Surviving the Holidays Gluten Free: Part 4

I will be reposting this series in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I pray that this series is an encouragement to you as you deal with being gluten free during the holiday season this year!

 

Over the past month, we've talked about how to survive the holidays when you are on a gluten free diet. It can be difficult - but it certainly is possible!

Let's review:

1. When you're gluten free and will be dining in someone else's home, you have three choices: eat something before you go; take "safe" food along with you; or eat what items you can at the person's house. Don't forget to talk with the hostess before you go!
2. When you're gluten free and need to dine out at a restaurant, you will want to remember to check the restaurant's website ahead of time for a menu and nutritional information. If needed, don't hesitate to call the restaurant ahead of time to speak to someone in the kitchen.
3. Facing all of those sweets during the holiday season can be a challenge! So what's a GF'er to do?! There's a few options: keep a few storebought gluten free treats on hand; focus on the naturally gluten free sweets; or make your own homemade gluten free treats.

One of the biggest things you can do to adjust your thoughts on being gluten free is remember this:

Concentrate on what you can eat - not what you can't.

Remembering this has made a huge difference in how I approach food. When you see a spread of food, figure out what you can eat safely. When you see something you want but can't have, figure out a way to make it gluten free! Don't dwell on the foods you can't eat - it only makes you crave them more!

The bottom line is this: Don't let being gluten free cloud your holidays! Food does not need to be the focus of the holiday season. Yes, food is a key part of many of our holiday celebrations. But it should not be the sole focus.

In some ways, this year, I'm thankful that I'm gluten free. Why, you ask? Being gluten free has taught me so much about food, cooking and baking. {And I still have miles to go!} I eat healthier because of this diet. I'm more creative in the kitchen because I'm gluten free.

How are you going to survive the holidays this year, in spite of your gluten free diet?

Surviving the Holidays Gluten Free: Part 3

I will be reposting this series in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I pray that this series is an encouragement to you as you deal with being gluten free during the holiday season this year!

 

Over the past two weeks, we've talked about how to graciously dine in someone else's home when you're gluten free and how to handle dining out when you're gluten free.

Everyone knows that the holidays are focused on food - especially sweets. Unfortunately for those of us who are gluten free, many of those sweets are filled with gluten. Even if you are gluten free, there are still ways to enjoy the sweet treats during the holiday season.

Keep a few store-bought gluten free desserts on hand. I'm generally not a huge proponent of store-bought gluten free products of any kind. I will say that I never purchase store-bought GF desserts for myself. I am occasionally given those kinds of items by other people (who typically feel bad for me...even though there's no reason for them to feel that way!).

I like these Schar cookies and Glutino sandwich cookies. I also like the Betty Crocker GF mixes (they also have other mix options) for a quick treat.

Focus on the naturally gluten free sweets. There are numerous "desserts" that are naturally gluten free, especially fruits and many candies. If you're craving a sweet treat, try eating a piece of fruit. Or grab a small piece of candy or chocolate to satisfy that sweet tooth. Better yet, dip the fruit in melted chocolate and you've got yourself a little piece of heaven!

"Pumpkin Crack Cake"

Make your own gluten free desserts. Try a crustless pumpkin pie. Or try making bars instead of a pie (like these pumpkins streusel bars, made with a GF cake mix, or this "pumpkin crack cake"). There are also numerous recipes out there for gluten free cookies, and most of them are easy to make - and taste delicious! One of my favorite websites for gluten free recipes is Gluten Free on a Shoestring. The recipes are all simple and don't call for strange ingredients. I use Bob's Red Mill gluten free all-purpose flour blend with great success. My favorite cookies are the Double Chocolate Chip Cookies.

And of course, as we all know, sometimes it's best to say "No thank you." Since we could all benefit from fewer sweets and less sugar, sometimes being gluten free gives you a great reason to turn down a treat!

Moderation is the key when it comes to sweets - for everyone, gluten free or not. Find simple ways to satisfy your sweet tooth -- find a way that works for you! Being gluten free certainly does not mean that you cannot enjoy sweets during the holiday season!

Surviving the Holidays Gluten Free: Part 2

I will be reposting this series in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I pray that this series is an encouragement to you as you deal with being gluten free during the holiday season this year!

Last week, we talked about a few tips for those times when you will be eating at someone else's home. Yes, food becomes a central focus during the holiday season, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the holidays when you're gluten free!

What do you do when you're gluten free and invited to dine out at a restaurant as part of a holiday gathering? Of course, you can always pull the "GF card" and get out of it...but that's no fun! While I don't make a regular habit of eating out at restaurants, there are times when it makes sense and works out best for us. Here's a few tips for how to deal with this situation.

Do your research ahead of time. I can't stress this enough! Don't wait until you are in the restaurant to find out if you can eat there. If you do the research ahead of time, you'll be much more prepared. There's two ways to do your research:

• Check the restaurant's website for gluten free information and a menu. Nowadays, the Internet is a wealth of information in the gluten free world! A quick Google (or Swagbucks!) search will turn up more than enough information about dining out when you're gluten free. Many mainstream restaurants post their allergen information online now, making it very easy to get the information you need.
• Call the restaurant ahead of time and speak with the chef. If you can't find the information online, call the restaurant! Speak directly with someone in the kitchen who prepares the food - they will be most knowledgeable about the food and whether or not it's safe for you.

If you do your research and get sketchy information (or no information), I recommend finding somewhere else to eat. If a restaurant can't be 100% certain that their food is gluten free, don't eat there!

This is in no way an exhaustive list, but here are a few restaurants that cater specifically to the gluten free diet.

• Chili's Restaurant - menu and gluten free information
• Outback Steakhouse - gluten free menu
• Olive Garden - gluten free menu
• Red Robin - allergen information
• UNO Chicago Grill (pizza) - gluten free information
• HuHot Mongolian grill - allergen information
• PF Chang's - gluten free menu
• Qdoba - allergen information

During this holiday season, don't be afraid to dine out with family and friends. While it requires some extra attention and planning, it certainly is possible!

Surviving the Holidays Gluten Free: Part 1

I will be reposting this series in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I pray that this series is an encouragement to you as you deal with being gluten free during the holiday season this year!

The holiday season is usually very heavily-focused on food. Sure, most people like to eat, and most people enjoying spending time around the dinner table with family and friends. But what do you do when you can't enjoy certain foods?

Being gluten free can be tough. I understand. But being gluten free doesn't mean you can't enjoy the holidays. This four week series will go through some of the ways you can survive - and enjoy! - the holidays, even when you're gluten free!

This week we'll look at how to handle dining in someone else's home.

When you're dining in someone else's home, you essentially have three choices about how to handle the situation:

1. Eat food at home before you go. Have a snack or small meal at home before you leave. This will leave you less hungry (and tempted) at the gathering.
2. Take food along with you. Don't be embarassed to do this! Consider taking a gluten free dish along to share. This way, you will have something to eat - and you can share some gluten free yumminess with others! Alternatively, you could also pack a snack or two in your bag just for yourself. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this!
3. Eat what you can at the other person's home: fruits, veggies, chips, cheese, etc. If it's an appetizer-type party, there will likely be at least a few safe food options for you.

Most often, I will choose numbers two or three. I often bring a gluten free dish along (something homemade!) and people are usually impressed that it's gluten free ("Oh my gosh! There's no gluten in this?!"). In addition, I do often pack a small snack in my purse, just in case. I will also just eat what I can, and enjoy it!

It can be helpful to talk openly with the hostess before you go. Most people will appreciate the education because they really do want to please all of their guests. This is going to be most helpful when a full meal will be served.

*One word of caution - I find that quite often people (both the hostess and other guests) are very interested in what it means to be gluten free. This can lead to long discussions about celiac disease and being gluten free. I try to keep the focus off me and my diet, especially at a dinner or party, so just be warned that this may happen.

Another option is to simply host the party yourself. You're in control then! Of course, this isn't always practical, but when it is, consider it. You can always have other guests bring a dish, but at least you know that the food you provide will be gluten free!

Don't shy away from dining at someone else's home, even if you are gluten free! You have several choices about how to handle the situation. I encourage you to consider your options and then make it a point to enjoy the get-together!

If you can't wait for next week, you can read the entire series HERE!

Surviving the Holidays Gluten Free: Enjoy the holidays!

Over the past month, we've talked about how to survive the holidays when you are on a gluten free diet. It can be difficult - but it certainly is possible!

Let's review:

1. When you're gluten free and will be dining in someone else's home, you have three choices: eat something before you go; take "safe" food along with you; or eat what items you can at the person's house. Don't forget to talk with the hostess before you go!
2. When you're gluten free and need to dine out at a restaurant, you will want to remember to check the restaurant's website ahead of time for a menu and nutritional information. If needed, don't hesitate to call the restaurant ahead of time to speak to someone in the kitchen.
3. Facing all of those sweets during the holiday season can be a challenge! So what's a GF'er to do?! There's a few options: keep a few storebought gluten free treats on hand; focus on the naturally gluten free sweets; or make your own homemade gluten free treats.

One of the biggest things you can do to adjust your thoughts on being gluten free is remember this:

Concentrate on what you can eat - not what you can't.

Remembering this has made a huge difference in how I approach food. When you see a spread of food, figure out what you can eat safely. When you see something you want but can't have, figure out a way to make it gluten free! Don't dwell on the foods you can't eat - it only makes you crave them more!

The bottom line is this: Don't let being gluten free cloud your holidays! Food does not need to be the focus of the holiday season. Yes, food is a key part of many of our holiday celebrations. But it should not be the sole focus.

In some ways, this year, I'm thankful that I'm gluten free. Why, you ask? Being gluten free has taught me so much about food, cooking and baking. {And I still have miles to go!} I eat healthier because of this diet. I'm more creative in the kitchen because I'm gluten free.

How are you going to survive the holidays this year, in spite of your gluten free diet?

Surviving the Holidays Gluten Free: All those sweets

Over the past two weeks, we've talked about how to graciously dine in someone else's home when you're gluten free and how to handle dining out when you're gluten free.

Everyone knows that the holidays are focused on food - especially sweets. Unfortunately for those of us who are gluten free, many of those sweets are filled with gluten. Even if you are gluten free, there are still ways to enjoy the sweet treats during the holiday season.

Keep a few store-bought gluten free desserts on hand. I'm generally not a huge proponent of store-bought gluten free products of any kind. I will say that I never purchase store-bought GF desserts for myself. I am occasionally given those kinds of items by other people (who typically feel bad for me...even though there's no reason for them to feel that way!).

I like these Schar cookies and Glutino sandwich cookies. I also like the Betty Crocker GF mixes (they also have other mix options) for a quick treat.

Focus on the naturally gluten free sweets. There are numerous "desserts" that are naturally gluten free, especially fruits and many candies. If you're craving a sweet treat, try eating a piece of fruit. Or grab a small piece of candy or chocolate to satisfy that sweet tooth. Better yet, dip the fruit in melted chocolate and you've got yourself a little piece of heaven!

"Pumpkin Crack Cake"

Make your own gluten free desserts. Try a crustless pumpkin pie. Or try making bars instead of a pie (like these pumpkins streusel bars, made with a GF cake mix, or this "pumpkin crack cake"). There are also numerous recipes out there for gluten free cookies, and most of them are easy to make - and taste delicious! One of my favorite websites for gluten free recipes is Gluten Free on a Shoestring. The recipes are all simple and don't call for strange ingredients. I use Bob's Red Mill gluten free all-purpose flour blend with great success. My favorite cookies are the Double Chocolate Chip Cookies.

And of course, as we all know, sometimes it's best to say "No thank you." Since we could all benefit from fewer sweets and less sugar, sometimes being gluten free gives you a great reason to turn down a treat!

Moderation is the key when it comes to sweets - for everyone, gluten free or not. Find simple ways to satisfy your sweet tooth -- find a way that works for you! Being gluten free certainly does not mean that you cannot enjoy sweets during the holiday season!

Surviving the Holidays Gluten Free: Dining Out

Last Monday, we talked about a few tips for those times when you will be eating at someone else's home. Yes, food becomes a central focus during the holiday season, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the holidays when you're gluten free!

What do you do when you're gluten free and invited to dine out at a restaurant as part of a holiday gathering? Of course, you can always pull the "GF card" and get out of it...but that's no fun! While I don't make a regular habit of eating out at restaurants, there are times when it makes sense and works out best for us. Here's a few tips for how to deal with this situation.

Do your research ahead of time. I can't stress this enough! Don't wait until you are in the restaurant to find out if you can eat there. If you do the research ahead of time, you'll be much more prepared. There's two ways to do your research:

• Check the restaurant's website for gluten free information and a menu. Nowadays, the Internet is a wealth of information in the gluten free world! A quick Google (or Swagbucks) search will turn up more than enough information about dining out when you're gluten free. Many mainstream restaurants post their allergen information online now, making it very easy to get the information you need.
• Call the restaurant ahead of time and speak with the chef. If you can't find the information online, call the restaurant! Speak directly with someone in the kitchen who prepares the food - they will be most knowledgeable about the food and whether or not it's safe for you.

If you do your research and get sketchy information (or no information), I recommend finding somewhere else to eat. If a restaurant can't be 100% certain that their food is gluten free, don't eat there!

This is in no way an exhaustive list, but here are a few restaurants that cater specifically to the gluten free diet.

• Chili's Restaurant - menu and gluten free information
• Outback Steakhouse - gluten free menu
• Olive Garden - gluten free menu
• Red Robin - allergen information
• UNO Chicago Grill (pizza) - gluten free information
• HuHot Mongolian grill - allergen information
• PF Chang's - gluten free menu
• Qdoba - allergen information

During this holiday season, don't be afraid to dine out with family and friends. While it requires some extra attention and planning, it certainly is possible!

Surviving the Holidays Gluten Free: Dining at Others' Homes

The holiday season is usually very heavily-focused on food. Sure, most people like to eat, and most people enjoying spending time around the dinner table with family and friends. But what do you do when you can't enjoy certain foods?

Being gluten free can be tough. I understand. But being gluten free doesn't mean you can't enjoy the holidays. This four week series will go through some of the ways you can survive - and enjoy! - the holidays, even when you're gluten free!

This week we'll look at how to handle dining in someone else's home.

When you're dining in someone else's home, you essentially have three choices about how to handle the situation:

1. Eat food at home before you go. Have a snack or small meal at home before you leave. This will leave you less hungry (and tempted) at the gathering.
2. Take food along with you. Don't be embarassed to do this! Consider taking a gluten free dish along to share. This way, you will have something to eat - and you can share some gluten free yumminess with others! Alternatively, you could also pack a snack or two in your bag just for yourself. There's absolutely nothing wrong with this!
3. Eat what you can at the other person's home: fruits, veggies, chips, cheese, etc. If it's an appetizer-type party, there will likely be at least a few safe food options for you.

Most often, I will choose numbers two or three. I often bring a gluten free dish along (something homemade!) and people are usually impressed that it's gluten free ("Oh my gosh! There's no gluten in this?!"). In addition, I do often pack a small snack in my purse, just in case. I will also just eat what I can, and enjoy it!

It can be helpful to talk openly with the hostess before you go. Most people will appreciate the education because they really do want to please all of their guests. This is going to be most helpful when a full meal will be served.

*One word of caution - I find that quite often people (both the hostess and other guests) are very interested in what it means to be gluten free. This can lead to long discussions about celiac disease and being gluten free. I try to keep the focus off me and my diet, especially at a dinner or party, so just be warned that this may happen.

Another option is to simply host the party yourself. You're in control then! Of course, this isn't always practical, but when it is, consider it. You can always have other guests bring a dish, but at least you know that the food you provide will be gluten free!

Don't shy away from dining at someone else's home, even if you are gluten free! You have several choices about how to handle the situation. I encourage you to consider your options and then make it a point to enjoy the get-together!