I have heard about “The Elf on the Shelf” tradition for the past few years, however this is the first year we have had an elf.  Our elf showed up on December 8, 2009.  Hannah was thrilled to see the elf, but was worried that he would eat all of the cookies that I have been baking.  She had heard some stories about these elves from her friends at school and from Aunt Kelly & cousin Noah (who has an elf named “Quirky”).  Hannah has named our elf “Buddy” (wonder where she got that from?), but today I was told that he also goes by an alias – “Peppermint”.  When Hannah went to bed last night, Buddy was happily hanging out in the kitchen getting his shoe fixed by Aaron.  When we woke up this AM, Buddy was hanging out somewhere new:

He stationed himself where he could keep an eye on Hannah & Jon and then report back to Santa. 

If you haven’t heard the story behind “The Elf on the Shelf” here is some info for you to read:

From My Family to Yours,

This charming tradition began for our family when my children were very small. Like most children through the ages, they wanted to know how Santa really knew who was naughty or who was nice. Their answer, as in my own childhood, came in the form of a small pixie-elf.

The first time the elf arrived at our home, my children officially adopted him by giving him a name. Each year he would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch the children’s behavior and report it to Santa each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the North Pole and was now resting in a new and different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.

Over the years the tradition was perfected and rules were introduced. For example, to better preserve his mystique the children were not allowed to touch him but talking to him was a different matter all together. My children shared many secrets with the elf, and while he was under strict orders not to talk to them, the elf was under no such orders where grown-ups were concerned.

Unwittingly, the tradition provided an added benefit: it helped the children to better control themselves. All it took was a gentle reminder that the “elf is watching,” for errant behavior to be modified.

I never dreamed this simple tradition would lead to so many treasured Christmas memories for our entire family. It is my earnest desire that The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition will bring as much joy to your family as it has to mine.

Enjoy this tradition, and MAKE IT YOUR OWN!

With my best wishes for you and those you love,

 

Carol

This letter was written by the author of “The Elf on the Shelf”. 

We can’t wait to see where Buddy (aka Peppermint) shows up tomorrow!

I happened upon this recipe in an Eatingwell.com email.  The original recipe calls for dried cherries, but I didn’t have any so I subbed dried cranberries instead.  This recipe screamed “Christmas cookie” to me, so I knew that I had to include it in my “Cookie-A-Day” series.  This recipe is full of healthy ingredients – almonds, canola oil, dried fruit.  So, you can feel good about treating yourself to one of these cookies and these cookies ROCK!  I was so pleasantly surprised when I tasted these.  Jon was adamant about not trying them because he doesn’t like dried fruit.  Well, they smelled so good he asked to try one.  He ended up eating three & saying he loved them!  They are really good warm.  I couldn’t convert Hannah, but that is okay, this only made 20 cookies, so more for us!  😉

Almond Cranberry Bites

• 1/3 cup whole almonds (I used Trader Joe’s raw almonds
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup coarsely chopped dried cherries
• 2/3 cup gluten-free flour mix (I used Carol’s sorghum mix)
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 large egg white
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips or finely chopped dark and/or white chocolate, for decoration (optional- I opted not to add this)

Method

1.  Heat oven to 350.

2.  Grind raw almonds & sugar in a food processor until you have the desired texture; the finer the texture, the more intense the almond flavor & less crunch from the almond.  Be careful not to turn the almonds into paste.  Transfer mix to large bowl & mix in flour & cranberries.

3.  Add egg white, oil, vanilla & almond extracts.  Mix until well incorporated.

4.  Shape dough into small balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the bottom is slightly brown; the tops will not brown.

5.  Transfer to a wire rack & cool completely.

6.  Optional- melt chocolate & drizzle over cookies with a fork.  Let stand until chocolate sets.

Tips

1.  This is another mix where a GF flour mix without baking soda, baking powder & xanthan gum are not needed.  I am not sure how the cookies would turn out if you were to use a mix with those added in.

2.  The chocolate melted on top is not necessary, in my opinion and you all know how much I love my chocolate.

These are now going to become a holiday staple in our house.  You can freeze these for up to 3 months.  They have about 75 calories per cookie (recipe made 20 cookies).

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In case you missed this: College Inn has recalled some chicken broth for undeclared wheat.  You can read more about it here.

I have been making Gingersnaps since I was a teenager.  I loved to bake since I was old enough to understand how to work the oven & measure ingredients.  I love to experiment with new cookies and this is one that once I made it, it became an instant family favorite.  I love the crisp outside & chewy inside.  I was worried that the conversion of this recipe to gluten-free would alter the textures that I loved so dearly in this cookie.  Upon my first bite, I slowly bit into the cookie, hoping & praying that I wouldn’t be disappointed.  I wasn’t – the crisp was still there.  Now for the chewy.  I continued to bite into the cookie & the chewy ginger center was there too!  There was little to no difference between the gluten-free & gluten-filled version of this cookie.  Success!!

You can find the Gingersnap recipe here.  I did feature this recipe last year on my blog, too.

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Don’t forget to watch or DVR Dr. Oz on Thursday, December 10th.  Dr. Oz will be doing a show on Celiac Disease.  I am so excited that Celiac Disease awareness is just exploding!

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Make sure to check this article out on a recall for undeclared wheat in chicken broth.

Parenting a teenager is the toughest thing I think I have ever done.  We have had a rough week, but I have faith that consistency, patience & love will get us through. Weeks like that make you really appreciate the plain, “boring” and normal weeks as they go by, no matter how busy you are. 

Onto brighter days.  5 full days of cookie love coming your way this week – starting today with Spritz Cookies.  On the menu this week:

Sunday – Lobster tail, baked sweet potato, sauteed green beans & salad

Monday – Teriyaki Salmon, coconut brown rice, broccoli & salad.

Tuesday – Chicken Parmesan, brown rice spaghetti & salad

Wednesday – out to dinner after skating

Thursday – Filet mignon, risotto, sugar snap peas & salad

Friday – we have a party to attend

Saturday – Homemade pizza night & salad

Baked Goods

Bread

lots of cookies

Check out Orgjunkie & Lilac Kitchen for lots more menu ideas. 

I have such fond memories of making Spritz cookies as a child.  My mom used to make it so much fun for my sister, Kelly, and I.  She would press out all the cookies with the ancient metal cookie press and we would then get to decorate them.  We used cut up maraschino cherries for the Scottie dog’s collar, silver ball candies for the balls on the Christmas trees, sprinkles for the wreaths.  Then we made sure to sample them as they came out of the oven.  Oh, the memories.  I wanted to start to pass along some of these traditions to my kids, so I made sure they were both present for the Spritz cookie baking & decorating. 

This recipe is straight from the old Betty Crocker Cookbook, modified to be gluten-free.

1 cup butter, softened (no margarine here…butter is a must!)

1/2 cup sugar

2 1/4 cups GF flour mix (I used Carol’s Sorghum Mix)

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp xanthan gum

1 egg

1 tsp almond extract (another must have….this makes these cookies!)

1.  Cream butter & sugar.

2.  Blend in remaining ingredients.

3.  Chill for 30 minutes or so. 

4.  Heat oven to 400.

5.  Fill cookie press with 1/4 of the dough at a time. 

6.  Form desired shapes on ungreased baking sheet

7.  Bake 6 to 9 minutes or until set, but not brown

8.  Cool slightly & then remove to cooling racks.

My notes:

• Don’t use Pamela’s Baking Mix or any other mix with baking soda or baking powder for this recipe
• My cookie press is very cantankerous.  I don’t know what the issue is, but the dough likes to stick to the plastic disks . This happened pre-GF, too, so it isn’t the GF dough.  Maybe try parchment paper on the cookie sheet to convince the dough to want to stick to the cookie sheet. 
• My oven took exactly 6 minutes.  If I had left them in for 9, they would have been brown.  I use an oven thermometer to monitor the temp in my oven at all times.  Best $10 I ever spent. 

Towards the end, we gave up on the cookie press & started rolling them by hand:

Jon threatening me to eat the dough – I had already freaked out on him once b/c of the raw eggs.  Funny guy. 😉

Like the messy hands? 

My own personal decorator.  🙂

These cookies rocked!  They are my favorite so far! 

Even my non-cookie-eating husband was raving about these! 

Okay, one more picture, only because I am starving now!  LOL!

Do you have any cookie traditions? 

Over the past week I have discovered some new gluten-free products.  I am always excited to try something new & love to share my finds with you guys. 

Kinnikinnick has a new product on the market – Gluten-free Panko Style Bread Crumbs!  How exciting!  I have seen so many recipes that use Panko style bread crumbs & now they will be so much easier to follow now.  🙂  Another new product that I saw on their site – Jumbo Muffins!  Kinnikinnick always has a $10 flat rate shipping on their site, so stock up!  I may be ordering these bread crumbs & some of the Kinni-TOOS and Multi-Wonder Bread that I love so much.  They also have Fruit Cake available for the holiday season.  🙂

Amy’s Kitchen has 2 new gluten-free products available – Gluten-free Non-Dairy Chocolate Cake & Gluten-free Non-Dairy Rice Mac & Cheeze.  Amy’s is a great company & has a number of options available for those of us who have to eat gluten-free. 

And last, but certainly not least, GFL Foods, Inc has gluten-free pitas!  Yes, pitas!  I will have a review up of them later today or tomorrow.  We are having them for dinner tonight with BBQ Pulled Pork. 

Hope you are all having a great weekend!  It is very, very chilly here.  No snow, yet, but I think that winter is finally here. 

Interested in help from Dr. Oz?  Go here and enter your information.  Dr. Oz is doing a show on Celiac Disease on December 10, 2009. 

I just have to say that since Jon & I were diagnosed in 2006, the gluten-free diet & diagnosing Celiac Disease has come such a long way.  This makes me all warm & fuzzy inside for more that just 1 reason.  Most importantly, I hate for people to suffer if they don’t have to.  If gluten is making you sick in one way, shape or form, a gluten-free diet can only help.  Secondly, the availability of gluten-free food in grocery stores and restaurants has just exploded.  I can only imagine what it was like 10 years ago, let alone 20. 

So, kudos to all who work hard to get the word out there.  There are so many people & companies that are making the gluten-free diet easier to follow & going to great lengths to get the word out about Celiac Disease.  I even saw a letter in my January Runner’s World this morning from a reader!  She wrote in to thank RW for including quinoa pasta in the list of pastas to eat in the last issue.  Baby steps really do add up.  🙂

Today I bring you what I was hoping to be a near replica of my beloved “Pecan Sandies” that I loved back in the day.  The cookies turned out more cake-like then they did like shortbread, but that may have been my decision to use Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix instead of my GF Flour Mix (Carol’s sorghum mix).  See, the recipe doesn’t call for any baking powder or soda, and Pamela’s has both.  The cookies are still very tasty, just a different texture that I think I was hoping they would have.  As a matter of fact, both Hannah & Jon loved these!  The recipe for these comes from a friend, Lori, of Fake Food Free. Lori doesn’t bake gluten-free yet, but is interested in giving it a try.  I can’t wait to see how her treats turn out.

Here are the changes that I made to the recipe:

• I used 1/4 cup of granulated sugar (I didn’t have any demerara).
• I used Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix in place of the whole wheat flour.  Next time I am using Carol’s sorghum mix.

That is it.  Very simple to mix & make.  A perfect treat with coffee or tea.

Hope you all enjoyed week 1 of Cookie-A-Day!  Next week will have 5 days of cookies!  I am going to be making some old favorites next week, so make sure to keep coming back!  Also, if you have any requests, post them in the comments & I will see what I can do to make them.  Any old favorites you want converted to gluten-free?  Email or leave a comment.  I am happy to give it a go!

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Found out some exciting news yesterday….Dr. Oz will have a show on Celiac on December 10th!  Be sure to tune in.  I love Dr. Oz!

” When life takes the wind out of your sails, it is to test you at the oars. “

– Robert Brault

This quote was in my email this AM, but I didn’t read it until almost 6 PM.  It is interesting how it that applies to my life today.  My day started off okay, for the first 45 minutes or so.  Then my friend shows up with her daughter, my God daughter, that I watch daily.  She asked me if I was planning on putting my trash out today – it was trash day after all.  &*%@#(*& Guess who didn’t remember his chores last night?  Yep.  Jon.  I ran to the garage (cursing all the way) and got the cans to the curb.  Then I realize that not only did Captain Facebook not remember to empty the trash & take it out, but he neglected to sweep the floor – again – after I reminded him 4,356 times.  Okay, maybe not that many, but those of you who are parents know exactly what I mean.  How do I know he forgot?  Well, aside from the crumbs, which doesn’t always make it obvious because he is not the most efficient sweeper, I had surreptitiously left a blueberry under the table.  We hadn’t had blueberries since Tuesday, so, that has now become “Exhibit A”.  On the surface this all seems minor, however, this has been on ongoing battle with Jon.  I know, he is 13, and this is just the beginning.  I should be thankful that he is healthy and I am, but it doesn’t make days like this any easier to deal with.  Then home comes the interim grades report from school.  Don’t even get me started on that.  Not only has the wind been taken out of my sails, but I think someone stole one of my oars.  😉

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Now, I am not normally one to boo hoo on my blog, so now I am going to share something positive & useful.  I got this email from Dee Valdez (Gluten-free Dee) today and want to help spread the news. 

Would love to have you join us physcially, in mind or in spirit for this great event next Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 4-6 pm in Loveland, CO, my hometown. If you can’t make it, feel free to send a donation. Special thanks to one of my clients, family owned, Denver based Raquelita’s Tortillas for donating their wonderful gluten free flatbread, Sandwich Petals and challenging other corporations to join the cause. Thanks to Glow Gluten Free for being the first to accept the challenge and send their yummy gluten free cookies.

Press Release Follows – Please forward to any friends you have in the media or to your favorite bloggers.  Would love to do some radio, TV, Newspaper, blog interviews before and after event.

A heartfelt thank for your continued support, friendship and encouragement. This is so exciting and humbling.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:

December 3, 2009 Dee Valdez 970-308-1062

Nationwide Movement To Get Gluten Free Food Into Food Banks Begins In Loveland Colorado

Loveland, CO, December 3, 2009 – “There is a great need to develop a systematic approach to establishing Gluten Free Food Banks across the nation,” says Dee Valdez, who was diagnosed with Celiac Disease 17 years ago. About 15 years ago, Valdez remembers talking to a mother with a sick 7 year old who had Celiac Disease. The exasperated mom said she had to choose between feeding her whole family or just feeding her sick daughter the very expensive gluten free food she could find. The distraught mother said, referring to her Celiac daughter, “She’s just going to have to live with diarrhea. “

“I was devastated by her reality,” says Valdez, “so I gathered as much gluten free food as I could and left it on her doorstep. Unfortunately, my reality didn’t allow me to help parents like her again, until now.”

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Bread is plentiful in food banks across the county.

Gluten free bread is not.

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Loveland’s House of Neighborly Service will be the test site for the new program Valdez is designing to be implemented in communities across the country. There are scattered efforts to gather gluten free food for the holidays or offer a monthly gift card to help offset the extra expense of a gluten free diet. “What I see that is missing is a systematic approach to feeding gluten free families in need,” say Valdez. “If someone has Celiac Disease or a gluten intolerance, they can become very ill in the short and long term if they eat gluten containing food because that is all they have.” Bread is plentiful in food banks across the country. Gluten free bread is not. Valdez, or Gluten Free Dee, as she is called, intends to change that.

Gluten free food donations are now being accepted at House of Neighborly Service, 565 N. Cleveland, Loveland, CO 80537. It is asked that the food be identified as such when dropped off. Anyone available to deliver their gluten free food Tuesday, December 8, between 4 – 6 pm can be part of an exclusive group dedicating the new gluten free section of the existing food bank with a Ribbon Cutting, Press Conference and Festivities.

“We are excited to be able to provide an option for people with gluten sensitivities who are financially struggling, especially considering the cost of a gluten free diet,” says Erin Becerra House of Neighborly Service (HNS) Food Program Manager.

HNS provides food baskets for an average of more than 500 Loveland/Berthoud area households each month. The mission of the food program is to provide wholesome food to nourish people who are food-insecure.

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Although only about 1% of the U.S. population

has Celiac disease…

12% of U.S. households want to eliminate

or reduce their gluten intake.

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Although only about 1% of the U.S. population has Celiac disease, new gluten free food manufacturer General Mills says its research shows about 12% of U.S. households want to eliminate or reduce their gluten intake.            July 2, 2009 WSJ.com article             For General Mills, Wheat-Free Items Are Tricky to Make, Cheap to Market

“I honestly don’t know how many additional people will come in for help knowing that we now have gluten free food available and how many of the families we are already serving will take advantage of this new option,” says Becerra. “I believe that we will be able to provide assistance with the help of our generous community, and the support of gluten free food manufacturers and retailers who are willing to donate products for those who cannot afford them.”

Families in need of gluten free food, who live in the Berthoud, Loveland areas served by House of Neighborly Service need to be screened for services Monday – Thursday. Please call 970-667-4939 to find out the appropriate paperwork to bring to determine eligibility.

“This is an opportunity to be part of a group setting a precedent that will spread nationwide,” says Valdez. “We can make a difference.  We can change someone’s life.”

 

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

4:00 – 6:00 pm

4:00 – 4:15 Music and Gluten Free Snacks

Tours of Gluten Free Pantry

Locals Bringing Donations

Interview Opportunities

4:15 – 4:45 Press Conference

Gluten Free Dee

House of Neighborly Service Officials

Celiac Sprue Association Representatives

4:45 – 5:00 Gluten Free Food Manufacturer Challenge to Donate

Rich Schneider, Product Developer

Gluten Free Sandwich P
etals by Denver’s Raquelita’s Tortillas

5:00 – 5:15 Ribbon Cutting and Dedication

First Family Receives Gluten Free Food Basket

5:15 – 6:00 Music and Gluten Free Snacks

Tours of Gluten Free Pantry

Interview Opportunities

Please give us a tentative RSVP to Dee Valdez 970-308-1062 so we can reserve a parking spot in the overcrowded parking lot adjacent to House of Neighborly Service

I wish I lived in Colorado so that I could go.  That is a long drive from Ohio! 

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Check out my newest Examiner article for places to get gluten-free holiday baking supplies in Columbus. 

I knew as soon as I found this recipe that I had to convert it to a gluten-free one.  I love chocolate.  I don’t think I can express how much I love chocolate.  I love the added touch of the powdered sugar, adding a “holiday” feel. 

Dark Chocolate Snowstorms

1 1/2 cups GF flour mix (I used Carol’s Sorghum Mix)

1/2 cup Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp xanthan gum

1 1/4 cup dark brown sugar

1 stick of butter (1/2 cup)

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1.  Best sugar & butter in mixing bowl until fluffy.  Beat in egg & vanilla. 

2.  Mix all dry ingredients together and then blend into the wet mix.  Mix well.

3.  Chill dough for 30 minutes.

4.  Roll dough into balls & bake at 350 for 12 minutes. 

5.  Let cool for 3-5 minutes on sheet & then remove to cooling rack.

6.  Dip in powdered sugar while still slightly warm.

***Tip for gluten-free cookie baking:  Chill the dough at least 30 minutes, even if the recipe does not call for it.  This helps the cookies not spread out too much on your baking sheet.  I speak from lots of tears & experience.  😉

Ready to go in the oven:

Ready to inhale:

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I had some people asking about the Catholic Potatoes I had on our Thanksgiving menu.  You can find the recipe for them here, on The Examiner. 

See you tomorrow for the end of week 1 of Cookie-A-Day!