Almond Fresh Review & Deliciously Different Drink Contest!

UPDATE! The giveaway for this contest has been changed FOR THE BETTER! Rather than giving away a coupon for a free product, I will be giving away $20 in coupons for Almond Fresh products to one lucky winner. Better, right? YES! Now keep reading for your chance to enter! If you already entered, your previous entries remain valid.

Many of you who read my blog regularly know that in addition to being gluten free, my son also has a very difficult time with cow's milk. We drink a lot of goat's milk, soy milk, and rice milk around here, and use a ton of dairy-free alternative products for cooking and baking. Still, I have to admit, Almond Milk was never really on my radar as an option. Sure, I saw it on the shelf, taking up space beside the other dairy alternatives, but my eyes would just skim over it to find the product I was already used to buying.

Wordless Wednesday

Some more fall fun!

 

 

 

Catelli Gluten Free Pasta Review & A Recipe

Updated: In the original post I wrote that the product is produced in a wheat free facility. I have received confirmation that it is produced in a gluten free facility and is Certified Gluten Free by the Canadian Celiac Association.

It's no secret that I love pasta, and that my family eats a pasta dish at least once a week. I have probably tried more gluten free pastas than any other GF product, and I continue to explore every time a new pasta comes on the market. I was getting ready to try Catelli's new line of pasta when they sent me a box and a few recipes to share with my readers. Perfect timing! Just for the record, I have not been financially compensated for this post, and my opinions about the pasta are my own.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

This recipe is comfort food at its best. Hearty beef stew with chunks of potato and carrots, in a rich, wine-based broth. So easy to prepare, and filling on these chilly fall evenings. When I was a kid, my dad used to make stew whenever it was really, really, cold outside, and it's one of those foods that has a special place in my heart since it reminds me so much of him.

I don't know if my stew can compete with his, but it's still pretty good! The aroma in my kitchen as this was cooking was intoxicating, and everyone was lining up to enjoy a bowl when it was ready. Serve with a gluten free baguette so you can mop up all the juices in the bottom of the bowl!

Feel free to use up vegetables you have in the fridge that need to be used, or to substitute chicken or turkey for a slightly different version.

Gluten Free Weekly Menu Plan

Thank goodness for my slow cooker! This weekend I was able to get the meal plan done with minimal actual work because I took advantage of the slow cooker. With the weather getting colder, heartier soups and stews are in order. I hope something here inspires you to make some comfort food too!







Monday: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Gluten Free Halloween Candy Lists

Every year, I find myself scrambling to find up-to-date gluten free candy lists so that I know what I can allow my son to keep after trick or treating. There are a few sites that update their lists every year, so instead of duplicating their work, I will share the love and direct you to two of those sites where you will find pretty comprehensive lists that are up-to-date. Since companies often have different formulations for candy sold in different countries, I have included lists for both Canada and the United States.

Halloween: Marshmallow Pumpkin and Monster Treats

I am a huge Halloween fan. It's great to suspend reality for a while and enjoy the land of make-believe. Halloween is made for children, and now that I have two of my own, I enjoy watching them experience the magic for themselves. Unfortunately, when food restrictions like being gluten free get thrown into the mix, some of those traditional Halloween treats are suddenly off-limits.

I refuse to let my son feel as though he's missing out on anything because of an ingredient, so we just go ahead and make our own Halloween treats that any kid would love. My sister is throwing a child-friendly Halloween party next weekend, and I'll be making these treats and more to contribute to the festivities. I prefer to make treats that my kid can help with, and these fit the bill.

Gluten Free Buzz (17) The Week's Celiac and Gluten Free Headlines

Hey everyone! Welcome back to gluten free buzz, where I keep you up-to-date on the news in the world of Celiac and Gluten Free. Last night Twitter was abuzz as Jon Stewart hosted a gala to raise funds for Celiac Disease research. His kids have Celiac disease, so it's a personal issue for him. But he wasn't the only headline, so let's get to it!

Recipe: 20 Minute Gluten Free Mac 'N' Cheese

Macaroni and cheese seems to be one of those mysterious dishes that everyone loves but no one has a clue how to make. Most recipes I've come across have a list of ingredients so long that the average cook would be intimidated to try them. I do have a mac 'n' cheese recipe that involves a few different types of cheese, breadcrumbs, and an oven, but the truth is that I barely make it because it's too time consuming.
When my son asked why he can't have the macaroni that his friends at daycare got to eat, I knew it was time to come up with a version that he could enjoy. I sometimes forget how difficult it must be for such a little boy to be left out of eating the same things as his friends since he handles it so well most of the time. The excitement on his face when he said it looked just like his friends' macaroni and cheese reminded me of how important it for him to feel included as much as possible.

Wordless Wednesday

Some Fall Photos