Potatoes!

I've been eating a lot of potatoes! HA. I am bad about getting on a kick with something in particular and wearing it out. Baked potatoes are great because you can put basically anything on them. A bag of about 12 was 3.99 at Publix last week. I also never cooked them in the microwave, until now. If I am planning ahead I will bake them in the oven (it takes an hour and heats up my house), but if I'm in a hurry, I don't mind them in the microwave. Of course cheese, sour cream, and butter are always good- but I usually add broccoli, or mushrooms and onions- peppers, tomatoes- Chicken! ANYTHING. Also, I went to Purple Onion and got the Veggie Baker ( and took it in to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch football, because they have absolutely nothing gluten free besides lettuce). It was DELICIOUS. (probably fattening, but yummy!). A good change from a salad.

I just looked up the nutritional facts of a baked potato and it has some interesting information: Potatoes are a great source of potassium, folate, and vitamin c- which are all non-absorbed nutrients when you have Celiac disease and aren't on a GF diet.
So if you load it down with some yummy veggies (cooked in light oil or steamed), and some I can't believe its not Butter, and light Sour Cream- and just a little shredded cheese- You are looking at a pretty good meal!

I also chopped some up and roasted them with a little rosemary and oil- and they were delicious- even for breakfast the next morning with some cheese and ketchup (smothered, covered?)!

I have also made Potato skins! YUMMY. Great snack for a football party or app for a dinner party. I love these.

I also love a sweet potato. I can't wait to make sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving! This year I will substitute corn chex for the corn flakes that go on top!

Sweet potato fries are the next best thing. I haven't completely perfected homemade ones, but I will. They are my favorite!
                                      

Away From Home

Last weekend, I was in my friends Katey and Jules's wedding in Charleston, South Carolina. I absolutely love Charleston- in fact, I almost moved there back in 2009...Anyway, I have been there about 6 times I believe, and just love going to visit Katey there. Not only is the city beautiful because its surrounded by water, but its old town charm and history is intriguing as well. Not to mention the culinary aspect of the town too! I wish we had had more time to explore the restaurants this time...but that will have to be another trip!

Traveling is definitely challenging on a GF diet...but not impossible, I have found out. A few weeks ago, we went to Orlando for the bachelorette party--we took a lot of our own food and I stocked up on my GF snacks- apples, cereal, protein bars, Udi's blueberry muffins! We had dinner out on Saturday night and I was able to get plain grilled chicken and veggies. I did have to endure everyone eating some fried goodness for apps, but I made it through with my Pinot Grigio in hand =) I was overwhelmed by how helpful they were at Disneyworld when we went to get lunch. We found a place that offered a taco salad (which is usually a go-to at most restaurants), and I quickly found someone who knew allergen info and was able to special order my meal- I got nachos instead- the tostito chips came in a separate package with a cup of the taco meat. He had showed me the ingredients in the taco seasoning- and they looked ok to me (however Im not so sure afterwards)- Then you could add your toppings at the bar- I found some cheese and sour cream. He had told me that their salsa was NOT GF, which was weird, but whatever- I trusted him. Anyway, I may not have eaten exactly the right thing, but the fact that they were so helpful really made me feel so much better.

I appreciate my friends for being accommodating and helpful during that experience!!

This past weekend was a little different considering I had most of my meals provided for me. I took a basket of snacks and I definitely ate most of what I brought! Saturday night's after rehearsal dinner was a buffet and I was able to eat a few things- at least I didn't starve. Sunday, we were at the wedding venue all day, so they provided lunch for everyone. Again, I could have cheese and fruit (not starving again!). The pimento cheese sandwiches looked very good though.
Since we were at the house while the caterer's were prepping in the kitchen, I was able to ask them some questions! By wedding time, I was very hungry- but luckily was able to par-take in the sliced steak and mini stuffed potatoes! I also had some salad, and sauteed shrimp. Everyone's plates with the yummy mac and cheese and BBQ looked sooooooo good. I guess I'm just going to have to think differently from now on!

My advice on travelling is just be prepared! Take stuff with you and eat before you go places. Also, ask questions! I almost ate grit cakes that she said may not be ok- which I thought was strange, but oh well.
All in all-- good experience and I'm feeling much better about eating away from home.