Glutino Pretzles

We went to Central Market last night and as always we looked around to see what we could find that might be new. When Gracie was first diagnosed we tried the Glutino Pretzels - but we tried the braided ones - she didn't like them. I always hoped she might try them again but was never interested. Well... last night she decided she would. The helpful "Foodie" opened a bag of pretzel sticks and said that kids usually prefer these to the braided type. She LOVED them!

We ended up getting a big bag and when she woke up this morning she wanted to have some. We decided they would be really good with peanut butter (her staple protein.) I tried them and they were really good! If they were not so expensive I would get them as a snack for everyone - however at $5 a bag they are a Gracie treat alone.

Grace's First Holy Communion

What a BEAUTIFUL day!! The weather was perfect and is was simply lovely.

Grace had her first Holy Communion this morning. Granny, Grandpa, Aunt Renee, Uncle Mark and cousin Austin came to support her and we had a lovely time.

Aunt Renee got a lovely Pix for Grace to put her low gluten host in. Before Mass I placed the pix on the alter and unhinged the top for easier opening. Grace respectfully went up to communion with Father hands clasped then proceeded to question him if he had the gluten free host in his hands :) A little gutsy but I was proud that she practiced our "always ask" policy - of course it was. She was also proud that she didn't make a face while drinking the wine. Aunt Renee said she saw her take a healthy gulp!

Back to our house for a family lunch. Oh - the discussion about what to serve. Something easy to make, keep warm for a couple of hours while at church with out drying out and something that Grace could have that was gluten free, Sam could have that was dairy free and Aunt Renee could have that was beef free - brussel sprouts maybe?? Troy and I went to Central Market yesterday to look at options. Shortly after arriving a helpful "Foodie" told us of their Rotisserie Chicken sale (buy a chicken and get a free pound of cole slaw and a pound of potato salad - easy and inexpensive!) Perfect.

We had chicken (which I quartered an put in the fridge the night before then put on low heat before leaving for church), the salads, asparagus, a variety of fruits and some breads for the gluten lovers in the family. Everyone loved it.

Dessert - oh the dessert! The Victorian Flourless Cake from Central Market - yummy goodness coated in ganache. Devine. I placed rock candy around the base of the cake to "fancy it up" and everyone loved it.

She was beautiful, everything went off without a hitch and all and all a perfect day.

Grace's current favorite snack - EnviroKidz Organic Chocolate Crispy Rice Bar

Grace LOVES these! They taste like a cross between Rice Krispy bars and Coco Pebbles. I have found them at Sprouts and at a Target in San Antonio (but not at all Targets.)

They are just a little more expensive than the Rice Krispy bars but not by much - I got them on sale for $2.99 for a box of 6 - I think they are $3.20 regular price. They also have fruit and peanut butter flavors - but she likes chocolate best.

Grace has them w/a glass of milk in the mornings or for an after school treat.

Click HERE for the EnviroKidz website.

Now a shout out to Central Market

We had to find basketball shoes for Grace today (who is scrappy on the basketball court!! GO GRACE!) so we went to town - town being Southlake. I grew up in Southlake and my parents still live there - it has changed so much since I grew up in the sleepy little town w/out a stop light. But I digress....

I love Central Market. I learned to love it while visiting friends in Austin (where I first experienced it) and San Antonio (where I really fell in love.) I was ecstatic when Central Market came to Ft Worth - I emailed them several times to get updates on when the grand opening would be. Sam was 3 weeks old when the grand opening happened and it was his first outing! Imagine my excitement when I learned one was coming just up the street from my parents house! Needless to say it is rare that we "go to town" without stopping in for "home made" flour tortillas, German Blue Cheese, fresh whole grain English muffins and Bacon and Spinach dip. Oh - by the way none of that is gluten free and none of it (other than the tortillas) Grace would eat.

When Grace was diagnosed one of the first places I went to Central Market. I was in the cracker aisle and asked a "Foodie" if they had any gluten free crackers - turns out they have designated aisle space for gluten free items - very cool! I about cried - at this point I new I could "do this" Celiac thing. Everything in one area is gluten free - pasta, cookies, cereal, cake mix etc.

I wish I had gotten the guys name - he was so very helpful. I had said "I hear these cookies are good." His response? "Lets try them!" He opened up the package and we stood there eating cookies - and they WERE good! I put a couple of boxes in my cart. Another Foodie came by and was talking with me - I asked if she had ever tried any of the crackers - she hadn't but said "Let me open this one for you." Come to find out Central Market will let you try anything before you buy it - she said don't ever be afraid to ask so I haven't been. Turns out the crackers were gritty - so we tried the cheese crackers and they were really great. Now whenever I go with Grace I have her sample something new - tonight she tried chocolate breakfasts bars (she didn't like them) and gingerbread cookie bars - she LOVED them.

I also found out that if we purchased something and took it home and we didn't like it - even if we ate half the box - to bring it back and get our money back - it is another service they provide.

Kudos to Central Market for your commitment to customer service and for providing an easy way for those with gluten issues to have many goodies in one place instead of having to wander all over the store looking for specific gluten free items.

A nod to the Evil Empire

We live in a small community of around 5000 that is 40 miles from the closest Tom Thumb or Central Market - even further for a Whole Foods. How would we survive Celiac w/only a Walmart???

When we received the diagnosis for Grace I called a dear friend whose daughter also had Celiac. She said we all would survive. She gave GREAT tips and suggestions - the best being look at the ingredient list for Walmart brand foods - Great Value. Turns out that Walmart specifically states "Gluten Free" on their nutrition labels when the product is in fact gluten free!!! Hurray! I can't tell you how easy it has been to just turn the product over, look on the back and see that gluten free label. That said - many of the items are traditionally gluten free (like cheese) - however since we all have been surprised by hidden gluten it is so lovely for it to be stated so plain.

Even though I have issues with Walmart - I appreciate the courtesy to those who are gluten free.