Gluten Free Favorites {a list of resources}

Today I’m sharing some of my favorite resources for gluten free living. And note, many of these resources include affiliate links {please read my disclosure policy for full details} – but also know that they are all for products I love and totally recommend.

Gluten free. Sounds impossible, at least it did to me when Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 2.5 years ago. And sometimes it still does feel impossible – there’s work, label reading, and giving up on some previous favorite things. But, despite the work, living gluten free doesn’t mean living with less – living gluten free can mean living life fully, embracing the everyday, and eating amazing foods. Here are some resources and favorite things that makes living gluten free fabulous.

Udi’s Gluten Free
You all know how much I love them. I mean, again, I cried introducing them at the Beech Retreat. But, they have really blessed our family and I am beyond honored to work with them. Some of our favorite products of theirs are any of the muffins – including the awesome new vanilla ones, the tortillas (yes, you heard me right  gluten free tortillas), and of course, their bread. My words of wisdom regarding bread? If the bread can hold a door open – don’t buy it. Thank you Udi’s for making awesome, non door holding open bread. Make sure to join me on the Udi’s Gluten Free Community Boards for more discussion. And next week sometime I will be hosting a one hour gluten free chat talking about raising a child gluten free.

Here’s the link to a case of their bread (otherwise find it at Whole Foods)-> Udi’s Gluten Free Whole Grain Bread (1 Case)
Here’s the link to the community board -> Udi’s Gluten Free Community 

Gluten Free Mama’s Flour
This flour is hands down my favorite flour for baking with and making those much needed late night 5 minute chocolate cakes (ever made those? You simply must) or lemon bars. I always order it via Amazon as I haven’t found it locally. She’s also got a great cookbook with fabulous recipes (including those lemon bars). The only extra ingredient you will need is xanthum gum. Chemistry anyone?

Here’s the flour link -> Gluten Free Mama – Mama’s Almond Blend Flour

Here’s the cookbook link -> Gluten Free Mama’s Best Baking Recipes

Trader Joe’s. {Anything there almost. At least with the GF on it.}
If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s then you must write a letter to Trader Joe’s letting them know that you need one immediately. I’ve loved the convenience of shopping there, I love that they “get” gluten free. I love their labeling process and abundance of good gluten free options. Their mac and cheese? Fabulous. And the price $1.99, while more expensive than the old gluten full stand by, is still amazing in the gluten free world. 🙂 Just for fun, and because I love that place so much, I’m sharing the pic from my post Let them Push the Cart (read it if you haven’t yet) because it’s from Trader Joe’s.

Episencial Skincare
These are my go-to skin care line for Samuel. The skin is our largest organ – watch what you put on it! Samuel’s skin is much more sensitive than any of my other kids and I’ve had to make sure to only purchase gluten free products for him. I’ve loved using both of these and love the organic ingredients. 🙂 We use the sunscreen every summer – and Samuel loves it because it uses the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle on the container.

Here is the link -> Episencial Welcome Baby Collection

This cookbook.
This was sent to me by my dear friend Carissa at lowercase letters right after Samuel was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. There are some favorites in there – chicken fingers, ahem and curry chicken – that we go love to make in our home. I like the cookbook because while it is all gluten free it is not a chemistry lesson while cooking. Which, if you cook gluten free or bake gluten free you know is so true. Worth getting.

Here’s the link -> The Everything Gluten-Free Cookbook

Tinkyada Noodles
Especially the lasagna noodles. I think I’ve established that I like to cook and bake. At our house the Food Network might be the go-to channel for us late night. Eating gluten free doesn’t have to mean eating boring, bland food. No! Eating gluten free can taste amazing – even if it is a bit more intensive. These are one of our favorite brands of noodles to use for all of those pasta craving times. For summer pasta salads with cooled noodles I prefer to use one that is a corn/rice blend as it keeps the consistency that we’re used to in a gluten full noodle. Anyways, you must love Tinkyada, since it has joy in the title. 🙂

Here is the link for the Tinkyada noodles -> Tinkyada Brown Rice Lasagne with Rice Bran, 10-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)

This recipe for Sweet and Sour Chicken
Easy. Delicious. And a family favorite. There’s a bit of prep work time, but once it’s done, it’s totally worth it. My Hannah found it about six months ago and begged to make it. And since that moment? Total favorite.  Last night Elijah came running into the kitchen and said what’s that great smell? is it that good chicken again? My kids know this dish. In fact, I have to count out pieces so that everyone gets their fair share.

Here’s the link -> Mel’s Kitchen Cafe: Sweet and Sour Kitchen

Patience, Friends, and Perspective
When I’m having those days where it feels hard I often call a friend and she quickly reminds me of how healthy Samuel is now. And, in fact, if I really need a reminder I’ll just read some of the posts that I’ve written about Celiac Disease and how seriously ill Samuel was years ago. His battle has become my passion – I love to speak about raising a child gluten free in a gluten full can be done well. And I also consider it an honor to raise awareness for Celiac Disease. Here’s a stat to ponder – it typically takes 8 visits for a child with celiac disease to finally be diagnosed. That’s eight visits with a sick child – not a healthy child. That’s why I fight. My boy was so sick, and yet I consider myself one of the fortunate ones to get a diagnosis as soon as we did.

Look at him now. Healthy. Full of life. Totally gluten free. And that’s a wonderful favorite thing.

To read more of our journey with Celiac Disease please click the Celiac Disease Resource tab. Also, consider visiting the University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease Research Foundation. This fall I’m hoping to attend a conference there and learn more about Celiac Disease, share Samuel’s story, and continue being a voice of hope. If you’ve got some favorite resources please feel free to add them in the comment. Thanks!

Other items that I love.
2012/2013 Gluten-Free Grocery Shopping Guide by Cecelia’s Marketplace this is a must have grocery shopping guide – it even contains listings for many generic/store brands
Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies I used this cookbook last Christmas and was very pleased with the results. The cookies were easy to make and the kids loved them.

Other posts I’ve written about Celiac Disease
5 Facts About Raising a Child With Celiac Disease
“I not eat gooten.” Life Lessons from a Child with Celiac Disease
Celiac Disease – 10 Things I’ve Learned

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These are this week’s friday favorite things #fridayfaves – if you’re a blogger and would love to list your favorite things add to the link up below. This is week 109. Thanks!