Soon after my daughter Kayli was diagnosed with Celiac at age fifteen, she and I traveled to Indianapolis to have Thanksgiving with my brother's family. She had a very hard time through dinner, since she couldn't eat the rolls, string bean casserole, stuffing or pie. Later some nieces were making cookies, and she took a taste of cookie dough, then cried, realizing she couldn't have that either.

Last year my family had a completely gluten-free Thanksgiving dinner. It was wonderful to enjoy all of the tastes that we love! I've included some recipes and tips that can help make your Thanksgiving a healthy and tasty one!

When looking for your Thanksgiving Turkey, it's important to find a turkey that has not been pre-basted, since many have wheat gluten in the basting. If you look hard, there are some that don't contain gluten. You may want to be safe, and do the basting yourself.

I use Gluten-Free bread cut into cubes and then dried to make my favorite stuffing. See recipe under "Thanksgiving" in my Gluten-Free Recipes.

A crowd pleaser is the traditional Green Bean Casserole. I do this by making my own Golden French Onions and Cream of Mushroom Soup to make the Casserole - which is also found under "Thanksgiving" in my Gluten-Free Recipes.

I've included a recipe that is a favorite of my husband's. It is for Candied Sweet Potatoes or Yams.

I have made my own pie crusts, but usually order them for Thanksgiving, to save time. Look for health/natural food markets that offer holiday orders. I travel about 45 minutes to a great little place to order mine. If you need a recipe to make your own, you can use the recipe found under "Pizza" in my Gluten-Free Recipes - "Larraine's Pizza Pie." The recipe says to press dough in a pie dish, but can also be rolled between two sheets of waxed paper.

Now that my family knows how to make Thanksgiving gluten-free, we look forward to this holiday rather than feeling left out and disappointed that we cannot participate in this traditional meal.

Have a Happy and Delicious Thanksgiving!

When I was small I had a tradition of making gumdrop turkeys, using toothpicks to hold the gumdrops together. Each person had a candy turkey as their place setting.

I've carried on this tradition with my granddaughter. We've made our own funny version, usually using sour gummy worms, candy corns, and whatever else we choose each year. They turn out pretty hilarious, and we've given in to using a glue gun, instead of trying to stick everything together using toothpicks. Needless to say, the turkeys are not edible; they are for looks only! We have lots of fun and laughs making them!

Leave a Comment >>>

Since I've been eating gluten-free, I've missed Pumpkin Cookies. I'm finally getting around to making some! Fall is such a fun time for eating all things Pumpkin!

My granddaughter is anxious to make something with her Jack-O-Lantern, but I keep telling her he's too cute with his drawn on face to cut into! So I've shown her how easy it is to use canned pumpkin, and let her pumpkin "live."

Try this recipe for Pumpkin Cookies in my Gluten-Free recipes!

Leave a Comment >>>

We are having so much fun with our family breakfasts and trying out new recipes. In the past I blogged about "Golden Delight Pancakes" - which are incredibly tasty! Now we've added another pancake recipe - "Applesauce Pancakes." They are a HUGE hit with my family! These and other breakfast recipes can now be found under "Breakfast" in my Gluten-Free Recipes.

Leave a Comment >>>

Two MUSTS for Halloween night are DRESSING UP and FEEDING MY FAMILY my Hearty Halloween Meal!

As I grew up, my mom always made Potato Corn Chowder to keep us warm on a cold Trick or Treat night. It's a tradition that has been carried on in my family also.

For mine, I use cheddar cheese, bacon, corn and potatoes - making a delicious "Halloween Cheesy Potato Chowder" which is found in my Gluten-Free Recipes under "Halloween."

My granddaughter Joscelyn calls this "Monster Stew - rocks, potatoes and frogs!"

I like serving the chowder with corn bread. My family LOVES butter and creamy honey with theirs! "Scarecrow Cornbread" is also found in my Gluten-Free Recipes under "Halloween."

And now I'll share MORE pictures of my family's Halloween costumes.

Leave a Comment >>>

I have made many Halloween Treats over the years, including "eyeballs" for a family party. I won't get that complicated on here - but would like to share two quick and easy recipes. I'm hungry just thinking about them!

"Halloweeny Fudge" is made with creamed cheese, white chocolate chips and nuts, and is a hit with kids or Halloween partiers! "Crispy Candy Corn Treats"are another instant hit! Find both in my Gluten-Free Recipes under "Halloween."

Since Halloween is probably my FAVORITE holiday - I can't resist sharing some family Halloween pictures! Hope you enjoy!

Leave a Comment >>>

GOOD MORNING! Who's hungry?

Growing up my mom fixed breakfast for our big family every morning. The "big kids" had to leave early to catch the bus. My dad was a school teacher, so he had to be up and ready too. I loved all the variety that my mom served us. When she fixed waffles, I thought that was an extra special treat!

Try this delicious warm breakfast! These waffles have the sunshiny taste of citrus, plus an added texture and nutty taste from flaxseeds.

Make it extra tasty by adding sausage or bacon, and a bowl of fresh fruit!

Find this recipe in my Gluten-Free recipes under Bread.

Enjoy!

Leave a Comment >>>

Announcing October's Free Give-Away Winners!

Congratulations Sarah and Fran!

Check back for the upcoming November/December Free Give-Away, and remember any comment to my site until then will enter you for the drawing!

Leave a Comment >>>

Do you love a rich, chocolaty cake? Do you think that eating gluten-free keeps you from enjoying such a treat? Not so!! Try this recipe I came up with. Everyone who tastes this can't believe it's gluten-free - and then they ask for seconds! Find the recipe for my Chocoholic's Chocolate Cake under Desserts in Gluten-Free Recipes.

Leave a Comment >>>

My granddaughter often has pizza at preschool or birthday parties. I make individual pizza crusts, and store them in the freezer. It's so easy to take one with her, to provide her with a gluten-free pizza crust! For snacks I make crackers from the same dough. To make these I use "Larraine's Multi-Use Cheese Dough," found under Breads in my Gluten-Free Recipes. This dough also makes delicious drop bisquits.

When I make individual pizza crusts, I use a small flat bowl (about 3" to 4") sprayed with canola oil. I shape the dough into crusts creating a small raised edge on the outside. I use a knife to loosen and then place pizza crusts on pan. I then sprinkle crusts with Italian seasoning and bake.

For crackers I use wax paper sprayed with canola oil. I roll out the dough about 1/4 inch thick. I use a knife to cut squares or cookie cutters, place on sheet and add garlic powder and Italian seasoning. I use a fork to lightly press a scalloped edge.

When I make drop bisquits, I add a little milk to make the dough wetter. I drop the dough with a spoon or with my hands and bake. They are so delicious with real butter!

Want some FUN? Use one batch to make all three: I make three pizza crusts, six drop bisquits and about 16 crackers with one recipe. This is an EASY one - give it a try!

Leave a Comment >>>