Gluten Free Baking Items

• Tapioca starch/flour
• Potato flour
• Potato starch
• Cornstarch
• Amaranth and amaranth flour
• White rice flour
• Brown fice flour
• Rice bran
• Sorghum flour
• Buckwheat flour
• Almond flour
• Millet flour
• Teff and Teff flour (teff can be used as a cereal)
• Montina pure baking supplement and gluten-free blends
• Quinoa and quinoa flour
• Soy flour – though I do not recommend anyone use soy products, as they contain an element which reacts similar to estrogen.
• Coconut flour
• Oats and oat flour (only ones labeled gluten-free and pure) See Bob’s Red Mill and Cream Hill Estates
• PrOatina by Montana Gluten-Free (some celiacs with an oat intolerance may tolerate their oat products)
• Timtana (Timothy-grass)
• Peanut flour
• Chickpea flour
• Fava bean flour
• Garbanzo bean flour
• Casava flour
• Oat bran (only ones labeled gluten-free)
• Corn meal (watch for cross contamination)
• Flaxseed meal (mixed with hot water makes a great dairy-free egg replacer)
• Xanthan gum (usually contains corn) See corn-free xanthan gum.
• Guar gum
• Arrowroot
• Eggs (casein-free and dairy-free) I recommend organic eggs.
• Expandex (modified tapiooa starch) – possibly chemically processed
• Methyl cellulose (chemically modified cellulose) – often used as a thickener or gluten substitute in baked goods
• Yeast (and some brewer’s yeast, but not when from beer)
• Vanilla extract and vanilla flavoring (distilling removes all gluten, as is with alcohol)
• Nestle’s chocolate morsels: milk chocolate and semi-sweet
• Baking powder: Rumford’s, Clabber Girl
• Baking Soda
• Ener-G: Egg Replacer – (for those also dairy-free) Haven’t tried it myself.  Read reviews and suggestion here.
• Egg white powder(alhumen / albumin) (El Peto Products has one that is gluten-free)
• Hershey’s Cocoa – Hershey’s does publish a gluten-free list, as ingredients change often.
• Tofu (plain)
• Gelatin
• Agar agar (natural gelatin substitute)
• All cooking oils
• Whey and whey proteins, but are not dairy-free
• Betty Crocker’s Gluten-free Bisquick
• extracts such as: vanilla, almond, etc.

Gluten Free Product List

Gluten Linked to Depression? Awesome article

Gluten Linked to Depression

"According to Dr. Petersen, the nervous system is more commonly affected by gluten intolerance than any part of the body other than the digestive system. In a gluten intolerant person, the body reacts to the gluten protein as if it were a toxin: the immune system attacks the affected area of the body in an attempt to get rid of the protein or reduce its effect. However, the protein to which those with gluten intolerance are reacting is very similar to other proteins found in the body, including those in the brain. When the body confuses these proteins, the immune system attacks the brain and nervous system. This results in inflammation and irritation that, in turn, causes depression and anxiety.

"Millions of people could end their suffering if doctors simply examined them fully for all the possible physical factors behind the patient's depression. Unfortunately, they are drug-oriented and more often than not drugs are their only solution. At HealthNOW Medical Center, we specialize in getting to the root cause of depression and other health problems so we can help the patient actually get better."

GF Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar plus more for rolling the cookies in
• 1 large egg – lightly beaten with a fork
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon baking liners.
2. In a large bowl mix the peanut butter with 1 cup sugar. Stir until well blended. Add the egg, baking powder and vanilla. Stir well. Pour some additional sugar in a small bowl. Take 1 tablespoon the dough and roll in a ball. Roll the dough ball in the sugar and place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
3. Take a dinner fork, stick it in the sugar and gently press down each dough ball to flatten, then turn the fork 90 degrees and gently press again, making the traditional hatch markings of a peanut butter cookie.
4. Bake for 10 minutes. Take out of over and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Gently transfer the cookies to a rack to finish cooling.

Makes 24 cookies.

Got this recipe from Gluten Free Recipe Box

Going Green

We are trying a few new things at our house.  We have recently went totally without paper towels.  Thats right, no more convenience but no more waste.  I instead bought white bar mop rags that could be hung up in the sun to bleach them.  So far so good!  Instead of grabbing a handfull of paper towels, we grab a rag!  We had been using about 4 rolls of paper towels a month.  Monthly savings : $4

We don't use paper napkins at our house either.  I recently purchased homemade flannel napkins that ROCK!  Instead of grabbing a paper napkin, we grab a reusable one.  Montly savings :$1

I am phasing out plastic bags in our home now.  They are terrible for the environment and they are expensive.  I recently purchased reusable snack bags that are made with a velcro closure and they work great!  The kids love them and I loe the fact that they are useful and earth friendly.  I also purchase reusable tote bags to use for shopping, etc.  I love these little bags for about anything.  Monthly savings :$3


Want a closer look at the reusable snack bags, napkins and totes?  See   http://www.etsy.com/people/LaModeYarns?ref=ls_profile

Gluten Free Snacks We Love

Hard boiled eggs
Celery and peanut butter
Homemade french fries
Baby tomatoes
Baby Carrots and ranch
Gluten free wrap, peanut butter and honey warmed for 5 seconds in the microwave
Peanuts
Raisins
Dried fruit
Yogurt (carefully check the label, not all yogurt is created equal)
Gluten free waffle and peanut butter
Gluten free snack crackers
Jerky (check label)
Cheese sticks

Doctors Visit

We visited the psychiatrist today and he is very pleased with the progress that has been made in my son's behaviors.  It is hard for me to believe that for over 2 months now I have actually slept at night!  He is sleeping at night and doing well so far in school.  No more fighting homework until 9pm!  I am going to do some more research in the net tonight as to exactly what gluten does in our bodies.  I will share what I find!

The Bread Challenge

We have tried about 7 different kinds of bread now.  He hates them all.  I have to say that most of them taste like paper, are dry and they fall apart. I have tried making homemade bread and it turns out the same.  This week we are trying Udi's White Sandwich Bread.  The reviews on this bread have been good so I am hoping for success! 


Udi's White Sandwich Bread

Gluten Free Candy List

We all love a little sweet stuff once in a while, especially kids.  Here is a list of gluten free candy I found on another blog.  Credit is listed below the list.

•Airheads
•Almond Joy
•Altoids
•Ande’s Mints
•Bazooka Gum
•Big League Chew Gum (Original, Grape, Strawberry)
•Break Bar by Glutino (looks and tastes like a Kit Kat – but it is gluten-free, whereas Kit Kats are not)
•Breath Saver Mints
•Bubbilicious Gum
•Bubble Yum Gum
•Junior Mints
•Junior Caramels
•Candy Corn by Goelitz
•Carefree Gum
•Certs Mints
•Chicklets
•Clorets Gum
•Clorets Mints
•Dentyne Gum
•Double Bubble Gum
•Dove
•Extra Gum
•Fruit Stripe Gum
•Gobstoppers
•Hershey’s Plain Chocolate Sticks
•Hershey’s Kissables
•Hershey’s Plain Swoops
•Hershey’s Hugs
•Hershey’s Kisses
•Hershey’s Plain Chocolate Bars
•Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Reese’s Pieces
•Hershey’s Skor Bar
•York Peppermint Patty
•Hershey’s Kisses with Almonds
•Hershey’s Giant Kiss (Any other Hershey’s product – check the label…their policy is to state list wheat, rye, barley or oats if they
are in the product)
•Hot Tamales
•Ice Breakers Gum
•Jelly Belly
•Jolly Rancher Products – Lollipop, JellyBeans
•Mike and Ike
•Zours
•Marshmallow Peeps
•Teenee Beanee Jelly Beans
•Just Born Jelly Beans
•Kraft Caramels
•Kraft Mini Marshmallow Snack Packs
•Laffy Taffy by Willy Wonka
•Lifesavers
•Lifesaver Gummies
•M&M’s Plain
•M&M’s Peanut
•Marvel Candy Sticks
•Mary Janes
•Mega WarHeads
•Mounds
•Necco Wafers
•Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses
•Talking Pumpkins (Halloween) by Necco
•Nestle Milk Chocolate (Nestle’s policy is to list gluten as wheat, rye, barley or oats on package)
•Newman’s Own – all sweet dark chocolate products, choc bar, butter toffee crunch
•Orbit Gum
•Payday
•Pez
•Pixie Sticks by Willy Wonka
•Pop Rocks Candy
•Ring Pops by Topp’s
•Rolo
•Runts by Wonka
•Russell Stover – check label. Gluten will be listed as wheat, rye, barley or oats
•Smarties Double Lolly by Mega Lolly
•Snickers – NO CRISPY OR POPPABLES
•Sour Patch Kids by Trebor Allen
•Starburst Fruit Chews
•Starburst Jelly Beans
•Sugar Babies/Sugar Daddy
•Sunkist chewy candies
•Swedish Fish by Trebor Allen
•Sweet Tarts by Wonka
•3 Muskateers – NO POPPABLES
•TicTacs
•Tootsie Rolls •Push Pops by Topps
•Baby Bottle Pops by Topps
•Juicy Drop Pops and Chews by Topps
•Trident Gum

Credit for htis list to be given to :http://www.glutenfreefaces.com/profiles/blogs/gluten-free-candy-list-i-found  

Homemade Clif Bars for 47 cents a bar!

I am going to try these but replace the whole wheat flour with brown rice flour to make them gluten free.  Check out this blog!

Crunchy Goodness: Homemade Clif Bars (Chocolate Brownie Flavor): We eat the heck out of some Clif Bars in this house. I love them, hubby loves them, even the kids love them. So a box of six can go rather q...

Artificial Meat to Hit the Markets

Lab Meat to Hit the markets in 6 months

"Artificial lab meat is now being “grown” from pig stem cells fed with fetal horse serum"........now doesn't that just make your mouth water.  ICK!  What is this world coming too?  I cannot imagine throwing a slab of artificial meat on the grill and making a meal of it.  We wonder why our children are sick with allergies and digestive problem.  This just takes the cake.  Thanks to The Healthy Home Economist for this article and bringing this to light!

Free Gluten Free Shopping Guide

Free Gluten Free Shopping Guide

This an awesome guide to foods that are gluten free.  They list the brands and even contact information for the companies!  Check it out!

Gluten-Free Recipe Box

Gluten Free BlogGluten-Free Recipe Box

List and Menus of Restaurants that have Gluten Free Items

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good ---Gluten free living is great for your health.  Gluten intolerance has been linked to Celiac Disease, Colitis, Allergies, Depression, ADHD, Bipolar and a load of other problems.  Gluten free items are available all of the web including Amazon.  I usually get free shipping from Amazon which makes for a great deal also.  My son has been gluten free for 3 months now and is reaping the benefits of feeling better, sleeping all night and having less behavior problems.

The Bad ---Gluten free food is expensive!!  I bought 4 hamburger buns for $5.49, 6 tortilla for $5.19, 12 oz GF Spaghetti noodles for $3.89 and a pound of GF Oats for $7.29 at our local health food store yesterday.  Expensive but WORTH IT!!  This is why I am trying so many recipes and making homemade when I can.

The Ugly ---School lunches are out.  The food they serve nowadays is processed and basically just crap.  Wheat is used as a filler in everything!   I send a homemade lunch daily with my son so he gets a balanced gluten free meal.  Eating out is complicated also.  GF fast food is hard to come by and many sit down restaurants in this area have a limited gluten free menu. We don't eat out much any more.  It is expensive and the food is not worth the price for our health.

GF Banana Bread

2 cups of brown rice flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
4 eggs
4 mashed bananas
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1/3 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla

I make the dough in my bread machine and then bake in a bread pan in the oven!  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

GF Pumpkin Bread

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
• 1 ½ cups brown rice flour
• ½ cup tapioca flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

This was really good.  It was a little dry so I might try adding a little applesauce next time.  Over all, it was YUMMY!!

GF Pumpkin Bars

1/2 can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup agave syrup or honey
2 eggs
1 cup almond flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves

Combine wet and ingredient sperately before mixing together.  Mix well, 200 strokes.  Pour into an 8x8 baking dish.  Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.  Serve with fresh whipped cream!

GF Peach Crisp

Peach Crisp
6 large peaches, sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons arrowroot powder
1 ½ cups almond flour
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup grapeseed or coconut oil
¼ cup agave nectar

1. Place peach slices in a large bowl, sprinkle with lemon juice, vanilla, and arrowroot; toss to incorporate all ingredients
2. In a smaller bowl, combine almond flour, salt, grapeseed oil and agave for topping
3. Place peach mixture in a 3 quart baking dish
4. Crumble topping over peaches
5. Bake covered at 350° for 45 minutes, until peach juice is bubbling
6. Remove cover and bake a few more minutes if topping is not yet browned
7. Serve

GF Homemade Bisquick MIx

Gluten-Free Bisquick Mix
Makes about 6 cups.

2 1/2 cups rice flour (white, brown, or a mixture of both)
1 2/3 cups potato starch
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup dry buttermilk (powder)
3 tablespoons egg substitute
3/4 cup shortening, plus
3 tablespoons shortening

In a large bowl, whisk together all dry ingredients. Cut in the shortening until no lumps appear.

Store in the refrigerator or the freezer.

GF Cheese Biscuits

• 2 cups gluten free master mix (homemade Bisquick)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup butter (not melted)
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or sharp)
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup melter butter for brushing
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Heat oven to 425°F. In medium bowl, combine master mix and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Cut in 1/4 cup butter, using  fork, until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in milk, cheese and eggs until soft dough forms. Drop dough by 10 spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Mix 1/4 cup melted butter and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; brush on warm biscuits before removing from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

GF Runza Casserole

4 cups shredded cabbage
one pound browned hamburger
one small onion minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
one cup of diced mushrooms
2 cups mozarella cheese
1 cup parmesan cheese

Add all of the above items together and place in the bottom of a greased 8x10 baking dish.  Then mix 3 cups of homemade bisquick mix together with milk until you get a thick consistency and spread on top of the cabbage mix.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes until golden brown on top.

This is similar to the runza you get at Runza restraunt!

GF Baked Oatmeal

• 1 pound steel cut oats (Gluten free oats can be used)
• 1  cup walnuts, or other nuts( we prefer almonds)
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• dash of salt
• 6  eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup raw sugar
• up to ¼ cup maples syrup (optional)
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• ¼ cup coconut oil, plus extra for greasing baking dish

1. Pour the steel cut oats and nuts into a ceramic container or mixing bowl.
2. Add enough filtered water to completely submerge your oats and nuts. Add a dash of salt and a two tablespoons of fresh yogurt.
3. Allow the oats and nuts to soak, covered, overnight in a warm place in your kitchen – about eight to twelve hours.
4. After the mixture of oats and nuts has soaked overnight, dump them into a colander to drain and place the mixture back into the ceramic container or mixing bowl.
5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 13 x 9-inch rectangular baking pan with coconut oil or another wholesome fat of your choosing.
6. Meanwhile beat together eggs, milk, maple syrup (if you’re using it), until well-combined and frothy.
7. Pour the mixture of eggs, milk and maple syrup over the soaked oats and nuts, stirring well to combine into a porridge-like mixture.
8. Gently fold dried fruit, cinnamon and coconut oil into the porridge-like mixture.
9. Pour the mixture into a greased baking pan and smooth it out with a rubber spatula to ensure even baking and a good appearance.
10. Bake in an oven preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for forty to forty-five minutes or until the oatmeal achieves a pleasing golden-brown color on top.

Gluten As a Cause of Bipolar Disease?

Research continues to show the link between gluten and nerve tissue damage.  Bipolar disease is just one more neurological problem in a long list of problems that gluten can contribute to.   The story below is not an uncommon one in my practice.  Patients come in with psychiatric disease and show dramatic improvement with simple diet changes…



http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten-free-society-blog/gluten-a-cause-of-bipolar-disease/

Our story...........

We are a normal American family….two parents, two children. We live in the middle of Nebraska. Both my husband and I are both born and raised Nebraskans. My son is going to be 11 next month. He is diagnosed as being Bipolar and having ADHD, OCD and PTSD. We have struggled since he was 3 years old with behavioral issues. We were kicked out of 3 daycare's because it was so bad. We turned to modern medicine in Kindergarten….we had no choice. He was throwing fits multiple times daily, turning up desks, throwing things at the teacher and not learning a thing. We tried multiple parenting techniques, counseling and many different medications and medication combinations. The medications would work for a while and then he would get used to them and the behaviors would start again. After much research and countless hours of looking at studies, blogs and nutritional websites, we decided to make a diet change for him. He has been gluten free for 3 months now. The change has been amazing!!!! I now have a child that can sit quietly and get his work done. Before he was doing homework until 9pm some nights and getting up early to finish. The anger outbursts are less and he is actually sleeping at night……and all night. We are still using the medications in combination with the diet and I don’t think we will ever be without the meds but the diet has definitely changed our home and our life!