I love the gluten-free stuff at TJMaxx!

I shop at TJMaxx at least every two weeks. And the first place I go is the food section. They have jellies, honey, teas and other sweet treats.

Something I have found there over the past few trips has been gluten-free foods, such as brownies, biscotti and cookies. This last time I went, I found cake mixes and all-purpose flour by a company I had not tried yet.

We just made the chocolate cake mix and I must say its delicious!!! So XO Baking Co- you get a major thumbs up and we will not only be purchasing your products again, but we are telling everyone we know!!

Important article

I do not fly often, but I know there may be some of you that do.  Here's a story about Delta airlines that is an unfortunate problem regarding the importance of the gluten-free diet and labeling something as gluten-free.  Here's the website and please pass on the information.  http://glutenfreemom.typepad.com/gluten_free_mom/2012/04/delta-airlines-gluten-free-meal-is-not-really-gluten-free-.html

Why I love corn tortillas!

As always, eating gluten-free, especially when you are starting out, can be a tremendous challenge.  One of the ways I combat this challenge is to use tortillas in place of bread.  Because we've been doing the gluten-free thing for 7 years now, we've experienced the lack of taste in gluten-free items.  The great news now is that there are many more options and varying tastes of gluten-free breads.  But, corn tortillas, well, now there's something I can do just about anything with.  If you just want soft tortillas to put butter on, take 2 slightly damp paper towels, place a couple of tortillas between them, and microwave them for about 10-15 seconds, depending on the amount of tortillas you are using.  We also just fill them with whatever and make quesadillas.  And I do mean, whatever.  We've put Nutella and a little bit of chocolate chips in them before.  We've put laughing cow, lunch meat, and shredded cheese.  We've also sprayed them with a butter spray, sprinkled them with sugar and cinnamon and baked them for a few minutes.  The possibilities are endless! Well, at least I think so. 

So if you're just doing this gluten-free thing and it's overwhelming you, please don't fret.  Just go get yourself a package of corn tortillas and get creative!  You might just surprise yourself at the delicious things you can come up with.  : )

Living gluten-free

Some days are just easier than others when it comes to the gluten-free way of life.  Unlike some people we know, we aren't dairy free, so I think we have more options.  However, I find myself constantly amazed at the creativity of those that have food allergies and their delicious recipes! 

And sometimes, well, when I'm tired from a long day and so is my son, we pull out the panini maker and get creative.  Tonight, I made a delicious panini.  So simple, too.  Rudi's gluten-free multi-grain bread.  One slice of gouda cheese, placed on the bread.  Then a couple of slices of roast beef, lunch meat kind.  Then 1/2 a wedge of laughing cow spread on a slice of pepperjack and that placed on the roast beef.  One more slice of bread to finish it off, and there you have it!  I must say, it was yummy!  I always spray the bread with some kind of baking spray.  Just seems to help the panini out a bit.

As you go about your gluten-free day, don't be afraid to try new things.  Get creative, find cookbooks, get on Pinterest ( I LOVE IT!), and try new things.  You can do it!

I'd love to hear what you make, so give me a shout out and let me know what you did to be creative in the kitchen!

Caroline

The Brownie Cake Cookie

1/2 cup of Silk coconut milk (that's what I used because it's all I had.  I'm sure you could use any kind of milk)
1 cup PB2 powdered peanut butter
Mix these ingredients in a mixer until well blended. 
Add 1 large egg, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 3/4 cup Xylitol (I didn't have any sugar, but I'm sure it would work fine), and 1 cup of Pamela's baking/pancake mix.  Here's the yummy part, 2 TBSP of Philadelphia's Dark Chocolate Indulgence.  Continue to mix until well blended.  Once blended, add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Scoop out by the spoonful onto a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes.  Once they are cooled, top with whatever you'd like!  I melted some chocolate chips in the microwave and used that for icing.  It was delicious!!

Gluten-free oatmeal surprise!

We are snowed in this morning.  Ok, well, sort of.  Basically there is no school today but the roads don't look all too bad.  When it's cold enough to snow, I always want to make oatmeal.  Although when I make oatmeal for myself, it's a bit healthier than I make for David.  This mornings recipe is for him.  He hasn't tried it yet, it's still cooking, but I'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say!  I also like to make a big batch of oatmeal that way he can warm it up anytime he wants a snack. 

So here's what I made:

Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats (I made 3 cups worth)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 TBSP Kraft's new white chocolate delight (found by the cream cheese)
I made the oats to the directions of the bag.  Since it is "old-school" oatmeal (basically it has to cook on slow for 20 min); I added the vanilla, brown sugar, and white chocolate right as I turned the temp down and added the oats.  That way everything has time to cook nicely together.  I think it would be nice to add a couple tablespoons of strawberry preserves!! White chocolate with strawberry preserves oatmeal??? Seriously? OH YES!  I don't know that David would be as fond as I would for it though.  Maybe next time. : )

Easy breezy quick snack!

2 corn tortillas
strawberry preserves (or whatever flavor you choose)
Kraft's new white chocolate spread (found in the cream cheese isle)

• You're basically making a quesadilla here.  Spread about a tablespoon of the white chocolate on one tortilla and the preserves on the other and place them together, like a sandwich.  Place them in a warmed skillet and wait a few minutes, then flip.  Do this a few times until the tortilla is just to your liking.  David likes them a little crisp, but not too crunchy.  After making enough of these you find out just how you like them fixed.  To get really creative, you could coat them in an egg mixture, like french toast, and see how that turns out!  Have fun and enjoy!