Gluten free at Christmas

Celebrating Christmas with gluten-free options can be just as delicious and festive! There are plenty of gluten-free recipes for the traditional dishes, desserts, and snacks that will make everyone feel included, even those with dietary restrictions. 

Just be extra careful when eating at other people's for Christmas dinner as they might not think about the cross-contamination risks, making sure different utensils are used. Also reading labels on everything they have used to make the meal especially gravy granules and seasonings.  

This year I have ordered some of the Marks and Spencer food to order as they have a great selection and are always the most exciting to me at Christmas time.  

Shopping Tips for Gluten-Free Products at M&S:

• "Made Without Wheat" Range: Look for the "Made Without Wheat" section in-store and online, which features gluten-free products. M&S makes it easy to shop for gluten-free options.
• Online Shopping: If you're shopping online, M&S allows you to filter products by dietary needs, including gluten-free, making it simple to find all your holiday essentials.
• Pre-Cooked Options: M&S offers a range of pre-cooked gluten-free options, such as turkey, ham, and vegetables, for quick and easy holiday meal preparation.

Marks & Spencer’s gluten-free range to me ensures that you can enjoy all the festive flavours of Christmas without worrying about gluten. Whether you're preparing a full Christmas dinner or need a few indulgent treats, M&S has you covered!  Especially love the little cocktail sausages!

 

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What i'm loving from my beauty collection - October

Pixi + Hello Kitty Anywhere Patches 

These are cruelty-free and formulated with gentle ingredients, they don't irritate around my eyes at all.  I've been loving using them on my forehead lines as well as around my eyes.

Votary Super Seed Serum

This Votary Super Seed Serum is a more natural product, it's been great for my dry skin and feels like a salon type product with that herbal type of scent.

Rodial Liquid Blush Frosted Pink

I absolutely love this blush! It adds a natural, radiant flush to your cheeks.  It's lightweight, buildable that gives a fresh, dewy finish that’s perfect for any season. (the lid of it is that rubber type material that all makeup clings to) 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder Diffused Light

I thought I had lost this powder and I was so sad for a few weeks and then I found it again! I love it for around my eyes as it doesn't cling to fine lines.   It locks in your makeup while adding a soft glow, I like to use a fluffy brush to dust.

MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot Vintage Selection

This cream eyeshadow is beautiful, it's a shimmery rose-gold hue. It has a creamy texture that glides on smoothly and provides long-lasting wear without creasing. You can use it as a base for other eyeshadows or wear it alone for a more natural look. 

17. Full Definition Brow Pencil Dark Brown

This is the best colour match I have found with an eyebrow pencil and it being so cheap is just amazing, always buy two at a time. 

So these are my top picks from the month of October, with Christmas coming up I'm excited to treat myself to a fresh restock of products I love and new things I have on my wishlist!  However this year I've been good at not buying products until I use what I have first!

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Crafting

Crafting has always been a hobby of mine, it helps you to unwind after any busy day. Whether it's wool work, jewellery making, clay work or crafting with the kids.

TK Maxx is known for offering a wide range of unique and affordable items, including craft supplies. I've recently wanted to stock up on some air dry clay to start a few projects and was surprised to find that TK Maxx offer some choices majorly discounted.        

 

Not only did I find clay that I wanted but they have some great craft finds that suit lots of different craft projects.

High-Quality Wool: TK Maxx often stocks premium wool brands at discounted prices perfect for knitting and crocheting projects.

Scrapbooking Supplies: You can find a variety of scrapbooking materials such as patterned paper, stickers, embellishments, and cutting tools. These items are great for creating personalized photo albums and cards.

Paints and Brushes: TK Maxx frequently offers acrylic and watercolor paint sets, as well as high-quality brushes. These are ideal for both beginners and experienced artists looking to expand their collection.

Fabric and Sewing Kits: Check out their selection of fabrics, including sewing kits. These can be used for quilting, making clothes, or other fabric crafts.

DIY Kits: There are often DIY kits available for various crafts like candle making, soap making, and embroidery. These kits come with all the necessary materials and instructions, making them perfect for trying out new hobbies. These would be great for over the summer fun during the schools holidays.

Beads and Jewellery Making Supplies: Various beads and items to make jewellery. I still have lots of jewellery making supplies from a few years back when I completed a jewellery making course or else i would be tempted by these products!

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Coeliac awareness month

Hello, it's been a while... again!! I want to start to get back into blogging and I thought I would do so by bringing awareness to May being the month of Coeliac Disease Awareness.

A time dedicated to raising awareness about coeliac disease and the gluten-free lifestyle. For those with coeliac disease, consuming gluten can trigger a range of unpleasant symptoms (everyone is different) and potentially lead to long-term health complications. I like to show people the importance of coeliac awareness, offer tips for managing a gluten-free diet, and share some delicious gluten-free finds along the way!

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects roughly 1 in 100 people worldwide, yet many cases remain undiagnosed. Misconceptions about gluten-free diets make it challenging for those with coeliac disease to navigate social situations, dining out, and grocery shopping (people thinking you are being fussy).

Tips for Managing a Gluten-Free Diet:

1. Education is Key: Understanding which foods contain gluten and learning to read food labels is essential. Gluten can hide in unexpected places such as sauces, dressings, and processed foods.
2. Naturally Gluten-Free Foods: It's all about finding out what your favourite meals are & if they can be incorporated without making it so expensive.
3. Meal Planning and Preparation: Planning meals ahead of time and preparing homemade dishes whenever possible can help you maintain a well-balanced gluten-free diet.
4. Communication is Crucial: Whether dining out or attending social gatherings, don't hesitate to communicate your dietary needs to friends, family, and restaurant staff. Most establishments are accommodating once they understand the severity of coeliac disease. You will at some point have the fear of wondering if something you are eating out is actually gluten free or not!!
5. Find Support: social media can provide valuable tips, recipes, and emotional support from others who understand the challenges of living with coeliac disease.

Coeliac UK is a great source of info if you are newly diagnosed - here's their Awareness Month post

I can't wait to hear from any of you who have maybe just been diagnosed, lived with it for years or know someone who has it and you like to know how to cater for them!

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It's been a while...

I noticed on my bloglovin account that I've recently gained lots of new followers.

I keep my instagram and Twitter up to date so head over there if you are on those.  

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Budget tips on a gluten free lifestyle

Once you've been on a gluten free diet for a while you'll realise you don't have to eat everything from the free from range in the dedicated aisles of the supermarkets. Not only are they quite expensive options but they aren't always the healthiest of choices.

Baking - for example make your own pancakes, gluten free pancakes are so easy to make and if you make a batch they can last a few days.

Making snacks at home: Instead of buying expensive gluten-free snacks, make your own. Prepare items like gluten-free granola bars, trail mix, and popcorn at home to save money.

Using naturally gluten-free foods such as fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, potatoes, rice, and legumes. These are often cheaper and healthier than processed gluten-free alternatives. Plan meals including fresh meat/veg first, then if you need a quick and easy option look in the frozen free from section. The main thing I get from it is gluten free chicken goujons & pizza.

I incorporate quite a few vegetarian meals into my diet as my stomach doesn't seem to agree with too much meat.  Not only is this a good option for my stomach but it's also a money saving tip. I make kidney bean burgers all the time and they cost roughly £1 which makes 4-6 depending on the size.

Buy in Bulk when you can. Purchase gluten-free staples like rice, quinoa, beans, nuts, and gluten-free oats in bulk. These items are often cheaper per unit when bought in larger quantities.

Eating leftovers for lunch is a big thing I do maybe 2 - 3 times a week. This reduces food waste and saves money by stretching meals further. Cheese and gf crackers is my go to lunch if I'm in a rush. 

Having groceries in the house for the weekend can help reduce the costs of all the meals and snacks at the weekend. 

Invest in a milk frother, cappuccino & lattes at home are brilliant! It helps stop buying all the gluten free snacks in coffee shops.

Overall it means you can enjoy a gluten-free diet without straining your budget. Planning, cooking at home, and making smart shopping choices are key to managing costs effectively.

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5 tips when being diagnosed with Coeliac Disease

I remember the first night when I was diagnosed, I made a stir fry.  Only when I sat down I then realised that soy sauce was not gluten free.  I remember that feeling of thinking how am I ever going to eat anything again.  Now 11 years on I physically couldn't eat something I knew wasn't gluten free as my mind is telling me how awful the gluten makes me feel & what damage it actually does to your body having Coeliac Disease.  These are some of my tips to get you started on a gluten free lifestyle.

1. Make a list of all gluten items and keep a note of these in your phone so that when you are shopping or eating out you can check what contains gluten.
2. Dedicate a section in your kitchen cupboard to your own food and snacks to make it clearer what you can eat.  At the start this would be good so you don't have to keep checking if it's something you can eat or not. Also be careful of cross-contamination in the kitchen.
3. When heading out always bring snacks with you, just in case you are somewhere that doesn't sell gluten free options.
4. When eating out always ask waiters to double check with the chef, you aren't being fussy you have an illness.
5. Stay positive, eating gluten free doesn't mean food and snacks can't be exciting!  You will get to the stage where I am now, 11 years on where I actually don't miss food I was previously able to eat or feel left out when eating out.

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