pizza

pizza is a fun dinner for kids unless you have a gluten/wheat allergy or have Celiac's disease.   We made gluten free pizza crust from a mix (Hodson Mills).  After baking the crust, we topped one pizza   with ground beef, peppers, onions, zucchini, olives and broccoli.  The other pizza we topped with bacon (hormel has a gluten free bacon) and pineapple.  It was a great dinner.  We cut it into pieces and froze the extra pieces for another dinner.

making Chinese food

My youngest son  loves Chinese food.  However due to his gluten allergy, it is difficult to eat out. We made two different meals.  For the first dish, we used some gluten free sweet and sour sauce we found  at Wegman's.  (there own brand).  We grilled some chicken after breading it with potato starch.  We streamed pea pods, string beans, carrots, and broccoli.  We then tossed the vegetables and chicken with the sweet and sour sauce. The second dish was a garlic beef dish.  We sauteed some fresh garlic and onion.  We grilled seasoned   beef and cut it into strips.  We streamed pea pods, string beans, carrots, and broccoli. We tossed the beef and vegetables with gluten free beef gravy.  We served it over rice!  It was delicious!

desserts

My son like all little boys loves cookies.  We have tried a variety of cookies.  The tastes have been variable.  We tried making home made cookies.  The texture of the dough is different especially when making cut out cookies.  We have also had a variety of tastes with different recipes.  We recently tried Betty Crocker cookie mix.  The cookies tasted delicious.  Since finding this mix, we have tweaked this recipe.  We add one cup of chopped unsalted peanuts and crunchy peanut butter.  We buy peanut butter that is labeled gluten free.  after the cookies cool, we store them in tupperware between layers of wax paper.  We freeze them to preserve their freshness.  Try it, you will love it.

gluten free breakfast

In the beginning making breakfast was difficult especially because my son liked pancakes, waffles, and bagels.  We found a great product:  Pamela's baking mix.  We make great pancakes.  we add mashed bananas and chocolate chips.  We  usually make extra so that we can freeze them.  We wrap each one in foil and label them  and then put them in a freezer bag.  It only takes a few minutes to warm them up and they taste great!

making dinner

Since wheat is many different foods, it is sometimes difficult to make dinner.  Today we made angel hair pasta (gluten free by DeBoles).  We added baked chicken breast (cubed), steamed broccoli, and tomato sauce (Wegman's gluten free roasted garlic and tomato).  It was delicious.  When cooking pasta, time it so that it is not overcooked.  This dish freezes well.  Sometimes, we make extra and freeze in portion containers so that dinner can be ready quickly!

Reading labels

When we go grocery shopping, I find I have to read a lot of labels.  Many foods have hidden gluten.  Wheat is used as an extender in many foods.  Even types of candies have gluten/wheat.  Some companies are now labeling food as gluten free which is very helpful. If unsure whether a food contains gluten or wheat don't buy it.  Sometimes foods with "modified food starch" or "artificial flavors and colors" contain gluten.  It is also important to check medicines and vitamins for gluten/wheat.  There are lists online that will give out that information.  Never be afraid to ask at stores, restaurants, or pharmacies!

Getting Started

Three years ago, my son was diagnosed with  a severe wheat allergy.  It was recommended that we put him  on a gluten free diet.  It was so unfamiliar to us.  We did not know where to start.  We researched wheat allergies and celiac disease.  My first adventure  into the grocery store to buy gluten free food took me over 2 hours  and cost me $100.00 for one bag of gluten free products.  I have gotten smarter since then!