a gluten-free fam.

After lots of frustration and extensive research, {cv} recently decided to give the gluten-free diet a try. We are "officially" starting his gluten-free regimen after Labor Day. {We decided we needed a little time to prep our pantry before making the change.}

Here's the sneaky and persistent problem: I love all things that contain gluten. Pasta. Desserts. Beer. BREAD. You name it, it's on my short list. You better believe I want to be a supportive spouse, but how in the world do I juggle these loves? {aka my husband and gluten}

find the recipes for these treats here: macarons + crêpes + poptarts + cinnamon rolls

These photos make gluten-free look...normal. I have always perceived gluten-free food to be flavorless and boring, but it is clear there are plenty of ways to jazz things up. We're blessed in that {cv} is not allergic to gluten and that he is voluntarily making this change, but it still going to be a major adjustment. My extreme picky eating doesn't make it any easier. Suffice it to say, I'm a little nervous.

In true {av} fashion, I'm coming to you for help. Do you follow a gluten-free regimen? Or do you live with someone who does? Where can I find the best recipes? Is there a magical website somewhere to help me? I'll take any {and ALL} advice you can give me. A sincere thank you in advance...


Before I go, here is one last reminder to get your entries in for my J.Crew giveaway which ends tonight! Click below to enter :)

22 comments:

  1. I started eating a few things that are gluten free just because they do taste good. I think Whole Foods has a wonderful selection of gluten free items. Restaurants have also become more aware of gluten allergies.
    In case you are looking for recipes or advice, I would suggest you check out Carrie's blog http://thisfreebird.blogspot.com/
    She has gluten allergies and she has posted a few recipes. She's also a sweetheart and she might be able to give you some pointers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good luck you two! I've been thinking about doing the same thing.. but I'm like you - picky! VERY picky. And I'm Italian which means I love pasta and would eat it everyday except my BF would get tired of it. haha I hope you'll keep us up-to-date some on the g-free progress! I'd love to hear how it goes. Look at it this way- it's definitely not a bad thing to do! It can only help!

    Alissa
    FeelingGoodFashion.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am trying to move to a more Paleo lifestyle which is inherently gluten-free so I have been dabbling with new recipes. I will post them on my blog if they are any good (food posts are usually Tuesdays.) I made really good chicken last night using almonds as a crust instead of flour or breadcrumbs. I will share it soon.

    After starting Paleo, I have found that I have a terrible relationship with gluten. I practically go into a coma after I eat a thing of pasta or calzone or whatever. It is ok in moderation but I feel much better after making this adjustment - but every body is different.

    http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Just a word of caution about the "gluten free" diet. Most of the flours, etc. that are gluten free are actually higher in sugar than others. So if you switch one for the other, you might gain weight :/ maybe just cut out all grains?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've been trying to cut down on gluten a bit and I find I have more energy in the day when I do. I'm a vegetarian though, so I'm already somewhat limited! There are some great gluten free blogs I follow that post recipes that look so delicious you wouldn't even know they're gluten free! ( Roostblog.com & withstyle.me )

    Good luck! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Alison - Christin is right... I have a friend who is allergic to gluten and she was telling me that exact same thing. Do you watch The Bachelor? Tinely, a former contestant, is GF and has a blog all about it. Don't know what it's called but if you Google it I'm sure it's easy to find! Good luck to {cv}!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You should be able to find gluten free pasta in grocery stores. Well at least where I live they have gluten free aisles. The gluten free diet I know can help increase attention span, especially in children who have Autism because their bodies can digest gluten. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I feel your pain and I think it might be easier to join {cv} than lead separate food lives. I have a friend who is gluten free and helped another friend get his website up and running - http://renegadekitchen.com/about/.

    take a look - he makes it seem kinda painless

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for the sweet shoutout via Twitter yesterday! Absolutely love the eye candy in your posts each day...and it doesn't hurt when it's food. Haha!

    evannclingan.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Emily at Best of This Life {http://www.bestofthislife.com/} offers a ton of yummy, normal GF recipes. I'd recommend checking out her blog. Excited to hear how this goes for y'all!

    ReplyDelete
  11. The stuff can be very tasty! Good luck with the change - it will definitely be worth it in the end!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am gluten intolerant! It has been tough because like you I love my bread and pasta! But since the gluten free lifestyle has become somewhat of a fad or diet, lots of restaurants and grocery stores have become very accommodating.

    If he wants to truly go gluten free, make sure you check labels on everything you buy. Lots of random things have gluten in them, for example soy sauce and ketchup (certain brands); who would have thought?? I know I accidentally still have gluten because I get lazy and don't read labels.

    A good blog is gluten free girl, she posts a recipe just about every day.

    If you have any questions or need help, feel free to email me :) cjohnston2011@gmail.com

    Whole Foods is the gluten free Mecca by the way, lol. And PF Changs has an awesome gluten free menu.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sweetandfreelife.com

    Tenley from the Bachelor Pad last season (I think) started up a blog because she eats gluten free. I discovered it a year ago when I was getting sick from everything I ate that I would just stop eating (turns out it was just stress from wedding planning!). She has a ton of recipes on there that are so delicious. I still use the recipes from there even though I don't have a gluten allergy. Good luck and be a strong wife! But still enjoy that beer and bread :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I look forward to future posts about gluten free! Keep us updated! My husband is considering going gluten free due to some health issues. I would love to hear more on how you are adapting to it.

    http://tarabelle-adropofink.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have a good friend with a gluten allergy and there is SO much you can make still. She's made my boyfriend and I dinner a few times and everything was fabulous! My boyfriend isn't gluten-free, but he is an incredibly healthy eater. I was pretty much the opposite (love going out to eat, anything sweet, will eat cereal for dinner out of laziness). When I moved in we just learned to compromise. We met in the middle so I eat a lot healthier now but I get him to indulge from time to time. I'm sure you'll be able to do the same. Good luck!

    Stephanie
    twenty-something

    ReplyDelete
  16. My sister-in-law is gluten free and I think the diet has come a long way. There are so many restaurants that accommodate gluten-free and they're actually quite good! We have a local bakery that makes gluten-free cupcakes and they're SO good!! Wishing you guys the best as you find your way...share any food recipes you find!

    ReplyDelete
  17. a lot of my friends eat gluten free and they love it. it was def challenging in the beginning but now it's part of their life! best if luck on this new adventure!

    xxA

    ReplyDelete
  18. I went gluten free for awhile as I thought I might have an allergy... turns out my allergy is to dairy :(. Anyways, looking back I think it was almost easier to eat gluten free than dairy free! Most restaurants have gluten free options now (and if they don't, you're almost always safe with mexican food -- corn tortillas, rice, etc.) And WholeFoods has an amazing selection of gluten free foods. Rice pasta, and gluten free bread are almost better than real pasta and bread in my opinion. It's just so much more pricey! Be careful of salad dressings... a lot of them are NOT gluten free. Even ones you would expect to be. As far as beer, Redbridge is a great gluten free beer. Also, Zpizza will replace the crust with gluten free crust. Hope this helps! xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Do you read Brunch at Saks? Annemarie is GF and posts the best recipes! Here's her blog

    Also I didn't realize you are a picky eater. Just went back and read the post you did. I am working on my pickiness too, especially in front of the little guy I nanny. I just ordered this book about a picky eater turned chef/food writer. Here's the link

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great wife you are! Wait...is there a gluten free beer option?!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi AV! I went GF, sugar-free, dairy-free, and soy-free for about four months. During that time, I searched high and low for desserts that were all of the above, not easy but they're out there! Check out this blog: http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/tag/gluten-free/

    ReplyDelete
  22. How is GF living going? My daughter is GF and my youngest son is peanut, tree nut and egg free. So I have not found just one sight to help us. I just look for recipes that my family would like and I "tweek" the recipe to meet our needs.

    ReplyDelete