Category Archives: Gluten Free

Gluten free on the road

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If life is a highway and your lead foot won’t let you drive 55 on Route 66 then you have undoubtedly been on the road enough to realize it’s tough to feed the rumble in your tummy with fast food, when you have allergies. 

We have a few staple chains that we look for when traveling to give us peace of mind and provide a nourishing meal that is safe… and quick.

Hardee’s is the fastest. Although they do make your meals fresh, it will still be a great drive through option. They make their burgers from 100% beef so no worry of wheat fillers in the patties. The fries are cooked up in dedicated friers and any sandwich can be made low carb, which is wrapped in lettuce and paper so you can hold it, eat and drive!

Chipotle is our second fav. It requires a tad more stop time but all burritos can be made as a salad or a bowl (on rice and beans). They also offer a taco pack (for adults or kids) that can be made with corn tortillas or hard corn shells. Just choose your three ingredients and build away. They change their gloves, get clean utensils and use clean trays for meal prep when you let them know you have an allergy, btw.

BW 3’s is another great option and they have plenty of locations nationwide. They have traditional wings which are fried separate from the battered boneless ones and most of their sauces are gluten free. Our favorites are honey BBQ, medium and salt/vinegar. They actually have the sauce bottles on hand, for sale, so ask to read the label if in doubt!

Hope this helps you navigate the open road to a full belly. Happy trails!

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Easy gluten free stir fry

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It’s literally pre made!

If you are like me and struggle to feed the kids something besides hot dogs, corn dogs and chicken nuggets (although there are some amazing gluten free options out there), this is a simple meal hack they will enjoy.

Trader Joe’s, Costco, Market District and many others have two things that can make dinner time super easy:

Fresh or frozen chicken breasts

Precut fresh or frozen vegetables

Throw the two together in a skillet (or wok, for those of us from the 80’s) and sprinkle in a sauce of your choice. We like Braggs aminos (gluten free soy sauce).

Toss and eat. 

Sometimes I just need a reminder that I don’t have to make dinner complicated in order to switch it up. 

Gluten free mushrooms

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While I’m detoxing, I need extra flavor and extra veggies. This recipe combines both with flair!

Spray skillet with oil of choice

Wash and slice one basket whole fresh mushrooms

Place mushrooms in skillet over medium heat

Add 1/4c GF worchester sauce 

Add 1/8c Boar’s head spicy mustard

Simmer and turn until they darken.

Eat alone or add to a bowl of quinoa kale. I used Path of Life frozen mix from Costco below.

Sweet potato chicken 

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I love sweet potatoes!

I also love that they are allowed on a healthy, get fit menu. They can be used in so many ways and are abundant with natural sweetness.

In this recipe I tried something new, with what I had on hand and it turned out fabulous!

This is made in my //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gftifshealtht-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B01B1VC13K&asins=B01B1VC13K&linkId=66a3b8ea209f1a8f15c24c4600e880d8&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=e629dd&title_color=e633c8&bg_color=faf5fa” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Fagor pressure cooker, otherwise referred to as the “magic pot”. I consider it magic because of the meals that can be made in just minutes.

Add two cups of water to clean pot.

Peel and rinse 6-8 small sweet potatoes and add to pot.

Cover with 1/2 c applesauce

Add 4 frozen chicken breasts

Cover with a full jar of Trader Joe’s peach salsa

Cook on pressure setting for 10 minutes.


Voila!

Skinny fit… day 1

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I’m on a 14 day journey to try out Skinny Fit Detox Tea. 

I’ve been wanting to do a cleanse and I liked the wholesome ingredients and lack of allergens and laxatives in this one. 


Upon opening the bag I was overwhelmed by the fresh berry smell and pleased to see mesh bags.


The taste is subtle, pleasing and easy to consume. It wasn’t mediciny, bitter or harsh. If anything it smelled more like berries than it tasted but it was good. 

I will be drinking this am and pm as it’s recommended once or twice daily. I will also be eating a Whole Foods, clean diet. Lord knows there’s no tea, detox or other magical cure that can work in its own. 

I’ve been eating “fun” for awhile now and my body has a lot to overcome. Let’s give this a go!

Gluten free Gooey Delight

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This is something that I created by accident. I admit it. Those things happen and sometimes they taste amazing!

Mix all ingredients below in bowl:

1 bag Brookes Naturals Brownie mix

2 egg whites (instead of the 3 eggs on the bag)

1 C applesauce (instead of the three eggs on the bag)

3/4C melted coconut oil (instead of butter on the bag)

Spray baking dish with coconut oil, add mixture above and bake for 20 minutes. Line top of brownies with square campfire marshmallows, end to end and bake for 4 minutes.

Pull out of oven and cool on counter (so marshmallows reduce in fluffiness). This will be a liquid consistency that is scoopable into a bowl. Great with ice cream!

To transport, cover with wax paper before a lid. Enjoy!

Gluten free treat bars

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You know I love easy recipes!

Here’s one of my favorites for celiacs and non-Celiacs will love them too.

1 16 oz container Marshmallow fluff (I prefer this brand as it’s food coloring free)

1.5C Coconut oil

10oz (half a family size box) Cheerios (your choice of flavor) I use the original flavor because the fluff is so sweet and it’s a nice contrast.

Add-ins welcome: chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts mini marshmallows, etc

Line baking dish with wax paper and spray with coconut oil (Critical if you want them to come out of the pan after cooling). 

Heat coconut oil over medium heat in large stock pot. When melted, add entire container of marshmallow fluff and stir continuously until entire container is warm (about 3 minutes) then add cheerios and stir until all cereal is coated. Immediately transfer onto the lined baking dish. 

If you use add-ins, sprinkle then on top now. Mini marshmallows can be placed in holes to help them melt slightly and stick in the texture.

For bars you need to chill for about 15-20 minutes in the refrigerator. Or you can consume warm by scooping with a spoon.


Cheerio!

Bubbles. Bubbles. Pop, please.

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Normally, bubbles are fun, relaxing and even clean! However, spewing out of the dishwasher is not where I want to see them.

This morning my daughter did the dishes for me and added dawn instead of cascade. Suddenly, my dishwasher sounded like it had an upset stomach.

Upon asking for help from friends and googling, I found several solutions including salt, vinegar and olive oil. It wasn’t working but I felt like I should throw in a couple of eggs, a dash of vanilla and a cup of gf baking mix just to round things out. 

Another solution said to scoop out the bubbles, wipe things down and start again. One even said to wait a day! I have never known a bubbling agent to deactivate by sitting. Feeling frustrated, I tried one more suggestion and filled the dispenser on both sides with fabric softener and prayed. 

Within three minutes of turning on the rinse cycle the bubbles disappeared and the washer started draining again. What a relief! 

Gluten free at Six Flags??

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My family loves amusement parks. In fact, my husband and I got married next to a resort destination one and rode roller coasters at our reception. 

Since the kids have grown tall enough to enjoy all the parks have to offer, we decided to purchase season passes this year at Six Flags Great America. Since we are from Indy, it’s a hike regardless of where we go but a four hour ride also allows us to tap into all Chicago has to offer.


While doing my online food research I read that the park had gluten free options but they didn’t give any specifics. Restaurants and snack shops were listed but no menus.


When I entered the park, they searched our bags. Presumably for weapons but according to the posted signs, it was also for food. No outside for or drinks are permissible.

I stopped at the info desk to inquire about gluten free food options and was told they have one dedicated frier on the whole park… all the way at the back in the kids zone. But they also had healthy fare locations that would offer some non-fried options too. 


Over the 4th of July weekend we found the park to be maxed out with people and the parking lot full to the outer edges, yet the gluten free cafe, kidopolous, was not open. The go fresh cafe offered a salad. Not exactly the full flavored gluten free menu I was expecting. At least they had unsweetened tea (just about the only non sugary drink option in the park). 

I found a frozen yogurt place on the map and found that it too was closed. In order to find nourishment we went to the nacho stand and I asked to read labels. Even with the long lines I found a nice young man that walked me through each ingredient. We ended up with corn chips, liquid cheese and sour cream. 

I also found a candy store that offered caramel apples. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t just sell me an apple for my son who’s dairy free, without charging me the full caramel apple price.

Truth is, they could make some tweaks in the park that would make more food available for celiacs, like changing the taco seasoning on their nachos to one without wheat (same for the pico). They could verify what the turkey legs are cooked in and make them gf. They could offer cut up fruit at some of their locations. Even a hot dog stand would be helpful (if they didn’t pre-bun them)!


Unless you are Buddy the Elf and can live on cotton candy, Icee’s, spongebob ice cream bars, caramel apples and rock candy, don’t assume you will be able to eat at Six Flags. 😦

@sixflags I’d be happy to help!

Gluten free (west) Chicago, Pt. 3

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When traveling to Chicago, we don’t always go downtown. In fact, with family in the burbs, we tend to spend a lot of time in the St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia areas.

There are so many quaint places that have amazing gluten free options out that way. In fact, this is just a few of my favorites. 

Mother’s Pancake House in St. Charles has gluten free pancakes and French toast, which is always a treat! Their gf pancakes are also dairy and egg free. I can’t help but endulge for French toast!


I will also visit Sweet Natalie’s in Geneva for treats. They have an ever rotating variety of baked goods, in a dedicated gluten free facility. Many of their items are also dairy free, as Wells’s other allergens. @sweet_natalies


Dinner usually finds us at Crosstown pub and Grill in Batavia. They have so many options that are unique, creative and tasty. You really feel like they spent some time putting a menu together that would be satisfying. Not just food but libations as well. They carry an array of gluten free beers that would encourage beer lovers to stop in too.


Don’t forget west Chicago and the burbs for gluten free food options. While these are just the highlights, I’m sure there will be more to share in the future. Follow my blog for update notifications!