Vacation

Having time off from work and school has allowed me to bake!  I've always enjoyed baking but have not had much time to fool around with GF recipes.  I think I've made more things in the last week than I have in the last 3 months.

I made a GF rhubarb crunch using a blend of different flours and certified GF Bob's Red Mill oats.

The finished product.  It tasted pretty amazing, because there is not much left!

I found this corn bread mix at the commissary.  Justin and I were craving bread, and it seemed like the easiest one to make because it did not require rising time.  When searching Bob's Red Mill website, I've realized there are so many products I have not tried yet.  That is from one manufacturer of GF food, there is still so much I have not discovered!

It was supposed to be baked in a 9x9 metal pan, I only had glass that size so I used two smaller loaf pans.  I never made corn bread even with gluten, so I don't have much to compare it to.  My husband said that he liked it, which most GF stuff he is honest about.  With some margarine slabbed on, it tastes exquisite and went well with a soup I made from leftovers in the fridge.  My only annoyance was that boxes of Jiffy Cornbread mix only cost 25 cents (when looking at the ingredients in Jiffy, the #1 was wheat).  I guess I'm still coming to terms with the extra cost of living gluten free.

These I didn't cook, but was happy to see that many of my favorite sugary candies are GF.  As you can see, I already have half of this bag gone.

Mike & Ike's even say gluten free!

GF = Gluten Free

The first weekend on a GF diet I found myself in Michigan for a wedding.  When explaining to others that I can no longer eat wheat, barley, or rye, the common response was you're going to lose so much weight!  At first I thought the same, because I was not aware of all the options out there.  I probably did lose a few lbs the first week, but after that it was another story.

One thing I've learning about living GF is that everything costs twice as much, is half the size, and has twice the calories.  While there are options that are inexpensive, like your fruits and vegetables, you still need to feed your cravings.  I've needed peanut butter and jelly, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, cakes, cookies, spaghetti, etc.

This brings me to today. I've been GF for over 3 months now.  I feel amazing...no more belly aches, diarrhea, bloating, or smelly farts that take out a whole room. I have more energy, but managed to gain a few pounds. I can't bare to stand on the scale to find the true number but can tell because my pants are tighter.  Can I really blame it on living GF?  Or is it due to my lack of working out?  Well today, I worked out for the first time in about 3 months.  How can something feel so terrible, but so good at the same time?  Having this break from work and class has allowed me to reprioritize. While I am taking care of myself by living GF, I also need to continue with physical activity.

Here are some things I've been able to buy/make GF so I can curb my cravings!

Enjoying Redbridge Beer!

Pizza Night at the Little Aussie Bakery.

My birthday enjoying cake flavored ice cream, instead of cake.

Udi's is by far the best bread I've tried so far.

Good ol' PB & J

Grilled cheese also made with Udi's GF bread.

Gluten Dreams

Last night I experienced my second dream associated with me consuming gluten. I don't know why I've had these dreams. Do I worry about eating it?  Both occasions have not been something small like a crumb either.

In my dream last night, I was with my co-workers. I can't remember what occasion we were eating for. I don't even know why I was dreaming about co-workers when I've been away from work for over a week for vacation. Anyways someone ordered pizzas and I just dug in. I had completely forgotten about my gluten free diet and chowed down.  It wasn't until later in the dream that I realized I ate multiple pieces without any second thought. Then I woke up...why do I have dreams like this?

A few weeks ago, I dreamt I was at the bar and ordered a Bud Light. I drank it without thought like the dream I had last night. The same realization occurred later and I awoke.

I must miss gluten if I dream about it!

Cinnamon Rolls

As a tradition, my husband requested cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning. Gluten free required a vast amount more time than a Pillsbury tube you unroll and bake.  The process took about an hour and a half total.  I think it was worth it though, to enjoy a tradition.

I found the recipe in a cookbook my college roommate and good friend sent me when she found out about my Celiac.

This is a picture of them all rolled out with butter.

These are the cinnamon rolls all rolled up, and precooked.

Finished with the glaze from the book.

I thought they could use a little more frosting.

My opinion: I would make them again.

My husband's opinion: He said they were good; they weren't flakey, more grainy. He said, "There was something missing." He continued to say with a giggle, "Probably gluten."

Lasagna

This is my favorite brand of noodles.  We've used the penne and shells before too.

The original recipe was from a Barilla box.  All I did was substitute the noodles.

Xmas Eve

Ahh! I finally have a moment to breathe.  This semester has left no spare time with work, two classes, and figuring out how to live gluten free.  The last thing I had time to do was to document my experiences.  I have taken some photos of recipes I've tried and food from restaurants.  Now I am ready to critique!  This will also be useful for my sister, since she was diagnosed with Celiac as well.

I can't believe it is already Christmas eve. I sit here tonight with my husband watching Christmas Vacation.  We are here in Texas for the holidays and did not make the journey back home to Michigan.  It will be easier to have my first gluten free Xmas here since we'll be making all the food.  Tonight I made a gluten free lasagna.  I used to recipe I used pre-Celiac but just used brown rice noodles instead.  It turned out fantastic!