Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother's Day SmallMy most pressing concern with the upcoming Mother’s Day weekend is the huge focus on Mother’s Day Brunch.

The challenge, whether you are dining at a restaurant or someone’s home, is always – what to eat?

When you rule out Gluten, Dairy and Eggs there isn’t a whole lot left. (It’s fairly common, by the way, for someone who has Celiac Disease to be intolerant to Dairy as well).

So, I posed the question to the group and got lots of feedback, everything from a fruit tray with a creamy dip to chicken kebabs.

The key take-away?

If you’ve been invited to a Mother’s Day Brunch this year – be sure to bring food that YOU can eat.

This is one of those times you need to think of yourself first.

Actually, this rule applies whenever you are invited to a meal at someone’s home, or anytime you’re not sure what the offerings might be.

Because – not only are you special but you deserve the extra attention!

In honor of Mother’s Day, I decided to share with you a recipe for Bobotie. (Pronounced bow-bootie).

This is a delicious, meat-based casserole that I first encountered years ago when I was a guest at someone else’s home.

In fact, I thought it was so delicious, I asked for the recipe on the spot, something I don’t often do.

This would be a great addition to any buffet, whether a Brunch or potluck. Just be sure to use Gluten-Free bread and you’ll be good to go.

And to all the moms out there, Happy Mother’s Day!

Click here for recipe.

How To Get The Support You Need

Last weekend, I attended a cooking class titled “Eating Around the Top 8 Allergens”.

In case you’re not familiar, the usual list typically includes the following:

Wheat                                      Dairy

Eggs                                        Peanuts

Soy                                          Tree Nuts

Fish                                         Shellfish

Sometimes – depending on the source – you will see foods like Corn on the list, as well.

Notice how every single one of these foods – with the exception perhaps of Fish & Shellfish – is pervasive in our diets.

We’re not always aware of this, until the day we are told to no longer eat Gluten or Dairy.

Then we find out that ingredient is seemingly in everything!

So, the goal of this class – according to the description – was to “demystify food allergies and introduce us to a world  of delicious, non-allergenic foods.”

It didn’t matter whether you were recently diagnosed, or living with allergies for awhile.

I fell into the latter category, of course, and was struck by two things during the two and a half hours I spent in the classroom.

 

There are Always Fabulous New Ideas and Solutions.

Yes, even when you’re feeling down in the dumps, and possibly deprived as a result of your food restrictions – there are always new possibilities just around the corner.

As long as you are open-minded, you will not only glean new ideas, but most likely discover new foods that you may or may not have know existed.

You might even find that certain foods you disdained in the past can be quite delicious when properly prepared.

All this is to say:

 

There Is Strength in the Classroom

Misery loves company, as the saying goes.

But when you surround yourself with people who are in the same boat you are, you will be a lot less miserable.

That is why I encourage you to seek out local support groups, and even attend a class or two that is focused on dealing with food allergies.

Our local co-op even holds store tours for those on the Gluten-Free diet – so you never know what resources might be available to you in your area.

Personally, I love the synergy from being among a like-minded group of people who have similar needs.

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