Life After Cheez-Its

Yes, I'm finding life does exist after Cheez-Its. Its been quite a journey around here this past week. Basically, after some research and long hard consideration, we've decided to make the plunge into Gluten-free eating for Zman.
Lots of reasons, mainly in an attempt to try the GFCF diet. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten-free,_casein-free_diet)
Except I wasnt willing to go full GFCF, so we're starting with just the GF part. Its been a week, and I have to say I see no difference in his behavior. Well, not thats not totally true. I see it getting worse! But, we've been told to give it time so we're willing to wait 4 weeks on this to give it a fair shot. If we see improvement, maybe we'll try the CF part too. But i can only tweek so much at once!

So, Ive been reading alot about this, trying to find substitues for what we typically eat w/ wheat in it (EVERYTHING!!!) Especially for a family who loves Italian food. So this weekend I experimanted with GF bread (see below), GF muffins, and homemade granola bars. Here you can see a little corner of my kitchen right now:



I've been trying real hard to not make this torture for Z. Telling him he cant have Cheez-Its, (which he really shouldnt be eating anyway with all the junk in it, GF or not!), goldfish crackers, garlic bread, pancakes, ravioli, cookies, etc.... is like cutting off his left arm to him. He is "on board" with it- and is agreeing to do it, and understands why, but its still hard.
Friday night we went to CPK for dinner, ordered him a GF pizza (and he happily ate the whole thing!) but waiting at the table was challenging. Normally, they bring bread. We avoided it w/ the waiter ahead of time, but once he saw someone else get it, and then realized it was missing, and then realized he couldnt have it.... brought the poor kid to tears. And this is Z we are talking about... so these arent quiet, subdued tears. These are loud. and dramatic. and did i say loud?


But overall, its been ok. I made some homemade granola bars w/ Cori. Got the recipe from a website, but substitued the wheat flour for brown rice flour.

She was so fun to cook with! And, they came out really yummy too! Oh, and notice the laminator on the counter? No, i didnt use it for cooking. Its just back-to-school season around here too, so Ive been getting ready. My counter is constantly multi-purpose!

So, even worst case scenario and we decide not to follow the diet long term, this whole process has helped me to learn more about foods and get motivated to eat healthier overall. Not that we ate terribly before, but i do take lots of shortcuts in cooking. Some of those shortcuts have preservatives, hydrogenated oils, and more sugar than necessary. I dont even know what half the ingredients are in some stuff i buy. So, Im trying to really know what Im serving. No more coupons and Giant circulars! Its a big change for me, but I'm hopeful the extra work in food prep and cooking will reap great benefits for my kids (and us too)! I'll keep you posted.