Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets Kids Will Love!

Homemade Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets Kids will Love!

I came across this recipe at http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/recipe-for-chicken-nuggets-easy-chicken-recipe/

Great Chicken Nuggets that are not expensive at all. My girls ate them up tonight so I thought I would share. I plan on making more and freezing them in small portions for those times I need a "quick" nutritious meal.

Do It Yourself – Easy Baked Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast
1/4 cup flour Gluten Free Flour
3/4 tsp salt (I recommend Real Salt)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp cayenne (optional)
1/8 tsp black pepper
coconut oil, melted (or other fat suitable for high heat. Use amount desired. About 1/4 cup should be enough.)

Method

1. Cut chicken into small chunks, about 1 – 1 1/2 inch chunks. Place in bowl.

2. Mix Gluten Free flour with seasonings.

3. Sprinkle Gluten Free flour and seasoning mixture over chicken and mix well to coat thoroughly.

4. Melt coconut oil. Drizzle over chicken and mix to coat lightly.

5. Bake in preheated oven (425 degrees for convection / 450 for conventional) until chicken’s internal temperature reaches 180 degrees (about 10 minutes for a convection oven [I love my Hamilton Beach convection oven] and 14 for conventional).

Hints and Notes:

1. The smaller you cut the chicken, the faster it will bake. Don’t cut them so small that you have crispy bitty pieces of chicken, but not as big as commercial nuggets.
2. The original recipe recommended a spray bottle for the oil to coat the chicken. I recommend using a solid oil like coconut for this recipe as its smoke point is higher and you will not be creating free radicals by cooking at a high temperature.
3. Experiment with the cayenne and pepper to adjust the “spicy-ness” to your taste.
4. For even faster meal prep, cut up chicken into chunks, coat and store in small plastic bags in the freezer. Just take out of the freezer and bake in the oven for a ready-in-a-flash meal! The chunks will only take about 5 minutes longer to cook. Serve with rice, or with or without a dipping sauce. 

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Coming soon: Web app and Smart Phone app to help you manage your Gluten Free lifestyle

Letter Templates to make explaining Gluten Free and Celiac Disease much easier: http://gum.co/NVLW

Fun Gluten Free Kid Lunch Idea

Banana Dog in a Bun!

 

You Will Need: 

1 Gluten Free hot dog bun
1 tablespoon peanut butter (or cream cheese)
1 tablespoon strawberry or other jam (or honey, if preferred)
1 whole banana
(Optional)
Raisins, shredded coconut or chopped peanuts

 How to make it:

Spread one inner surface of a split Gluten Free hot dog bun with peanut butter or cream cheese. Spread the other side with jam or honey. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in your child's lunch bag. Also, pack a whole banana (in the peel) and a small container of toppings, such as raisins, coconut, peanuts or whatever else you can think of.

 

At lunchtime, your child can peel the banana and place it in the bun, sprinkle on the toppings and eat.

 

These ingredients also make a great breakfast. Instead of using a bun, use a Teff wrap or a Gluten Free Tortilla. Warm the Tortilla and add the ingredients. I have found that slicing the banana down the middle makes it easier for a morning breakfast wrap. We have also added Udi's natural granola in the mix for a wonderful flavor and texture.

 

This idea originated from a post by Spoonful.com by Disney but made Gluten Free so all children can enjoy.

Is Gluten Free A Fad?

Is eating Gluten Free a Fad?  This is a question raised by many people.  For me, Gluten Free is not a fad; rather it is a way to manage a healthy lifestyle for both of my children. I think that there are many misconceptions surrounding the notion of "eating Gluten Free". For some, like my girls, it means survival. When you are a Celiac (and have a confirmed diagnosis of Celiac Disease), Gluten is like poison or kryptonite!  Since Celiac is an auto-immune disorder the body reacts to consumed Gluten, which produces different reactions/symptoms in people. For my children, they have terrible stomachaches, followed by diarrhea. My youngests behavior takes a turn for the worst and my older child typically balls up in the fetal position for hours.  So, is Gluten-Free a fad?  Not for me.  When my children eat Gluten Free, and do not experience any cross-contamination, they are healthy and able to live life like any child.

Here is an interesting article that I came across in USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/USCP/PNI/Business/2012-08-01-GlutenFreeFrenzy_ST_U.htm

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Visit our website: http://www.myglutenfreeme.com/

Coming soon: Web app and Smart Phone app to help you manage your Gluten Free lifestyle

Letter Templates to make explaining Gluten Free and Celiac Disease much easier: http://gum.co/NVLW

Visit www.MyGlutenFreeMe.com....App coming soon!!!

WWW.MyGlutenFreeMe.com 's web page is live but still under construction......

Today is a very exciting day!  The My Gluten Free Me Web app and Smart phone app is officially under construction and we now have a landing page.  Please sign up for emails regarding the progress and a discount toward the app when it is launched.  See the link below.

http://signup.myglutenfreeme.com/

I just want to thank everyone for their support on this project.

Gluten Free Snack Ideas for Back to School

 As the school year begins there are so many things on my checklist. Most importantly, I have prepared letters to my girls' teachers and the parents in their classrooms to explain Celiac Disease which I will send with them on the first day of school.  I also purchased Gluten Free Snacks that can be kept in the classroom for those "special" treat days.  If you are interested in quick template letters see (http://gum.co/NVLW). 

The Gluten Free Lunch Box

Now, what to pack in the lunch box?  It may appear that my children eat the same things everyday... and sometimes they do. Here are some easy Gluten Free snack and lunch box ideas.

Remember to remind your child about cross-contamination to ensure that their food is safe to eat.




Banana dipped in yogurt
Celery sticks with cream cheese or peanut butter
Gluten Free cereal mixed with dried fruit
Make snack kabobs (be creative)
Apples and peanut butter/yogurt
Make a smoothie and put in a thermos
Mini sandwich on Schars small buns
Mix peanut butter and Gluten Free Enviro Kids Amazon Frosted Flakes cereal in a bowl and shape into balls. Roll in crushed Gluten Free graham crackers.
Put Gluten Free soup into a thermos
Put Gluten Free Mac and Cheese in a thermos
Make shape sandwiches using cookie cutters

I also came across this great resource that has tips and 75 Gluten Free School Lunch Ideas. A must see!

http://glutenfreeville.com/featured/6-tips-75-gf-school-lunch-ideas-happy-kids

Did you know that children who have Celiac Disease who need to eat a Gluten Free Diet qualify for a 504 plan. What is a 504 plan?  It is the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1973 that ensures that children who have special needs receive the same opportunity as everyone else in Federally Funded Programs.  What does this mean?  This means that if you would like the school to prepare a Gluten Free Lunch for your child, you can do so. My dietitian gave us information and I will begin to explore this option for the upcoming school year.  See information Below.

School Lunches
http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/schoolage/a/504plans.htm

Can a bowl of cereal change your Gluten Free life? Yes it can!!! with Chex

My daughter called me over to the T.V. today, "Mom, you have to see this commercial, it's Gluten Free" Click on the link below to see the wonderful commercial for Chex Cereal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_BwF0R2S7g

 

Why Gluten Free?

The need for gluten free food:"Families are looking for wholesome, nutritious solutions that are gluten free and convenient but still taste great." says Keri Glassman, registered dietitian and author. "Gluten free foods can fit into a busy lifestyle without making mealtime sacrifices. Chex® cereal is one of my top picks, and I recommend it as a good breakfast choice to many of my clients with gluten restrictions."

Source: http://www.chex.com

One of our favorite recipes is puppy food or as Chex calls it, Muddy Buddies.

 

 

9	cups Rice Chex®, Corn Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
1	cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2	cup peanut butter
1/4	cup butter or margarine
1	teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2	cups powdered sugar

Cooking Gluten Free?

Always read labels to make sure each recipe ingredient is gluten free. Products and ingredient sources can change.

Substitution

Peanut butter and chocolate are a favorite flavor combo, but peanut butter lovers can substitute peanut butter chips for the chocolate chips to intensify that flavor.

1.	Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2.	In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3.	Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

1 Serving: Calories 210 (Calories from Fat 80); Total Fat 9g (Saturated Fat 4g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 5mg; Sodium 170mg; Total Carbohydrate 29g (Dietary Fiber 1g, Sugars 16g); Protein 3g % Daily Value*: Vitamin A 6%; Vitamin C 6%; Calcium 6%; Iron 25% Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2 MyPyramid Servings: 1 tsp Fats & Oils
*% Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Source: http://www.chex.com

On behalf of my family, I just want to say THANKS Chex!

 

Time For a Gluten Free Visit From Your Grandkids

Gluten Free Information Caregivers Need to Know

 

 

 

 Sending my children away to visit grandma and grandpa can always be bittersweet.  One, I miss them and two, I worry about how they will take responsibility for their Gluten Free diet.  My parents have done a great job learning about Celiac Disease and cross-contamination.  While they have had experience feeding the children for the past 6 years, I always give a little reminder about cross-contamination. I also talk to my girls before their visit about taking responsibility for their eating. I told them it is OK to tell someone you cannot have something and it is OK to tell someone they handled your food wrongly. The girls know how they feel after they have had even the most trace amount of gluten (for them it is the size of a bread crumb).

 

To help family and caregivers understand, I print out documents, have a letter prepared that once again talks about Celiac, Gluten Free, how the kids respond, as well as what Cross-contamination is.  Also,  when new people are taking care of the girls, I host a short training session to demonstrate what I mean by potential cross-contaminates.

 

While I always send food and snacks along on any visit, with knowledge of  what it means to eat Gluten Free, our family and friends have gone out of their way to buy grocery items for the girls. My recommendation is, keep it fresh: meats, vegetables, and fruits.

I am very grateful to all of my family who has taken the time to learn about my daughters' Celiac to help them live a fuller life..... One where they can go visit Grandma and Grandpa......



 

Stay tuned.....Coming soon.....

My Gluten Free Me has a web app and app (under construction) to help you manage you and your family's allergies or Gluten Free Living.  With this innovative product, you will  have the ability to share grocery lists to make visiting others much easier.

Letter templates available at:   http://gum.co/NVLW

Including several versions of a letter to family members and caregivers.