It's been a while

So it's January 2010, there is nothing better than starting a new year. As I sit here at work doing this instead of working, I'm wondering how can I take control of my life. I have a job where I sit at a desk 40 hrs a week sending emails, proofing orders, and clicking my mouse 1000's of times in a day. I'm bored, I have a dead end job and the only reason I keep coming in every day is because I need a job. I have bills to pay like everyone else and if I don't come to work how will I pay the rent. There has to be something better out there for me. Something that makes me happy, that makes me feel like I'm doing my part to help someone.....this simply can't be it for me. These cube walls around me and fake lighting just seem to be draining the life out of me and I don't know how much longer I can take it.

I don't know if anyone will even see this post, so I may just be rambling on for no reason other than to just get this off my chest. Either way I'll still post it. Guess I'm just having one of those days at work where you wish you were on vacation, on a beach far, far away..........day dreaming as you gaze out at the turqois waters. That sure sounds a heck of a lot better than staring at my computer screen. LOL

okay, enough of that..........work is work, nothing we can do but be slaves to the "man" and pay our dues, right?

On a brighter note..............next month will be my 2 year anniversary to being gluten free. I can't believe it's been that long. It's been an interesting time for me, and the longer I go gluten free, the better I feel. I still have a few flare ups from time to time, but this has been life changing, that's for sure. I recently got an ipod and downloaded the application called "is that Gluten Free", it's been very helpful and worth the few $$$$ I paid. I also have one called Gluten Freed which searches for restaurants. I really haven't used that one yet, but as soon as some traveling is done it'll come in handy.

Okay, enough babbling here...........to anyone who may have read this, Happy New Year and hopefully I can find another job someday that is more rewarding. =)

Rye Bread

Now that I have been gluten free for almost 2 years, I have realized that bread for me will never be what it once was. But.......that doesn't mean I can't try my best on baking things that taste and feel almost like the real thing.

One of my favorite sandwiches is turkey, roast beef, cheese and 1000 island dressing on marble rye bread. The word "gluten" has prevented me from having this wonderful grilled sandwich no more. Over the weekend I baked my 2nd loaf of rye bread (I tried the marble thing....that didn't quite work out). Tasty is an understatement for what I had for dinner last night. I was in heaven! The bread grilled to perfection, the cheese melted and oozed over the turkey and roast beef, and I made my own dressing for dipping. I'm still in awe on how wonderful that tasted and I can't wait to have another. Thank you Festival Foods for having the gluten free meats in your deli department, they were wonderful, full of flavor and will be purchased again.

I'll post pictures in the next day or so of the bread, or should I say what's left. My boyfriend also had 2 of these tasty sandwiches, so there isn't much left. And I used Meister's flour, which I have posted on my blog before. The recipe actually came from the Living Without magazine web site, I'll get the link and attach:

http://www.livingwithout.com/recipes/octnov09-mockrye-bread.html

It calls for rye flavor powder which I did order and used. I ordered that from Authentic Foods and had it delivered with in 5 business days.
(GLUTEN-FREE RYE FLAVOR POWDER Gluten-free rye flavor powder is available from Authentic Foods (authenticfoods.com).)

I actually cut the recipe in half, which is something I do when making things like this for the first time. I hate wasting flour, so this way I don't feel as bad if the recipe doesn't quite turn out.

For anyone reading this missing rye bread, take my advice and try this out. Now I can't wait to make it again but for Friday fish fry! My next challenge, sour dough. I'm already doing research on it.

Meister's Gluten Free Mixtures

Anyone looking for a good gluten free flour mix to use cup for cup as regular flour, check this out. I found this web site a while back and purchased the bread and flour mix. Below is a picture of the bread made from package. It even came with a package of yeast to use. It was very easy to make and made great french toast. I'll definitely buy this again. The flour mix was wonderful as well.....I think I have found my flour for all baking/cooking now.


http://www.meistersgf.com/

Crab Rangoons

Once again I was craving something that if ordered at a restaurant, is completely off limits. The wonderful and crispy Crab Rangoon. I was on a mission about a month ago to make these at home and after some time searching all over the internet, I finally found what I needed. First I found a recipe for wonton wrappers from this site (they have a search field for recipes, type wonton wrapper and it should come up):

http://www.betterbatter.org/

Then on the same site I found a recipe for the Rangoons (follow same instruction as noted above for the search field on their web site).

These were great and I plan on ordering some of their flour this week. I used a different flour blend when I made these from a company called Meister's. So far this is the best flour I have found for baking/cooking.

http://www.meistersgf.com/

Tiramisu

Last year for Christmas my dad bought me a gluten free cookbook. I've made a few things from it, but last night I think I topped myself. Gluten Free Tiramisu! The book he got me is called 1,000 Gluten Free Recipes by Carol Fenster, Ph.D.

Here is a link to Barnes and Noble to see a snapshot of it.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/1000-Gluten-Free-Recipes/Carol-Fenster/e/9780470067802/?itm=2

Anyway...I tried the first piece this morning for breakfast (I couldn't wait) and wow am I in heaven! I haven't had Tiramisu in over 2 years and well I'm happy to say this is now my favorite thing I've made so far. The recipe called for lady fingers of course, but they included a recipe for those, along with home made whipped cream. If anyone is interested in this recipe please let me know, it's sort of long but I am more than happy to pass it along to anyone craving this wonderful Italian desert.

Russian Delights store in Appleton

Well a few people mentioned the Russian Delights store to me in Appleton, WI...so I finally had a chance to check it out. There are quite a few things to pick from that is Gluten Free and it's all made right there in the back. The frozen pizza was perfect, and the chicken Pierogi was excellent (which is a cross between a ravioi and a dumpling). I also purchased a personal sized apple pie, but I'm holding out for a chilly day to pop that in the oven. Considering the other items were great, I'm sure that will be as well.

I would attach their website to this post, but I can't seem to find it online at the moment. So I'll include their address and phone number for now.

Russian Delights
2171 W. Wisconsin Street
Appleton, WI 54914
920.882.0003

Found Gluten Free Ravioli

Once again I found a new product while shopping....I picked up the Ravioi's from the Free Market in Appleton, WI. I'll attach the companies web site and I also took a picture of how big these are. I was surprised on the size, and they were quite good. A few did pop open while cooking, but what can you do about that.

http://contespasta.com/products_home.htm