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True Story: Doctor Says “Don’t Eat Wheat Ever Again”

 

gluten free challah bread
Gluten Free Homemade Challah Bread

This is a quote that a lot of people are hearing these days. What happens after your doctor says these words? Here is a synopsis of my journey; if any of this sounds familiar, give it some serious thought…there may be a very simple answer.

I first heard these words while I was barely concious, in a bed at Methodist Hospital in Houston. I had become so weak and debilitated by my undiagnosed and untreated celiac disease that my life was in danger. The symptoms over twenty years included gastrointestinal problems, fibromyalgia, irritability, bone pain and more. The good news was that I finally found out what was wrong with me; the better news was finding out that the disease is completely manageable through dietary changes alone.–no medications, no surgeries, none of that stuff. Just don’t eat grains that contain the gluten protein, mainly wheat, barley and rye. That sounded really good to me.

Not so fast. While still in the hospital, I was really still very sick, and not really able to process the information. After a couple of days (in which I was already improving), it dawned on me that

Recipe: Gluten Free Turkey Chili soup with no beans and no weird ingredients!

This is a recipe that I love to make, especially when it’s a little chilly outside. This recipe as written serves 4, but it can be doubled to serve 8. It has hominy in it, which are delicious starchy balls of corn grits. Somewhere between a soup and a stew, this recipe is fast and easy and gluten free, and the smell of the chili powders and cumin is absolutely fantastic!!

Gluten Free Vegetarian Jello: Who Knew?

Markowitz_Randi_Houston_TX

If this product had existed when I was a kid, I would probably be a healthier person today! For all you parents out there who have kids that love the “usual” gelatin snack product, but cringe when you think about the ingredients, fear no more.

cool_cups_orangeYou now have vegan Cool Cups. Cool Cups come in several flavors. At the Whole Foods near my house, I bought the orange, black cherry and peach mango.

Wild rice and chestnut dressing for a gluten-free holiday

This delicious dish has a number of steps, but it is not difficult, and the results are well worth the effort!

6 cups water

1 1/2 cups wild rice

1/2 cup unsalted butter

4 cups finely chopped onion

2 cups finely chopped fennel

1 tablespoon poultry seasoning

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1 1/2 pounds good quality gluten-free bread, crusts removed and cubed

If you really want to know if your food is gluten-free…a gluten-free test kit

Markowitz_Randi_Houston_TX

Want to know if your food is really, truly gluten-free? Depending on your own individual sensitivity to gluten, you might want to consider investing in a box of E-Z Gluten test strips. The E-Z Gluten test strip kit is easy to use, and you can have results in about 5 minutes. We use the E-Z Gluten test strips to batch-test our products in our catering kitchen.

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Recipe: Gluten free rice noodle salad with chicken and herbs

Randi_Markowitz, Houston, TXFood and Wine.

This is an easy-to-make, delicious entree that is gluten-free, inexpensive and fantastic. It’s as good as any dish I have had in any Thai or Vietnamese restaurant in the Houston area. Do not fear the Asian fish sauce…it adds lots of flavor, and it is easy to find in the Oriental foods section of just about any grocery store.

Adapted from

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1/2 pound dried rice noodles, about 1/4 inch wide (I used Caravelle brand, available at HEB)

3/4 cup fresh grapefruit juice

2 large garlic cloves, minced