Gluten-free Cheerios!

Picture Credit: glutenfreehomemaker.com

I used to eat Cheerios all the time as a child, as it was a great snack and cereal! Of course, when I was diagnosed with Celiac at the age of 6, we didn't want to focus on what I couldn't eat-so we focused on what I could eat (there is plenty out there)! Oats are in fact gluten-free, but often come in contact with wheat during the production phase , which is why you have to buy certified gluten-free oats. I am very excited that the manufacturer of Cheerios finally has decided to make Cheerios certified gluten-free through a procedure that ensures the separation of oats from other grains during the production phase. However, make sure you check with your physician if you can tolerate gf oats, as not everyone with Celiac can!

-Sema

Fruit Smoothie

Here's a naturally gluten-free delicious smoothie that you can enjoy in this chocolate-infused week :)! I absolutely adore this recipe-it's got a sweet taste to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings! The good thing about smoothies is that you usually can add anything you've got in the fridge to make a delicious creation! This is my favorite smoothie recipe, as it is sweet and filling!

Ingredients
1/2 a cup of Greek yogurt: you can make your own, click here for the recipe!
1/4 a cup of sliced strawberries
1/4 a cup of sliced kiwis
1/4 a cup of sliced frozen mangoes
1/4 a cup of sliced bananas
a dash of mango/orange juice-I used mango juice to give it a sweeter taste
1 tablespoon of chia seeds

Procedure
1. Put all the ingredients in the blender.
2. Blend until you reach the desired consistency.

Voila! You have a delicious snack/breakfast item!
Enjoy!
-Sema

No Cook Gluten-free Oatmeal

Sometimes mornings can be hectic-but that shouldn't mean that you skip breakfast! With a little prep the night before, you have a delicious breakfast the next day. This week make sure you get a hearty breakfast in the midst of all the chocolate!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of gluten-free oatmeal
1/2 cup of Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon chia seeds
A drizzle of honey
Optional: fruit of your choice.

Procedure:
1. Mix all the ingredients together.
2. Put a lid on the jar and store in the fridge overnight.

Voila! You have a delicious breakfast for those chaotic mornings!

Valentine's day is just around the corner, and I'm really looking forward to it this year. I will be performing with a small orchestra at a retirement home. I love seeing their faces light up as we stroll into the room, instruments up and ready to play.
Here's my outfit of the day for Valentine's day! Sometimes just a pop of color really goes a long way :).

Enjoy!
-Sema

Gluten-free Waffle Sandwiches

 Do you like waffles? Do you like sandwiches? Well then I have the perfect snack for you! Sometimes when you're in a hurry, you don't think about what you are going to eat. Here's your solution-once a week, make waffles. Store them in an airtight container, and whenever you run out of time for a meal, pop a waffle into your toaster, and voila you've got a snack!

But you can do so much more with waffles than you think! The cool thing about it is that you can top waffles with whatever you're in the mood for! I mean, there are some days where I'm just like I need some whipped cream on my waffles. But then there are other days when I like to top them with a mixture of sauteed hotdog, mushroom, tomato, and a little green onion for garnish.

Enjoy!
-Sema

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