Tori’s Writing Hole

Ok, so I’ve had the opportunity to sample quite a few foods now that I’ve gone on this gluten-less journey. Here are my favorites and not-so-favorites:

• Bob’s Red Mill GF Chocolate Cake Mix - crumbly and dense, this cake reminded me of a regular cake that was missing some of the ingredients. The “garfava” flour (garbanzo bean and fava bean flour) left a distinctly beany aftertaste and Mom, who baked the cake, said the batter was horrid and required several different foods and drinks to get the taste out of her mouth. I can’t recommend this one.
• ‘Cause You’re Special Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins - these were great - smaller than regular muffins due to the use of potato starch and rice flour, they were yummy and consistency-wise, very similar to “normal” muffins. I will be buying these again. They can be made vegan if you use margarine and egg replacer. Biggest drawback was the price - $6 for 12 muffins.
• ‘Cause You’re Special Golden Pound Cake - at first, I loved this. Tasted just like real poundcake. However, you need to eat it within a day or so, because it went bad very quickly (dried out and got a funny taste). I’d recommend this for a family gathering (no one will know it’s GF - gluten free).
• DeBoles Rice Pasta - spirals - Ick. No flavor, bad consistency (I think under cooked, but still). Not going to purchase again - I’m trying the Tinkyada brand next.
• Chebe Pizza Crust - so yummy! Makes a great pizza, some springiness to the dough means it has a good mouthfeel. Just tapioca flour, along with seasonings, means this is great for any allergic person. You can make it with real eggs and olive oil/milk, or substitute for other allergies. The price is right too… at around $3 for the mix.

Well, that’s all I can remember so far. I will be trying to make my own bread (how I miss bread) once I get some xanthan gum. Damn, that stuff’s expensive ($13 for a package of 10 oz!).

Technorati Tags: gluten free, cooking, baking, pizza, pasta

Ok, so I really need to remember I’m living with a small, if a bit distorted, tape recorder. Julia has begun to parrot back things I don’t even remember saying… which can be good in the instance of her knowing words like “raccoon” and putting together verbs with “-ing” (kissing, hugging, etc). Not so good, however, when she lets out a disgusted “Jesus”. I guess when I was trying to get our dog Dakota to drop one of the many things he’s not supposed to have (today was a mostly eaten rubber dinosaur figure) I must have gotten disgruntled and said the lord’s name in vain.

Julia’s been saying “drop it” over and over now, punctuated by an occasional “Jesus”. Eep. Much worse than “crapping” (this is her word for clapping). Thankfully, I’ve been pretty good about hiding my inner sailor, but it’s tough. I am by no means a cultured speaker.

On another note, I made homemade caramels yesterday. Gluten free of course - but not fat free. Evil and tasty… the recipe is here, at AllRecipes.

Technorati Tags: language, toddler, dog, caramel

Ok, aside from being a mom, writing, and cooking - I’m also a crafter. Specifically, I enjoy crocheting. I’ve tried knitting, but I tend to knit left-handed (I’m sorta ambidextrous) and it makes some patterns difficult. Crochet isn’t so stressful on my brain or hands.

I decided I’d make an amigurumi (cute little Japanese crocheted doll). This was harder than I’d imagined - I’m used to making things in one piece, and this took several that had to be stitched together. Plus, I think he’s kinda lopsided. But cute: (I used this pattern: Amigurumi Bunny)

Now I’m working on a purse. As well as writing, cooking, etc. I plan to put up some reviews of gluten free foods that I’ve tried as well, as soon as I have time.

Can you say overextending? Man it feels good.

Technorati Tags: craft, crochet, bunny, amigurumi

Ok, I want the barter system back. With the barter system, you couldn’t have a bank failure or miscommunication that results in a buttload of charges. Which make you in effect, poor as poop. Back then, if you wanted your tooth pulled, you’d give your friendly dentist/barber/undertaker a chicken, and he didn’t have to wait for that chicken to clear. Nope, square and even - he gets the dinner you get the unanesthetized procedure.

I’d be happy to sew a shirt to get my car fixed, bake a pie for some electricity, etc. The way things are now, no one really has money. It’s all vapor, imaginary numbers on a screen that can kick your ass without ever really being there in the first place.

Not to mention the fact that you work and work, and never even get handed money nowadays. It’s all direct deposit, more imaginary figures.

Hey, do I sound old enough in this post? Sometimes, I think I was born in the wrong time (if not the wrong century). Except for all that dying from curable illnesses stuff. I probably would have died of the consumption (hey, no fat jokes).

Technorati Tags: money, bills, living, imaginary

Friday was my birthday. My birthdays have a history of being pretty crappy - from car accidents, to illness and bad weather. For some reason, Mar 2 is just not a happy day. This year, it started with a few inches of ice on the car and driveway, and finished with not being able to go out to dinner (my parents were coming as well) because my dad’s work schedule was messed up. Arrgh. It wasn’t all bad, of course - my mom made me a gluten free cake by Bob’s Red Mill - which was a great gesture. I can’t recommend the cake, however, because it’s made with garbanzo bean flour and has a distinct beany aftertaste.

Yesterday, I was supposed to go to my nephew’s birthday party, and I couldn’t - silly hormonal migraine got me again.

In all, I do feel that I’m doing better on this gluten free diet. I have more energy and I feel less depressed. I also did find a great gluten free treat - the lemon poppy seed muffins from ‘Cause You’re Special. These muffins (mix) taste awesome!

Technorati Tags: birthday, migraine, gluten free