How to Feed a Gluten-Free Cold

Yeah, I’ve been sick. And cranky. And very hungry. You might think this is my usual state of being, but only one of those things is true. You see, this week has been a very special combo of head/chest cold, insane cough that has been frightening my co-workers, and a husband out of town on business. Shockingly, the kids have not been helpful. This is why I took it on myself to provide comfort food and drink to the sick person in the house, namely gluten-free me.

Sure I’ve been powering down oranges, and sipping on tea, but the real comfort can only come from meat and potatoes followed by a hot toddy. Or at least that’s what I told myself on day four of this hacking cough, body aches, and a dearth of fun in my life. (Note, this does not apply to having a fever. Sure, I thought I had one until I realized I accidentally left the heater on for two days. A cold? That situation calls for grub.)  At the same time, no one who is battling a nasty cold wants to put the kids to bed and prepare a giant meal. And that, my friends, is where I got efficient. Don’t worry, there is a recipe or two here but the real trick is whipping this all up with as little effort as possible. What is this? Gluten-free prime rib over potato hay stacks with a gluten-free hot toddy.

Gluten-Free Christmas: Booze & Apps

Well now, doesn’t that look all Christmas-y? We trimmed that tree, and enjoyed some festive snacking yesterday so now I’m going to tell YOU how you can start your winter holiday season off with a gluten-free bang. Of course it involves booze and snacks. Of course it does.

One of my fave holiday snacks is the gluten-free cracker topped with smoked salmon, creme fraiche, and chives. It’s incredibly simple, and you’ll want to eat the entire plate-full. I recommend you share, but you don’t always have to take my recommendations as you are your own person and I respect that.

Next, I thought I’d get crafty while fantasizing about how many Pinterest shares I would get and did these Gluten-Free Peppermint Pretzel Sticks™. Not shockingly, my attempt at culinary craftiness did not go as smoothly as I anticipated, so this is exactly how many Gluten-Free Peppermint Pretzel Sticks™ I wound up with, instead of say, 50.

I tend to lose patience when I’m getting crafty also, which is just another reason I’ll never be a Pinterest star. Later I realized a nice ribbon around the shot glass would have really nailed it. Sigh. Still, I ate an entire shot glass full of white chocolate and peppermint covered pretzels. Eat your failures, people. Eat ‘em up. They are delicious.

Anyhoo! There are so many fun things you can make for a tree trimming party. I just did three, however, and one of those thing was an incredibly strong cocktail, the Sazerac. Kind of like an Old-Fashioned, but without the gooey cherries, and with a lemon twist, a classic Sazerac can be served over a giant ice cube (you have those, right?) or straight up in a martini glass. I will say it goes very well with a shot glass full of Gluten-Free Peppermint Pretzel Sticks™.

Here’s how you can pair those yummy things together and fill yourself with some holiday cheer.

Gluten-Free Summer Lemonade Cocktails to Make You Forget

Why? Because I like you.

This seems like the perfect way to end a week — with fizzy, lemonade drinks that your kids totally cannot drink. So put those whipper-snappers to bed, and mix up one of these delicious, naturally gluten-free, summer refreshers that will make you forget about your craptacular week. If you had one, that is. For those of you who won the lottery, had a baby, or just happen to have a ton of self-esteem, you can drink to celebrate. Everybody wins!

Anyone can take a bottle of lemonade and Bacardi and put it in a squirt bottle and call it a night, but try to fancy up your lemonade with the muddling of fruits, the hints of ginger, or some fizzy bubble action. Start with these:

Add your fave liquor, and voila!

Of course some people might say you’re drinking gluten when you throw down a liquor because there’s this whole thing this week about a gluten label that won’t include your best friend, whiskey. I’m calling bullshit on that. And you should too. Drink up!

Here are my three most favorite lemonade drinks for the boozy set: