With the holidays around the corner ..this is a fun time to enjoy family and friends company while enjoying some tasty treats.
When you love a gluten-free lifestyle, often times the common treat isn’t usually something that passes as gluten-free.
Well— don’t worry!
Below are two recipe links to our delicious gluten-free oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, as well as our favorite homemade hot cocoa.
Here is our Gluten-fee cookie recipe. Keep in mind, when you take the cookies out of the oven they may not look quite right, but as you let them sit for a minute on the cookie sheet you will see they make great cookies with a delicious texture and flavor!
And for the hot cocoa recipe, you can find that here.
I have always enjoyed homemade hot cocoa better than store bought .. the flavor is more rich and vibrant!
However – if I do get a store bought hot cocoa, my top choice is Stephens mint hot chocolate.
We hope you enjoy these tasty treats… and even more, we hope you’re holidays are fun and memorable!
This recipe may be one of my favorites to share! It has taken me a VERY long time to perfect this recipe…but I think you will love it!
Growing up I LOVED my moms oatmeal chocolate chip recipe.
After becoming gluten-free I craved my moms cookie recipe.
It’s only taken me about thirteen years to get it right. But FINALLY I feel like the texture and the flavor is just like the original, delicious cookie that I loved growing up.
I experimented, and using parchment paper is best…it helps the cookie to rise more.
Enjoy this recipe! Share away! The video is below if you prefer that, if not, follow along and this recipe is simple and delicious!
Ingredients:
-1 cup softened butter
-1 cup brown sugar
-1 cup white sugar
-2 eggs
-2 Tablespoons water
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 1/2 cups flour
-1 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon xanthum gum
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-2 cups quick oats (gluten-free)
-2 cups chocolate chips (nestle or hershey)
Instructions:
Cream together butter and both sugars.
Add eggs, water, and vanilla and mix until just combined.
Mix in flour, salt, xanthum gum, and soda.
Stir in oats and chocolate chips.
Spoon drop cookie dough on greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-11 minutes at 350 degrees until edges are set and golden brown.
It’s no secret that being new to any lifestyle change is hard. So when it comes to beginning a new journey of becoming gluten-free, and cutting out all things flour and wheat, eating can get hard!
I myself have been gluten-free due to my celiacs disease for twelve years now, and I myself made some rookie mistakes at the beginning of my gluten-free journey.
Here are some mistakes that many people make as they start out gluten-free. Hopefully, you can learn from other people mistakes. Even more, hopefully this can help your gluten-free journey to be easier and simpler.
ROOKIE MISTAKES PEOPLE NEW TO THE GLUTEN-FREE LIFESTYLE MAKE
#1- Buying way too much gluten-free food in one shopping trip without knowing how the products taste. Buying a lot of gluten-free items can be very expensive, and you may be disappointed in the taste and texture of some gluten-free products. Stick to trying no more than 3-5 new gluten-free food products in one shopping trip.
#2-Assuming that others know what gluten-free entails. Most people have heard about being gluten-free, but actually don’t know what it entails. I have heard everything such as “oh you can’t eat potatoes,” or “you only eat meat right?” Make sure that especially those in your inner-circle know EXACTLY what eating gluten-free entails. This drastically can help you avoid get accidentally “glutened” by friends.
#3-Not being specific and proactive enough when eating at restaurants. My biggest push on this is ask a lot of questions. I usually ask my waiter/waitress about 2-3 times that they made sure my meal was gluten-free. I have gotten sick the most from going out to eat so I can attest it’s ok to be the “buggy” customer at the restaurant. Your health is more important than trying to win best restaurant customer of the year.
#4-Making sure to question all the ingredients if someone tries to make you a gluten-free meal. Honestly, I politely turn people down when others ask if they can cook me a gluten-free meal. Why? Because there are so many seasonings and small ingredients that have gluten that get overlooked. My exception to this are people that eat gluten-free themselves, OR friends that I am comfortable with having them break down the recipe for me. Again, no one wants to be rude or ungrateful, however, getting sick from homemade fun is never fun either.
#5-Trying to cook gluten-free products the same way you cooked regular (gluten-filled) products. For example, gluten-free noodles turn to gooey, gross messes if you don’t watch them carefully while boiling them. The time limit for gluten-free noodles is different than regular noodles. When it comes to baking you have to remember products bake much differently than regular products. Gluten-free baked products usually don’t rise and fluff up like regular items. So just remember, cooking and baking gluten-free takes time and it can be frustrating at first.
#6- Not vocalizing your frustrations with your new gluten-free lifestyle. This may sound bizarre, but it’s hard to have a diet change, especially when it becomes a life long diet change. This change is not easy and it can be a struggle. I recommend finding Facebook groups, understanding friends and family members that you can lean on for support. Try your best to be optimistic, but also realize it’s ok to have days of frustration.
#7- Overlooking books and resources that can teach you more about living a gluten-free lifestyle. We are blessed to have so many resources to lean on when it comes to being gluten-free. Dig deep and find those gluten free blogs, books, Instagram accounts etc. the more knowledge you have about a gluten-free lifestyle, the better!
Hopefully your gluten-free journey can be a positive learning curve. Yes, it will be a learning curve but you will do well.
It’s a simple recipe and it tastes delicious and refreshing.
If you have never tried Cherry Limeade… you’re in for a treat!
In the video above I mention a few tips and tricks, but I would suggest using some pebble ice in the drink if you have access to it… it’s my preferred ice —but really any kind will do.
I would love to hear if you make this recipe and how you like it!
Ingredients:
1 can limeade
A 2 liter bottle of sprite
1/2 lime
1 1/2-2 cups cold water
1 large pouch of cherry -pomegranate drink flavoring
Ice
Instructions:
1- Cut lime into 1/4ths and set aside
2- Combine all ingredients except lime and ice and mix well.
3- When the drink is mixed well put the pieces of lime in the drink and top off with ice.
Isn’t it wonderful when you make a meal, and you’re ENTIRE family eats it?!
As a mom with young kids, it makes my day when I can focus on one meal instead of feeling like a short-order chef, cooking multiple items.
I wanted to share with you our families’ FIVE “go-to” meals that even my pickiest eater enjoys!
1- Korean Beef
This Korean beef recipe is easy and a favorite. We make it at least once a month.. sometimes more.
You can eat this meal with rice, noodles or really anything that sounds tasty with it.
2-French Toast Bake
Do you ever make breakfast for dinner? My kids love when I switch it up, and they LOVE this French toast recipe.
Many of you may know that I have to eat gluten free, so I figured out my own way to make this recipe gluten free. But if you want the regular recipe click here . I found this recipe on Pinterest and it’s delicious.
For the gluten-free version click below :
3- Roast Beef & Corn on the cob
You may be thinking, why not potatoes and gravy with roast beef? Well, my kids aren’t big fans of potatoes and gravy.. but if you throw in corn on the cob … they are happy!
To cook roast beef just right I follow this steps:
1-Thaw it in the fridge the night before
2- stick it in the crockpot.
2-Pour 1 cup of beef broth over it and cover it with salt and pepper.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours, to your desired tenderness.
4-Grilled Chicken & Carrots
My husband is a master on the grill and we found that if we wanted to get my kids to eat chicken, they love it grilled!
We add BBQ sauce or ketchup on the side depending on preference.
We add raw carrots for a veggie and my kids love it.
5- Rice & Meatballs:
My kids love meatballs but don’t always eat the sauce so I always make sure to make some meatballs that aren’t covered in sauce.
Here is the recipe I use, it’s actually gluten-free but my kids love it!
I hope some of these recipes can be useful to you!
