Sientara

I made the cookie mix as bar cookies because I was too lazy to form the cookies. I just pressed the mix into a 9x13 pan and baked at the same temp. for about 25 minutes. They turned out good.

I recently had to make a last minute trip to a funeral in a small town in the midwest. As I didn't have time to preplan, I came underprepared. I remembered: cereal, almond milk, Lara bars, gluten-free pasta, and some snacks for the 14 hour car trip; the bare minimum.

I forgot about the small town custom of "sympathy food." They kept bringing over food, mainly casseroles and baked goods. :Sigh: Impressive buffet, but the only safe things were: corn chips, pickles, veggie tray and egg salad. I had to make a couple emergency grocery store runs.

Here's to hoping that the next trip will involve more time to plan, and more cooking so I have a better variety of food.

Does she know what in chocolate makes her sick?

My brother is the one with the chocolate, beef and shellfish allergies. I am not sure which part he is allergic to, but it seems to be the cocoa part. He has more dramatic allergic reactions than I do (nausea, hives, etc.), mine go straight to my sinuses.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I live about 2 hours away from her and my brother, but I am planning on taking a cooler for the transport (I found some gluten-free, MSG free sausage). She is a sweetie and has been really good to my brother, so I am trying to help her as much as I can. I am going to try to make it a day trip, so we can talk and go over her questions and frustrations.

I have been gluten-free and diary free for about a year, so I understand the frustrations she is having.

My SIL was just diagnosed with Celiac and is having a hard time adjusting. I would like to put together a care box for her, but would like some suggestions. In addition to gluten-free, she and/or my brother is allergic to: beef, chocolate, MSG, shellfish, and bananas (and possibly others, she says that dairy is still fine). I would like to include recipies and/or cookbooks and some products to get her started and encouraged. She is just feeling a bit overwhelmed now, and I feel this will help her.

Right now I will be including some Tinkyada pasta, Quinoa, and one of the Gluten-Free Gourmet cookbooks (I have gluten-free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy, but suggestions will be helpful).

Any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Our tuna/salmon/chicken salad recipe is usually:

Can tuna/salmon or leftover chicken

mayo

chopped apple

chopped celery

chopped onion

dash garlic

splash apple cider vinegar

chopped hardboiled egg

I was wondering if you have a recipe for gluten-free lefse as well. I have been missing it since I cannot get any lefse around here. My grandma made krumkake over the holidays, I will have to try your recipe. The klub also sounds really good.

So many different ways to make the peanut butter chocolate cookies . . . and they all looked different than the one I have used so here's one more:

12oz peanut butter chips

1 can sweetened condensed milk

chopped nuts

chocolate kisses

Melt peanut butter kisses and sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Pour into greased square pan and cool until it can be handled. Roll into one inch balls (it will be sticky) and then in the nuts. Press unwrapped chocolate kiss into middle of ball.

These always disappear fast in my family.

Okay, I can make regular rice. You know the long grain not instant. But I have been watching food network and the chefs/cooks on the station say to add more flavor to your rice use some broth. Chicken or beef. I have tried this four or five times and each time is a disaster. The rice does not seem to want to soften up when I use broth instead of good old H2O. Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions?

I cook rice frequently and haven't had this problem, but I do not use straight broth. I take a cup a water, microwave it for 45 seconds and then dissolve in some Better than Bullion. After that it goes straight into the rice cooker. Are you using a rice cooker or on the stove? If you use just plain water does it turn out ok?

I am interested in hearing what other have to say about their symptoms!

I am a double DQ1 per Enterolab. Currently on a gluten-free/CF diet. (since 3/13/08)

My main symptoms are:

Bloating, gas

Alternating Constipation and Diarrhea

Sinus congestion / pressure (gets worse with weather fronts moving in or out)

Acne

Dry Skin (heels, elbows, one knee)

intolerance to cold

ear pressure

heartburn

nausea (continuous, no vomiting)

dry eyes

mild fatigue

Commenting on some of your symptoms:

Vertigo - I have a poor sense of balance. I can fall over on a flat surface wearing flat shoes with my feet about a foot apart.

Muscle twitches - I twitch when I get really cold, but not at any other time.

Going gluten-free/CF has helped with the nausea, heartburn, constipation, and the sinus pressure.