Preparing for Winter ~Gardening & Freezing~

Concentrate on eating fresh foods, shop on the outside aisles of the grocery store or try growing your own vegetable garden. Instead of worrying about the fresh foods we lack through the winter I stock up in the summer and fall for the long winter months here in Canada. I grow my own or trade with friends from their gardens. Tomatoes, peas, beans, carrots, turnip and squash (etc). I prepare them for freezing so that I have plenty to cook my family over the winter and hopefully into the spring.



Organized Wisdom

Getting Ready for Winter ~Herbs~

I grow my own herb garden from spring, I even bring it inside to continue the growing process. I freeze as I go so that I have lots of flavors to add to chicken & beef roasts, soups and broths (etc).

Frozen herbs will keep their flavor for several months. Unlike dried herbs, where the flavor gets more concentrated when drying, frozen herbs can be used in the same proportion as fresh herbs.

FRESH FROZEN HERBS

To Freeze Herbs:
Method 1:
1.Harvest the freshest, healthiest leaves.
2.Wash, if necessary, and pat dry with paper towels
3.Spread the individual leaves on a small tray or cookie sheet. Freezing the leaves flat and individually will prevent them from freezing together into a brick.
4.Cover and place the tray of leaves into the freezer
5.When frozen solid, place in airtight containers and return to the freezer. Once frozen individually, the leaves will not meld together.

Method 2:
1.Harvest the freshest, healthiest leaves
2.Wash, if necessary, and pat dry with paper towels
3.Stuff 2-3 individual leaves or a spoonful of chopped herbs in ice cube trays.
4.Fill the tray half way with water. Make sure the leaves are down into the water, as best you can. They will tend to float, but we'll fix that with the next step. Place the half filled tray in the freezer.
5.Once the ice cubes are pretty much frozen, finish filling the try with water. The leaves will no longer be able to float and should be completely surrounded with water. Now place the tray back into the freezer to freeze solid.
6.Once the ice cubes are frozen, remove from the tray and store in zip closure bags.
7.When ready to use, toss the whole ice cube into your favorite stew or dish.

It really is as easy as that!

Many of the gluten free foods I like to have on hand for easy meals and snacks.
These wraps are delicious, gluten free and made with corn!

Awesome Organization!

Organization is key to a healthy happy life. If there is no organization one feels lost disconnected and confused.

Here are amazing templetes to help you get organized and start living gluten free easily!

Click the title of this poist to go to Lisa Whelchel's free printable forms: http://www.lisawhelchel.com/meinmommy_charts.htm

Get organized and start saving money!

Gluten the Hidden Grain

It's very easy for someone to say "you have celiac disease...you can't eat gluten anymore!"

But, it is very hard to go G-free. I am still struggling with the change because gluten is everywhere. It is hidden in places you would never think gluten would be, just like sand after a nice long day at the beach by the end of the day you have gritty sand in places you wouldn't think sand should be. Your day was enjoyable just like the amazing meal you just ate but wait 20 minutes and you feel the effects, although gluten's affects are longer lasting. I have changed the way I buy and cook food when grocery shopping in that I buy pure and natural vegetables, fruits and meats, even organic sometimes but it is hard to overcome this feeling of dread for the next meal.

My children are not G-free which makes it hard when cooking and baking. I don't have that down yet which I should since it has been several years. This is so difficult for me because I am an organized person and it stresses me out that I can't make it work. I have tried a schedule, post it notes, dry erase boards, binders with dividers, and a few other forms of organization, even unorganized meals and only on occasion it works. I breathe a sigh of relief thinking maybe this will work but next time usually the next day to my utter horror it fails yet again.

I can't force myself to get past the fact that I can't go into my local grocery store and buy almonds in case they went down a conveyer belt, which had a form of gluten on it. I am forced to go out of my way to buy foods that are much more expensive because I can't eat the normal North American foods. Where is the break in eating costs for people who have to live like this to be healthy but are in no way able to afford it? In other posts I talk about how to save money in different areas around the home so that the money can shift to the G-Free foods but there is only so much one can do.

I use the variety of popular gluten free cook books that are on the market today but find it overwhelming and time consuming to purchase and even harder yet, find most of the ingredients needed to make the foods, just so I can save some money. The amount of time it takes to prepare the foods can be ridiculous, who has that kind of time? I don't, although I would like to able to take the time and cook just one of those gourmet meals. It's just not the way I want to spend my time. I am a hearty meal, meat and potatoes girl, cooking in one pot is even better. Less to clean which gives me more time for my family and myself!

Life is to short to waste on stress and making as much money as you can, I'd rather have no stress, just enough money to get by but live my life to the fullest by having fun and doing what I love!

Find the hidden gluten in foods you may be eating but can't figure where the culprit is...

Vacation S.O.S

I went away for March Break, thinking I was prepared for any G-Free situation I ran into!

Boy was I WRONG!!!!

It seems that everything I do concerning G-Free is expensive! How can I change this problem?

Tips on being organized before going on a trip and being prepared while away.
#1. El Peto factory outlet in Cambridge is cheaper than buying in grocery stores and they have other products too. They are the Glutino distributor for the tri-city area.

#2. I find it easier to buy recipe books from chapters, they are cheaper to buy online than in the store! [Although I borrow them from the library first and make a few recipes before purchasing!] I make mixes myself from the many G-Free recipe books out there. I just mix all the flours and powders and gums together in a large plastic container and scoop out what I need when baking or cooking. It takes time but is much cheaper. I order a lot of things online, but I really do find it cheaper that way. I try to buy the amount the on-line store requires for free shipping that way I have money in my pocket. There are also a large variety of Blogs that offer free recipes on-line just print off and your on your way!

A few favourite gluten free baking books:
#1. Gluten-free Baking Classics by Annalise G. Roberts,
#2. Gluten-free baking by Rebecca Reilly,
#3. Great Gluten-free Baking by Louise Blair
#4. Complete Gluten-free cookbook by Washburn and Butt. They have the best bread recipes I've ever tried making!

I figure that just because we are away from home doesn't mean we have to spend money we wouldn't have if we stayed at home.

#3. Organizing: Okay, all that being said...Before we leave on vacation I make a loaf of bread, cheese crackers, a cookie or muffin. This type of preparation works when on a trip for a week or so in a hotel room with a kitchenette. Camping that's a whole other blog post! (Stay Tuned!!!)

#4. I bring apples, bananas, grapes, kiwi, plums and peaches when in season and strawberries, blueberries and pineapple or a melon. I also pack veggies for snacks or salads like carrots, lettuces, red peppers, cucumber and green beans. For snack and treat time I will buy G-Free chocolate bars, chips, and candy.

#5. When a kitchenette is available and we are at the vacation spot I will go to the local grocery store and buy eggs, cheese, canned or frozen veggies and fruit, meats, potatoes and rice to cook up for lunch and/or supper. It makes it simple, easy, fast and Gluten-Free!

Who says Gluten Free isn't tasty? All that sounds good to me! I think the most important thing to remember is that foods come in natural form so buy them in that state rather than the processed, pre-packaged junk that is not healthy for our bodies anyway!

#6. I locate the G-Free restaurants in the area if on occasion we decided to eat out I am prepared. For example Wendy's, Pizza Nova and Kelsey's are all popular and easily found in most of Canada.

Here are some exapmles of what I purchase on a monthly basis and make sure I am not without on vacation! P.S. The Cocoa Loco chocolate bars from Enjoy Life are the best treat! I love them!!!! Yum Yum, even my kids (teenagers) will eat them!
Enjoy Life Cocoa Loco Chewy On The Go Bars, Gluten, Dairy & Nut Free, 5-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 6)Pamela's Products Amazing Wheat Free & Gluten-free Bread Mix, 4-Pound Bags (Pack of 3)Chocolate Chex Cereal, Gluten Free, 14.25-Ounce Box (Pack of 6)