Here is a recipe for a chocolate tray bake, which is brilliant for Birthday Parties. Before you ask, no I haven't tried this with GF flour, but have confidence and see what happens, if you've got small ones they'll probably enjoy it no matter what it looks like!!
12oz SR Flour
3 tbsp Cocoa Powder
8oz Caster Sugar
8oz Soft Margarine
4 Eggs beaten
4 Tbsp Milk
1 3/4 oz Milk chocolate Chips
1 3/4 oz Dark Chocolate Chips
1 3/4 oz White Chocolate Chips
Grease a 13x9x2" cake tin. Place all the ingredients except the chocolate chips in a bowl and beat until smooth. Beat in the Chocolate Chips. Spoon the mix into prepared cake tin and level the top. Bake for 30-40 mins at 180c until risen and springy to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin. Once cool cut into squares and serve. For a great dessert serve with whipped cream. This serves around 15.
Rather than buy the little packs of choc chips, by the cheapest safe bars of chocolate of each flavour break off the right amount from each bar and place in plastic bag, take out your frustration with a rolling pin to break into smaller pieces, it can be better than the chips because you end up with different sized chunks in the cake (and it's cheaper and goes further!)
If you test this out before I do please do let me know how it turns out.
Monday, 25 November 2013
Have Confidence in yourself
Many People find that trying to cook Gluten Free is going to be really complicated, and this applies to Cakes more than anything else.
If you have baked regularly before, have confidence in your ability. Things can go wrong with a Gluten Free Cake just as much as they can with an ordinary cake. I discovered this last week!! I made a sponge cake with a script mix, which normally wouldn't have caused me any problem BUT I was in a hurry, and I rushed putting in the raising agent and didn't measure it out properly. Result a sponge that spilled all over the cooker took longer to cook and wasn't particularly nice to eat, but hey it was Cake and it was a waste to throw it away.....so I ate it!!
Yesterday I got baking again and I made sure I used the Juvela script mix, as my Christmas Cake trial only needed plain flour, so no raising agent at the last minute. I used an old recipe that I've used before and it came out fantastically well......moral, make sure you have time, and don't rush things. I also made another sponge cake and used the Gluten Free Doves Farm Self Raising Flour...this time no problems at all, partly I suggest because the flour altready had the raising agent in it.
All baking to a point is to do with confidence, just think how you thought about baking before, if you were confident when using ordinary flour, be the same with the GF flour. I hate the Gluten Free recipe books as many of them use this, that and the other flour mixed together, when really all you really want is the two bags of flour you used to have in the cupboard i.e. One SR and one Plain. Then use as you would ordinary flour with all the recipes you already have at home.
Scones is the one I have problems with. Juvela fixed my gingerbread for our gingerbread house as my recipe didn't work, due to the lack of gluten in the flour, but once you add an egg, no problem.
If you have a simple recipe that you have been using for years with no problem, I would just say substitute the flour and see what happens, but have the confidence that it will work, because 98% of the time it will.
Don't doubt yourself, we've all had sunk cakes (I've just made a ginger cake, and usually it sinks, this time with GF flour, it hasn't!!) and made mistakes, when I forgot to put any flour at all into Nigella's chocolate marmalade cake!!
Gluten Free flour (Doves Farm is the best) is not as difficult as everyone makes out. Trial and error is the order of the day, I have only had one thing not work quite as it should and that was the Gingerbread, but now I can make gingerbread men
I can understand why you are nervous, but who isn't the first time they take on something new, but have confidence and try things, is it really going to be that bad if your cake isn't quite what you expected?
If you have baked regularly before, have confidence in your ability. Things can go wrong with a Gluten Free Cake just as much as they can with an ordinary cake. I discovered this last week!! I made a sponge cake with a script mix, which normally wouldn't have caused me any problem BUT I was in a hurry, and I rushed putting in the raising agent and didn't measure it out properly. Result a sponge that spilled all over the cooker took longer to cook and wasn't particularly nice to eat, but hey it was Cake and it was a waste to throw it away.....so I ate it!!
Yesterday I got baking again and I made sure I used the Juvela script mix, as my Christmas Cake trial only needed plain flour, so no raising agent at the last minute. I used an old recipe that I've used before and it came out fantastically well......moral, make sure you have time, and don't rush things. I also made another sponge cake and used the Gluten Free Doves Farm Self Raising Flour...this time no problems at all, partly I suggest because the flour altready had the raising agent in it.
All baking to a point is to do with confidence, just think how you thought about baking before, if you were confident when using ordinary flour, be the same with the GF flour. I hate the Gluten Free recipe books as many of them use this, that and the other flour mixed together, when really all you really want is the two bags of flour you used to have in the cupboard i.e. One SR and one Plain. Then use as you would ordinary flour with all the recipes you already have at home.
Scones is the one I have problems with. Juvela fixed my gingerbread for our gingerbread house as my recipe didn't work, due to the lack of gluten in the flour, but once you add an egg, no problem.
If you have a simple recipe that you have been using for years with no problem, I would just say substitute the flour and see what happens, but have the confidence that it will work, because 98% of the time it will.
Don't doubt yourself, we've all had sunk cakes (I've just made a ginger cake, and usually it sinks, this time with GF flour, it hasn't!!) and made mistakes, when I forgot to put any flour at all into Nigella's chocolate marmalade cake!!
Gluten Free flour (Doves Farm is the best) is not as difficult as everyone makes out. Trial and error is the order of the day, I have only had one thing not work quite as it should and that was the Gingerbread, but now I can make gingerbread men
I can understand why you are nervous, but who isn't the first time they take on something new, but have confidence and try things, is it really going to be that bad if your cake isn't quite what you expected?
Tuesday, 29 October 2013
I hadn't realised...........
Wow I hadn't realised it had been nearly 2 months since the last time I posted. This post could just as easily be entitled my GP and me!!!
Firstly, between myself and my GP we seem to have sorted a lot of the things that the Coeliac Disease was responsible for: B12 under control, Diet under control, flu jab done, pneumo vaccine sorted, and my Folic Acid is also under control. We are now singing off the same hymn sheet which is making life a lot easier.
Secondly I had a very frightening end of September when my Diverticulitis flared up big time, resulting in another visit from Paramedics but I managed to keep myself out of the hospital. The stress of them not being able to deal with my diet would not have helped my recovery, and the emergency doctor who came out to see me that day agreed that I would be better off at home, so that's where I stayed, and because of the way my GP surgery deals with appointments etc I was able to talk to the same person every time I rang, at the end of that week...that was what I call fantastic care, and the least stressful way of dealing with a problem that was very debilitating.
Because of the above the question of emotional baggage has come to the fore, and after months of trying to get help from the normal routes, work came up with the goods!! I now have somewhere where I will be able to sort out all the emotional issues that come with Coeliac Disease. This has come with my GP's blessing as well, which is very helpful.
I think we both know that we listen and take action on what the other has said, and that is what has given me my complete care package. It's taken a little while to get there but it's now working in my favour.
Because of the Diverticulitis flare there are still a few bits that need sorting out and now I need to have some more blood tests, BUT overall feeling like a pincushion is certainly preferable to feeling like I did a few weeks ago.
I do feel fantastic, and that is thanks to the above, but I am struggling with the whole Coeliac Disease thing as far as the emotional impact is concerned, this is what I buried a year ago to deal with the practical, and it now needs dealing with because we believe that emotional stress is what causes my Diverticulitis attacks, and the extra worry of what happened a few weeks ago happening again is not very helpful, I need some strategies to help, and that is what work have come forward with.
Obviously I am now aware that this is going to take some time to sort out but we are moving forward and that can only be a good thing. Talking to CUK re my diet and fibre intake was reassuring too, since to aid with the Diverticulitis I need a high fibre diet but I have problems with wholewheat's and whole grains, to be told by the dietitian that I had my diet well and truly under control and I was eating the right things to keep on top of my deficiencies as well as eating enough fibre was very helpful, and negated the need for another appointment with a dietitian, so that was fantastic.
I've had a tough time over the last two years (this year in particular, with hospital visits etc.) but it does now all be appearing to be calming down and sorting itself out. OK I do still have phlebitis but that is being monitored as are all my other health problems, and it is becoming apparent that a few of them are connected to the CD. It's thanks to my GP really, who has gone out of his way to make sure that I am having the care that's needed and what is available, which is a step up from the GP who had not a lot of idea before, same person different perspective, and is working for his patient, he got up to speed very quickly. Yes we've had some hiccups, but those have all been ironed out, and I now feel confident that there is an understanding of the links between my condtions and how they affect me and my life which can only be good.
All I need to do now is change the attitudes of other people..................!!!!!!
Firstly, between myself and my GP we seem to have sorted a lot of the things that the Coeliac Disease was responsible for: B12 under control, Diet under control, flu jab done, pneumo vaccine sorted, and my Folic Acid is also under control. We are now singing off the same hymn sheet which is making life a lot easier.
Secondly I had a very frightening end of September when my Diverticulitis flared up big time, resulting in another visit from Paramedics but I managed to keep myself out of the hospital. The stress of them not being able to deal with my diet would not have helped my recovery, and the emergency doctor who came out to see me that day agreed that I would be better off at home, so that's where I stayed, and because of the way my GP surgery deals with appointments etc I was able to talk to the same person every time I rang, at the end of that week...that was what I call fantastic care, and the least stressful way of dealing with a problem that was very debilitating.
Because of the above the question of emotional baggage has come to the fore, and after months of trying to get help from the normal routes, work came up with the goods!! I now have somewhere where I will be able to sort out all the emotional issues that come with Coeliac Disease. This has come with my GP's blessing as well, which is very helpful.
I think we both know that we listen and take action on what the other has said, and that is what has given me my complete care package. It's taken a little while to get there but it's now working in my favour.
Because of the Diverticulitis flare there are still a few bits that need sorting out and now I need to have some more blood tests, BUT overall feeling like a pincushion is certainly preferable to feeling like I did a few weeks ago.
I do feel fantastic, and that is thanks to the above, but I am struggling with the whole Coeliac Disease thing as far as the emotional impact is concerned, this is what I buried a year ago to deal with the practical, and it now needs dealing with because we believe that emotional stress is what causes my Diverticulitis attacks, and the extra worry of what happened a few weeks ago happening again is not very helpful, I need some strategies to help, and that is what work have come forward with.
Obviously I am now aware that this is going to take some time to sort out but we are moving forward and that can only be a good thing. Talking to CUK re my diet and fibre intake was reassuring too, since to aid with the Diverticulitis I need a high fibre diet but I have problems with wholewheat's and whole grains, to be told by the dietitian that I had my diet well and truly under control and I was eating the right things to keep on top of my deficiencies as well as eating enough fibre was very helpful, and negated the need for another appointment with a dietitian, so that was fantastic.
I've had a tough time over the last two years (this year in particular, with hospital visits etc.) but it does now all be appearing to be calming down and sorting itself out. OK I do still have phlebitis but that is being monitored as are all my other health problems, and it is becoming apparent that a few of them are connected to the CD. It's thanks to my GP really, who has gone out of his way to make sure that I am having the care that's needed and what is available, which is a step up from the GP who had not a lot of idea before, same person different perspective, and is working for his patient, he got up to speed very quickly. Yes we've had some hiccups, but those have all been ironed out, and I now feel confident that there is an understanding of the links between my condtions and how they affect me and my life which can only be good.
All I need to do now is change the attitudes of other people..................!!!!!!
Saturday, 31 August 2013
Is it really the END of August?
It seems to have gone on forever!!! I guess it's because my family have been gallivanting about and enjoying things. DD2 went off to Kent International Jamboree with the Explorers for a week camping, and had a wonderful time. DD1 flew out to Germany to meet up with a friend for a week.
In between those two events they both had some time with Daddy DD1 went on an overnight canoe camp, and DD2 scared hiim witless at Thorpe Park (I didn't go on either of those, the first event not enough room in the boat!! and I HATE rollercoasters, so not much point in going to the Second event!!)
When DD2 and DH went to Thorpe Park, I took myself into Reading for the day as I needed to do some mobile phone research and it was an ideal excuse to go and look around the shops. I also managed to have lunch out that day in Cafe Rouge, who were a revelation to me, and I had a wonderful time.
Somewhere in the middle of all of that we fitted in our short break in Cardiff, as mentioned previously. DD1 has also attended Reading Festival and had a really good time. Her AS results came in whilst she was in Germany and she is very happy with them.
We have also in the last few days been up in the Peak District with my family as my Dad was 70 on Thursday. I impressed myself yesterday when I managed to scale Bradwell Edge without an awful lot of difficulty. Last time I tried to do anything like that was around 4 years ago, in Somerset when I hit the proverbial wall half way up, and I didn't know why, this time around I didn't struggle at all, I think that maybe the fact that the anaemia has been sorted out, and the thing that was causing it has also been sorted out maybe the logical answer, anyway I was well impressed that I kept up better than I hoped I would.
The evening before this said walk we had gone out to dinner at a wonderful place called 'The Poachers Arms' in Hope. Gluten Free choices and although there was a lot of bread the only things I was unable to have were the Fish and Chips and the Pie, so well worth a visit if you are ever in the area (Peak District National Park) I even had Bakewell tart!! Such a nice change from the 'oh I don't know what you can have'....scenario that is so often presented to me. Had a good time and I now have somewhere else I can eat with confidence (although probably won't be there that often, Mum and Dad still very active and quite often down here catching the ferry to France).
The summer holidays are nearly over and the grind of normality will soon sink in (certainly by Friday anyway!!)
The trip to Cardiff seems an absolute age away, and another 5 days seems like a long time too....which says to me that this summer break has been much better than the last one. Hardly surprising considering what was going on this time last year.....waiting for tests, procedures and eventually diagnosis and trying to enjoy the summer....was nearly impossible. This time around, apart from the odd hiccup, has been much better.
In between those two events they both had some time with Daddy DD1 went on an overnight canoe camp, and DD2 scared hiim witless at Thorpe Park (I didn't go on either of those, the first event not enough room in the boat!! and I HATE rollercoasters, so not much point in going to the Second event!!)
When DD2 and DH went to Thorpe Park, I took myself into Reading for the day as I needed to do some mobile phone research and it was an ideal excuse to go and look around the shops. I also managed to have lunch out that day in Cafe Rouge, who were a revelation to me, and I had a wonderful time.
Somewhere in the middle of all of that we fitted in our short break in Cardiff, as mentioned previously. DD1 has also attended Reading Festival and had a really good time. Her AS results came in whilst she was in Germany and she is very happy with them.
We have also in the last few days been up in the Peak District with my family as my Dad was 70 on Thursday. I impressed myself yesterday when I managed to scale Bradwell Edge without an awful lot of difficulty. Last time I tried to do anything like that was around 4 years ago, in Somerset when I hit the proverbial wall half way up, and I didn't know why, this time around I didn't struggle at all, I think that maybe the fact that the anaemia has been sorted out, and the thing that was causing it has also been sorted out maybe the logical answer, anyway I was well impressed that I kept up better than I hoped I would.
The evening before this said walk we had gone out to dinner at a wonderful place called 'The Poachers Arms' in Hope. Gluten Free choices and although there was a lot of bread the only things I was unable to have were the Fish and Chips and the Pie, so well worth a visit if you are ever in the area (Peak District National Park) I even had Bakewell tart!! Such a nice change from the 'oh I don't know what you can have'....scenario that is so often presented to me. Had a good time and I now have somewhere else I can eat with confidence (although probably won't be there that often, Mum and Dad still very active and quite often down here catching the ferry to France).
The summer holidays are nearly over and the grind of normality will soon sink in (certainly by Friday anyway!!)
The trip to Cardiff seems an absolute age away, and another 5 days seems like a long time too....which says to me that this summer break has been much better than the last one. Hardly surprising considering what was going on this time last year.....waiting for tests, procedures and eventually diagnosis and trying to enjoy the summer....was nearly impossible. This time around, apart from the odd hiccup, has been much better.
Wednesday, 14 August 2013
Tea Loaf recipe
Sulatana Tea Loaf.
8oz Sultanas (you can use any dried fruit)
1/4 pint Cold Tea
8oz SR Flour
Pinch of salt
6oz Demerara Sugar (I used Castor, but next time I shall use this)
1 Large Egg beaten
4 Fluid oz Cold Water
Soak Sultana's in tea overnight (I soaked the fruit for about 2 hours, as I was desparate for Cake and had run out of Margarine!!)
Grease 2lb loaf tin - Gas 4/160
Mix flour, salt and sugar.
Add sultana's, tea, egg and the Cold water
Mix well to make a sticky batter (be warned this is very wet!!)
Pour into tin
Bake for 1 hour and 20mins.
Cover with Greaseproof paper 15mins before the end if browning too much.
Makes 1 loaf, and freezes well.
8oz Sultanas (you can use any dried fruit)
1/4 pint Cold Tea
8oz SR Flour
Pinch of salt
6oz Demerara Sugar (I used Castor, but next time I shall use this)
1 Large Egg beaten
4 Fluid oz Cold Water
Soak Sultana's in tea overnight (I soaked the fruit for about 2 hours, as I was desparate for Cake and had run out of Margarine!!)
Grease 2lb loaf tin - Gas 4/160
Mix flour, salt and sugar.
Add sultana's, tea, egg and the Cold water
Mix well to make a sticky batter (be warned this is very wet!!)
Pour into tin
Bake for 1 hour and 20mins.
Cover with Greaseproof paper 15mins before the end if browning too much.
Makes 1 loaf, and freezes well.
Saturday, 10 August 2013
Cardiff is fantastic!!
So had a couple of days away. Ended up in Cardiff because we visited the Dr.Who experience (that is good fun!!) Booked Holiday Inn in Cardiff City Centre (I knew it was close to the Millenium Stadium, but didn't realise it meant next door!!, and the Castle was across the road.)
On the online booking form it asked for any special request, so naturally I asked for a meeting with the chef as I was Coeliac. Unfortunately what I hadn't realised was that the Hotel would not receive that information until the morning you arrive, so they didn't have a lot of notice. However they did their best and catered for me superbly, now this may not mean much to you but when my fish and chips came out minus chips, I was a bit miffed however, the Chef had noticed that the chips they used were coated in flour so didn't do me any, which was a result, he had realised that they wouldn't be safe for me to eat. When I asked if I could have some chips the Chef did me proper chunky spud chips with the skins left on to go with my slightly unconventional breaded (GF) fish. Pudding all I could have was the fruit salad with ice cream, but that was fine I was full anyway!!
In the morning when we came down to breakfast there was a note against our room number about my dietary requirements, but there was obviously a change in Chef, as the buffet was a little unsafe I asked for my breakfast from the kitchen. I was offered Vegetarian Sausages which was a laugh, because they're worse than ordinary sausages for being stuffed with wheat!! I was then told that the bacon wasn't gluten free (still trying to get my head around that one!!) Anyway I got a very hot plate full of two fried eggs, scrambled egg, tomatoes and mushrooms (I don't like Baked Beans!) and a toasted GF roll, as they didn't have any bread left (on my fish night before methinks!) No questions asked, no funny looks, just catered for.
After the Dr Who experience on Thursday (before we got to the Hotel) we came out and all needed a drink and a snack, so rather than staying at the experience we walked out along the bay and DD1 spotted a sign which said Gluten Free cake available at the Lightship 2000. This was after I had resigned myself to the fact that it may not be possible for me to have a snack, however, when we found the Lightship a toasted GF crumpet with butter was on the menu, which made a pleasant change from just cake or nothing! so I had that (I could have had a Brownie as well, but I didn't as they were pecan ones). Happy number 1.
We then went to the Hotel (see above), but while killing time waiting to see the Chef, we wandered into Cardiff itself, and investigated a lot of the arcades which are the old part of the city. In the process just in case the Hotel couldn't cope with me, we were on the look out for places that understood (apart from the big chains Prezzo, Pizza Hut, Pizza Express etc.) and I was taken aback when we found a little coffee shop in the back of one of these arcades where nearly everything on the menu was marked with the crossed grain symbol, unfortunately we had arrived at 3:55 and the kitchen closed at 4:00pm but we logged it for further reference (It was called 'The Plan' and it wasn't in the Castle Quarter arcade, unfortunately I can't remember which one it was in....now theres a challenge for you if you are visiting Cardiff.) Happy number 2.
We then returned to the hotel and what is explained above happened. On Friday morning after breakfast, we went for a walk to see if we could just get into the Castle grounds (but no it was admission only, and far too expensive for all of us) so we went to Bute Park next door, there was a fab sculpture there of a picture frame, so we took the obligatory photos (unfortunately there weren't many people about so the four of us couldn't get in one photo) and then wandered back to the hotel via a shop specialising in Welsh Love Spoons.
Before we went to Cardiff I had looked up places to eat that would cater for a gluten free diet, what I hadn't banked on was a teeny tea shop just two miles up the road.......all I can say is they are a Coeliac friendly haven and a gem I ought to keep to myself but I can't. For the size of Waterloo Gardens Teahouse their service was impeccable. Cross contamination was well understood, they cleaned the knives or found clean ones for each slice of Cake............and there was a choice of ....wait for it.......Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian, Vegan and even all in one cake!! Plus did I say there was a Choice, yes, I did if you just wanted GF Cake it was clearly labelled as such and I could have eaten most of them, and there were around 16 of them. Added to which there were over 20 different teas to choose from, and I could have had a GF lunch, in this really teeny teahouse, brilliant and I have contacted them to tell them how fantastic they were. Shhhh!! don't tell anyone but here's the link www.waterlootea.com they are very friendly and busy. Happy number 3.
So all in all a nice break in Cardiff and they appear to be Coeliac aware which makes a nice change. If you are going to holiday inn and book online put the note in the special requests, but ring them a couple of days before you go so they can prepare for you. Although as I discovered nothing was too much trouble and they managed to feed me with no problems. I still cannot work out why Bacon wouldn't be gluten free, but there you go. LOL!!
Back to normality today, food didn't just appear.....................for a couple of days break, that I was quite worried about Cardiff came up trumps, and I was impressed, and had a very good break...flying the TARDIS was the best bit though!!
Well done Wales.....well, Cardiff, anyways.
On the online booking form it asked for any special request, so naturally I asked for a meeting with the chef as I was Coeliac. Unfortunately what I hadn't realised was that the Hotel would not receive that information until the morning you arrive, so they didn't have a lot of notice. However they did their best and catered for me superbly, now this may not mean much to you but when my fish and chips came out minus chips, I was a bit miffed however, the Chef had noticed that the chips they used were coated in flour so didn't do me any, which was a result, he had realised that they wouldn't be safe for me to eat. When I asked if I could have some chips the Chef did me proper chunky spud chips with the skins left on to go with my slightly unconventional breaded (GF) fish. Pudding all I could have was the fruit salad with ice cream, but that was fine I was full anyway!!
In the morning when we came down to breakfast there was a note against our room number about my dietary requirements, but there was obviously a change in Chef, as the buffet was a little unsafe I asked for my breakfast from the kitchen. I was offered Vegetarian Sausages which was a laugh, because they're worse than ordinary sausages for being stuffed with wheat!! I was then told that the bacon wasn't gluten free (still trying to get my head around that one!!) Anyway I got a very hot plate full of two fried eggs, scrambled egg, tomatoes and mushrooms (I don't like Baked Beans!) and a toasted GF roll, as they didn't have any bread left (on my fish night before methinks!) No questions asked, no funny looks, just catered for.
After the Dr Who experience on Thursday (before we got to the Hotel) we came out and all needed a drink and a snack, so rather than staying at the experience we walked out along the bay and DD1 spotted a sign which said Gluten Free cake available at the Lightship 2000. This was after I had resigned myself to the fact that it may not be possible for me to have a snack, however, when we found the Lightship a toasted GF crumpet with butter was on the menu, which made a pleasant change from just cake or nothing! so I had that (I could have had a Brownie as well, but I didn't as they were pecan ones). Happy number 1.
We then went to the Hotel (see above), but while killing time waiting to see the Chef, we wandered into Cardiff itself, and investigated a lot of the arcades which are the old part of the city. In the process just in case the Hotel couldn't cope with me, we were on the look out for places that understood (apart from the big chains Prezzo, Pizza Hut, Pizza Express etc.) and I was taken aback when we found a little coffee shop in the back of one of these arcades where nearly everything on the menu was marked with the crossed grain symbol, unfortunately we had arrived at 3:55 and the kitchen closed at 4:00pm but we logged it for further reference (It was called 'The Plan' and it wasn't in the Castle Quarter arcade, unfortunately I can't remember which one it was in....now theres a challenge for you if you are visiting Cardiff.) Happy number 2.
We then returned to the hotel and what is explained above happened. On Friday morning after breakfast, we went for a walk to see if we could just get into the Castle grounds (but no it was admission only, and far too expensive for all of us) so we went to Bute Park next door, there was a fab sculpture there of a picture frame, so we took the obligatory photos (unfortunately there weren't many people about so the four of us couldn't get in one photo) and then wandered back to the hotel via a shop specialising in Welsh Love Spoons.
Before we went to Cardiff I had looked up places to eat that would cater for a gluten free diet, what I hadn't banked on was a teeny tea shop just two miles up the road.......all I can say is they are a Coeliac friendly haven and a gem I ought to keep to myself but I can't. For the size of Waterloo Gardens Teahouse their service was impeccable. Cross contamination was well understood, they cleaned the knives or found clean ones for each slice of Cake............and there was a choice of ....wait for it.......Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegetarian, Vegan and even all in one cake!! Plus did I say there was a Choice, yes, I did if you just wanted GF Cake it was clearly labelled as such and I could have eaten most of them, and there were around 16 of them. Added to which there were over 20 different teas to choose from, and I could have had a GF lunch, in this really teeny teahouse, brilliant and I have contacted them to tell them how fantastic they were. Shhhh!! don't tell anyone but here's the link www.waterlootea.com they are very friendly and busy. Happy number 3.
So all in all a nice break in Cardiff and they appear to be Coeliac aware which makes a nice change. If you are going to holiday inn and book online put the note in the special requests, but ring them a couple of days before you go so they can prepare for you. Although as I discovered nothing was too much trouble and they managed to feed me with no problems. I still cannot work out why Bacon wouldn't be gluten free, but there you go. LOL!!
Back to normality today, food didn't just appear.....................for a couple of days break, that I was quite worried about Cardiff came up trumps, and I was impressed, and had a very good break...flying the TARDIS was the best bit though!!
Well done Wales.....well, Cardiff, anyways.
Monday, 5 August 2013
Results TTG levels and one other
Now I'm not one for getting tests and results, and I don't always like to tell everyone what they say but in this instance I'm going to make an exception.
You ladies out there will know that every 3 years or so we have to go through a test that is not exactly ladylike, however over the last 3 years I've had to have them more often. My last one came back clear and now I have gone back onto the 3 year cycle, so that was good news.
TTG levels in June 2012 before formal diagnosis were 28. Formal diagnosis was given in September and that's when I started my Gluten Free diet. Had the results from the blood test last week, today and the TTG levels have dropped to 9..........Happy, Happy, Happy!!
It's tough but I've achieved an amazing drop of 19 in less than a year, gobsmacked doesn't even cover it!!! I'm aiming at 0 by next year and judging by what has happened this time around that isn't unachievable.
Now all I've got to sort out is to stop this feeling of not being interested in food.....I think that could take a while.
You ladies out there will know that every 3 years or so we have to go through a test that is not exactly ladylike, however over the last 3 years I've had to have them more often. My last one came back clear and now I have gone back onto the 3 year cycle, so that was good news.
TTG levels in June 2012 before formal diagnosis were 28. Formal diagnosis was given in September and that's when I started my Gluten Free diet. Had the results from the blood test last week, today and the TTG levels have dropped to 9..........Happy, Happy, Happy!!
It's tough but I've achieved an amazing drop of 19 in less than a year, gobsmacked doesn't even cover it!!! I'm aiming at 0 by next year and judging by what has happened this time around that isn't unachievable.
Now all I've got to sort out is to stop this feeling of not being interested in food.....I think that could take a while.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)