GFCF update

It's been nearly a month since we went GFCF!!

There's been a snag here and there, but so far, it's going well. And we're all learning some things along the way.

- Gluten is in flippin' everything. Seriously. Hello, licorice??

- Brand names really ARE better when it comes to certain things. All of the brand name hot dogs do not have gluten in them. Store brand does.

- Bread and pasta are not life necessities. I miss them. Oh how I miss them. But...we are all still living.

- There is no way on God's green earth I'm giving up chocolate. Period. I'm just sayin'. I favor dark chocolate anyhoo...but chocolate is a non negotiable factor in this dietary change.

- All of us are in some way gluten intolerant. Which surprised me. More severe for some of us. But, it shows in all of us.

I've come up with so many new recipes! Like peanut-butter-chocolate-honey Chex Mix. And granola balls. And cranberry oatmeal baked apples! I've learned a new love of corn tortillas! And rediscovered the heaven that is air popped pop corn. I can't go back to the microwave crap in boxes now...

Here's a recipe for you:

Cranberry Oatmeal Baked Apples:

6 apples, cored and sliced (the more tart the apple is the better. Ida's or Mac's are good)

1 cup butter or margarine

1.5 cups brown sugar

1 cup oats

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp corn starch

.5 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen

Mix the cornstarch and cinnamon. Sprinkle over apples. Spread the apples in a 9x9 or 13x9 greased baking dish. (oh yeah. Heat the oven to 325)

Mix the butter and brown sugar until creamy. Stir in oats. Gently stir in cranberries.

Gently spread mixture over apples and let it fall down in between the apples. It's not meant to be a topping, but rather a part of the apple mix.

Place in the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, mix up well and bake for another 15-20 or until all apples are soft and mixture begins to thicken (it will thicken A LOT as it cools). Sprinkle with another tablespoon of brown sugar if desired.

The berries and apples are tart, but the natural sugar in the apples and brown sugar balances so well! A yummy dessert or side dish.