I need advice on dinner / gluten free meals

[Pogo0685]

I really feel stupid writing this but I don't know where else to ask for help. I have recently found out that my son is gluten sensitive or allergic im not sure, every time he eats it he gets hives all over his body, it took us almost 5 months to figure out what was causing the hives, I really feel like a horrible mother at this point. Anyway all I have ever cooked and or eaten is unhealthy crap and for almost 3 years we were vegetarians living on processed foods. Now we are trying to phase out all the processed food and only eat raw milk, grass fed grass finished beef, stuff like that. It was going ok, but then when we figured out DS cant have gluten it just threw everything off I never know what to make for food, breakfast always included tortillas and bread, lunch always had bread, dinner has always had flour, noodles, bread, tortillas. I have tried looking for websites for help but I dont get home until almost 6 pm and by that time DS is starving so I need quick dinners. For the last 2 night I have not eaten dinner and he has had cheese, rice and chicken for his dinner. I feel like a failure. Sorry I am rambling I am just so mad at myself for not knowing how to take care of my family. So I guess I am just wondering if any of you have any ideas that might help me. Thanks in advance for reading my post and for any replies I get!

[ps4624]

We are grain free, but here is what we (hubby, 11 mo DD and myself) ate today. Maybe this will help:

B: Omelet muffins - prepped it last night. Combined 6 eggs, 1/2 c cheese, bunch of chopped veggies and canadian bacon. Put them in a muffin pan. Baked this AM for about 20 minutes at 350. Viola! Breakfast was done

L. Leftovers from last night. Ground turkey cooked with veg and onion. Added guacamole, little cheese, salsa and black olives

S: Green olives, apples with almond butter

D: Salad with chicken, deviled eggs made with avocado instead of mayo. Raspberries with whipping cream for dessert

We originally were gluten free, but it got to be a hassle remembering what had gluten and what didn't. Grain free entirely was much easier.

We just make HUGE portions of everything so that we always have leftovers on hand. Makes it so much easier when you're starving and have no time.

PS - You are a great mama. Don't beat yourself up - just have an open mind and an adventurous spirit!

[Rasa]

I've recently gone gluten-free myself. At first, I found it easier to just stop eating things that would traditionally be made with wheat--in fact, with a high protein/fat diet rich with lots of veggies I didn't crave or miss wheat. So it was pretty easy for me. But it would be a LOT harder to transition a child, I think. Because my child likes to eat things that are traditionally made with wheat (baked goods, breads, cereals, crackers, etc.) I've started migrating some of our favorite recipes to be gluten free (so I can enjoy them too from time to time and I also think it's great to reduce the amount of wheat she consumes). Your child may enjoy and be used to bread-type products, so you might want to replace those with gluten-free options for a while and then see about getting in more protein/fat and less grain or carb over time.

There are a ton of blogs out there with many gluten-free recipes that replicate traditional wheat recipes--breads, cookies, muffins, crackers, etc.

Here's just a very few, but if you search "gluten free recipes" or some such thing or even "gluten free" plus "kid" "mom" "family" etc. you may find some kid-friendly options as well:

http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/
http://glutenfreemommy.com/
http://www.thespunkycoconut.com/
http://www.bobsredmill.com/gluten-free/
http://www.pamelasproducts.com/recipe_frames.html

Also, if there's a specific type of recipe you want to replicate, say, gluten-free tortillas, just google that and I'm sure you'll find something worth trying. It may also be easier during your transition period to make use of the prepared gluten-free products available in the natural grocery stores. It may not be 'traditional foods' per se, but if your child just has to have pretzels, and you're not about to make those, just start with something packaged and move from there. Personally, I don't care for most of the commercial gluten-free prepared breads but I've found so many mixes and recipes for gluten-free flour mixes that I know I'll be able to make something when I need to.

Also, try to smother your child's veggies--whatever they like--in lots of pasture butter and some tasty sea salt--they'll taste so much better and the fat will be filling too.

As for pasta, I read many times that the Tinkyada brand was the only gluten-free one worth trying. That may not be true ;-P but I've tried several others anyway and always come back to the Tinkyada one--and the gluten-eaters in my family also agree that it is just as good as traditional wheat pasta.

I'd like to re-read my post and make sure I said all I wanted to but I've gotta run--sorry, maybe more later. Good luck!