Cookies with heart

Photo/Gluten Free Garden State

In honor of Valentine's Day, we've created gluten-free chocolate chip cookies with a holiday twist. These delicious concoctions were partly inspired by a request I received to share my opinion on gluten-free flours.

I have a wealth of experience with the Celiac lifestyle and that's why this blog exists.

In the 16 years I've been living gluten-free, flours have come a looooooonnnngggg way. No longer do we have to purchase multiple types of flours and xanthan gum to create merely a so-so baking flour. Attempting to bake with a "traditional" recipe was unheard of, since there really were no cup-for-cup alternatives.

Enter all-purpose gluten-free flours.

Sharing the gluten-free love

A gluten-free diet doesn't evoke warm and fuzzy feelings for most of us.

Unless, of course, you've accidentally ingested some gluten.

But a Valentine's Day project just might bring them on.

See, a bunch of smart teenagers have figured out that people on special diets who are going hungry have very few options at soup kitchens and food pantries. So, they've organized the Share-the-Love Gluten Free food drive for the second consecutive year.

You are strongly encouraged to make a donation.

Prepared for a Girl Scout cookie

Photo/abcsmartcookies.com

There is a lot of talk going around about the new gluten-free Girl Scout cookies with some key points missing.  

Before you get too excited, you must first know that this is a test product. It is not readily available and no Girl Scouts in New Jersey are currently selling them. Regional Girl Scout councils in select markets across the country are offering them. 

I repeat, YOU CANNOT GET THEM IN NEW JERSEY. 

Hopefully, you will be able to in the future.
In the meantime, the closest to the Garden State is the Eastern Pennsylvania Council, which serves Philadelphia, and it won’t have them until the spring.

Slices of gluten-free heaven

Photos by Gluten Free Garden State/Strawberry Pie topped with shaved white chocolate by Mrs. Pie Face.

Pour yourself a tall glass of lactose-free milk because it's time to talk pies.

Today is National Pie Day, as determined by the American Pie Council. It's simply a day to encourage people to bake, buy and eat more pie, including the fruit and dessert varieties, as well as quiche and pot pies. Of course, all kinds of pie can be made or purchased in our favorite way: Gluten-free!

My personal baking experiences have been good with pre-made pie shells. And while I haven't tried creating my own shell from scratch, I have seen and tasted homemade gluten-free pies from Mrs. Pie Face Dessert Salon & Cafe in Burlington City. They baked up nicely too.

Wrapped tight

One of my recent discoveries is the gluten-free wrap by Toufayan Bakeries. Based in Ridgefield, Bergen County, the company also has two plants in Florida, which is where I first found these wonderful wraps.

Luckily, I've been able to find them at home too.

Totally baked

My Christmas baking marathon is complete, and I think I need at least a week to recover. I've prepared enough goodies (both gluten-free and not) for the army of relatives and friends I'll be seeing over the next week. Throw in a couple of store-bought treats, and we celiacs can't ask for anything more.

Here's a sampling of what's on our holiday dessert table:

Candy Cane Cremes: Made by Mi-Del, they are a limited edition version of the company's Oreo-type cookies. The box says they're "perfect for those with gluten sensitivity." I say they're perfect with a tall glass of milk or dunked in hot cocoa.

For those feeling a little more adventurous, try mashing up these cremes (or the traditional version), mix with cream cheese and roll into balls. Dip them in chocolate and refrigerate. Mmmmmm .....

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for much this year, including my health & all of the great gluten-free products on the market today. There were very few when I was first diagnosed.

This year's Thanksgiving table will feature Gillian's stuffing mix, which will be prepared with Wegmans chicken broth; Imagine turkey gravy, Mi-Del chocolate pie crust that will be filled with chocolate pudding, Tinkyada pasta, and lots of homemade dishes made with fresh veggies, sweet potatoes and, of course, turkey.