Happy Holidays!

[momxyz]

hi everyone, it's been a while since I've posted.... I had the opportunity to take on a 2nd job... with 1 kid in college and another hoping to go next year and my husband being laid off last spring... you do what you have to do. Ironically, he got hired three days after I started my new gig and he wants me to quit. But for now I will keep plugging away, to clean up some bills and get ahead.

But it has cut into to my cooking/baking time big time! That's a little hard, as I had just started to build a repertoire of gluten free things to have around the house for me and my daughter (we've only been gluten-free since the summer).

But I have some success stories to report. My gluten free stuffing at Thanksgiving was a famiy hit. It was made from some foccacia bread I made from a Chebe mix.

This week was another milestone... my daughter's 18th birthday, and the first since going gluten-free! I had no time to bake, and scarce time to research for a gluten-free bakery. But it was Whole Foods to the rescue!!! (Portland ME) I had not been to the store, as I use my local health food place which is between my work and my house, or, I order stuff through a food coop. But I called them and they were soooo helpful. I am going to call the store manager Monday. Some really great people really helped me. I got a frozen German chocolate cake, made my Abigail"s bakery (massachusetts) No problem thawing it out, and it was awesome!!

Now today I am on to Christmas baking (my first gluten-free Christmas). I am making four batches this weekend. Two will be my traditional ones (for my son and husband) and two will be gluten-free experiments for me and my daughter.... let's hope they turn out ok!

But the best thing is, after being gluten-free since July, my daughter is looking and feeling fabulous! and me, gluten-free since August, my ugly rash on my ankles is almost completely gone. I only have one red spot left, and even the purple scars are starting to fade.

[nmlove]

How wonderful, great news! Isn't it amazing how quickly results come in? My two boys are gluten-free, one for 2 months, one for one month. And I just can't believe the changes I've seen. Both have gone through a mini growth spurt just recently, one is eating more again and looking leaner, no more diarrhea in one, no more constipation in the other, attitudes are little more reasonable, and so much energy!

Good luck baking. We tried 1-2-3 Gluten Free sugar cookie mix. Since we're new I wanted something that should work out. And they did. The boys like them. To me, they're definitely on the rice side and dry but frosting helps with that. But it works for this year.

Merry Christmas!

[momxyz]

How wonderful, great news! Isn't it amazing how quickly results come in? My two boys are gluten-free, one for 2 months, one for one month. And I just can't believe the changes I've seen. Both have gone through a mini growth spurt just recently, one is eating more again and looking leaner, no more diarrhea in one, no more constipation in the other, attitudes are little more reasonable, and so much energy!

Good luck baking. We tried 1-2-3 Gluten Free sugar cookie mix. Since we're new I wanted something that should work out. And they did. The boys like them. To me, they're definitely on the rice side and dry but frosting helps with that. But it works for this year.

Merry Christmas!

FYI - my "experiments" were fairly successful using Namaste flour mix as a direct 1:1 substitute for regular flour. I made my mother's gingerbread recipe and a batch of spritz cookies.

The gingerbread men were great They are a little softer and spread out a bit more during baking, but the flavor is great. I think all the molasses and cloves and ginger made the different tasting flour less noticeable. They also have a nice chewy texture.

The spritz came out ok too, but the flavor was a little different. I think next time I will add a bit more sugar and almond (or vanilla) extract to intensify the flavor. The dough was a bit of a challenge with my cookie press, I may have to add a tad more flour next time. But all in all we are happy with the results. (Yes Santa Claus, you will get cookies this year!)

I have read good things about Pamela's flour mix too and may try that in the future!

[mbrookes]

It is wonderful to hear from such happy, upbeat people. Count me as one. From life as an exhausted sickie I have become energetic and happy.

The Sunday after Christmas my youngest grandson (4 months) is being baptised. I will have a reception at my house after. All food gluten free, and I bet no one knows it. i have found so many ways to "fake it" that I look like I'm cooking and eating like every body else.

Life is good!

[kaki-clam]

I was sooo excited to see the reference from Portland Maine!!! I live in Augusta and travel quite frequently to Portland as my mom and best friend live there.....you have totally made my day to know that I can actually go to the store and get a cake like a normal person!!!! Also, I have tried some of the whole foods 360 brand of gluten free products...haven't met one i don't like yet!!!

In re: to the person who said he was an "exhausted sickie".... after 4 months of being gluten free that seems to be the stage I am in right now...so tired all the time, It lifted my spirits so much to know that I will indeed get through this and be just as happy and excited as you are!!!

Thank you to everyone on this topic for making my day!!!

[nmlove]

The gingerbread men were great They are a little softer and spread out a bit more during baking, but the flavor is great. I think all the molasses and cloves and ginger made the different tasting flour less noticeable. They also have a nice chewy texture.

I wonder if chilling up the dough (once cut into gingerbread men) before baking would help with the spreading? I read this on a cookie direction. Gingerbread men sound yummy. I'll have to try them. Maybe after Christmas or next year. I'm getting over some kind of nasty bug so keeping it simple until Christmas to heal up.

Oh, I have Namaste mix but don't really like it. Again, it's ok but too much on the ricey side. I'm using it up though. I've heard great things about Pamela's too but some of hers has dairy or soy in it so I'd have to see. The bread/pizza mix is ok and tasted pretty good.

Have a merry Christmas!