I can't eat gluten....I'm going to STARVE!!

A diagnosis of Celiac's, wheat allergy or intolerance can seem like a death sentence, especially if you are a bread lover like me. I won't lie, it was tough at first to get through the cravings for a warm piece of freshly baked sourdough bread out of my oven, a gooey cinnamon roll fresh from the oven....and it was hard to decipher a menu when we went out to eat to figure out what I could eat and what would make me sick. It was a challenge for my family as well. They didn't know what to provide for me at family gatherings.

Great news, not only can you have bread, pizza and pastries, but you CAN have them gluten free. You can also go out to eat and easily ask specific questions that will tell you if a food contains gluten. There are many companies that make gluten free options for bread, pizza crusts, muffin mixes and even cupcake, brownie and pancake mixes. Some of them are full of extra sugar and most of them are pretty expensive, but they are out there....we will look at some of my favorites throughout my posts later.

Generally I make my foods at home. It is much easier than you might think and it is a guaranteed way to make sure you are "glutened" accidentally, so long as you ensure the ingredients you use are gluten free. Like everyone else, I like to watch my finances when I grocery shop and if you are like me, you might have a family that doesn't need to eat gluten free and end up buying for two dietary needs.

No need to fret....I promise you there are many ways of feeding yourself and  your family the SAME meal and not have everyone else turn up their nose.

Let's look at a simple day to start:

Breakfast:

Eggs (Prepare them how you like them!)
Fruit (Pick something you like!)
Oatmeal. (Note: some people have issues with oatmeal)
-I use 100% natural, whole oats (instant can often have wheat in it)
-I also add maple syrup, chopped nuts (if you aren't allergic to those) and dried fruit (READ THE LABELS) 
**Feeding kids can be hard sometimes, offer them an "Oatmeal Bar", put topping/mix-in choices on a plate or into smaller containers, allowing them to choose what to put into their oatmeal for the day. Fresh fruits, chopped nuts, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg.....etc.**

Lunch:

Grilled chicken breast
 (Start simple with salt and pepper...or I like to add ground ginger, garlic and soy sauce..BE AWARE soy sauce contains wheat!!! READ the label! I use a store brand that is gluten free and save money.)

Stir-fry veggie mix (I buy this in the veggie aisle at my store and only use a little of it)

Quinoa  
(This is a grain that is high in protein and gluten free. It has a sort of earthy flavor and it cooks up just like rice. Some people don't like it and it can take a little getting used to.....but give it a try. I use it in a lot of different things.)

**You can eat these separately or you can mix them together. My FAVORITE is to mix them together. This also makes a GREAT dinner BTW.**

Snack:

Popcorn (Why not make it over the stove the old fashioned way?!?)

Cheese slices (Some types of cheeses can contain wheat, though I have only come across one. READ LABELS)

Apple (Or your favorite fresh fruit)

Dinner:

BBQ beef "rib tips" (I use my crock pot for this. Take regular stew beef...nice and lean, and put it in your crock pot. Slice up an onion *I do thin wedge type slices that are large enough for those who don't like them to pick them out* and add that to the crock pot. Add 2-4 cloves of minced garlic. *I buy the huge container of dried minced garlic at the "club store"*, add a 1/8-1 tsp of red pepper flakes *depending on how much "heat" you want and how much you are making*. Top it with your favorite BBQ sauce (we like a "Sweet" one..just read the labels). You should only need about 1/2cup to 1-1/2cups of sauce depending on how many you are feeding. Remember, the juices from the meat will cook out and make more liquid in the crock pot. Set the crock pot on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.) Serve over rice or next to it....your choice.

Rice (Steam it like you would normally)

Salad (Regular salad mix works, I like to add cucumbers, cherry tomatoes *for those who like them*, toasted sesame seeds *if you don't have an allergy* and avocado.)

A note on salad dressings: MOST of them are gluten free, just make sure you read the label.

So there you go.....simple and crowd pleasing. I've never had a complaint on these...and no one ever really notices that they aren't eating any gluten!

(Next time I will try to add photos of these foods)