Welcome back to Gluten-Free Monday! As usual, please link anything related to living gluten free--including recipes, great deals on gluten-free products, inspiration and stories. Please link back to this post.
We're into our third week of eating gluten free. So far we've had only two breakdowns--one Boo's (she finally shed a few tears over missing some of her favorite treats), and one mine (I made the mistake of attending a gluten-free seminar at a health food store. I would recommend getting your advice from a nutritionist instead!)
The first thing I had to do to switch to cooking gluten free was change my kitchen. Since I'm not ready to eliminate gluten for the entire family, I needed to create a place where gluten-filled foods could be prepared, and a place to prepare gluten-free foods without fear of contamination.
Here's what it looks like now, and here are the changes I had to make to get there!
This cupboard is above the gluten zone, and it really needed some TLC anyway. The spices were spread over a huge area and difficult to find, and stuff was tossed in and tucked in all over. In the new cupboard, there is a spot for all of the gluten-contaminated stuff used for making lunches, and the spices are all in one small area. Rearranging the small shoe boxes underneath the riser and using a larger box on top was the key. Honestly, in going through all of my cupboards, this cupboard now fits about 50% more than it used to, and I now have other cupboards with space to spare. It pays to go through things once in a while! I know that I eventually need to get rid of all of my Walmart spices--since they are not guaranteed gluten free. For now (and since Boo has not symptoms), I'll stick to replacing as I go.
I moved the flour (which is now in a container in the freezer), toaster, mixer, and blender to the Gluten Prep Zone. I'm frustrated that I can't use my kitchen aid for my non-gluten stuff, but I know it has flour all over inside the gears and things. I think I'd have to take it apart somehow and clean it. Otherwise, I feel like it rains gluten into everything as it mixes. I have a new toaster and waffle maker that are "no gluten allowed!" The gluten-free snacks, and unopened flours and pasta go in the Gluten-Free Zone.
It's hard to get used to, but I think prepping in two different areas will help me be aware of when I might have gluten on my hands or utensils, and keep me from accidentally getting it into the gluten-free stuff. I'm cooking gluten-free for dinner, but breakfast and lunch are still mixed. I'm sure I'll eventually go gluten-free completely, but for now, this is working.
Now, if only I could figure out what to do about the fridge and freezer! I just realized this morning that Boo sits between her sisters at the counter for breakfast. She's surrounded by Cheerios on both sides. I should probably change that!
Now it's your turn. Please link up your gluten-free ideas! Next week, I'll begin sharing recipes. I already have a few lined up. (I'll be linking up all the recipes I try this week for dinner.)
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Tammy
You have done a great job! I tried cooking separate meals for a while, but now I find it easier to just cook Gluten Free for everyone.
mary fran | frannycakes
Thanks for stopping by my blog last week!
I am going to give you some advice about the Kitchen Aid. You don't need to replace it. I am using one I call Old Faithful, and it is the one my parents got as a wedding gift, 30-something years ago.
You have 2 options - give it a thorough scrubbing, or take it to a place that repairs them (I think Sears might still do that), and have it cleaned. Here is a link to an article with instructions for how to replace a gear, but the info about taking apart the mixer & putting it back together is there. You really can clean it and be safe! http://www.foodonthefood.com/food_on_the_food/2009/04/how-to-repair-a-kitchenaid-mixer-yourself.html
Welcome to the gluten-free community, and if you have any baking or cooking questions, please don't ever hesitate to ask!
Jessi @ Practically Functional
Good job getting that all set up! And good luck with cooking separate meals for everyone; I'm sure it's a bit of a hassle, but worth it. :-) Thanks for sharing this at The Fun In Functional!