Do I Really Need to Go Gluten Free????

There are so many reasons to choose a gluten free lifestyle ranging from medical necessity to wanting to lose weight.   Regardless of your reasons, your body will reap several benefits.

My T1D (Type 1 Diabetic) is likely celiac.  Before you say I'm the worst Mom in the world for not knowing for sure, some facts...  To get an accurate blood test, the person needs to be eating a lot of gluten for three months.  One day of heavy gluten sent my precious nine year old curled up on the couch crying that his tummy hurt.  A few times of this and our family made the choice.  There was no way I was going to cause pain to my baby for three months for a blood test.  (Hopefully, I've redeemed my mommy status.)

Around the same time, a sweet friend (Shout out to Nicole TFF) lent me Wheat Belly.  The scariest book I have ever read.  Stephen King doesn't even come close.  Each chapter there was another health ailment someone in my family suffers from that wheat makes worse.  Basically, wheat is now frankenfood that everyone should avoid.

Digestive issues and obesity are main reasons for letting go of our love affair for bread.  Wheat is also linked to cataracts, wrinkles, acne, dementia, seizures, and more.  This beast also alters your body's pH to acid which is never good.

First, everyone was on board.  In the next breath, my boys (hubby included) were scared.  With so much we could no longer eat, what would we eat?  After calming the masses, we looked at what we already eat that is gluten free.  It was a welcoming surprise that we already embrace many gluten free recipes.  One of our favorites:  Chicken Celery Casserole.

 Dice up celery. 1, 2, or 3 bunches.  The more you want to eat, the more you should dice.

When I don't have cooked chicken on hand, I cook it on the stove; covered.  Season with the flavors that you are feeling in the moment.

Add some yummies:  mayo, sour cream, and cheese.

Mix together and put in a 9X13 pan.

Bake to how brown you want it.  After all, the chicken is already cooked. I can usually only wait this long.

BAM!! Complete meal totally guilt free.

1 pound chicken diced and cooked
1-2 stalks of celery diced
1 cup our cream (skip the fat-free versions)
1/2 cup may
handful sliced almonds
3/4 cup cheese
garlic, salt, pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients.  Pour into a greased 9 x 13 glass dish.  Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

Fun add in options to kick up the veggie content:  sauteed onions and mushrooms.

A Take on the Pillowcase Dress

I have two wonderful boys, so I make a lot of pajamas and shirts.  Never a dress.  Not even for myself.  Really need to find a way to get selfish with my time.  I've bought fabric; I might have even washed it.  My niece has girls, so now I get to spoil my great nieces.  And they need cute dresses.

Always wash the fabric first.  This takes care of any major shrinking that may occur and any color bleeding.

Gather your supplies.  Measure from chest to where you want the dress to end to know how much fabric you need.

Fold fabric in half, raw edges together.  Cut straight across length of dress.  Cut diagonal line from outside bottom corner to top outside corner 2" in.

Cut "J" out for armholes, 6" down for little girls; 7-8" for bigger girls; 2" in.






Place wrong sides together and sew outside edges.







Iron seams open.  Sew on bias.  Or hem roll arm holes.  

Fold bottom hem in 1/8", iron, fold over 1/8" again, iron.  Stitch.  I don't measure it.  This is my least favorite part.  I want it over as fast as possible.


For the casing, fold in 1/8" iron, fold over 1" (This I measure.), iron.  Stitch.

If you want to add the ruffle bling,  measure ribbon three times the width of the dress.  Zig-Zag stitch.  Pull thread to make ruffle gather, pin, stitch.  Add contrasting rick-rack to top of ribbon.



Thread ribbon through casing for arm straps.  I like one bow.  You could make two bows.  Stitch in middle to prevent ribbon from coming out of casing.  You could make your own bias for the straps.

 WooHoo all done!

 My lovely son just as he realized Daddy had the camera.