Hello, hello!
Tomorrow is our last day of “school”. Today, we go up to the building and they hand the kiddos all of their stuff in the car. If I’m being honest, I’m really not looking forward to it. I think it’s going to break my kids’ hearts to get their stuff that way. I know all of us feel the same way…but if you would have told me on March 3rd when we walked out the door that night after open house that none of us would walk back in, I would have bet my life you were wrong. I have tried so hard to stay upbeat and cheerful during this, but geez…I have my moments.
W-H-E-W…on to today’s post!
Our little fam has been eating gluten-free now for the last six months, so I thought that today, I’d share a little update. If you missed the first part of this, back in the fall, we realized (through a series of crazy and unfortunate events) that Kensington has Celiac disease. If you want to read about our journey to discovering she had Celiac, head to THIS POST.
Based on everything we read, the people we spoke to, the doctors, dietitians, etc, we made the decision to change our house to a gluten-free household. The number one reason why we are making our house g-free is, even though it’s not an allergy, she’s highly affected by cross-contamination (just like if let’s say she had a severe peanut allergy), so for her safety and health alone, it’s better if we just don’t have gluten in our house.
Here are just two quick examples of how we’ve learned over the last six months how easy it is to cross-contaminate (which is why we’re trying our hardest NOT to!):
1: If I stick my knife in jam, Nutella or peanut butter to spread it on my bagel/English muffin/toast/bread and then stick it back in the jar to get more…I’ve contaminated the entire jar.
2: The inside of my toaster has crumbs…if they’re not gluten-free crumbs, then it doesn’t matter if I stick a g-free waffle in there, it’s now contaminated.
So, it’s just easier and safer at home, if we don’t use things with gluten. When we’re not at home, when we’re at other people’s houses or restaurants, Andrew and I still try and eat gluten-free to support Kensington and show her how many different ways you can do it, but we let the other kiddos eat whatever, so they are still being exposed to gluten, just not in the home.
I had this topic written down to share with you, so last week when I received not one but two great comments from readers with specific questions about how g-free life was going, I thought I’d just share their questions with you and our answers followed by a few little tidbits we’ve learned along the way…
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR K’S SYSTEM TO RESET WHEN THE GLUTEN WAS REMOVED?
The doctors tell us that gluten actually stays in the intestines and stomach for a long time and that the damage (which we were able to see on the photos during her biopsy) is permanent. But now that she is eating gluten-free, the only known way to treat Celiac disease, I think she instantly lit up from within! Kensington’s skin, especially around her elbows and her arms, has always been rough and dry, but it cleared up within days of completely eliminating gluten. I don’t know how to say it exactly, but her entire face has just brightened up over the last six months…
…and in my opinion, she looks remarkably healthier and more vibrant. Now, of course, none of this is factual but these are things we’ve noticed and so, I’m attributing it to living gluten-free since we haven’t made any other major changes, but she used to struggle with itchy skin (again, mostly around her elbows, forearms and hands) so much so that she would scratch them in her sleep so badly they would bleed. There were many nights we wrapped her arms in an Ace bandage just to keep her from over scratching…now? It’s all cleared up. Also, Kensington has a ton of hair…a ton…and it used to be so oily at the scalp. We would use detox shampoos and/or she would wash it with apple cider vinegar at least once a week because of the oil…now? All gone. Seriously, going g-free has changed her.
Now, I don’t want you all to rush out and go gluten-free too just because I said those things, but I do think it’s worth mentioning to your doctor or dermatologist. I’ve had so many people tell me recently too that my skin seems brighter…and I really think the lack of gluten could be a part of it, BUT I also did just have all of my reproductive organs removed and am on some amazing hormone replacement therapy…so it’s harder to pinpoint my changes, but I’ve eliminated most gluten in my life and am feeling great. All of that to say, we started noticing the change in Kensington almost immediately!
DOES SHE FEEL 100% BETTER?
Celiac affects people differently (most commonly through their intestines causing extreme pain and discomfort), but so far, those haven’t been her symptoms. Her symptoms aren’t as common as they’re all via her skin (the stomach issues we’re told will come), so her tummy is still fine, but her skin is so much better!
HOW ARE YOU MANAGING THIS AT SCHOOL?
It was the most amazing year for her to be diagnosed! Kensington first developed symptoms at the very beginning of the school year, so I am forever thankful it was her last year of elementary school instead of her first year of middle school. We already had such a wonderful relationship with the teachers, administrators, counselor and nurse, that wading through this with them was simple. In Texas (and probably other states too), having Celiac qualifies you for some additional help, resources, and accommodations for school that they were able to implement immediately. For the most part, nothing changed at school (as she’s managing hers very well!), but some things, like specific art materials she used that contain gluten were replaced with g-free options, every party/food related activity in school, they had a g-free option for her and in fifth grade, they always go to overnight camp where they would have (had we not been forced to skip it during this pandemic) provided her with g-free meals and snacks too. Her teachers and our school did a fantastic job letting her know they cared and could accommodate while also giving her space to handle it herself.
WHAT DO YOU PACK IN HER LUNCHBOX?
I would say this was a bit trickier in the beginning but we quickly got into a great routine! She started taking mostly leftovers every day for lunch in her thermos along with yogurt, fruit, g-free chips and things like that. We made gluten-free sandwiches and wraps too once we found brands we liked and made easy substitutions. She really likes tomato soup, so that was easy to put in her thermos on busy days too (Trader Joe’s is her fave!), so after we had all of the right ingredients at home, it was easy to pack her lunches.
WHAT ARE HER FAVORITE SNACKS?
Besides fresh things that are naturally g-free (fruit, veggies, nuts, etc), I have a highlight on my Instagram where we’ve featured her faves over the last six months (it’s called G-Free Finds, just click it to see all of our favorite things!). She also loves these so much…
…and you can find them at both Costco and on Amazon. I could probably do an entire post on gluten-free snacks and products we love too!
HOW HAVE THE REST OF YOU ADJUSTED?
Oh, there were some grumblings at the beginning…and still some from time to time, but for the most part, now that we have found some great substitutions, I don’t hear as many. My other kids weren’t super happy when the Fruit Loops had to go and the Mac & Cheese they loved so much in their school thermoses, but now, I kind of think they’re okay with everything. We’ve found (through trial and error) things that work for us. Some brands we love, we just don’t love their g-free subs, so it’s taken a bit to figure out what to buy. Right now, I’m not sure if it’s because summer is coming up or the holiday weekend or the pandemic, but some of the subs we were using (like g-free buns and rolls) are always sold out, so I’ve been saving those at our house for Kensington (they keep in the freezer) and the rest of us have been having a normal bun from time to time on a burger or hot dog. I’m hoping those products will be more readily available again soon, but in the meantime, I don’t want us all eating her stash if we’re going to run out.
HAVE WE LOST WEIGHT/HAD MORE ENERGY/SLEPT BETTER?
I don’t know exactly because we haven’t all be weighed, but I don’t think anyone’s losing weight. I really think we’re all doing well, but since K is the only one who has one hundred percent removed gluten, she’s doing fantastic!
Okay, some random things to share…
#1: First up, swapping out our dinners and turning my normal recipes gluten-free has actually been really easy. The hardest thing for me right now hasn’t been our suppers, but it’s been our baked goods…
…hahaha! This made me LOL because it’s so TRUE!!! I just don’t care enough to have homemade muffins to keep 23 different types of flour in my pantry. Every time I see someone post online or I read in a book that they have the perfect flour combination, it legit has at least 10 flours mixed together. I really keep hoping I’ll find the one flour that does it all, and right now, I would say Cup 4 Cup has come the closest, without combining a dozen different kinds. I just want to reach for that one flour to make my pancakes, my muffins, my cookies and bread my chicken…one flour. I just want one flour. I’m still looking, so if you have ideas, let me know!
#2: Random, but we started keeping some things in the back of the car in case we’re in a pinch and K needs something g-free. For instance, if we go eat at a Mexican restaurant, we’ve learned that many places don’t serve tortilla chips that haven’t been cross-contaminated in some way, so we keep those in the car along with crackers and things she might need.
#3: Kensington has attended a handful of birthday parties and get togethers since becoming g-free, so I always just pack her something separate to eat and that seems to work out just fine. I’ll pack her a little cupcake if she’s attending a birthday party (Trader Joe’s has the BEST g-free cupcakes!) or whatever she needs so that she can eat at the party with her friends.
#4: We’ve been on two trips since becoming gluten-free, and they really went well. In both Telluride and Hawaii, we were thrilled beyond words at how sensitive everyone is to allergies and such at restaurants, hotels and cruise ships! I know that land vacations overseas will be more difficult especially if there is a language barrier, but at least our first experiences traveling have been positive. On the longer airplane rides to and from Hawaii, we packed her a gluten-free meal and snacks to enjoy on board, but other than that, I’m always blown away how available people make their chefs when you tell the waitstaff that you have an allergy and often restaurants have gluten-free menus (you just have to ask!). I’m sure I’ll say this again when we talk about our breakfast at Disney Aulani, but wow! They really went above and beyond even showing us their gluten-free waffle iron and skillets.
#5: For me, grocery shopping has been the hardest part. I used to go to one or two stores to get everything I needed and grocery pick up was simple. Once we went g-free, even just writing out my grocery list took much longer as I had to cross reference everything to make sure it was gluten-free and then find substitutes when necessary. I’ve learned that many staple things like canned soups, crackers, breadcrumbs, etc can be bought online and delivered (so many things from Amazon!), so I stock up when I can. I also have been visiting Trader Joe’s more often as they have so many options and the staff there is very well-versed on what is and isn’t g-free. (You can see my Trader Joe’s Gluten-Free Faves post HERE.) I used to be able to write out my grocery list in a few minutes, but for a while there, it was taking an hour each time. Now, I know where to shop for what and I keep extras on hand…so that has really helped simplify my shopping.
Okay, whew! I think that about covers it! At the beginning, I was very overwhelmed. I talked to friends, I read books, I was reading things online…there was just SO MUCH INFORMATION! Over time, I’ve been able to pick and choose what info my brain needs to retain and focus on, so that I don’t get lost in the sheer amount of it. I’m constantly learning and changing how we do things and so much has been trial and error. We’ve been focusing these last six months on tweaking some of our favorite recipes so that we’re still eating what we love…just now, gluten-free. You can always see my g-free recipes HERE and of course, we’d love to have you in my Gluten-Free Living Facebook Group too!! You can join that HERE.
I absolutely think living gluten-free is going to be a lifelong process for us and I imagine I’ll always be learning and discovering new things. YOU GIRLS have been so helpful! I can’t even thank you enough for the resources you’ve already provided my family. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t send me a recipe, a Pin, a blogger to follow, a book to read…I’m telling you…YOU ARE THE ONES HELPING US ALONG! I used to think gluten-free was all about eliminating the pasta and bread, but no…THAT WAS THE EASY PART! Removing gluten from your diet is so much more than bread and pasta…it’s in your candy, your BBQ sauce, your ice cream, some ketchups, salad dressings, cereal, IT’S EVEN IN SOME THINGS LABELED GLUTEN-FREE. Yeah. It’s crazy. I would say that since we’ve started this journey, Kensington has only been exposed in some way (either my consuming or contamination) two times for sure…so, I know eliminating it has helped her tremendously (because I see what happens now when we don’t!). It’s a process, and I’m honored to have you guys along on the journey.
This Tuesday, we’re sending you much love from our gluten-free household to yours!! xo
Kelly says
Are you using GF shampoo, conditioner, and hairspray? What are your favorites?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! She’s using Trader Joe’s Mint (something like that…tea mint maybe?) and loves it!
Susan Jeffries says
I am glad to know she is feeling better!! This was very interesting to read, and thanks for the helpful info! I agree that Disney goes above and beyond for those of us who eat differently than others! My daughter and I are vegetarian – she has never eaten meat. She often felt excluded or picked on at school because of her food choices. But the people at Disney always made her feel like how she chose to eat is totally normal and ok(:
Jen says
I don’t have Facebook or Instagram any chance you can post favorite gluten free products on the blog ?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I think I’ll make it an entire post!!
Linda Henderson says
I would like that post too.
Carly says
So glad it’s going well. I have so many g free tips. My sisters has celiac for 20 years and I’ve been in the process of adopting that lifestyle too. It would be great to see a post of your favorite finds AND least favorite – help narrow down what suggestions to still give 😉
Amy waters says
My son is 12 and was diagnosed with celiac when he was 10. One thing we struggle with is that he feels pretty lonely because none of his friends have it. I was also diagnosed with it right after him so it kind of helped him knowing he had one person to talk to. Has your daughter had ths problem?
Kelsey says
I’m so glad your GF journey is going well. Because of the pandemic, a few really reputable NYC spots are shipping nation wide. I highly recommend checking out Senza Gluten and Modern Bread and Bagel. Modern’s owner and creator Orly also produces her own flour blends which you might find helpful. I’m also a pretty big fan of Bobs Red Mill 1:1. I use that, cup4cup, or King Arthur 1:1 at home. These days it’s whichever one Target or Amazon has in stock! Also, have you looked into the Nima sensor?
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so much, Kelsey!!
Erika Slaughter says
You’re doing such a great job, Mama! The cross contamination aspect of this is the tricky part. Let me tell you- there is a Nutella at my house with, “GF”, written on it so it’s only for Kensington.
Mix and Match Mama says
THANK YOU!!!!!! You have been so supportive during this whole thing!!!
Shana says
Love this!! Could you do an updated post on your daily eats?? Thanks!!
Jill Dickinson says
I am not sure if you have a farmers market in your area but we have a wonderful market and there are gluten-free options from bakers that are delicious. I know that we also have some of those people that sell their baked goods at the market have small businesses that run through facebook. If it’s something you haven’t looked into, I would definitely look around for those small businesses. They are the people who love to bake and had to learn to do it g-free.
Good luck!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
This post was so informative! I’m so glad y’all figured out this for her now instead of later. You’re doing an awesome job, Shay, at being a Mom!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Carrie says
We are not gluten free however I have been making pancakes and waffles just with oat flour for over a couple years. I cook with oat flour a lot, can easily sub it for white flour in muffins or breads. I have not tried it for cookies though..
Chocolate covered Katie is the best resource for using different flours ( she is not gluten free but offers many options), her banana bread is amazing. If you use oat flour of course you would need to make the oat flour from GF oats. I make it by putting oats in my vita mixer.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so much, Carrie!!!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Glad to read that you guys are coping fine! Facebook groups are always super helpful too! ❤️✨
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Michele says
My Dad has celiac disease and I believe my Mom has used sorghum flour when she bakes. I honestly can’t say if she and Dad liked the results, though. I just know it is gluten free.
Sheaffer Sims says
You did such a great job making all of these changes! I can’t even imagine how hard it was at first, but you were dedicated and did it so well. And I agree, Kensington is glowing!!!
Caitlin says
I have found that Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour has worked great for most recipes I’ve used it in. It’s sold at Target and our local grocery store so it’s easy to get ahold of. We made cutout cookies with it last and they turned out great!
Whitney says
I second the Bob’s Red Mill suggestion! My brother has Celiac and my mom is gluten intolerant, so we do a lot of gf baking. No one in my house notices something is gf if I make it with the Bob’s 1 to 1 flour. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to regular flour.
Katie says
I second Bob’s Red Mill. It is hands down the best gluten free flour I have found. I’ve used it in cupcakes and cookies and people can’t even tell the difference. It doesn’t have that grit that most GF flours have.
Carly says
All of Bob’s Red Mill flours/Xanthum gum etc. are the best!
Celina says
+1 for Bob’s Red Mill! Best I’ve found so far. Also – for some pre-mixes (think easy cakes, quick muffins, etc) my favorite so far is Simple Mills. They have a whole line of crackers and other snack-y items.
KimW says
This is my favorite g-free chocolate chip cookie recipe from Alton Brown. I have made it probably 100 times! You can add small dried fruit like cranberries or add nuts and change up the kind of chocolate chips (peanut butter chips etc.) The only “special” flours it requires are brown rice flour and tapioca flour. Friends and family have said they can’t tell these cookies are f-free!
Recipe: https://www.food.com/recipe/alton-brown-chewy-gluten-free-chocolate-chip-cookies-242638
Mix and Match Mama says
THANK YOU!!!!!
Allison says
Great recap and great tips!! Glad Kensington has handled it so well!
Also Pick-up is very odd, I must say. I live in McKinney but teach at an elementary in Allen. They made us wear face masks. And it just something about it made it feel very inhumane to put us in front of our kids, who we haven’t seen in over two months, and who we’re very sadly saying goodbye to, and we couldn’t even smile at them. It is sooooo good to see them, but it downright sucked not being able to say bye properly and smile and stuff. Anyway. It was very hard and the teachers are feeling very sad too!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’m sorry, Allison. I’m not looking forward to it today!!
Elizabeth Lingren says
In one of the posts you wrote about Kensington’s celiac journey, you mentioned Andrew and his mother especially had some serious stomach issues. Has eliminating gluten helped them at all? My husband has mysterious stomach problems regularly, and I wondered if a gluten free diet might be a good place to start for him too! Love you and your sweet fam! ❤️
Mix and Match Mama says
We are still trying to figure out what’s fueling Andrew’s issues. Thank you for checking!
Kelli says
So much of this is familiar, as my daughter was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy following anaphylaxis at 2 years old. Shes now 8, and due to diligence and God’s grace,, she has been safe. I love your positivity and how your entire family has gone all in and is supportive.
Paige E says
This is wonderful! I was diagnosed with Celiac in 2014 and I’m still learning. I’m so glad she feels better though, that really is the goal. And finding out this early in her life will save so much damage to her gut. Great job, Mama!
Jaime says
I’m so happy going gluten free has worked out for kensington and the rest of your family! I have a fun kids activity for you. We made gluten free baked donuts using gluten free cake mix and a donut pan! My kids said best breakfast ever lol!? and I thought it was an easy breakfast! let me know if you guys try it!
Megan says
Highly recommend the Bob’s Red Mill one for one flour. To me, it’s the easiest to bake with!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so much!!
Monica says
Yay Kensington! We love Pillsbury GF Flour and use it for everything! Match for match and you don’t need anything else to make it work. Also, in the freezer section there are English muffins by Glutino that we also use for hamburger rolls and sandwiches too!
I would love a post of GF snacks – that’s what I find the hardest because I am also allergic to peanuts and tree nuts!
Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU so much!!!! Adding both to my grocery list!!!!!!
Jaime says
Have you guys heard of a gluten free company called enjoy life? Have you tried any of their products? If so what did you think?
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t! i just looked it up though! Thank you!
Morgan says
I am not gf but have a severe tree but allergy and eat a lot of the enjoy life products and love them!
Jaime says
Same I am severely allergic to all nuts and I also use a lot of enjoy life products!
Denise Panetta says
My daughter is a dietitian and I find nutrition so interesting. So glad Kensington is doing well. Who knows maybe she will make nutrition her career goal.
Kristen says
This post was tremendously helpful. I so appreciate reading the good and the bad of this journey for you. You’re so right when you say it’s overwhelming!
Mix and Match Mama says
It is!! I can still get super overwhelmed if I don’t stop myself. It’s a blessing and a curse that there is so much info…I have to make myself quit when I realize it’s overwhelming me.
Patrice Stagliano says
Hi Shay – Thank you for my morning blog read before I kick off my work day. It’s become a part of my “me” time. My daughter is 14 and was diagnosed with Celiac Disease at age 2. She is healthy and thriving and we never looked back after going gluten free. Our favorite g-free baked good mixes are King Arthur’s gluten free line. We particularly love the brownie mix and the vanilla cupcake mix. You can also order from their website as they put out seasonal items from time to time. Their sugar cookie mix is the best for cut out Xmas cookies. Have a great day!
Amy Turko says
If you don’t shop with them already, you may like shopping with Thrive Market online. There is a yearly fee, but you can filter the products by diet and there are SO many gluten free options. It has eliminated my need to shop in so many stores all of the time to get what I need!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I have found some great finds there!!
Laura K says
FYI…I recently saw DQ has a dairy free gluten free Dilly Bar. Yay!
Catherine says
We really like the Namaste flour. It seems healthier than some of the other flours. Just made a cake with the King Arthur GF flour yesterday and found it slightly gritty/sandy—although everyone loved the cake. The Namaste flour seems softer but can give the texture a slightly rubbery feel to me but all my kids like it.
Angela says
Ok, so today’s post has really got me thinking that maybe I should get our youngest, who is a fifth grader, tested to see if he has celiac disease. A few years ago, they were concerned because he was having terrible tummy issues. He even had an endoscopy and colonoscopy to check if things were ok (and this was in 2nd grade). And when you mentioned K’s skin, it reminds me of his super dry spots on his big toes. They get so dry that it cracks and bleeds, so we have him sleep with ointment and socks on, to help those places heal. I’m not trying to overreact, I just want to be a good mama and make sure he is healthy and okay. How would you recommend going about getting tested? I’m so glad you’ve found this out for K and praise God she is healthy and happy!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Clearly, I’m no doctor, but I would be surprised if they did an endoscopy without checking for that while they were in there. You should ask them that!!
Valerie Bothell says
I use Better Batter flour and my family loves it more than regular flour. It is amazing!
Colleen says
So happy for y’all that K is doing better. Having to be THAT careful is very challenging. My daughter has several food allergies. I’ve found it hardest to share the cross contamination bit so thanks for explaining to your readers. Well meaning family/friends will want to feed my child with a safe recipe, but if I can’t see how/where it was made, I have to err on the side of safety. I’m so sorry selection has been limited with the pandemic. I live in Nashville where we had a tornado right before quarantine and a mass power outage during so we are always thinking about how to feed my littlest. Stocked up on Enjoy Life and so so grateful for grocery delivery services (as we need to shop at 5 million stores too!). I’m sorry that K and your family has had to go through this major change, but grateful you can help others through sharing her story!
Mix and Match Mama says
That was the part I wasn’t prepared for and the part that has taken the longest to work through. Cross contamination is so easy to do and often hard to catch! I’m still constantly working on it. Thank YOU for the encouragment!!
BW says
Any suggestions for GF graham crackers? S’mores season is upon us!
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! I order Honey Grahams off of Amazon!
Erin says
CleanMondayMeals on Instagram is a great account to follow for Gluten Free. She has a recipe for granola bars that are gluten free and they are so delicious! My kids and husband LOVE them more than the package versions.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Brittney Adams says
I know this post is all about Kensington but I’m wondering when y’all went to Aulani, it’s om our list of places to go and I haven’t seen a post about it?! ☺️ Happy to hear K is doing well!
Mix and Match Mama says
We didn’t stay there, but we went for a character meal over spring break! We’ll be sharing that recap soon!!
Kate says
Better Batter is a great 1:1 gf all purpose flour substitute. We have several family members with celiac and this has been the best flour I have found that I can use with no other substitutions to a recipe and the taste is phenomenal (some gf flour blends can have a bit of an after taste to me, especially in baked goods, but not this one). The only small downside is you have to order online from the company as it is not in stores.
Mix and Match Mama says
I”m okay with ordering it online!! Thank you so much!!
Kimberly Roach says
The BEST gluten free flour I have found is ordered directly from their website… Better Batter. They have plain flour (which I use for all the things, no need for me to buy the seasoned version) and biscuit and pancake mix that is exceptional, especially for biscuits. Their blend is a 1:1 ratio for all recipes and my fully glutened husband can’t tell the difference.
Jennifer J says
The absolute only flour I’ve baked with that tastes almost like the real thing is Krusteaz brand. I didn’t get my celiac diagnosis until I was in my 40s and I love to bake. Every other flour tasted weird or grainy or just too gluten free, plus made things a weird consistency. I now fry with Krusteaz and use it to bake all my old recipes. It’s a 1:1 flour so I literally do nothing different in my old recipes other than change my flour to this. Also, all their muffins mixes, plus their brownies, are fantastic.
Lynette says
So good to hear Kensington is doing well. I really like the Namaste GF flour they sell at Costco. Makes really good chocolate chip cookies and subs for most regular flour recipes. I also use GF oats for lots of baked goods. I don’t grind them into flour. Just find recipes that use oats. Oatmeal banana pancakes, oatmeal banana chocolate chip muffins, and of course oatmeal cookies are all easy and delicious and no flour needed!
Leslie S says
This was a great post and very informative! My oldest daughter has some mild symptoms but the pediatrician doesn’t feel she has gluten sensitivity. My dermatologist suggested eliminating gluten to see if that makes a difference. It really is so intimidating with all the information! Thank you so much for simplifying and for the products and recipes you’ve highlighted.
So happy to see Kensington doing so well. She looks amazing!
Mix and Match Mama says
I would say that the number one thing doctors told us was to NOT eliminate gluten as that makes it harder for them to later diagnose if there are no normal traces. Has she had any bloodwork?
Lori says
Do you think you’ll write a gluten free cookbook anytime soon?
Mix and Match Mama says
I do not! I think my cookbook writing days are totally behind me. I am enjoying figuring out recipes on here though!!
Jerilynn says
Have you tried King Arthur’s Flour gluten free baking mix? I followed the pancake recipe on the back and we thought the pancakes were amazing! I bet their other mixes from the website are amazing as well!
Kelly Henderson says
I can relate, we are a nut free house. Our daughter has peanut/tree nut allergy. She has had two reactions to OTHER PEOPLE eating peanut butter. You are doing a great job navigating your new g-free world!
Cathy says
My husband is gluten free and he won’t eat any of the gluten free baked goods because of all the fillers they add. That’s his choice but it works for him. But he does love cookies so I’ve found several good recipes. Our favorite is peanut butter cookies. It’s 1 3/4c. light brown sugar and two eggs whisked together. Whisk in 1/2 t. vanilla and 1 3/4 c. peanut butter(it’s basically a whole jar of the Trader Joe’s peanut butter). Using a scoop, place balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with sea salt and bake at 350 degrees for about 16 minutes, depending on the size of your scoop. Let them sit for a minute or two before moving to a cooling rack.
Elspeth says
What an adjustment that must have been for your whole family. So happy she is healthier and doing better.
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Bridget says
I don’t have any gluten-free tips to share. I simply wanted to say that this post was such a testament to your commitment and love as a mom (and a family). It was beautiful to read, as that thought came through the whole time.
Mix and Match Mama says
That means more than you know. Thank you!!
Sierra R says
I’m sure you’ve tried it, but I’ve had success with Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 gluten free replacement flour!! You just replace it 1:1 for all purpose, no extra tricky steps or anything 🙂
Kathy C. says
My daughter has recently become gluten/yeast free due to an auto immune disease so I’ve recently started cooking gluten free for her. I made this carrot cake this past weekend and it was the best thing I have ever eaten!! I added pineapple and coconut and used King Arthur 1:1. Delicious! https://mygluten-freekitchen.com/carrot-cake-gluten-free/
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhh! Thank you so much!!!
Jana says
Look into sourdough/natural yeast starters. These starters help process the gluten before consumption. I have heard others with gluten sensitivity can eat baked goods made with sourdough. Check out @justingredients and @simplelifebykels on instagram.
Mallory says
My go-to GF flour is Bobs Red Mill 1 to 1. I’ve used it for years and things always turn out. I just use regular recipes and replace the flour with GF. I’d love a post about your favorite GF things. I feel like I’ve tried them all but always love to find something new.
Ashley says
Thank you Shay! First, I’m sorry for the tough pick up day. You seem to be surrounded by positive, sweet people who will make the best of the situation that won’t be the best….hope you know what I mean? Our pick up was lackluster and rushed. It wasn’t what I was expecting and was surprised. Secondly, two out of my three have gluten sensitivity and casin sensitivity. One of the two also has severe peanut and tree nut allergies. I have found it difficult to find gfree without all the nut cross contamination. Your research and posting more and more about gfree has been so helpful! Lastly, I just love your blog, mostly for the food topic, but it’s the faith topics you share that stay with me the most!♥️
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so much, Ashley!!
Julie says
I’m so glad K is doing great and you are all adjusting. It’s so hard to feed a family of six anyway, let alone with restrictions! Skinnytaste.com has amazing recipes, especially for air fryer and slow cooker, and she is very careful to categorize all her GF options. Her recipes are among the few that every single member of my family (of five) will eat. And she has healthy stuff too! Definitely check her out. Hope you had a nice long weekend!
Jes says
Are you following the blog, Iowa Girl Eats? Kristen, a full time food blogger, developed Celiac disease after she had her first child. She seamlessly pivoted her blog to be GF and has some of our most favorite recipes! She’s developed recipes for Bob’s Red Mill even, so she’s legit 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!! Thanks to you guys, I am!!!
Michela Ongaro says
Has Andrew’s stomach issues improved at all since going G-free?
Mix and Match Mama says
His are so inconsistent that we don’t think so…but then at the same time, we don’t know. We cannot get a handle on it.
Janet says
Has he had a HIDA scan of his gallbladder? I have been having symptoms for several years that I thought might be gluten related. Found out my gallbladder wasn’t working its best. Talking with the surgeon found a lot of my symptoms could come from gallbladder. Had it out 2 weeks ago. Will see how things are once I’m all recovered.
Jamie says
You are such a great mom! Had to share…most doctors will tell you Celiac can’t be healed, but have you heard of the GAPS diet? It’s hard but amazing. A naturopath or nutritional therapy practitioner can help so much with healing her intestines. Even incorporating bone broth, collagen peptides, and fermented foods would do a lot. I can’t recommend Biodynamic Wellness, Carrie Vitt, and Season Johnson enough. Such great resources. Love your sweet family!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank YOU so much!!!!
Jen says
I second this! Working with a naturopathic doctor and a functional medicine doctor has allowed me to heal my intestines as well! I still eat GF but I’m much more able to absorb nutrients from my food now. 🙂 Also, I’m wondering if Andrew may benefit from working with a naturopathic or functional medicine doctor for his digestive issues that you mentioned? Their approaches to healing digestive issues are fascinating and I have found them to be SO effective/helpful!
Whitney says
If you go to “celiactravel.com”, they have printable GF cards in 63 different languages! You can just keep them in your wallets when you travel and pull them out at restaurants – we have used them in Italy, Germany and Switzerland and they have worked great!
Mix and Match Mama says
Really?! Thank you so much!!!!!
Sarah Costello says
The best all in one, cup for cup flour ive found is actually the great value brand at walmart. I use it for EVERYTHING. most other brands are more crumbly and dry we have found. Also, if you have an Aldi near you, they have a great selection of g free foods.
Jayne says
Lately we’ve been using Bob’s Red Mill paleo baking flour with good results. We also like Canyon bakehouse bread (I find most GF bread has a better texture if it’s toasted). Target has a lot of GF finds – we’ve really liked several types of crackers that they carry. Primal Kitchen and Tessemae’s have a ton of condiment and sauce options – you can find them at some stores or can order from their websites directly. As for travel, the GF meals on planes are usually decent (for airplane food). We went to Australia and New Zealand early in the year and every place we went had fabulous GF options – even tiny little coffee shops or cafes – we were so grateful for how accommodating they were. I hope your next travel destination is the same!
April B. says
My husband has a lot of food sensitivities so we follow a GF/DF/low FODMAP diet and I am in 100% agreement that the baking and all. The. Dang. Flours. Is the hardest part. And I love to bake! I don’t have a go to recommendation flour for you except if you are open to adding Mochi Rice Flour to your pantry you should try Snixy Kitchen’s Butter Mochi Cupcakes. They are absolutely delicious and very easy, and we eat them like breakfast muffins. And it’s only one flour for at least for that recipe! We live by the bakery she is inspired by and they are as good as the real thing.
Kristen says
Thrive market has fantastic gluten free options. I live in a small town in Oklahoma and finding gluten free items for me has been a struggle. It’s basically like an online costco haha. I have been using schar gluten free ciabatta buns for burgers and haven’t had too much trouble getting those from their website. ?
Ashley says
We have found the Katz gluten free donuts that you can find in frozen section of Walmart are all super good and taste normal! We aren’t g-free but have dairy and peanuts allergies and these were one donut we found that doesn’t have those ingredients and are a repeat treat we buy.
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!! We have tried those too!! All of my kids love them!
Caitlin says
In your previous post, you mentioned that Andrew has suffered for the last couple of years because of an unknown autoimmune issue. Has he noticed an improvement because of GF living involving that issue?
Mix and Match Mama says
He hasn’t…we’re still trying to figure his out and how to treat it/diagnose it/deal with it. Thank you for asking!
Kacey says
King Arthur Flour has fantastic GF flour blends. They also have recipes on their website for GF sweets that are amazing!
Maggie says
One thing that has helped me tremendously with gluten-free is Thrive Market online. I have found so many delicious gluten free items that normally I couldn’t get at my local grocery store. They deliver to your door, and already have most things sorted online by diet. It’s been such a game-changer and has introduced me to so many new products I otherwise wouldn’t have had, so I feel more “normal”.
OM says
Not to be contrary, more to relieve fears. This research from Boston Children’s Hospital on gluten cross contamination should relax some of your fears over the toaster/classroom.
https://discoveries.childrenshospital.org/gluten-exposure-risk/
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, Olivia!!
KayLynn Stone says
I recently found Kinnikinnick Gluten Free Chocolate Dipped Donuts at my local grocery store. The reviews on them are positive, but I have not tried them yet (they are in the freezer right now). I have also heard amazing things about Canyon Bakehouse bread, which my local target carries so that is on my list to try.
Sarah says
You must try Izzy B’s Allergen Free sweets! They are truly the best and as a mom of a young daughter with an egg intolerance she has thought of everything. Her cookies and cupcakes are excellent and she even does G-free gingerbread houses around the holidays! She ships across the US and they are the best gluten free desserts I’ve found. Enjoy!!
http://www.ibcakes.com/
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Elizabeth says
I think you will be pleasantly surprised when traveling overseas with how most other countries handle food allergies. In Ireland last summer every menu had detailed food allergy information. I never knew about Celiacs until Irish cousins shared about it. So hopefully you will find it easy to travel and find safe options.
Mix and Match Mama says
I sure hope so! Thank you so much for the encouragement!!
Kelli says
I use the free version of “The Gluten Free Scanner” app (red square icon with white circle/red GF letters) on my iPhone. You scan the product bar code and it tells you if the item has gluten. I’ll read an ingredient list and think I am in the clear and it comes back “may contain gluten”. Super helpful for friends and family that are with your children a lot but aren’t sure if a food item is safe. Of course not every tool is perfect, but this one hasn’t steered me wrong yet!
Mix and Match Mama says
NO WAY?! THANK YOU!!!!!!!
Kathryn says
What is your favorite g/f sliced bread, for sandwiches, toast, etc.? There are some that we would try again and some not. Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
My very favorite is Trader Joe’s for sandwiches. The slices are small (I’d rather them be a bit larger), but they’re really good and don’t have too many “holes”.
Emily says
I think you are absolutely right about Kensington looking “brighter.” When my youngest was diagnosed while in preschool, after a weekend of being gluten free, his teachers said it was “like a fog had been lifted” from him. Makes me wonder how many other people are living in a fog and don’t realize it.
Mix and Match Mama says
YES!!!!!!!
Deena says
It sounds like you’ve all adjusted well to going gluten free and Kensington looks so healthy and glowing! It’s great that her school is making sure she gets g-free treats. Our youngest is allergic to the protein in dairy and never grew out of it. The school would have things like ice cream or pizza day and never had other options for the allergy kids which was tough on him.
Nicole says
Hello!! I just bought almost every one of your Trader Joe’s faves!! Wondering how you eat the Curry Chicken Salad for lunch? Thanks!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I just eat it by itself but it would make a great sandwich too! Isn’t it delish?!
Nicole says
The buffalo chicken dip from Trader Joe’s, do you heat up or eat cold? Thanks!!! Love your food recommendations!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I like it cold!!
Erin says
Glad to read your update on Kensington!! I’m so glad your family has adapted so well!! My 4 year old daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease right around the same time as Kensington so we’ve been on the same journey as you for the same time frame (though i didn’t know it about Kensington until months later when you announced it) and all that you have described has been spot on for our journey too. Gosh, the beginning is so hard!! Food that just isn’t the same and finding replacements. And just the period of grieving all that feels “lost” for your girl with the permanence of it and the degree of it with cross-contact. I really felt for you with so many of your family traditions and holiday/seasonal favorites being tied to food and recipes. ?. Everything you’ve posted I could relate to, in real time, bc we were the same distance out from diagnosis and all this info-overload/learning curve as your family. It was so hard for us in the beginning when we didn’t have adaptations and replacements, and being diagnosed going into fall…football season food, Thanksgiving, Christmas. I really am sooo thankful to see how far we’ve come in those months with replacements and what does work, and the getting quicker on the shopping lists, knowing what questions to ask in restaurants and what to keep in the car…. next holiday season will be so much better on the food front for you and me both!
My heart broke for your K when you linked her favorite peeps bars recipe at Easter knowing this was the first year she couldn’t enjoy them just as the recipe goes, and I hoped y’all were able to adapt them to taste the same, as with many other special treats and traditions!! As you post recipes that you’ve adapted for her, I’d love for you to include your GF adaption at the bottom, bc like you said, and what I’ve seen/learned is no gluten free flour is created equal and every recipe takes so much tweaking to get it figured out!! ???
So far my baking front-runner is Bobs Red Mill one to one as others have mentioned. I’ve been really pleased with it, but want to try the cup 4 cup.
Also, my daughters case is unique in that we discovered it nearly by accident so she had no symptoms and doesn’t have any symptoms when she’s accidentally had gluten (twice knowingly). So I’d love to know what products you’ve found have gluten in them that are labeled GF. I’m always living in fear of her getting low doses of gluten all the time and the damage being done over time bc I don’t know if there’s something that’s a staple in our pantry that has it but we don’t know bc she doesn’t have symptoms!
I assume you have discovered the app Find Me Gluten Free?? It’s been a game changer for eating out for us – like yelp reviews but based on HOW gluten free a restaurant is, from a cross-contact/prep process perspective. We were also blown away by Disney World and how well they accommodated (we went just a couple months into diagnosis), but there were definitely restaurants with glowing reviews and then some with consistent negative reviews. We followed the recs, had lots of options, only avoided a few places, and were blown away. Similar to your Hawaii Disney dining, chef came out many times to explain process before preparing food. But that app helps so much anytime we travel!!
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! It sounds like we are so much alike as mamas. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story (and your daughter’s!) with me. I am so thankful that we discovered this when we did and have had some amazing people to encourage, educate and support us. I’ve taken so many notes from the comment section of this post alone! This community continues to floor me!!
Celina says
Thank you for your post update – I’m go glad to hear going GF is going well and K is feeling so much better. While my reactions are not diagnosed or as severe as Kensington’s, I avoid gluten and thus my family inadvertently does, too. 🙂 A couple comments:
1. I’ve learned that when baking GF, try letting the batter “sit” for about 10 minutes before filling the cake pan, muffin tins, etc. Because the batter lacks gluten, it takes longer for the ingredients to take to each other and create the same consistency we’re all used to in baked goods. My dessert chef friend suggested this and it’s been yielding better baked good results!
2. International travel & language barrier – My mom (from Japan) suggested making a laminated card to bring to restaurants that says “No XX, YY, ZZ. Allergy.” in the local language (find a friend to help or Google Translate). Then you can just pull out the card & show the restaurant staff, so they can help accordingly. A friend traveled to Japan whose son has a severe nut and some seafood allergies – they did this and it worked great! Might I suggest Asia as your next big international adventure? Lots of rice, just need to watch out for soy sauce 🙂 We just took our boys (8 & 10) to Japan in December and they LOVED it – the food, trains, people, adventures.
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Both tips are EXTREMELY helpful!!!
Elizabeth s says
Thank you so much for sharing! It is so wonderful to read about how far she has come and seeing how great she looks!
I’m not sure if you have already read medical medium books but I felt led to share one page of one of his books. He explains autoimmune as a word used by medical professionals to label something they don’t know what the true cause is.
“Celiac is not an autoimmune condition, nor is it limited to a sensitivity to gluten. Rather, wheat gluten is one trigger to this inflammation of the intestinal tract, which is in fact caused by EBV’s cofactor strep. Strep’s other favorite foods to find in the gut are eggs, dairy products, and corn alongside biofilm, neurotoxins, viral casings, other EBV waste, and toxic heavy metals dumping from the liver into the intestinal tract. These items give strep the fuel to prosper and irritate. medical communities believe celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, but this is inaccurate. In truth, your body is incapable of attacking itself.”
Kelli says
So much of this is familiar, as my daughter was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy following anaphylaxis at 2 years old. She’s now 8, and due to diligence and God’s grace, she is healthy. I love your positivity and how your entire family has gone all in and is supportive.
Jen says
Thanks for sharing this update, Shay! I’ve been thinking about your sweet Kensington – I can relate to her story in so many ways (same exact symptoms, same timing)! I love that your entire family has jumped on board to support her and to prevent cross-contamination. That is so amazing! Most of all, I’m just so glad she’s feeling better.
Real quick – I wanted to let you know of a company that I’ve been using for years called Thrive Market. They have TONS of certified gluten-free snacks and pre-packaged products (everything from peanut butter to tomato sauce to salad dressing to chips to granola bars to gluten free baking mixes/flours, etc.) and it all ships directly to your home. This has alleviated our need to go to a million different grocery stores, especially for speciality items. 🙂 Hope it helps!
Carolyn says
Hi Shay! I’m so glad to hear Kensington is feeling so much healthier. I was wondering if you have ever heard of the Nima? My SIL is a celiac extremely sensitive to cross contamination and this has been an amazing tool for her. You put a small piece of the food into the pocket-sized machine and it will tell you within minutes if it is safe, I have seen her use it when we were in New Zealand on rice, recently on fries. We all cheer when it gives a smiley face and she’s safe to eat haha but it’s just fun to see her able to enjoy something we are all having. The cartridges are pricey so it’s certainly not something you use all the time but a lifesaver for eating out and travel. Hope this maybe would help!
https://blog.nimasensor.com/
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow!!! That’s amazing!!!
Liz Even says
So glad y’all are doing great! Kensington has often been in my thoughts and prayers. I have witnessed first hand from my nieces how hard it can be sometimes. Cup 4 Cup is the best around we have found. All of Disney resorts and parks seem to be really great about celiac. A guy from my share group went to one park and my niece went to another and their experience was top notch. Disney makes them feel special not ‘weird’ or ‘different’. Can’t wait for her to be in youth!! I’m always here if she needs!
Karen says
Glad to hear Kensington is doing well. Not sure if this has been mentioned but with so many people doing Keto right now there are some fabulous recipes out there. Since they don’t use grains -most recipes would be naturally gluten free. One of my favorite cookbooks is Keto Southern Cooking. The author’s baked goods are amazing and use almond flour. You could just substitute sugar for the erythritol. Another lady I follow that has amazing recipes goes by All Day I Dream About Food. She is on IG and has a website.
Amy Stan says
I’m so glad she is doing well!! Just a couple of recent discoveries from my GF household… Jovial pasta. The best, hands down. If you follow GF bloggers, you likely know this, but it took me some time to actually go buy it because it required another grocery store. I did last ordered it via Amazon WholeFoods. Whole Foods has also been great for fresh ravioli and tortellini. Lastly, Schar ciabatta rolls are the best hamburger buns! Cut in half, butter and toasted… so good! And they’re vacuum packed and last a bit in the pantry which is another plus.
Denise says
My husband is at the other end of the age spectrum getting diagnosed – 76, 2 years ago. As the official cook in the family it was overwhelming to me. It was the hidden gluten I was terrified of like soy sauce, salad dressings, soups, etc. One huge help was just mentioned, the Gluten Free app. I started with the free app which was a great help initially but have moved on to the the fuller version that cost a nominal amount. One thing I wish is that more restaurants took Celiac seriously as an illness, not a gluten free fad diet. Believe me, we can tell if they lied.
Tammy says
I absolutely love these pancakes! They’re GF and mainly made out of oats, almond flour and bananas: https://deliciouslyella.com/recipes/banana-pancakes/
Maria says
Have you tried Pamelas Baking and Pancake mix? My grandma bakes her cookies from the mix ,and we actually prefer them to regular flour cookies!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve tried her blondies and they’re really delish!! Thank you!!!
Julie says
Do you have a Sprouts grocery store near you? They have lots of gluten free baked goods and I also found gfree nutty buddies and ice cream sandwiches! I believe the brand was Jolly Llama. They carry many brands I had only ever seen online. They definitely have the biggest gluten free selection of all the grocery stores around us.
Mix and Match Mama says
I do!! I never go there, but I will!
Katy Gouge says
Have you tried Kamut flour? My niece who also has Celiac can tolerate that flour and lots of other people with gluten issues can as well. Follow The Food Nanny here on Instagram for more info of how to order.. I think there is a pick up location in Dallas but I just order mine since I am in TN!
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t! Thank you!!!
Natalie says
So glad y’all are figuring it all out. My 5 year old son has a life threatening egg allergy. For some reason we’ve experienced people not taking it as seriously (restaurants, snacks at church). They tend to just think actual physical eggs rather than how often they are baked into things (nearly every cookie, cake and bakery item- also you wouldn’t believe how much Halloween candy has egg in it). If I had a nickel for everytime I get an eye roll and then saying sarcastically they won’t serve him scrambled eggs. ? I will say though we went to the U.K. last summer and I’ve never seen restaurants be so accommodating. I would nearly cry at meals because the chef would come out and explain everything to us (I will say the most accommodating and friendly was at Tea at the orangery at Kensington palace!) Glad you are finding some balance. It’s so hard wanting to protect your child and yet not make them paranoid or fearful of their food! Love your blog and have read it since before the bachelor days! ♥️?
Alexis Meacham says
One of my favorite instagrammers, @cottonstem, has a daughter with celiac disease and she orders a lot of snacks through Thrive Market. She said it’s so easy because you can input your specific dietary restrictions and only options that match that will show up. She said it’s so nice to not have to look at labels.
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes!! I love her IG!!
Megan says
Have you found a substitute for Rice Krispies to make Rice Krispie treats?!
Mix and Match Mama says
Nope. My mom and I are both on the hunt!
Erin says
Aldi! Their Crispy Rice is gluten free and tastes identical to Rice Krispies, as cereal and in Treats!! But yet another store to add to the mix ha. They also have a great (and cheap!) GF brownie box mix that rivals the regular brownie mixes.
I meant to mention this in my original comment but saw this here as I was taking notes on all these suggestions too. I also meant to mention Cotton Stem, but see someone else did and that you follow her already (love her!) – but specifically that her Blueberry Crumble Muffins are divine!! They were a crowd-pleaser when we were with family this weekend for Memorial Day, none of which eat gluten free, and no one could tell they were gluten free!
Mix and Match Mama says
We have an Aldi, but I’ve never been inside. Thank YOU!!!!!!!
Aubree says
Fruity Cheerios are a great Fruit Loops substitute and they are gluten free!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve never heard of such!!! My kids would love that!! THANK YOU!!
Morgan Hladky says
Hi Shay! So encouraged to hear your daughter is feeling better with the changes you have made as a family ❤️ Have you found a good g-free cake mix brand or flavor to swap for your Bundt cake recipes? I feel like rest of the ingredients wouldn’t have gluten aside from the cake mix? I am trying to make one of your recipes for my Mother in Law who’s recently g-free and would love any recs ☺️ Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
Pillsbury makes a pretty good one! We’ve made a few bundt cakes and they’ve worked out just fine!
Samantha Steider says
I am not GF but have lots of friends and family that are and I have been really happy with the namaste flour. I am a baker and that seems to make cookies and muffins well. I haven’t made pancakes or waffles but I would bet it works. And you can get it at Costco!
Sue says
My gluten free go to with regard to baking is Pamela’s g-free mixes. Vanilla, chocolate, etc. They are amazing! I a GREAT chocolate loaf with the chocolate cake mix, butter and chocolate chips. To die for! Check it out.
Elizabeth says
I would love if you would do a post about the gluten free snacks. I was also diagnosed with celiac in the fall and I have been having a difficult time finding very many GF things I enjoy.
Michelle says
King Arthur brand all purpose flour is amazing! It’s all I have ever used since becoming Gluten Free and have never needed to combine other flours (except for one lemon cake recipe that called for a bit of almond flour). They also have brownie mix, cookie mixes, and pancake/waffle mix that even my non-gf friends LOVE.
Also, Banza chickpea pasta is an awesome alternative for noodles!