9 Months.

Holy smokes.  That was fast.  I swear that this was the fastest (and least productive - here at least) month in my gluten free-ness.  But, here we are.  9 months.  Wow.  

I'm speachless.  I really have nothing to say...

Anyways, I'm sorry about the lack of posts.  I guess that this was just one of those months.  It was a good month.  One that has a great end.  My 9 months of Celiac, and also, Halloween!

Yup.  Dress up tomorrow and be whomever you wish to be.  Have fun!  

xoxo

Lauren

Daring Bakers: Pizza

Yum.  Pizza is good.  And although it took a few days to make, this pizza was awesome.  It even came with GF instructions.  The only part I didn't love about this challenge was my home-made oat flour.  I ground up my GF oats, but next time I'd rather buy some GF oat flour or use a different one =D.  Anyways, besides that, this was a great recipe.  My family each made our own pizza, and although I had to make the dough the night before, it was super easy.  Oh, and being GF, the dough didn't rise much, if at all, but it was really important to make sure that when you sprinkled the dough with olive oil before putting it in the fridge, that they all had enough on them, otherwise some would get a bit dry. 

 

Anyways, I forgot to use a camera to document this one.  I know, I know.  It's crazy.  But, I think I've just been getting a bit lazy =D.

 

So with out further adieu, here is the recipe.  Then, and only then, after reading the entirety may you view the pictures of my Mom's pizza.  Or you can skip the reading part, whatever works =D!

 

BASIC PIZZA DOUGH

Original recipe taken from “The Bread Baker’s Apprentice” by Peter Reinhart.



Makes 6 pizza crusts (about 9-12 inches/23-30 cm in diameter).



Ingredients: 


FOR GF: 4 ½ cups GF Flour Blend with xanthan gum or 1 cup brown rice flour, 1 cup corn flour, 1 cup oat flour, 1 ½ cup arrowroot, potato or tapioca starch + 2 tsp xanthan or guar gum


1 3/4 Tsp Salt


FOR GF use 2 tsp
yeast

1/4 Cup (2 ounces/60g) Olive oil or vegetable oil (both optional, but it’s better with)


1 3/4 Cups (14 ounces/420g or 420ml) Water, ice cold (40° F/4.5° C)


1 Tb agave syrup


cornmeal for dusting



 

DAY ONE



Method: 


1. Mix together the flour, salt and instant yeast in a big bowl (or in the bowl of your stand mixer).





 2.  FOR GF: Add the oil, sugar or agave syrup and cold water, then mix well (with the help of a large wooden spoon or with the paddle attachment, on low speed) in order to form a sticky ball of dough.



 3. Flour a work surface or counter.  Line a jelly pan with baking paper/parchment. Lightly oil the paper.



 4. With the help of a metal or plastic dough scraper, cut the dough into 6 equal pieces (or larger if you want to make larger pizzas).

NOTE: To avoid the dough from sticking to the scraper, dip the scraper into water between cuts.



 5. Sprinkle some flour over the dough. Make sure your hands are dry and then flour them.  Gently round each piece into a ball.

NOTE: If the dough sticks to your hands, then dip your hands into the flour again.



 6. Transfer the dough balls to the lined jelly pan and mist them generously with spray oil. Slip the pan into plastic bag or enclose in plastic food wrap.



 7. Put the pan into the refrigerator and let the dough rest overnight or for up to thee days.

NOTE: You can store the dough balls in a zippered freezer bag if you want to save some of the dough for any future baking. In that case, pour some oil(a few tablespooons only) in a medium bowl and dip each dough ball into the oil, so that it is completely covered in oil. Then put each ball into a separate bag. Store the bags in the freezer for no longer than 3 months. The day before you plan to make pizza, remember to transfer the dough balls from the freezer to the refrigerator.



 

DAY TWO



8.  FOR GF:  On the day you plan to eat pizza, exactly 2 hours before you make it, remove the number of desired dough balls from the refrigerator.  Place on a sheet of parchment paper and sprinkle with a gluten free flour. Delicately press the dough into disks about ½ inch/1.3 cm thick and 5 inches/12.7 cm in diameter. Sprinkle the dough with flour, mist it again with spray oil. Lightly cover the dough round with a sheet of parchment paper and allow to rest for 2 hours.



 9. At least 45 minutes before making the pizza, place a baking stone on the lower third of the oven.  Preheat the oven as hot as possible (500° F/260° C). 

NOTE: If you do not have a baking stone, then use the back of a jelly pan. Do not preheat the pan.



10.  FOR GF: Press the dough into the shape you want (about 9-12 inches/23-30 cm in diameter - for a 6 ounces/180g piece of dough).

NOTE: Make only one pizza at a time.


11.  FOR GF: Lightly top it with sweet or savory toppings of your choice.



12.  FOR GF:  Place the garnished pizza on the parchment paper onto the stone in the oven or bake directly on the jelly pan. Close the door and bake for about 5-8 minutes.

NOTE: Remember that the best pizzas are topped not too generously. No more than 3 or 4 toppings (including sauce and cheese) are sufficient.



 13.  FOR GF:  After 2 minutes baking, take a peek. For an even baking, rotate 180°.

If the top gets done before the bottom, you will need to move the stone or jelly pane to a lower shelf before the next round. On the contrary, if the bottom crisps before the cheese caramelizes, then you will need to raise the stone or jelly.


14. Take the pizza out of the oven and transfer it to a cutting board or your plate. In order to allow the cheese to set a little, wait 3-5 minutes before slicing or serving.

...

So, there you have it.  The awesome pizza recipe in it's entirety.  Oh right.  Now you get a picture or two...

Mmm, yummy.  This is one I would make again, when I want a real good pizza without a frozen crust...

 

xoxo

Lauren

Getting Active... again =D

It is definitely a process.  A long long process.  However, I think that I am finally getting into shape again!

I'm taking a Pilates class outside of school, and in school, I have activity all year long.  It's really nice to have that once a day, to just recharge and not really have to think.

Oh, and about the Pilates.  I definitely think that it is really helping me.  It is incredibly relaxing, even though it is hard work and a lot of concentration.  You see, I've never been very flexible, especially in the back of my legs and my lower back.  It's the reason I've never been able to touch my toes.  Now don't think for a second that (besides my year of illness) I've not been active.  No, I've always been heavily involved in at least one sport or activity.  And, I had always been unflexible in those muscles.  Mind you, when I danced, my turnout was perfect, and never an issue, so I don't know.  Anyways, the pilates is really nice.  I'm enjoying it a lot.  Plus, it's an easy thing to do either before I go to bed, or when I get up in the morning, if I feel like it.

I know that increasing or regaining activity is very different for everyone after illness, but it doesn't have to be a bad thing.  I know that we're all at different stages in our lives, but just remember that if you want to, you can do it.  Go ahead, sign up for a class.  Or maybe go to a personal trainer to get an assessment, then go on your own schedule to workout.  Or just take a simple pilates or yoga class.  You could skip, take out your bike, get some skates or skis, or even ask a friend if you can join them on their run.  Whatever works.

For motivation, on my own, it's simple for me.  My parents tell me that I'm starting to look more toned, and fit.  I can do some activity without being completely wiped.  I can do more in pilates than I could a month ago.  It's nice, and it keeps me going.  If you need a friend or a loved one to give you a push, then that's great.  Whatever motivates you to keep going and love the exercise you're getting, then do it.  Life's too short to be tired, so build up your stamina and go!  You can do it.

It really is as simple as that.  You.  You can do it.  Any activity, any sport, whatever works for you.  It's necessary and invigorating.  It's relaxing and rewarding.

I'm not saying to restrain yourself, just be healthy.  Isn't that what this is all about?  Celiac has made me a healthier, more conscious person.  It can do the same for you.  

So, here's to getting really healthy, but most importantly happy, and not without chocolate every once in awhile =D.

xoxo

Lauren

Is that an Award? And an awesome Milestone!!

Hehe, Yup. I'm shocked, but I received an award a little while ago. Rachel, of The Crispy Cook gave this award to me, as well as a few other blogs. Celiac Teen is rated "E for Excellent" and as Rachel does, I will put this award on the side of my blog.

The Rules:

"Please find at least 10 more blogs of any kind which you deem to be excellent; but hey if you only come up with 3 or 5, I don’t mind. Post about the blogs you picked, linking back to me and to them. Once you’ve posted, return here to let me know your post is up, and of course let your 10 award winners know too."

I visit so many blogs on a daily basis, so choosing only a couple isn't exactly an easy task. However, I managed to come up with a few that I love to read.

Ginger Lemon Girl - One of the first blogs I found, when I went gluten free! Carrie always has amazing recipes, and great advice.

Karina's Kitchen / Gluten Free Goddess - Karina has an amazing amount of recipes, that she groups beautifully together. Also, her pictures are always breath-taking.

Learning How To Cook... Gluten Free! - I love this blog. It also has so many recipes, and she always has so many great ideas!

Those are *some* of my many favourites! Oh! And big news!

Very Big news. So big I'm just going to keep rambling on before telling you. Ok. I'll tell you. Celiac Teen is officially 6 months old. I am in total disbelief, but I have in fact been writing for 6 months. hehe. This is fun... So here's to another 6 months!

xoxo

Lauren

The Election

was Tuesday.  Yup.  Canada's government is new(ish?) again.  It was the 40th election in Canadian history.  And, the third in four years. 

Crazy, I know.  Anyways, Mr. Harper failed to receive his goal of a majority government, but he did get a lot more seats.  I hate it when people give him all the credit.  He obviously didn't do it all alone... (and he only can get One seat.)  Anyways, the Liberals got a lot less seats, and sadly the Green Party failed to get even a single seat.  by the way, for those of you that don't know, there are 308 seats in the House of Commons (the part that we elect).  

Oh, and this was the worst voter turnout.  I think ever.  59% or something.  Not good.  Nope.

Anyways, I wonder what is going to happen in the American election, because this Canadian election didn't change all that much.  

Yeah, so thats about it...

xoxo

Lauren

    

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving, whether it's now, or in a month or so, is a really cool time.  One, we get to be thankful for everything that we have, or can have.  Two, we get to be with family, and just relax.  And Three, we get to have some amazing fall foods.  

This weekend was great, after all, we had 2 pies, a turkey, sweet potatoes, real potatoes, gravy, broccoli, a bready type thing, and cranberry stuff.

And then monday night Mom made a turkey pot pie with the leftover turkey.  It was really nice and simple, and easily gluten free.  

The pumpkin pie was wonderful, and for some reason (I think it's because my brother wanted it) we had a lemon meringue pie as well.  And, of course, I completely forgot to take any pictures.

Well, it was a holiday.  Anyways, I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, or, if you are elsewhere in the world, I hope that you enjoy your Thanksgiving when it comes.

xoxo

Lauren

PS - Sorry for the complete lack of posts, I've been just preoccupied, and I really want to get back to blogging regularly.  Yes, that would be nice. =D.

Simple Stuff - Meringues

I love meringues.  They are super simple, and best of all, you can forget about them.  Yes, it's true.  You just mix up the egg whites, and sugar and whatnot, then put them in the oven, turn off the oven, and in the morning, you have cookies.

So easy. 

 

I have used a few recipes in the recent past for these light treats.  

 

One was from the wonderful Gluten Free collection of recipes at allrecipes.com, while the other one was from the Gluten Free part of the Land O Lakes website.

 

The allrecipes one can contain chocolate chips, and my tip is to not make the cookies much bigger than they say, as I found that the smaller ones tasted better.  The really big (2 tbsp or so) ones were kind of chewy in the bottom, while the smaller ones were more melt in your mouth.  This is an overnight (or 5 hour) recipe.  Oh, and it's vanilla flavored.

  

The Land O Lakes one is really simple, and it only takes 2 hours of cooking time, 1 hour with the oven on, one hour with it off.  It is an almond flavored recipe, and very good.

 

Sorry, no pictures today.  I have been feeling a lot better with my thyroid, but this has been a super busy week, so sorry for the lack of posts =D.

 

xoxo

Lauren

PS - If I don't get to say it before, Happy Thanksgiving!  Enjoy your turkey, and some pumpkin pie!

Thyroids stink

Yes, it's true.  If they don't work properly they simply stink.  Each person has their own individual symptoms with it - just like celiac... - but when it's off, you can tell.  Or you learn how to tell.

I'm still in the learning process.  That would be why my thyroid gets out of hand before I really notice.  But then, all it takes is a little cold and BAM!  I'm out.  Done.  Lightheaded.  Can't think straight.  Oh, and tired.  Really tired.  Then I start to feel a tad bit better.  Then twice as worse.  It comes in waves, and depending on how low my thyroid is, the range can be from I'm not standing up and forget about any sort of thinking; to whew I should sit back down, but I know I can make it to my next class.

It's that huge range that really sucks.  Especially since the new dose takes between 3 and 6 weeks to kick in.  Thats 3 to 6 weeks of yuck added on to the really bad however long before.  And then because I'm young, growing, and have changing hormones, my body is still changing regardless of whether it has anything to do with the thyroid or not.  

Oh, and the fun part about thyroids is that there isn't a precise method of diagnoses as to dose.  And the normal level for each person is different.  The normal range is .2 to 6.  Thats a pretty big range if you ask me.  And on top of that, the pills only come in set doses - 25 mcg, 50 mcg, 75 mcg and so on.  Yes, you can break them in half, but that still is only a limited amount of options.  So they give you a new dose, hope it works, and if it doesn't - after 3 to 6 weeks - you get a new dose - and for 3 to 6 more weeks - they wait for you to hopefully feel normal.  It's not fun.

Anyways, I'm at 3 weeks of waiting (the first time), so I'm hoping that it all gets sorted out soon.  Like right now would be good.  Please =D.

xoxo

Lauren