What’s on Your Gluten-Free Gift Giving List?

Posted by on Dec 12, 2012 in Books | 2 comments

… Eleven Gluten-Free Resources for the Newly Diagnosed or the Seasoned Vet!

What's on Your Gluten-Free Gift Giving List

Not sure what to give that special someone on your shopping list? This gift-giving season be sure to share one, or more, of these valuable resources with those living a gluten-free, or perhaps multiple-allergen-free, lifestyle. These books and magazines are a few of my go-to favorites, offering a wealth of knowledge, delicious recipes, experienced insights, and personal stories of growth and perseverance in an ever-learning journey to health, well-being, and happiness. 

For the newly diagnosed celiac, or those who’ve discovered a need for a diet (sorry, but I hate that word) without gluten, as well as for the countless others who have been navigating this path for years, I find there is always something new to glean from other’s. Here’s what I particularly love about each one of these resources …

1000 Gluten-Free Recipes by Carol Fenster – Carol’s expertise of over two decades of living gluten-free is shared here. Includes a Thickeners guide. Many recipes are also marked if they are vegetarian and/or quick to fix. Filled with pastries, baked goods, main courses, sandwiches, desserts and more. No photos here – already a huge book, it would have become a tome.  

Allergy-Free Cookbook by Alice Sherwood – No eggs, dairy, nuts, or gluten! This book has a unique recipe layout. Each recipe can accommodate one, or all, of these allergies. Simple and easy to follow, with beautiful photos of most recipes. A favorite multiple-allergen cookbook of mine. Also includes sections on Allergy Etiquette and Your  Allergic Child. A well laid out section on building your pantry and ingredient substitutions.

Go Dairy Free by Alisa Marie Fleming – My favorite book for people with dairy allergies. Since so many gluten-free folks are also dairy-free (as we are here at Daily Forage), I think this book is important to mention. An extensively inclusive book on all things dairy-free, I can always find answers to my questions here. I LOVE the Even More Dairy Alternatives section sharing how to create things like evaporated milk, buttermilk, sour cream, sweetened condensed milk, etc. Alisa has taken her research and wealth of knowledge and shares it in easy-to-follow, user-friendly dialogue. Great detail about all the various milk substitutions, how they taste, their characteristics for favorable uses, and recipes for making your own. Includes a Dairy Ingredients List to help identify red-flag ingredients. Additionally, about half of the book is dairy-free recipes.

the Gluten Glitch by Stasie John1 – A fun and approachable children’s story of living with allergies. While the book touches on the explanation of how gluten can make some people sick, the author’s primary focus is on sharing the emotions that come with being “different”. Through the expressive feelings shared between mother and son, and the age-appropriate and honest conversation, Gideon is reminded how gluten causes such a “glitch” for him when he eats it. I love the way whimsical, yet believable, reasoning helps turn the story, and Gideon’s emotions, into a positive experience in a realistic scenario.

The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook by Cybele Pascal – Gluten-free doesn’t mean fun-free! The rest of the title … “How to Bake without Gluten, Wheat, Dairy, Eggs, Soy, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, and Sesame”. Often a person who discovers a food allergy discovers more than just one. If that’s the case, then this book becomes a baker’s haven for all-things sweet – and still safe! Sections on Stocking Your Allergen-Free Pantry and allergen-free ingredient replacements. If you’re giving a gift to someone with a real sweet tooth, be sure to include this book.

The Complete Allergy-Free Comfort Foods Cookbook by Elizabeth Gordon2 – “Every recipe is free of gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, and eggs”. Comfort food recipes like fried chicken, onion rings, shepherd’s pie, risotto, and chocolate chip cookies make this a cookbook that will be enjoyed from front cover to back-page acknowledgements! Beautiful photos (we eat first with our eyes) and soul-touching recipes. Truly a gift from the authors heart! I LOVE this cookbook:D

Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free Cookbook for Kids and Busy Adults (2nd edition) by Connie Sarros – As stated in the title, this book is geared for the beginning cook, or someone who wants to keep things uncomplicated. The recipes are basic, easy to follow, and include simple ingredients that kids and young adults typically enjoy – or flock to for ease. Dairy-free options are included here, as well as sections on basic Kitchen Hints and Cooking Techniques. Great for the college student or young adult (living on their own for the first time) who’s trying to master the gluten-free lifestyle.

Wheat-Free, Worry-Free … The Are of Happy, Healthy, Gluten-Free Living by Danna Korn – This was my bible when my son and I initially went gluten-free. The lists of Safe Foods, Safe Additives, and Forbidden Foods were referenced so many times they’ve become dog-eared, stained, and filled with personal notes. Part III – Wheat-Free Isn’t Always Worry-Free: Dealing with the Emotions Behind the Diet played a HUGE part in our coming to grips with the emotional roller coaster that inevitably lays down tracks in this life-altering adjustment. Realizing that grieving is a very real, and necessary, step in making a healthy change to the gluten-free lifestyle, helped us through the initial process. Not only does this book address these emotions, but would be a great book to share with family and friends who could use a little help understanding the impact of going gluten-free. While there are very few recipes, this is a MUST-HAVE resource. No other book have I found that identifies with the whole picture of the gluten-free lifestyle. 

Delight gluten free … The Magazine for Those with Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance, Food Allergies & Sensitivities - A quarterly publication sharing gluten-free recipes, lifestyle articles, medical and research articles. Quick guides for the gluten-free diet and the casein (dairy)-free diet. Includes an at-a-glance reference of all recipes included in the magazine with the allergen-free guide and page #. I like this a lot!

Living Without … The Magazine for People with Allergies and Food Sensitivities A bi-monthly publication sharing recipes, lifestyle articles, medical and research articles, gluten-free travel, and products galore. Also includes a Gluten-free Diet Quick-Start Guide and a Casein-Free Diet Quick-Start Guide.       

Vegetarian Times – A monthly publication that I find offers delicious recipes and informative articles on whole foods. All recipes are labeled accordingly if they are vegetarian, gluten-free, and/or vegan. I LOVE the recipes offered in this publication and with each issue I find an increasing number of recipes that incorporate the gluten-free, dairy-free lifestyle. This has been a regular subscription here at Daily Forage.     

With all of these choices for the gluten-free-eater, Christmas and Hanukkah shopping should be easy as pie (gf, of course)! Happy Gift Giving!

Do you have great gift giving ideas for that special gluten-free someone in your life? Do tell! We love it when you share!   

Safe food is a journey … Thrive!™

1The Gluten Glitch Book Review by Daily Forage

2The Complete Allergy-Free Comfort Foods Cookbook Book Review by Daily Forage

2 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for the wonderful words about my book! It’s great to be among such talented company. I adore The Allergen-Free Baker’s Handbook myself! A few of these are new to me, so I’ll be sure to look them up!

  2. Hi Alisa –
    You DEFINITELY deserve to be included in this group! Your book is fantastic and I rely heavily on it for making my dairy free world come to life! In fact, I just made lasagne last week with a slight variation of your pine nut ricotta, and it was AMAZING! Thanks for all of your hard work and research! Happy New Year:-D

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