Say "Thank You" to Wal-Mart

Remember my post about writing Wal-Mart to ask if they would change things so their potato chips would not be cross-contaminated?  We are part of that celiac army that wrote in....and the chips don't have the cross-contamination warning!  How awesome is that?

Let's write corporate Wal-Mart today and thank them.  :)

Gluten-free 72-hour Emergency Kits

Have you ever wondered what gluten-free food you would survive on if there were an earthquake, hurricane, flood, or some other emergency crisis in your area?  It is vitally important that we have a backpack all stocked with gluten-free items.  As part of my preparation for a presentation at a university during their Education Week, I am planning to display a gluten-free 72-hour kit.  Here are the products I have so far:

Progresso Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Campbell's Chunky Grilled Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Soup
Dinty Moore Beef Stew
Bush's Baked Beans (I am going to include a can opener in my 72-hour-kit)
Blue Diamond Almonds
Idahoan Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Flavored Mashed Potatoes (I am going to include extra water in my 72-hour-kit to re-hydrate these)
Starkist Tuna Creations--Zesty Lemon Pepper
Starkist Tuna Creations--Hickory Smoked
Thai Kitchen Green Onion Instant Rice Noodle Soup
Kind Fruit and Nuts in Yogurt  (I am particularly fond of this flavor)

My friend from our support group told me about the following three products that would also work in a 72-hour-kit.  She takes these along when she travels.  I haven't tried these, but they look delicious!

Pamela's Whenever Bars--Oat Chocolate Chip Coconut
GoPicnic--Hummus + Crackers
GoPicnic--Turkey Pepperoni + Cheese

Recipe for Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

I love the recipe for Creamy Butternut Squash Soup in my cookbook.  The only thing I don't like is how much time it takes to dice up the squash.  Here is a modified version with an easier method that worked well for me, especially since I baked the squash the day before I made the soup...so the squash was cold and easy to handle. It was a great way to use the butternut squash I got from Bountiful Baskets.  :)

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup (Easy Version)

2 cups butternut squash (bake this the day before you make the soup, if possible) *

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup leeks or green onions with tops, chopped

1/2 cup carrots, chopped

1/2 cup peeled and sliced yellow summer squash (or zucchini)

3 cups gluten-free chicken broth

1 teaspoon salt (or less)

¼ teaspoon dried basil leaves

¼ teaspoon dried oregano leaves

¼ teaspoon dry ground mustard

¼ teaspoon pepper

¼ cup cream

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon Hormel bacon bits

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Slice butternut squash in 1/2 lengthwise.  Remove seeds.  Place in a large casserole dish, (skin side down) and add 1/2 cup water.  Cover with foil and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until tender.  Place in fridge to cool.

2.   Melt butter. Sauté leeks (or green onions) and carrots in butter for about five minutes.  Cool slightly.

3.  Scoop butternut squash away from skin and place in blender with yellow squash, one cup of chicken broth, salt, basil, oregano, dry mustard, and pepper. Add cooked carrots and leeks (or green onions).  Puree in blender until smooth.

4.  Pour mixture into saucepan, along with remaining two cups of chicken broth.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer soup for 10 minutes.  

5.      Remove soup from heat.  Add cream and milk.  

6.      Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle each serving with bacon and Parmesan cheese.

Serves 4 to 6

Dr. Oz and a Great Show on Celiac Disease

My hairdresser text messaged me a few weeks ago and said that she had seen a show about celiac disease.  She is a thoughtful person and it was sweet of her to let me know about it.  Here is the link to Part 1 of the show with Dr. Oz.  It has a short video that is helpful for showing what the villi are like as they flatten in the small intestine due to gluten consumption.  Check it out:

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/celiac-disease-pt-1

You can find Part 2 on the same web page and Dr. Oz demonstrates how long the intestine is and also shows how much absorption can be limited due to celiac disease by pulling a parachute over the audience.