Tag Archive: goodtimes publications

Gluten Free for Me Upcoming Taste Testing & Updates!

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Gluten Free for Me Upcoming Taste Testing & Updates!

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We’re in 2015 now, which means this year we’ll be participating in our first book signings, taste testing, and local events around the area! If creating the recipes, designing the cook, formatting the layout, making the nutrition labels and working on images wasn’t hard enough… now I’ve got to decide which foods to make in mass for people to try at our events!!

For this, I’ve decided to not decide myself, and let my followers and cook book owners help me figure it out! You’ll find a Google Form attached in this blog update (that I will post on our Facebook page eventually, too) that you can fill out to help me with this process! Don’t worry- you’re not signing up for anything at all. Just helping me to choose which recipes to consider for my early 2015 events!

For the first form, I’d like to get an idea of what your favorite recipes in the cook book, on our Facebook page, or from our blog are. If you’ve tried something in the cook book you love, please enter that in this form. After I get a general idea of “favorites,” I’ll then send out one last form choosing the “winners.”

USE THIS LINK FOR OUR GOOGLE FORM! OR, check our Facebook page for the link!!

 

January 4, 2015 OH FORKS!! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free 2015, OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

Oh, How the Garden Grows…

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Oh, How the Garden Grows…

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I love the growing, blooming, and blossoming parts of summer. I love that in May I can plant loads of seeds, and spend the next 4 months cultivating, nurturing, and growing the biggest bad-ass fruits and vegetables around! I love that I can lose myself for what seems like hours pulling weeds, staking plants up, and pruning. I love even more that I can then create recipes to that use these wonderful, organically grown foods, to share with you!

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It’s not easy venture having a ginormous garden every year. This looks to be my last garden at our current residence, and honestly, I think that’s the ONLY part of this house I’ll truly miss!!! Ok, ok…the garden AND the view…. I know I’ll have lots of room to garden at the Compound, too, but still. I’m extremely proud of the garden this year, especially considering e v e r y t h i n g that has been going on. And everything that’s still coming this summer.

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I’ve got big plans for gardens at the Compound, some that may include winter gardening. Oh, what? I’m rambling? And you’re wondering about the cook book, aren’t you? *Insert devious smile here* It’s getting SO close! In fact, right this moment, that’s what I SHOULD be working on!! HA!! I’m currently editing recipes, pulling pics and nutrition labels into the layouts. While this part isn’t terribly difficult, it’s EXTREMELY time consuming. It’s very close to ISBN time, and making this gluten free cook book official!!

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Please spread the word about this cook book with your friends, family, whoever! Still going ahead with a certain amount of proceeds from this book benefitting the Scleroderma Foundation, as well! Will know how much once all the costs are determined for publishing and what not. Oh, the details! PLEASE REMEMBER to LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, SHARE, RETWEET, REBLOG, BRAG ON, and even STALK US on Facebook! Twitter! Pinterest! EVERYWHERE!!!

PS. The cook book is called OH, Forks!! A Little Bit of Everything and All That’s Gluten Free!!

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June 28, 2014 OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

Can It! It’s Jelly Time!

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Can It! It’s Jelly Time!

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I LOVE canning!! Don’t you? If you don’t, you should! It’s so simple to keep your garden veggies, salsas, and fruits longer, doesn’t take up all your freezer space, AND it’s something fun to do with the kids. (Okay, okay, sometimes. I’ve heard not all kids like to listen, or help. Shocking, I know.) I was even lucky enough that my dad built me my own canning shelved armoire. A few months back, while the cook book development was happening, I created a few new recipes for canning, and today began trying some of them out!

A few years ago, I made up a pretty smashing recipe for spicy strawberry jelly. Many people loved it, requested more, and had multiple jars. My jellies are low sugar, and most often organic. This was true of the Organic Strawberry Jalapeno jelly. This favorite WILL be coming back for my summer sales, as will a new flavor freshly made today… Organic Strawberry Orange! It’s pretty fabulous, and has the sneakiest hint of orange. Really refreshing, and not too out there!!

We do the most canning with salsas, tomatoes, peppers, pickles, green beans, applesauce, fruits, and jellies. If stored correctly, many of these things will last up to 12 months! Many of our canning recipes will be available in our e-book, Gluten Free for Me: Can It! Book. This is due soon after the cook book is released!!

Thank you, so much, for checking in and for the support! Support ALL your local authors, artists, and small businesses!

June 4, 2014 OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

14 Things We HATE About being Gluten Free

10 Things 14 Things We Hate About being Gluten Free

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I’m at that point in my gluten free living, where if I hear ONE MORE TIME that I’m doing this as part of a trend, I just may throat punch the person who said it. It’s just going to be one of my new involuntary body actions that happens when confronted with ignorant and stupid. On the flip side of things, while I haven’t indulged in some of my favorite foods for YEARS….the mere sight of them has brought me to tears more times than I would like to admit in the last months. So, here’s my silly little list. (Some of you will truly understand, and agree with many!!) If YOU are gluten free, and have anything to add to my list, please comment with your addition!!

#1- No “fast” snacks are available ANYWHERE while you’re out and about. I know, I know…I could pack my snacks. And I do. But seriously, how freaking easy is it to run into the Marathon station and grab a protein bar and a smoothie? Or a bag of chips? Or cookies? You see where I’m going here. Thankfully, the Meijer gas stations have fruit for these quick snack runs. (But still, where is the excitement in an apple?!)

#2- “Mandatory” dinners with no choice, or gluten free options. Whether it’s a business luncheon, event, or family gathering….it always seems to be an issue. Even if we just quietly sit back, and avoid the foods we can’t eat. Never fails that someone feels that they need to point it out, and push the issue. It’s one thing at business meetings, but a whole other when it’s a family gathering. Shouldn’t family know, ask, or at least pretend to care? Especially when it’s a medical situation, not a diet fad?

#3- Grocery shopping with label reading. I read people complain about taking their kids to the grocery store ALL THE TIME. I laugh at you, people. Try taking your kids, toddler ages even, to the store where you have to pick up EVERY product to check it’s label. In every isle. For EVERY ITEM on your list. Every hour long trip suddenly turns into a three hour tour. That’s how it goes for the new diagnosed Celiac sufferers for the first 6-8 months of the solid diet. Until we’ve managed to memorize the labels. So, have patience with your kids, and be happy you don’t have to label read.

#4- Dinner’s are no longer “quick.” For this one, I’m not really unhappy about. I LOVE COOKING. But, I do have a few gluten free friends who really dislike that they have to make everything from scratch. There are many gluten free products out there, folks…. But have you seen how unhealthy some of those foods are for you, when they leave the gluten out? Pay close attention to that…

#5- Driving can trigger the worst memories! Especially when passing places like McD’s, DQ, Subway, or even the Coney Stand. I cry passing Olive Garden, Casa’s, and Lee’s. Taco Bell and I had a hard divorce, but I’m happy to say I’ve been TB clean for almost one whole year.

#6- The pain of being accidentally “glutened.” It’s often done accidentally. Most of the time by a friend or family member who tried really hard to make something for you, but didn’t realize that even spices can have gluten in them. Those times, it’s okay. We understand, and are thankful that you try for us. However, when someone labels things “gluten free” purposely knowing that there are gluten ingredients in them, and boldly LIES about it…. They are essentially trying to kill us, and we tend to go batshitcrazy for those instances. Some people still think that being gluten free is a simple fad. Many don’t understand that in some people, severe Celiac cases, gluten can lead to the body attacking itself to death. Just saying.

#7- “Oh wow! You really CAN’T eat much, can you?!” “Eating that causes all of THAT to happen to you?” “Are you sure?” Yes, we’re sure. Do you really think we’d go to the extremes going gluten free causes? DO you know that my daughter uses gluten free shampoo and conditioner to avoid body rashes? Even the slightest bits of gluten cause issue in the severe sufferers. This is not true for all individuals. And yes, our diets may be limited, but I promises we don’t need that much attention paid to how much we can’t eat. That only reminds us, and makes us not feel so happy.

#8- Pretending you’re not hungry anyway. This is what happens at those lunches, dinners, meetings, and parties where there just isn’t food. Happens at family gatherings, park play dates- everywhere. Most of the time this is no issue, until hunger strikes. Then, hopefully you’ve brought your snacks, or your family understands the gravity of finding you food you can eat, and fast. No one has time for blood sugar swings!

#9- “Yeah, she’s avoiding the food again, bet she’s anorexic.” THANKS, FAMILY! Yes, I recently heard this at a family event, while I then watched the person who said it “quietly” down a WHOLE GLASS of wine without thought. (Couldn’t help but chuckle at that one….ohh, the irony…) No, jerk…I don’t have an eating disorder, but for the fabulous hereditary autoimmune diseases unwillingly passed to me before my birth that I had no control over. Thanks for making me feel special, though.

#10- No kissin’! Did you know that make out sessions can causes gluten sufferers to flare? That’s right. If our partners eat something riddled with gluten, and we’re too quick to lock lips after, we can be prepared for mouth rashes, and possible stomach upset by the time it all sinks in. SUCK.

#11- Hangry. I love food. I’ve always loved food. When I was younger, I ate 3 or 4 dinners. As a skinny swimmer, I burned it off quickly. Nowadays, my food choices and calorie intake can be tricky. Making sure I get enough calories can often be a problem, actually. So, often, after eating lunch….an hour later I’m starving, and have the angry-hangry’s. This happens to many people in my “Gluten groups,” too…so I thought I’d add it in.

#12- Nightmares of bread. Not gonna lie, I miss bread. I miss slathering on butter, and eating it at every meal. Okay, not EVERY meal…. Some of my worst nightmares, I’ve woken up covering my mouth, hoping to Jesus that I didn’t just eat the 3 feet of subs like I had just dreamt. Or eating the bag of cookies in a sleepy stupor at midnight. Ugh.

#13- The Fakers! Yes, to you, those diet fad-er. The ones who don’t even know what gluten is, or what it does in the body…..but that swear by their “gluten free” diet during the day. Then post pictures of their beer binges over the weekend, in cans that WE all know are clearly not gluten free. We’re on to you, but because we’re too busy label reading, we’ll just ignore your insanity, and move on.

#14- Inevitably cheating, and immediately regretting it. This happens in stressful times. This happens on Mondays. Tuesdays. Wednesdays. Thurs- I Think you get it. It happens more when you’re first starting on being gluten free, and those times it can be more “accidental.” But, like me, years in to eating this way….I absolutely know if I’m doing the wrong thing, and I absolutely know what’s going to be coming sometimes only an hour or so after my indiscretion.

Thanks for reading! Needed a little break from cook book designing!! 😉

 

 

May 15, 2014 Gluten Free Humor. (Because what else can you do but laugh?), , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

Gluten Free for Me Cook Book Updates April 2014

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Gluten Free for Me Cook Book Updates April 2014

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It’s hard to believe that April is almost half over, but we’re so thankful that the weather has finally taken a warm turn!! With the publication of Skye Falcon’s Phoenix on Fire going live, the focus has now shifted back to this fabulous cook book! Hopefully, with no major hang ups….we’ll have the “birth” of this new baby this summer!!!

As I sat today watching my kiddos at swim practice, I began rifling through the pages, and pages, and pages of recipes we have made from all these new recipe creations. I quickly came to the conclusion that we needed more than one cook book. Trouble is, we’ve got a whole book worth of recipes that we swear by for canning. And then a whole other pile of “one pot” recipes, too. So, you’ll see “Gluten Free for Me: Can It.” and “Gluten Free for Me: One Dish Wonders” appear in cook book format soon, too. (Maybe they’ll all hit at the same time??) Realizing this was sort of overwhelming…. as we’re quickly remembering the work done on a cook book is about twenty eight million times harder than that of a novel!!

Overall, we’re very happy with where the cook book is progress wise, and where it’s headed in marketing and sales. This gluten free cook book will have basic recipes, all the way up to the insanely complicated–but insanely, ridiculously tasty. Some of these recipes are our old family recipes that I’ve tweaked to be healthy, and GF. And the others are straight from my head, and tested on my poor, helpless family members. (Just kidding…they have no complaints, as of yet.) Some of these recipes will have dairy free, or vegan options, for cooking, too.

We’re currently running some surveys, and questionnaires about the general public’s thoughts on cook books in general, and people’s general likes on layouts. WHY are we doing this? Simple. We want you to use this cook book, all the time. We want it to be easy, and have the information in it that YOU want, and/or need, to successfully remake these recipes. As planned now, our cook book will have pictures, nutrition labels with serving size, ingredient list separate from directions, step by step directions, and cooking/prep time. The type-face of all the sections are quite different, so the title and ingredient list will stand out to you, with the picture. The feedback we’re getting tells us we’re dead on with the layout, so far.

Many of you know I’ve been dealing with massive illness, that keeps raring it’s ugly head at the worst times. It’s been WEEKS since I’ve made any real progress on things (except for the Phoenix on Fire!) in the kitchen, and I’ve been so happy to get back to it! Tonight I managed to get some samples of our GF Banana Pear bread ready to go. I’m in love with the cute little loaves the new pan made!!

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While making those fancy little loaves, I decided to do a new creation, based off of the fad I’ve seen go across Pinterest, and Facebook! Stuffed French Toast! Of course, ours is GF, and can be made dairy free, too! We went with a strawberry vanilla cream filling, with a spiced bread. The kids moaned through dinner, and I ate mine in mere bites… So, safe to say it’s freaking delicious!! If you’re in to the stuffed French toast craze, rest assured this will satisfy your gluten free desires!!

As always, If you’re reading this, we THANK YOU. Your support does not go unnoticed, and is ALWAYS appreciated!

 

April 9, 2014 OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

Gluten Free for Me 2014 Cook Book Updates!!

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Gluten Free for Me 2014 Cook Book Updates

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Our inboxes have been bombarded with questions, and we wanted to address some of them in a more public forum, like our blog. We’re so thankful for those who have stuck by us on this ride, and those that are being patient. We’ll try to answer the most asked questions below. If you have any other questions, please feel free to message us, or inbox us on Facebook!

When will the cook book be available? The cook book will be published in the summer or fall of 2014. We first said that it could be done by spring, and parts of it will be. But, we don’t want to rush it, as perfection cannot be pushed!

Where will the cook book be available? The cook book will be available from Amazon, as an e-book, and also print copies will be available in some local stores around Fort Wayne, Indiana.

How much will the book cost? I cannot tell you that, at this point. We are aiming for 100 recipes, hopefully most all with pictures, and nutrition labels. It should be comparable to other cook books of it’s size already for sale.

Where do your recipes come from? Many of my recipes are old family recipes that I’ve manipulated, changed, and managed to get gluten free. Over half of the recipes in the cook book originated in my brain. We like to help people with their gluten free ventures, by using normal ingredients that one may already have, and sticking with ingredients that won’t cost you a fortune.

Will every recipe be gluten free in the cook book? Yes, every recipe will be gluten free, or have options to make it dairy free, or vegan. Each will be marked as such. We also have plans for an “Everything Else” category in the cook book, that will have a page of safe gluten free substitutions, and even gluten free pet treats!

I’ve heard you’ve done taste tests. How can I get involved with those? To be a taste tester, you must be reasonably close to Fort Wayne. We arrange drop offs of our treats to your at your home, or work place. We ask that those who sample, fill out a comment card in return. When taste tests are coming, they will be posted on the Facebook page. Feel free to LIKE our page!!

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Thank you, again, for the support! We cannot wait to share this with you!!

 

March 9, 2014 OH, Forks! A Little Bit of Everything and All That's Gluten Free Cook Book 2014, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Read more >

Gluten Free for Me’s 2014 GF Cook Book Updates!

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GF4M’s 2014 GF Cook Book Updates!

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We’re constantly being asked about this cook book, and we are SOO appreciative for everyone for the support! Progress is coming along nicely, and we’re solidifying recipes, and cleaning them up to be as healthy as possible. We think that each recipe should have a nutrition label, so that we can help you in your health adventures and dieting. That process is taking us longer than we anticipated! No worries, it’s not slowing us too much!

We have reached a point in our plan where we’ve begun offering samples of some of the recipes! The reviews are coming back fabulous, and we are very happy with the response! Over the next few months, we’ll be offering more and more samples!!!

We’ve decided to add pages on substitutions, as well as multiple options for each recipe. Some will be gluten free, dairy free, or vegan; or have the option to make it “normal,” as well. Keep in mind that these recipes are meant to be easy, with ingredients and things that you would normally be using. Not too many crazy or specialty ingredients keep costs, and recipe ease pretty simple.

From the new gluten free pasta recipes, to the gluten free candy bars… Or to the dairy free casseroles and stews…. the appetizers, dinners, drinks, and desserts…. we’re excited to share it with you!! Thank you for being patient!!

February 21, 2014 GF & Dairy Free Recipes, Gluten In The News, , , , , , , 0 Read more >