Pillsbury Releasing Gluten Free - but NOT in Canada

I was so excited to see that Pillsbury would be offering a few gluten free items, starting soon... Until I read the part that said in the US only!

Talk about a major bummer, right?!

So, I went to lifemadedelicious.ca and scrolled to the bottom of the page,  clicked feedback, typed in a paragraph, and sent it in!

I only got a standard reply of course, of it not being offered here and my comments would be passed to the appropriate party and all that jazz...

BUT if enough of us canadians write them feedback, who knows, Pillsbury gluten free may soon find it's way to our shelves too!

I urge you to go to lifemadedelicious.ca, scroll to the bottom, click feedback, and send them a brief note telling them how great it would be if they offered the latest gluten free Pillsbury products to canadians! If enough voices are heard, it may make a difference... While you're at it, mention the gluten free Bisquick that is still only found in the US!!

Random gluten free DIYs

Lip Gloss

Ingredients;

1/4 cup sesame oil
2 tsp. beeswax
1/2 tsp. oil of menthol or other flavor of your choice (available at most health food stores)

Directions;

Melt beeswax in small pot on low heat. Add sesame oil and flavoring, stir until blended well. Remove from heat. Continue stirring until mixture cools (this prevents separation). Pour in small airtight container. Continue stirring until it is set.

Yield: 1/4 cup

To use: dab some on your lips :-)

Dandruff Rinse

Ingredients;

4 tsp. (heaping!) dried thyme leaves
2 cups water

Directions;

Add thyme to water and bring to a boil. Boil 10 minutes. Strain through coffee filter. Let cool.

Yield: 2 treatments

To use: Pour one cup of solution over CLEAN damp hair. Work into scalp, massaging gently. Do not rinse, let hair dry naturally (that's right, so put that blowdryer away)!

Sugar Scrub

Ingredients;

1 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. warm water

Directions;

Place sugar in palm of hand, add in water slowly to make a paste.

Yield: 1 tablespoon

To use: Rub gently over face and neck (not your eyes!). Massage gently, rinse with warm water followed by cool water. Great exfoliant :-)

Massage Oil

Ingredients;

4 cups almond oil
1 ounce dried sage
8 drops essential lemon oil

Directions;

Combine almond oil and sage in a pot, bring to slow rolling boil, simmer 10 minutes. Let cook, strain to remove sage. Add in your lemon oil. Stir well. Store in a light-proof bottle/container (like a clean dark wine bottle with a cork). Also a good idea to label it so no one takes a swig.

Yield: 1 quart

To use: Rub small amount of this oil on skin and massage into tired muscles.

Herbed Vinegar

Ingredients;

1 cup white wine vinegar
2 sprigs fresh sage
1 sprig fresh parsley
1 sliced shallot

Directions;

Place sage, parsley, and shallot in a glass jar (needs to hold about a cup). Heat vinegar in saucepan. Do NOT boil it. Pour vinegar over herbs in jar. Let cool. Seal the lid tightly and store in a cool dark place to steep for at least 3 weeks (or up to one year). It's helpful to label and date it also.

Yield: 1 cup

To use: Use in salad dressings and marinades.

Air Freshener

Ingredients;

1 cup distilled white vinegar
25 drops essential oil of your choice (peppermint and lavendar are nice ones)
1/2 cup water plus 3 tbsp.

Directions;

Fill a squirt bottle with the vinegar, water, and essential oil. Cap and shake vigorously.

Yield: 12 ounces

To use: Shake well and spray to get rid of odors around the house.

Glass Cleaner

Ingredients;

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water

Directions;

Filk a spray bottle with water and vinegar. Shake up. Label to avoid confusion.

Yield: 2 cups

To use: Spray glass and wipe clean!

*These recipes were slightly adapted from Joey Green's book "Incredible Country Store Potions, Notions, and Elixirs of the Past and How to Make Them Today" which I highly suggest buying a copy of. It is a great read to learn the history of many products and covers a lot (like soap, candle, and potpourri making). I also must stress that this book has been on my shelf for at least 5 years and I am in no way being paid to say this, rather I wanted to credit the incredible source!*

Here's an amazon link if you're interested :-D

http://www.amazon.com/Greens-Incredible-Country-Store-Past/dp/1579548490/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

Fun, even without the food (first trip to a restaurant)

So, the other day, my coworkers had a little outing at a local restaurant. I was going regardless, as it was a farewell for one of the girls I work with who is moving. My Mom had asked ahead of time and was told they offered gluten free options, but to check with the server upon arrival.

Even knowing this, I didn't bother asking my server when we got there. It is a place renowned for their fish and chips so I was too wary of flying flour and any type of cross contamination to tempt eating anything there. It is a small place afterall and all the food is prepared in one area, I didn't want to risk gluten poisoning again. I had decided days before that I wouldn't be dining there anyhow.

So, instead, myself and my fellow coworker and celiac buddy, opted NOT to order any food, instead she got a bottle of iced tea and I opted for a bottle of water. I had eaten some delicious gluten free pancakes, slathered with peanut butter and blueberry-strawberry jam, before I left the house. That ensured I would be full when we arrived. It was my strategy, so to speak.

I won't lie, I did notice not having a plate of food in front of me, but it wasn't that bad. The smells wafting up around me were a bit appealing, I will admit, but my stomach was content with it's pancakes and I knew the mister and I would make something when I returned home. We all laughed, chatted, and snapped some photos. It was fun! Even without food, being out with good company was worth the "sacrifice."

Afterward, I stopped at the grocery store and grabbed some fresh asparagus, and a Kind bar (my favorite - Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew + antioxidants) for the drive home.

I didn't feel out of place or awkward. I am not saying this tactic would work all of the time, but this being my first time in a restaurant since being diagnosed, I felt extremely cautious! What I am saying? It was a fun evening out with great coworkers!

Tasty Homemade Gluten Free Stew

I have to first point out that the mister and I enjoyed this stew throughly. Secondly, my measurements are mostly estimations, because I made this from.scratch, and without measuring cups/spoons.

This take about an hours worth of prep, total, and an additional 2-2.5 hours of cooking time, but it's SO worth it! It fed the mister and I for 3 meals! So it would probably serve 4-6 people for a meal.

Have a cutting board, sharp knife, and a small and large bowl handy.

Tasty Homemade Gluten Free Stew

ingredients;

1 lb. cubed meat (1" cubes, whatever variety you wish, we used pork)

1/2 a medium-sized turnip

1/2 a small-sized head of cabbage

3 medium-sized carrots

5 small-sized potatoes

2 small-sized onions

1 clove garlic

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 a carton (approximately 500mL) of low sodium gluten free chicken stock

1 gluten free vegetable bouillon cube

1/4 cup all-purpose gluten free flour (plus extra for dredging)

1/4 tsp. table salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. dried parsley

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. dried rosemary

Ok, got all your ingredients? Great, let's start the preparation!

instructions;

1) Start by washing and peeling your veggies. Cut them into good-sized (2" or so) chunks. Mince your garlic and onion. Set aside veggies in one large bowl. Set aside onion and garlic (I left them on separate sides of my cutting board).

2) If your meat isn't already cubed, do that now. You want the pieces about 1"-2". Then dredge in some flour, all sides should be well covered.

3) Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot (needs to hold at quite a large amount, mine was a 6-7 quart pot and that worked fine).

4) Add the cubed, dredged meat and brown well on all sides. Don't be overly concerned about cooking it all the way through at this point. Once browned, remove from pot and set aside in a small bowl.

5) Add onion to the pot now, cook until translucent, then add your garlic, cook about another minute. Add in your flour and blend well. It should look a bit like a thick paste.

6) Prepare your bouillon cube according to the package directions and add that, along with the chicken stock next. Stir well to incorporate everything thus far.

7) Turn heat up to maximum, waiting for it to come to a boil, then turn back to medium. Stir occasionally, releasing then brown crunchy bits that stuck to the bottom when you browned the meat.

8) Now add the meat back to the liquid, cook for 30 minutes(with lid on).

9) Add uncooked vegetables and cook an additional hour (with lid on).

10) Turn heat back to low and add in your spices, simmer another 30 minutes (with lid on), stirring occasionally. If your vegetables are tender and cooked through at this point, you're done!

11) Serve and enjoy! :-)

Review of President's Choice Banana Loaf Cake

First things first - this is NOT banana bread, but a loaf cake!

It's $5.99 a loaf at Atlantic Superstore (or other places that carry PC brand). I was undaunted by the price, it was my "treat" during our grocery day adventure!

I was, admittedly, kind of scared to try it. You never know what you're going to get in a prepackaged food item, much less a gluten free one.

The first morning I cut it for breakfast and ate it slightly warmed. It was DELICIOUS!! I was pleasantly surprised and throughly enjoyed it. If I hadn't known otherwise, I wouldn't have guessed it to be gluten free, to be honest.

The loaf is moist, a fair size, and has a wonderful rich taste and aroma. It's also certified gluten free by the Canadian Celiac Association!

I ate it plain, warmed, warmed with a touch of butter, and slightly toasted (in the toaster oven, not a conventional toaster) with peanut butter and cut up banana. It really is great for breakfast, or just as a snack.

I would highly suggest trying this if you have the chance. It is (in my opinion) well worth the money.

**(I am, in no form or fashion, getting paid to tell you this, it is my personal opionion that I am sharing)**

Gluten "Poisoning"

So, I had been feeling pretty good, almost back to my "old self."

I had been on my feet, getting rested, doing things around the house and was able to start cooking again. Not to mention going to a movie with my girlfriends, and going shopping!

I seem to have reset my progress. Alas, it does happen, the inevitable "accidental glutenning." Blast this celiac disease! Here are those pesky problems again - elevated heartrate and blood pressure, fatigue, tingling in the hands and feet, and an ever so slight, barely there, brain fog... Horrible after having felt so darn good again! Gluten "poisoning" as I've dubbed it.

So, for now, I rely on the mister doing most everything for the next few days again. My "feel better" strategy is bed rest, and plenty of water and gluten free foods in small quantities. I can only hope that I bounce back quickly!

Everyone's symptoms are different, some more extreme than others, what are your symptoms or side effects of eating gluten? What do you do to help yourself feel better?

For now, here's a picture of me being sad and sulky in my comfy sweater.

A gluten free grocery adventure!

Since being diagnosed with celiac and going gluten free just a few short weeks ago, I have only been to the store twice, just to grab a few things (milk, potatoes, and other things I knew to be "safe").

Yesterday was the first trip out for a full fledged, stock the fridge, freezer, and pantry, adventure. I budgeted extra money, and made sure I wasn't on any time constraints so there would be no need to rush, giving me ample time to read ingredient lists. I armed myself with my phone (loaded with tons of GF bookmarks and pdfs just in case), and a list of things I knew for certain I needed (milk, eggs, bananas, the usual household fare), before setting out for the day.

I had forgotten that it was Easter weekend so it was majorly busy around town, nonetheless I was determined to go shopping!

Atlantic Superstore

First I hit the Atlantic Superstore to check out their selection. I was quite pleased with what they had to offer, and it was mostly packed into one area which was nice. I picked up quite a few things that I needed, finding everything but xanthan gum (they carry it but were sold out). I was pleased to see a wide variety of gluten free breads in the freezer section, but didn't buy any as someone gifted me a box of GF bread mix a few days ago that I am planning on making later today. I did buy a loaf of the President's Choice gluten free banana loaf cake, which I plan on tryng with a cup of tea later this morning for breakfast. I purchased;

*President's Choice gluten free banana loaf cake

* CheeCha sea salt and spiced pepper gluten free puffs

* 2 GF snack bars (KIND Plus Nutrition Bars, Dark Chocolate Cherry Cashew + Antioxidants and Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein)

* Bob's Red Mill gluten free all-purpose baking flour

* 2 boxes of gluten free Rice Krispies

* San J gluten free light tamari soy sauce

* Fleischman's gluten free baking powder (and yeast)

* President's Choice organic gluten free brown rice spaghetti

* Schneider's gluten free Country Naturals uncured baked ham (sliced sandwich meat)

*President's Choice spicey dill pickle popped chips (as far as I can tell contain no gluten) 

* and some other items we needed - bananas, carrots, english cucumber, lean ground pork, eye of round steak, lean ground beef, 2 tubs no name strawberry yogurt, PC asian blend frozen vegetables, Palmolive dish liquid, Mio mango peach, Kraft peanut butter, Heinz ketchup, and Cracker Barrel jalapeno cheddar cheese

Totaling $88.37 at Atlantic Superstore.

Bulk Barn

Next we went to the Bulk Barn, I really did just go in to browse and check out their gluten free options. I was legitimately surprised to find a vast selection of items! Everything from packaged goods (chips and crackers to baking mixes) to bulk flours and mixes. Best of all it was all in it's own section and the scoops are marked with yellow cable ties to designate they are for gluten free bins. People would actually have to go out of their way to cross-contaminate with other scoops as they would have to walk from one side of the store to the other. All in all, I was pleased with the variety. I went in to look for xanthan gum (again all sold out!) but left with;

* Mary's organic gluten free crackers Herb flavor (they were on for 50% off!)

Totaling $2.80 at Bulk Barn.  

Sobey's

Our last stop was Sobey's, again I mainly went in for xanthan gum but I don't believe they carry it, I couldn't find it anywhere, and there were no empty spots where it may have been. But, I digress, we only bought a few things there;

* 2 Paco gluten free tortilla wraps

* Olymel gluten free smoked shaved chicken sandwich meat

* goBIO organic gluten free vegetable bouillon cubes

* and 4L of Farmer's homogenized milk (I cook with it and use it in tea, mostly), Heinz mustard, extra virgin olive oil and lean ground beef

Totaling $24.92 at Sobey's.

In total we spent $116.09, I was anticipating closer to $130-150 to be honest. I was pleased with what I was able to find!

When we got home, the mister and I put away the groceries and bagged up everything still in the house containing gluten and took it down the road to my grandparents who I hope will get use out of it.

I can't wait to start reviewing the gluten free finds for the blog.

¡Happy Easter everyone!

5 minute gluten free ice milk!

Yes, it's true! You can make delicious ice milk in minutes using 3 ingredients and a few other household items. Originally I saw the idea on   http://parentables.howstuffworks.com/chow/make-your-own-ice-cream-five-minutes.html

All you need is;

1/2 cup of milk
(I used homogenized/whole milk for this)

1tbsp. sugar
(I have tried this with white granulated sugar and brown sugar, both work well, the brown sugar lends a more caramel like flavor)

1 tsp. vanilla
(I use vanilla extract but would try other extracts)

You will also need a sandwich baggie and a larger sized plastic baggie, both need to have seals!

5 tbsp. course salt
(I used leftover pickling salt)

2 cups ice cubes
(I used freshly snow too)

Got all that? Great! Now the fun part!

Mix your milk, sugar, and flavored extract together in the smaller plastic baggie, seal that sucker well!

Put your salt and ice in the larger bag, toss the small bag in on top. Now seal the larger bag, I usually leave a little air inside for movement.

Now just shake the bags vigorously for about 5 minutes (you may want gloves!), or until you have a thick ice cream like substance in the inner baggie. Pull out the small bag (discard the salt and ice mix) and put your ice milk in a bowl.

I have been known to add chocolate sprinkles, caramel sauce, fruit, or other yummy things as topping. Experiment and have fun.

Enjoy!

My diagnosis with celiac (My introduction, so a bit lengthy)

Quick introduction - I'm Ashley, born August 7, 1986. I live in rural Nova Scotia on the South Shore.

For the last few years (since having a breakdown at my old job and quitting) I would wake up every single day sick to my stomach. There were a lot of bouts of diarhhea and vomitting. Frequent headaches. Overall fatigue. But I blamed it all on stress. I didn't even mention anything to a doctor, I just thought I needed to destress and calm down.

It wasn't until February 8th, 2013 that I finally sought medical attention. I suddenly (literally out of nowhere!) was having heart palpitations, spikes in heartrate and blood pressure, weakness, tingling in my extremities, a foggy strange feeling in my head (brain fog), I was really anxious, my feet and hands were clammy, noticed a few swollen lymphnodes, I had no appetite or thirst, my ears would ring suddenly, I bounced back and forth from constipation to diarhhea, and I had dropped about 25 lbs without even trying... Well I just felt plain awful and since I had no family practioner, I marched myself to outpatients! I fought for weeks, going back to outpatients every few days sometimes! I got the feeling they thought I was insane. They couldn't explain any of it. Different doctors would tell me different things. I got told everything from urinary tract infection, low magnesium, dehydration, extreme exhaustion, and anxiety. I got prescription after prescription but nothing was working. I was angry and frustrated, I knew I was feeling this way so WHY couldn't they help me?! Finally, one of the doctors in outpatients referred me to an internist. Having had a slew of tests in my various trips (10 give or take at that point in a matter of about a month) to outpatients, he started by doing an upper endoscopy. After the sedative wore off, I was told it was most likely celiac!

I had my suspicions months ago that I may have celiac. It started when a new employee started at my job and she told me she had celiac and had to live a gluten free life. She seemed nice enough, and quite open about it, I asked her a lot of questions, mostly out of curiosity and to try and get to know her. At times I pitied her, bringing a spoon and a jar of peanut butter to work for her "lunch" somedays while the rest of us feasted on sandwiches, donuts and various baked goods, paninis, and various fast food items. I questioned how she felt, what her symptoms were, and what the end result was. I mulled it over in my head. Quickly dismissed it as "oh no, I've been fine all these years" and I never did pay much attention to what I ate and how I was feeling anyhow. Months passed, I really felt no worse, but I didn't feel much better either. Little had I known, my self diagnosis had been right!

It has all been a very new experience for me. I finally had an answer, but the only viable solution was to go gluten free. It has only been 2 weeks since starting my gluten free diet. I consider myself lucky, my fiancé immediately took my hand and whispered that it would all be alright and I wouldn't have to do it alone. He is on this gluten free diet with me, to show his support (and so we don't have to prepare multiple meals). I have noticed small changes even though it's only been 2 weeks. The brain fog is gone, the headaches have lessened, my blood pressure and heartrate are not as erratic if I am stationary (though still go crazy if I am up and moving), the tingling in my extremities has vanished, my appetite and thirst are slowly returning, and my bowels seem to be a bit more "regular" now. Unfortunately, I don't have much energy and find it hard to be upright and moving for extended periods (plus the heartrate jumps too much), I am exhausted but cannot sleep for all my efforts, and I am still a bit anxious. For now my internist has me off work until May 1st.

That being said, I still have to have a CT scan and a few more tests done to rule out lymphoma and bowel/intestinal cancer. That prospect terrifies me, but I am trying to be optimistic and not worry until I hear the actual yay or nay.

Celiac is a DIET CHANGER, not necessarily a LIFE CHANGER. Or, at least that's how I see it. I take it as a challenge. I love to cook, so it is just a new skillset to master with new ingredients and recipes to try. Not to mention it is forcing me to cut out the fast food and over processed things that I had been eating for years and years. I do miss those things, don't get me wrong, but I am finding tasty alternatives that are gluten free. I rejoice when I see a "gluten free" label and triple check the ingredients AND google the product just to be safe. I actually like rice noodles more than the ones containing gluten!

I am looking for other gluten free/celiac friends, I have found a very helpful (semi-local) blog, and my friend at work, whom have been a big help to me thus far. My family and friends have been very supportive through this whole ordeal and I couldn't be more thankful. You don't have to do this alone folks.  There are thousands of resources out there, you just have to be willing to look. I have subscribed to RSS feeds of my favorite gluten free blogs and have a Pinterest board dedicated to gluten free. I will share those links at a later time however. If you've read this far, thanks for your patience!