Pancake Tuesday!

Today is Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent begins for those who observe it. For many, it's also known as pancake Tuesday, a completely non-religious tradition that involves having pancakes for dinner.

I am not one to pass up the opportunity to eat pancakes for dinner.

There are plenty of gluten free boxed pancake mixes out there to choose from, or you can use my homemade pancake mix. Just a word of advice- I find that all gluten free mixes soak up liquid rather quickly, so if you find your mix getting too thick as you go, just add some extra liquid to thin things out.

Recipe: Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of my favourite foods. They're versatile, and make delicious fries, soups, and casseroles. They are excellent sauteed, and in tacos, stuffed with chili, baked, or mashed.

Sweet potatoes are also incredibly good for you. They're low in calories and have virtually no fat, and are one of the best sources of Vitamin A out there, with 100 grams of sweet potato providing around 300% of the daily amount recommended. They are a low glycemic food, helping to control blood sugar. In addition, they are a source of fibre, contain carotenoids (a type of phytonutrient) that are thought to fight disease, are a source of calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamin B6. Plus, they're cheap.

What more could you ask for in a food?

Gluten Free Weekly Meal Plan March 3-7, 2014

Welcome to the first meal plan of March! Unfortunately the winter weather shows no signs of letting up, but I'm still looking forward to Spring!

Monday: Shepherd's Pie (RECIPE)

What's in Store for March!

Celiac Baby! Has Big Plans this March!

March is always a busy month in my house, and this year is no exception. And big months in my house mean big things for the blog, as well! Although it's still polar vortex weather around here, March ushers in Spring, and I'm clinging to the belief that Spring will eventually get here. The time changes next week, meaning that the days will get longer, giving us more light in the evenings for longer. That's certainly something to look forward to. 

March is also when children are off school for a week. Where I live, March Break starts next Friday. For many parents, a week off for the kids means a week of organizing activities to keep the kids from going stir crazy. Don't worry, I've got you covered with some fun ideas that should entertain kids of all ages. Since my little guy is only five and the toddler is too young for many activities, I've also got some ideas for parents of young kids. 

February 2014 Cookbook of the Month Review: Let's Eat Out Around the World Gluten Free & Allergy Free 4th Ed.

Let's Eat Out Around the World Gluten Free and Allergy Free

Kim Koeller and Robert La France


Eat safe gluten free and allergy free meals in your home and at any restaurant around the corner or anywhere across the globe.

Packed with everything you need to know to prepare meals or navigate a menu in any eating establishment, "Let's Eat Out Around the World Gluten Free and Allergy Free" is an easy-to-use resource that helps you to: Confidently avoid meals with gluten, wheat, corn, dairy, egg, fish, peanut, shellfish, soy, and tree nuts Discover 175-plus dishes across seven ethnic cuisines including French, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Steak and Seafood, Chinese, and Thai Understand ingredients, food preparation, hidden allergens and cross-contact Ask the right questions and order safe meals with or without gluten free menus and allergy charts Plan trips, holidays, and business travel with detailed checklists for snacks, airlines, hotels, and cruise lines Explore overseas destinations with chef translation cards and international travel tips.
Publisher: Demos
Publication Date: January 16, 2014 

My Son's 5th Birthday Party was a Success!

Over the weekend we threw my son a 5th birthday party for a few of his friends. Last year we went to Chuck E. Cheese, but this year he wanted to go bowling. We checked around, and settled on Woodbridge Bowl, which offers 10 pin bowling, but with lighter balls, ramps, and bumpers. Their party deal was reasonably priced, and included a party size pizza, chips, juice for the kids, and coffee for the parents. We also ordered chicken fingers and fries for the adults.

Like any parent with a child who has food restrictions, I was ready to provide all of my son's food for him, so I was surprised to learn that they could accommodate us to a certain degree. The bowling alley ordered us a gluten free personal pizza for my son, and provided gluten free chips for the chip bowls. It was a little thing, but it meant a lot to my son, who got to eat a pizza that looked just like everyone else's. We served him the chips before all those little gluten-filled hands hit the chip bowls, and everything was fine.

Gluten Free Weekly Meal Plan (February 24-28, 2014)

Today is our son's 5th birthday party, so I made sure to get everything cooked in advance. Here's what we're eating this week!

Monday: Lentil Soup RECIPE

Happy 5th Birthday!

Today is my son's 5th birthday, and although it sounds cliche, I can't believe it. He's growing into such an interesting, curious, and kind boy that I can only imagine what the next year will bring. This past year has been difficult health-wise, but he seems to be moving forward, gaining weight and actually starting to fit into clothes for his age range!

We're having his birthday party on Sunday at a local bowling alley, but it wouldn't have been fun without having a mini celebration at home here today. We hung some balloons and made him some gluten free waffles for breakfast, and then let him open his gifts from us. We focused on art things this year, buying him a Planes 3D colouring kit, some Colour Wonder markers and colouring sheets, and a few other supplies. He's in a major superhero phase right now, so we incorporated the theme in some of the colouring sheets, but didn't buy him any other themed items. His cake will be a superhero one, so I think we're good!

The Last Snowman Contest Winner!

This contest was a popular one, and I'm thrilled at how many people entered to win The Last Snowman prize pack. Unfortunately there can only be one winner, but if it wasn't you, don't worry because there'll be another contest coming up soon! 

And the winner is...

Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup (Gluten & Dairy Free)

My husband loves split pea soup, the kind that's thick and has pieces of ham.This winter has been so long and cold that it's been the perfect weather for simple comfort foods like soups and stews, and I've been making a lot of them. I make this soup when we have leftover cooked ham.

The flavour is the best when cooked with a ham hock or some bones, but it works fine without for a delicious vegan soup. I cook mine in the slow cooker, but it could be cooked in a pot on the stove as well.

This soup freezes well, so I often double the recipe and freeze half in freezer bags that I store flat in the freezer. The soup will need a bit of liquid added to it once defrosted, as the peas continue to absorb liquid.