I'm at the Gluten Free Living Conference

Good morning from Orlando! This weekend I'm attending the Gluten Free Living Conference in Orlando, Florida. The conference opens to the general public tomorrow, but today I'm attending the Blogger U portion, which is specifically geared to those of us who blog or write about gluten free living and Celiac Disease. Not only is this a fantastic opportunity for me to learn more about what I do, it's an amazing chance to get to know in person some of the people I've connected with over social media. This group of bloggers are committed to helping others live better lives while maintaining a gluten free lifestyle, and I think we'll all walk away from this conference having learned something new and with new connections.

Review: March's Cookbook of the Month

Gluten-Free, Hassle Free, Second Edition

A Simple, Sane, Dietitian-Approved Program For Eating Your Way Back to Health

Marlisa Brown, MS, RD, CDE, CDN

Gluten-Free, Hassle Free is a simple, friendly, easy-to-follow guide packed with everything you need to know to live gluten-free, including delicious recipes, and practical solutions, strategies, and shortcuts. A registered dietician and chef, Marlisa Brown makes going gluten-free a snap. Completely revised and updated throughout and filled with new material, this edition includes:

Over 150 quick and easy recipes, with nutritional information, including gluten-free holiday classics.
How to stock a gluten-free kitchen. If your child is gluten-free: practical advice, nutritious meals and tasty treats.

Quick and easy substitutions to make your favorite foods gluten-free. How to read and translate current labels-and how to find the hidden gluten in food. Tips for eating out and on the go, including fast food options. Gluten-free products and where to find them. How to eat a balanced gluten-free diet. Advice for dining out at home and abroad. Plus more meal plans, shopping lists, safe food lists, tips for creating your own gluten-free meals and much more (Description from NetGalley.)

Gluten Free Weekly Meal Plan March 31-April 4, 2014

Usually my meal plan is up on Sundays, but this weekend was my niece's birthday party as well as my husband's birthday, so it's up a day late. Forgive me? Here's what we're eating in our gluten free house this week.

Monday: Gluten Free Spaghetti & Meat Sauce

The Eggs Factor is Back! Feed a Child, and Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

This year marks the third anniversary of the Egg Farmers of Ontario's "The Eggs Factor" contest, where contestants of all ages can decorate a virtual egg, and be entered into a contest to win an iPad mini!

Product Review: Tiger Nuts

A while back I was sent a bag of Tiger Nuts to try out. Tiger Nuts are not actually nuts; they are tubers that grow in the ground, and then are dried and packaged as sweet little snacks. I had never heard of them before being sent a package to try, and I wasn't sure what to think when I opened up the bag to check them out. They look a bit like nuts, but they come peeled and ready to eat.

Before trying them, I did a bit of research and was surprised to find out that they are actually quite good for you. A staple in some countries around the world, these little powerhouses are high in fibre, several vitamins and minerals, and are thought to protect against a host of illnesses. They can be eaten dried and raw like in the Tiger Nuts packages, or they can be soaked to create a kind of nutty-flavoured, dairy free milk.

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

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

Spring is here! Let's hope Mother Nature gets the memo!






Monday: Ribs & Roast Broccoli (I baked the ribs in Cattleboyz BBQ Sauce at 375F for about an hour.)

Rudi's Happy Camper Winner!

First, I want to thank everyone for entering this giveaway, but especially to those who helped their children enter for the chance to win a scholarship to camp this summer. It's such a wonderful opportunity, and I can't wait for my son to be old enough to attend one of these incredible camps!

A Lifestyle Change for my Birthday!

Today is my birthday, and I was greeted by my husband and my kids for a great morning that involved gluten free cupcakes (which my sons pretty much ate in one bite). I don't get as excited for my birthday these days as I used to, but I still like to celebrate and enjoy the day with the people I love.

This year, I'm giving myself a gift for my birthday: A lifestyle change!

Actually, the truth is that I've been gradually changing my lifestyle over the past few months, but it's time to kick it up a notch. Since having my boys, my health has never quite gone back to what it was pre-pregnancy, and I don't just mean my weight (although, yes, I need to lose some of that).  Since my oldest son was sick pretty much since birth, it was easy to just put all my focus on his health needs, even though I was feeling less than my best.

Gluten Free Weekly Meal Plan (March 17-21, 2014)

Monday: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

St. Paddy's Day Four Leaf Clover Shake (Dairy Free)

Most people remember those green shakes from a certain fast food chain that showed up each year around St. Patrick's Day. Since we no longer each much fast food, especially since very few chains offer gluten free options, I have no idea if those shakes are still available.

Still, I found myself wanting to make something similar for my son, but since a whole shake with milk or ice cream would be too much dairy for his belly to handle, I decided to experiment with a healthy version. Judging by the way he scarfed it down, I would say it was a success!

This version is quick to throw together, is gluten and dairy free, and is a healthy shake that has that perfect green hue without any dyes or food colouring.