Gluten Free Sauce

Look what I put on my Trader Joe's gluten free pasta tonight...

The Classico Light Creamy Alfredo label specifically says "GLUTEN FREE". I boil my noodles until tender, drain, then add 1/3 cup of sauce until warm. Sprinkle some garlic powder and parmesan cheese on top. Makes a great meal!!

Here is a $1.00 coupon from Classico

Gluten Free Breakfast

I used to hate eating breakfast...it's still not something I can wake up and do immediately, but I enjoy it much more now than I used to, especially on my drive to work. I'll grab a banana, or LARABAR (another post), or recently I've been eating Rudi's cinnamon raisin slices with Justin's CHOCOLATE hazelnut butter. Holy breakfast and all things yummy!

I recently received a FREE Rudi's coupon and ran to Kroger and grabbed loaf from the freezer. I opened the bag as soon as I got home to smell it...yeah, I'm weird, but immediately I smelled the goodness! I had been wanting to try Justin's butters, and noticed "sample sizes" at the grocer. This was great!! And what an awesome combo on my palate.

I have been microwaving a slice of Rudi's bread for about 15 seconds then spreading the Justin's CHOCOLATE hazelnut butter. It provides a gluten-free breakfast option at the perfect calorie count! Plus the protein makes my meal last longer. I got two meals out of one squeeze packet (.89 cents at Kroger) of Justin's CHOCOLATE hazelnut butter. 

Grab some Rudi's  and Justin's CHOCOLATE hazelnut butter the next time you're at the grocery...you won't be disappointed.

Here's a coupon for $1 off Rudi's products...ENJOY!

Sweet Tooth

I have a sweet tooth. It's a known fact among family and friends. I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner all the while thinking about DESSERT. I can forego carbs, breads, and starches...but I refuse to give up my sweets.

When I started eating gluten free I worried that I would never get to have sweets again. It was my # 1 mission to find sweets immediately. Thankfully, Kroger had these little fellas on sale recently! Pamela's Lemon Shortbread cookies...I cannot say enough good things about them. They offer the zest that any lemon lover craves. No funny after taste, either! The only drawback are the calorie-count. But I am in love with anything that is 100 calories so I allow myself one at lunch, and one after dinner.

My sweet tooth craving has been filled!!

Do you have any gluten free sweets you would like to recommend to me?

My favorite pasta

My favorite pasta so far...DRUM ROLL....

I bought this Trader Joe's Organic Brown Rice Pasta Fusilli on sale a few weeks back. I've been mixing it with Classico Light Creamy Alfredo or Ragu Sauce. I'll throw in a little garlic powder and voila!!!! I cannot tell the difference between rice pasta versus whole wheat. It looks a little funny while you're cooking it, as the water turns a cream color, but don't let that bother you. I have made many meals from this 16 oz (1 lb) bag so far and it's not half empty yet. Additionally, I am glad I bought several bags when I was across town at Trader Joe's, but I'll soon be making a trip back. Do you have a particular pasta brand you like best? Give Trader Joe's brand a try...the price is right and it doesn't hurt your belly! It's perfect for those of us who require carbs...no one wants a cranky celiac! 

Background

I've always had digestive issues...even when I was as young as 18. I was diagnosed with IBS then, and always chalked any issues to the easily diagnosed problem.

Here I am 15 years later with more of the same issues, plus some. In July 2011, after a 4th of July feast, I began hurting in my upper abdomen, right under my sternum. It lasted several weeks and I visited my PCP. She suggested an ultrasound to rule-out my gallbladder. My test came back negative and my PCP then referred me to a gastroenterologist. He suspected IBS and even an ulcer. He gave me probiotics and a digestive anti-inflammatory. As I was about to leave his office, I made mention, "could this be celiac?" He said he wouldn't rule it out before getting a blood test.

Two weeks later, I still had pain and symptoms. But I also had a phone call from the gastro nurse telling me the blood test came back for celiac. She said all signs point to celiac but they want to do an EGD with biopsy to be certain.

Currently I have private health insurance with a sky high deductible. I will be taking a full time position after Thanksgiving at the hospital where I've been working PRN for the last three years. I have a few friends who tell me the EGD is not necessary if the blood test comes back positive. I'm still on the fence about it. Please share your thoughts.

I am in the beginning stages of learning what I can and cannot eat. I have found several things I love! One thing I am so glad I can eat is rice.

We are going to TTC in the spring of 2012 so I'll have a gluten free pregnancy. More to come....