Gluten-Free Hostility

A fellow gluten-free blogger, GlutenDude, wrote a very timely post that I just had to share.  I have to admit, I was never really a Jimmy Fallon fan, and now even less so.  And, I will also admit that many times when I see gluten-free mentioned in TV shows or movies, I think it is kind of funny too.....but not this time. It was just a stupid skit all around.

I have heard, before, of people speaking about the negative remarks they receive from people when they know they are gluten-free, but I have never personally experienced that...until yesterday.  Sure, I have had friends that are not really aware and are skeptical, but I have never come across someone with such clear hostility and anger toward me about it.  I was shocked, confused and mostly hurt.

I really don't like to write anything negative about anyone, especially someone in my real life, so to avoid any hurt feelings (though mine have been hurt), I will try to write this as anonymously and in general terms as possible.

At an event yesterday which centered around food (don't they all), my friend, who I will call H, offered to bring a gluten-free version of what he was bringing.  He works in the food industry and knew the people cooking would prepare it properly.  When the food arrived and I saw it, I was so excited, because honestly, I never expect to eat at events that center around food, because it usually isn't safe.  I would rather eat before, or after and do without...because the consequences of getting just a little bit of gluten would ruin my night and have me puking for hours.  Not really a run way to spend the evening.

I suggested that I would take some of the food before others handled it because I didn't want to worry about cross-contamination from shared utensils.  And you know how sketchy things can get in a buffet situation, which is usually a scenario I steer clear of....unless it is an Indian buffet!  H hands me a serving spoon, which I saw was just used on something fried and not gluten-free.  I told H I was going to go get a fork, because I couldn't use the same serving spoon.  Well, the reaction I received was overwhelming....H told me that he had no other serving utensil and rolled his eyes like I had asked for a bag full of crisp hundred dollar bills.. I said, that was OK, I was going to get a fork....and I did!  But, while I did, I overheard H talking to a mutual friend standing next to him about how this was all bullshit and ridiculous.  I didn't know what to do.....part of me was so hurt I was near tears, and part of me was so angry at someone being so insensitive.  Someone who I thought I knew well.  If I had a peanut allergy would he of reacted the same way?

I always try to be super polite about my needs and any accommodations someone makes for me, and I never go into a social situation assuming there will be something for me.  After almost 5 years, I am fine with going to a social event and not eating.  It was difficult at first, but I am fine now.  I know my comfort level, and I know what will happen if I take chances...never worth it!

At the end of the night H asks me to take the plate of gluten-free food he brought. It was quite a lot of food, so I asked if maybe some other people would want to bring some home as well.  He rolled his eyes and told me no one wants the gluten-free food.  What?? This is food that is naturally gluten-free unless you add something unusual...so why would someone not want it?  There was no flour in it, nothing in it to make it taste different, and he was just so sure no one would want this food.  In the end, I found plenty of takers.  No one cared if it was gluten-free or not.

Would this person of been so hurtful if someone with a peanut allergy told him they could not use the same spoon.  Why do people have to be so negative?

Have you had an experience like this?  Do you think awareness will help, or are some people just forever closed off to thinking it is a big deal?

Giveaway: Glutino Peppermint Yogurt Covered Pretzels

First, let me say, I love all things peppermint, and I love the holidays!  I am one of those people that want to put my decorations up right now!  When I feel a chill in the air, I am ready to snuggle up to Love Actually, and a mug of Mexican hot chocolate with a sprinkling of crushed peppermint on top.

I even bought extra candy canes last year, just so I could crush them in my food processor and enjoy "peppermint sugar" year round.  So, when these babies arrived in the mail today from Glutino, I almost could not not contain myself. It took major self control to wait the hour I had, to pick my daughter up at school, so we could enjoy the first bite together.

Glutino yogurt covered pretzels are already one of my favorite snacks...add peppermint to them, and I will follow you anywhere.  They were even better than I could have imagined, a total treat! You cannot eat just 1, or 20!  My daughter loved them just as much, and I have had to put a couple away in the corner out of reach, just so my husband can try them when he gets home from work.  But really, I am the one with celiac in my family, so I am allowed to inhale all of the gluten-free goodies that come my way, right?

So, because I am so enamored with this savory, sweet minty treat, I asked Glutino if I could give some away to a fellow gluten-free eater out there.  To enter this giveaway of 2 bags of gluten-free Glutino Peppermint Yogurt Covered Pretzels please leave a comment below about your favorite holiday treat with your email (or how else will I be able to get these sent to you), and tweet about this giveaway on Twitter, with a link to this post.

I will draw a winner, at random, on Friday, November 22nd at 10pm.

Good luck, you will not be disappointed!

Giveaway: Glutino Corn Bread Stuffing

A fun, new giveaway!

Who doesn't like free stuff, and really...who doesn't like stuffing...especially corn bread stuffing! It doesn't need to be a holiday, stuffing can be a fun side anytime. Gosh, I could probably eat an entire bowl of it for lunch, or who am I kidding, I could eat an entire bowl just because any time of the day, any time of the year.

So, when Glutino sent me a box of their gluten-free corn bread to sample, I made it immediately.  The stuffing is already formed into bread crumbs, and includes all of the herbs and seasonings needed. All you need to add is oil, onion, celery, broth and 2 eggs.  I served it as a side with our dinner and gravy, it has a great homemade flavor, and was hit with my family

Corn bread stuffing makes a perfect side for the holidays, especially when you don't have time to make corn bread from scratch. This is a quick and tasty solution, and you can easily serve this to your friends and family that don't eat gluten-free, and I bet they won't know the difference.

This also makes a great solution if you are traveling for the holidays, or spending the holidays at someone's who is not gluten-free, and you want to be able to prepare something away from home without making a mess or needing many ingredients, or having to look for gluten-free flours in a place where you are not familiar.

The stuffing is only available seasonally, so supplies are limited, and is available anywhere Glutino is sold.

Glutino and I would love to give 2 winners a box of their very own cornbread stuffing to try.

Please leave a comment below and tell about your favorite side at Thanksgiving.  Also, and very important, please leave your email (this is important, otherwise, I an unable to contact you and let you know that you won).

This giveaway will be open until Friday, November 8th, and I will draw 2 random winners and announce them that night.

Good luck!

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Pancakes

2013 seems to be the year of "pumpkin spice".  Everything from coffee to Hershey's kisses, so I figured I would play this game too. Why not....everything in fall is better with pumpkin, right?  Like pumpkin brownies, can't go wrong with pumpkin. Tis' the season!

I have made pumpkin pancakes previously, with caramelized bananas, but this time I added oatmeal to make them a bit heartier, and for an added bonus I added some chocolate chips.  This is basically my guarantee that Z will eat her breakfast.  And who am I kidding, I like the chocolate too. They really taste more like a big cookies, but a bit healthier.  They are also just as tasty sans chocolate chips.

Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Pancakes

1 cup gluten-free oats
1 1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup cooked pumpkin (canned or fresh)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I use grapeseed oil)
2 eggs
1 tablespoon sugar

1 cup + 1 tablespoon gluten-free baking mix/all-purpose flour, (I use Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

butter or coconut oil for the griddle


Combine the oats with the following 4 ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and let sit for an hour or overnight;

After sitting, whisk in the eggs, oil and sugar;

Add the flour, baking powder, and baking soda, mix until combined;

Stir in the chocolate chips if using.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat.  Ladle the batter onto the griddle using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Lightly brown on both sides and serve warm.

You can keep the pancakes in the oven set at 150' while finishing the batch, or serve/eat as you cook.

I like to serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkling of cinnamon, and a side of fruit.



Now, you will be ready to take on the day!

Pumpkin Brownies - easy peasy

'Tis the season of the pumpkin.  The possibilities are endless...pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie, pumpkin crisp, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pasta, pumpkin spice chai......  And the great part is that pumpkin is good for you too, so you can at least make yourself think....this dessert is ok, it has pumpkin in it.  At least that is how I justify it, and I'm ok with that.  With the changing leaves and cooler weather, the comforting flavor of pumpkin just feels right.

So, when Glutino sent me a box of their Gluten-free Pantry Brownie Mix, I knew what I had to do.

I know I really should have made the brownies according to the directions to give proper feedback, so I cheated a bit.  But, I have made their brownies before and loved them, so I thought I would dress them up a bit and give this box of brownie mix a fall makeover.

It's so simple, I really don't even need to write a recipe.  These brownies have only 2 ingredients in them! Yes, you read that correctly - 2 ingredients!!!

Pumpkin Brownies

1 package of gluten-free brownie mix

1 15-oz. can of 100% pure pumpkin


Preheat the oven to 350'

Prepare a 8x8 baking dish lined with parchment paper;

In a mixing bowl, combine the brownie mix with  the pumpkin until combined, and viola! That's it.  It is really that easy!

Now, pour the pumpkin brownie mix into the prepared baking dish and bake until set.  I baked the brownies for about 50 minutes;

Let brownies sit for about 30 min, and then cut.


The texture will be more fudge-like and less cakey, and it will be hard to eat just one...but hey, there is pumpkin in it...so go ahead have 5!