Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

So my MeMaw sent me a box full of Gluten Free products when I first found out I have Celiac Disease (Jan 2012). It was full of crackers & pastas & mixes! I've used some of it, mostly the crackers & pasta - and can I say YUM-O on the pasta!!! That will have to be a blog of it's own! LOL (there ya go a little something to keep you coming back!)
Well today I decided I was going to try the Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix she sent.

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cookie Mix

All you add is 1 stick of butter (softened not melted) - 1 tsp gluten free vanilla - & 1 egg

It makes a very crumbly mix (this is about a third of the mix as I decided to take pictures after the first batch was cooked & the 2nd batch was in the oven)

The first batch of baked cookies! They were a little "gooey" so on the 2nd & 3rd batches I increased the time by 2 mins & they came out lots better!

They are pretty thin & do have a "grainy" texture but with a tall glass of milk, you don't even notice!

D-Bug & I give these 2 thumbs up!!!

Here's to New Beginnings & healthy foods!

Gluten Free Zucchini

When I found out I was Gluten intolerant I was mortified to think that my favorite summer-time treat would be banished from my diet . . . . well low & behold I have made a gluten free version ! ! ! !  YAY ! ! !

Gluten Free Zucchini Chips

• 2-small to medium Zucchini
• Rice Flour
• Season salt
• Pepper
• water/milk
• oil 

While the oil is heating (medium to medium high heat) mix the dry ingredients together in a zip-lock baggy.
Slice the Zucchini into 1/4 inch slices (I like mine a little "thick" if you like yours thinner, by all means slice them that way).

Place slices into water or milk (or mixture of both) to soak for just a few seconds.
Remove slices from liquid & place in bag (I only do about 10 slices at a time for a medium pan), ZIP bag almost closed, blow air into bag (like a balloon) finish zipping closed. 

Shake bag (I have never had a bag break, but be aware it may if shaken too hard with too much air) to cover slices in rice flour mixture.

Remove covered slices from bag & place carefully in pan of preheated oil.

Fry until golden brown, turning once (or until desired color)

Remove & "drain" on a paper towel covered plate. (I usually sprinkle with white salt right after removing from the oil - but that is optional)
Cool slightly & enjoy!!! :)

These are so yummy!!! And I have noticed that the rice flour doesn't burn like wheat flour does, leaving your oil cleaner & able to store & re-use for another day! (I store mine in an air tight container)

Enjoy your yummy New Beginnings!

Our "Egg" Craft....

This Easter was surrounded with busy BUSY days, both before & after. My Grandma D turned 80 & we went to her birthday party the Sat before Easter, I sang at church Easter day & we began revival! Dinner with Hubby's family, K-dog had her FIRST (& only) public school, Kindergarten program, Both K-dog & D-bug were in a dance recital this last weekend (yea we've been "flying by the seats of our pants" the last couple weeks) . . . . so here I am F . . I . . N . . A . . L . . L . . Y getting around to posting about our craft we did the week before Easter.

How much time I've spent on Pinterest & then thinking "hey we can do that" . . . yea I need to quit . . . it was almost a disaster BUT our eggs turned out really cute, I just have to get over the "mess factor" when doing crafts with kids LOL

Well I had seen these eggs made with balloons & yarn.... they were so cute & easy looking in the pictures! Well I wanted to make a cornstarch paste instead of a sticky glue . . . . so I found one that was just cornstarch & water (I didn't pin or save the web site, so I will have to look for that again) . . . . I made it up, blew up a few balloons & got the girls to the table. I explained what we were doing & showed them how to do it . . . . & then handed them a bowl of "glue" & yarn & a balloon . . . then my OCD kicked in & I literally had to leave the room for a bit why they wrapped the balloons . . . . Here are a few photos . . .  they don't show where K-Dog dropped her whole balloon wrapped in glue on my floor!!! 

 D-Bug & K-Dog studying very hard to get those strings to stay on the balloons!
This was tricky for little hands . . .

 Our finished "eggs" ready to dry
Who knew it would take almost 3 days for them to dry! 

 K-Dog & D-Bug holding their "eggs"!

D-Bug was more interested in picking the excess dried "glue" off.

"Eggs" are "chin holders"!

These really are cute & fun to do, I just think the next time I will try them the girls will be older...I'm thinking 10. . . that gives me 4 years to work on my fear of messes! LOL 

Have a great day & many blessings to New Beginnings!