Life is Busy

When I decided to post something today I really didn't have anything in mind but its had been awhile so here I am just pounding the keys as I'm thinking.
I'm training for a 1/2 Marathon right now and its not my first. I run with my sister and we try to do one a year. I also mostly train in the winter as I would prefer to bike during the summer than run. When I was first diagnosed with Celiac I wondered if my running would improve. I'm a pretty active person and never let how my stomach or other things stop me in the past, I would just suffer and go on. Ive been on a GF & LF diet for almost a year now so if any difference could happen I should see it now with my training.
I am a lot faster this time around, my training seems to be going pretty good. I have noticed that I am not getting a heat rash after I run. One other thing Ive noticed is that my Asthma is also not as bad as before. Hmmmmm all things to ponder.

Oh on another note, I was taken out to lunch the other day and decided to go to a Lebanese place. Sahara which is downtown and they have a buffet. While I'm sure cross contamination is an issue I took the chance. They took me for a tour of the items and pretty much everything except the pita bread and some condiments I could eat. They use a lot of lentils, eggplant and other really good stuff. I seemed to be fine but remember I'm not as sensitive as some people as long as I don't have any dairy. It was nice to have such a big choice of foods to eat for a change. Joey Tomatoes while is really nice with the GF menu I'm already getting tired of the Tuna Salad (cheapest thing on the menu).

I Scream You Scream We All Scream for Ice Cream

I really miss Ice cream and yogurt. Soy yogurt is only so so and I have found a soy ice cream made with Coconut milk that is pretty good. But there is an easy recipe to make your own ice cream that was posted on GFE today, and its Dairy Free, made with coconut milk. It sounds and from the pictures looks amazing. I would love to try it.

One big problem: You need an ice cream maker! So here is where reason comes into play. Yes i like ice cream but its winter for 8 months here so can I really justify buying an ice cream maker????? I only eat ice cream if I have it, so Ive put it in with the Bread Maker category. I never ate a lot of bread before so it doesn't make sense to buy a machine to make mediocre bread when I can buy the best from my favourite bakery GF Patisserie in cochrane. I may change my mind on the Ice cream Maker and ask for it for Christmas....

Great new Blog/Website

So I have a few Blogs which I regularily read and thru one of them GFE (Gluten Free Easily) I discovered a recipe blog. It really is one of the best ones I've found.
It is woman who's husband and daughter are gluten intolerant and they are also do everything Whole Food. I love some of the recipe's and I plan on trying a few, some great muffins and these Green Smoothies. I own a VitaMix (super blender) and honestly have not used it to its potential so its time to bring that sucker out of cupboard.
Here is the Blog and check out the website too!

http://www.glutenfreewholefoods.blogspot.com/

http://www.wholelifenutrition.net/index.html

Happy Holidays

So had my first camping holiday with Don, 4 dogs, GF & LF. We rented a motorhome, hey lets face it you don't think we could tent with 3 large 1 small dog do you!!!! Before we get on our way for vacation we did have a small setback. Kracker our smallest little guy decided that something was not right with all this packing on sunday and was a bit upset (he didn't handle our move well either). So he went on a chewing rampage that morning. My good dress shoes and a plant.
Well later that day he started to throw up and it was green...you guessed it, the plant was poisonous.. so a trip to the emergency vet on a holiday. Luckily the little guy was ok and he has since totally recovered. Our trip was delayed by one day and the vet felt that he should not be left behind as it would only stress him out more. So with soft food and stomach medication we hit the road. Nelson was our first stop. I have 2 great friends that have moved their in the past year so it was fabulous to visit and see the places. I love Nelson, its just so beautiful and you have to stop at Oso Negro for coffee. We only stayed 2 days as we had to be at Burton for Thursday for our Annual Family Reunion Camping weekend. Burton is approx 30km south of Nakusp, not much of a place but they have a great campground. We had rented the group camp for our families and it was perfect. 21 Adults, 5 kids, 2 1/2 babies and 15 DOGS..... yes my family is a dog family...everyone has 1 or more. Everyone got along great, kids, dogs it was so much fun.
I was a little nervous about this camping trip as traditionally we split into groups and each group makes dinner for everyone on their designated night. So I was only in control of 1 night where I could be 100% on the GF LF factor. But my family rocks, they asked me lots of questions and truly went out of their way to make sure I had something safe to eat. I love my family!!!
We spent 5 days together and I did not get sick at all. It was so great! Shayra - Don's daughter who also joined us even went out her way to bring all the fixing for Smores (GF just for me). That was the best, being able to join everyone for this sticky sweet treat!
We had a great time and yes you can travel with that many dogs in a motor home!!!!
Great time and looking forward to next year already...

Took a Risk!

First Wedding as a Celiac was on Saturday. I did the biggest Celiac mistake and did not talk to the bride on matters of the food. I was a guess of a friend so really felt that I should not be bother someone I really don't know about if the food will be safe for me to eat.

So in preparation I did try and eat something small before we left but of course I was running behind and only got to eat some rice and 1 small turkey pepperoni stick.
Meal was a buffet and at first I was sure I would only be able to eat salad with no dressing. But when we got up to the front, they were serving roast beef and honestly it looked like it had no spices on it at all. The roasted potatoes as well looked very plain and same with the carrots. No offence to the bride but it really was a bland kinda of a meal. But to me it was heaven, so I took the risk and had the roast beef, potatoes, carrots and salad. No gravy or dressing, and i was fine. No side effects at all....yippee. Now I know this won't happen to the next wedding I will be attending as its at a Chinese place. But I do know the mother of the groom a little and she knows of my problem so you never know. Again though I will not push the subject and can just eat before I go.

Oh the wedding was wonderful as they all are.

Marcello's - maybe not?

Well if you read my last post I was bragging that I found a great place to eat lunch when i don't bring my own. Well yesterday after lunch, my stomach started to have that familiar gurgle sound and I was worried I wouldn't make it home in time. So was it Gluten or Lactose, I really have no idea but the chances might have been higher for contamination for gluten. But I will still eat here occasionally and see if its a repeat and maybe just being a little more careful.
Let me know if you risk it and try Marcello's in Canterra.

OMG - the best place to eat downtown

So Ive been wanting to blog about this great find and I just finished my lunch from this fabulous place so its fresh on my mind.
Less than a year ago a Marcello's opened up in Canterra Tower. This is a buffet set up. I would go and browse and see if there was anything to eat. Mostly salads that you know are safe. But looking at all the great hot entrees made we wish!!! One day I notice someone filling a pan and just thought I will ask. Well it turns out it was the actual chef and she is Celiac and then informed me that she cooks mostly Gluten Free if she can and showed me a bunch of stuff i could eat. I was so happy.
I don't eat out much so months later I ventured back thinking I would request to talk to the great chef and ask again. Well to my surprise when I looked at the signage for all the food & she has started to mark whether its Healthy, Gluten Free/Wheat Free and Dairy Free. I could have kissed someone i was so happy.
I bought my lunch and then went back to work and immediately emailed the owner and told her how happy I was and how important it was for my diet.
The next time I was in I ran into this fab chef again and told her how much I appreciate what she had done.
Today I had this fabulous hot salmon dill dish, carrot salad, spinach with a little bit of greek salad on top as a dressing. I picked out the feta cheese. It was so good!!!!
So if you work downtown, venture over to Canterra Tower 3rd & 3rd SW 2nd floor. I try to go early so that I have less chance of customers cross contaminating the food.
Please realize I do not react immediately but so far I have been good when Ive eaten there.
Let me know if you go and what you think.