Monday, December 8, 2014

Brunch-Lunch

Well, I haven't miraculously dropped 30 lbs. since embracing gluten-free, but I find my appetite significantly decreased. The Wheat Belly blog told me I wouldn't be driven by persistent hunger/cravings, and that is very true.

After a morning cup of coffee with half-n-half, I sometimes forget to eat until 12:30pm - 2:00pm. Not that skipping breakfast is ideal. I'm trying to correct those behaviors, but they happen.

Breakfast can get old. I can only tolerate Udi's bread when it's lathered with peanut butter and homemade jam, or open-faced with turkey, Havarti, and mayo. Otherwise, it's a very poor bread substitute. I do keep a loaf in the freezer at all times. I've finally remembered to buy Rice Chex. Surprisingly, they make me quite happy.

Eggs have been the default choice but those, too, can get tiresome. Omelets, scrambled, soft-boiled, over-medium... I try to mix it up.

Today is one of those "missed breakfast" days. I slept in and then dashed for my dentist appointment. Thinking Rice Chex, I remembered we're out of milk. Then I got a little bit creative with what I found in the frig.

I scrambled two eggs with a bit of half-n-half and goat cheese. And, I made a simple salad with Romaine and Newman's Oil and Vinegar salad dressing. Voilà. Very simple, very tasty, very French déjeuner.

 

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Gluten Free Pizza

Nope. Not happening. I've given it several chances, but it's a no-go. If I were celiac, then sure. But, I'm not.

I even tried using CPK's GF crust.

I've determined that, for me, the joy of pizza is as much the great crust as it is the toppings. So, I'm going to enjoy limited pizza consumption--once a month or so. I'll get my thin crust at Nick's or CPK, and my deep-dish at Georgio's. I'll just get it less often.

 

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Trekking

-source-

 

GF is a journey, and while mine has not been overly exciting the past two weeks, it's consistent. Other than the above salad, my GF cooking has been routine. We're in the middle of two road trips, so my culinary creativity is at a temporary impasse. And, that's o.k.

Unfortunately, eliminating wheat has not resulted in an immediate or substantial weight loss. That's going to take effort and concentration. Still, I feel consistently better. No huge recovery, but a 25% improvement is a welcome adjustment.

 

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Clean Living

 

Still calories that count, and a no-no if your tracking on the glycemic index. But, in a less than perfect world these treats from Costco are a viable option in my GF journey.

 

I've been serious about cutting wheat from my diet from the get-go, and into very rigorous adherence since returning from Kiawah Island and Charleston. But, a girl still needs something sweet from time-to-time.

 

Can't say I love these (the chocolate is mediocre), but I'm glad they're in my pantry.

 

At home and cooking this week--Sunday (eggs and Geechie Boy grits), Monday (cucumber-honeydew melon salad), Tuesday (oven-roasted potatoes-asparagus-tomatoes-olives), Wednesday (GF pumpkin bread and beef tacos with green rice). So, tonight CA made a Tommy's run for polish sausages with crispy fries. Tossed the bun, and didn't even miss it. Brunch had been another beef taco (leftovers from last night), so nutritionally I might have failed today except I ate tons of crunchy celerey with almond butter late afternoon. Short-changed my leafy greens today, but most days I load up.

 
Sunday
 
Monday
 
Tuesday

Wednesday


 

Tonight

 

 

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Bread, My First GF

Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie Bread

 

Made this recipe from long-time fav glutenfreegoddess.com--loving her recipes long-time. Way before I even considered a gluten-free life.

 

The texture on mine is a much coarser crumb, but still mighty moist and flavor-filled. I did substitute on both the buckwheat flour and millet--almond flour and oat flour, because that's what I had on-hand. Otherwise, I stuck to Karina's recipe because I know how well-researched and tested each of her recipes is. I have great respect with her acquired knowledge and food sense.

I've had almost no bread throughtout the past 8-weeks, not really missing it which has been a shocker.

Truly, truly, truly, eliminating "wheat" changes your whole perspective on hunger and cravings. Thank you Dr. William Davis. Your Wheat Belly book and blog have revolutionized my life.

Now that my internist and I have ruled-out Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, heart disease, and Hypo-Throidism, I'm ready to research and refine my future food elimibations. Just taking away wheat has made a 25% (my estimation) improvement, which has already revolutionized my outlook. And, I expect that as my Leaky Gut heals over the six months estimated, I'll feel even better.

 

Monday, September 22, 2014

Prevailing

 

Yes, I'm continuing my wheatless (witless) journey, quite successfully and happily. A few adjustments and tastes along the way, but my dedication is unwavering. Feeling 25-30% better is remakable.

Through two road trips and last week's beach-city gourmand adventure. Grits are my friend. Geechie Boy, especially. Red meat, seafood, dark green leafy treats, and pickled beets, etc. Chocolate and cheese. I am w(h)ineless.

 

Friday, September 12, 2014

Yes, this is my breakfast today.

 

Because yesterday was a bad day. Gluten-free, but not fat-free. By a long-shot.

 

Ah-hem...

 

Started off well, stayed good. Nose-dive at dinner.

 

Dinner Menu:

Prime (read well-marbled with fat) rib steaks (from Peoria Meat Packing in Chicago)

Mirai sweet corn (buttered)

Mashed potatoes (w. butter)

 

Somehow dinner all-but kicked butt on the roast chicken, Havarti cheese (small amount), and pickled beets that comprised my first two meals of the day.

 

Repentance. Remorse. Tastes pretty good, served cold.

 

 

 

Thursday, September 4, 2014

This is Almost Easy

-source-

 

Ha! Eating GF is easy if you shop often and appropriately; have the time/take the time to cook at home.

Amazingly, there were many menus in Door County with clearly -marked GF options. Adaptations of regular items, etc.

At home, I just have to be on my toes. All the time. At least until it all become automatic.

Eating lunch with good friends at Eataly Chicago yesterday involved GF pasta. Just as chewey as the GF pasta I tried at home, but otherwise good. At home, we had a late dinner--angel hair pasta with marinara and sausage from Bari Foods on Grand Avenue. The sausage turned out to be Italian sausage meatballs with obvious bread crumbs, so I passed mine to CA. He declared them delicioso! Bari Food's Barese sausage is amazing, and similar Barese is available locally (for me) at Caputo's. That will be GF.

I did eat my marinara with the DeCecco angel hair pasta because it's made in Italy where wheat is wheat. No adverse effects, but I won't overuse this option. DeCecco is my all-time favorite pasta brand.

 

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Mexican Chopped Salad

We loved their t.v. Program, their restaurant in Santa Monica, and this 1999 cookbook. This is our Mexican Bible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finding favorie recipes that work well for GF diet is an unfolding pleasure. I adapted this one, only, by subtracting the corn (just because I had none) and substituting almonds for pine nuts (didn't want to take time to toast the frozen pinenuts). The viniagrette zips the flavor up several notches--tangy and fresh. The cumin rocks.

Oh, we grilled two chicken breasts, cut into strips, but didn't add until salad was dressed and divvied-out.

 

Results: superb.

 

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Down Memory Lane

 

Years ago on our visits to Door County (our last trip was @1990), we ate most of our meals at The Cookery, in Fish Creek. So pleased that it's still going strong with the next generation in charge still locally sourcing much of their food, and baking all their own breads and desserts. The Cookery is now 2-story, with an upstairs wine bar (limited menu), including a GF version. We scored almost immediate seating upstairs. (It's a rainy night, so outside was iffy, and a 45-minute wait for downstairs, inside.)

A Wisconsin favorite: Smoked Whitefish Spread.

 

I enjoyed Steak Frites (2 Saturday dinners in a row, in 2 different states than my own) while CA had Scallops in a Pinot Grigio and Butter Sauce, with Polenta on the side. For a starter we shared the Whitefish Spread with cucumber slices for moi, and toasted bread rounds for CA. Wisconsin knows how to grow flavorful meat. Good food. Great only-in-Wisconsin Whitefish Spread.

I was miffed to find it seriously rainy, rather than the earlier spitting, when we exited the restaurant. Miffed because I had both a light-weight slicker and an umbrella... In the car.

Didn't stop us from running between a few shops before heading to the car, with a sidestep into The Door County Chocolate and Fudge House. Hey, fudge is GF. Not carb-free or calorie-free, though. And, Dippy's just a few doors down has bottled water in a cooler. Yes.

 

Results:

Road food takes planning. This was a totally spontaneous roadtrip. We were on the highway 1-1/2 hours after waking up and deciding to go. I packed a small cooler with iced tea, Jill's garden Cocktail Tomatoes, a Banana, both GF and Club Crackers, Aged White Cheddar and peanutbutter. Just what I could quickly assemble.

After an hour+ of drive-time, we had breakfast at Panera. I ordered a Cafe Sandwich--tuna with lettuce, tomato, and red onion. Just tossed the bread and ate the remainder with a fork. Very satisfying.

We had a bit of a late lunch in Egg Harbor at Galileo. CA had Pear-Gorgonzola Flatbread (pizza), while I managed GF with a Door County Salad (mixed greens, grilled chicken breast, candied pecans, dried cherries, a bit of a delicious (I think) aged goat cheese. All tarted up with a raspberry viniagrette dressing. Slow service, but adequately good food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, August 29, 2014

Corn Dogs

Gluten-free Corn Dog Bites

 

A group of friends got together for a lovely birthday lunch--3 of us celebrated birthdays during this past week (23rd, 26th, 29th). So, I wasn't much hungry for dinner tonight. The reheated GF pizza was not a viable option and CA ate the leftover fritata. I was too lazy to get takeout, so eventually I put together a "recipe" of sorts.

 

 

Using the pancake recipe (1/3) on the King Arthur Flour (GF) pancake mix box, I added some organic white cornmeal and mixed up a thick dipping batter. After cutting the Trader Joe's GF hot dogs in thirds, I dipped them thoroughly and dropped them into some hot oil. I need to tweak the proportions of pancake mix/cornmeal a bit. This'll work for my occasional hotdog fix.

 

 

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Dinner Tonight

 

Found a container of a glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com recipe for Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas in my freezer a couple of days ago,

Tonight I decide to use the filling to make taquitos. I hate to fry, but I figure these will reheat well so I can make enough to make the grease clean-up worthwhile.

A little more than halfway into this project, I decide to finish off the filling using the "good" white corn tortillas. For CA. For me, they unfortunately include wheat flour. But, I'm guessing that's why they taste so good. They are the best!

 

Results: O.K., except the organic white corn, gluten-free tortillas are just this side of indigestible. Or, at least that's the mouth-feel. CA tries both versions, and feels my pain. His are far better.

 

Front 4 are the tasty non-GF.

 

Suffering through with these.

 

Hands-down the best we've ever had.

 

Will make taquitos again. Next time spicier.

 

 

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Something's Amiss

Absolutely delicious.
 

Not sure what's going on, but a few of my symptoms that were lessening have revolted.

IBS (2x in 2 days)

Fatigue (increased and debilitating)

Sleep disturbances

Increased muscle/body aches

Hand and feet numbness, tingling

Leg aches upon resting

Sharp cramping in upper-mid chest (scary)

 

Suspicions

Dietarily, I tried oatmeal from Starbucks, commercially-prepared Rice Krispie Treats, Talenti Gelato, and spicey chicken sushi from Caputo's.

Talenti Gelato

 

Will save the gelato for rare special occasions; cease eating suspect Rice Krispie Treats; and try the sushi another day under controlled conditions.

 

 

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Chicken Curry Tonight

Oh yeah!
 
My Americanized version in process.
 
White raisins are the all-round best.

Curry paste and coconut milk added.


Secret ingredient.

All-in-one.
Dinner in less than 30-minutes.

 

 

 

Monday, August 25, 2014

Pancakes for Dinner

 

-source-

 

Breakfast for dinner was a hit tonight. Very good tasting King Arthur Flour mix. We made 1/2 recipe and that was perfect for two, with some well-drained applewood smoked bacon.

Results: Pancakes were excellent, although texture was a bit mealy on the tongue. Outside of pancakes had excellent appearance and texture with a definite light crunch. Just get a good taste before chewing, and don't dwell on the texture.

 

 

Thursday, August 21, 2014

GF Road Food

Madison, WI Farmers' Market

 

Busy morning, and we're traveling today. We've got a quantity of semi-prepared food in the frig that we do not want to leave behind--6 hard boiled eggs and three farmers' market tomatoes, to name a couple. Plus grocery items, staples and fresh food that does not fit into a GF lifestyle. JE's family will benefit...

After the gym I accomplish a produce(tive) market run, where I stumbe onto perfect baby Arugula, baby Spinach, lovely Avocados, clean and chrisp Cilantro, firm Red Grapes, beautiful Sweet Potatoes, etc. At home I rush around finishing packing while CA starts chopping the eggs (no time to make deviled eggs), and then I cut up tomatoes and finish making egg salad. We fill a large bag with 2 large servings of egg salad and two servings of lightly-salted cut tomatoes, add the Ziplock of freshly-washed grapes and top off the supplies with disposable eating utensils and napkins.

Yep. A car picnic.

CA has an 11:00am rehab (knee) appointment in Crystal Lake, and straight from there we get on the road toward Cincinnati for a Fun Kids weekend, and to celebrate my Satuday birthday.

All our provisions work out well, and we're stocked-up and ready to stay GF, one day at a time.

 

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Loving This Book

 

-order here-

So, so much goid information. And, he writes with humor and a bit of irony. Serious business without taking himself and his accomplishments too seriously. Following the blog, too.

 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Quick Mexican

 

Not certified Gluten-Free, but made with GF ingredients.
Good enough for me, and delicious.

These tamales are a long-time favorite from Trader Joe's. Pleased to see they still fit into my life. And, I already had some Quickie Enchilada Sauce from the Gluten-Free Goddess in my freezer.
 
Microwave for just 3 minutes.
 
I serve with rice, shredded Romaine lettuce, and sour cream. More than I can finish. One tamale isn't enough, two are too many. Need to make 4 for CA and I to enjoy as leftovers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Trouble is in the House

 

Started the day out fine with Egg Salad on GF Udi toast. Bad bread, but works o.k. as toast. A vehicle for the good stuff.

 

After a healthy dinner at Bone Fish, we made a quick stop at Trader Joe's, as I plan to make a big pot of chicken stock tomorrow. Found these...

Seemed very sweet after almost two weeks mostly without sugar. But, PB & Chocolate is many times the answer.

 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Tacos for Lunch, Learning to Eat GF One Meal at a Time

 

Working on a repertoire of meals. This was excellent, but not my favorite tortillas.

Not gluten-free.

 

The are the best! Except, they add wheat gluten to the white corn. Instead, I bought some random all-corn tortillas. I'm going to have to begin taste testing a variety of corn tortillas to find the tastiest GF version.

 

For today's lunch, I kept it simple.

Ground Beef Tacos

1 lb. gound beef

3-4 oz. tomato paste

2-3 T. ground chiles (not chili powder)

1/4 cup water

6-8 small all-corn tortillas

Olive oil

Salsa, sour cream, shredded lettuce or cabbage

 

 

1. Brown ground beef. Drain fat. Return to medium heat.

2. Stir in tomato paste and ground chiles.

3, Add water. Mix thoroughly.

4. Simmer until liquid is mostly gone.

5. Heat olive oil in separate small skillet, until sizzling.

6. Add tortillas one at a time for just a few seconds on each side. Drain well.

7. Assemble your tacos, to taste.

 

Results: I will definitely have these for lunch going forward. If my tortillas had been larger, or if I'd overlapped two, I could've doctored these up with raw onions, avocado, tomatoes, etc.

 

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Dinner Tonight

 

Romaine, avocado, carrots, sweet onion, Braeburn apple, dried cranberries and blueberries. And then, we added toasted walnuts and dressed it with the avocado-buttermilk-jalapeńo-cilantro mixture we made on Sunday. I especially like the produce sticker still adhering to the apple chunk top-right.