Adventures in Eating Gluten Free

I won't bring up my bowels again while discussing why I went gluten free a month or so ago... but, I will tell you that I use way less toilet paper now than I did before. ^_~

I gave up pasta, breads, cookies, and cake, and didn't replace them with anything else. So, I've lost a little weight (about ten pounds), which is good, but I found myself craving sandwiches and pasta, especially spaghetti. When I was at Mejer a week or so ago, I discovered their little section of gluten free products. Spaghetti noodles were "on sale" $3 for a 10oz box. So, I bought two. I also bought Ivory Teff wraps in the hopes that I could satisfy my sandwich craving.

$3 spaghetti noodles:

Last week, the kids (younger two, as the oldest was visiting her father) and I tried spaghetti made with organic brown rice. It was different, but very good!

It cooked much like regular spaghetti:

Well, except the water became rather milky (I wonder if this is how rice milk is made?):




Drain just like regular pasta:





Interesting milky stuff in the bottom of the sink:




Looks like regular past:




Holds sauce well like regular pasta:




The kids agree, it's good stuff!

Mystery Meat

I can't believe I forgot to post this!!! I took pictures for the express purpose of posting them on this blog! I guess I've been a little busy lately. Anyhow, on to the story of the "mystery meat".

Back in April, I ordered an Angel Food package. Generally, I just order the signature box. Most items in the signature box are pretty basic: meat, veggies, pasta, a 32oz container of shelf stable milk (which the boy absoulutely loves and will drink an entire container, room temperature, by himself), and other "normal" foods. This time, I decided, what the heck, to go ahead and order the "mother's Sunday dinner" box in addition to the signature box. It included a beef roast, a pork roast, and something called a "beef and vegetable loaf"! Umm, okay. So, once the other meat was gone, I thawed out the mystery loaf.

Still in the package:

I almost feel, IDK, almost blasphemous cooking this stuff in my pampered chef stoneware pan:

A closeup of the texture (you can see "vegetable" pieces, I think they were peppers):

Here it is cooked:

And plated up:

Overall, it wasn't horrible. It was salty and processed tasting. The texture was a bit odd, like everything had been pulverized before being smashed together into a brick. The baby really liked it, but she'll eat just about anything that doesn't have to be chewed, so I won't base its tastiness on her opinion. She still eats baby banana oatmeal mixed with vanilla yobaby, for goodness sake! It tasted best on whole wheat bread, with a slice of cheese, and slathered with ketchup. I wouldn't intentionally order it again.

And of course, I couldn't help but question why it was included in a box called "Mother's Sunday Dinner". What mother serves mystery loaf on Sunday? Peggy Bundy?

Finally! I can post pics!

Just a couple for now, so the blog doesn't look neglected. It's after midnight and I'm tired!

My oldest child took this one!


The baby had an ear infection... here she is co-sleeping with big sis.



They put makeup on each other.


I think maybe the baby is trying to fix a spot?

My 100th Blog Posting!!!!

Yay me! And it only took me three years to get there! lol. I really need to start knitting so I can post an FO. I think my wrists have finally healed enough so I can actually knit again. I see a dishcloth in my future!

Until then, here are a couple pics I took before Swiper swiped my camera cable:

Do rag

I knit this purse! She feels so big when she wears it!

Snakes make good scarves, but they don't keep you warm!

He's so cheesy!