Since I’m the only one in my family that HAS to stick to the gluten-free diet, my pantry is full of a mixture of regular food and gluten-free food.
If I had a child that had to live the gluten-free lifestyle I would definitely rearrange my pantry, but since I’m aware of what I can eat this is what works for us.
Some people ask “wouldn’t it be easier for your entire family to eat gluten-free with you.” My current answer to that is “no.”
The reason why it’s easier for us to have a mixture of regular and gluten free food comes down to two things:
1- Expenses
2- Flavor
Gluten-free food can be quite expensive.. yes it’s I proved over the years but it’s still cheaper to keep the family on a regular diet.
Also— my family still enjoys the flavor and texture of most of the regular items versus the gluten- free items.
I think when you have a family member that has to eat gluten-free you just find out what works best as far as how to go about eating gluten-free. It’s an entire family effort and there is constant communication to make things work effectively.
As always…I am up for ideas so comment below with how you set up your gluten-free pantry.
Many of you probably know by now that I have celiacs disease and I have to eat gluten-free.
There are many items that I have that are gluten-free but I narrowed this post down to 6 items that you want to ALWAYS have on hand.
Not only are these items I will mention gluten-free, but they can make your gluten-free lifestyle easier and more enjoyable.
As always, if you have any more ideas for me as far as gluten-free “must-haves” that I should get, please comment below!
Here is my youtube channel for this post if you would rather watch the video. Please like and subscribe and share away!
#1 Bragg Liquid Aminos:
Bragg Liquid Aminos is the perfect substitute for soy sauce. Who knew soy sauce had wheat in it?! Well I can tell you that NOT having gluten-free soy sauce makes life hard when you are craving many of those yummy Asian dishes. Bragg Liquid Aminos is not expensive and is sold at every grocery store that I have shopped at.
2. Cup4Cup Flour:
It’s important to always keep your favorite flour on hand. My current favorite flour is Cup4Cup brand, I enjoy the flavor and texture of this particular flour. Basically, you want gluten-free flour as a replacement for all the recipes that call for “flour.”
I have seen this brand (Cup4Cup) sold at Walmart, Target and Amazon.
3. Protein Drink
I feel that it’s important to always have a good protein drink on hand. Not just for working out, but for a quick and easy meal-replacement as well.
My very favorite protein drink that is GLUTEN-FREE is Pro 6+ through elevated sports nutrition.
Corn starch is not only gluten-free but it works great to thicken food such as soups and gravy etc. Having corn starch on hand is helpful and you may find that you use it more often than you thought as you continue to cook gluten-free!
I usually buy corn starch according to the best deal at the store, as I haven’t noticed much of a difference in brands.
#5 Rice
Rice is gluten-free and goes well with so many meals! Whether you cook brown or white rice I can tell you that I personally use my rice-cooker at least twice a week. Add the Bragg Liquid Aminos and you can make so many tasty asian dishes that are gluten-free.
I personally don’t have a favorite brand of rice but please share if you do!
I am known for packing my purse full of fruit snacks! Why? Because they are gluten-free and they are something to sustain you if you run into an issue and need to eat something gluten-free.
The Gluten-free lifestyle has gotten easier as time has pressed on. And yet, there are always those circumstances where you may go to an event or party and you have literally NOTHING to eat. That is when having a few fruit snacks on hand can help.
I don’t have a certain brand, I just go with the best deal, but please let me know if you have a certain brand you love.
Cheetah print is in and I love the mix of cheetah print and stripe on this t-shirt. I am all about comfort, and it’s even better when a shirt is comfy and cute!
Who said the mermaid look isn’t for grown ladies as well? This adorable mermaid beach tote comes in three different colors. My favorite color is below, and I plan on getting this to tote our families’ few extra items around when we are heading out for a swim.
Growing up Chicken Hawaiian Haystacks was one of my favorite meals! When I had to start eating gluten-free I missed this tasty recipe.
Thankfully, there have been a few brands that started creating a gluten-free cream of chicken soup and now I can have this delicious meal back in my life!
I have worked on perfecting the recipe to our family’s liking so I hope you enjoy this Chicken Hawaiian Haystack recipe!
You can watch this on youtube as well:
Christyleepixx Chicken Hawaiian Haystacks:
Ingredients:
-1 chicken breast
-3/4 cup sour cream
-1/2 cup milk
-Entire carton of Pacific Brand Cream of chicken soup
-1/2 Tablespoon chicken broth
-dash of Johnny’s seasoning salt
-dash of pepper
Toppings (optional)
-olives, green onion, pineapple, cheese
Instructions:
Cut chicken breast into bite-size pieces. Brown the chicken in a pan and set aside.
In a saucepan on medium heat, combine sour cream, milk, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth. Stir and combine together well.
Add Seasoning salt and pepper and continue to stir ingredients together.
Add cubed chicken into saucepan and mix well until all combined.
Serve over rice and enjoy!
I hope this can become a delicious family favorite meal for you! Remember-more gluten-free recipes coming next Friday!
Do you have one of those recipes in your family that you grab all the time? That recipe that’s not only TASTY but also very EASY?
Well this recipe is for you….and I can tell you, it’s naturally gluten-free, I didn’t have to change ANYTHING because there isn’t any flour in the cookies.
The only recommendation I give you is to check that the quick oats that you purchase are free of contamination (have been processed of wheat). Or you can play it safe, and buy gluten-free quick oats.
Growing up, this recipe was our go-to Sunday night treat and there was never many left for the next day!
Hopefully, this can be a fun, new recipe for you now too!
Check it out on Youtube as well!
(Christyleepixx)
No-Bake Cookie Recipe
Ingredients:
2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Shortening
3 Tablespoons Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon Salt
3 Cups Quick Oats
1 Cup Shredded Coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
Mix shredded coconut and quick oats in a large bowl. Set aside.
Bring sugar, milk, shortening cocoa powder, and salt to a boiling saucepan for 2-3 minutes.
Remove saucepan from stove and mix in vanilla.
Pour sauce over oats and coconuts. Mix Well.
With large spoon scoop cookie mixture onto wax paper.
For the month of February my personal goal is to prioritize spirituality.
Why?
Well, for me, spirituality is a key aspect of my health. I believe to be healthy you need to be physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually healthy.
Finding that spiritual connection, and faith in God helps me to better myself as a wife, mom, and as a human being.
For me, life makes more sense when God is in the picture, and I notice a drastic difference in how I feel when my spirituality is lacking.
And even though my religious beliefs may be different than yours, I still believe that all human beings, no matter what their religious ties are, seem to be healthier when spirituality is a key aspect of their life. Do some research on this and you’ll find this to be true.
Some of you may know that I’m a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I have a firm testimony that God is real and that he is not only watching over us, but he is there to guide us, encourage us and comfort us.
I seek spirituality by reading from his scriptures, discussing scriptures with others, going to church, going to the temple and through the power of prayer.
My goal is to push myself this month. To see Gods hand in my life more often and to seek a stronger connection with my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.
For you, your goals may be different, but I will ask you, what can you do to strengthen your spirituality this month?
By the end of the week I plan to have a calendar posted for my spirituality goals and I would love to have you follow along with me.
I know a strong focus on spirituality can help me to not only be at more peace with life, but can reset my mind to focus on gratitude for all the gifts and blessings I’ve received in this life.
I can’t wait to see the difference my monthly focus will bring.
