G-Free for you and me!

Let's talk about bread baby, let's talk about glu-ten free!! That's right, I just went there. I'm back folks and I've got a lot to talk about. Let's begin today with all of the new GF products and we'll then wrap up with a GF bread surprise!!

Ok let us begin. You might wonder where I find these wonderful treasures. I have found that there are a few nature stores in our area but my absolute favorite is Nature's Pharm on US31. 

So my trip to Nature's Pharm was a slight success and a slight test of my new way of life. First, I have to say, they have a massive selection- Two entire aisles!

Holy G-Free Batman!!

First, I saw these and decided to pass, mainly because I couldn't stop giggling... shame on you, Betty Lou!

Let's get serious. The best cookies I've found that are pre-made G-free are Dr. Lucy's. If you know me at all, you can probably guess why I decided to nab these, I mean, they are not only cute but also share a name with my favorite pup.

Next up, I cannot get anywhere without seeing Pop-Chips. So of course I pick up my favorite flavor of chips S&V. Sorry to let you know, folks, but these taste the same way my pup's food smells. Like when you do that first pour into the empty bowl and you forget to hold your breath and inhale a large serving of dog food and that smell takes space in the back of your throat and you have to cough to ensure you don't throw up. Like that.

While I'm failing at finding delicious goodies, let me also tell you I tried a lemon cookie. I've found that even though something is my favorite in normal, gluten filled foods, it might not be my favorite in GF foods. Also a lot of GF foods have a strange aftertaste. This is the case below. I love the Alternative Baking Company and I love how cute the little package is, but I will need to go a different route flavor-wise next time. 

I also bought some cute car shaped GF pasta and some new sauce mixes for pasta sauce. I'll let you know how those go when I make them!

Alright, down to brass tax. The one thing I have missed and not been able to substitute has been bread. Something everyone on a day to day basis takes for granted. I have tried the stuff in the store and it is gross. Plain and simple, it is gross. The whole idea of this is to find foods that don't remind me I am eating on a restricted diet, not foods that slap me in the face with it like jerks. Jerk foods. I hate them. Anyway, I found some bread mix from a trusted source that sells amazing GF cookie mix and I took matters into my own hands. Meet Pamela's.

Pamela, meet my bread machine (also known as B-Mac).

When B-Mac and Pamela get together, this is what happens:

First:

Then:

And finally:

Best. Bread. Ever. 

Case Closed. 

So, I went shopping, got really sick for a week, and then ended with a wonderful homemade bread. Sounds like quite a week, but there is more to come, I can feel it. 

Enjoy yourself and your GF products, no matter what it takes. 

Gluten Free by chance, not by choice

Two weeks ago I met with a doctor. I says to him: Doctor, Doctor! I am sick! HELP! And do you know what he tells me? Stop eating gluten. (Found in? Everything.)

This is when I decided that my thoughts didn't have enough room in my head so I needed to invest in some space here, online. 

After two weeks of eating gluten free and doing my best to strut my new title of “Gluten Intolerant” I have questions. The main questions that stick out to me right now are as follows:

1. Why do GF breads have to be found in the frozen section?

2. What makes sticky rice sticky? (one I haven’t decided I want to know the answer to just yet)

3. Is my, uhm, business in the, uhm, water closet always going to look like that?

Things I know from being GF:

1. If you want something that has a GF stamp on the front, you will pay extra for it.

2. Red Bull is Gluten Free.

3. Lärabars are not going to look how you think they should, no matter what flavor you get. Unless somewhere in the small section of GF foods you can find “Woodsman Stool” flavor. (For the record, I do not get paid by Lärabar, but I do eat one every single day. Even though it looks like the description I’ve given, trust me, they are good.)

So what does all this mean? Not much, just a change in how I see life. That happens for me on almost a daily basis, so it seems small at this point. It’s also something I’m going to write about, so get used to it. I have read a million books, sites, and articles and they are not much help when letting me know what’s actually good. I’d like to read that sticky rice is gross without extra sauce before spending $3.95 on a single serving. I would also like to have known that Ruffles chips are GF so I could feel a little less like an outsider once in a while.

Additional thoughts today:

- Have you read “The Host”? I have. Twice. You should, too.

- I saw a hybrid IndyGo bus today and it made me so happy I wanted to reach out my car window and high five the side of the bus. Nice work, Indy.

- For lunch today I’m having Sugar Free Red Bull, Asian Sticky Rice, and GF Brownies my husband made me last night. (Don’t you judge me; I’m still trying to iron out lunch details).

Have you made anyone feel good today?