I'm home from my road trip, and I can't tell you how excited I am to have control over my meals again! I splurged on some gluten itmes and I'm paying for it right now. Seriously, when will I learn?
Anyway, I wanted to post a short entry to let you know of a couple recipes I have in the works. What kinds of things would you like to see me blog about?
Right now I've got a recipe for almond french toast I can't wait to share, and am tweaking recipes for banana-applesauce muffins and crockpot oatmeal. There is great food in the future!
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Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Taking Gluten-Free on the Road
I'm in the routine of gluten-free eating and cooking at home, but taking the gluten-free lifestyle on the road is a tremendous challenge. I stocked up on gluten-free snacks (organic rice cakes, Food Should Taste Good chips, and some nuts for protein), but so far I have struggled to find food at most restaurants where we've stopped. Perhaps I just haven't learned the ropes, but I have found it to be nearly impossible to eat at restaurants on this trip. Fast food places are particularly bad. I don't think I ever realized the obsession we have in America with breaded food until I was looking for gluten-free options on a fast food menu. Thank goodness we found a grocery store so that I could buy some foods that I knew were safe.
Continental breakfast at a hotel is pretty much a nightmare. I've made a mental note to remember that one. Even the items that appear to be wheat free (eggs, sausage, bacon, etc) are dangerously close to items containing wheat. As I stood back and watched other people getting their food, I realized I couldn't trust any of the utensils because people were using them on biscuits and then putting them back in the eggs. The oatmeal packets were by Quaker oats, and I've heard that Quaker does not insure that their oats are un-contaminated. I ended up having my wonderful husband take me to the grocery store so that I could feed myself. I was super hungry by the time I finally ate!
Most restaurants offer a salad option that would work out OK, as long as you leave off the croutons. Last night I had a philly cheesesteak (sauteed green peppers and onions) and had them make it without the bun. That was actually really excellent, and several people at my table were jealous because my food looked better than theirs!
Do you have any tips to share about eating gluten-free on the road? What things do you pack with you when you travel?
Continental breakfast at a hotel is pretty much a nightmare. I've made a mental note to remember that one. Even the items that appear to be wheat free (eggs, sausage, bacon, etc) are dangerously close to items containing wheat. As I stood back and watched other people getting their food, I realized I couldn't trust any of the utensils because people were using them on biscuits and then putting them back in the eggs. The oatmeal packets were by Quaker oats, and I've heard that Quaker does not insure that their oats are un-contaminated. I ended up having my wonderful husband take me to the grocery store so that I could feed myself. I was super hungry by the time I finally ate!
Most restaurants offer a salad option that would work out OK, as long as you leave off the croutons. Last night I had a philly cheesesteak (sauteed green peppers and onions) and had them make it without the bun. That was actually really excellent, and several people at my table were jealous because my food looked better than theirs!
Do you have any tips to share about eating gluten-free on the road? What things do you pack with you when you travel?
Friday, August 5, 2011
Product Review: Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries
I'm not big into couponing, but if I can easily find a deal I will take it. I've been using Swagbucks as a search engine and a way to save up gift cards for Christmas and birthday presents, and I noticed that you can print coupons through their website as well. One of the first coupons it offered me was for Ore-Ida Sweet Potato Fries. I am a huge fan of sweet potatoes in all forms, but sweet potato fries particularly delight me. I went ahead and "clipped" the coupon online, but I doubted I would be able to buy the product. There had to be some hidden wheat in there. I was sure of it. I have noticed that a lot of frozen fries and potato products use wheat as a sticking agent, and I was guessing that this product would be the same way.
When I got to the grocery store, I made a bee-line for the sweet potato fries. I was totally thrilled to read on the side of the package: "GLUTEN-FREE." Ahh!!!! Joy!!!!
So, we had a family cook out, and I stuck some of these sweet potato fries in the oven. The fries held together nicely when I flipped them part-way through the cooking time, and they achieved a wonderful crunchy-but-slightly-soggy texture. I love that about good sweet potato fries.
When I got to the grocery store, I made a bee-line for the sweet potato fries. I was totally thrilled to read on the side of the package: "GLUTEN-FREE." Ahh!!!! Joy!!!!
So, we had a family cook out, and I stuck some of these sweet potato fries in the oven. The fries held together nicely when I flipped them part-way through the cooking time, and they achieved a wonderful crunchy-but-slightly-soggy texture. I love that about good sweet potato fries.
Not the greatest picture in the world. I never realized how hard it was to get a good picture of orange food until I went through probably 30 pictures before I got one that wasn't simply terrible. These fries were great, and I definitely recommend them if you are a lover of sweet potatoes. And, if you hunt around, there are several coupons floating around online. Hope you love these as much as I did!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Chocolate Fruity Pebble Treats
I'm still packing my meals for Vacation Bible School this week. I've been kinda boring and have stayed with a cold meat sandwich on bread each night. Tomorrow night they are grilling hot dogs, so I think I'll eat a hot dog without the bun and pack my own side dishes. Hopefully that will work out all right.
Each night the kids get a dessert of some sort with the meal. I've just packed basic sides like GF pretzels, raisins, plantain crispers, etc., but then I heard that Fruity Pebbles are gluten-free now. I decided I should make myself a dessert, and I wanted to use Fruity Pebbles. So, I made a quick trip to the local grocery store, picked up some Fruity Pebbles and came home. The box did NOT say gluten-free on it, so I went to Post Cereal's website. It did confirm that Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles are gluten-free, but if you have specific dietary needs, I would recommend calling or emailing the company with your specific questions. As with all my recipes, please double check what you are using to ensure that it is gluten-free and safe for you.
Not the greatest picture, but here's what I came up with for my Vacation Bible School dessert:
***Chocoalte Fruity Pebble Treats
1/4 cup (or 1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 pkg. (10.5 ounce) mini marshmallows
1 box Fruity Pebbles
2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
2 tsp. sugar
Line a 9x13 pan with foil and grease foil. In a very large, microwave-safe bowl, melt butter with cocoa and sugar on high for about 45 seconds. Stir well. If the mixture isn't melted, add another 10-15 seconds and stir again. Add marshmallows and toss with the chocolate mixture until the marshmallows are coated. Microwave 1 1/2 minutes (stopping after 45 seconds to stir), or until marshmallows are completely melted. Add Fruity Pebbles cereal and mix well. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish. Dampen hands with water and firmly press cereal mixture into pan until evenly spread. Allow the treats to cool. Cut into about 15 squares.
Hope you enjoy these! They lasted all of one day at my house!
Each night the kids get a dessert of some sort with the meal. I've just packed basic sides like GF pretzels, raisins, plantain crispers, etc., but then I heard that Fruity Pebbles are gluten-free now. I decided I should make myself a dessert, and I wanted to use Fruity Pebbles. So, I made a quick trip to the local grocery store, picked up some Fruity Pebbles and came home. The box did NOT say gluten-free on it, so I went to Post Cereal's website. It did confirm that Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles are gluten-free, but if you have specific dietary needs, I would recommend calling or emailing the company with your specific questions. As with all my recipes, please double check what you are using to ensure that it is gluten-free and safe for you.
Not the greatest picture, but here's what I came up with for my Vacation Bible School dessert:
***Chocoalte Fruity Pebble Treats
1/4 cup (or 1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 pkg. (10.5 ounce) mini marshmallows
1 box Fruity Pebbles
2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
2 tsp. sugar
Line a 9x13 pan with foil and grease foil. In a very large, microwave-safe bowl, melt butter with cocoa and sugar on high for about 45 seconds. Stir well. If the mixture isn't melted, add another 10-15 seconds and stir again. Add marshmallows and toss with the chocolate mixture until the marshmallows are coated. Microwave 1 1/2 minutes (stopping after 45 seconds to stir), or until marshmallows are completely melted. Add Fruity Pebbles cereal and mix well. Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish. Dampen hands with water and firmly press cereal mixture into pan until evenly spread. Allow the treats to cool. Cut into about 15 squares.
Hope you enjoy these! They lasted all of one day at my house!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Vacation Bible School: A Gluten-Free Challenge!
Our church is doing Vacation Bible School this week, and as part of our outreach to the community, we are offering a meal right when Bible School starts. Last night there were sandwiches (cut into fourths) that were either cheese sandwiches, jelly sandwiches, or lunchmeat sandwiches. There were shredded carrot pieces, pretzel sticks, cookies and juice. I knew ahead of time that this was the menu being served, and so I knew that for the week I would have to plan to bring my own meal with me. So, my challenge has two parts: 1) to bring something that will fill me up and give me the energy to lead the music and skits for almost 70 kids, and 2) something that wouldn't make other people eating around me jealous that my food was different.
Gotta love eating gluten-free at a big community meal.
So, last night I made a turkey sandwich on Udi's gluten-free bread. If you've never had Udi's bread, go get some. It will change your gluten-free life. I know that if I'm going out of town or to visit someone who won't be cooking gluten-free, I can bring along some Udi's bread and be just fine.
I also packed some yellow raisins, and some "Sticks and Twigs" by the company with perhaps the best name I've ever read: Mary's Gone Crackers. The "Sticks and Twigs" were a taste sensation, to say the least, so I will have to do a product review of them a bit later on.
I also toted along my Camelbak full of water. I never leave home without it.
Tonight I will make myself another sandwich, and bring along some Food Should Taste Good chips.
What kinds of things do you bring with you when you know you are going somewhere that won't have gluten-free food? What are your go-to snacks? I'll keep you posted on how the rest of Vacation Bible School goes and what kinds of food I decided to throw in my re-usable lunch bag. Should be an adventure!
As a side note, I also noticed that one other helper was unable to eat with everone else. She is vegetarian and lactose intolerant. Next year I want to do something that can make those with food allergies still feel welcome.
Gotta love eating gluten-free at a big community meal.
So, last night I made a turkey sandwich on Udi's gluten-free bread. If you've never had Udi's bread, go get some. It will change your gluten-free life. I know that if I'm going out of town or to visit someone who won't be cooking gluten-free, I can bring along some Udi's bread and be just fine.
I also packed some yellow raisins, and some "Sticks and Twigs" by the company with perhaps the best name I've ever read: Mary's Gone Crackers. The "Sticks and Twigs" were a taste sensation, to say the least, so I will have to do a product review of them a bit later on.
I also toted along my Camelbak full of water. I never leave home without it.
Tonight I will make myself another sandwich, and bring along some Food Should Taste Good chips.
What kinds of things do you bring with you when you know you are going somewhere that won't have gluten-free food? What are your go-to snacks? I'll keep you posted on how the rest of Vacation Bible School goes and what kinds of food I decided to throw in my re-usable lunch bag. Should be an adventure!
As a side note, I also noticed that one other helper was unable to eat with everone else. She is vegetarian and lactose intolerant. Next year I want to do something that can make those with food allergies still feel welcome.
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