Archives for November 2011

Holiday Tips & Suggestions

As we move into the holiday season, there will be plenty of temptations lurking around every corner.

At every holiday gathering you’ll be faced with the same dilemma. How does one determine what is safe to eat, especially when dining away from home?

Well, there’s no reason to complicate things.

I tend to take that approach in general, meaning I don’t like a lot of fuss and bother. (Even my design style is minimalist).

Let’s review some of the likely scenarios you will encounter in the weeks ahead, along with some simple solutions for how to deal with them.

 

Friends & Family

As you make your way around the holiday circuit, be prepared for well-meaning friends and family who insist that “one little bite” can’t possible hurt.

Or who treat your new diet as more of an inconvenience to them, rather than consider the health benefits to you.

When Aunt Mabel offers you a generous slice of her famous holiday cheesecake, please do not to give in.

Instead, why not contribute to the meal yourself?

You could offer to bring a dish that everyone can enjoy. That way you will know for sure there is at least one item on the table that is safe for you to eat.

Or, if you’re feeling really ambitious, bake your own gluten-free cheesecake and bring it along to the party.

By the way, there is absolutely no harm to other family members if they eat gluten-free products. I’ve heard people express this concern, but there’s no truth to it whatsoever.

On the contrary, it’s more likely that as your own health steadily improves, other family members will also benefit.

 

Dining Out

These days, it’s so much easier to dine at a restaurant, even when you’re on a restricted diet.

[Read more…]

Giving Thanks

Oh my, to think that Thanksgiving is just a few days away. 

On the chance that this might be your first gluten-free Thanksgiving, this weeks’ article is designed to give you some peace of mind as you plan your annual feast.

If you happen to be new to the gluten-free lifestyle, you might be tearing your hair out right about now, perhaps even telling yourself that the holidays are such a huge challenge – how will you ever get through it?

Well, this is true. It might very well be a challenge.

In the weeks to come, your senses will be assaulted with treats of every kind, beginning with the Thanksgiving turkey and all the traditional side dishes.

[Read more…]

SORGHUM OR BARLEY?

If you’ve been doing your homework, you already know that beer traditionally contains gluten.

That’s because regular beer is made from barley, or hops, which is a big no-no for anyone on a gluten-free diet. If you are a beer drinker and have recently been diagnosed with Celiac disease you might be in despair.

If you also love pizza, and believe you can’t live without the combination of pizza and beer, rest assured you don’t have to give up either one.

Gluten-free beers are made from sorghum, a safe grain for anyone living a gluten-free lifestyle.

As it happens, I’m not a beer drinker myself, yet a friend of mine recently handed me this bottle across the table when we met for lunch.

She’d spotted it in a store and bought it – just for me.

I wasn’t sure what to say.

Our other friends at the table asked “Do you drink beer?”

“No” I said, meekly.

I never have – I just don’t care for it.

However, for those of you who DO drink beer, this is one of several options for you. Gluten-free beers are now readily available in most supermarkets, or specialty food stores.

Try it. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Postscript:  Since I took the beer home for my husband, he suggested that I at least try a small sip. I hesitated, then agreed on the condition he finish the bottle if I didn’t like it.

I’m happy to report that Yours Truly did take a sip, while trying very hard not to scrunch up my nose in anticipation of the taste.

I’ll let you guess who drank the remainder.

TRAVELING IN STYLE

Back in the day, a gentleman or lady of means typically traveled with something like this.

Perfectly appointed with a travel size knife, fork and spoon and a pair of scissors – for what, I’m not exactly sure.

Fast forward to modern day travel.

Yes, travel in this day and age is certainly challenging as we navigate airports and our busy schedules.

For anyone living a gluten-free lifestyle, your travel woes are likely compounded by the constant worry of what are you going to eat?

Two weeks ago, I was in Austin, Texas followed by a few days in Asheville, North Carolina.

While I wouldn’t call myself a seasoned traveler, I do have a go-to system that I rely on whenever I travel, a system that ensures I have will have enough to eat.

Most of the time, anyway.

Because I have additional allergies, to both dairy and eggs, along with gluten, I’m unable to enjoy even a breakfast of scrambled eggs while on the go.

So I always include individual packets of gluten-free oatmeal, or a bag of gluten-free granola in my travel kit, then rely on restaurant fare for fruit or juice.

Better still, after I reach my destination, I like to stop in at a local health food store to stock up on fruits and healthy snacks. If you have a mini refrigerator in your hotel room, that’s ideal. 

As for the plane trip itself?

I’ve been using this nifty bento-style lunchbox from Laptop Lunches for about a year, and I love it!

The best part is that you can be as creative as you like with your portable meal, choosing a different food for each container.

In the photo above, I packed Sushi and my favorite stuffed Collard Greens. (this way I get in my daily greens, along with some protein and healthy carbs).

[Read more…]