Creative food preparation for people with Celiac Disease, gluten/wheat intolerance and other food sensitivities
You are currently browsing the Special Needs category.
Welcome to Food Challenges, a site specializing in creative food preparation for people with Gluten Sensitivity Syndrome, Celiac Disease, gluten/wheat intolerance and other food sensitivities.
Feel free to search the many sections of my site. They are full of recipes, articles and information you may find helpful!
Once again, unfortunately, I have been absent due to illness. Several more trips to the hospital have kept me away form my web site. Hopefully, I will be able to contribute more frequently now that progress has begun.
Share
The holidays are quickly approaching! It’s a wonderful time to gather with family and friends to celebrate life together and observe a variety of rituals and traditions. Of course when people come together, invariably there are food offerings. I’m going to attach links to some recipes here on the site that might be of interest as you plan your meals and parties. If you’re going to a party or dinner, why not take a hostess gift that includes gluten free foods that are safe for you to eat? I know my family and friends appreciate the specialty items I bring to celebrations.
Appetizers:
1. Cheese Crisp Horsd’oeuvres
2. Hot Crab Dip
3. Smoked Salmon Devilled Eggs
4. Potato Popovers
Main Course:
1. The Turducken - the turkey and dressing layered with duck and chicken
2. Beef Wellington - a variation of the classic created to deal with GF pastry
3. Crown Roast of Lamb - crown roast of lamb stuffed with wild rice dressing
4. Tortiere Medallions – a variation on the classic French Canadian savoury pie without the crust
5. Turporko - a turkey breast stuffed with tortiere meat wrapped in proscuitto
6. Prosciutto Chicken Breasts - chicken breasts stuffed with pesto and wrapped in prosciutto
7. Osso Buco - braised veal shanks
8. Lamb Shanks - Mediterranean style braised lamb shanks
Sweet Treats:
1. Shortbread Cookies
2. Decadent Chocolate Torte
3. Mini Pumpkin Cheese Cakes
4. Cherry Chocolate Mousse Cake
5. Blueberry Ginger Bars
6. Sugar Plums
7. Black Forest Sugar Plums
8. Gingerbread
Traditions:
1. Roasted Chestnuts
2. Tackling the Sweet Tooth
Please feel free to drop by from time to time as I will be adding more recipes! Happy Holidays!
Share
Posted 2 months, 1 week ago. Add a comment
I hope everyone is having a very Happy Valentine’s Day. For those who are single, I hope you have made a day out of celebrating how much you love yourself, by pampering and otherwise spoiling yourself rotten. I believe that if you can’t completely love yourself, unconditionally, warts and all, you can’t truly love anyone else. So, all you singles out there: take the time to embrace every facet of your being. Celebrate the unique and special person that you are! Continue Reading…
Share
Posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
This current Fibromyalgia flare is limiting my mobility. The additional pain adds stress and pushes up my cravings for starch. I had a rough night and didn’t sleep well, so I took some “me time” this morning and languished in bed until nearly 11 A.M.
It was a slow start to the day. I savoured my hot coffee and read the news. The men were tackling a plumbing problem in the bathroom and had to go out for parts, so Mom and I headed to the kitchen to make brunch. Mom made us a nice romaine salad and I made a frittata. The timing was perfect. The mean arrived back at home and we were all able to sit down together. Continue Reading…
Share
Posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
I miss my sweets! I’m not a huge sweet eater, but I do want a small treat after lunch and dinner. It just seems to finish the meal for me. Yesterday, I “settled” for fruit, nuts and yoghurt and while I really enjoy all three, it didn’t seem to solve the problem or satisfy the need. I decided to make some frozen strawberry yoghurt. It turned out really well. It’s in the freezer now hardening. Continue Reading…
Share
Posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
Yesterday, I began this new leg of my life journey. Everything is organized and in place now. No more excuses!
One thing I plan to do is record what I have to eat at various meals. Many people have asked me what I eat, especially at breakfast. Please remember, I am not a dietician, nor do I have any special training in nutrition. My meal plans are specifically tailored for my medical needs after consultation with a registered dietician and under the supervision of my doctor. I urge everyone to do the same before they make changes to their own diet. Continue Reading…
Share
Posted 11 months, 4 weeks ago. Add a comment
There are things you know you should do, but it’s less hassle to take the easy route. I’m human and guilty of doing just that. When I’m stressed, I want comfort food: mashed potatoes, French fries, butter tarts, pasta, bread, cookies. I seem to have had more than my fair share of stress lately and as a result, I’ve turned to comfort foods. I’ve gained ten pounds in the last five months and my pain level is creeping up. Continue Reading…
Share
Posted 11 months, 4 weeks ago. Add a comment
I am not a doctor, dietician or medical professional of any type. My opinions are based on my own research and observations. They apply only to me. However, it is my hope, that by sharing what I have learned, it will provide food for thought for other people. Perhaps it will create an “Ah Ha!” moment for someone else who is struggling to find the answers to their own health issues.
Recent research suggests that all grains contain various and unique types of prolamines and glutamines which combine to make gluten. The grains most commonly recommended to be avoided by people with Gluten Sensitivity Syndrome and Celiac Disease are wheat, barley, rye and triticale. Oats remains a hot topic of discussion because of cross contamination issues during harvesting and processing. Some medical professionals go as far as recommending that all grains and seeds be avoided by people with gluten intolerance. For more information on this topic consult the writings of Elaine Gottschall and information about The Specific Carbohydrate Diet. Additional research indicates that the digestive system repairs and replaces itself every three to five days. This concept supports the work done by Dr. Theron Randolph who was a pioneer in the field of the rotation diet. When I combined all this information, I came up with a plan that helps me remain true to my diet while allowing my digestive system the optimum opportunity to function well and maintain good health. Continue Reading…
Share
Posted 1 year, 4 months ago. 4 comments
Let me start by saying I’m not a doctor of any sort and I have no medical training of any kind. What I am about to share are my own experiences. If in the telling of my story, you can find an avenue of research to follow, some questions to ask or some ideas to explore, then I will be satisfied that my efforts to share have in some way helped another.
For three years, I have struggled to find solutions to the inflammation and resulting pain I live with every day. Initially, I removed all gluten bearing grains from my diet. My body’s response was immediate and positive. My pain lessened and I felt much better: my energy levels rose significantly, my mind was clearer, my thinking was more focused, my pain level dropped, I could move with greater ease, my seasonal allergies and asthma lessened, my rashes virtually disappeared, my digestive tract functioned better, and my quality of life improved. However, at the end of the first year, I was still experiencing a degree of inflammation and pain that were not acceptable to me. Although I was better than I had been a year earlier, there were still enough symptoms to cause me concern…. Continue Reading…
Share
Posted 1 year, 7 months ago. 3 comments