5 Tips To Make Starting On The Gluten Free Diet Easier

Starting off on the gluten free diet isn't easy, but these five tips can help!

1. Start by figuring out What You Can Still Eat
Potatoes. Rice. Masa Herena. These three foods are simple, cheap, and gluten free. They are three staples in my kitchen. The possibilities are endless when it comes to these foods, and they are easy to use. There are also other foods that are surprisingly gluten free, such as Chex cereal, Tootsie Rolls, and Cheetos.

2. Master a few Basic Recipes
Start by learning to make a few simple gluten free recipes and go from there. One of the first gluten free recipes I ever made were these breadsticks (shown below, left.) This bagel bread (below right) is another, and my chocolate cupcakes are super easy.

   

3. Buy what you Need
Make sure you have all of the gluten free foods you need to stay satisfied bought and sitting in your fridge, freezer, or pantry. Buy string cheese and rice cakes for snacking. Pick up some extra fruits and vegetables. Stock your kitchen with gluten free foods that you love, so that you never feel tempted to eat something that you shouldn't.

4. Buy in Bulk
As long as you are going out of your way to find gluten free products, anyway, you might as well buy in bulk. That way you will always have what you need on hand and won't be so worried about the cost.

                   

5. Prepare Food ahead of Time
This is something that I've talked about before, and I still believe that it is important. Bake muffins and stick some in the freezer for when you crave them. Bring a few cookies with you when going out, so that you can have a treat when others are eating gluten-containing items. Have food prepared and always ready to eat, so that you will not cave and eat something with gluten, and so that you will not have to spend too much money on a specialty gluten free product, either.


I hope these tips help you out!
-Bethany

What To Eat On A Road Trip (When You're A Gluten Free Vegetarian)

I went on a two week road trip with three of my siblings in the beginning of May. The parks that we visited were all so beautiful, from Yellowstone to Yosemite to Death Valley. It was great to be able to travel across the country and see California for the first time. I visited seven new states, and I enjoyed the beauty of each one of them. 

Every road trip comes with a few fights (or maybe more than a few) some over-tiredness, and a bit of stress, but the one thing that can make any road trip great is the food. 

You might think that eating gluten free on a road trip is not possible. And you might think that a vegetarian who eats on the gluten free diet should not even attempt a road trip. 

But, I did. And I lived to tell about it. ;)

One warning I do have to give, though; DON'T RUN OUT OF FOOD.

I made that mistake near the end of the trip. I didn't run out, run out, exactly, but I had no more gluten free bread left, and it made the last couple of days a bit less enjoyable. Plan things out carefully, and you shouldn't have to experience the same pain that I did. Ha.

Below will be some tips of foods to bring along on a road trip, but first, here are some photos that I took at Yellowstone National Park.

All of the strange, unique features of Yellowstone were stunning. It was such a gorgeous place, but so cold! We slept in a tent, and it got to be 20 degrees at night. I might be from Wisconsin, but I was still freezing.

From Old Faithful to the trees, wildlife, and all of the other natural beauty in the park, Yellowstone may have been my favorite place that we visited on the road trip. It is always amazing to see just how many gorgeous places God has made, in this country alone.

It snowed while we were there. We woke and our tent was covered. It made for some pretty photos, though.

Now that I have convinced you through photos that you must visit Yellowstone National Park one day soon... how about some road trip food tips?

1. You must bring Ener-G Light Tapioca bread. I had a loaf, and it was delicious. It was slightly dry by the time that I got around to eating it, but if you bring mayo or another dressing along, that should do the trick. It was much better than other gluten free breads that I've had, and it held up well during the trip. Keep it in a box, so that it won't get crushed, and you will be good to go.

2. Pack plenty of gluten free chips. You need to treat yourself to something good when you are on a road trip, right? Two favorite chips of mine are Cheetos and Lay's Stacks. Both are gluten free and so good.

3. Bake up a bunch of muffins ahead of time. Muffins hold up better than most baked goods, plus they are perfect for breakfast on the road. Even if you are staying at hotels, the continental breakfast might not offer you all that you want. Bring some banana, chocolate, or pumpkin chocolate chip muffins along, and you will be set.

(pumpkin chocolate chip muffins pictured above)

4. Bring applesauce pouches. They might seem like they are just for kids, but they are tasty, healthy, and good to have around when you just want to snack on something.

5. Don't forget to pack some protein bars. They will be a lifesaver when you need a meal in a hurry.

6. Protein drinks are great for breakfast, too. There are plenty of them out there that are gluten free, and you should stock up on them before you head out.

7. String cheese is another protein packed snack that you should have along. It will keep you feeling satisfied, and it is an easy item to pick up again during the trip if you need to restock on food.

8. If you are going on a long trip, then pack enough chickpea salad for just the first day (or bring plenty of ice along so that it will keep.) It is healthy, tasty, and the perfect on-the-go meal.

(creamy chickpea taco salad pictured above)

9. From M&Ms to Skittles to white chocolate bars and everything in between, don't forget to pack plenty of candy to keep you awake during the long hours on the road.

10. Canned beans will give you fiber and protein, and they are great eaten heated up over a campfire with tortilla chips and cheese.

11. Pack some corn tortillas in addition to the bread that you are bringing, and you will have them ready for sandwich making. They last better than the bread, and they are good eaten cold with a slice of cheese stuck inside.

Hopefully you will now feel inspired to go on a road trip yourself. It is possible to go and still have some good food to eat, even if you are a gluten free eating vegetarian like myself!
-Bethany

7 Tips For Saving Money While Eating On The Gluten Free Diet

There are many reasons that someone may hesitate starting on the gluten free diet, but the price of the food that they will have to start buying does not have to be one of them. There are so many ways someone can save money when eating gluten free. Here are just seven ideas for anyone who is eating gluten free (or considering the diet) to try out.

7 Tips For Saving Money While Eating On The Gluten Free Diet:

1. Use Masa harina. As long as you don't have a corn allergy, make Masa Harina your best friend. It costs only a few dollars for a bag that is enough for 132 tortillas. It is a naturally gluten free product that you are going to want to have on hand at all times! With it you can make quesadillas, taquitos, enchiladas, enchilada casseroles, and so much more. Use a tortilla in place of a bun for a lentil sloppy Joe (I have). Use them in any creative way that you like. This is a cheap, versatile gluten free food that you should always stay stocked up on!

2. Eat beans. Make them yourself to save money. Eat chickpeas in a variety of chickpea salads for a healthy, cheap and gluten free lunch. Eat black beans on a taco salad. Use refried beans to fill tacos. Or use any kind of plain beans in place of flour in desserts. There are so many uses for beans, and you just can't go wrong with them!

3. Make your own baked goods. Never rely on store bought gluten free foods, or you will end up spending too much money. Instead, stock your pantry with the basics (I use mostly a white rice flour/cornstarch/xanthan gum combo) and make your own food when you get a craving for sweets. One of my favorite, simple recipes is my chocolate chip shortbread bars. You can whip them up quickly, and they taste great.

4. Eat naturally gluten free foods. Choose things like popcorn, veggies, or raisins to snack on instead of buying products that are made specifically to be gluten free. Make polenta (which when bought in bulk on Amazon.com is about $.16 per serving) for supper instead of noodles or pizza crust. Make burgers wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun. By choosing these kinds of ingredients, you will save yourself a lot of money.

5. Buy in bulk. Buying in bulk is the easiest way to save money on groceries, no matter what diet you are on. When you are eating gluten free, make sure to stock up on the essentials. Buy white rice flour, cornstarch, xanthan gum, masa harina, dried beans, popcorn, and any other gluten free foods that you enjoy in bulk. Just make sure that you are getting a good deal on the bulk items, and your wallet will thank you later.

6. Stock up your freezer. Bake items ahead of time and put them into freezer safe containers. Make bagels, cookies and more, and freeze them to use later. That way, you will always have something to eat, and you won't be tempted to go out and buy something expensive when you get hungry.

7. Plan your meals. Bring food with you when you are going out for the day. This will not only help you stay within your budget by ensuring that you will not be tempted to go out to eat, but it will also keep you from risking a gluten allergy by eating at a restaurant.


I hope these tips are able to help you out as you are eating gluten free!
-Bethany