I Am So Proud Of Myself

[AmyandSabastian]

Well since May 17th I have been cleaning out pantrys, cabinets, and the fridge to get out gluten filled and contimanted foods. Crying the whole way. lol I also have been teaching myself how to cook without wheat flour and use its replacements. Now its a lot harder than it sounds. Potato, soy, and rice flour does not cook the same way. You have to re learn everything and I have been BOMBING BADLY.

Well last night I made chicken alfredo ALL GLUTEN FREE. It came out soooo good. I used goat's milk and safe flours to make the sauce and brown rice pasta. Sabastian loved it, Bryan had seconds and I over indulged too.

If we can still enjoy alfredo this diet isnt so bad. We have come a long way and for Sab to eat pasta is a big step for us. We are now totally gluten free and I havent miss too much. I need to find out which flour makes the best Roux so Sab can eat cajun too and so I can survive. I cant live without roux. lol

I have to learn how to bake breads. I am really messing them up. They come out like bricks and crumble to touch. And I cant get the mixture of flour right so they taste SEMI ok. ahhhhhh Well I am learning. I cant wait for Sabastian to taste his first sandwich. Last night was a good night for us. And I am very proud of myself. Sorry I just had to brag.

[angel-jd1]

Sometimes it is the little things like the perfect pasta dish that keep us motivated to keep trying. One little succes is sooooo worth 20 flops!!

-Jessica

[AmyandSabastian]

just trying something out excuse the post.

[rattaway]

I use The Gluten-Free Pantry Favorite Sandwich Bread Mix. It is awesome for fresh baked bread. My husband loves it too and so do our kids( all of us are gluten-free). I buy ours at the local Health Food Store for about $5.29. Hope you don't every give up. I know it is hard at first but You Will Get It. Also, try the Bette Hagman GFmix of flours, it is a good substitute for baking. I don't know about it's use in breads but it works well with cookies and cakes. Most of the time.

Best of Luck, Rian

[ryebaby0]

The first time I made gluten-free Pantry's chocolate truffle brownies I almost cried, they were so darn good. You know, not tolerable, not okay -- GOOD! Bread is still tricky, but I always tell my son, we're either baking bread, or we're baking breadcrumbs (the bread that isn't so good to eat still is great for chicken!)

Congrats!

Joanna

[hjkmatthews]

Hi Amy and baby Sebastian!

I'm so glad that your chicken alfredo came out good! I also just attempted my first gluten-free chicken alfredo two nights ago, and it was wonderful too. That is my hubby's favorite dish, and he approved too so it was actually really good! You should be very proud of yourself, this is not the EASIEST diet in the world...Especially the cooking part! I'm sorry I wasn't in the room when you IM'd me, I tend to get distracted and leave the computer on...LOL. Anyways, it's good to hear yall are doing well, I actually just had the blood tests done on Tuesday and am waiting to find out the results. My hubby and I have not gone gluten-free yet, but I don't think it will be very long now. Take care!

[Boojca]

YYYAAAYYYY!!!!!!

I said it once, and I'll say it again: it's so great to see you doing so well. I remember your very first post, and you have come sooo far from that day.

I agree, the baking is THE hardest part. You've got the right attitude, though, and you will get there. I find the Gluten Free Pantry Favorite Sandwich Bread is the best, although I've heard that Manna from Anna is actually the best. I ordered some and am hopefully going to try making it this weekend. I'll let you know what my 2 year old thinks. And, I also agree with Ryebaby...gluten-free Pantry brownies. YUUMM. My husband cannot tell the difference, and he's convinced he can tell the diff. btw. gluten-free foods and "normal" foods. He even packs these for his lunch, and he's not a sweets guy. I also highly recommed Bob's Red Mill brownies. VERY fudgey.

Keep up the good work!!

Bridget

[Canadian Karen]

That sounds delicious!!!! Congratulations!!! Making me hungry for some....lol!

I have to admit you are much more ahead than I am. I haven't attempted any gluten-free baking yet - I am still at the stage of purchasing my gluten-free bread and my gfcarrot muffins at the health food store. By the time I get home from work, feed the kids (4 of them!!), baking is last on my list of things for my spare time (what little there is of it, lol).

When you perfect the bread baking thing, be sure to share with me so I just might be successful!!

Have a great day!

Karen

[AmyandSabastian]

Bridget,

Oh gosh I am blushing. I was soooo scared. I cried and cried thinking this was the worst thing that could happen to my little man. Food?? Its just food!! I can work around it. I am making little books for family for safe items, contacting any manufactor I can think of. Just call me busy bee.

But you know what has helped me the most?? My little man started regressing. He was falling back down. He couldnt sit up and more, hadn't smiled in WEEKS, not a giggle or anything. But today he is 8 months old, and he is taking 2 to 3 steps. You tell me an 8 month old you know trying to walk??? Sabastian is HEALTHY, HAPPY, and super smart. Life couldn't be better. Food is just food. I thank god celiac disease is all he has. This is a probelm we can live our lives around and do this together. Bryan and I enjoy reading labels and checking our lists twice. I personally think it has even helped bring us closer and helped our marriage.

If we can get through this and be such good parents to push for diffenert doctors and not give up we can do anything. DONT MESS WITH US. I am young and there is alot to learn but like I said we can do it. I see the look of painfree in Sab's eyes every morning and know why I try so hard.

Thank you for making me remember how scared I was, and you are right I have come a long way. I hope to help many people the way you have helped me. Thank you so much. Thank you all so much. Today was a good day in my house and in Sab's full belly.

Oh and his slirping noises are the CUTIEST!! I wish I could let you hear them. He is a noodle man.

[HeatherMelissa]

I am so happy for you! I just made the GL Pantry bread and loved it! I was looking at my box of cornstarch (while I was also cleaning out my pantry) and I saw a quick recipe for a roux "starter" I was wondering if it would be anygood and I was gonna try some homemade mac and cheese. I'll let you know!

[momof2]

Oh Amy! You made my eyes tear up so bad, I couldn't even see the screen! I has to dry them in order to post my response! We found out almost 3 weeks ago, and my reaction was the same! Food? What will I feed her? Since then, reading these posts, I have come to the same reaction. When people ask me how we are all doing with this, my response is, "its just food!" I too have thanked my lucky stars that she all she has is celiac disease. Thanks for the encouraging post!

[Boojca]

It is so funny, bc after the initial shock of it all...and after the overwhelming feeling of "what can I ever feed him/her???" wears off....I think every single one of us parents dealing with this has had the same thought "It's only food, there's plenty of it out there, and it could sooooo be worse!" I know that my doctor tested for all the truly horrible things like leukemia, other cancers, etc.... THAT is scary stuff! I still cried when we got the diagnosis, simply bc it is a loss and it is overwhelming, and I do still feel bad for my little man when I think of all the explaining ahead of him....but like all of you, then I think it could be so much worse. At least he has an "ahead of him" to deal with.

And, as promised, here's the Manna from Anna update. I baked the loaf today, and all I can say is WOW. It tastes JUST like wheat bread, and it FEELS just like "normal" bread. Ok, so it's day one. Hopefully the texture will be the same as the week progresses. But, so far so good! Again, even my "I can tell the difference between gluten-full and gluten-free" husband said, and I quote, "This is the best bread you've made so far!"

I love the support on this group, and it's messages like this thread that keep me coming back I've learned so much in these 2 short months and it's great not only to keep learning but to also help others who are in the same "starting" position we were in not too long ago.

Bridget