Day Three - Recipe Hunt

I was sitting at my computers (yes that was a plural, I generally have my laptop going and my PC) and I received an email with a recipe for a Gluten Free Chocolate Crepe. This email is from on of the health nut emails I subscribe to:

Melt-in-your-mouth Chocolate Crepes - 4 egg whites/ Half cup of frozen egg whites. - 1 scoop chocolate protein powder - dash vanilla essence (Add more or less depending on your taste) 1. Mix all together till there are no lumps 2. Cook in non stick pan on a medium heat as they burn easily if too high. 3. About 1 minute each side and your done. 4. Top with yogurt and berries. If you want a thicker crepe (pancake) just add almond meal, about 1 Tablespoon for this size recipe, also 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder will make them rise like pancakes as well :)

Day 2- The Mall

Breakfast was hard. Not hard in the sense that I wanted a bowl of cereal, because I didn't. But hard because I have Pillsbury grand buttermilk biscuits in the fridge. I was trying this recipe that I got from my friend Carolyn that involved cutting the pre-cooked biscuit in half, putting it in the muffin tin and then cracking an egg over it and sprinkling some cheese. Then baking it, OMG it was SOOOO good. So that thought went through my mind this morning. After making eggs and turkey bacon I went on my trust Amazon account to determine if anyone has found a sweet alternative to gluten free flour. Yes, I know, that sounds rediculous. I am pretty ridiculous.

Mostly hung around the house, cleaned and played civilizations all morning. In the afternoon Eric and I went to Petco, Kohl's and the mall. Got a huge raw hide cane for the puppy (in the clearance X-Mas stuff).

Going to the food court in the mall was interesting. I think it is called Arden Mall (I just moved to Sacramento about 2-3 months ago). I guess you cannot eat ANYTHING at Panda Express, I assume subway is out (not that they are as low calorie as they claim, but I do like me a sandwich). We ended up going with this little mexican place called Dos Coyotes. They said they can make almost anything on the menu gluten free if we asked. (That is kinda neat).

Dinner is not yet concluded, have some wine, some popcorn (home popped from the popcorn maker I received for X-mas). Deciding if I should end the night with Salmon or Edamame. Time will tell.

Day One Gluten Free

There are a few reasons to go gluten free. I cannot say I am happy about it. I love pizza, breakfast bagels  and well... everything (almost).

The reason I am starting this journey is for my health and that is it. I cannot remember the last time I did not have a stomach ache. I have had issues with my health ever since I was small. I have been lactose intolerant ever since I was born. My family has a history of celiac disease, but this is a newer find and a shock to a lot of us (us as in my family). Everything I love to eat has gluten. I know I was looking for a healthy living lifestyle but man did I have other thoughts on how to accomplish that!

Since you are reading my blog I should introduce myself a little. My name is Kera. I am a Chicago native who has lived in Florida and now reside in the wonderful state of California. I have a degree in Communication (media production) and an MBA in Environmental Management. I work for one of the largest mortgage companies on the West Coast. I love wine and one day will own and operate a vineyard and winery. I am bad at blogging often but promise to try. You can follow me on twitter if you like. I have a wonderful boyfriend who is going gluten free with me to love and support me. I have a dog named Gypsy and 2 cats, RP and Fellow. I am sure you will learn more later.

Yesterday I was so bad. I ordered pepperoni pizza and cheese sticks. I know I know, cheese AND bread! I can't help myself, it is so yummy and to think I shouldn't let it enter my body ever again. The sheer thought of it makes me want to scream. I have not cried yet. I think I will reserve that for when the doctor tells me I officially have celiac. My insurance kicks in January 1st 2013, then I get to submit myself to tests. Fun. I hate needles, shots and generally anything that involves the hospital/doctors office.

First I did not eat breakfast except for coffee (I love coffee). For lunch I had an interesting experience. I went to Taco Bell with a favorite co-worker of mine, Penny. Since I had never paid too much attention to what did and did not have gluten in it before I thought it would be interesting. I don't want to be that person who just complains about what and where people are eating. I want to work this gluten free diet into my regular life and find things to eat everywhere I go (don't like people who are like "I don't want to go there I can't eat anything" this gluten free thing is going to fit my lifestyle not change my lifestyle too much). SOOOO Penny asks the lady via the drive thru, "What would you suggest to someone who is trying to eat gluten free?" After a very long pause she said,"I don't know." Penny and I both laughed. Luckily I had the phone ready and was googling what I could eat gluten free at Taco Bell, 3 items. 2 of the 3 you need to adjust the order. I ordered a chicken chalupa supreme and gutted it when I got back to work.  I had brought a small amount of rice mixed with quinoa and black beans. Overall it was a satisfying lunch.

After work Eric, my fabulous boyfriend, went to Trader Joes to get some food! (We had just come back from a week in Chicago). Shopping was interesting. I wanted to grab a bunch of food I couldn't eat (pizza). I also grabbed a few options I never would have tried before. Some rice noodle add water thing for lunch and some rice bread with some sort of Indian food thing. (I will let you know if it is worth mentioning depending on the taste). Trader Joe's has a cool little g symbol on items that are gluten free. I had no idea that Soy Sauce has wheat in it. This is going to be interesting.

Dinner was uneventful. Eric generally cooks. Had chicken and green beans and a Chianti Italian wine.