Recipe: Slow Cooked Lamb Shoulder in Tomato Sauce

Growing up, lamb was something we ate two or three times a year at most. Christmas, Easter, and perhaps for a birthday or anniversary dinner were about the only times lamb made it onto the dinner table. Mostly it was because lamb was, and still is, expensive. It was also because my dad was really the only person who absolutely adored lamb. I typically refused on the grounds that lambs are cute, and my mom and sister would usually have a little bit but not nearly enough to justify the high cost.

Is Haggis Gluten Free?

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Updated January 2015

So, Robbie Burns Day is just around the corner, and people everywhere are planning their annual Robbie Burns Supper!  People in Canada celebrate too, in case you're wondering.  I'm not sure about here in France. I'll have to ask around!

But this isn't a post about the day, or the man, or the legend behind it all. 

When a Restaurant Just Can't Get it Right

Eating in restaurants with a gluten free child is not always easy, but I've always managed to find something safe for my son to eat. Most restaurants have something on the menu, or can adjust a recipe to be safe. After speaking with the server or the chef (or both!)

I'm usually relatively comfortable allowing my son to eat out in restaurants. In the four years my son has been gluten free, I have only had to leave a restaurant without feeding him once, and that was right at the beginning and more my fault than anything.

Until a few weeks ago.

We Moved to Paris!

I originally posted this on my travel site, GlutenFreeFamilyTravel.com, but thought it was worth a repost here. 

Typically the content of the two sites are separate, but there will certainly be times when something posted on one site will be reposted on the other. 

Our move to France will be a huge source of content over the next year on both sites. Our plan to move to Toulouse changed quite quickly and unexpectedly, but was accompanied by an exciting new development!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

This Letter From Santa for Kids with Food Allergies is the Best Thing Ever

The lovely folks over at Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) have once again come up with a way for kids with food restrictions to feel not only included, but special. These are the same people who started the Teal Pumpkin Project to help make Halloween more inclusive for kids with food allergies.

Product Review: Grain Free JK Gourmet

Earlier this week I received a package containing some samples from Grain Free JK Gourmet. I'll be honest- before receiving these samples I had never heard of the company, but since I'm always up for discovering new products I couldn't wait to dig in. I received three items: Fig and Apricot Granola, GG Bites (kind of like sesame snaps), and Almond Cherry Chocolate.

Gluten Free and Grain Free is stamped right there on all the packages, so after confirming that the products are in fact made in a gluten free facility (peanut and dairy free too!) I rounded up my husband and the kids and we gave the products a try.

Quebec Winter Carnival: The Perfect Family Getaway (and how to enjoy it gluten free!)

The Quebec Winter Carnival, or the Carnaval de Québec, has been around since 1894, and has been held annually since the 1950s. A gigantic event held across some of the most beautiful and historic sites in Quebec City, the winter carnival is a must-do event for families looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Located a few hours from Montreal, Quebec City is a picturesque city with a lot of history that opens its doors to the world for a 17 day party every winter. The 2015 carnival runs from January 30- February 15, featuring activities that run day and night. The 2015 theme is Bonhomme's World, exploring the magical existence of the beloved carnival mascot, Bonhomme Carnaval.

Celiac Baby Turns Four! Thank You!

Today is a special day. Four years ago I was a struggling mom trying to wrap my head around my son's new gluten free life. He was not yet two years old, and had been sick and suffering for so long that when removing gluten from his diet started making him better, I felt as though we had been handed a miracle. Parents who have watched their kids battle constant illness, who are underweight no matter what you try, who always in pain and suffering, will understand the relief I felt when the doctor was able to rule out things like Cystic Fibrosis and instead confirmed that by changing his diet we could change his health. Although I was grateful to have found the cause of his troubles, I was also overwhelmed at just how difficult it really is to eliminate ALL sources of gluten.