Help, I ate to much last night shake!

My favorite go to shake is not only gluten free but incredibly healthy too.

First, grab your single cup or any blender that pulverizes ice.  I use my Ninja with the single cup attachment.

Layer in the to - go cup ~ 1 cup Greek yogurt, preferably fat free and flavor is optional.  Throw in a couple of ice cubes.  Add frozen fruit of your choice, approximately 1/4 cup.   Then pour unsweetened coconut water over the fruit and yogurt mixture until you reach the fill line.  

Puree/Blend until smooth and enjoy.

** For those that need to add a little gf fiber in your diet... this is a great time to add dissolvable fiber powder. 

You Got Glutened! Now what?

You Got Glutened! Now what?

National Celiac Disease Awareness Month

Please join the online Twitter Chat on Celiac Disease Diagnosis  Tuesday, May 13, 2013 from 8-9 p.m. EST/ 5-6 p.m. PST

Join the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) as we discuss the risk factors and diagnosis process for celiac disease including what to expect with the blood test and biopsy in 140characters. Share your experience with others and tell your family members to tune in!
Look for tweets from NFCA (@CeliacAwareness) and follow the hashtag #NFCAchat to join in.

You can receive your own Celiac Awareness Toolkit at http://www.celiaccentral.org/Celiac-Awareness/2014-Celiac-Awareness-Month-Toolkit/Download-2014-Celiac-Awareness-Month-Toolkit/1085/

Basic Gluten Free Baking Mix
2 c. rice flour
1/3 c. tapioca starch
2/3 c. potato starch

Mix together and store in airtight container. 

Featherlight Pastry Mix (Great for crusts, crepes)
2 c. rice flour
2 c. corn starch
2 c. tapioca flour
2 c. potato starch

Mix together and store in airtight container.

Once you have these two mixes in your pantry you are all set for a plethora of incredible recipes.  Enjoy the GF recipes that I will be posting using these two basic flour blends.

Going gluten-free wasn't just a choice for me or for members of my family.  My youngest brother was diagnosed with celiacs disease in 2003.  A once reasonably healthy and handsome young man began to lose weight, muscle mass and nutrients. 

Unfortunately, in 2003 the Gluten Free products found in supermarkets tasted more like the corrugated box it was shipped in rather than something tasty and worth eating.  My brother was skeptical on whether or not he would eat something he truly enjoyed eating.  He gave up trying until recently.

I'm not a chef or baker by trade, just a determined big sister trying to keep her younger brother healthy.  So started my gluten free kitchen trials. 

Gluten Gut

I've been very careful with gluten lately as the slightest bit seems to mess up my system.   Carefully choosing the right bbq sauce for my ribs was crucial.  I am so blessed to have a great company like Black Swamp in the area.  I discovered Black Swamp a few years back when my sister in law, Sarah picked up a jar at a local show.  Sarah, the owner of 'oh zilly me' started out her business at local craft events and I was the lucky recipient when she found a new GF product.   Black Swamp makes everything from mild to xtra hot.  blackswampgourmet.com

So why did I have gluten gut last night?  A wonderful gesture by someone special to make me a chocolate flurry backfired.  Instantly I found myself in pain.  I ran to the freezer to check out the ice cream.. no gluten here.  Hmm, the candy!  Sure enough the candy had malt.  Not only was my gut wrenching in pain now the gesture of kindness turned into guilt.  Oh the life of a gluten free woman!  Sometimes it just stinks!! (no pun intended)

Terrific Tuesday!

Last night I had a great conversation with my cousin, Shellie.  Shellie and I have had the chance to meet up for dinner whenever we can.  This picture makes me grateful for social media and finding my wonderful cousin. 

I headed south to Andersons General Store on Talmadge in Toledo.  Drove my shopping cart right to the GF beer.  Mind you they have about 7 different varieties of GF beer along with several ciders.   Holy crap!  Only 2 six packs left.  Grabbed them and asked Jim, the nice beer/wine manager to order 2 cases.     ** Note - Andersons will be having Bard's Beer on sale for $6.99 a pack. 

Then a quick trip to Zavorski's Meat Market on Douglas & Laskey where I found a cooler full of GF items.  Rudi's pizza crusts, breads, hot dog buns, and cinnamon rolls.  They also carry Black Swamp BBQ Sauce, it's GF and comes in 3 varieties.  Bring on the baby back ribs!!