Still So Excited!

Okay, so it may sound crazy, but I am so happy to be on this diet!!! I know it's only week 1, but so far my husband and I have lost weight (just an added bonus), I do feel better (physically and mentally), and Maggie has not complained about her stomach hurting her once! Wow! I keep telling myself that this all may be a coincidence, but from the research that I've done, it's completely normal to feel better within the week.

So, tomorrow we have a birthday party to go to. It may be bad, but I'm actually thinking about letting Maggie eat the cupcake or cake there just to see if her stomach hurts after...is that bad? It probably is. I'm gonna have to sleep on that one. I've been trying to explain to Maggie what it means to be gluten-free. Basically she understands that if she eats certain foods, they will hurt her stomach-not bad for a 3 year old. I have no idea if she actually has a gluten sensitivity or not, but she has always complained about her stomach hurting.

The big problem that I've run into is that this diet can get very expensive. There is a wonderful gluten-free community on-line with all kinds of recipes and tips. However, I'm still very overwhelmed with all of the flours and other ingredients that I am not familiar with. I am determined to figure out more easy, gluten-free meals within our budget. If I figure it out-I'll be sure to write a post about it, but until then...any suggestions?

And the Beat Goes On...

Well, it's day #2 with my gluten free diet and it actually hasn't been as hard as I thought (of course, it is only day 2). This morning I made pancakes for breakfast from the GF Bisquick mix and just used the recipe on the back. The recipe was easy and the girls each ate 2 plus a banana! I know it may be in my head (probably), but I actually felt a little better today. My eyes are still bothering me, but I physically feel better and was able to do a little more today.

I thought I would go ahead and post the recipe that I made for supper tonight. It's easy, simple, and so healthy!

I know, my picture taking skills are awful, but you get the idea

Greek Pasta Salad with Chicken
Adapted from: Celiac Family

Ingredients:
1 8oz box of Rice Spiral Pasta
3 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
McCormick Chicken Grilling Spices
1 Tbsp Butter
1 Medium Tomato
1 Medium Cucumber
1 Small Head of Broccoli
1 Jar Kalamato Olives (really any olives would work)
4oz Feta Cheese Crumbles

Dressing:
3/4 C Canola Oil
1/4 C Red Wine Vinegar
2 packets True Lemon
1 Tsp Oregano
2 Cloves Minced Garlic


Directions:
Boil Pasta according to package directions. Add Butter to a heated skillet. Clean chicken and pat dry. Sprinkle McCormick spice on both side of chicken then add to skillet on medium heat (Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until no longer pink in the center).

While pasta and chicken are cooking, wash and cut your vegetables.

Drain pasta and rinse with cool water. Slice chicken into bitesized pieces. Combine all ingredients for dressing and whisk together (I just made my dressing in the large bowl that I would serve out of.

Add in vegetables, cheese, chicken, olives, then pasta. Toss to coat in the dressing. So easy!

I loved this recipe because I know that I can easily whip it up for a light lunch or dinner and just throw whatever vegetables I have on hand. Everyone enjoyed this and there's plenty left over for lunch tomorrow! Yay me!

First GF Meal!

Okay, so I decided to start simple with the whole "gluten-free" diet. Tonight for dinner was (drum roll please)...Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice Casserole! I used a recipe from Gluten Free Mommy's website, but did modify it slightly since I couldn't find some of the ingredients. It turned out rather well! The kids ate everything on their plate and my husband couldn't taste a difference. Boy, I hope all the recipes are this easy :)

So, here is the recipe in case you would like to try it for your family!

(Okay-so maybe it doesn't look as appetizing as I thought, but it  was very tasty!)

Chicken, Broccoli, & Rice Casserole
Adapted from: Gluten Free Mommy's Chicken, Broccoli, & Cheese Casserole

Ingredients:
3 Large Chicken Breasts (cooked and shredded)
1 1/2 Cup Cooked Brown Rice
1lb Fresh Broccoli
2Tbsp Butter
2 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
Dash of Salt and Pepper
1/2 Tsp Liquid Mustard (I didn't have dry mustard on hand)
1 1/2 Cup Milk
1 Packet Real Lemon
1 1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese

*The original recipe calls for GF bread crumbs (which would have been a nice addition, but I couldn't find them at my local supermarket, so I opted for the cheese).



Directions:
Melt Butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add flour, salt, pepper, & mustard and whisk together until bubbly.
                                        

Pour in milk and continue to whisk. Once mixture has started to thicken, mix in cheese and remove from heat.

In a large bowl, combine broccoli, rice, and cheese. Pour in soup mixture and lemon packet then stir together. Pour in casserole dish and top with cheese.

Pretty easy, huh?! Since I'm just starting my GF journey, I obviously haven't changed out my bakeware. I am a little concerned that my Pampered Chef Stoneware is porous and could possibly cross-contaminate the food. I would recommend using a glass casserole dish.

Let me know if you try this! I would love to here your opinion!

Going Gluten Free-Week 1

Okay, so after many autoimmune issues (which I'll address in another post) I've decided-with my doctor's permission- to try a gluten free diet. I thought this blog would be a great way to express my struggles and opinions regarding gluten free products, recipes, and benefits. I am so excited and so nervous at the same time. From what I've found in my research, going GF will help with fatigue, mood, stomach issues, eye issues, joint pain and many other symptoms that many people with autoimmune diseases face. A big concern that I have is that many GF products are very expensive and we are a low-income household. My goal at the grocery store this week is to find affordable options for staple items that I can use (plus snacks-you gotta have those, right?). Here is my food menu for this week (Monday's breakfast and lunch is missing since I haven't been to the store yet).

Week of: January 23-29, 2012
	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday			Broccoli Rice
			Chicken Casserole
Tuesday	Hashbrowns & Bacon	Left overs	Greek Pasta Salad
			w/ Chicken
Wednesday	Eggs, GF Biscuits,	Chicken Salad	Pot Roast w/
	& Fruit	Fruit	Potatoes & Carrots
Thursday	GF Pancakes & Fruit	Beef Stew	Sesame Chicken
			w/ Jasmine Rice
Friday	Smoothies	Fettucine Alfredo	Steak w/ Onions & Mushrms
			Mashed Pot & Green Beans
Saturday	Biscuits, Bacon, & Fruit	Steak Sandwiches	GF Chicken Tenders
			w/ Mac& Cheese
Sunday	GF Muffins	White Chili Chicken	Nachos w/ Corn Chips