Grocery Advice for a Special Needs Diet

[triscuitsmom]

Hey Mamas,

I am a planner. A master planner and that includes a very detailed budget, which I had planned from September 07-August 08 back in August of this year It went off without a hitch so far, but now I've had a pretty major change in that I'm not going back to one of my school programs, meaning I am losing the funding from that and instead will be working (long story, for another thread).

Soooo... the budget understandably needs reworking. I have a lot of things cut out. What I need help with now is food. I will be moving on December 1st into my own new place.

I will be feeding a family of 3. Myself, my 18 year old brother, and my 14 month old son. My son and I are both gluten free AND vegetarian. My son is also dairy free and nut free (though he nurses TONS still, and doesn't eat regular solid meals yet, so I'm less concerned with having a lot of food here for him). My brother eats anything

What's the lowest I can go? (I know obviously this will vary depending on what we *want* to eat, but I really want ideas of how to go low here) I have access to good resources for both ready made and ingredients to make gluten free/veg stuff (though I'd love some recipes too!)

Tips or suggestions? I want us to eat well (meaning I am not willing to starve any of us ) but I'd really like to make my dollar go as far as possible. I am in Canada (Ontario) if that makes any difference

[Mom2Joseph]

HI Mama! While my situation isn't quite the same as yours, but we are on a serious grocery budget while my kids have horrible allergies:

DS dairy, soy, corn syrup, food dye
DD - gluten, corn syrup, food dye
me - gluten

Makes it interesting

Here's what I've done. Buying GF baking mix and xanthan gum is a must. I've tried every which way to Tuesday to make it myself and can't. I buy it by the case straight from Bobs Red Mill (online). Then, in any recipe I have, I simply replace the flour with the baking mix, adding 1 tsp. of xanthan gum per cup of "mix". It works every time and I'm not looking around for special recipes. I just keep cooking our favorites with this change. DH loves it because it keeps his favs around, but the kids can eat it too.

Rice and potatoes. I've learned to cook with them in every possible way. They are cheap, easy to get and store. Hillybilly House Wife has some great egg and rice recipes. I buy rice in bulk (20 lb bags at at time) and make rice pudding for breakfast, fried rice or eggs and rice for a quick supper, rice croquettes if we need "comfort" food....(lentils and rice, I even make mac n cheese using rice instead of GF pasta.) Mashed potatoes, potato soup, potato fries, "chips" made in the dehydrator...

I use rice milk when necessary or instant, non fat dry milk. (My DS can tolerate a little milk in baking). You can make your own rice milk too.

Hope that helps - PM me if you need any recipes.

If i think if anything else, I'll post it later!

[mtm]

ds and I are gfcf. We're in Toronto so I can get a lot of stuff cheaply at ethnic markets or No Frills. Rice flour at No Frills or in Chinatown is much cheaper than Whole Foods/health food store.

[GinaRae]

Originally Posted by Mom2Joseph

Here's what I've done. Buying GF baking mix and xanthan gum is a must. I've tried every which way to Tuesday to make it myself and can't. I buy it by the case straight from Bobs Red Mill (online). Then, in any recipe I have, I simply replace the flour with the baking mix, adding 1 tsp. of xanthan gum per cup of "mix". It works every time and I'm not looking around for special recipes. I just keep cooking our favorites with this change. DH loves it because it keeps his favs around, but the kids can eat it too.

OH MY GOSH! This sounds too easy! Hubby is gluten free due to Celiacs and it's such a painful learning curve. We should be a gluten free family because of my DS1 special needs and the possibility of future gluten allergies in the boys because of DH. This just seems too easy to be able to finally make our faves again.