars. I wasn't surprised, but the woman behind me was. She blurted out. good god are those golden pickles or what? This is why I don't bu organic.
Then she realized how REALLY ruder her outburst had been.
I turned to the lady and smiled. Sure I could pick out less quality food, but in the end i would be sick and unhealthy from your white bread. I have food allergies and eating right doesn't always allow frequent luxury. Sometimes it requires choosing between what is available and what will nourish you.
--She stammered...but you hardly have two bags of groceries.....
Yes maam, but those two bags are all food that I can count on to keep me healthy, and certainly they are going to be delicious.

Her eyes fell to the floor, her scarlet cheeks still burning... "what you must think of me with my generic peanut butter, potato chips, little debbies and chex mix bags"

I gently smiled and laughed... if you were my friend we would shop together and make choices that were good for your budget and your body. But, in the end, you seem like an adult that can make choices for herself, and I assume the kids that those little debbies are for... since there seem to be adult cookies in the cart too?

her eyes lifted...
you know.. I am going to put these back... maybe I can find some real TREATS in the organic section. you are right, I like the food to be good, not just cheap.. Happy new year.

and she walked back to find something for herself... I assume truly FOR herself is the way to say it.

Happy New Year