Welcome to Gluten Freendly!
I'm relatively new to blogging, but I really enjoy putting my thoughts and information out there - and I hope it is helpful. The idea of starting this blog came about when The Hubby and I were trying to figure out what we wanted to do for dinner. He really wanted to go see a movie (he's a big movie buff), but since I'd been at work all day I wanted to fit in a meal as well. We were chatting back and forth on gmail trying to figure it out, and after looking online at the local Movie Tavern's menu, I told him that particular place wasn't an option because they didn't have anything I could eat. He responded with, "yeah, they aren't very gluten free-ndly...ha!" Now, The Hubby is one of those that looooves to combine words and finds himself hilarious when he does so (and in all honesty, I usually roll my eyes and laugh at him) - but we both immediately knew that this time it was pretty perfect.
What I've noticed about being gluten free is that eating, cooking and baking can be complicated and incredibly unfriendly - if you let it. Don't get me wrong - there are some really great recipes out there that taste exactly like the "regular" food I remember, it's just not my style to keep six different kinds of flour in the house for baking since there's no telling how often I'll actually have time to use it before it goes bad. I tend to lean towards food that is easy and fast...emphasis on the easy. For instance, Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee is more my speed. I grew up on comfort food like macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, corn dogs, and homemade lasagna (don't worry, there were vegetables mixed in at every meal) - and it has been my goal since becoming gluten free to find replacement options that don't taste like cardboard to satisfy my comfort food cravings. My hope for this blog is that I help other newly-minted gluten free dieters make the transition without feeling absolutely helpless like I did...and to provide information to those who need it or who are just interested. I've learned a lot in the past year and a half, and I keep learning on a daily basis - and I want to share it with you!
That being said, I want to make it clear that I am only gluten free. I realize that a lot of gluten free diets are also casein free, dairy free, soy free, nut free or even more restricted, and I wish I could provide information on all types of restricted diets - but I hope the information I can provide will help, even if just a little. :)
Enjoy!
What I've noticed about being gluten free is that eating, cooking and baking can be complicated and incredibly unfriendly - if you let it. Don't get me wrong - there are some really great recipes out there that taste exactly like the "regular" food I remember, it's just not my style to keep six different kinds of flour in the house for baking since there's no telling how often I'll actually have time to use it before it goes bad. I tend to lean towards food that is easy and fast...emphasis on the easy. For instance, Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee is more my speed. I grew up on comfort food like macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, corn dogs, and homemade lasagna (don't worry, there were vegetables mixed in at every meal) - and it has been my goal since becoming gluten free to find replacement options that don't taste like cardboard to satisfy my comfort food cravings. My hope for this blog is that I help other newly-minted gluten free dieters make the transition without feeling absolutely helpless like I did...and to provide information to those who need it or who are just interested. I've learned a lot in the past year and a half, and I keep learning on a daily basis - and I want to share it with you!
That being said, I want to make it clear that I am only gluten free. I realize that a lot of gluten free diets are also casein free, dairy free, soy free, nut free or even more restricted, and I wish I could provide information on all types of restricted diets - but I hope the information I can provide will help, even if just a little. :)
Enjoy!
