Monday Night Fajitas

This was a complete trial and error meal. Let's call it more of a learning experience.  It started off as a craving that then turned to crazy internet search for a fajita seasoning that was gluten free. Yes, we know how easy it would be to make our own but it was a long day at work and I decided to cheat. Thankfully McCormicks makes a gluten free mix that the company even confirms is gluten free. Then the search continued for Keith to find the Udi's wraps. There is not a day that passes that I am not thankful he loves me. He even cut up the onion and peppers too. I made the side of yellow rice. Basically, following the instructions on the seasoning packet, and the Udi's packet and tada you have the meal, although once I added sour cream it turned more into a quesadilla. Either way, still delicious. 

Chicken, cookies and more..

Happy Monday morning everyone! I hope you all had a lovely weekend as I know we did. It was busy busy busy. We had family gatherings both Saturday and Sunday and navigating the food options was an experience.

We started off Friday night with "fried chicken". I enjoy breading things and making up new tastes every time, but this time I stuck to the box instructions. I used Busquicks Gluten Free Mix and boy was it delicious. I need to work on the cooking method a little bit more but the recipe on the box (I'll post it later) was spot on for taste. We then paired the chicken with Parmesan Risotto and steamed Broccoli. Such an easy great meal! To finish it off, the kids and I made a batch of Immaculate Baking Company Cookies which were out of this world.

Saturday (and Sunday) morning started off with my daughter making pancakes using the same mix. I have explained to the children that although Mommy has to eat this way does not mean that they do, but they were all for trying it and were licking the plates. In the afternoon we headed over to Keith's parents house and for lunch they were having sandwiches. I was soooo happy I packed extra Udi's dinner rolls in my bag as I made two small sandwiches out of them. For dinner his mom made a turkey which I learned the hard way I should have avoided but I figure I have until November to worry about that again. On Sunday was the big family gathering. I knew going into it that I should probably bring something of my own, so into the bag went the left over chicken from Friday, dinner rolls and the bag of cookies. Thank goodness I did. Keith was wonderful and asked everyone what was in things and read labels for me, then offered to run to the store to get me something but I was already prepared. I did get a little hungry when we got home so I whipped up some of my favorite pasta to have and then bring to work for lunch today. Tonight is date night and I can't wait to share it with you tomorrow! 

(Don't mind the kitchen. It's a rental in need of a makeover)

Comfort Food

The last few days have been pretty stressful and times like these call for comfort foods. My main comfort food is pasta. I love pasta! I'd eat pasta all day long if I could so you can understand how devastating the thought of pasta that wasn't "real" pasta was. I obviously did some research on which ones to try. So far I have tried two. I tried the Ronzoni Gluten Free Penne first with Classico Alfredo Sauce. It was soooooo good! I could not believe how much I couldn't tell the difference. Keith however did not try this as he had real raviolis (slightly jealous). Since yesterday was the harder of the two days and Keith was working late, it was a simple quick meal. I made an easy fancy Mac and cheese with broccoli and bacon bits. For this meal I tried the Barilla Elbows with the same Classico Alfredo and McCorminck Bac'n Pieces. It wasn't bad, however the Ronzoni pasta the night before was way better. The Udi's dinner roll I made it go with it was so good I'd recommend them to anyone and then for desert I had a Chocolate Dipper made by Pure Baked Goods. If you had blind folded me and gave it to me, I not only wouldn't know it was gluten free but I'd most likely pick it over a real brownie. The best part of these meals? Actually feeling full for the first time and not having pain. 

Ronzoni Gluten Free Penne

Barilla Gluten Free Elbows and Udi's Dinner Roll

The amazing Chocolate Dippers

Cook together date night

Last night was cook together date night which in all actuality was just Keith cooks and Kiley makes margaritas night. It was also our first gluten free cooking date night so to make it special it was one of my favorite meals (Cilantro Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa) made glutten free. Everything was fresh and from scratch except for the rice. For that we used Zatarains yellow rice. After doing some research I learned that not all flavored rice's are gluten free so I was thrilled to find this one that was. (Recipe below)

A light version

A loaded version

Chicken:

2 Tablespoons minced Cilantro

2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice (bottled is fine)

1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil

4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Salt

Combine first 3 ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well and add the chicken. Toss and let stand about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the remaining marinade. When time comes you will grill the chicken 6-8 minutes each side. Keep in mind that the rice takes 25+ minutes.

Salsa:

1 Cup chopped ripe tomatoes (2-3 tomatoes)

2 Tablespoons finely chopped onion

1/4 Teaspoon salt

1/8 Teaspoon black pepper

1 avocado peeled and diced

Combine all ingredients except the avocado in a medium bowl. Right before serving add the avacado and stir to combine. 

Looks like we have a winner

If you read the earlier posts you would have noticed I broke away from any form of diet plan and went back to things I loved but also cheating by not making it all fresh like I normally do. As bad as it was to do that I am also glad that I did because the stomach pain came back and then I truly got to examine the cause of the pain. All the ingredients had gluten in them. Now I'm not saying it's an allergy or celiacs but it is definitely a sensitivity and something I will explore with my doctor when I have time to get there. At this point, with Keith's support, I have ventured into the world of Gluten Free. At first it's such an information overload that my diet started consisting of chicken, rice chex and these deliciously addictive corn chips. However I can't live off that. 

Last night we decided to order out. Keith really wanted to try this new pizza place but they didn't have a gluten free friendly menu so we opted for UNOs instead. I had their Baked Stuffed Spinoccoli with Red bliss mashed and roasted vegetables. It was delicious but that was to be expected as it's something I would have eaten before. When I was ordering it we got into a conversation with the bartender asking about their burger rolls as I love burgers so she threw one in for me to try at home. I also ordered a vegetable pizza to have today for lunch. Keith tried it out before I could get a pretty picture of it but I just ate it and it was surprisingly good. Completely erased the fear of it tasting like cardboard. Most of all I'm enjoying still being able to eat something I loved dearly without my night/day ending in pain. Thank you UNOs!!

Also don't mind the paper towel, improvising at work :)

Iron

As I mentioned in the post before, the never ending stomach bug has hit me pretty hard. Right now it's about trying to supplement what my body needs while fulfilling what I'll actually eat. This meal was all about iron as I could feel mine was low. We made these beautiful grass fed steak pieces only seasoned with a little bit of salt and pepper. Keith grilled them to perfection! He really wanted a bernaise sauce so we made sure he had that as well as steamed broccoli with cheese and garlic and herb mashed potatoes. Keith cleared his plate very quickly, I however could barely touch the broccoli with cheese. I know this wasn't the healthiest meal but for the most part it did the trick. 

Last and First

I know this is coming in a little late but the New Year has not exactly started the way I would have liked. It seems as though the never ending stomach bug has hit our house, well mainly just me. But I wanted to catch up with the two meals before it came and give the disclaimer that a bunch of cheat meals will be following. 

First we'll start with the last. New Years Eve the kids were with their Dad so Keith and I decided to enjoy ourselves and try to stay up until midnight for the first time. It took 3 years to get it done but we did. For dinner that night we had baked potatoes and steak tips that had been marinating in a terryaki marinade. We tried a new brand this time and it would be the first and last. It was wayyy too salty. I also prepared some mushrooms as well to add on top. For vegi's I cheated and bought a frozen mixed steam bag. Other then the salt, it wasn't a bad meal.

Now for the first, breakfast. Keith had to work New Year's Day so I made myself a few eggs, sautéed some mushrooms and added some avacado. It was delicious.