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| My son having a grown-up conversation with the family |
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Happy Birthday To My Hubby & A Recipe for Gluten & Dairy Free Icing
Just a quick note tonight as it's my hubby's birthday. Seriously, the birthdays never end around here. On Sunday my niece turns three. More cake! But today it's all about my husband, although he's stuck working late again and so isn't even home yet. I'm so looking forward to our little two week visit to his family starting Monday.
Since I'm talking about cake, here's the 7 minute icing my mom made for the birthday cake last weekend. It's not her original recipe, but she's been using it so long I have no idea who to credit it with. If anyone knows, let me know and I'll credit the source.
SEVEN MINUTE WHITE ICING RECIPE (gluten and dairy free)
A)In a double boiler beat together:
2 unbeaten egg whites
1 1/2 cups of sugar
5 tablespoons of cold water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons of light corn syrup
B) Beat constantly with mixer for seven minutes
remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla
continue beating until the right consistency to be spread
Should be eaten within 1 to 2 days or will go sugary. The consistency is kind of sticky and reminds me of that marshmallow stuff you can get in a jar. A little sugary for some, but the little ones loved it!
Since I'm talking about cake, here's the 7 minute icing my mom made for the birthday cake last weekend. It's not her original recipe, but she's been using it so long I have no idea who to credit it with. If anyone knows, let me know and I'll credit the source.
SEVEN MINUTE WHITE ICING RECIPE (gluten and dairy free)
A)In a double boiler beat together:
2 unbeaten egg whites
1 1/2 cups of sugar
5 tablespoons of cold water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoons of light corn syrup
B) Beat constantly with mixer for seven minutes
remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla
continue beating until the right consistency to be spread
Should be eaten within 1 to 2 days or will go sugary. The consistency is kind of sticky and reminds me of that marshmallow stuff you can get in a jar. A little sugary for some, but the little ones loved it!
Updated September 2013
Monday, March 28, 2011
All Canadian Blog Hop!
I'm a little late on this, considering it's already 9 pm, but I just discovered a weekly Canadian blog hop, and I'm in! I love my International friends, but I have to admit, it's been kind of slow-going when it comes to finding other Canuck bloggers online, so this is a great chance for me to branch out and meet some great new people!
Looking forward to checking out some great new blogs! But, umm, seeing how I haven't even had a chance to say hello to my husband yet since he got home, I will be checking them out tomorrow. Can't wait!
Looking forward to checking out some great new blogs! But, umm, seeing how I haven't even had a chance to say hello to my husband yet since he got home, I will be checking them out tomorrow. Can't wait!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Menu Plan
Monday: Chickpea & Spinach Soup with Tuna Muffins
Tuesday: Beef Bourgignon Over Pasta
Wednesday: Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry & Spring Rolls
Thursday: Pork Chops in a Sweet and Sour Sauce, Corn Salad & Sweet Potato Wedges
Friday: Turkey Loaf with Stuffed Zucchini & Cabbage Salad
I'm still cooking the last two. I'll try and update the post during the week.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Review: Metro Irresistibles Cake Mix
It has been a whirlwind of birthdays in my house. First my son, then my birthday last week, and my husband's birthday is on Tuesday. We celebrated my and my husband's birthday today with family, and my mother baked a gluten free cake from a mix. The grocery store METRO has a line of their very own gluten free products, and she picked up a box of their cake mix to try. Until I checked this out online, I had no idea that Metro currently the only grocery store chain in Canada with their own private label of GF foods, and that they have more than 20 products to choose from. I will be making a stop at my local Metro to check things out! The product she used was the Metro Irresistibles Gluten Free White Cake Mix
The last time we made a gluten free cake from a mix it was ok, but a bit on the dense/dry side, and my son refused to eat it. This time was much different. The cake mix was for a basic white cake, and my mom iced it with her 7 minute icing, which is gluten and dairy free. She used the bread hook when beating the mix, and the result was a lovely, soft, fluffy cake.
Unlike our previous attempt at a homemade cake, this cake was light and airy inside. Many cakes from gluten free mixes don't rise the same way a regular cake would, but this cake had the consistency of a regular, plain white cake. The flavour was subtle and really let the icing shine. And my son liked it so much that he eventually dropped the fork and just grabbed a chunk to shove in his mouth!
The verdict: This product looked and tasted like a real cake, and would fool anyone who didn't know that it was actually gluten free. I'm thinking about using the mix to make cupcakes for Easter, and it will be my go-to mix when I need to whip up a quick cake for dessert. I don't know if using the bread hook made a difference, but that's the way I'll be making it!
The last time we made a gluten free cake from a mix it was ok, but a bit on the dense/dry side, and my son refused to eat it. This time was much different. The cake mix was for a basic white cake, and my mom iced it with her 7 minute icing, which is gluten and dairy free. She used the bread hook when beating the mix, and the result was a lovely, soft, fluffy cake.
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| The look of anticipation on my son's face is priceless |
Unlike our previous attempt at a homemade cake, this cake was light and airy inside. Many cakes from gluten free mixes don't rise the same way a regular cake would, but this cake had the consistency of a regular, plain white cake. The flavour was subtle and really let the icing shine. And my son liked it so much that he eventually dropped the fork and just grabbed a chunk to shove in his mouth!
The verdict: This product looked and tasted like a real cake, and would fool anyone who didn't know that it was actually gluten free. I'm thinking about using the mix to make cupcakes for Easter, and it will be my go-to mix when I need to whip up a quick cake for dessert. I don't know if using the bread hook made a difference, but that's the way I'll be making it!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Five Things on a Friday
Things have been hectic around here lately. We're heading out of the country in just over a week to visit my husband's family and there's a mountain of things that need to get done before we go. So today I've decided that if I can tackle just 5 before the day is over, I can go to bed tonight satisfied.
Here's my Friday Five priority list for today:
1- Laundry (Goal: Washed, dried, folded, put away. Items for trip separated and packed)
2- Print Photos: We've been a bit remiss about sending my husband's Grandparents photos. They don't use computers and our son is the only great-grandchild, so we're putting together a small album. We haven't seen them since October 2009, so the last time they saw my son he wasn't even walking on his own yet.
3- Menu Plan for next week. Cooking happens on Sunday, but this way I can be sure I have everything.
4- Tax Preparation: Get tax receipts, etc. together so my husband can tackle the taxes tomorrow.
5- Clean Main Floor: I'm home today, and I would rather not have to do it tomorrow.
So there it is. I'm not going to let the fact that it's already 3 p.m. deter me!
Here's my Friday Five priority list for today:
1- Laundry (Goal: Washed, dried, folded, put away. Items for trip separated and packed)
2- Print Photos: We've been a bit remiss about sending my husband's Grandparents photos. They don't use computers and our son is the only great-grandchild, so we're putting together a small album. We haven't seen them since October 2009, so the last time they saw my son he wasn't even walking on his own yet.
3- Menu Plan for next week. Cooking happens on Sunday, but this way I can be sure I have everything.
4- Tax Preparation: Get tax receipts, etc. together so my husband can tackle the taxes tomorrow.
5- Clean Main Floor: I'm home today, and I would rather not have to do it tomorrow.
So there it is. I'm not going to let the fact that it's already 3 p.m. deter me!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Bedtime Battles Have Resurfaced
Just when you think you've got something under control.....
I don't know why, but for the past few weeks my son has decided that bedtime is going to be playtime instead. For months he's been going down at bedtime without a fight, but all of a sudden it's taking us over an hour to get him down, whether it's bedtime or nap time. I'm at a loss. The techniques that have worked so well for us in the past are no longer working. We moved his bedtime back a bit thinking perhaps that was the issue, but nope. Still takes over an hour to get him down.
Oh and did I mention that now he also wants to join us in bed at 1am? Why not? It's not like we have anything else to do. This becomes another battle, because we don't want to make a habit of nighttime visits and he doesn't want to go back to his own bed. In case anyone's wondering, we've never co-slept with him, so it's not something he's accustomed to.
So, to sum up...1 hour for bedtime, 1 hour for naps, and about 30 minutes in the middle of the night to get him down. This is ridiculous.
Any suggestions?
I don't know why, but for the past few weeks my son has decided that bedtime is going to be playtime instead. For months he's been going down at bedtime without a fight, but all of a sudden it's taking us over an hour to get him down, whether it's bedtime or nap time. I'm at a loss. The techniques that have worked so well for us in the past are no longer working. We moved his bedtime back a bit thinking perhaps that was the issue, but nope. Still takes over an hour to get him down.
Oh and did I mention that now he also wants to join us in bed at 1am? Why not? It's not like we have anything else to do. This becomes another battle, because we don't want to make a habit of nighttime visits and he doesn't want to go back to his own bed. In case anyone's wondering, we've never co-slept with him, so it's not something he's accustomed to.
So, to sum up...1 hour for bedtime, 1 hour for naps, and about 30 minutes in the middle of the night to get him down. This is ridiculous.
Any suggestions?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wordless Wednesday
Just for the record, it's snowing again today. For some reason, this always makes my mind drift to warmer locales. This photo was taken at a market in Nice, France of almond paste candies in the shapes of different fruits. Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Why I Menu Plan for the Week
I started menu planning after I found out about my son's gluten and dairy intolerances. Suddenly, many of the meals I had previously cooked as simple, go to dishes were off limits. I also had to start bringing my son's lunches to the daycare because despite their best intentions, he was being cross-contaminated there more than once a week. I found myself making the same few dishes over and over again. It didn't take long for me to get tired of eating the same meals all the time.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Review: Kimberly's Celiac Bakery
On Saturday, my mom brought over a boxful of baked goods for me from Kimberly's Celiac Bakery. It's not an actual bakery as the title would suggest, but rather a product line of vegan and gluten free baked goods. The small factory is located close to where we live, and the owner is more than happy to sell products to the public straight from the factory. Good thing too, because his prices are much cheaper than retail! A $5 box of cookies at the factory was listed for $6.99 at a local store. Quite the mark-up.
My husband and I discovered (as we seem to discover most GF places) it accidentally, driving to my parents' house one day. We took a back street to avoid traffic, and a small sign with black lettering said Celiac Bakery. We drove past it that day, but I kept it in mind and about a week later my mom and I went to check it out. The owner Terry welcomed us with a free chocolate chip cookie and a tour of the facilities. He states that "Kimberly’s Bakery is a Gluten free & vegan bakery, which does not use eggs, yeast, sesame, dairy products, rice, or nuts." Instead, they use flax and bake with Romano beans for moistness.
The chocolate chip cookie was soft but not crumby, and absolutely delicious!
Needless to say we each bought a box! We also tried a slice of sandwich bread, which tasted like a multigrain sliced bread. It was much better than any other GF bread I've tried, so after watching my son scarf down a slice, I realized that we had something special in this bakery. We bought a selection of items to try, and aside from the pizza crust which wasn't anyone's favourite, everything else passed the taste test (meaning that not only do I like it, but my 2 year old will eat it too!).
Cinnamon Bun: A little drier than a traditional cinnamon bun around the outside, but the inside is sweet, moist and full of cinnamon-y deliciousness! We currently have one in our freezer that I am trying not to eat.
Double Chocolate Loaf/Muffins: This is a dense, chocolate-lovers delight. Really great texture, great flavour, perfect as a dessert.
Berry Squares: My husband enjoyed these more than the rest of us. He doesn't particularly like sweets, and these mixed berry, flax-topped squares were just the perfect thing for him. My son didn't hate them, but he didn't love them either.
Pizza Crust: Probably the only item we won't buy again. It's a pre-baked crust that actually tastes pretty good, but it doesn't remind me of PIZZA when I eat it. I like the Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crust, so we'll stick with that.
Flax Bread and Raisin Bread: Both of these taste good and keep well in the refrigerator. Perhaps one of the things that I love best about these products is that they don't dry out in a day like many gluten free items. The sandwich bread lasts about 5 days in the fridge. Regular bread texture, good taste. All around a great find.
Photos of the products can be found on their facebook page. Their website is still under construction. They also have a product list and prices on the page. Some items have the ingredients listed as well. Currently the products can only be found locally in a few stores.
I love finding hidden treasures that are close to home and supporting local businesses. Hopefully this new company will succeed and grow. Perhaps their products will be found at a grocery store near you someday soon! If you live in the GTA, the factory/store can be found at:
Kimberly's Celiac Bakery
415 Oakdale Rd. Unit 361-D
Toronto, On
416 271- 0742
My husband and I discovered (as we seem to discover most GF places) it accidentally, driving to my parents' house one day. We took a back street to avoid traffic, and a small sign with black lettering said Celiac Bakery. We drove past it that day, but I kept it in mind and about a week later my mom and I went to check it out. The owner Terry welcomed us with a free chocolate chip cookie and a tour of the facilities. He states that "Kimberly’s Bakery is a Gluten free & vegan bakery, which does not use eggs, yeast, sesame, dairy products, rice, or nuts." Instead, they use flax and bake with Romano beans for moistness.
The chocolate chip cookie was soft but not crumby, and absolutely delicious!
 | |
| Gluten Free/Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies |
Cinnamon Bun: A little drier than a traditional cinnamon bun around the outside, but the inside is sweet, moist and full of cinnamon-y deliciousness! We currently have one in our freezer that I am trying not to eat.
Double Chocolate Loaf/Muffins: This is a dense, chocolate-lovers delight. Really great texture, great flavour, perfect as a dessert.
 | |
| Double Chocolate Muffins |
Berry Squares: My husband enjoyed these more than the rest of us. He doesn't particularly like sweets, and these mixed berry, flax-topped squares were just the perfect thing for him. My son didn't hate them, but he didn't love them either.
Pizza Crust: Probably the only item we won't buy again. It's a pre-baked crust that actually tastes pretty good, but it doesn't remind me of PIZZA when I eat it. I like the Bob's Red Mill Pizza Crust, so we'll stick with that.
Flax Bread and Raisin Bread: Both of these taste good and keep well in the refrigerator. Perhaps one of the things that I love best about these products is that they don't dry out in a day like many gluten free items. The sandwich bread lasts about 5 days in the fridge. Regular bread texture, good taste. All around a great find.
Photos of the products can be found on their facebook page. Their website is still under construction. They also have a product list and prices on the page. Some items have the ingredients listed as well. Currently the products can only be found locally in a few stores.
I love finding hidden treasures that are close to home and supporting local businesses. Hopefully this new company will succeed and grow. Perhaps their products will be found at a grocery store near you someday soon! If you live in the GTA, the factory/store can be found at:
Kimberly's Celiac Bakery
415 Oakdale Rd. Unit 361-D
Toronto, On
416 271- 0742
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