Archive for January, 2009
Parenting the Gluten-Free Child Seminar
Posted by: | CommentsThe National Foundation for Celiac Awareness is holding an online seminar February 27, 9 am PST on Parenting the Gluten-Free Child. Topics of discussion will include:
- Using the school curriculum to empower your child,
- Support Groups,
- School Lunches,
- Kid Friendly Recipes, and more.
This seminar takes place online. Participants will be given specific website addresses to watch the presentations and at the same time call a specific phone number to listen to it. The cost of the seminar is free, however you will be responsible for any phone charges you may incur.
Space is limited so be sure to register if you’re interested.
http://www.celiaccentral.org/Events/Gluten_Free_Lifestyle_Webinar_Series/531/
Emeril Cooks Gluten-free
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Today I watched Emeril Legasse cook a gluten-free, New Orleans-style meal on TV! I love to watch cooking shows, but get particularly excited when I don’t have to revise the recipes to be gluten-free. If you’re not familiar with his new show (began in 2008) called “Emeril Green,” check it out on the Planet Green channel. He has done a few shows already that focus on gluten-free and wheat-free meals. For the show I saw today, he cooked Chicken Etouffee, Skillet Cornbread, Pecan Pie and more. All of his recipes are listed on the show’s web site: Planet Green.
Tomorrow morning an episode about cooking for kids with wheat and nut allergies airs. Check your local listing for Planet Green or check out the “Channel Finder” on Planet Green to find if you get that channel.
Even if you don’t get Planet Green on your TV or can’t catch the show, you can watch him cook these recipes on your computer. Check out Emeril making gluten-free pizza! Or purchase the 2 disk set that includes all 10 episodes of the show – Emeril Green: Collection One (Episodes 1-10).
Do you live in the Washington D.C. area? Do you want to appear on a show with Emeril while he makes a gluten-free meal at Whole Foods? Email your food challenge to emerilgreencasting@gmail.com along with your name, age, address, profession and picture of yourself. Who knows, maybe he can find that perfect gluten-free recipe for that one food you really miss eating on the GF diet.
Gluten-free Play Dough
Posted by: | CommentsWe’re on our second snow day at home and the kids were happy to pull out the play dough for something to do. I was amazed that it was still good. It’s been a couple months since we’ve played with it, and about 9 months since we first made it! We’ve tried several recipes for play dough, but this one is our favorite. The Kool-Aid gives it a nice scent and additional color. You can use the additional cornstarch to adjust the consistency as needed. We store different colors in zip-type plastic bags and put them all together in a plastic bucket with a lid.
Ingredients:
2/3 Cup rice flour
1/3 Cup potato starch or cornstarch
1/3 Cup salt
2 tsp Xanthan Gum
1 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
1 pkg unsweetened Kool-Aid
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Cup warm water
Additional food coloring optional
Extra potato starch or cornstarch for kneading dough – We use a lot to get a preferred consistency.
Directions:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the rice flour, potato starch or cornstarch, salt, xanthan gum, Cream of Tartar and Kool-Aid powder.
- Add the oil and the warm water to the flour mixture and mix well. (If you want to add food coloring, mix it first with the warm water.)
- Heat the mixture on medium heat for about one minute or until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat.
- Turn the dough out onto a cornstarch-floured surface or parchment paper.
- Knead in enough potato starch until the dough is no longer sticky.
- Store in an airtight container or bag when not in use.
Brach’s Valentine Hearts Aren’t Gluten-free, Buy Necco instead
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When shopping for gluten-free valentine candy, don’t buy Brach’s brand. Brach’s and their parent company Farley’s & Sathers do not consider any of their products to be gluten-free due to cross-contamination issues and changes to their manufacturing and packaging processes.
Find the Necco brand conversation hearts instead. According to the Necco web site they make the following products which do not contain gluten from wheat, rye, oats or barley: , Mary Janes, Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kisses, Sweethearts Conversation Hearts (Valentines only), Canada Mint & Wintergreen Lozenges, Haviland Thin Mints and Candy Stix. (In addition, Clark Bars, Skybars, Haviland Peppermint & Wintergreen Patties, Necco Candy Eggs (Easter), Talking Pumpkins (Halloween), Squirrel Nut Caramels and Squirrel Nut Zippers, Banana Split and Mint Julep Chews, ULTRAMINTS are also gluten free.)
*****Product Update Feb. 2009***** You may want to reconsider buying Necco Conversation Hearts. The following allergy statement on the back of the bag of Necco Sweethearts Conversation Hearts reads: “ALLERGY INFORMATION: This product is made in a facility that also processes peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, wheat, oats, soy and milk.”
*****Product Update Feb. 2010*****The packages (individual boxes and bag) of these Sweetheart Conversation Hearts did not have the Allergy Information statement on them this year. However, you may still find some with the statement from last year in discount stores. Check out the Valentine Candy List for information on other gluten-free candy.
Hello world!
Posted by: | CommentsI’m just getting started, but check back later as I add more information, recipes and ideas to help you lead a happy gluten-free life.
