Gluten Free Sensation's Sugar Cookie Cut-Out Mix

I have wanted to try these for a couple weeks, but kept forgetting to pick up almond extract, which it says right on the box not to leave out so it's got full flavor. The box only contains the powdered mix, you are required to add butter, eggs, vanilla and almond extract. It does not make a lot of cookies. I mixed up the dough by following the directions then rolled it out and cut bats and ghosts. They fell apart a couple different times taking them from the cutting board to the cookie sheet. I cooked mine about 10 minutes in the oven at 375 degrees. I let them cook on a rack, but there were a couple that were crumbly or broke coming off the pan.

I mixed up cream cheese frosting by the recipe provided on the box. While frosting them a couple of them broke apart which was frustrating since I'm not a good froster anyway! I tried the cookies both with and without frosting. They are good. They have excellent flavor and the cream cheese frosting compliments them well.

My husband and son who are both able to eat gluten liked them too.

Wow, I felt so welcomed...

I went to the QC Celiac's Group meeting last night at Genesis West. I was immediately impressed that there were lots of people there. Several people started talking to me right away and asking questions, it was great.
There was a table of gluten free goodies to try and the recipes to take if you liked it. My favorite was a pumpkin cake, it was so tasty and I was thrilled that everything on the table did not TASTE  gluten free.

Becky, the leader, was very nice and full of information.  I love that the meeting has an informal feel to it, but is led by Becky, she was happy to have questions/answers from the people that attended.

The meeting lasted about an hour and half. I even "won" a bag of Bob's Red Mill Quick Oats at the end of the meeting. I left with several recipes and informational brochures.

It felt great to be surrounded by people who know what it's like and have been where I have been with my body's battle against gluten. I told my husband when I got home, I felt like I finally found somewhere I belong, with people who understand why I cannot have the goodies at Thanksgiving and who understand why I'm so paranoid to eat out at restaurants.

I cannot wait to go to the next event, which I will be posting information as I get it on here for those like me who just need to be surrounded by others who understand how difficult it is to find a good place to eat with food that is safe and tasty.

Gluten Free Tasting at Hy-Vee West Kimbelry

I was thrilled that the gluten free tasting fell during a time when I was off work. I was even more excited to get to try new products!! My go to gal, Teresa, was there manning the tables when we arrived shortly after the tasting began. As always she was very pleasant and helpful and giving me great information on which products to try. 

They had Pop Crickle a new popcorn product out with 4 different kinds to try, all of them were tasty. I really liked the Sweet Heat and the Triple Crunch. They were very affordable at $2.89 a bag. I bought two bags. Pop Crickle

 I also got to try Pop Chips. Teresa opened a bag of the Salt and Pepper flavored ones. I liked the flavor, but I was expect more of a chip. It was so light and airy it was nothing like a chip and more like a crisp. Texturally I am not a fan of Pop Chips, but you should try them because they offer a healthier version to potato chips and they offer lots of flavor choices. Pop Chips

I also tried RiceWorks Chips which I already know I loved! They are made from brown rice and are delicious and addictive. I also tried a couple kinds of granola made by Gluten Free Sensations it was very tasty and would be fantastic on yogurt.

The tasting was a great opportunity for me to visit with my gluten free guru's at Hy-Vee and try new products they are putting on their shelves as well as stocking up on my favorites. They offered 10% off Health Market Products purchased today too.  I will be sure to post the next gluten free tasting. Today's fit perfectly into the calendar since today is Celiac Awareness Day.