So far, so so SO good! With the exception of updating this blog, my GF lifestyle has been extremely successful. I have been finding great resources within the community and learning more and more about the foods I CAN eat. I have also been inspired to go after testing for Celiac Disease after reading something in a book that scared me: basically, in a nutshell- if you have dermatitis, you definitely have CD. I'm debating going through Kaiser for the testing or through a specialist...I still need to do research. In the mean time, I'm going strong and actually enjoying it!
Link of the Day: Gluten Free Registry
This has been a huge aid in finding local restaurants that offer GF options and menus. This site offers grocers, manufacturers, and restaurants in different states that are GF.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
17/366 *I just realized it's a leap year!
Eating a late-night GF meal is a tough hurdle to overcome...mainly because everything GF has to be prepared.
Or so I thought!
After a discouraging night in North Beach (Italian sector of San Francisco...full of delicious restaurants and hands-down the best crusty late-night-line-wrapped-around-the-building pizza place where boyfriend likes to go after raging with his boys), I decided I would not succumb to a woe-is-me attitude while standing there watching people eat the greasy goodness that is Golden Boy pizza. However, late-night mac 'n cheese just does not cut it either! I decided that I would have to do something...anything (!) to have something delicious to eat at a moment's notice.
Not expecting much, I wandered into Safeway's frozen food aisle with my finger's crossed that I would find something to fit my needs. Well...what do you know...I found this gem!!
I did all I could to stop myself from jumping up and down with joy! I actually really like the fact that it is plain cheese because I can "personalize" my pizza (I think I have to live with the idea that I will never have pepperoni again...thanks a lot dextrose!!) as I did tonight for dinner. The taste is actually VERY good. The sauce is a bit sweet at first, but the crust is absolutely delicious...I must say it is way better than the pizza crust I had at Zachary's (GASP...I know!! I'm comforted to know THEY didn't make the crust...they get it from a different supplier). All-in-all...VERY PLEASED with this find. My late-night fridge raids will be a lot easier to manage now!!
And for tonight's dinner...sausage & chile pasilla pizza with a garden salad w/feta cheese and a lime/olive oil dressing:
The pizza is fairly small...just enough for two :) Make sure to have a side-dish ready!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
13/365
I started a workout plan using EA Active 2 for the Xbox Kinect a few days ago. I've used this game for the Wii and actually saw some results, so I figured it would be a good way to start a routine until I can find a gym that can fit my needs (basically...that isn't too expensive!). After about 10 minutes of "working out" I felt very discouraged, which is a typical thing for me to go through when working out alone.
Since then, I've been having a bit of a hard time dealing with the diet and all the inhibitions. Temptation has been all around me, and I almost dove into a loaf of bread today. Thankfully, I still have a strong support system in my boyfriend and my mom, who asks how it's going when we talk on the phone and does Google searches for things I can eat :)
A silver lining to my day was going into Safeway today and finding something to wonderful that I did not it was real: a clearly labeled GLUTEN FREE chunk of aisle! I knew Safeway was starting to carry clearly marked GF options, but now to have a portion of space dedicated to it made me feel so happy! They had oatmeal, cookies, chocolate cake mix and a bunch of other goodies to choose from.
The world is starting to accept this lifestyle, and I need to accept the challenge I took on. I'm sure I will have rough patches, but I have to keep looking forward.
Since then, I've been having a bit of a hard time dealing with the diet and all the inhibitions. Temptation has been all around me, and I almost dove into a loaf of bread today. Thankfully, I still have a strong support system in my boyfriend and my mom, who asks how it's going when we talk on the phone and does Google searches for things I can eat :)
A silver lining to my day was going into Safeway today and finding something to wonderful that I did not it was real: a clearly labeled GLUTEN FREE chunk of aisle! I knew Safeway was starting to carry clearly marked GF options, but now to have a portion of space dedicated to it made me feel so happy! They had oatmeal, cookies, chocolate cake mix and a bunch of other goodies to choose from.
The world is starting to accept this lifestyle, and I need to accept the challenge I took on. I'm sure I will have rough patches, but I have to keep looking forward.
Monday, January 10, 2011
10/365
Keeping up with this blog has proved to be more difficult than managing my new diet! For the 3 of you that read this, I apologize, and I will strive to be better :)
I've actually had an exciting few days in the GF world. I discovered that America's favorite baking mistress Betty Crocker has a whole GF line of products, and a cookbook! Of course, I snagged the cookbook to study and during my next big grocery shopping spree I will be picking up some cooking supplies. VERY EXCITING!
Because of the holidays and visitors and the wonders that are Marin County restaurants, I have not had many chances to cook dinners at home. Tonight though, I managed to make up for that by making two of my favorite (and some of the easiest things to make) dishes: Beef Riblets and Ceviche. I know Beef Riblets, while extremely delicious, are not the most healthy of protein options...but in moderation even red meat is okay! As for the Ceviche, this was my first time making it, and I must say I did a pretty dang good job at it! Here is my recipe:
(This recipe yields enough for 2 people...maybe 3, depending on how hungry you are!)
Ingredients:
1 filet of fish of your choice (I like Tilapia or Orange Roughey)
1/4 medium white onion
2 roma tomatoes
1 medium ripe avocado
1 serrano chile...2 if you are feeling brave
1 handful of cilantro (sorry, I'm so bad at measuring this!)
Very juicy limes...quantities will vary
Mince onion, tomatoes, chile(s), and cilantro and combine in a bowl. Chop fish into small bites and toss into mixture. Squeeze enough limes to cover 2 inches of mixture (I used about 13 small limes. Start with 5 medium-sized limes). One trick I learned over the years for getting the most juice from these suckers is to stick them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds! Try it!
Cover mixture, refrigerate for NO LESS than 2 hours. The most you leave it "cooking," the more flavorful it will be.
Bear with me, my recipes and explanations will become more eloquent with more practice ;)
I've actually had an exciting few days in the GF world. I discovered that America's favorite baking mistress Betty Crocker has a whole GF line of products, and a cookbook! Of course, I snagged the cookbook to study and during my next big grocery shopping spree I will be picking up some cooking supplies. VERY EXCITING!
Because of the holidays and visitors and the wonders that are Marin County restaurants, I have not had many chances to cook dinners at home. Tonight though, I managed to make up for that by making two of my favorite (and some of the easiest things to make) dishes: Beef Riblets and Ceviche. I know Beef Riblets, while extremely delicious, are not the most healthy of protein options...but in moderation even red meat is okay! As for the Ceviche, this was my first time making it, and I must say I did a pretty dang good job at it! Here is my recipe:
(This recipe yields enough for 2 people...maybe 3, depending on how hungry you are!)
Ingredients:
1 filet of fish of your choice (I like Tilapia or Orange Roughey)
1/4 medium white onion
2 roma tomatoes
1 medium ripe avocado
1 serrano chile...2 if you are feeling brave
1 handful of cilantro (sorry, I'm so bad at measuring this!)
Very juicy limes...quantities will vary
Mince onion, tomatoes, chile(s), and cilantro and combine in a bowl. Chop fish into small bites and toss into mixture. Squeeze enough limes to cover 2 inches of mixture (I used about 13 small limes. Start with 5 medium-sized limes). One trick I learned over the years for getting the most juice from these suckers is to stick them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds! Try it!
Cover mixture, refrigerate for NO LESS than 2 hours. The most you leave it "cooking," the more flavorful it will be.
Bear with me, my recipes and explanations will become more eloquent with more practice ;)
Friday, January 7, 2011
End of Week 1 Reflection
Aside from being exhausted from work, I went out pretty strong in week 1. I didn't miss my usuals too much, and the adjustment to the GF diet went very smoothly. Of course, I was surrounded by temptation...the only time I allowed myself to become affected by the diet was the night we had dinner at my favorite pizza place (Zachary's Pizza in Oakland)...thankfully they had a GF crust that, although not as good as the original, proved to be enough. I will say though, it tastes better as a left-over lunch option!
Highs for Week 1:
- Finding amazing substitutions
- Feeling good
- Making the GREAT choice to avoid horrible fast food
Lows for Week 1:
- Going grocery shopping for the first time unprepared
- Slight battles with temptation
Goals for Week 2:
- Start a work-out program to reinforce how great my body will feel by year's end
- Organize my kitchen
- Use community resources (Farmer's Market, local grocery stores)
Highs for Week 1:
- Finding amazing substitutions
- Feeling good
- Making the GREAT choice to avoid horrible fast food
Lows for Week 1:
- Going grocery shopping for the first time unprepared
- Slight battles with temptation
Goals for Week 2:
- Start a work-out program to reinforce how great my body will feel by year's end
- Organize my kitchen
- Use community resources (Farmer's Market, local grocery stores)
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Day 5
Temptation will come in many forms when you are on a restrictive diet, especially in the initial stages. The best advice I can give anyone on a GF diet is to do research; what to have in your kitchen, what to look for when shopping, and what to eat at restaurants. What you find may be frustrating and a bit stressful, but it is a challenge that can easily be overcome and may even turn into excitement when learning about what you can substitute! Learning I can still use my favorite Country Crock vegetable spread brightened my day, as lame as it sounds. You have to learn to make the most of what you are living with :)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Day 4
Usually after a long day I like to kick back with a beer. When I decided to go GF I thought I would have to forgo this or else drink vodka and wine. Thankfully, I heard there are options for GF beer at Bevmo and even at BJ's! Today after work I went to Bevmo and came out with a case of Redbridge (made by Anheuser Busch). I have heard very good things about it, and it being made by AB makes it the easiest GF beer to find.
Here is a list of other GF beers on the market:
Estrella Daura Gluten Free
Green's Discover Amber Gluten Free
New Grist Gluten-free
Bard's Tale Beer (reminds me of Harry Potter...I really want to try it! :P)
Green's Endeavour Dubble Ale
St Peters Sorgham Beer
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