Soup for me

Check your cupboards and likely a lot of the prepared foods will contain gluten.   I know, I know....stay away from the prepackaged, prepared meals....who wants a label that looks like this:

Try to ignore all of the other items on the label except those two little words:  Gluten Free.  Generally speaking, eating gluten free has helped me eat a lot less prepared and packaged foods.  It's so easy to bake some chicken, baked potato and have a salad on the side for a healthy dinner.  But when a belly ache leaves you wondering what to eat for lunch or dinner, having a can of Progresso Chicken & Rice Soup on hand solves the problem. 

 Progresso has a whole line of Gluten Free Soups which are great to have on hand for a quick meal. 

Do you have any gluten free items you always keep in your cupboard?   

Finally some love from Dunkin Donuts

I love Dunkin Donuts, who doesn't?  Bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel.  Yum.  Chocolate Glazed Donut, Yummier.  When I first went gluten free I admit to cheating on more than one occasion with the bacon, egg and cheese...finding the English Muffin didn't affect me quite as much.  But over time the sensitivity became more and more obvious and I had to cut those out too.  So sad but I've learned to live with the fact that I can get my tea (or iced tea when they run their 99 cent special...hope that comes back this spring!) without some of the yummy treats.

I can't explain how excited I was when I went into our local Dunkin Donuts Sunday morning before tee ball to pick up donuts for the kids and a breakfast sandwich for the hubs when I saw this lovely sign offering Gluten Free Muffins and Donuts.. "Really???"  I squealed with delight.  Of course the kids behind the counter were clueless, "no those aren't available yet, sorry....what is gluten free?.... No wait, I think those are available.  Hold on"....waiting waiting..... and out comes this beautiful basket. 

(Image Credit to Gluten Free South Florida on Facebook because

 I forgot my phone so couldn't take a photo)

Blueberry muffins and Cinnamon sugar donuts.  There goes my healthy breakfast of an apple and a cheese stick.  How could I resist?  I went for the muffin, it was tasty.  Definitely a great option on the run.  I don't even want to know the calorie count.  I know how bad the regular muffins are so I can only imagine the gluten free are similar.  

Now if we can just get some gluten free bagels and and a dedicated toaster :).  Baby steps. 

Free Kindle Books

Just a quick post, but wanted to share that I found a few books that are FREE on Amazon (possibly for today only so download now!)

• 30 Days Of Amazing Paleolithic Breakfasts: Easy Gluten Free Recipes (Paleo Recipes Made Easy).

• 29 Gluten Free Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes - Easy Slow Cooker Recipes (Gluten Free Cookbook - The Gluten Free Recipes Collection)

• Paleo Kid Snacks: 27 Super Easy Recipes that Kids Can't Get Enough Of (Primal Gluten Free Kids Cookbook)

• Easy-As Recipes: Gluten Free Desserts Cookbook (Easy-As Gluten Free Recipes)

 

I haven't used any of them yet since I just downloaded them, but they sound great!  There are a few others that are only 99 cents as well.  Check them out!

   

Learning something new everyday

Eating gluten free is definitely a learning experience.  It has been 2.5 yrs and I am constantly learning what I can and can't eat.  How disappointed was I when I realized Milky Ways are not gluten free??  I knew 3 Musketeers and Snickers were...aren't Milky Ways the same but with caramel?  Nope, they have malted barley in them...oops.  Cross those off my treat list.  FYI, Milky Way Midnight minis are ok :).

I was talking with my uncle "Blow it Up Johnny" a few weeks ago about eating gluten free and commiserating a bit.  Mostly on what really is gluten free and what isn't.  For example, Nestle's Toll House Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips. As far as I am concerned, there is only one chocolate chip and it's Nestle's.  The others are ok (and probably taste the same, honestly) but it's about brand loyalty and I grew up with Nestle's.  Unfortunately, my uncle is extremely sensitive to gluten and he can't eat them due to what he believes is cross contamination.  My chips that I have used do not list a possible contamination, and I haven't had any troubles at all....but what's the real answer? 

I also learned that McDonald's french fries have wheat in them, what??  Who puts wheat in a potato?  The vegetable oil they use has a "natural beef flavor" which has wheat in it.  That must be what makes them taste so good....guess I won't be stealing fries from the Happy Meals anymore.

What have you learned is or isn't gluten free that surprised you?

We're going to Disney World!

I love Walt Disney World.  And I'm not sure which is better, actually being there or planning the trip.  Two years ago we took our first trip with my new gluten free diet and it was the best vacation I had taken in years.  Walt Disney World prides itself on catering to all needs, particularly Special Dietary Requests.  Regardless of what allergies or special diet requests you may have, WDW is certain to take care of you.

Right now I am 3 days away from the big "ADR" Day.  At 180 days before check-in day, guests of the WDW Resorts can begin making their Advanced Dining Reservation.  After several weeks of pouring over park hours, crowd calendars:   this one and another one just in case , and taking in to consideration the dining needs of the rest of my family (princess meals for the almost 7 year old, Mickey and friends for the 4 year old, and a special birthday dinner for the big guy), I have come up with a plan.  I will update when it is all confirmed...don't want to jinx myself.

While making my ADR's, I will be able to note a gluten allergy to all of the reservations.  About a month before our trip I will email Special Dietary Requests to confirm they have me noted with a gluten allergy.

I will follow up after making the reservations on Saturday...send me some pixie dust!