Walk for Team Gluten-Free

 This morning i did a walk for Team Gluten-free! The weather was perfect! Hoping that i can keep raising donations:).

Avoiding the Cross-Contamination Blues

  I happen to be the only person in my family/household that is Gluten-Free/has food allergies. They eat Gluten,so cross-contamination can be a big issue. Here are some tips and tricks to avoid contamination in a kitchen shared with Gluten.

1. Store your GF baking supplies and foods in a separate section of the kitchen or pantry (I have my own cupboard just with my stuff). Clearly label GF containers and products (I go crazy with the sharpie markers!).
2. Use separate Utensils,cutting boards, and other cooking tools (I even have my own plates,bowls ect. and i keep it all in separate drawer).
3. If you are preparing both GF and non-GF items at the same time,prepare the GF food first.
4. Buy condiments in squeeze bottles if possible, or have your own separate jars.
5. If possible buy separate appliances (such as a toaster and bread machine, also a toaster oven is a great investment if you are only cooking for yourself). I also have these reusable toaster bags that come in handy if we are at someone elses house. http://www.amazon.com/Set-NoStick-Toast-Toaster-Bags/dp/B0012XGM92/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1284253655&sr=8-1

Grains,Seeds,Legumes,and Starches we CAN eat instead of wheat

Alot of times i find myself focusing on what I cannot eat oppose to what I can. There are alot of other grains and substitutes out there if you are willing to experiment and try new things.

• Beans (I have been eating alot of different kinds lately and experimenting. Great source of protein!)
• All Legumes
• Flax (Very healthy and has lots of fiber)
• Corn
• Potatoes (I love sweet potatoes especially)
• Rice (There are many different kinds of rice, I love brown rice and it is very good for you. You can even buy the instant kind. i have been eating some great bean and rice burgers. Also you can use rice flour for alot of things. I make these really simple rice tortillas.)
• Sorghum
• Tapioca
• Millet
• Quinoa (Very good and great for you...has alot of protein and it cooks just like rice.)
• Montina
• Mesquite
• Buckwheat ( Yes it is Gluten-Free)
• Amaranth
• Arrowroot
• Teff

Team Gluten-Free Walk!

I am walking for Team Gluten-Free, Sept. 12 9:00a.m. Hawk Hollow in the Working Wonder Women's Race/Walk for Sparrow Foundation. However I am collecting funds for Team Gluten Free so that kids and teens like me may receive camp grants again.I was so blessed to get a full scholarship to Celiac camp this summer. It was so awesome! Below is a web page you may make donations. All monies will go to the Celiac Disease Foundation!
https://www.active.com/donate/teamglutenfree/celiacteenhillary

Every small amount adds up!

Traveling to New York State for Labor Day Weekend!

 We are currently in New York State for Labor day weekend to visit my Aunt and Uncle. It is very exciting to go see my family as I haven't seen them in awhile! But with having Celiac Disease and other allergies it can be hard to plan everything out, and i bit stressful. I had to bring all my own food and all my own plates,bowls,and utensils because i am so sensitive, and have to eat alot of specialty food. So i was a bit stressed the last few days planning what i was going to bring, and making sure i pack everything. I went out to my local health foods store (Foods For Living) to pick up a few things. It is also stressful going to visit the family because they didn't really know about my diseases or dietary issues, so we had to go through explaining it to them. Least they want to learn about it, and are curious but it gets old sometimes always trying to explain it to people. Fingers crossed I will not get sick this trip;)

Pups In A Blanket

  This is a recipe i made a little while ago using tofu pups. It is just like pigs in a blanket but with tofu dogs. I make it with Chebe mixes because they are allergen free. It is very easy to make, and then freeze for an easy meal:)

Ingredients:
1 package Tofu pups
1 package Chebe mix of choice...i have used the All Purpose and  the Garlic-Onion, but it also works with the original bread mix,pizza,or Foccacia.

 1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
 2)Prepare dough mix as it says on package. I cannot have eggs so here is a link on how to use the mixes without eggs...http://www.chebe.com/preparation.htm

 3)Mix well with hands for 5 min. or until very smooth and well blended. (Add a little water if too dry, add Chebe mix or food starch if too sticky.) Separate dough into 6 pieces, roll and flatten them.




4) Place a tofu pup on each piece of dough and roll them up. Place on non-greased baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

They don't look perfect but I think they are good:)

Gluten Free Vendor Fair- Lansing Michigan

Hosted by Michigan Capital Celiac and DH Group
        Date:  September 25 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.

Some pics from last years fair!

Location: South Church of the Nazarene
                 401 W Holmes Rd Lansing
Contact: phone  517-349-0294
Email: micapceldh@gmail.com.

Spaghetti Squash "un pasta"

On top of my spaghetti squash "pasta" I put some pasta sauce,mushrooms,and Garbanzo beans.

Baked Spaghetti Squash "un pasta"


Prep: 5 min, Cook: 40 min.

• 1    2- lbs. spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise with the seeds scooped out

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place squash, cut side down, in a baking dish. Add 1/2 inch of water. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until squash is tender. Remove squash from water and cool. Remove the spaghetti-like strands by scraping squash with a fork. Microwave Directions: Place squash, cut side down, in a baking dish and add 1/4 cup water. Cover the dish with heavy-duty plastic wrap and make vent holes. Microwave at HIGH 15 minutes, or about 5 minutes per 1 lb., until squash is tender.

Top with whatever toppings you desire. I like to top it with pasta sauce like spaghetti.

Van's natural foods waffles and French toast sticks

  I have found a great brand of frozen waffles. They also have french toast sticks. They have six varieties of the GF waffles and then Cinnamon french toast sticks. I have tried the blueberry waffles, and the Apple Cinnamon. Along with being Gluten free...they are also egg and dairy free, which i was surprised especially with the french toast sticks. Being a kid it is nice to be able to stick the waffles in the toaster,top with fruit,and have a yummy breakfast. The best way to warm them up is to toast them in the toaster or toaster oven. I sometimes bring them if I am going somewhere and bring a Toast-It bag so i don't get cross-contaminated. I highly recommend getting some of these bags. You can order them online or at some health food stores. Hereis the link to their website:http://www.vansfoods.com/The_Goods/#/Waffles/Wheat_Free%2FGluten_Free

The blueberry kind is my favorite.

These are the Cinnamon french toast...you just toast them and pull them apart. They are thinner than regular french toast but very tasty:)

GF Baked Falafel

  I have recently discovered the wonders of middle eastern food! I love Hummus,stuffed cabbage rolls,and falafel. We have a really great local middle eastern restaurant...but i wanted to make my own Falafel at home. It turned out really good...and was relatively simple to make! This Falafel is baked instead of fried, and made to be Gluten Free.



Makes 24-25 inch and a half falafel balls

Ingredients:

3 cups dried garbanzo beans, soaked at least overnight but up to 12 hours

OR 2 – 15 oz. cans of garbanzo beans (I go with the canned)

2-3 cloves of garlic

1/2 sweet onion (about 3/4 cup), roughly chopped

1/2 cup chopped parsley

3 Tablespoons GF rice flour or quinoa flakes

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

salt/black pepper to taste

+ water IF necessary to even out the texture (like 1/4 – 1/3 cup)



Directions:



1.Dump all ingredients into your food processor and grind well. You want to create an even texture of the chickpeas.

2.Preheat your oven to 350F.

3.Roll in to balls and place on a piece of parchment or a silicone baking mat.

4.Bake for 15- 18 minutes or until golden on the outside and crispy.

5. Serve with some Tahini or make your own GF pita bread...I haven't gotten to tackle that yet:)

Allergy-Free Chocolate Tapioca Pudding

NO WHEAT,DAIRY,EGGS or SOY= NO WORRIES!

Here is another treat they made when i went to Celiac camp. Very very tasty!


Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons Instant Tapioca

1 Tablespoon Cornstarch or Arrowroot

Pinch Salt

1/4 - 1/3 Cup Sugar

2 Cups Rice Milk

1/3 Cup Enjoy Life ® semi-sweet chocolate chips (dairy free)

1 Teaspoon Vanilla


Directions:
Whisk the tapioca, cornstarch, salt, sugar and milk together in a saucepan. Let sit for 10 minutes. Toss in the chocolate. Over medium heat, whisking gently bring to a boil. Remove from heat and pour into a bowl. Cool slightly before stirring in the vanilla. Great eaten warm or chilled.

Chex Muddy Buddies:)

   This is a treat they made when I went to Celiac camp. I use to call this Puppy Chow. It is very delicious and I tweaked the recipe a bit to accomodate my other allergies. This recipe i also saw on the side of the Rice chex cereal box.

Muddy Buddies

9 c. Chex Rice cereal or Chocolate chex

1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips (I use Enjoy life GF/ and dairy free chocolate chips)

1/2 c. peanut butter

1/4 c. butter (I use earth balance non-dairy/soy free spread...it comes in a red tub.)

1/4 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

Pour cereal into large bowl and set aside. Combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in 1 quart microwavable bowl. Microwave on high for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until smooth (stir after 1 minute). Stir in vanilla. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal and stir until all pieces are evenly coated.

Pour cereal mixture into large container (with seal) with powdered sugar. Seal securely. Shake until all pieces are well coated. Spread on wax paper to cool. Store in an airtight container. Makes 9 cups.

Guido's Pizza Okemos MI

For the first time in a reallyyyy long time I actually had pizza that tasted like pizza:) We have this restaurant where I live called Guidos and they are certified Gluten-free. They are the only place in Michigan certified through the National Foundation For Celiac Awareness to make GF pizza's in michigan. They even have a dedicated work area and utensils they only use for the GF food. They also make GF breadsticks,pasta's,subs,salads,wings and desserts. I contacted the owner ahead of time because i wanted to know if he could make me a Gluten,dairy,egg and soy free pizza. He said he could as long as he had 24 hours notice:) The cheese he uses for people that need dairy free is also soy free and he gets it from canada. It actually melts.

I got the veggie pizza with the dairy-free cheese. The crust was delicious...and tasted like any other pizza crust! The dairy free cheese was a little too rich for me. It was very creamy and overwhelming. He put less on it but i might even ask for even less next time. I can't wait to try one of his subs next time:) The pizza was a bit costly. With a $3.00 off coupon it was $20. Which for the cost of the ingredients and to prepare it makes sense. It will definately won't be a weekly thing...but as a treat for special occasions. I can't wait to try one of the GF subs. He apparantly in opening a GF sandwich shop soon.

It was just so nice for one meal not to worry and have a place that actually knows and is willing to accomodate my dietary issues. I hope more places start to do that.

Here is a link to their site/menu: http://www.guidosglutenfreepizza.com/gfmenu.php

Breakfast Cereal!!!

I have always been a huge breakfast cereal fan. Now that I have Celiac and a whole list of other food allergies, I have been trying to find ones that i can eat and taste good. I have actually been pretty fortunate in finding some really delicious ones. Unfortunately like most GF food they are expensive...but i just can't live without my cereal:)

• I am happy to say that Chex Cereal now has GLUTEN-FREE Rice Chex cereal and corn! It is so good! It even comes in Honey nut,cinnamon,chocolate, and strawberry varieties. The best part is that it is cheaper than alot of other GF cereals. I always have this cereal in my pantry:)
• Another one of my favorite brands is Envirokidz cereal. They make cereal very similar to kids cereals i used to love. My favorite is Peanut Butter panda puffs which is just like Peanut Butter Capn Crunch!!!
• Nature's Path makes really good Organic corn flakes that are fruit juice sweetened. I love to top them with fruit. I also tried their Honey'd Corn flakes which were good.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is an inherited, autoimmune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten and other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. The only way to deal with it is to follow a lifelong gluten-free diet. This allows the intestinal villi to heal. Eliminate foods, beverages, and medications that contain wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats.
You must read food and medication labels carefully to look for hidden sources of these grains and their derivatives. Since wheat and barley grains are found abundantly in the American diet, keeping to this diet is challenging. The exact cause of celiac disease is unknown. When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine. Villi normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats.
The disease can develop at any point in life, from infancy to late adulthood.

Welcome!

Hi my name is Hillary, and I am a 17 year old from the good old state of Michigan! I just recently found out I have Celiac Disease along with Dairy,egg and possibly Soy allergies. I was also diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Pellagra. It has been a huge adjustment and quite overwhelming. It is not so much about what I can't eat....it is more about what can I actually eat! It has proved to be a big learning experience so far. I am going to take you through my day to day struggles and triumphs. I hope to help out other people with the same issues. I hope you stay along for the ride!
-Hillary