Lifestyle

Reporting Cross Contact Can Turn Into a Win-win for Restaurant and Consumer

Gluten pasta at the bottom of sauteed cabbage - Credits: Jennifer Harris

Gluten pasta at the bottom of sauteed cabbage – Credits: Jennifer Harris

It has happened to most all of us at one time or another. You have just finished a meal at a restaurant when you notice you aren’t quite feeling right. For me, that starts with a stabbing headache and a hot flash. Immediately you know your meal has come into contact with gluten. Now what do you do? How can you turn your negative experience into a positive one? Read More »

Gluten-Free Quinoa & Pumpkin Seed Granola Recipe

I have dubbed this my no-oat granola. I missed that detail when I first started adapting this recipe and was sure Better Homes and Gardens had forgotten to list the oats in the ingredient list. Alas, it was intentional and I’m loving it! This granola with a little homemade almond milk is my new go-to breakfast, snack, and occasional dinner.

Quinoa & Pumpkin Seed Granola

Quinoa & Pumpkin Seed Granola

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What is “Healthy” Food to You?

Gluten free produceIn the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to ponder the question “What is healthy food?” It seems that many of us have very different perceptions. Maybe that’s what stands in our way some times, we think healthy food and healthy eating is not obtainable.

It would be so much easier if my brain did not crave things like salty chips or sweet cookies but the reality is, it does. Maybe it’s a combination of many years of being bombarded with advertising to make me think I want it or maybe it’s as simple as it satisfies something in my head. I didn’t take enough psychology in college to answer that. I do know if it’s around me (like it is now as I write; you wouldn’t believe what is at the end of the table at my sister’s house) I’m less likely to eat well.

In my older years, I have realized that if I allow myself a little rather than denying myself entirely, I can balance the cravings with Read More »

Gluten-Free Turnip & Potato Hashbrowns Recipe

Chrissy and Lauren Gluten Free Works Authors

Turnip and Potato Hash Browns

Turnips–definitely not a vegetable I grew up munching on. They are never featured on veggie platters, and definitely do not have shelf space at my local Trader Joe’s. I would be so curious to know if anybody ate turnips, on the regular!?

When Jacque brought me a bag full of fresh dill from her garden, she also threw in some turnips…. Read More »

Interview with Gina Meagher: Living with Type I Diabetes and Celiac Disease

Gina Meagher Celiac Disease DiabetesI met Gina through the Celiac Sprue Association, Denver Chapter 17.  She helped me get involved in volunteering at last years ‘Incredible Edible Gluten-Free Food Fair™!’  She has been part of CSA for several years and is a member of the Board.  She has a lively personality and is willing to share her thoughts with others.  I am so excited that she was willing to sit down with me and talk about her experiences of living with Type I diabetes and Celiac disease.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I did.  The overall message I took away, was that neither Diabetes nor Celiac disease define who Gina is, because she is so much more and has never let either one stop her from living the active life she was meant to have!

Interview

 

Jenn: Hi Gina! It’s great to be with you today and to have the opportunity to get to know you better.  So, tell me…how old were you when you were diagnosed with Type I diabetes?

Gina: I was 17 years old.

Jenn: And how old were you when you were diagnosed with Celiac disease? Read More »

The Best 5 Kitchen Utensils for Parents

Ok, I will admit. I’m a gadget girl. My kitchen is fairly well stocked but I don’t have everything. A few years ago, a good friend said I had to have a crock pot. I remember fighting it…until I used it. Bought one a week later.

I’m doing my best to not feel the need for a dehydrator or the speedy ice pop maker. Wish me luck in holding out. This post is about which of those gadgets I have bought over the past few years that have really made an impact in my role as “Mom” and why. Each item has a link to Amazon if you want to review or buy. Enjoy!

1) The Salad Chopper
I went to Costco this week and came home with more than intended (surprise). My fridge was loaded with organic chicken strips, edamame beans, shrimp cocktail, guacamole and strawberries. I was trying to figure out what to make for dinner when it occurred to me that all of those ingredients would be really good in a salad; a chopped salad.

When the kids were around 4 and 2, I used to make them a chopped Read More »