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Just a quick note to make you all aware that I will be co-hosting a Live Chat over at Udi’s Gluten-Free Living Community next Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at 8PM Eastern Time. We will be discussing how to deal with a gluten-free diet when it comes to raising children. Whether you’re a newbie to this gluten-free world or a pro, or somewhere in between, you are welcome to join us. It’s completely free, and there will even be prizes, courtesy of Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods.

Come join us by visiting this link on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at 8PM ET. Hope to see you there!

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posted on Thursday, May 2nd, 2013 by altawrites Posted in Uncategorized No Comments

Chocolate Covered Cheesecake Easter Eggs photo credit: Diet, Dessert and Dogs

Still stumped on what to make for your Easter meal? (Don’t be afraid to admit it – my menu is just now mostly finalized!) Well, look no further! Here are some delicious gluten-free (and many dairy-free, soy-free, and sugar-free besides!) recipes to help you in planning your menu.

I hope that you and your family enjoy your holiday!

Brunch

Lemon Rosemary Teacakes (grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Build Your Own Crepe Bar (grain-free, nut-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Simple Berry Salad (grain-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Cinnamon Swirl Scones (gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Cinnamon Rolls with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting (gluten-free, soy-free)

Appetizers, Salads, and Sides

Mom’s Deviled Eggs (grain-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

“Wine” and “Cheese” Charlotte (gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Mom’s Mashed Potatoes (grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Shaved Asparagus Salad (grain-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Lavender Roasted Potatoes (grain-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Green Pea and Radish Salad (grain-free, dairy-free, vegan option, refined sugar-free)

Carrot Soup with Carrot Top Garlic Pesto (grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Main Dishes

Pistachio Crusted Rack of Lamb (grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Rosemary Roast Chicken (grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Easter Lamb and Mint Meatballs (grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Maple Ham (grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free)

Perfect Lamb Chops (grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Desserts

Chocolate-Covered Cheesecake Easter Eggs (grain-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Lemon Earl Grey Cookies (gluten-free, dairy-free)

Carrot Cake (grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Maple Carrot Custard (grain-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Cheesecake-Filled Cupcakes (gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free, soy-free)

Easter Angel Food Cake (gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free)

Lemon Blueberry Bars with Coconut Crust (gluten-free, soy-free)

Jelly Bean Macaroon Nests (grain-free, dairy-free, soy-free)

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posted on Thursday, March 28th, 2013 by altawrites Posted in Uncategorized 7 Comments

photo credit: Flickr harry harris

New to gluten-free? Struggling with how to navigate restaurants on a gluten-free diet? Mark your calendars, for next week on April 3 at 8 PM Eastern (7 PM Central) time, we will be hosting a free LIVE CHAT over at Udi’s Gluten-Free Living Community, where we will be discussing tips on how to deal with a gluten-free diet in restaurants. Be sure to bring your questions and your tips! Also, there will be prizes given away, courtesy of Udi’s!

Until then, feel free to read my thoughts on this post about dining out gluten-free. Restaurants can be tricky, but and there’s always some risk, but hopefully, armed with knowledge and some tools, you can successfully navigate the most difficult of situations.

Be sure to join us next week!

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posted on Monday, March 25th, 2013 by altawrites Posted in Uncategorized No Comments

Update: This giveaway is now closed. The winner is commenter #95 – Laura. Congrats Laura!

Are you new to dairy-free and/or gluten-free living? Looking for some tips on how to transition to a healthier, whole foods-based diet?

Hallie Klecker of Daily Bites and Alisa Fleming of Go Dairy Free have collaborated to create this amazing ebook just to help you out. Dairy-Free & Gluten-Free – A Whole Food Starter Guide & Cookbook is just that – a book filled with tips and tons of information to help you on your way, plus 75 awesome whole-foods recipes that are as delicious as they are nourishing.

The book begins with the basics – it helps the reader to understand what dairy and gluten are, and where they can be found. My favorite part, however (okay, aside from the recipes – that’s a given), is what follows – some tips on how to transition to a whole foods diet.

A whole foods-based diet is something I can completely get behind. When I first went gluten and then dairy-free, I was still suffering from digestive distress. In short, I wasn’t healing from the damage the gluten and dairy caused. It wasn’t until I slowly transitioned away from processed foods and started truly eating whole, unprocessed foods that I felt healthy again. While it may seem daunting at first – the idea of eating only unprocessed foods – I promise you, it’s been worth the effort and the time. The health rewards, including more energy, improved digestion, more energy, a solid immune system, and did I mention more energy, have been well worth it. And with this guide, Hallie and Alisa help you along the way with tips, and even a seasonal menu plan to help you with the day-to-day.

And of course, the recipes. Something that I often hear from people new to cooking from scratch is how some recipes are too difficult, with many steps and a ton of ingredients. When you look at some gluten-free baking recipes, you’ll totally agree. (And I know, I myself have created some rather lengthy recipes!) What I find most attractive about these 75 recipes is that they are simple. Straightforward. I find that essential to long-term success - being able to make meals that don’t require mental gymnastics on a day-to-day basis.

There’s also plenty of room for make-ahead options in this book. For instance, most of the suggested lunch menu items are things you could make the night before – such as the Salmon & Summer Vegetable Salad with Lemon Ginger Dressing, or the Sushi Snackers. In fact, you could make enough for both dinner one night and for lunch the following day, getting twice the mileage in your meal in one effort. They also shared some convenient make-ahead breakfast ideas, like the Grain-Free Cinnamon Raisin Granola. In fact, that looked so good, I decided to make it for myself.

Let me tell you, it was addictive. Subtly sweet, with a perfect crunch, I had to stash it away and hide it from myself after snacking on it all evening. I’m kind of a granola fiend to begin with, and this stuff was perfect. It’s also delicious with almond milk.

I’ve definitely made notes to try other recipes from their book as well – like the Harvest Hash for breakfast, the Uptown Waldorf Salad, or the Florentine Flatbread “Pizza”, made with a quinoa crust based on my pizza crust recipe. I can’t wait to see what Hallie and Alisa have done with it – it might just become my new favorite!

What do you think? Would you like to check out a copy of this essential ebook? Well, Hallie and Alisa have graciously allowed me to give away a copy! So if you’d like to enter to win, please leave a comment below telling me your favorite whole foods-based dish!

The giveaway is open to anyone 18 years of age or older, and will close at 11:59pm on Sunday, January 27, 2013. Best of luck to you all!

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posted on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013 by altawrites Posted in Uncategorized 124 Comments

Next Wednesday, January 23, 2013, we will be discussing gluten-free entertaining and cooking for the “Big Game”!

Join us at 7PM CT/8PM ET over at Udi’s Gluten-Free Living Community (it’s free!) and share your favorite appetizers, drinks and party dishes.

Hope to see you there!

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posted on Friday, January 18th, 2013 by altawrites Posted in Uncategorized No Comments

Over at The Balanced Platter today, I am sharing some tips on how to sustain a healthy lifestyle. (Hint: preparedness is key!) Head on over there and check it out!

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posted on Tuesday, January 8th, 2013 by altawrites Posted in Uncategorized No Comments

photo credit: flickr ell brown

Wanted to drop you a quick note to say HAPPY NEW YEAR, and also to let you know that next Wednesday, January 9th, at 8PM Central (9PM Eastern), we will be hosting a Live Chat over at Udi’s Gluten-Free Living Community, where we will be discussing New Year’s Resolutions.

In addition, there will be yummy gluten-free prizes, courtesy of Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods, such as their fabulous pizza crusts and granola!

So whether you’re new to gluten-free, are a seasoned veteran, or are just looking to chat about some healthy goals for 2013, be sure and drop by – it’s free to attend.

Hope to see you there!

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posted on Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013 by altawrites Posted in Uncategorized No Comments

Well, ladies and gentleman, we’re about to close out another year. 2012 has definitely been a year full of adventure and activities. For one, The Balanced Platter, of which I am a contributing editor, launched. It grew immensely and will continue to grow as a valuable resource for healthy and allergen-free living. I also discovered that canned salmon is not only edible, but can actually be tasty! (I continue to buy it and eat it regularly - it’s an inexpensive way to get good protein and omega-3s!) I also have been focusing all year on balance, body image, and celebrating appreciation for my body and what it can do (which is a continuous work in progress). In May, Domino’s came out with a (not-so) gluten-free pizza crust, and the gluten-free community was definitely up in arms about this topic. Good thing we have alternatives: for instance, Local Oven really took off in the Dallas area (and beyond) with their gluten-free baked goods, available in many groceries and restaurants. I had the biggest bumper crop of peppers in my garden this year, and made lots of roasted chile salsa (among other things). I also learned to sprout buckwheat, and so made granola. And of course, Simply Gluten-Free Magazine launched this year as well, which is currently my favorite gluten-free magazine of all time.

Definitely an adventure-packed year! And Tasty Eats At Home definitely had some highs this year as well. To celebrate the close of this year, and the start of 2013, here are the Top 12 (as in, most visited) recipes of 2012.

Sitting at #12 is a delicious-but-super-easy pizza idea – Portobello Mushroom Pizza. It’s not only gluten-free, it’s even paleo. Did I mention it’s easy? Because it really is.

Number #11 kind of surprises me, because it’s such a rustic, no-frills dish. But who am I to judge – sometimes, comfort is king! Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Stew is perfect for a winter day (and when you want to clean out the fridge!).

There was a bit of a black walnut theme this year (I also made Black Walnut Cookies). #10 is a unique cake made with wine and chocolate – Chocolate Black Walnut Cake (with two kinds of grapes).

Number #9 is the only breakfast recipe to make the Top 12, and with good reason. This fall was the season of much pumpkin, maple and pecan, and these Quinoa Pumpkin Donuts with Maple Pecan Glaze definitely showcased all of those flavors!

When it heats up in Texas, I take to the grill. These Vegan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms, coming in at #8, were a perfect meal that causes no heating up of the kitchen.

Number #7 was one of my favorite treats of summer – these healthier Peach Popsicles!

If you miss sweet breads and are on a grain-free or paleo diet, this Cinnamon Raisin Walnut Bread made with almond butter is sure to please, and came in at #6.

Have a sweet tooth, but want a healthier treat? How about #5: Peanut Butter Brown Rice Crispy Treats?

If you crave hummus but can’t do beans, my #4 top recipe, Chipotle Butternut Dip, is a sure winner!

The third from the top was something I’d made at the request of a coworker, and it was such a hit, I had to share: Strawberry “Cheesecake” with Almond-Macadamia Crust.

Number #2 is another favorite of mine, posted back in 2010. I make this quite frequently (although nowadays, I tend to use much less liquid – maybe a cup or so total is plenty!) and it’s always a hit. Meet my Slow Cooker Pot Roast!

The #1 favorite is actually a recipe posted in 2011, but continues to be a favorite of mine (and apparently, all of you!) – Quinoa Pizza Crust!

Thank you so much for making 2012 here at Tasty Eats At Home such a success. So now, I ask you: What would you like to see in 2013 on Tasty Eats At Home? Please leave me ideas in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!

Here’s hoping you and yours have a splendid 2013! Happy New Year!

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posted on Thursday, December 27th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Uncategorized 1 Comment

Stay tuned, for next week, we’ll be having quite the gluten-free holiday party! I, along with five amazing gluten-free bloggers, will be co-hosting a Gluten-Free Holiday Progressive Dinner. So be sure to stop on by each day for tantalizing gluten-free holiday recipes. What’s more, there will be chances for PRIZES each day!

What’s a progressive dinner, you ask? Traditionally, it is a dinner party that begins at one house, where the first course is served. Then the party travels to another house to enjoy the second course, and continues to the third house for the third course, and so on. It’s kind of like a potluck dinner, only with travel involved. However, in this instance, we will be instead hopping from one blog to the next on successive days to enjoy each gluten-free course. This makes it essentially a week-long virtual dinner party – and we’ve thrown in a few prizes besides!

Be sure to follow along each day next week so you can enjoy each course along with us.

Monday, December 10 – Hallie of Daily Bites will share an Edible Gift

Tuesday, December 11 – Kim of Cook It Allergy Free will share an Appetizer

Wednesday, December 12 – Alta of Tasty Eats At Home (that’s me!) will share a Side Dish

Thursday, December 13 – Maggie of She Let Them Eat Cake will share Main Dishes

Friday, December 14 – Ricki of Diet, Dessert and Dogs will share a Dessert

I’ll be sharing the links to these courses each day via Facebook and Twitter too, so be sure to stay tuned! We wouldn’t want you to miss a dish OR a chance to win a prize!

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posted on Thursday, December 6th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Uncategorized No Comments

one of my favorite gluten-free holiday treats, chocolate-dipped dates!

Join us next Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 8PM EST for a Live Chat, where we will be hosting a gluten-free cookie swap! We will be sharing our favorite gluten-free (and more-free!) cookie and treat recipes. Of course, there will also be delicious gluten-free prizes, courtesy of Udi’s.

Be there to help us get into the holiday season!

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posted on Friday, November 30th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Uncategorized 1 Comment