Gingerbread House

Recipe and directions on making a Gluten free Gingerbread house
About.com

Looking for a Gluten free gingerbread kit
Thanks to a heads up from Food Allergy Buzz, it looks like you can now purchase gluten free gingerbread houses from the Sensitive Baker! These gingerbread houses are also advertised as being casein free, but is NOT Vegan-friendly.

Here is the information provided by the Sensitive Baker team regarding their gluten free gingerbread houses

We make gluten-free gingerbread house kits (small, $25 + shipping), gluten-free, casein-free, soy-free, corn-free, and nut-free, but they’re not vegan. It’s a shame, since the cookie itself is vegan (also egg-free), but the frosting “glue” that holds it together NEEDS egg.

We do gingerbread PEOPLE that are vegan, and also offer a sugar-free version!

One of the best things about gingerbread is that it doesn’t require air-shipping in those big styrofoam boxes, so it can travel regular mail. Please order by December 12th to ensure delivery by x-mas.

Call (310) 815-1800 to order or visit The SensitiveBaker.com.

Gourmet Cupcake Maker

GLuten free Cupcake Maker (Kids)

Read article from JAKKS Pacific Download PDF

We are thrilled that kids across America have been making, decorating and eating our delicious and award-winning Girl Gourmet cupcakes in all the yummiest and trendiest flavors," said Michael Rinzler, vice president of marketing, JAKKS Pacific.

"Kids and parents can also breathe easy when it comes to the ingredients for Girl Gourmet cupcakes which are gluten and wheat-free, trans-fat free, and made in a nut-free facility. Many children who suffer from Celiac and nut allergies will be able to participate in the art of cupcake making AND eating with all of their friends."

Amazon Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker

Link Gourmet Cupcake Maker

Kids will love to make their own

yummy—gluten- and wheat-free cupcakes

with this easy-to-use set.

Just pop in the microwave for 30 seconds, no baking involved!

Gluten Free Thanksgiving

Suite 101 recently published a great post explaining
how to have a gluten free Thanksgiving.


Click here to read their post!

New items

Two new (for us) Gluten free

weekend finds from our mainstream grocery store

Rice Rusks

Gluten free baby Mum-Mum's

Ian's Wheat Free And Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Buttons

You've never had cookies like Ians Wheat Free/Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Buttons before! These bitty buttons are the perfect addition to your lunch box or soccer bag and come in individual bags that are all your own and its a good thing because you wont want to share! Plus, they are made without wheat or gluten so even kids with food allergies can enjoy them! You'll love the taste and your mom will love the all-natural ingredients!

Gluten-free Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

Our First 100% Gluten-free Thanksgiving
Kitchens can get messy and crowded during the holidays, with serving spoons being switched, crumbs falling and flour flying. With guests arriving who are not completely
clear on what "gluten-free" means or the seriousness of
cross-contamination.
Let's be honest ALOT of people are not aware of what
"Gluten Free" means, so this year I will host my first GLUTEN FREE Thanksgiving.


If guests ask to bring something I'm going to suggest

Centerpiece/flowers
Drinks
Wine
To help clean- up after dinner



Many "traditional" Thanksgiving foods are already gluten-free
*Mashed potatoes
*Sweet Potatoes (check the marshmallows if you use them!)
*Cranberries
*Glazed Carrots
*corn
*Peas
*mixed vegetables
*Tossed Salad w/ choice of gluten-free dressings


Dishes that Require Some Altering
Some recipes require some changes to become gluten-free

*Turkey- Some turkeys are injected with fillers that could potentially contain gluten. That means you need to check the ingredients even when buying a fresh or frozen whole turkey.
If you are using a convenient "oven bag" to cook your turkey, be sure not to add the flour to coat the inside of the bag. Use a gluten-free flour instead.


*Stuffing
I'm still researching "stuffing" and haven't decided on how I will make mine yet. However here are a few recipes

Gluten Free Rice Stuffing
Source: CDKitchen
Gluten Free Cornbread Stuffing Recipe
Source: celiec-disease.com
Nutty Rice Stuffing
Source: Gluten Free/Casein Free Recipes


* Gravy

This was always one of Grandpa Gene's specialties. Hopefully with his help and a few changes I can make it gluten free

Here are a few recipes

Turkey Gravy
Source: In the Kitchen
Lazy Man's Gravy
Source: RecipieZaar


*Apple pie

I believe I will use this first recipe.
We really enjoyBob's Red Mill products.

Gluten Free Apple Pie With Crumble Topping
Source: RecipieZaar
Gluten-Free Pie Crust Recipe
Source: About.com

*Pumpkin pie

Pumpkin Pie Gluten Free Recipe
Source: Gluten free Recipes


*Rolls

Still researching, we enjoy Bob's Red Mill products so I might use one of the recipe's on his site


Gluten-Free rolls
Source: Book of Yum
Chebe Gluten-Free Cheese Bread Rolls PREMADE
1-2-3 Gluten-Free Rolls Mix Mix
Source: The Gluten free Mall


Thinking I will order a few treats from Good Eatz as well to complete our Gluten free Thanksgiving.

BeFreeForMe!

Join BeFreeForMe.com

Having a food allergy or celiac disease can be an extraordinary challenge. The breezy days of quickly planning a menu of “whatever” are over. Speedy trips to the grocery store turn into a quick-study of every product’s nutritional label. Grocery bills can increase threefold – and even then you end up being disappointed in the items purchased. And lastly, eating out at a restaurant as a special treat can quickly turn into more trouble that it's worth.

BeFreeForMe.com is the first and only web site to offer coupons, samples and sharing to gluten and food allergy-free consumers.

Gluten Free - Rolled Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups white rice flour
1/2 cup butter or margarine (cold)
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
One egg (cold)
1-1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 teaspoon GF vanilla, lemon, or almond flavoring
1/8 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Combine the rice flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, xanthan gum and salt.
Mix well.
Cut in the butter or margarine until the mixture is in crumbs the size of peas.

In a small bowl beat the sugar, egg, and vanilla
(or other flavoring) together.

Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until the dough pulls away from the sides.
Form the dough into a flat ball shape and refrigerate for one hour.

Dust some freezer paper (not wax paper) with GF flour or confectioners sugar. Put the dough on the freezer paper and sprinkle with flour or confectioner's sugar. Roll the dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut out shapes as desired.

Bake at 350-degrees for 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Recipe makes about 20 cookies.

Gluten Free donuts

Donuts in an oil fryer

Pamela's Products

4-1/4 cups Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix, plus some for dough handling
1/4 cup melted butter
2/3 cup milk or buttermilk (optional: add 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice to milk)
2 eggs
1 cup white or brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Mix all ingredients together. Dust counter with additional Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix, scoop out about 1/3 cup dough at a time. Coat top and bottom with Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix. With thumb, pierce center of dough and create doughnut shape. Preheat oil in fryer to 365° to 375° and carefully lower doughnut into oil. Fry for approximately one minute on each side.

Variation for use with a donut maker:

Use only 2-3/4 cups Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix, and a total of 1 cup milk or buttermilk. This recipe needs a kitchen donut maker machine. the batter is like a thick pancake batter. Mix all ingredients together and bake in doughnut machine according to machine directions.

Chocolate Glaze for Donuts

1 ounce melted unsweetened chocolate
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Mix all ingredients together, adding milk slowly until correct consistency for glazing. Frost cooled donuts. Sprinkle with candies, coconut, chopped nuts, etc.

Halloween

September is here

October and Halloween are quickly approaching...........

We will go trick or treating all over the neighborhood to get all the candy "goodies." Once we get home I will go through the bag of candy and find a few gluten free goodies. We then will leave the rest of the candy by the front door for the Great Pumpkin to take. The Great pumpkin then will leave small items for the kids (coloring books, GF crayon, etc.) This way my younger children can continue to go trick or treating. They really don't need all that sugary treats anyway. The Great Pumpkin will donate the treats. We all will remain safe and happy.

List

Gluten-Free Candy, as of September 2008

Please note: it is always a good idea to check with the manufacturers to make sure that their manufacturing process or their ingredients have not changed since the information was obtained.

Grains are the tricky part!

When it comes to gluten, grains are the tricky part. You already know that bread, flour, pasta, and other products made from wheat, barley, rye, and oats are off limits.

You can, however, eat starchy goodies made from the following grains and flours

Almond flour
Amaranth
Arrowroot
Bean flour
Besan
Brown rice
Brown rice flour
Buckwheat
Cassava
Corn flour
Corn meal
Corn starch
Cottonseed
Dal
Flaxseed
Job’s tears
Manioc
Millet
Milo
Pea flour
Polenta
Potato flour
Quinoa
Rice
Rice flour
Sago
Soy flour
Tapioca flour
Taro flour
Tef
Yucca

Gluten FREE Pizza crust

Homemade Wonderful Pizza Crust


Using Gluten Free Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix makes this pizza crust easy to prepare.

INGREDIENTS:
1 pkg Gluten Free Homemade Wonderful Bread Mix
2 Tb Olive Oil
1-1/2 cups Water
2 Eggs*
In a large bowl, combine water and yeast.

Let stand 5 minutes.

Add eggs and oil to mixture and blend briefly.

Add in bread mix and mix about 1 minute.

Split dough in half and place on 2 greased pizza pans.

Using wet hands, spread out dough to cover the full pizza pan.

Cover with favorite sauce and toppings.

Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes.

*Eggless option: Combine 2 Tb. Flaxseed Meal + 6 Tb. Water; let stand one minute. Add to recipe as you would the eggs.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Servings Size: 1 Pizza Slice (58g)Calories 120, Calories from Fat 25, Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 0g, Cholesterol 25mg, Sodium 190mg, Total Carbohydrate 22g, Dietary Fiber 3g, Sugars 2g and Protein 3g.

Gluten Free Safety Buttons

Gluten Free Safety Awareness Button...

Great For Lunch bags and backpacks

Awareness Buttons

Dining out

Dining out can certainly be challenging for people who must follow a gluten-free diet. But it's not impossible here is a list of some restaurants/fast food chains that offer some gluten free options.
Restaurants
Charlie Browns
Chili's
Uno's

Outback

Dennys

Fast Food

Arby's

Burger King

Mcdonald's

Wendy's

Chick-fil-a

Stromboli

Use Gluten-Free Pantry French Bread mix and roll with NO rising.
Roll out a length of Saran Wrap and spray with Pam.

Roll out bread mix to 10 x 16 with another layer of Saran Wrap on top.

Remove top layer of Saran Wrap and put on pizza sauce (Contadina) to within 1" of edge.
3/4 cup Ricotta cheese (if cheese is moist, squeeze it out)
Pepperoni – Gluten-Free (Echrich or whatever)
1 cup cooked Bob Evans sausage (about 1/2 pound)
1 can mushrooms
1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
Basil, oregano, garlic powder
Roll up. Pick up with Saran Wrap under and over to slip and put on a greased cookie sheet. Oil top with olive oil. Bake 375º for 20 to 25 min.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla (optional)

Mix all ingredients together. Place drops of dough on cookie sheet (size is up to you). Use a fork to make crisscross patterns (this is easy to do without sticking if you will keep your fork in a glass of ice water when not using it). Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes. Watch them, so you will know when it’s best to take them out. When they start to brown, and just barely give off a smell of burning peanut butter, then they are done. Let cool partially on cookie sheet, then twist to remove, and put on cooling rack.

Additions:
Chocolate chips go great in these cookies, without having to change anything else. You can also use 1/2 chunky and 1/2 creamy peanut butter.

Snacks

Gluten free snack ideas

• Tortilla chips with or w/o dip
• Reg. potato chips — Lays Stax have all g.f. ingredients
• Any fruit fruit
• Any fresh vegetable
• Popcorn
• Dried fruit
• Popsicles

• Homemade popsicles

• Trail mix made with Gorilla Munch and whatever else you have on hand (usually dried fruit and choc. chips)

• Pickles
• Peanuts
• Rice crispy treats made w/ g.f. rice crispies.
• Trio bars, or other treats from Mrs. May’s.
• Hard-Boiled Egg
• Smoothies
• Pepperoni- Hormel makes a gluten-free pepperoni
• Toasted Pumpkin Seeds or Roasted Sunflower Seeds
• Cold Cereal- Envirokidz Peanut Butter Panda Puffs, Rice Chex
• Corn Tortilla- with GF Peanut Butter or chesse
• Gluten-Free Cakes, Cookies and Sweet Biscuits
• Gluten-free candies
• Gluten-free yogurt
• Lara Bars or EnviroKidz Organic Crispy Rice Bars
• Gluten free ice cream
• Gluten-free rice pudding or tapioca pudding
• Pudding
• Jello

HealthDay News

Intestinal Gluten Receptor Is Gateway for Celiac Disease
Finding could offer new treatments for other autoimmune disorders, study says

THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers believe they have finally answered a basic question about the cause of celiac disease -- where in the body does the wheat protein gluten enter one's system?

A study published in the July issue of Gastroenterology identifies the CXCR3 receptor in the intestine as a gluten gateway. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, the protein triggers their immune system to attack the body, causing a wide range of serious health problems.

"This is a scientific question that had never been answered before," Dr. Alessio Fasano, medical director of the Center for Celiac Research at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, said in an university news release. "It is not only significant in the basic science of autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease, but in therapeutic approaches for the future. This opens a new scientific paradigm for the study of immunity."

The research team found that gliadin, the part of gluten that causes the most trouble for those with celiac disease, binds to the CXCR3 receptor. This results in the release of zonulin, a human protein that lowers the intestinal barrier to make it more permeable. While this effect is temporary in most people, the barrier stays down for long periods of time in people with celiac disease, causing disruption in the body's system.

The finding may help in research on the cause and treatment for other autoimmune diseases, Fasano said. People with type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis may experience a similar condition in which offending antigens enter the body through this gateway in the intestines.

"For the first time, we have evidence of how the foreign antigen gains access to the body, causing the autoimmune response," said Fasano, who is also a pediatric gastroenterologist at the University of Maryland Medical Center. "Further study is needed, but this could allow us to intervene before the zonulin is either released or activated, preventing the immune response altogether."

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about celiac disease.

Pamela's Products

Pamela's Products

Pancake Mix

Pamela's Products have easy-to-use mix's that create light and fluffy pancakes and waffles, as well as delicious breads, cakes and muffins … also, a great substitute for flour.

INGREDIENTS: Brown Rice Flour, White Rice Flour, Cultured Buttermilk, Natural Almond Meal (may appear as brown flecks), Tapioca Starch, Sweet Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Grainless & Aluminum Free Baking Powder (Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Potato Starch), Baking Soda, Sea Salt, Xanthan Gum.

Gluten Free School Supplies

Children may also ingest gluten from art supplies.

There are several sites that have this information so I will compile it for you and list the sites.

From TACA Now

• Paints -- six colors (Crayola, Palmer, or Lakeshore brand)
• Crayola
  Washable Markers (large and small sizes)
• Crayola First Crayons or regular crayons (two pkg.)
• Crayola Model Magic in several colors (Do not use Playdough or Crayola Dough or any substitutes unless sent from home! Model Magic dries out after several uses--include baggies)
• Crayola brand chalk in white and colors
• Elmer's or Ross Brand Liquid Glue (old fashioned paste contains wheat)
• Elmer's or Ross Brand Glue Sticks (2)
• Scotch brand clear tape, 1 roll
• Craft supplies (small baggies filled these items):
  Corn elbows, corn rotelli, rice, black-eyed peas, lentils, rice spaghetti, colored rice or lentil noodles--remember, your child cannot use regular pasta for crafts or in a sensory bin

From the GFCF Website:

• Palmer Paint Products, Inc. (Can be found in Walmart, Michaels, also S&S World Wide Arts catalogue)

Prism Brand Acrylic Glow in the Dark
Prism Regular Acrylics
Prism Model Paints
Prism Pearls
Palmer Nature' Hues
Palmer Liquid Tempera (contains corn starch)
Palmer Washable Liquid Tempura
Palmer Face Paint
Palmer Glitter Paint

• Crayola
  (Binney & Smith, Inc.) 1-800-272-9653 www.crayola.com/index.cfm

Palmer Dry Tempura (contains corn starch)
Washable Markers
Model Magic
Markers
Chalk
Silly Putty
Jumping Colors
Mess free Color Wonder
3 D Markers
Oil Pastels
Powder Paint
Water Soluble Oil Pastels
Note: NO Crayola dough it contains Gluten!

Elmer's Washable Glue is also GF
www.elmers.com 1-888-435-6377
School Supplies/Glue - Conros Corporation
Canada 1-800-387-5275
www.conros.com/RossAdhes-KangGlu.html
Ross White Glue
Ross Glue Sticks
Ross School Glue




I'm also going to make sure I send products like these listed below;

• Unpowdered plastic gloves or Liquid Glove (if needed for other activities--soap play, cooking, etc.)
• Colored page reinforcers or pony beads (there are no GFCF Cheerios, so for crafts/activities that involve gluing cheerios, use colored page reinforcers, Gorilla Munch cereal, or plastic pony beads)
• Baggies of Gorilla Munch (Kix-like GF corn cereal)
• Colgate Shaving Cream (for OT activities); do not use Nickelodeon Floam, Goop, etc.
• Silly Putty
  by Crayola is GF (for OT activities)
• Palmer face paints or Hello Kitty products can be used for makeup for dress-up activities/plays
• Ivory soap, Johnson and Johnson Baby Soap, shampoo, and lotion are GFCF; avoid other lotions used in physical therapy unless you know they are GFCF
• Toothettes and lemon-flavored cottonball sticks used by speech therapists are GFCF

A Family Guide- Book

Kids with Celiac Disease

Kids with Celiac Disease:

A Family Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy,

Gluten-Free Children

This is the first practical guide for the families of children and teenagers with celiac disease, a chronic, life-long digestive disorder. As many as one out of 150 to 250 Americans is born with this genetic autoimmune condition, which is characterized by intolerance of gluten--a substance in wheat, oats, barley, malt, and other food additives--and often goes undiagnosed. In a supportive conversational style, Danna Korn shows that it's possible for kids with celiac disease and their families to lead happy and healthy lives.

Parents find advice on how to deal with the diagnosis, cope with the emotional turmoil, and help their child develop a positive and constructive attitude. Especially important is the guidance on menu planning, grocery shopping, strategies for proper food preparation, and deciding whether or not the entire family should be gluten-free. There's even a section on junk food!

What about the child who has difficulty sticking with the prescribed diet? Parents find tips on conditioning behavior and how and when to give kids some control over what they eat. Also covered is the challenge of controlling meals outside of the home--at birthday parties, restaurants, camp, and on vacation. There's also information about how federal regulations and tax laws apply to children with celiac disease.

As the only comprehensive book of its kind, Kids with Celiac Disease will be the bible for the thousands of families coping with this condition. Physicians and nutritionists too, will want to refer new families to this complete resource.

Easy Goldfish-type Crackers - Gluten Free

2 slices American cheese (NOT cheese food)
1/2 t salt
1/8 t chili powder
1/8 t garlic powder

Preheat oven to 400*

Cut each cheese slice into 16 small squares. Separate pieces and put in a small bowl. Add seasonings and toss to coat. Arrange on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, leaving about an inch between each cracker. Bake 400* for 7 to 7 1/2 minutes until well-browned and crispy. If undercooked, they will be soggy, so don't be afraid to check them and put them back in the oven for a bit longer if needed.

Cool the crackers completely and store in an airtight container on the counter for a few days.

Gluten Friendly Products

I was so excited to find this site AllergyFriendlyProducts

They have a few Gluten Friendly Products , perfect for Abbi or others with Gluten intolerance

Bread

Why not make soft and tasty sandwich bread, as you need it

A slice or two at a time?

Simply mix the powder with water, pour equal amounts into the bread-shaped mold trays, and microwave each slice for 45-50 seconds.
This product does not contain any gluten, wheat, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts, or tree nuts, and is also trans fat-free.

Gluten Free Pizza Crust

Convenient - Just add water and bake in your Microwave for about 1 minute!

Muddy Buddies

Prep Time:15 min

Start to Finish:15 min

Makes:18 servings (1/2 cup each)

Ingredients:

9	cups Rice Chex® cereal (gluten free)
1	cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2	cup peanut butter
1/4	cup butter or margarine
1	teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2	cups powdered sugar

Preparation Directions:

	1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
	2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
	3.Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Sources Of Hidden Gluten

With Abbi's recent test results we had to look at the bigger picture. Hidden Gluten. Let’s examine the house first. Do you toast your gluten-free bread in the same toaster that is used for wheat-based bread? Do you use a wood cutting boards, gluten may become embedded in them—use a marble cutting board instead. Beware of knives. At breakfast, do the gluten-consuming members of your family spread peanut butter on their toast, and then double-dip to get a little more peanut butter out of the jar? When they double-dip, some of their wheat crumbs may be getting into the jar and will eventually contaminate the dollop you retrieve from the jar If so, get a peanut butter jar just for the gluten free members of your family. Let's look at Non-food items, that pose gluten challenges. The glue used on lickable envelopes and stamps often contains gluten. Self-stick labels and stickers may contain gluten. Do you use latex or rubber gloves to wash dishes? These are often dusted with wheat or oat flour. You should also check with your doctor, dentist, request that they use unpowdered gloves. Gluten also hides in art supplies, such as paints, clay, play dough, and glue. It is also present in many personal items such as lipstick, lip balm, sunscreen, shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, skin lotions, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Household products such as cleaning solutions, detergents, even bars of soap may contain gluten. Check medications, frequently they contain gluten. Pills may be dusted with flour during manufacturing and capsules may have the gluten present in the oil inside. Reading labels takes practice. Always read labels, even if its something you purchased in the past, manufactures could change the ingredients.

Play Doh

We also have to watch for hidden sources of gluten Did you know Play Doh, the popular children's modeling compound, contains gluten, which makes it unsafe for children with celiac disease/ gluten intolerance. Here is a recipe for gluten-free play dough, courtesy of the Celiac Sprue Association.

If you'd rather buy ready-made gluten-free play dough, two popular brands are Aroma Dough and Colorations. Colorations is sold by Discount School Supply.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tsp cream of tarter
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp cooking oil
• Food coloring, if desired

PREPARATION:

Mix ingredients. Cook and stir on low heat for 3 minutes or until mixture forms a ball. Cool completely before storing in a sealable plastic bag.