New Year's Resolution

Not cheating during Christmas was very difficult. There were so many yummy "glutenised" foods. I didn't eat a lot...just took some nibbles here and there. And in the end...still got sick and bloated. It is just not worth eating those tastey treats!

I told my husband, Ben, that my New Year's Resolution was to "actually be good" about what I eat and not nibble cheat here and there. I really want to feel good and be healthy! I also want to be fit. I am not getting any younger and it will just get harder and harder to lose weight or even maintain a good weight.

Been Busy

Yes, I haven't written in such a long time. It has been busy with Lia's 1st birthday party and Christmas with my brother and his family visiting from CA.

Lia's birthday was great - but I cheated and ate cake and ice cream. I regretted it the next day. After not eating anything with gluten in it - eating the cake tasted different to me...a different taste - so weird.

Oh Christmas and those cookies and other sweets. My first Christmas eating gluten free. Besides the cookies, it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would have been. My mom even made an egg dish that I could enjoy and it was delicious.

A friend from college was visiting back in MN from CA with his family and he had a friendly get together.  I met 2 other people who are gluten free and even dairy free. It has become more common...I worry about Lia and if she had inherited any digestion problems from me. I haven't noticed...but it is hard to tell. I do feed her some gluten free items. I don't want her to go what I have experienced my whole life.

More Gluten Free Finds

I found gluten free Fish Sticks from Target. Blue Horizon Wild. They were pretty good. I never really eat fish sticks, but just wanted to try them.

At Costco besides the meatballs, I found Gluten Free Chicken Patties - Sabatino's flame broiled Spinach with Aged White Cheddar Chicken Patties. I ate one for lunch today. They are really good. I haven't bought or eaten lunch meat in a very long time.These patties are a good alternative for lunch. They have 21g of protein, but 9 g of fat...I am surprised to find so many gluten free items at Costco.

Chicken Meatballs

I bought some premade chicken meatballs from Costco "Chef Bruce Aidells". They are fully cooked, gluten free and pork free. There are two different kinds...caramelized onion and spicy mango & jalapeno. Both very yummy! I brought them to my BSF fellowship get together that I tonight. They were a big hit.

Bunless Burger

Tonight I did not feel like making dinner so we got food from Bennigans. On Wednesday's, they have $5.50 burgers. I asked them if they did a gluten free option, but they did not...so I ordered a burger without the bun. It tasted so good. It was the first time not eating a burger without the bun. It is very doable.

Un Sandwich

Today, I took Owen and Landen to my friend's daughter, Violet's birthday party. For food, they had Jimmy John sandwiches. My friend, Tona - her sister-in-law has been gluten free for years now and she said that you can order an "Un Sandwich" from Jimmy Johns. They make a normal sandwich but instead of using their yummy bread, they wrap it up using lettuce - like a lettuce wrap. She also told me that at Red Robin, they will do the same thing with their burgers.

I continue to learn something new everyday.

Beef & Lentil Soup

Tonight for dinner I made a very yummy and healthy soup. Lia ate a whole bowl of it.

Beef and Lentil Soup

2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb beef chuck, cut into 1 inch pieces
salt and pepper to taste
2 stalks celery chopped
2 carrots chopped
1 large onion chopped
6 cloves garlic chopped
1 1/2 tsp dried cilantro or handful chopped fresh
1 tsp dried oregano
2 (32 oz) cartons beef stock
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cups dried lentils
1/4 c parsley chopped (optional)
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Heat oil in large pan. Season meat and brown on all sides - remove from pan set aside
Add onion, celery, carrots, garlic, cilantro and oregano and cook until onion is translucent about 8 minutes.

Pour beef broth, tomatoes and beef into pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer covered for 1 hour.

After 1 hour, add lentils and recover simmer for 40 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper and then stir in parsley. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese to serve.