Happy New Year!

Call me an idealist, but I love the beginning of a new year. It feels as though the slate is wiped clean in a way, and anything is possible. I know that most resolutions fail within the first few weeks, but I still think the optimism that accompanies those resolutions is encouraging.

This year my resolution is simple: Be kinder to myself and others.

Gluten Free Weekly Menu Plan

This is the last menu plan of the year. It's hard to believe that I've been posting weekly menu plans every week since January 2011. Three years of meal ideas for easy gluten free dinners. When I started posting them it was more for my own reference, to ensure that I wasn't feeding my son the same three or four dishes over and over. Now it's to provide meal ideas for others who are where I was. I'm looking forward to keeping up the tradition in the New Year.


Monday: Lemon & Artichoke Chicken served on a bed of Rice and with a side of Steamed Broccoli
(Cook chicken with 1 jar artichoke hearts, chopped, juice of half a lemon, pat of butter or some olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Thicken with some cornstarch or GF flour mixed in a bit of water. Cover and simmer until done.)

Ice Storm Madness

If you live anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area, out to Eastern Canada and through many parts of the United States, the past week has been a mess of ice storms, power outages, and that special celebration some of us call Christmas. A busy time no matter what, but add in a crazy storm that turned the world into something out of a fairy tale while simultaneously knocking out power for hundreds of thousands of people, and things get crazy.

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas! I'm blessed to be able to share my story with all of you, and I can't explain how much a part of my life you all are. For those who don't celebrate Christmas, I wish you a happy holiday season filled with love and laughter!

Gluten Free Weekly Menu Plan

Hello! I feel as though it's been an eternity since I last posted, although it's only been a few days. A massive ice storm hit the city where I live, causing severe damage to trees and hydro lines and shutting down power to hundreds of thousands of customers, including me. We spent one night in the cold at home, then moved to my parents' house, finally ending up in a hotel when they lost power too. I'm lucky that my power is back on, because there are people expected to be without power until the weekend. no cooking got done this weekend, but I know what I'll be making, so here it is!






Monday: Gluten Free Gnocchi with Tomato Meat Sauce

Organic Works Bakery in London, Ontario

A few weeks ago I received a HUGE box of samples from Organic Works Bakery in London, Ontario. My son gets excited when I receive products for the blog because he thinks everything is for him since it's all gluten free. He was not disappointed with this delivery. The box contained Chocolate Chip Cookies, Double Chocolate Cookies, Ginger Cookies, Lemon Cranberry Cookies, No Nut Peanut Butter Cookies, Zucchini Bread, Banana Bread, Focaccia Bread, Brown Rice Bread, Rye-Style Bread, and more.

Holiday Appetizer #4 Mini Meatballs & Dip

Meatballs are always a hit, and by making them mini, you don't need to use a lot of meat to get a lot of meatballs. I use lean ground beef for mine and keep the flavour pretty basic so that they can be paired with any sauce I happen to feel like using. This time I paired them with a bottled Sweet Chili Thai Sauce, but they would be excellent with a BBQ Sauce, a Cranberry or other fruit sauce, or even with an Asian-inspired Soy-Ginger Sauce. I made 48 of these meatballs on Friday, and my husband and sons have almost finished them already.

 

Holiday Appetizer #4: Mini-Meatballs & Dip

 

 

Weekly Gluten Free Menu Plan

Everyone around here is still sick, and yesterday we were hit with a snowstorm. I miss the summer. On the plus side, it does look really pretty outside. This week's meal plan in full of simple, warming foods that are perfect for the type of weather we're having here. Enjoy!






Monday: White Bean, Spinach & Chicken Meatball Soup (RECIPE)

Product Review: Google Nexus 7 Tablet

A few weeks ago I was given the incredible opportunity to try out the new Google Nexus 7 tablet to help me in both my work and personal life, courtesy of Staples. I have been looking for a good tablet for a while, but hadn't yet committed to one I wanted to spend money on. I had a long wish list of what my tablet would include, and a teeny-tiny budget to work with. The Nexus 7 fits everything I was looking for.



Photo Source

 

December's Cookbook of the Month: You Won't Believe It's Gluten-Free!

You Won't Believe It's Gluten-Free!: 500 Delicious, Foolproof Recipes for Healthy Living

by Roben Ryberg

You Won't Believe It's Gluten-Free!: 500 Delicious, Foolproof Recipes for Healthy Living  

A pioneer in gluten-free cooking, Roben Ryberg has worked with gluten-free flours for over 15 years. Now, in You Won’t Believe It’s Gluten-Free!, she vastly simplifies the challenges of this special diet-while perfecting the flavor of everyone’s favorite foods. Completely comprehensive, You Won’t Believe It’s Gluten-Free! offers 500 recipes for all kinds of breads and bake...more A pioneer in gluten-free cooking, Roben Ryberg has worked with gluten-free flours for over 15 years. Now, in You Won’t Believe It’s Gluten-Free!, she vastly simplifies the challenges of this special diet-while perfecting the flavor of everyone’s favorite foods. Completely comprehensive, You Won’t Believe It’s Gluten-Free! offers 500 recipes for all kinds of breads and baked goods, plus easy appetizers, soups, entrees, and salads to win over any crowd. It also features desserts for special occasions-even wedding cakes! Unlike the standard use of three or more flour blends, these recipes often call for just one flour, and many recipes include corn, potato, rice, and oat flour variations. This is an essential cooking bible for anyone with celiac disease, wheat allergy, IBS, or other gluten sensitivities.

 

GOODREADS

 

I decided to end the year off with a review of a cookbook from a few years ago. This book was originally published in 2008, and covers recipes for just about every occasion. I've already gone through my copy and highlighted the recipes I'm looking forward to trying. This book looks as though it has some great recipes!  This seems like the perfect way to end a great year of cookbook reviews.

GIVEAWAY!

 

Guess what? Like always, I'm giving away a copy. Contest is open to entrants in Canada (excluding Quebec) and the United States. Terms & Conditions can be found in the widget below. Good luck!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway