Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all you Canadians out there, and Happy Columbus Day to the Americans. Being half and half I am celebrating both today! A day off from work and a dinner/day spent with my family. I started my day out with a 2 mile walk with Mom, and hit up the grocery store. Silly Mom, thought she'd like some apple crisp, we both said no way! We don't need those calories...haha...well, we didn't get the apples, and then I went back for them a couple hours later! Haha, I couldn't handle it, once someone said apple crisp I was sold. I haven't had it in a couple years, and I was up to the challenge of swapping Mom's recipe to gluten free! I mean, it is a holiday and a big one at that, it's Canadian Thanksgiving!! Haha I call it that since I get 2 Thanksgivings! I know, I know, a bit much right?...someone could roll me home any minute now, I'm ready!
Now we didn't just eat apple crisp for supper, although I'm game for that! Lol I whipped up a wicked good stir fry with quinoa for supper. No turkey you say? Who needs turkey when you've got chicken?! Lol besides, I was a bit lacking in time for turkey. :-/ so here it is, the stir fry recipe:

Yummy chicken stir fry
4 mushrooms sliced
2 sm stalks celery, sliced
1 lg carrot ,sliced
A good handful of snap peas
A good handful of broccoli florets,chopped
2 cloves garlic- chopped
4 sage leaves, chopped
2 chicken breasts, 1" pieces or however you prefer.
Dash of: pepper,salt and ginger
1 tbs olive oil
Quinoa on the side

Add oil to pan, med-high heat, cook chicken through, add garlic and sage cook 1-2 minutes, next add veggies. Let cook a few minutes, you want the veggies to have a crunch, no limp veggies allowed. In the mean time, cook quinoa to have with stir fry. Add your spices to the stir fry, stir well and set aside. Serve stir fry on a bed of quinoa. Soooo yummy!!

And now for the good stuff!!
Apple crisp:
So this is my Mom's adaption of a recipe she found in the Barbour's cookbook (Canadian, perhaps? Idk) keep in mind that it wasn't gluten free until I got my paws on it. ;)

4-5 apples, peeled and sliced
1tsp cinnamon
1tsp nutmeg
3/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c white rice flour
1/4 c almond flour
1-1/2 c gluten free oats (be cautious here, some people don't handle these well!!)
1/3 c butter, cold
Juice half lemon

Here we go!!
Peel and slice apples, arrange in an oven safe bowl or 8x8 equivalent pan, your choice. Juice half a lemon and pour over apples, mix gently. In a separate medium size bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Add cold butter and roll up your sleeves! Haha this is the fun part! Use your hands to mix the cold butter into the dry ingredients, you want it to be a bit clumpy. Once well combined spread mix over the apples. Preheat oven to 350° bake for 30-35 min or until golden brown. Let cool slightly and serve with your favorite topping. I prefer vanilla frozen yogurt!!

I hope you enjoy the menu for Canadian Thanksgiving, there are a couple pics as well, unfortunately the camera in my phone is dying! Must get new iphone5!! Hehe, what better reason, right??! Happy cooking!!

** as always, be sure to check for gluten free ingredients! :)

Did you think I was lost forever??

Hey all! Well I've been MIA for a bit but now I'm back! I've got a few new recipes, a new adventure or three to tell you about and who knows, maybe something to spice things up along the way!! Hope everyone is enjoying fall, since it has definitely set in! Bbrrr!!

MMMM...summer yumminess....

Yup it's that time of year again in Maine, seafood season! The lobstahs are wicked yummy right now. We've been having them as much as possible, and since they're so cheap at the moment, why not! Check my pic of the wicked yumminess on my plate, and don't miss the RedBridge in hanging in the background! Happy summer feasting! 😃😃

Support Groups

To start a support group or not, that is my question. Living in Northern Maine is soo tough when it comes to Celiac Disease, there are no support groups here. In fact, I don't know anyone with Celiac Disease, besides myself ! So, the CSA and CDF have me thinking that it could be possible to start a group. I've decided that there have got to be celiac's out there there because someone is buying the GF food at SNS!! Haha so that means they are here somewhere! Perhaps I can pass some thoughts around town and see what I come up with. A support group would be an immense amount of responsibility that I'm not sure I'm up for. I personally feel that everyone is responsible for themselves, but let's face it, some don't follow that rule. So, out the feelers go to see if this is possible! Any thoughts please leave a comment! Thanks!!

Skinny cow....hate name love the fudgesicle...

Okay so I've seen lots about Skinny Cow being GF on many Internet sites. The ingredients agree to the research so I ate it...I wish I hadn't. Not because
I'm sick, but because I LOVED IT!!! Hahaha yup that's right, I LOVED the Skinny Cow Fudge Bars. They are 100 calories per bar and are huge! Quite obviously delicious lol in case you missed that! I'm not normally a fan of things "skinny cow" but the fudge bars won me over in 2.2...soo good! Try them out peeps!

Exercising like its my job..

So we all know that exercise is good for us and blah blah blah, right?? Well, I've found that running is great for stress! When I have a rough day I put in my ear buds, crank up the tunes, and run it out. A couple miles later my brain is clear and I'm ready to chill. This is so good for me, lately I think I'm developing an ulcer from all of the crap in my head. I'm loving that I can release it in a healthy way, and better myself for it! Sooo awesome!!! What's your fav exercise to work the stress out?? Work it girl! ;) haha

Immunity.....

Why must us Celiacs have low immunity?? Looks like I catch everything going around! Is anyone else like this and what vitamins are you taking?? Hook a girl up, would ya!?

has it really been a year??

   I just spent a fabulous weekend in Portland with my best friend, because it was one year follow up time. I love that the bestie and the doc are in the same area, and since it's 4 hours from me, I get to see both in one visit!
    I find it hard to believe that it's been a year already, in fact, it's been over a year and there's no looking back. I had a lovely appointment with my amazing Gastroenterologist, Dr. Stefan. He's what I like to call a miracle worker, this man promised he would figure me out and he sure did. It was a year ago, March 2011, that Dr. Stefan decided I was to try gluten free. My diagnosis of Celiac Disease had been confirmed and it was time to get to feeling better! I wasn't sure I was able to do it, but what choice do you have? None, honestly, either change or continue with the same. I was in no way shape or form going to continue with more of the same, that would be out right torture.
   I've learned so much in the past year, from cooking to vitamins, to studying up on what makes this disease tick. I decided to embrace the fact that I was different and educate as many people as I could along the way. Why not embrace the difference, especially when I can use that to better myself and others! I've learned so much, especially about cooking, ha ha oh yes the cooking...I really was not that great at it before, I've now learned how to make gluten free food that people never even know it's gluten free! Yes, that was a huge need in my world, I need to be able to have my friends over and have them enjoy the same food I'm eating. How awesome is it that a person, if they chose to embrace the change, can live as a normal as they ever did! Who knew that I would learn to function as nothing had ever happen. Now I realize that some of you are reading this and saying, " Whatever lady, it's just gut pain, get over it". It's not just gut pain, we are talking a full blown disease that can cause cancers if not taken care of properly. We're talking a disease that can cause a person to be sick all of the time due to a lowered immune system if not taken care of. We're talking a disease that I may pass on to my children, if I don't learn to live with it now and educate the people around me, then how can expect a tiny version of myself to cope with it? This is life, and we take it day by day, each day is great!
    When Dr. Stefan and I sat down this time around, we discussed how well I've done with the change of diet and life style. He was amazed at how much I had learned, and how awesome I was feeling. He even asked me for a few tips on eating out (which I hardly do, but that's another blog topic) that he could pass on to his other patients in my same boat. He was more than happy that I had come so far and continue to strive for a healthy lifestyle. I had to remind him of the day he told me he'd fix me, and bring to his attention that he most definitely did. What an awesome doc to have, the simple fact that he's down to earth and caring has made this experience so wonderful. Thank you for that doc, you rock!
     Now I stand at 1 year follow ups for the rest of my life, of course unless I have issues and who knows what the future brings, but I'll take that day when it gets here. For a new adventure though, I have decided to try and become a "whole foodie". So basically, I'm going to stay to more of the whole foods, fruits, veggies, nuts, lean meats and a little dairy, very little dairy.  Dairy and I are not really friends, with the exception of organic yogurt and some cheese. I just have decided that organics are the way to go, who needs all that pesticide anyway? Monsanto can keep their cancer causing chemicals, I'm not eating it! My mother and I discussed this in depth the other day, I've been reading up on the whole gardening gig, and trying to decided the best way to go about all of this. My mom of course, is all for it. She's my cheerleader, her and my dad both. They actually are getting into the whole foods more as well, it's just a healthier way to live and eat! I always laugh at the hippie comments I get from friends and family, I guess I'm just getting back to my hippie roots! We all should, there's no better way to live, be happy, healthy, and love life to the fullest!! <3

Let's Get Something Straight......

I am a girl who loves the sunshine, I love it even more when it is combined with a rockin' BBQ, great friends, and even better, an ice cold summertime adult beverages....that's right people, we're talking beer!! I have always, well since college, been a HUGE fan of beer. Mich Ultra, Bud Light, Sea Dog, just to name a few of my old favorites. Although, now I am a gluten free sunshine worshipper, so this of course means I must find the best gluten free adult beverage I can for a decent price! I'll take that challenge, so let's get down to business. First off, let's talk mixed drinks, I only drink Twenty2 Vodka. This is gluten free and made right in my home town of Houlton, Maine. Awesome vodka, works well with lemonade, cranberry juice and really any GF beverage you can think to mix it in! So there, grab some ice, a shaker, some Twenty2, and your fave mixer, so yummy!  But, let's not skip over the essentials, beers and cider of course! My favorite GF beverage is Original Sin hard cider, naturally gluten free and full of flavor, although the Price is less than desirable, coming in around $11 for six. Which let's face it, I'm willing to pay good money for an awesome GF frosty beverage, and I know I'm not alone in this one. I must say that if I'm just looking to quickly grab a six pack of cider, not give my 1st born as payment and head to a BBQ, then I'll automatically reach for the Angry Orchard hard cider. This is also naturally gluten free, as are all ciders I have found. Angry Orchard tastes quite good, has a vibrant flavor and packs a punch if you know what I mean. ;)
If it's not Angry Orchard then it a frosty bottle of Woodchuck, let's face it, I was drinking woodchuck even before I was forced to go GF, and loving it!The price is right, always has been and this is an old stand by in my world, how can you go wrong with a classic!?! Both ciders ring in around $8 for six, not bad in my book. So this brings me to the most recent cider I tried that I have to say left me wishing for more. Mich Ultra Light Hard Cider, seriously? I have friends who loved this drink, me it was a 4 on a scale of 1-10. I've drank worse things, but why would I chose this on my own when I can drink watered down apple juice any day at a day care and not pay $8 for it?..... yup, I said it, watered down apple juice with a touch of aspartame, guaranteed I will not purchase this again unless I'm seriously jonesing for a cider and there's no other choice in 50 miles.....maybe it's because I drink cider so often, so my palate is more experienced or I just hate it or maybe I set my expectations too high for a new product. Who knows, but I can't do it, more power to ya if you love it! Okay, let's cut to the chase, my favorite thing to enjoy on a hot summer day while sitting my sun bathing butt in a lawn chair, Red Bride Beer. YES!! There is really nothing better on a hot day or even a cold day, or any day in my book for that matter! $7ish for six and it's a win win, great taste, good price and found at pretty much every grocery store now! It was even sold at a concert I recently went to, if you only could see how excited I was to be buying GF beer at a GodSmack/Staind concert!? YAHOO!!! The GF world has come a long way, and it's only getting better. Don't let your summer creep by without some enjoyment, if you're like me, grab a cold one, pull up a lawn chair and enjoy the sunshine with your friends. You only live once, don't let being GF hold you back from sun and fun!!

PS: just an FYI for you all, I am not being paid by anyone to endorse or review these different beverages, I have just chosen my favorites and given you my honest opinion. :)
Be sure to check out the pics! One of the worst cider I've tasted, one of Me and my RedBridge, and the middle pic is of the sign of summer to us sun worshippers, ROXY!!! peace and love bitches ;)

Just call me Betty...gluten free Betty Crocker that is!!

Yup, that's right, call me Betty Crocker! Haha well, a gluten free one maybe...tonight I made gluten free hamburger buns, because I can not stand the store bought ones!? Who wants to force down something disgusting tasting with a texture of a sponge, NOT ME! So, I took matters into my own hands. All you need is: 1 box of Favorite Sandwich Bread Mix Whoopie pie pan Bread machine Hamburger buns: In bread machine, combine mix and called for ingredients.(water, oil,eggs, and yeast)Set bread machine to dough setting and let cycle run. Once finished, grease Whoopie pie pan and fill each pot with bread mix. Don't over fill as bread will rise some in oven. Preheat oven to 350 deg and bake for 15-20 min or until golden brown. Cut in half and enjoy! I also made a fabulous flour less chocolate cake with mixed berry sorbet, oh my goodness did I ever nail that one! I definitely will post that recipe and pics soon, Happy Easter to all!! :)

Suppah....

Kicked it old school for supper tonight lol mini English muffin pizzas! All GF ofcourse, and sooo yummy! So here it is: GF English muffin pizzas GF English muffin split in half ( I use Glutino) 1tbs sauce on each half (prego) Mozzarella cheese to cover Pepperoni slices to cover 3/4 each half Preheat oven to 425 deg. Grease a cookie sheet, and place English muffin halves on cookie sheet. Spread sauce on English muffin, cover with cheese and pepperoni slices. Cook for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and muffins are golden brown. Let cool and enjoy! This is a favorite of mine from childhood, and a standby for my dad, way back in the day haha he's come along way from then, but the basics are the best, and have the most memories! What a great nostalgic meal, maybe I'll have to make these for Dad when he gets back from vacation. Peace and love :)

1 year post diagnosis....

Well, I've made it a whole year! What progress, sorry I haven't been on much, life is just awesome lately! I have a few restaurants to review for you soon, from the Tampa Florida area. That will be good to get done, new finds, recipes, and concerts with gluten free beer!! Lots coming your way this summer, I hope you can keep up its going to be wild!!

I love having Tuesdays off and today is no exception. I got to make lunch for my dad and uncle Grampy today! On our menu, is chicken salad wraps, cape cod chips, and pineapple for desert! Yummy for my tummy! So let's get down to it peeps: I use the food for life tortilla wraps, found at the grocery store freezer aisle...sooo yummy! Thaw it out and I did put it in the microwave for 10 sec. Just to ensure it wasn't cold. Chicken salad: I use a rotisserie chicken or if I have left over chicken Miracle whip (original is gluten free) 3-4 stalks of celery chopped 1/2 an onion chopped Mix all together and spread on the wraps and roll up. Cut in half. I serve wraps with cape cod waffle cut seasoned pepper chips and pineapple for desert.

I would just like to say that it is awesome to find a friend, that's even a guy, who cares about my need to be gluten free....that speaks wonders of a man, if you can be excited about gluten free pizza because I am, and because it's served at favorite eatery then you rock in my world. I have some amazing friends and family that keep my healthy lifestyle in their thoughts at each moment we share, thank you all for your continued amazing support!! You don't know just how much it means to me!! ;)