Gluten Free Lasagne

Some of us unique people have many allergies that prevent us from eating some of our favorite foods. Yes, I'm not normal, I know, but abnormalities aren't always bad. These allergies have taught me that "can't" isn't a problem.  We just have to get a little creative to replace the foods we are allergic to. I don't eat tomatoes unless I want a pretty red rash all over, so this is TOMATO FREE. I'm allergic to bell pepper, so this is BELL PEPPER FREE. CORN FREE. ANNATTO FREE. GLUTEN FREE. But trust me, it IS lasagne. (And my family loves it!)
Give it a try!!! You will be glad you did.

1 box Tinkyada organic brown rice lasagne (gluten and corn free of course)

3 large organic carrots
2 large organic squash (I prefer zucchini)
One medium organic onion
1 medium clove of organic garlic
1 pound grass fed ground bison
Salt
Fresh oregano to taste
8 ounces Graziers raw sharp cheddar cheese grated (or other organic white cheese)

Boil the noodles until soft.
Combine carrots and squash, cover with water and boil till soft.
Combine bison, chopped onion, and minced garlic in a skillet and cook til browned. Onions should have begun to caramelize when done. Drain grease off if any is present. (Bison is a lean meat. It rarely makes enough grease to need drained.)
Drain water off of the veggies, and puree in a blender. Add to the meat mixture. This will be your sauce for the lasagne.
In a Pyrex baking dish, spread a little of the sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking. Then layer noodles, cheese, noodles, sauce,...repeat until you run out of noodles, ending in cheese. Bake in a 425° oven till cheese is melted. (You could even keep it in there till the cheese browns a little if you want.  Just don't overcook it, or it will be dry. Serve hot! Serves 4-5.
Want to read more from Em? Check this out!

FRESHLY MILLED FLOUR

Ever wonder what it would be like to enjoy freshly milled flour? Ever get tired of stale gluten free flour mixes that taste like a box? Ever wonder if there is a healthy fresh alternative?

Meet the Wonder Mill...  For a little under $200, you can have your own brand new grain mill with which you can mill your own fresh gluten free flour right in your kitchen. It is an affordable solution which pays for itself if you buy your rice by bulk.

I personally have owned one for several years and love it. I Said I LOVE It!!!

Fresh flour tastes better and is a healthier vitamin rich food choice. 

The Wonder Mill is an easy way to turn Gluten Free Organic whole grain brown rice into organic whole grain brown rice flour. 

My personal recommendation is the purchase of a large bag of rice like Lundburg, or Della.

I store it in the freezer in smaller freezer bags and mill fresh flour 1-2 times a week. 

Happy milling, and happy gluten free baking!

Have a Happy, Healthy, Gluten Free Day!

~EM KENNEDY~

A Gluten Free Theory

I've noticed a theory out there that assumes that gluten sensitivity is a result of GMO's, and that non GMO wheat wouldn't bother a gluten sensitive person. I partly agree. I believe through much research and personal experience that GMO's are partly to blame, but not entirely. The protein gluten is still present in non GMO grains. A gluten sensitive person reacts to the protein gluten. Thus reacting to wheat, barley, oats, rye and etc whether GMO or not. What are your thoughts on this???? Share your opinion!

Gluten Free, Corn Free, Egg Free Apple Cake

1 1/2 cups freshly milled brown rice flour 

3/4 teaspoon baking soda 

3/4 teaspoon salt 

1 to 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed

1/2 cup sugar optional

1 teaspoon cinnamon optional

1 to 1 1/2 cups organic full fat greek yogurt

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 

2 granny smith apples sliced thinly

Butter to serve on the top.

Mix together dry ingredients first, then add liquid ingredients. Place in an oiled and floured 8×8 glass baking dish. 400° till golden brown and toothpick inserted into the middle comes out fairly clean. Around 20-30 minutes depending on whether or not you add sugar to the dough. Enjoy it hot with butter or cool with a buttercream icing!

Gluten and Corn Free Candy

I don't know about you, but me as a mom, I like to be able to give my little ones a treat from time to time. I think that was one of the hardest things to have to change. When others were getting candy, and my boys were had to be told no. Then after several years, we finally found a safe candy. Yeah, I know, candy isn't good for us, but we all enjoy it. And every child should have at least one lollipop in their life. If you are facing a gluten and corn free issue as we were, you'll be happy to know that there is a brand out there that is both gluten and corn free. The flavors are all natural, made from real fruit. The brand name is Yummy Earth Organics. So, if you're looking for something small to treat that special little guy, or girl, check out this brand! They make lollipops, gummy bears, hard candy, and many others. They can be found at your local health food store, or online.

Biscuits and gravy

Biscuits and gravy, a delicious morning favorite. Sinfully loaded in carbs and not recommended for diabetics,  but a treat for now and then. How do I make this gluten and corn free you ask? Simple.  Here is my biscuit recipe:
1 1/2 cups freshly milled brown rice flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda (I use arm and hammer brand)
3/4-1 teaspoon of salt
Around 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil or lard if you can have pork or kerrigold butter
1-2 tablespoons of flax (optional to add fiber)
Around 1 cup of yogurt (plain or greek ) the more protein it has the better
Mix together dry ingredients first then add the liquids. Oil and flour the bottom of a eight inch square baking pan. Drop biscuits in large spoonfuls.  Bake at 425° for metal or dark pans or 450° for clear glass pans till golden brown around 15-20 min.

Now for the gravy:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (or bacon grease if you can have pork)
1/2-1 cup brown rice flour
Around 3 cups of milk (I really just eye it)
Salt
Cook over medium high heat in a sauce pan or skillet stirring constantly till thickened. Serve with the biscuits. Again if you can have pork, sausage or bacon goes well with this. Stewed apples and cinnamon does, too.
I no longer can have pork, but it is a delicous memory :) Scrambled eggs :] okay time to go to the kitchen. Just kidding.
Have a happy, healthy, gluten free day!
~EM KENNEDY ~

My Favorite Gluten Free Pasta

I recently had a conversation with a lady about the best gluten free pasta. I've tried many kinds and found that I like the pasta made from brown rice the best. Particularly,  the Tinkyada brand which can be found at Walmart for just under three dollars a pound. This brand makes nothing but rice pasta in their facility, so there is no chance of cross contamination! Yay!!!! They offer several types of pasta; elbows,  spaghetti, linguine, shells, lasagna, penne, and a few more. Check it out and be prepared to enjoy pasta again, only this time it's gluten, corn, and egg free!

My Best Gluten Free White Bread

Yes, I have tried a lot of things, and no they weren't all good, but this bread is exceptional! Try it, you will love it!

4 organic cage free eggs minus 2 yolks
1 teaspoon organic apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar in the raw
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (I like the California olive ranch brand)
1 teaspoon David's kosher salt (Or regular salt)
1 cup of milk
1 packet of active dry yeast (About 2 1/2 teaspoons)
Mix these ingredients well with a whisk before pouring into the bread machine pan. Next add these dry ingredients.
1 cup tapioca starch (I use Bob's Red Mill for all my flour except brown rice)
1 cup potato starch (Not potato flour)
1 1/2 cup white rice flour
1/2 cup freshly milled brown rice flour (I mill my own from the Lundberg Rice which can be found at Walmart)
Set the bread machine to either basic or gluten free setting. I use basic with a medium crust. Be sure to scrape the sides of the pan with a rubber spatula as it needs to be sure all the dry ingredients are incorporated properly. The last few steps are the best. Wait for it to bake. And let it cool completely before cutting, serving, loading with Kerri Gold butter, and ENJOYING EVERY DELICIOUS BITE! This is a treat not a daily indulgence. Lol.

MORE OPTIONS

IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY MONTH I HEAR OF ANOTHER OF MY FRIENDS WHO HAVE EITHER BEEN TOLD TO, OR JUST DECIDED TO GO GLUTEN FREE. IT IS BECOMING SO POPULAR! THERE ARE SO MANY MORE OPTIONS OUT THERE THAN THERE WAS FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN I FIRST WENT GLUTEN FREE. I JUST HAD SOME PRE-MADE GLUTEN FREE WAFFLES THE OTHER DAY THAT I ONLY HAD TO POP IN THE TOASTER AND THEN SLATHER WITH KERRY GOLD BUTTER. YES, THEY WERE PRETTY GOOD! OF COURSE, HOME MADE IS ALWAYS BETTER WHETHER YOU ARE GLUTEN FREE OR NOT. FOR SOME OF YOU OTHER ALLERGY SUFFERERS YOU MAY FIND THAT HOME MADE IS STILL A NECESSITY FOR THE MOST PART AS IT IS WITH ME. BUT I THINK IN A FEW MORE YEARS EVEN US MORE HARD TO PLEASE PEOPLE WILL HAVE A LARGER SET OF OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM. IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER!

HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY, GLUTEN FREE DAY!

~EM KENNEDY~

Leaky Gut Introduction

How many of you know about leaky gut syndrome??? This is where stress, allergies, or other things like candida overgrowth cause the intestine to weaken and damage it to the point where undigested proteins are absorbed into the bloodstream. This causes inflammation and disease. Interested and want to learn more?? Check this out:

Taking Care Of Your Most Important Asset

It is proven scientifically that 70-90 percent of your immune system is located in your gut! No wonder us gluten intolerant people have auto immune issues! When food is not digested properly, the proteins can enter the blood stream through leaky gut and cause all kinds of undesirable effects. Inflammation, pain, nervous disorders, food allergies, depression, headaches, malnutrition and much more. If you are gluten intolerant than you already know that your gut has been compromised. You need to make an effort to heal this prized possession to prevent future problems from occurring.
First, find yourself a high quality digestive enzyme to take at every meal. This will help your stomach break down food proteins before they enter your intestine. There are several good ones on the market, but the two that I recommend are: Digest Gold and MAX GI. If you have an underlying yeast issue than I recommend starting with the more gentle Digest Gold before jumping into Max GI which contains oregano oil which might cause yeast die off symptoms. Of course, Max GI is the most preferred one because of the healing oils it contains.
Second, start taking a quality probiotic supplement. These can be found at your local health foods store in several different forms. Those who are allergic to milk can find that there is a coconut based one as well as a soy based probiotic available at most health food stores.
Third, eat right. This is so important if you want your body to heal. Eliminate all sugar except for those naturally found in fruit. Eat only whole foods. Avoid anything that is processed or contains preservatives. Go for raw organic vegetables and fruit as often as possible. There are enzymes found in raw produce that are destroyed when cooked. Go for organic grass fed meats, avoiding pork. Bison, Antelope, Quail and Lamb are good alternatives to just eating chicken and beef all the time.
Fourth, keep a positive attitude. All these changes might be challenging, but if you focus on what you are trying to accomplish it will be easier to keep trying. Healing takes time. Be patient. God knows how tough it is; ask Him to help you to keep the right attitude and never give up.

No More Gluten For Me

Okay, like we tried the gluten thing over the last few weeks to see if my boys had perhaps outgrown their intolerance. The oldest was alright just a little constipation. The middle boy was a different story. A little flair up of asthma. Belly pains. He has been weepy and moody. OK, no more for him. The littlest one just had stomach issues from it. We Still Need To Be Gluten Free! I was hoping that one day they would outgrow it, but obviously not yet.
Maybe you are like me and get frustrated about the inconvenience of it all. Hey, friend, there are worse things out there than having to avoid gluten. Live a thankful contented life, and thank God that you found a solution. Is gluten the enemy in your home? Maybe you would benefit from some of the research I had to do when I first went gluten free. Check out the different links on this blog to find a world of info to help you on your journey.
Have a happy healthy gluten free day!
~EM KENNEDY~

DOES GLUTEN REALLY MATTER?

I HAVE BEEN ASKED THIS SO MANY TIMES SINCE I FIRST WENT GLUTEN FREE BACK IN 2011. AND THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF TIMES SINCE THEN THAT I WANTED TO GIVE IN OR GIVE UP.
THE TRUTH IS, IF YOU REALLY TRULY HAVE A GLUTEN SENSITIVITY YOU CAN'T GIVE UP WITHOUT EXPERIENCING REAL AWFUL SYMPTOMS THAT REMIND YOU THAT YOU EITHER FEEL LIKE CRUD OR FOLLOW YOUR DIET. SO DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION (for skeptical people)? :)
FOLLOW YOUR BODY, BE AT PEACE WITH YOUR CHOICE, AND LIVE A LIFE OF THANKFULNESS!
IF THAT MEANS YOU NO LONGER CAN EAT AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE BECAUSE OF CROSS-CONTAMINATION, OH WELL. IF THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR OWN BREAD, HAVE FUN DOING IT! IF IT MEANS YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS, LOOK FOR WAYS TO CREATE THEM GLUTEN FREE!
JUST BE THANKFUL FOR THE BLESSINGS GOD HAS BESTOWED AND BE GLAD THAT YOU ARE ALIVE.

Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"

Have a Happy, Healthy, Gluten Free Day!
~EM KENNEDY~