Shirley's Gluten Free Picks

I have two friends who are severely allergic to gluten.  I am trying to go gluten free, too.  Again.  I've done it before, but fell off the wagon. I'm back again and I really think this time I will be more successful.

 I'm not allergic like they are, but I definitely feel MUCH better when off of it.  On gluten, I am very sluggish and my brain gets pretty foggy.  Off, I am much more energetic and alert.  And oddly, I sleep better.  After not sleeping well for years and years.  Is it a fluke?  I don't know.  Time will tell.

Since I have two experts at hand, I have been picking their brain for tips.  Shirley has a Pinterest board with some of her finds.  It's called Gluten Free PLEASE.  I have also started a Pinterest Board to help me keep track of recommendations. Mine is Food - Gluten Free.  Some things on these boards are super healthy.  Some, I will happily eat, but not brag about publicly. Some I may never even try, but they might inspire me.  By the way, isn't Pinterest the greatest thing!?!?!?!!!

Here are some of Shirley's recent recommendations.  These will likely show up on my Pinterest board later. She sent me a bunch of snack choices.  Snacks will make sticking to gluten free easier.  I also need to talk to Martie and Shirley both about good substitutions in recipes and favorite go-to meals.

Shirley says these are the best of the bread crumbs. Yummy. I am very happy to know about these. I have several recipes that call for bread crumbs and now I won't need to alter them beyond recognition.

Shirley likes this marinade.  I have used it before and liked it.  I never realized it was gluten free.  There are tons of sauces and condiments that contain gluten.  Oh my word it's complicated if you are highly allergic.  I'm going to do my best with those, but first I'm going to try to work on the big changes.

This is Shirley's favorite BBQ sauce.  I looked up the ingredients and it also has no fructose corn syrup (which I also avoid).  I have been using (and LOVE LOVE LOVING) Sticky Fingers.  I wonder if it is gluten free.

She says she couldn't cook without these -

Shirley says this bread takes forever to toast but it's not too bad tasting.  My hubby is interested in avoiding gluten.  I was surprised to hear him say this the other day.  He is loving most of the recipes - in fact he likes the gluten free versions better than the ones made with traditional flour.  Very interesting.  However, this man loves a sandwich.  He said the other day that if I could just find a bread that he liked, he could go gluten free with no problems.  Maybe this one will work???

Shirley says she loves this.  I usually cook my rice the traditional way and brown rice takes forever.  I have to admit that there are times when I avoid a recipe calling for rice because it would take too long.  Maybe I need to have this on hand and quit being such a purist. 

I am really glad to know about this soup.  I need some quick and easy things to grab when I'm hungry and there's no time to think.  In the past, it was easy to make a sandwich and go.  Forget that.  And I'll bet the soup is better anyway.

Shirley says this is her comfort food.  I also see that she has two different brands.  I need to remember to ask her if she prefers one over the other.  I bought one of them but haven't had a chance to try it yet.

I'm looking forward to trying this out, too.

Here are some other products that Shirley says are staples around her house.  I have been using the Pamel's baking and pancake mix for a long time.  I use it in place of flour in all sorts of recipes, like this pumpkin bread.  I haven't tried any of the Glutino products, but I will.

I'll be trying these salads soon -

Shirley says this is the only pasta she'll eat.  I have tried the quinoa pasta and liked those.  I have not tried these, but plan to soon.

Shirley said she's totally addicted to these.  I have known about them for awhile.  In fact, I posted a recipe that uses them a while back Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips.

She says this greek yogurt is great with nuts and gf granola.

Shirley says, "Ok. No laughing. This is a kid snack! And it's delicious!! Not at first. But you get used to the taste and crave it!"

Shirley says this is her other addiction.  I'm not a big chip person.  Except with a tomato sandwich in the summer.  And if I can't find a bread I like, tomato sandwiches may be a thing of the past.

Here's a pretzel she likes. 

Shirley -

Thanks for all the great ideas!!!