Focusing on a nutritious diet for our GF kids

A great article here and worth a read -

http://www.skillforkids.com/0-3-years/benefits-of-exercise/nutrition/10-0-3-years/63-benefits-of-exercise/67-nutrition/1219-Food-Choices-for-Children-with-Coeliac-disease.html


Don't forget that there are great GF substitutes for breadcrumbs such as rice crumbs or corn crumbs - some familiar ones from Orgran http://www.orgran.com/gluten-free,
Caslare http://www.casalarepasta.com/, or indeed GF bread crumbs - maybe try Macro wholefoods market brand or LifeStyle Bakery http://www.lifestylebakery.com.au/page.asp?parentid=2&parent2id=81.

Milo is not an option because of the barley it contains however what about Nestle's Chocolate Nesquik?
http://www.nestle.com.au/OurProducts/Documents/Gluten-List-July-2012.pdf

Massel do powdered and liquid stocks that are gluten free
http://www.massel.com.au/products/gourmet_plus.shtml

Eskal do gluten free ice cream cones
http://www.eskalfoods.com/eskal-gluten-free-products-1

and don't forget, a lot of products are gluten free by ingredient so it pays to make sure you are reading labels correctly.  The Coeliac Society of Australia is a great resource and individual states offer label reading workshops or supermarket tours.  Check them out.

Abbey's Birthday

Abbey recently turned 5.  WOW that went super fast!

3 and a bit of those 5 years living happily gluten free.  Here are some images of another happy birthday that we would like to share with you. Enjoy!

New Scooter

Cupcakes

Lalaloopsy

Birthday BBQ Salads

Dolly Cake

The Birthday Watermelon

Inside Dolly

Mini Cupcakes

Hillarys Boat Harbour

and so.. school holidays are upon us.. lets doooooooooo something..

OK how about AQWA? (Perth's Underwater World as it was formerly known) we haven't been for eons and I'm sure the kids would LOVE it.  So off to Hillarys we went and it would have been SUPER AWESOME except for the fact that Ben had not had a sleep and so.. let the screaming begin <groan>.  It was like flying blind.. we should have KNOWN better.  Thinking that this little moment of hysteria would soon pass was madness BECAUSE IT DIDN'T..

Apologies to the other AQWA patrons for our mid afternoon performance. Yes it did continue FROM the car TO the aquarium.. no he DID NOT wish to get IN the stroller, madness ensued.. yes we dared to enter the CROWDED walkthrough acquarium - the largest in AUSTRALIA..
Had we lost our minds?? CLEARLY.  He would not be held, contained, consoled.. we were ever hopeful.  Masses of critical stares burning into every side of my skull.. EVEN FROM THE FISH. 

and then.. we were out.. FINALLY but.. please.. someone explain to me.. WHY must people stand in little groups right in the middle of a busy NARROW thoroughfare and even though I had a pained DISTRESSED expression and was clearly struggling with a STROLLER AND a SCREAMING almost 2 year old who was not going to CALM DOWN for anyone and there was clearly NO WAY past, did they CONTINUE having a little chat.. DEAR OH DEAR..
GOING INTO MELTDOWN

But ABOVE GROUND a hasty handball to dad did not resolve this hideous situation.. oh no.. and the poor starfish in the touchpool will be FOREVER scarred.  DO NOT lift the sea creatures above the surface of the water - Umm OOPS..  DO NOT SQUEEZE POKE OR BITE sea creatures - Umm OOPS.. <ok I embellsh slightly.. he did not bite anything>.  We made a hasty retreat.

Hungry anyone?? Of course!! Everyone was looking for a little nourishment after that ordeal.  Even Ben.. after all.. a nibble on a starfish was hardly satisfying.. but I digress..

The Sorrento Beach Shack was like an oasis in the desert, a needle in the haystack, a ..

OK OK so you get the idea.        

I am happy to report that their menu was extensive with quite a selection for the gluten free diner.  Breakfast, lunch, dinner AND CAKES!!

Plus these people understand gluten free requirements and careful food preparation. Could that be.. Silence?? No whingeing, great food and COFFEE?? Yes..

Food not music calmed the savage beast on this occasion. Thank you God  <I couldn't have handled much more this day>.  FINALLY peace was restored. Ahhhh that's better.

Open daily - check website for opening hours.
Located at Sorrento Quay, Hillarys Boat Harbour Western Australia

Zucchini Fritters

Try transforming that sad zucchini laying at the bottom of your fridge into these yummy treats.
I found this recipe on Taste.com.au and tweaked it a little to make it gluten free. 

Great on their own or as a side.

2 Medium or 1 Large zucchini coarsely grated
1/2 cup SR GF Flour
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 egg, whisked
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
2 tsp Italian dried herbs
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
4 tsp olive oil

Place the zucchini in a colander and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible. Transfer to a bowl. Stir in GF self raising flour, Parmesan, egg, parsley, dried herbs, salt & nutmeg.

Heat up 2 tsp olive oil in a non-stick frypan over medium-high heat.  Drop four 2-tablespoonful measures of zucchini mixture into pan and cook for 1 1/2 minutes each side or until golden and cooked through.  Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel.  Repeat adding oil as necessary.

Enjoy!

Please Sir, can I have some more?

The good people at Brookfarm recently sent me a free sample of their new PORRIJ

The sample had been lying on the kitchen counter for a while and my eldest son asked me several times over the past week "are you ever going to eat that mum?" Well to be honest, I was a bit sceptical. Could Brookfarm pull it off? I mean could they deliver what we expect from the every day garden variety -especially when I eyeballed the ingredients and saw cinnamon and thought to myself..  oh dear, the cinnamon is going to be overkill..  yeah right.. like I'm an expert.. pfffft

So I summoned all of my courage and went in head on - adding 1/3 cup of milk and microwaving for 90 seconds.  I added a little more milk, half a banana and drizzled with honey and..

I can confidently say.. WELL DONE Brookfarm, I think you've nailed it.  It really was quite delicious and you've managed to successfully duplicate the porridge texture with organic brown rice, millet and quinoa.  What a triumph.

If you have been missing that steaming bowl of porridge of the oaty variety, despair no more! 

MOOOOORE??  Why not! Get into it. 
 
Check out their website for your nearest stockist

Ingredients: Organic brown rice, organic millet, almonds, organic quinoa, organic amaranth, organic golden flaxseed, macadamias, cinnamon

www.brookfarm.com.au

Mondo Nougat Swan Valley

Nougat - a traditional confectionary made with sugar and/or honey, whipped egg white and roasted nuts.  Originating in Italy in the 15th century, it is a taste sensation.  Whatever your preference, soft & chewy or crunchy it is a winning combination and Mondo Nougat in Perth's own Swan Valley can cater to every taste. With flavours on offer like vanilla, orange, lemon, cherry, chocolate, apricot and capuccino and a choice of soft or crunchy varieties, there is indeed something for everyone.

With a premium selection incorporating such ingredients and flavour combinations as Pistachio & Cranberry, Honey & Macadamia, Fruit & Nut and Blueberry, it seems Mondo have thought of everything and do not disappoint.

The factory showroom has so much more on offer than nougat alone, with delicious coffee, hot chocolate and other beverages, gelato and a miriad of cakes and treats available, many of which are gluten, lactose, sugar and cholesterol free.



Situated at -

640 Great Northern Highway
Herne Hill




Open -

Tues - Fri:  8.00 - 5.00
Sat & Sun: 9.30 - 5.00

(Public Holidays - check the website)                 




For retail stockists in Western Australia and other parts of Australia please refer to the website.

Although I am happy to report there is an online store (mmm dangerous..)

 mondonougat.com.au

Life's Simple Pleasures

Who doesn't like ice cream - in a CONE no less? Just because you are Coeliac or gluten intolerant doesn't mean you have to miss out!


The good people at ESKAL make sure of that.  They make gluten free ice cream cones which means everyone can partake in a bit of merriment.


They come in a pack of 12 (2 sealed packs of 6 in every box).



They are smaller than your regular cone but they are delicious and great for little hands..

(PS) They are also dairy free for those of you that may benefit :)

Available from main supermarkets and specialist health food stores.