2 Years Gluten-Free

Okay, so that isn't technically true.  I have accidentally (and very unfortunately) ingested gluten in the past 24 months.  However, 2 years ago (at 5 o'clock to be precise!) I was diagnosed with celiac disease.  The moment I found out, I was thrilled.  Overcome with relief.  We knew what was wrong.  It could be fixed.  There were no more drugs (those came for other things).

So maybe you're wondering what happens when someone gets "glutened".  Sure, as celiacs we cannot eat gluten, but what actually happens when we do?  By some unfortunate twist of fate, I was recently served wheat pasta instead of rice.  I only had a couple of bites before I was certain.  Then I ran over to my mom and got her to check it.  I was frantic.  I just ate wheat pasta.  My heart was in my throat.  Pulsing and making breathing laboured.  Colour exploded across my face in a mixture of anger, sadness and nerves.  A tear spurted.  Taking a step back, I caught my breath.  This will be okay.  Let's just take it slow.

By the time it hit my stomach, I could feel the confusion.  "What's that doing here?!" the acid screamed.  Over the next day or so, I felt it as it moved through each part of my digestive tract.  Beating up my small intestine, draining all of my energy as it attacked not only this invader, but me.  Being autoimmune, celiacs attack their own small intestine when gluten is present.  Goodbye long villi.  Hope to see you soon.

It wasn't a searing pain, but it hurt.  More than uncomfortable.

The days that followed weren't great.  Occasionally the pain would peak as the gluten turned a corner or hit a extremely sensitive section of my intestines.  Other than that, it dully moved along.  Dull but powerful.  Like one of those new-fangled vacuum cleaners that suck without any noise, the gluten robbed me of any energy.  It also stole my appetite.  Coming in waves I would feel pain worming through my abdomen.  Slow, yet not, I could only wish it was gone.

I ate food, but not much.  Oranges and clementines and cheese and tapioca pudding were my main food groups.  I'm sure there are foods you're "supposed" to eat but I didn't feel good, and energy was hard to come by.  The couch and computer (where I didn't actually do much of anything) was where I stayed. I did go for a long walk at one point, but that only helped while I was walking.  The second I got home, I was wiped.  Luckily, I didn't have school during this gluten incident and I sure hope that I don't have to experience it in the future.  At least not soon.

I'm glad this gluten incident is over and even more thrilled that I've been celiac for 2 years.  I  know that I will never knowingly eat gluten again, and that is one of the most wonderful things I know.  Gluten-free food can be absolutely delicious.  Even the bread (which I have an upcoming recipe for!).

So tell me, how long have you been gluten-free?  What are your experiences with getting glutened (if any)?

xoxo
Lauren

Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Foodbuzz.

My Daring Bakers Challenge: Gluten-Free Graham Wafers and Nanaimo Bars

Yes.  You read that right.  This month's Daring Baker's Challenge, the first one in the new decade, was hosted by yours truly.  There are no words to express how excited I was when Lis and Ivonne first asked me.  My mind raced: it had to be gluten-free (or a straight forward way to do so), the Olympics were coming up, I wanted it to be Canadian, I wanted it to be something I loved, I wanted it to be something I missed.

After lots of searching, I thought of Nanaimo Bars.  They are quintessentially Canadian.  I hadn't had one since being diagnosed with celiac disease.  But, they are pretty straightforward.  They also contain graham wafers. Those are something I miss immensely.  They were always in our cupboard; a favourite snack, a not-too-sweet dessert, a filler in so many recipes.  So, I decided that we should make those as well.  After all, I would have to anyways =D.

Best of all, Nanaimo (pronounced Nah-nye-Moh) is in British Colombia!  Vancouver, where the 2010 Winter Olympics are being held, is also in BC.  They're actually not too far apart!  Speaking of the Olympics, I can't wait to see them unfold and to watch the world as it comes to Canada.



Now, because the group is so large, it would be impossible for everyone to make them gluten-free, but the recipe was provided both ways to make it simple.

You have no idea how exciting (nerve-wracking, hunger-inducing, happy-making) this whole process was.  Not only being asked, but finding the perfect recipe and watching the beautiful Daring Bakers make their creations.  Thank you to Lis and Ivonne, and thank you to everyone who made the recipes.  Even if you didn't enjoy it, I am honoured that you tried =D.  And now, to the awesomeness that is going to be across the blogosphere:

The January 2010 Daring Bakers' challenge was hosted by Lauren of Celiac Teen. Lauren chose Gluten-Free Graham Wafers and Nanaimo Bars as the challenge for the month.  The sources she based her recipe on are 101 cookbooks and www.nanaimo.ca.

Now, because you know me so well, it's photo time.  Then I'll give you the uber-long recipe and possibly a shout-out to the Haiti ebook I am putting together (which should hopefully be for sale within the week =D).

They can cook fairly quickly.  These grahams (fantastic delicious grahams) were cooked at the same time.  Don't sweat it if they're not unbelievably gorgeous.  Its okay.  Promise.

Shoo!  My little brother couldn't keep his hands off of them.  Get away!

(Or give them to me =D).

Light, dark, its however you want.  Be sure to watch them as they cook.  It can go pretty quickly.

Lauren!  What are you doing?!?!

At least that's what I thought.  Relax.  You need crumbs for Nanaimo Bars.  That's how it works.

See?  The crumbs can be pretty too!

---

And the Nanaimo Bars.  I strongly encourage looking at some of the Daring Baker's incarnations of these.  They are incredibly inventive.  You will not believe some of the things they came up with!  If you've never had one yourself, they are a Canadian treat that is found across the country.  They have a base of graham wafer crumbs, cocoa, coconut, and nuts.  The middle layer is a custard-flavoured buttercream type layer thingy (Yes.  It has incredibly specific terms ;D).  Then a topping of chocolate.  I love it so.  Maybe you do (will?) too.

Melt.

Keep melting.

See!  Just like this.

Then, the egg makes it go all funny.  That's completely normal.  Just stir it up.

Why hello there graham wafer crumbs/coconut/almonds.  Nice to see you!

Chocolate egg mixture + graham wafer crumb mixture = easy mixture to press.  Go on.  You can press it into the pan.

Ta-da!  Simple as can be.

Say hello to Bird's.  That would be how the custard-flavoured buttercream type layer thingy gets its custard flavour.  Of course, you can play with the flavours if you prefer.

Icing sugar makes a thick mixture.  It even held my spatula up.

Spread it.

Melt some chocolate with butter.  Dream of faraway lands where everything is chocolate-coated.  This photo has a pool of chocolate, that I wish I could dive into.  But wait!  Don't eat it yet.  We have bigger better things in store for it.

Spread.  Refrigerate.  Wait.  Wait.

EAT!

At least that's what I did.  I've heard that some find this too sweet.  Having grown up on them, I think I'm immune ;D.

Okay, so mine may not be the prettiest out there (and now, there are quite a few out there!!), but that doesn't mean they aren't great.  Try 'em.  It couldn't hurt.  Just know that they are rich.  A 2-inch square is plenty.

Comfort Bowl

Sometimes you don't need a recipe.  Sometimes its more about the comfort, the taste, the feeling of a dish.  The ease of cooking it, the individuality you can infuse.  This recipe is a guideline, a jumping off point, an idea.

Every night, at that witching hour just as dinner is being made, we have a bowl of raw veggies.  Cucumbers, red peppers, cherry tomatoes, snow peas, whatever is on hand.  It satisfies that immediate hunger, makes sure we get our veggies, and gets us all together before dinner.

On nights when people are running out the door to one thing or another or doing an activity all night, we each make our own dinners.  Little ones, often omelettes.

One of those nights, I wanted something different.  Something that had a starch and protein and veggies.  So I made this.  It is simple, wonderful and yummy.

This post is linked to What can I eat thats gluten free?

Comfort Bowl
Ingredients
1 potato (about the size of your fist)
1 egg
Handful of spinach
butter
cheese

Steps
1. Prick your potato with a fork.  Microwave using the baked potato function of your microwave.  Place baked potato in serving bowl and cut open.
2. Heat a pan over medium heat.  Melt a bit (teaspoon or so) of butter.  When melted, add in the egg.  Cook in your desired method until done. Place on top of your potato.
3. Using the same pan, melt in a tablespoon or so of butter.  Add a handful of spinach and wilt.  Place on top of the egg.
4. If you wish, sprinkle with cheese.
5. Enjoy!

Note: I used a potato that was very creamy, with a thin skin.
Note #2: This is a light meal so if you wish, make two eggs or add more spinach or other veggies.  You can pretty much do anything with it =D.

My baked potato with just enough firmness to anchor the dish, but light enough to not weigh you down.

I broke the yolk.  Sometimes you gotta live on the edge.

Wilted like a past due flower that regenerates into something more wonderful than before.  Butter adds a quiet magic.  But olive oil would add a sizzling magic.  Pick your poison.

Slowly watch the granules of parmesan or romano cheese cover the surface of the greens, like a snowfall onto the mountain about to enter your belly.

...

Just a little note:  As you may know, I am creating an ebook comprised of recipes that make the blogosphere feel at home.  All our recipes will come together to create an ebook.  When the ebook is all done, you will be able to purchase it and the donations will be sent for Haiti relief.

If you are a blogger, send me your most-loved, most-made recipe that makes you feel at home.  It doesn't matter what type of recipe it is, or whether it is gluten-free or not.  Please send them to mail (at) celiacteen (dot) com {replacing the (at) and (dot) with applicable characters, of course =D}.  Please also include a photo!  Send 'em by January 24th, and then I will put the ebook together and hopefully get it out quickly for sale!  You can find out more here.

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted recipes - they all look fantastic!!

The wonderful Julie from Dinner With Julie has also asked me to participate in the Blog Aid cookbook to raise money for Haiti (Dude.  I'm getting published.  How do I feel about this? like a 12 year old girl at a hannah montana concert.  Yeah, that about sums it up.  I also feel privileged to be able to do more to raise money for Haiti.)  I'll have a button up on the sidebar --> showing where you can purchase it, as soon as that is available.  I'm testing recipes as I type!

I'm actually very excited (and nervous!) about both of these endeavors.  If you don't see much from me, that would be why =D.  However, there is a very special post coming on the 27th, so if nothing else, I will see you then (in blog form - I'll probably be tweeting my way through everything else!).

Thank you all for everything you do, even if you just stop by for a minute every once in awhile =D.

xoxo
Lauren

If it matters: twitter, facebook and flickr.

A Hand for Haiti

I always feel a disconnect with huge catastrophic events.  In a way, I guess I don't understand them, and in another way I just don't know how to deal with them.  They are events that you never forget and never fully comprehend unless you truly experienced it.  It brings be back to grade nine, when my social studies teacher wrote a quote on the board.

"One death is a tragedy, a million deaths are a statistic."  Yes, I'm paraphrasing but the idea is the same.  I don't know how I can help when so many lives have been taken or ruined.  50 000 people and counting, that is more people than I have ever met.  Ever spent time with, ever known.  I simply cannot imagine.  I just know that I have to do something.  I don't have a job or form of income, so I can't do what some other amazing bloggers are doing (for every comment left, they will donate a certain amount).

But I can bake.  I can cook.  I can ask you.  I can talk to some other bloggers.  Maybe what we can start a trend.  Maybe ten people will listen, and those people will tell another ten, who will tell ten more and eventually it will snowball into enough to help some people.  Lots of families and friends.

It may not be big, but an ebook is what I am going to contribute.  An ebook from the blogosphere's favourite recipes.  The ones that are made more than any other.  The ones that mean home to them.

I don't know how long it will be, or how much work it will take, but it will happen.  Relief is being sent there in bundles now, and in a few weeks, they will still need clean food and water.  Medical support will still be saving lives.

Currently, some of the "big" bloggers are getting together to make a cookbook (hold in your hands, feel the paper =D), but I'm sixteen.  I've never written a cookbook.  My photos still have a little ways to go.

Sometimes the hardest thing is to start.  So, I'm starting.  I hope that you will join me.

With that said, if you're a blogger, send me your favourite, most loved recipe that makes you feel at home with an email subject line of "Haiti Ebook" to mail (at) celiacteen (dot) com {replacing the (at) and (dot) with applicable characters!}.  Please also include a picture!  The recipe does not have to be gluten free.  It can be a baked good, a meal, a breakfast, a treat, anything.  Whatever it is though, make sure it makes you think of home.  They lost theirs, so a comforting dish is the best way in my eyes!

I would like to have the submissions by January 24th, in order to get it out relatively quickly!

I'm looking into the best charities to use, but am thinking it will have something to do with food? The Canadian Red Cross and Doctors without Boarders are also likely candidates =D.  Thoughts on that would be wonderful as well!

xoxo
Lauren

Daring Cooks: Satay

It was Tuesday night.  That meant that I had to make it on the 13th.  No questions.  Mom had bought steaks, and this challenge gave a lot of freedom about the meats - just use the one you want!  That meant it would be steak.  Funny thing about beef (and pork for that matter) is that I used to love them.  In fact, at 5 years old I could eat more ribs than my dad.  No joke.  Then, as I've gotten older, it started to not appeal to me anymore.  I'm not vegetarian or anything (not that being one is bad - I think whatever you choose is awesome =D), but meat just doesn't hold the same appeal to me that it used to - I barely eat any now.  Something about the texture, I think.  I love fish, and eat poultry but meat doesn't seem to work like it used to.  I heard somewhere that with autoimmune disorders, red meat does not always agree with your system.  Anyways...

The moral of that story was that I didn't actually eat this challenge, just a bite to taste.  I know, I know, but there wasn't any time (or I totally would have made a chicken one!).  I've been completely wrapped up with the Daring Bakers, and am just now done this semester's classes.  Phew.  I only have two exams, and I'll really be finished! Yes, next semester will be busy (read: I'm taking an extra course online and my friend (hi!) just asked me to take another online course with her - I'm honestly not sure yet.  That would be a lot of courses!).  And yes, the online course is Foods!  Simply because I love it, and figure I might as well get credit for what I do anyways.  I can't take it in school because of the wheat or if I did it would be no fun as I wouldn't be able to actually try anything I'd made and would always be worried about getting glutened.

Anyways, back to the challenge at hand:

The January 2010 DC challenge was hosted by Cuppy of Cuppylicious and she chose a delicious Thai-inspired recipe for Pork Satay from the book 1000 Recipes by Martha Day.

I used Cuppy's recipe for quick satay marinade, only substituting wheat-free tamari for the soy sauce!

This is my first time using Flickr to upload my photos.  I think its working, but only the final posted post will tell.  I guess I'll have to wait! (You lucky ducklings!)

All you do, is throw it all together in a bowl, cover and chill.  I used the simple recipe provided by Cuppy!

All cooked.  I broiled them.

I asked my brother if I could make his plate pretty.  He just looked at me weird.  But, then he ate every single bite!

This was a good challenge.  My parents and brother loved the beef.  I think I'll be making these again =D.  Thanks to Cuppy for this challenge!  My only note is that if you're not a fan of cayenne, lower the amount.  My dad loved that, but my mom thought it was a tad bit spicy.  Whatever works for you!

Have a fantastic week!

xoxo
Lauren

Twitter and Facebook.

Flickr for Project 365 (and maybe some food in the future?).

Gluten Free Lemon Cake

It was my mom's birthday.  Hers falls just barely into the new year, so it ends up not being a huge thing.  Its just after Christmas, so we're still all lusting over our new toys and occasionally school has even begun.  However, that doesn't mean it can't be special!  This year, there was no school on that day so after getting up in the morning, I asked her what kind of cake she wanted.  "Lemon" she replied quickly.  I was almost caught off guard, as in the back of my head I was already planning a chocolate one.  But its her birthday, so I excitedly obliged.  This was going to be a fantastic lemon cake.  And it was.  It tasted just like a lemon cake should.  How I remember them to taste.  Best of all, it's a moist cake!

The final, and essential (in my opinion) portion is the cheese cream buttercream.  Don't ask, just make it. The lemon and cream cheese flow together beautifully.

On another note, this is my 200th post.  Holy smokes.  Where has the time gone?  In a couple of months, I will have been blogging for 2 years.  Yeah, its crazy.  The beginning (although that was exactly what I needed at the time) is nothing like what it is now.  It was a log of my health with the occasional recipe thrown in.  Now, it is a food blog with an occasional health update thrown in.  I love the evolution!

This post is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays and What can I eat thats Gluten Free?


Gluten Free Lemon Cake
An original recipe by Lauren of Celiac Teen.
Ingredients
1 cup butter (salted)
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp lemon zest
4 eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup milk, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup lemon juice
3/4 cup tapioca starch/flour
3/4 cup sweet rice flour
1/2 cup sorghum flour
2 tsp xanthan gum
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda

Steps
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Grease two round 8 inch cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.  Cream until light and fluffy.  Add in zest and mix until combined.
3. In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, vanilla and lemon juice.
4. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients.
5. Alternately add flour and liquid mixture to the butter mixture until all ingredients are incorporated.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Cream Cheese Buttercream
Adapted from Martha Stewart.
Ingredients
4 ounces cream cheese (half a package) at room temperature
1/4 cup unsalted butter (half a stick) at room temperature
4 1/2 cups icing sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Steps
1. Beat together cream cheese and butter until creamy.
2. Slowly add in sugar, about a 1/2 cup at a time, until incorporated.
3. Add vanilla and blend until buttercream is fluffy.

I decorated it a bit.  I still have a ways to go, but I like it =D.

I'm pretty minimalist.

Birthday time! (and a 365 photo =D).

Yum.

200 posts is awesome.  I hope the next 200 (400, however-many-hundred) are awesome, and I would guess that they will be filled with recipes =D.  I really liked this cake, and making it was a lot of fun.  I looked at a handful of recipes, then made mine up as I went along.  I'm sure there is room for improvement, but this was really cool!

xoxo

Lauren

Twitter and Facebook.

Flickr for Project 365.

Hot Chocolate with a Secret

I love hot chocolate.  There are the rich decadent cups that fill you up in one sip, and there are this kind.  Its the light and airy, give me more, I'm not done yet kind.  And, this one's got a secret.  No one has to know.  They just have to know its good.  You see, this has got protein powder in it.  Now, I'm not sure if the heat denatures the protein, but at least the amino acids will still be there for your tummy some love.  (Can you tell what I've been doing in school lately?)  Did I mention this is a light hot chocolate?  Like really really light?  Thats because of the supersecret protein powder.

Just make sure the protein powder is one that dissolves easily in liquid.  The kind I used was a velvety vanilla whey, but I'm sure it would work with other kinds that dissolve.  If it does not dissolve, you'll have grainy hot chocolate (yuck.).

Anyways, here's my little recipe for a light and lovely hot chocolate.

Hot Chocolate with a Secret
An original recipe by Lauren of Celiac Teen.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vanilla whey powder
1 1/2 tsp cocoa
1 tbsp sugar
milk
boiling water

Steps
1.  In your favourite mug, mix all of the dry ingredients.
2.  Add some milk, and stir until there are no clumps.
3.  Add boiling water and stir.
4.  Enjoy!

See?  The hardest part is boiling the water.  Simple and delicious!

I love steam in photos.  =D.

Its not actually this light in colour, but I love it anyways =D.

Have a fantastic (and warm) week!  I'll be absent a little as I'm in the midst of unit finals, major projects and then the big final exams.  (On Monday I have a major test in every class except one.  That non-test one has our biggest project of the year due.  That about explains it ;D).

xoxo
Lauren

Twitter and Facebook.

Flickr for Project 365.

Date Treats

Balls of energy, or possibly your newest guilty pleasure?  They're date-y, not too sweet and have lovely undertones of cinnamon, vanilla, hazelnut and cranberry.  And thats about it.  Food Process 'em, roll 'em, and eat 'em.  They're whatever you want them to be and take no time to make.

I don't have all that much to say about them.  They're good, sort of like a treat, but definitely great for all-the-time.  Not something you can really overindulge on.  Just a great snack, dessert, maybe even breakfast?  Best of all, they're good for you!  Perfect for Ten in 10, Primal Stride, or just the new year =D.

This post is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays and What can I eat thats Gluten Free?

Date Treats

An original recipe by Lauren of Celiac Teen

Ingredients

1 cup dates, very firmly packed (about 250 g)

1/2 cup hazelnuts

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Steps

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process.

2. Roll into balls.

3. Enjoy!

Note: Make sure there aren't any pits in your dates!

Try just one!

Or you can eat them all ;D.

They're a lovely little treat, and I'm planning on having them with soup.  When we do soup in my house, we each chose our favourites, heat them up, and serve with cheese and crackers.  These will complement all of those flavours perfectly so I can't wait to try it =D.

Hope everyone is enjoying 2010!  I've been leisurely enjoying the days before the busyness of school and final exams starts back up =D.

xoxo
Lauren

Twitter and Facebook.

Flickr for my Project 365.

2010: Looking Forward

This past decade was my first full decade.  It is a decade I will remember (for better or worse) and the decade where I grew up (literally and figuratively).  Now why am I telling you this?  Because the next decade is going to be even better.  Much better than these past few years.  Although I'm completely incapable of planning what I will be doing in 10 years (I still have to decide what I want to take in University, after all), I can look at 2010.

2010.  Twenty-ten.  That word has been rolling off my tongue for quite some time.  For the most part 2010 has meant the Olympics.  The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.  I may not be in Vancouver, but I sure am excited.  The Olympics are in Canada.  They are coming here.  It's exciting isn't it?

Now, 2010 has more meaning.  It's not just a far off Olympics, but a time where things are happening.  It is here, after all!

2010 marks the 2nd year I've been gluten free (end of January) and the 2nd year I've been blogging (April!!).

2010 will have more and more recipes!  Lots are in the works and I cannot wait to share.  Not to mention all the ones that have yet to enter my head =D.

In 2010, I will take a photo every day.  Some you will get to see, but others will be just for me.  I want to see the evolution in pictures of this year.  At the end of 2010, I will have a book (or folder on the laptop) of photos.  What I am aiming for is a photo to represent the day.  Maybe it's thought out, but maybe its the simplicity of a moment.  Maybe its food (I think I'll share those ;D), maybe its people, maybe its a place.

In 2010, I am rebuilding my stamina and increasing my exercise.  I am participating in the Ten in 10 challenge for the first 10 weeks of the year and will continue on much after that.  On a weekly basis, I am hoping to participate in Seth's Primal Stride Challenge.  Each week there will be a new challenge to keep things fresh, with 2 parts.  One part will be exercise based and one will be health/lifestyle based. This week is the 5 at 5 challenge (5k at 5 am).  We are allowed to modify, so I will make them fit me.  This one I won't be doing the 5 am part (Mom nixed that idea in an instant - I'm still growing [I think!]), and instead of 5 k, I'm going to do 3 k.  Today in fact, I went for a snowshoe!

There is so much that 2010 will bring, I cannot imagine that extent.  I wish you all the best.  It is going to be a fantastic year.

xoxo
Lauren

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