Gluten Free Cookie Mix

I tried my first ever gluten free chocolate chip cookie mix tonight. Much to my surprise it tasted very good! Nice work, Betty (Crocker). I don't care for the process of making batches of cookies. Put one batch in, wait for it to cook...Let cookie sheet cool, put another batch in, wait for it to cook, etc....I prefer to make all my cookies in bars, throw the pan in the oven once, let 'er cook and eat 'em when they're done. I decided to add one extra egg (egg white only) to the batter to give it more "strength" to stay together in bar form. That worked out really well 'cause these babies are super yummy!!!

G-Free

For years I have been trying to figure out why I have always felt tired, exhausted, fatigued. Okay, so having two little boys to run after will make a girl tired, but my fatigue goes back to high school. I remember Mom taking me to the doctor to see if I was anemic or if I had mono because I always complained of being tired. Last year I had a sleep study done to see if I had apnea or some other sleep related issue. Nope, that wasn't it. I reduced my caffeine intake and slept a little better and felt a little better, but was still tired. Feeling tired often times got me down and gave me the blues. I considered getting medicated for it, but couldn't take that leap. Exercise, sleep and a light box helped enough to push me through until I felt "up" again. A few weeks ago I decided I must need more protein and fiber to give me an energy boost and to solve some tummy troubles I'd been experiencing. I stocked up on whole wheat bagels, bread, pasta. You name it, I got the 100% whole wheat version. After several days of eating that I felt worse! More tired, more down, more tummy problems. I decided to let the pendulum swing the other way and completely remove wheat from my diet. I read up on going gluten free or wheat free, gathered up some appropriate recipes and went grocery shopping. I started feeling better after just three days of being on a gluten free (g-free) diet. A rash on my arm that I'd been trying to get rid of for about six months was gone!! About six days into the diet I started sleeping better and was waking up rested. I haven't felt rested and rejuvinated in the morning in years! What a great feeling! Eight days into the diet my tummy troubles were gone and, today, twenty days after starting the diet, I can say I feel incredible! I feel the best I have in years! I haven't been formally tested for a gluten intolerance/sensitivity or for celiac's disease yet. When I called my doctor to inquire about the process for testing for celiac's disease she said I can opt to have the blood test done (which often shows a false negative) or I can try to diet on my own and see what the results are. She said, if I feel better I likely have some sort of gluten intolerance, sensitivity or allergy. If I want to be formally tested for it in the future I can. I haven't decided what I'll do in regards to testing at this point. But, I do know that I'm going to do my best to stick with this way of eating because I feel great! One thing I've learned about Celiac's disease is that it takes the average person ten years to be properly diagnosed because it's such a hard thing to pinpoint. The disease can present itself in so many ways (Ex: any or all of these: fatigue, depression, acid reflux, skin issues, digestion issues, fertility issues, etc, etc) and each of those ways can be treated on it's own. But, if you take a step back and jot down a list of all your ailments, you may see that they all fall under the umbrella of Celiac's Disease. Crazy!!

Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole

I'm trying a new casserole for breakfast. I tasted it tonight and I love it! Thank you, Oh She Glows! (I can't figure out why my recipe is being cut off along the left side, so click on the link below to get the proper measurements.)

Sweet Potato Oatmeal Breakfast Casserole (link )

1/2 cup regular oats (or G-Free hot cereal mix)

2 cups milk

1 small sweet potato, peeled, chopped (made 2 cups raw or 1.5 cups cooked)

1 ripe large banana

· 1-2 tsp pure vanilla extract

· 1 1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/8th tsp nutmeg + 1/4 tsp kosher salt, or to taste

2 2 tbsp pure maple syrup

Crunchy Pecan Topping:

· 1/3 cup chopped pecans

2 tbsp Butter

· 2 tbsp flour

· 1/4 cup brown sugar

D

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Bring several cups of water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Add in the peeled and chopped sweet potato. Cook over medium heat, for about 5 minutes, until fork tender. Drain and set aside.

2. Give the pot a quick rinse and then add in the oats, milk, and chia seeds. Whisk well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low-medium and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently.

3. With a potato masher, mash in the cooked sweet potato and the banana into the pot. I left some chunks for texture. Now stir in the cinnamon, maple syrup, nutmeg, and salt to taste. Adjust seasonings if necessary. Cook on low for another few minutes.

4. Make the crunchy pecan topping by mixing together the pecans, flour, Earth Balance (or butter), and brown sugar with a fork. until very clumpy. Pour the oatmeal into a baker dish (I used a 4 cup/8 inch casserole dish) and spread out evenly. Now sprinkle on the pecan topping.

5. Transfer the oats to a casserole dish (8inch/4cup or whatever you have!) and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes, at 350F. After 20 minutes, set oven to BROIL and broil on low for a couple minutes, watching very closely so you do not burn the topping. Remove from oven and serve. makes 3-4 servings.

Note: You can reheat the oatmeal by mixing in a bit of milk and heating in the microwave. However, it is also very good COLD, straight from the fridge with a splash of milk too! YUM!

Nutritonal Info (based on 4 servings with soy milk, without topping): 217kcal, 4 grams fat, 7 grams protein, 6 grams fibre.

Angel Soft

A few weeks ago D was heading to Wal Mart. He asked me if there was anything I needed while he was there. Yes, TP (toilet paper) please. He brought home a 72 pack of TP! Ya, I usually get the twelve pack, but we'll use seventy two rolls of toilet paper...eventually! So, D puts them away in the linen closet located outside of N's room. Later that night I went upstairs to check on N. I walk into his room and, for one thing, he's still awake! And, the other thing? He has pulled several packages of the 72 rolls of toilet paper out of the linen closet and laid them on his bed. He claimed he didn't like his bed anymore because he didn't like the color and because it was too hard. He said he liked the new "toilet paper mattress" he made for himself because it was a pretty green color and because it "is angel soft." No kidding, he said angel soft. Sounds like a commercial for Angel Soft if ya ask me.