Eating Gluten Free

[Jan Ferrante]

Since being on Fit Yummy Mummy, I've really been able to be more aware of how my body reacts to different foods that I eat.

I don't know if I'm gluten intolerant, but I do know that pasta, wheat and processed foods really make me bloat - so does cheese.

So I am going to start eating less of those things.

I'm finding that it just takes a small shift in the 'usual' and seeking out some different recipes.

The amazing thing is that most of them taste better than the bland starchy things I used to be addicted to.

I'm going to post some of my favourite recipes and resources here.

I'd love it if you would share yours here too!

[Jan Ferrante]

I'm about 1 week in to really trying to avoid gluten. I have had a little bit, in very small portions that hasn't bothered me.

I'm talking large reduction, the most I've had in one sitting was a homemade muffin that did contain multigrain flour, but also a large proportion of the flour was my own flour mix containing ground seeds and nuts.

What I'm finding is that as with all things,

IT'S BETTER TO FOCUS ON WHAT YOU DO WANT, RATHER THAN WHAT YOU DON'T WANT.

So instead of thinking about what I can't eat, I've been focusing on what I can eat.

That has mainly come in the form of green smoothies so far.

The nutrition in these baby's is phenomenal and I really can tell a big difference.

I also nibble on cashews and almonds - they taste fantastic - as a matter of fact, my taste buds seem to be waking up when I didn't even know they were sleeping!

I'm going to start making one really good salad every day as well.

I find that by the time I've had my fill of foods that I like that don't contain gluten or hard cheese, I don't really have any desire for the things that I used to fill myself with like crackers, cookies, bread and crappy junk food.

TODAY'S TAKE AWAY

If you're going gluten free, don't think about what you can't have.

Think about all of the new possibilities of what you CAN have!

And remember moderation.

A tiny nibble if you can stop at that point, which I really haven't found hard now with a little awareness of what I really want - which is this great feeling I'm getting - probably won't hurt you.

Play a little and see for yourself.

And let us know, we'd really like to hear all about it!

[Jan Ferrante]

My first very favourite new discovery is Sweet Potatoe Fries.

I've been meaning to try them for awhile and finally got around to it yesterday to use up some sweet potatoes that we had sitting around. (or is that laying, who knows the secret life of a sweet potatoe??)

I searched the internet for a recipe and found enough info to put together some sweet potatoe fries with what I had here.

I used our toaster oven that my son gave us for Christmas. Saved the day!

I recently melted a plastic serving tray in our oven when I forgot my husband had put a piece of cake on it in there to eat later.

I have reminded him that plastic and ovens don't mix, especially if he's relying on my memory to remember that it's in there!

The good news is that I was not tempted to eat it. He made it while I was away. When I got home, I didn't even want any.

Times sure do change!

ON TO THE SWEET POTATOE FRIES

1. Peel and slice up your sweet potatoes into thin slices resembling french fries.

2. Put them in a dish or bowl that you can mix them around in.

3. Pour enough olive oil in to coat. Add salt, pepper, thyme, basil, tumeric and parsley (in powder form)

4. Add something hot. I had some chipotle powder mix here so I used some of that. Jalapeño powder or red pepper powder will probably work too. Don't over do but put enough on that you know it's there, according to your own tastes.

5. Mix it all up so that each one is coated, place on a shallow baking pan. Put them in the preheated oven at 425^.

6. Bake for 30 - 40 minutes. They don't look as good, but I think that they taste better cooked longer. They don't get crispy but they are addicting.

I haven't tried it, but apparently you can also do them 'sweet', with cinnamon, allspice etc, the normal things that you may use if making them mashed.

That makes me think, next time I mash them, maybe I'll add some of the hot mix and see how it goes!