Lifestyle

Surviving the Holidays Gluten-Free

 

 

It’s a season of love, joy, peace. . . and stress? For those us with restricted diets, the holidays can be a struggle, especially when we are sharing meals with those who don’t adhere to the same eating style as we do.    So how do we survive the holidays without sacrificing good times or our well-being?

It’s sad, but true, that many people who follow a specific diet (out of need or choice) opt to “check out” of holiday gatherings. Relationships are of such central importance in our lives, however, that we really shouldn’t let our dietary choices limit our interactions with others.  I’m happy to share that our family has successfully hosted holiday meals in our home for years and we’ve attended family gatherings and Read More »

Sweet Pot-Souffle Recipe

sarica cernohaus gluten free works

This is a great way to start the day on a sweeter note, without the sugars found in more traditional sweet morning fare—something that works great for those following a gluten-free–and even grain-free–lifestyle. It is packed with fiber, Vitamin A, protein and healthy fat. Use sweet potatoes or winter squash that has been pre-cooked to make preparation fast and easy–there should be plenty on hand, either before or after a Thanksgiving feast!  This is a dish that pleases young and old alike.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked Sweet Potatoes or Winter Squash, skins removed

• 2-3 raw Eggs

• ½ cup unsweetened Almond Milk or Coconut Milk

• ½ tsp. ground Nutmeg

• ½ tsp. ground Cinnamon

• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract Read More »

Thanksgiving Gluten-free Stuffing Recipe, Gobble Gobble…

Case Lynn Gluten Free Works

Aleias Gluten Free Stuffing

They make great stuffing!

I can’t believe that it is almost Thanksgiving! Where has this year gone to, or this month further more lol The fall is flying by, and I must say I’m loving it since I love the holidays. This is the first year that I will not be participating in the traditional Thanksgiving meal with family, as my Mother and I will be venturing to NYC for the week!

I did though, however, prepare for this and the Christmas holiday meals by recreating my absolute favorite side dish. I thought my holidays would be ruined when I went gluten free and thought I’d never eat my Mother’s stuffing again! I’m pretty crafty, so I of course I found a way to avoid a major meltdown at the dinner table.

I knew a meltdown was certain to happen if I had to watch others eat stuffing in front of me, dun dun dun….so I found a gluten free stuffing mix and recreated Mom’s recipe, and it tastes exactly the same! Read More »

Gluten-Free Mango Cashew Cornbread Stuffing

We discovered during the past year that my 4-year-old son Ronin and my 21-month-old daughter Ellie are both gluten and dairy intolerant. My husband John is gluten-free too. The good news is that changing Ronin’s diet has helped his anxiety-related sleep issues decrease immensely. He used to have night terrors every night, but now only has them on the rare occasions we miss cutting out the gluten.

Since John has been gluten free for a while, I came up with this stuffing recipe a few years ago for Thanksgiving. And its always been a huge hit. This year I’ve modified it to also remove the dairy for the kiddos.

It. is. SO. Yum. If I do say so myself!

MANGO CASHEW CORNBREAD STUFFING (Modified Gluten & Dairy Free)

Read More »

Gluten-Free Turkey List 2011

Cheryl Harris Gluten Free Works

gluten free turkeyIt’s about that time of year! I always get so many questions from clients about which brands of what are safe, and so for the past 5 years I’ve put it all together to save you all the work!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving,

Cheryl

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This list was last updated on Nov 3rd, 2011. Please let me know if there are any broken links!

General turkey tips:

  • Fresh, plain turkeys that are not stuffed are naturally gluten free
  • All regular stuffed turkeys contain gluten, even if you don’t eat the Read More »

How to Use Gelatin and Agar Agar in Gluten-Free Cooking

Gluten Free Works Author Teri Gruss

 

gluten_free_agar

Agar agar is gluten-free, vegan and works as a thickener in recipes.

Gelatin and agar agar powder can be used interchangably in gluten-free recipes, but what are the differences in these gluten-free ingredients and why are they used in some gluten-free recipes?

 

Gelatin

Most cooks are familiar with gelatin- the stuff that makes Jello gel. You can find it in virtually every market, usually as Knox brand gelatin.

Gelatin is sometimes used in gluten-free recipes to bind and thicken Read More »

Host a Gluten-Free Halloween Party!

Cristina_Swenson_gluten_free_works

gluten-free-halloween-party

Spooky gluten-free fun!

For me, the hardest time of the year to have food issues is when holidays arrive. It seems that around every corner, I’m reminded of the things I can’t eat that everyone else around me can.

My personal goal is to make holidays and holiday parties more about friends and experiences than about food. One of the many reasons I like Halloween is that there are fewer expectations. Your party can be anything you want it to be. There are many fun suggestions online for various party themes. You can find ideas by typing “Halloween Party Themes” into Google. By keeping in mind your audience, you will be able to find something that works for you. Themes involve decorations, the costumes your guests wear, and the games you play. And yes, it even involves the food you serve.

Decorations can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. I’m not into elaborate decorations myself, and so I find many simple ideas involving real pumpkins very nice. Many appealing (and pretty minimalistic), ideas can be found on Martha Stewart’s website, for example. Halloween decorations are fun because not only do they not have to be perfect, but they shouldn’t be! Spiders, ghosts, pumpkins, zombies, vampires, tombs, blood, witches, all scream Read More »

My Family’s Favorite Gluten Free Eats: Seafood

gluten free seafood
Since I am frequently asked what gluten free foods my family eats I decided to start an article series called My Family’s Favorite Gluten Free Eats.

When people first discover that my family is gluten free they automatically assume we have a difficult time finding things to eat. While it is true that gluten free convenience foods are not always readily available (or palatable for that matter), there are always an abundance of naturally gluten free whole foods to choose from at every market.
In my family the most commonly eaten main dishes revolve around seafood, largely in part to the fact that two of my family members are pescetarians.  Some of our friends and family seemed surprised to hear that Read More »

Gluten Free Options at Syndey International Airport

Gluten free works author Petra Aitken

I was traveling to NZ earlier in the year and because I had chosen Air New Zealand’s seat + bag option I wasn’t going to get any food on the plane. I therefore searched the airport for morning tea (to have at the airport) and lunch (to take on the plane). I noticed that Black Tonic Espresso Bar had a selection of gluten free muffins and therefore decided on the raspberry one for morning tea. I was pleasantly surprised, it was moist and actually tasted pretty good!
Gluten free raspberry muffin

Gluten free raspberry muffin

I felt in safe hands when seeing this sign… Read More »

Interview with Genevieve Fraser: Growing up with a Peanut Allergy

Gluten Free Works Author Jennifer Leeson


Working with people diagnosed with food allergies and Celiac disease has opened my eyes to the world around me.
Prior to this, the only person I knew with severe food allergies was a younger cousin of mine whom I spend very little time with.  But, when you start paying attention, you figure out there are many people living with food allergies, Celiac disease or other food related intolerances or restrictions.

Peanut Allergy GenevieveOne day, I came into work and a co-worker, Genevieve  Fraser, asked if I was the one with the food allergy therapist magnet on my car. When I said yes, she informed me that she has an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts, and has since she was very young.  Suddenly, it was in my awareness that I had been bringing peanut butter to work almost every day that I am in that office, not even realizing my office neighbor, just across the hall, has to carry an Epipen everywhere she goes because of peanuts!  Boy did that get my attention!

I didn’t stop bringing peanut butter to work at first, but I noticed I felt nervous and worried every time I did, so I finally stopped bringing it.  However, I noticed being concerned about others using her office when she was not around, and wondering if people were taking peanuts in there.  I finally decided that I should learn more about what it is like living as an adult with a severe anaphylactic food allergy, rather than just going off what I read and my own assumptions.

When I asked Genevieve if I could do a feature interview on her, she was so great and willing to share her story. I have to say, this interview was so informative, empowering, emotional, and motivating, that it really helped put some aspects of living with life threatening food allergies into perspective.  Genevieve not only survived her childhood, despite bullying and being different, but has gone on to complete her college degree and is working on her master’s.  She has dedicated herself to helping others overcome challenging obstacles in their lives so that they can live a full life, despite whatever challenges they might be facing.  I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did! Read More »