Fun, Fresh Ideas to Manage Work, Home, and a Gluten Free Diet!

Category: Gluten free Page 7 of 8

YOU CAN DO IT! GF Chocolate Chip Pumpkin pancakes may just help!

Mornings… The chaos, the missing homework, knots in the hair, left shoe has run away… I KNOW! Pack the lunches, tame the children and their hair…take 10 mins and feed them and yourself right!

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pancakes (gluten free)

This is a great cake like recipe- light, yummy and nutritious… And easy! This actually took me 10 mins start to on table and I packed the lunches while they cooked… And I only burned one set!!!

Serves 4-5 hungry people…

Mix these dry ingredients :

1 1/2 c Pamela’s pancake mix

2T sugar

1t cinnamon

Dask pumpkin pie spice

Then mix the wet ingredients together before adding to dry

1/2c water

2 eggs

1t vanilla

2T oil

1/3 c pumpkin pack (oh yes… Sneak in those vitamins!!! And it’s sooo good!)

    Mix! Cook . Add chocolate chips to your desired level immediately after putting batter in frying pan – that makes sure everyone gets equal  chocolate chips ..(harmony, people!!)… And if someone doesn’t want them (I can’t stand chocolate in the morning) – leave them out!

Ok! Serve up delicious nutrition! You Can do it! ❤️

breakfast… start your day right!

Facebooktwitterpinterestmailby feather

The Big Cheese! Gluten free Mac & Cheese Perfection!

So easy, so fast, so delicious!

This recipe serves 6 with leftovers (unless the natives are famished)

11/2 box gluten free penne pasta (tonight I used Ronzoni)

2c milk

1t mustard

Dash nutmeg

4T butter

1/4 c gluten free flour (I use Pamela’s)

2-3 c shredded cheese ( tonight I used 1c cheddar, 1c italien blend

1/2 c shredded Parmesan

Preheat oven to 400. Cook pasta to al dente per package instructions, rinse and drain…but not too well, and return to big pot.

Melt butter and whisk in nutmeg, mustard, & flour. Add milk and whisk until thickened.

whisk it…whisk it real good!



Once thickened, stir in 1-1 1/2 c cheese. Pour over pasta and stir until all pasta coated.



its ok….taste it…just to make sure its cheesy enough!



Pour it into baking pan & top with remaining cheese & then Parmesan.



go ahead….add more cheese…



Bake at 400 25 mins. Let sit a couple mins while you try to get your kids to set the table…and the resign yourself to setting it…



the big cheese!…lets eat!

That will make a happy table! Share the love! ❤️

Facebooktwitterpinterestmailby feather

Hello Beautiful! 

in the mood for a quick smoothie for a snack or light lunch/ breakfast? I love beets… I really don’t know why… But that earthy flavor with salad or cheese is just so delicious to me. If you don’t love beets, stop reading!!! 

all you need… plus chia seeds

  

Hello Beautiful!beautiful color, beautiful taste, beautiful YOU

 

Today’s smoothie:

1cup frozen berries

1/2 c açaí juice (Sambazon)

1/2 c beet juice (biotta)

1 c chobani vanilla yogurt

3T chia seeds

Yummmmmmmmmm blend that beautiful fuschia and Drink the rainbow… 

Choose happy❤️

Facebooktwitterpinterestmailby feather

Hey! You wanna piece of ….. My yummy gluten free coffee cakes? You & your family are going to enjoy these!

When I was first diagnosed with celiac, it was late October a few years back, and one of the first things that crossed my mind was my families tradition of Christmas morning Irish Sour Cream Coffee Cake. Well NO PROB here! It took a few tries, but now I make a gluten free version with great texture, taste and consistency… Such that you can serve this to anyone and they will not know its gluten free! Plus, you can change around the toppings depending on who you are cooking for! Another favorite of mine is pumpkin coffee cake. Today I’m making pumpkin loaf modified from the Pamela’s pancake mix recipe www.pamelasproducts.com . Pumpkin bread is great, because it’s delicious and its a great way to get some extra vitamins and nutrition into your body and those of you kids.



well worn recipe card!

Gluten free Irish Sour Cream Coffee Cake 

Cream 1/2 c butter

              1 cup sugar

Add and mix well 2 eggs 

               1 t vanilla

                2 T Apple cider vinegar

                 1c sour cream

Mix dry ingredients together and then add to wet

                   2 cups Pamela’s pancake mix/ gluten free flour

                   1/2 t salt

                    1t baking powder

Topping: traditionally cinnamon, sugar & nuts…today I added semi sweet chocolate chips too!

Place half the batter in round pan, top with half the topping, repeat with second layer

Bake at 350 for 45 mins.  Enjoy!

place in batter, top with toppings, repeat



yes! looking good!



anybody want a piece of that?



Next up…

Pumpkin Loaf 

Mix 4 T melted butter

        2 eggs

        2 T Apple cider vinegar 

        1/2 c sugar

         1t vanilla extract

          1 can pumpkin purée/pack

Add dry ingredients mixed together 

           1 3/4 c Pamela’s pancake mix/ gluten free flour

            1 t baking powder

             Dash salt

             1 t each cinnamon, ginger and 1/2 t nutmeg

Top with raw sugar and walnut or pecans to taste. Bake at 350 for 50 mins



place all batter in greased pan



your family is going to love it! and youre going to love all the vitamins from pumpkin



put out your Sunday Best



        make it a great day! ❤️

Facebooktwitterpinterestmailby feather

Shrimp & Grits. Fast, Gluten Free & Just Plain Good

Shrimp & grits… It’s so fast…you can have dinner done in 10-15 minutes. After all of the yard work today, I’m plumb tuckered out and just want a delicious meal that I can eat while I enjoy my new view! 

What you need: 

Shrimp- 6-8 per person

Tomatoes, cherry or other small tomatoes

Olive oil

Seasoning- garlic, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning

Grits

Cheese – I use Parmesan and shredded Italian blend

Tomatoes-

Mix with olive oil, sea salt, fresh ground pepper & Italian seasoning (fresh rosemary would be great…I just used a standard dry blend), red pepper flakes. Bake for 10 min 350 degrees

ready for the oven! looking good!



Grits- quantity for 3 adults… Multiply as needed

Bring 1c milk and 1 c water to a boil

Whisk in 1t salt & 1/2c grits

Reduce heat and whisk until thickened. 

Add 1/2 c shredded cheese and 1/4 c Parmesan

Serve with Parmesan sprinkled on top

whisk the grits in a little at a time to prevent clumping



Shrimp 

heat 2T olive oil with 1t garlic and 2t red pepper flakes

Add shrimp, cook on med high 3 mins per side



dont stir the shrimp…let them get a liitle browned



Serve and Enjoy! Gluten free and sooooooooo easy!



deliciousness !




Facebooktwitterpinterestmailby feather

Dreaming of an Outdoor Oasis…..

its it such a pleasure to have an outdoor space to relax in! It doesn’t have to be big. A small balcony, a large backyard, or even an urban yard with a zero lot line can all be converted into a nice space for relaxing, dining or entertaining! I started today with some pretty lofty goals, and I finished the day with exactly what I wanted… My Coral Gables Oasis….and an upgraded balcony at my boyfriends apartment to boot! 

We started out at IKEA, Friday night… Where we got a patio set for the apartment and some lighting (solar powered!) www.ikea.com, then we dropped by Home Depot for some drought hardy, sun tolerant flowers….watering plants is definitely not my strong suit, and I have a plant graveyard to prove it!

Mission #1 – apartment oasis

We headed to downtown early, before Ultra traffic became a problem and set up the Grunnet IKEA patio set. With such a great view, it was really a shame not to have an outdoor space to sit and enjoy it! This set was not the easiest IKEA set that I’ve put together, but the table is sturdy and the seats very comfy, and for the price of $269 for the table & 4 chairs, it’s a great deal, too!

this is a NOasis



what a view! this needs high table seating to allow dining & relaxation without compromising the view



imagine coffee here every day? Definitely OASIS

Mission #1 accomplished! We head back home for some more hard work! 

Break! I’m HUNGRY!

First, a yummy omlet! I made this with left over black beans from taco night, and cheddar cheese! Gluten free and SO DELICIOUS! 

lunch break! black bean & cheddar omlet



Mission #2 – backyard lighting & color!

I started out last year with the IKEA Äpplarö outdoor set. storage benches ($70) with wall panels ($35) really created an relaxing seating area with adequate storage, but today, I want to add some lighting and color! I started out with trimming of all the hibiscus ($ = i buned that omlet) that were peeking out above the fence line. Once done, we installed LED solar powered pendants and lighting chains (Solvinden ($5-9.99) with Solarvet ($12.99 for 24 LED lights). I also found some beautiful indoor/outdoor solar powered stars by “threshold” at Target ($11). These were both super easy to install, and really worth it. I used small clear cable ties (like in 50 shades of my-yard-is-about-to-be-awesome!!!) to secure the light chains.  My patio looks so good….and these lights with the wood panels could really turn even a zero lot line yard with  a view of a cement wall into a peaceful garden! 

We added some drought resistant flowers to an IKEA socker ($39.99) plant stand, and used electrical tape wrapped just below each pot bracket to improve performance & reduce slippage. Socker flower boxes were filled and hung over fence ($14.99)…  Final result… The oasis I was dreaming of! Happy 🙂



before… overgrown & old, drooping light chains



hibiscus trimmed and bulbs being assembled for the light chains!



handpainted wall by my daughters & I, IKEA seating, flower boxes and lighting done!



solar powered LED stars from Target & IKEA solared powered pendants



oasis day & night! even my dog loves it!



avocado tree with pendants and stars lighting the evening sky….peaceful

welcome home….

Facebooktwitterpinterestmailby feather

This, I’m making again…maybe tomorrow! Caprese sandwich with pesto spread!

I was recently at Deli Lane in South Miami. They do have a gluten free item of the day, and they have great omlets & salads, which are served all day…… Anyway, I digress…. While there I saw a Caprese sandwich on the menu and since then I’ve been dreaming of the perfect Caprese Sandwich! Gluten Free, of course. The recipe works for the gluten eaters, as well….but with the French bread by Udi’s (www.udisglutenfree.com), you’re not going to know the difference! 

So, here’s what you need:

5 minutes to Yum

French bread (I use Udi’s)

Organic tomatos 1-2

Mozzarella

Balsamic glaze

Pesto: in processor combine-  

pesto…need to sneak in some veggies? add spinach!

Fresh Basil- handful

Pine nuts 1/4c

Olive oil 1/4 c

Chopped garlic 1t

1t Salt, pepper to taste, red pepper flakes 1t

Slice and toast the bread at 400 for 8 minutes.  Liberally, smear on the pesto- top & bottom. Slice the mozzarella & tomato, layer onto sandwich. Top with balsamic glaze and a little basil. I served with Ore-Ida crowns (www.oreida.com).

maybe ill just eat this…the ends were uneven…whats a girl to do?



this bread is the bomb! yumilicious!

Phew! Done! Beautiful, delicious and satisfying! So colorful, they would make a great party platter! One thing is for sure…..I’m making these again! I hope you give it a try & enjoy! Make it a great night!



Facebooktwitterpinterestmailby feather

What’s it like to live in Paradise?

My kids are out of town, I was on call for a sleepless, Miami weekend, and now….? I’m hanging out in my favorite place…my back patio. I still can’t face the pool…. It’s more an aqua now than florid green…and the sun is setting so the color isn’t as clear to me, thankfully. I’m making progress, anyway. The frogs are starting to sing, the wind is blowing through the umbrella trees, and the peacock across the canal (who keeps running from my camera) is quieting down.   Rice and beans are on the stove and I have a few minutes before I need to get back to the kitchen. What’s it like to live in paradise?…..well…..just that…paradise. You just have to remember to get out there and recognize it and take it in…..ah…….. The wine helps (this glass is Josh. www.joshcellars.com)



Tonight I’m making shrimp tacos and black beans as the veggie alternative. My son is very allergic to shellfish, so this week may well have a couple of shrimp dishes, as my boyfriend loves shrimp. The thought of stabbing my son with the epi-pen is just not appealing….and moderately alarming….imagine. Or don’t… I need to go back outside and regain my Zen.

Rice is rice… You got this, right? 

Black beans: see prior recipe, but for the adult version add 1/2 chopped jalapeño and 1t red pepper flakes

Shrimp

Heat 1t butter, 

1 t chopped garlic, 

2T cilantro, finely chopped

2T chipotle sauce, ( SanMarcos is what I’m using)

Cook on med-high 3 mins without stirring to allow a little browning, turn and cook 3 mins

Serve on warm tortillas, with rice, beans, cheese & more salsa

Enjoy!



Facebooktwitterpinterestmailby feather

Groovy Enviornment& Gluten Free Pizza… Mellow Mushroom, South Miami

I’ve been watching the “coming soon” sign for weeks, and finally, it’s open! The Mellow Mushroom in South Miami. www.mellowmushroom.com. Dark tinted windows belie the bright, colorful, modern-psychedelic decor. Widescreen TV’s line the full service bar and the center aisle, so sports fans won’t miss a minute of March Madness. 

cool lights, tiled features add to the vibe



elephant greets you at the door



The menu reads like a reassuring gluten free dream….they are educated in cross contamination, use a separate area, special screen, change gloves and aprons….sounds good to me! 



gluten free menu with vegan options



I order the “Veg Out” gluten free pizza and a lemonade (on-call) and my date ordered half of a steak and cheese hoagie and a Fiery jalapeño pineapple margarita (yummmm….jealous). The pizza was good and made perfectly to order. The crust, which is vegan, was crunchy and evenly cooked. My able-to-eat-gluten date ate half of my pizza and also thought it was good! Of course, he enjoyed the margarita! 



YES!!!



Pretty good! Reasonably priced! Great decor! And….fabulous for a dinner out with or without the kids! Best news, no pain! Enjoy and get out there for some gluten free dining!

Facebooktwitterpinterestmailby feather

Put up your feet…it’s been a long week

840 pm. Tired.  Hungry. Maybe even cranky?  The kids are away on spring break …it’s dark and eerily quiet. The only sound is the dogs pushing their bowls towards me, indignant at the time of my arrival. 

You’ve been there, right? We all have. Walking in later than we wanted to, and met by by the job requirements  of your home, kids & pets! Great nutrition can be quick & easy! Make it living room dinner night ….DISREGARD if you have kids AND carpet in your living room –– let everyone sit and put their feet up, grab a board game and eat a meal made in 5 mins! (You can clean up what they drop tomorrow… Or better yet, let the dog in to help with after dinner clean up!

Roll up some cold cuts if you have meat eaters, slice some fruit, open a box of crackers and slice some cheese. Serve on a platter or individual plates and garnish with a piece of dark chocolate….remember dark chocolate reduces stress, lowers blood pressure & yummmmmm. Save the stress for something that warrants it. Making dinner should not be one of them. Deep breath in…..bite of chocolate….repeat… Make it a great night!



       Dinner for 2… Better watch your plate, or that chocolate will be mine

Facebooktwitterpinterestmailby feather

Page 7 of 8

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén

Be Gluten Free & Follow Me!

Gluten Free & Happy