Remember me?

Remember me?  GF Mama?  It has been how long now?  A month you say?  No!  Yes?  Where is the time going - seriously?  I cannot believe Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is only 24 days away! 

But back to Thanksgiving....so much to be thankful for this year including some great gluten free finds for the boy:

First up - another big shout out goes to ALDI's.  They now carry GF BREAD!  It's seriously soft, delicious and priced great for GF standards. If you haven't tried ALDI's GF line of products yet, run run Rudolf and try it - you will seriously like - if not love - it!

Second shout out of thanks goes to Tastefully Simple.  I told you about the awesome GF beer bread mix in a previous post, but this coconut lime cake is also fantabulous!  I recommend making white icing with fresh coconut to top it.

 

I cannot contain my excitement abou this one...... Freschetta now makes thin and crispy GF pizza!!  Check out the info HERE.  It is fa-la-la-la-la-fabulous!  Crispy, thin crust, delicious toppings(cheese or pepperoni varieties).  Definitely a new family favorite.  The boy spotted it in the regular frozen food pizza aisle at our local grocer.  Two thumbs up - a must-buy! 

 

 



 My little turkey said it's the best GF pizza he's had...and he's a tough bird to please!

 

Like I said, so much to be thankful for! Especially all of you - THANK YOU for following my little blog.  Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful!

 

Now - I need your help - for the next GFProud2B blog, I'd love to have a GF Cookie Recipe exchange.  You can post your favorite recipe in the comments section and I will share in the next blog post (and I promise it will be BEFORE Christmas).  Entries due by 12/12/14! 

Prost!

So in case I didn't tell you before, I am 100% German.  And I love October because it is host to my favorite holiday  - OKTOBERFEST!!! 

I married into a seriously awesome family - complete with 3 brothers-in-law who decided to throw an Oktoberfest party at my in-laws house. The boy thinks he's Irish but he was ready to embrace his German heritage!  So the boy, MOB (my other boy - that being my husband), the dog and I piled into the family truckster and headed West.  And I loaded the car with all sorts of German goodies and was ready to put on my dirndl and polka!

There are some great GFG (Gluten Free German) foods - sauerkraut (the boy loves it), bratwurst (not the beer brats, the regular) and of course, German potato salad.  But I wanted to make the boy something to say "JA JA!" about, so I made these:

Beer Bread Cheddar Muffins.  Did your mouth just water?  Because it should have!  And how does one make GF Beer Bread Cheddar Muffins you ask?  With this awesome stuff:

 

Tastefully Simple Beer Bread mix.  Meine Damen und Herren (ladies and gentleman) this stuff is seriously good.  They had the recipe on the back of the mix for the muffins, which do not call for GF beer or anything carbonated.  Now if you make the beer bread the classic way, you can add a carbonated beverage of your choice - gf beer, soda, club soda - whatever you like.  They have some great GF mixes that you can find here

They will have your little GF weiner schnitzel saying "das ist gut!" in no time!

What are your ethnic family foods that you make GF? 

Soup! There it is....

So school has only been in session for a month - A MONTH I TELL YOU!!! - and the boy is already home sick (sad face).  And there's no better sick-day meal than soup.  The cure-all, good in your belly medicine we all find comfort in when we are under the weather.

And thankfully, there are some great GFP2B soups out there that are just what the doctor (and mom) ordered!

So you here go my stuffy nose, fever, need soup so I can rest kids - our favorite GFP2B super SOUP list!

#1:  Gluten Free Café Chicken Noodle Soup

This stuff is sooooo good!!  And Gluten Free Café makes all kinds of great soups - Chicken Vegetable, Black Bean - they even make a GF Mushroom Soup which is great for recipes. 





#2:  Progresso

There are so many Progresso Gluten Free soups - I'm boiling over with happiness!  You can see a complete listing HERE and let me tell you - they are AWESOME!!  And affordable (bonus for us GFP2B-ers). 

The Chicken Corn is probably the boy's favorite.  It's so rich and delicious!  Serve it with some Fritos (seriously - very good) or some good GF Crackers and it makes a great meal! 




#3:  Thai Kitchen Rice Noodle Soup

This is one of my personal favorites. Love Thai Kitchen soups and this one is stocked full of noodles and tasty broth.  They have several flavors and can easily be found in your grocery store.  You can add cooked chicken or shrimp to make it heartier.  So good.






Amy's, Wolfgang Puck and a few other name brands have some great options. And you can always make your own (if you have the time).  I like to get GF broth and throw in chicken, carrots, onions, garlic and rice to make an easy soup.  Here's another one of my favorite, easy GF soup recipes - courtesy of my sissy, Missy :)  It's SOUPer (like her).  Love you sissy!

SOUP-er Easy Soup (or Soup Without a Name)

1lb ground beef or turkey burger
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 spaghetti sauce jar filled with water
1 can GF beef broth
1 can dark red kidney beans
1- 1 1/2 cups GF macaroni noodles
 Seasonings:  Salt, pepper, garlic, Italian spices, red pepper

Brown beef or turkey in large stock pot in a little bit of olive oil (make sure you season the meat - I use salt/pepper and garlic).  Add the jar of spaghetti sauce.  Fill empty jar with water and add that to the pot.  Add beef broth, drained and rinsed kidney beans along with seasonings to taste (I like crushed red pepper because Jimmy likes his chicken spice - sorry, Seinfeld reference - but you can skip this if you'd like).  Cook for about 30 minutes until everything is well blended.  Add macaroni noodles to soup mixture and cook until tender. 

Serve with parmesan cheese.  Enjoy!

So when you're feeling poopy, grab some soupy (really bad, I know)!  Wishing you all good health this cold and flu season!

What GF soups do you like?  Any recipes you can share? 

Love Bug

Guess who got "Mother of the Year"?  Not me. 

First day of school, there was a birthday party.  And the sweet mom of the birthday boy called me prior and offered to bake the boy a GF treat.  And "Not Mother of the Year" here said absolutely no need....I will bring in a GF treat for the boy! 

And guess who forgot to bake the cupcake?  Yep.  "Not Mother of the Year" me.  Major fail.  And on the first day of school.  The day I also forgot his snack box for the classroom at home.  Boy was more than forgiving, but I thought I would make it up to him for the next birthday party. 

And guess who ran of time to bake something fabulous for said next birthday party?  Yep, "Not Mother of the Year" me. 

So that morning, I looked on the all-knowing Google for some bakeries close to our home and found this little gem: Ladybug Bakery  in New Cumberland, PA.  And it was love at first bite. 

Not only did they have some beautiful, fabulous GF cupcakes, they had other delicious desserts that of course I had to buy (and score back some MOTY points.  That's hipster for Mother of the Year). 

And look at this cookie filled with peanut butter cream!!!  It more than passed the ooey gooey chewy test.



 Owner Jessica Brooks is as sweet as her confections!  Ladybug bakery does specialty birthday cakes also!  AND - bonus - she has delicious UDI's hoagie rolls!  And GF wraps!  She can make your GFProud2B kid a fantastic lunch too!!!  Please check her out - they are located at 312 Bridge Street in New Cumberland, PA.  717 774-1613.  And she's on Facebook.

 

Thanks to Ladybug Bakery and my favorite GF pizza joint, the boy was ready to party!

 

GF Pizza?  Check!  GF cupcake?  Check? 

Other GF goodies to make up for my forgetfulness?  Check check!! 

 

Thanks Ladybug Bakery!  My MOTY crown has been restored!



School daze....

Seriously - where did the summer go?  I find myself asking that question every August when I'm getting my back-to-school supplies for the boy. 

For our GFP2B kids, BTS supplies include a few extra necessities to start the school year off right.  So here is my list of must-haves, must-do's BTS supplies - GF style.

LESSONS FOR A GREAT GF SCHOOL YEAR

#1:  Remember to raise your hand
It's important to let teachers, administrative office and of course the school nurse know about your child's Celiac disease.  Here is a sample of the note I use each year - I like to include a list of snacks the boy loves and those he can not have unless I provide a GF version:

(INSERT CHILD NAME HERE) has Celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder that necessitates he eliminate wheat, barley, rye and oats from his diet. WBRO may be hidden, however, in things like food additives, flavorings, personal care products, school supplies and more. Therefore, some adjustments may need to be made in the classroom and other areas of the school to reduce the risk of inadvertent contact.  I have provided some GF alternatives for him if there will be a birthday party or other special snack time in the classroom.  Or if you can let me know in advance and I will be more than happy to provide a cupcake or other treat for (INSERT CHILD NAME HERE).

Easy Reference Snack List for (INSERT CHILD NAME HERE)

POPCORN, which he loves J
Potato chips (no Pringles)
Taco chips/Tostitos chips made with only CORN (again, check packaging for “wheat”)
Plain chocolate/plain vanilla ice cream
M&M’s and Hershey Kisses J
Fruit Snacks
Fresh veggies (ranch dressing for dipping is great too)
Fresh fruit or fruit cocktail
JELLO

Examples of things (INSERT CHILD NAME HERE) CANNOT eat, unless a GF alternative is provided by me:

Crackers

Pringles

Cookies

Pretzels

Licorice

Any kind of candy bar containing a cookie/wheat

It is important to note that if (INSERT CHILD NAME HERE) should come into physical contact with any of the offending grains, it will be necessary to remove all protein residues from his skin as quickly as possible. Playdough is okay for him to play with, but he will need to wash his hands immediately following so he doesn’t ingest any.  If contact with wheat does occur, (INSERT CHILD NAME HERE) may also have an urgent need to use the restroom due to the possible onset of uncontrollable physical symptoms.  Because of this, special restroom privileges may be needed.  (INSERT CHILD NAME HERE) is very well aware of what he can and cannot have.  He is pretty adept at knowing what foods contain “gluten” in them and which do not.  However, since he is young, he may not always know that an item contains WBRO so it’s best to check labels – most say “contains wheat” and must be avoided.  Peanuts, corn, rice, and soy are all okay for him to have.

You are always welcome to call us any time of the day if there is a question.  Mom’s cell is xxx-xxx-xxxx and Dad's is xxx-xxx-xxxxx.   Anything we can do to make it easy for you and (INSERT CHILD NAME HERE), please do not hesitate to call us!   

It's important to let teachers, etc. know that you don't expect them to be an expert in Celiac Disease and that you are here to teach them too!

#2:  Get your school supplies
Each year, the boy and I shop for his favorite snacks to stock his GFP2B snack box.  We stock one for his teacher/homeroom (just in case the unexpected birthday is celebrated that day) and also one for the after-school program.  When the snacks get low, they return the box to me and we fill it up again.  Let your GFP2B kid pick the snacks and fill up the box - this helps them to 1:  learn their GF options and 2: let's them be in control (remember that "I can do it myself" blog?)  Here's our snack box. 


We use a clear, plastic storage bin and mark it with his name

 

A few favorite items to note:

• GF pretzels (I buy the big bag and put in baggies - cheaper than the snack size bags)
• Single-serving sized Nutella and Peanut Butter (great for dipping apples, pretzels, carrots)
• Fruit snacks
• Lucy's cookies - they make great snack packs which come in handy for unexpected bday parties!
• Craisins
• GF granola bars
• Sweet and salty snacks - packed with protein, nuts and M&M's...of course
• Larabars - another GF fave

 

#3: Practice the Golden Rule

No kid likes to feel different, so it's important to let them take control of their situation, tell their friends on their own and for you as a parent to "be cool" when letting school personnel know about your child's condition.  We have private conversations with teachers when the boy is out of ear shot. They can ask questions comfortably and the boy isn't subject to an embarrassing moment of sharing the side-effects of wheat in his system.  After all, would you want to stand there while your loved one, parent, sibling, etc. explains your chronic bowel symptoms?  Of course not.

 

#4:  Do your homework!

I was amazed to learn how many other students had Celiac disease in our school!  It helped a lot - especially in creating awareness so teachers know what to expect when they get a GFP2B kid!  I was also amazed to learn our school lunch program can provide him with a GF lunch!!  They even give him buns, bread and GF pizza!  Call your school cafeteria contact and ask if your lunch provider can give GF alternatives for your GFP2B kid.  Plus - not packing lunch everyday is pure bliss for this working mom!

 

Here's to ABC's and GF 123's!  What back-to-school tips do you have? 

 





Oh boy oh boy oh boy!

Hello my GFP2B friends!  Hope you are all enjoying your summer.  We certainly have - which explains my lack of posts lately (sorry!). 

While we've been busy visiting family, friends and enjoying the summer sun, I have discovered a few new goodies to share with you and oh boy are there some great new products out there!

1:  ALDI's continues to wow us in the GF department.  We bought their GF wraps - and the boy LOVES them!!!  We've rolled up meat and cheese in them, heated them up and stuffed with all kinds of goodness.  Seriously - if you have not visited ALDI's GF selection, it is worth it!!  Their baking mix and brownie mix, pizza and lasagna are equally fab.

2:   Beer bread has gone GF!!  Any of you been to a Tastefully Simple party?  They now have an awesome selection of GF products!!  And they are simply awesome (albeit a little bit more expensive).   We have made the beer bread and the brownie mixes and they are fabulous.  I made the beer bread using soda (ginger ale) and it turned out great.  The brownies are full of fudgy wudgie deliciousness.  I got a few other mixes too that I'm excited to make - I'll keep you posted.  In the meanwhile, check out the selection of gf goodies they offer:  https://www.tastefullysimple.com/shop-our-products/gluten-free

 

3:  I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM!!  And one of my GF angels sent these delicious sugar cones to enjoy our ice cream in:

 

The boy gives this a GFP2B thumbs up!

Goldbaum's has some awesome GF products, let me tell you.  Check out their website.  They have me screaming for more!

So how has your summer going?  Find any new GF goodies to share with us?

Stay tuned - the first annual Back To School edition is coming, complete with survival skills, sample letters to give teachers/school staff and MORE!!



Veggie Tales

I know I know - and I'm sorry!!  It's been too long but I swear I have a good excuse.  Well, an okay excuse.  It's called Life.  Boy has she been keeping me busy!!  Baseball, picnics, family outings - oh my!  But oh so good too.

Because summer is as busy as it is awesome, I needed a fast and simple summer dish that was perfect for this GFP2B on-the-go-family.  And there's no better taste of summer than fresh vegetables and fresh herbs.

I picked up some beautiful peppers and nutritious-delicious-even-my-kid-eats-it KALE at the market.  In looking for something to pair these fabulous lovelies with, I quickly grabbed up a package of  Aidelles Roasted Garlic and Gruyere cheese chicken sausage.  A gluten free, Q&E (quick and easy) find y'all!  Check out their awesome selection of different chicken sausage HERE.  No MSG, nitrates or artificial ingredients - bonus!  And a nice compliment to fresh and healthy summer veggies.

 



So while summer lovin' was waiting to have me a blast, I threw this beauty together in minutes! 

 

Q&E Summer Pasta
 

1 Box gluten free penne (our family favorite is Barilla GF Penne)
olive oil
2 tbsp. butter
1 package Aidelles Roasted Garlic and Gruyere Cheese Chicken sausage, sliced on bias into small pieces.
1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
1 yellow pepper, sliced into thin strips
1 orange pepper, sliced into thin strips
cherry tomatoes - cut in half
2 cups (or more) of fresh kale - rinsed (fresh spinach can also be used)
2 cloves fresh garlic pressed
red pepper flakes
salt and pepper
grated parmesan and Romano cheese
fresh basil

Boil the pasta according to directions.  While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large pan and add peppers, sautéing until 1/2 cooked through.  Tear up kale and add to peppers with a little more olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic and some red pepper flakes (I use a few good shakes because we like a kick).  Sauté until kale is wilted.  Add sliced sausage.  Drain pasta and combine in pan with veggies and sausage. Add the butter, more salt/pepper, grated cheese and toss thoroughly.  Add the tomatoes and cook until heated through.  Top with fresh basil. 

 

This great dish - it happened so fast! 

What's your favorite summer on-the-go-to dish?  Please share!