Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Fall seems to revolve around all things pumpkin spice, so I’m embracing it, and sharing a recipe I’ve adapted with you. The original muffin recipe that inspired the base for this one comes from another blogger called Recipes to Nourish – you can see the whole blueberry lemon muffin recipe here. Part of what makes me so happy about this pumpkin version is that it tastes a lot like Czech gingerbread (perník), probably even more so if you added the chopped nuts, dried fruit, and topped it with melted chocolate and shredded coconut. Continue reading “Pumpkin Spice Muffins”

Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

I am completely in love with Otto’s Cassava Flour! It is definitely grain free magic for Celiac friendly baking. In my opinion, it behaves the most like wheat flour, and has pretty neutral flavour – though in some recipes there’s a flavour that comes through that reminds me of the basic ice cream cones we would get as kids (think McDonalds or Dairy Queen soft serve cones), but I didn’t find it noticeable in this recipe. I tried a different pie crust recipe this time, adapting it a bit to make sense for my purposes, and I’m super impressed with the results! Continue reading “Pumpkin Chiffon Pie”

College Life

Going off to college is daunting for the average young adult. You’re learning how to live on your own, manage your own finances, your own meals, your own laundry, and navigating a myriad of relationships like roommates, professional interactions with professors, and navigating dating without the watchful eye of parents. There are so many things going on, it can be overwhelming. When you add to that learning to navigate a Celiac diagnosis on your own for the first time (or any other reason to strictly avoid gluten)… well, it’s huge. You’re young and desperately want to claim your independence and just be “normal”. Continue reading “College Life”

Spicy Thai Cashew Noodles

I used to LOVE Thai peanut sauce! It was a constant staple in my kitchen pre-diagnosis, and one of the foods I grieved when I adopted the Autoimmune Paleo protocol. Four years into that journey, I seem to now be able to tolerate (carefully sourced) cashews, and it dawned on me that I could use cashew butter to recreate a similar sauce. Huzzah! Unfortunately that means this is not an AIP compliant recipe, but it’s still most definitely Paleo.

I personally do not tolerate nightshades or garlic and onions well, so I’ve left them out of my recipe. I will include them as optional add ins for those who tolerate them, and want to incorporate those flavours. This is a recipe that could easily be made Vegan/Vegetarian, or would pair well with chicken, wild caught white fish, or shrimp. Continue reading “Spicy Thai Cashew Noodles”

Wild Zora’s Dehydrated Meals and Bars – a review

One of the most challenging things about the transition to life as a Celiac (or otherwise) on a gluten free diet (especially if you have additional allergies or sensitivities) is the loss of convenience foods, and foods with stable shelf life. While this is annoying in daily life, it is most challenging in contexts like backcountry hiking, camping, or preparing a disaster kit. Wild Zora to the rescue! Continue reading “Wild Zora’s Dehydrated Meals and Bars – a review”

Lauren’s Hope Medical Jewelry – a review

In an emergency where you or your loved ones are unable to talk and advocate for your care, wearing medical jewelry can be life saving! This could be especially important if you have a condition like Diabetes, an allergy to latex, corn, or medications, or a condition that might cause vital signs that would seem odd out of context, as in the case of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, among others. It can also be incredibly important for emergency medical staff to know if you are taking any medications, experience seizures, or are allergic to any analgesic medications. Try to think of the issues that are most likely to come up in a situation where you were unconscious (eg. getting IV fluids, a blood transfusion, having surgery or stitches, etc). If the issues are complex, it would be wise to include instructions to look for the paper in your purse, the note saved on your phone, or the contact information for a person who could explain on your behalf. Continue reading “Lauren’s Hope Medical Jewelry – a review”

Gabriel Cosmetics – a review

I used Gabriel Cosmetics years ago, before I was diagnosed with Celiac disease. I think I stopped somewhere in the midst of living in Prague, getting diagnosed, and switching all my products. So you can imagine my surprise and sheer glee when I discovered that they are in fact Certified Gluten Free!!! Their website states:

“Gabriel, Zuzu Luxe and Clean Kids Naturally have been certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group. According to GFCO’s website their certification seal, “stands for the independent verification of quality, integrity, and purity of products. Products carrying the GF logo represents unmatched reliability and for meeting strict gluten-free standards. GFCO is the leading gluten-free certification program in the world.” Continue reading “Gabriel Cosmetics – a review”

Hot Logic – a review

I recently learned about the HotLogic Mini from another blogger who posted about it on their Instagram feed, and I have to say this thing is the new best friend of every human with a restrictive or modified diet! This fabulous little device allowed me to participate in a weekend away with 30 people in a cabin, without getting sick as I had on the same trip two years ago (when I had tried to do it sharing the communal kitchen. They also kept grains in a designated, ventilated area which helped keep me safe too). If you’re doing any sort of travel that will still give you access to a power outlet (they have adaptors for international travel and car adapters too), this thing is the bees knees! It could also be a wonderful solution for those working in offices or on the road. Let me tell you a bit more about how this thing works…
Continue reading “Hot Logic – a review”

Select Wisely Allergen Safety Cards – a review

Are you getting tired of repeating the same spiel to every server, chef, and family member who wants to learn how to cook for you? Would you love to have a pocket sized card that you could hand them with the most essential things for them to know to be able to prepare a meal that will be safe for you? Select Wisely is a company that makes these cards, offering several different standard options for allergies like nuts, dairy, gluten (we know Celiac disease isn’t an allergy, but the information would still be relevant in this case), sugar, etc. You can also order a custom card tailored to your specific needs! How cool is that?! And for any of you with Diabetes, they offer additional resources for diabetics for navigating airport security screening with your medical supplies! Continue reading “Select Wisely Allergen Safety Cards – a review”