It’s been a while…
November – The Month of Thanks
I don’t just give thanks during this time of the year but I cannot ever be thankful enough that I am blessed with a family that truly understands my celiac woes and the importance of “safe” food. My sis-in-law is a godsend and turns her kitchen upside down to prepare food for me when we have a family gathering. And I get to go home with leftovers!!!!
As a celiac, we always have to have a backup plan and think about food all the time. Should I eat before I go, should I bring my own food, do I trust the gf dishes that may be served? In the last two years since my gf journey began, I feel like I have food on my mind 24/7. It’s nice to be able to forget about it for a while and just enjoy…
So hats off to those who take the time to really take the necessary steps to feed us!

Celiac Tip: Cross contamination is a big factor in a celiac life.
Those who choose to eat gf aren’t concerned if their food is prepared on the same grill as gluten, fried in the same fat or oil as breaded chicken fingers. But for a celiac these things are just as bad as eating gluten themselves. Many households have separate pots, silverware, toaster is a must!, etc!!

I’m so tired of making the same dishes day in and day out, so I am always looking for quick easy meals – Quick??  Easy?? Who can say no to that right? I came upon this sausage spinach rice recipe and gave it a try tonight.  It certainly was a breeze to make.  The only disappointment was that there weren’t any leftovers.  If doubling the recipe make sure you have enough room in your pan for the spinach (perhaps even do it in batches).  It has a little kick, although my teen-son said it wasn’t spicy enough.

Anyway, here it is..Enjoy!

Gluten Free – Sausage-Spinach Rice Bowl\

Ingredients – Serves 2

• 9 ozs brown rice (cooked)  I used Uncle Bens Brown Rice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 6 ozs hot Italian turkey sausage (out of the casings and broken up) – (About 3 sausage)
• 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
• 5 garlic cloves (thinly sliced)
• 6 ozs baby spinach (fresh)
• Grated parmesan cheese (or dairy free alternative)  shake on when served

Here are the basic ingredients laid out.  The recipe called for Uncle Ben’s Brown pre-cooked Rice in the mircrowave bag, but it was NOT GF.  Always check the labels..Always!  When in doubt, google it or email/call the company directly.  Uncle Bens Website is informative and under each product lists if it is gluten free and which aren’t.  FYI…NONE of the pre-cooked Ready rices were listed as gluten free  www.unclebens.com

Ok, Let’s get started…Do yourself a favor and prepare all your ingredients before you begin cooking,  It really does make a difference.  I know.  I am forever grabbing and looking for something and realizing dang I don’t have that ingredient – or burn something because I have to cut veggies..Trying to practice what I preach here..haha.

1.Cook your rice and set it aside. This is probably the most time consuming.  I used regular Brown Rice because I bought the packaged rice and didn’t use it.  I will use the boil in the bag rice next time and see how it works.  Will certainly cut down the time.

2.  Heat a large skillet over med-high heat and the Oil to the pan moving the pan so it coats the bottom.

Add sausage and crushed red pepper; cook 4 minutes or until sausage is browned, stirring to crumble.

3. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
4. Add spinach; cook 30 seconds or until spinach begins to wilt, tossing constantly.   IT WILL LOOK LIKE A LOT OF SPINACH but it will disappear before your eyes.

5. Stir in rice; cook 1 minute or until heated.

 

Put in a bowl/plate whateva your container of choice is sprinkle with cheese and enjoy.

 

 

 

 

What is Celiac Disease?

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (nfca) is a great resource (www.celiaccentral.org).  They put it very simply…

“Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. What does this mean? Essentially the body is attacking itself every time a person with celiac consumes gluten”

For more information visit them at http://www.celiaccentral.org/Celiac-Disease/21/

With over 300 symptoms and a wealth of information, I cannot possibly give any justice to what they provide on their website.

Hello and Welcome to my SpunkyCeliac page.  My name is Christine and I was diagnosed with Celiac in March 2012 (St. Patty’s day as a matter of fact).  For the last 2 years I have been living with  learning and more recently giving support and advocating about Celiac Disease  (and gluten intolerance), which requires a gluten-free lifestyle.   I am a Long Island Lady and gluten-free options are not as prevalent here as they are in other areas of the country

This blog was born because there are so many things in this brain o’ mine and I wanted a place to share what I’ve learned (and will learn) in my 40+ years on this earth.

Although I will primarily be posting about Celiac Disease or living life gluten-free, I will also be posting about life experiences in general because I am so much more than someone with Celiac.  I am a woman, mother, sister, friend…. (and yes Mom I am your daughter too!)

What I hope to accomplish is to educate, advocate and support those who are gluten free (or are just curious).  If I can help just one person I will be happy.

So fingers crossed..lets do this!