Ginger Lemon Girl Recipe Archives

On Why I Write This Blog

2008-05-15T05:27:00.000-07:00

In August 2007, I discovered food blogs for the first time. The first blogs I read and became acquainted with were: Fridge Magnet, The Amateur Gourmet, and The Wednesday Chef. I started reading these food blogs on a daily basis. At some point I ran across Gluten Free Girl, and something clicked. I wanted to do that too. I loved cooking and baking (though at that point I was not gluten free), and I enjoyed writing for fun.

I was familiar with Blogger and I thought I would give blogging a shot. My first post was published in late August 2007.

I had attempted blogging several times before, but I never found a "niche" I was really interested in.

I didn't want a blog just to talk about my life -- that seemed a bit too personal.
My faith is extremely important to me and I contemplated writing about that (and I may still do that in the future with another blog), but it wasn't what I was drawn to writing about at the time.
I thought about frugality, living green, living on a budget etc... as that is a big part of my life too... yet that just didn't feel quite right either.

But I could talk about food. I could talk about the my mishaps and accomplishments in the kitchen. That could be fun!

And it is.

I'm still not exactly sure why I chose the name "Ginger Lemon Girl." I've always liked being called a "girl." It makes me feel young, new, and excited, even though I hit the "30" mark this year! Ginger and lemon are two of my favorite flavors, though in reality I don't use them all that often in my kitchen. I do love a good gingerbread with lemon sauce, but I haven't made one since Christmas 2006. The spices and flavors I use most in my kitchen are cinnamon and vanilla, but that would have been a mouthful of a title!

After reading Gluten Free Girl's blog I seriously considered changing my diet. I noticed I had several symptoms that were mentioned in blogs that talked about being gluten free. When I saw migraine headaches as one of the main symptoms for some people, I was willing to try the whole gluten free thing. I had horrid migraine headaches that would make my life miserable for weeks at a time. I had several other symptoms too, and I realize that by not going to a doctor for an official celiac diagnosis, I was taking a risk. But I've never been conventional. So I stopped eating wheat. It was just an experiment at first, but I never turned back.

I don't regret it. It took about 8 months on the gluten free diet to realize the drastic change in the frequency of my headaches. I get around 3-4 migraines a month now, instead of one almost every day. Before I went gluten free, I had gone to 4 medical specialists for help with my migraines. The only thing they told me was that I was sensitive to the weather. They couldn't do anything, except prescribe medications to help me get through the migraines. I do not think they understood or cared about the severity of my headaches.

But, since going gluten free I have realized that I am sensitive to wheat and possibly soy. Since I started the gluten free diet, I am very aware of what I eat. I am aware of how my body reacts to food. When I accidentally eat wheat or soy, I often immediately get nasally congested, and I've had incidences of my tongue swelling or my throat itching and swelling. A headache usually follows.

So this Ginger Lemon Girl gladly gave up wheat.

The first gluten free recipe and meal I posted on the blog was a stir fry made with cellophane noodles (saifun bean threads). I still love those noodles!

Not long after, I posted about some chocolate cupcakes I made from Gluten Free Mommy. Looking back, I can tell you that those cupcakes were not all that great (my fault, not Gluten Free Mommy's!! I changed the recipe!!) and I have learned a LOT about gluten free baking since then!

It is now May 2008. Nine months since I first ate gluten free pasta. I feel better, I have far fewer headaches, and I know a lot more about baking and cooking than I did 9 months ago.

My husband Michael is my best friend, my cooking guinea pig (If Michael likes it, there's a good chance your pickiest eater will like it too!!), and my biggest supporter! I could not do this blog without his love, help, and kindness. It's an amazing thing to wake up next to your best friend every morning, and I am incredibly thankful for him!

For an index of all the gluten free recipes I have posted on this blog (and trust me they've gotten much better than those original cupcakes!), please visit here.

I blog for the fun of cooking and writing. I also truly enjoy helping people who are starting a gluten free diet for the very first time. I know it can be overwhelming and frustrating. It is a huge change. Hang in there. Be patient, and allow your body time to heal. Be aware that nothing tastes quite like wheat. Your taste buds will adjust and you will learn to love new things, along with new versions of the old things!

If you have any questions about gluten free living, or just want to chat, feel free to drop me a note at gingerlemon_girl at yahoo dot com. I answer every email I receive!

For more information on celiac disease, please visit any of these helpful sites:

For more information on wheat allergies and sensitivities, please visit any of these helpful sites:

Random Facts about Ginger Lemon Girl:

Incidentally, my favorite food blogger is The Pioneer Woman. I want to be like her when I grow up, just a gluten free version!!
I own four cats. They are all strictly indoors. Cat hair resides on every single square inch of my home. Anybody who owns four cats is crazy. This is a fact... I should know.
Cat hair does not come off. It is permanently attached to anything it sticks too. Did I mention owning four indoor cats is crazy?
I bite my nails. Yep. I do.
I do not like bugs. I will touch them, but I do not like them.
I do not like snakes even more.
I could read for hours a day. I can become so engrossed in reading, that I can completely ignore everything around me, including dinner boiling over.
Sometimes all I want for dinner is tuna salad.
I still haven't mastered boiling eggs. I can whip up a real buttercream icing with the best of 'em, but I'm still learning about those boiled eggs.
I love watching action and adrenalin-packed movies with my husband. I didn't really like those movies before I met Michael.
My favorite color changes daily.
If given a choice, I want vanilla ice-cream.
Yet, I eat a piece of chocolate nearly every day.
I am overweight and one day (hopefully soon) I'll get serious about losing weight again. Yes, I said again. Marriage does strange things to people! I want to be like Sally one day!
I do not know how to ride a bike. I want to learn.
I enjoy washing a small amount of dishes. I easily get overwhelmed and upset if there are TOO many dishes!
It's amazing how much you learn to like tortilla chips when you can't eat wheat thins!
I could eat guacamole every day.
My favorite restaurant is Carrabba's. They have the best salmon ever.
I cannot cook fish to save my life.
I really do shop at the Piggly Wiggly. Currently they are having a give-a-way for a John Deere Lawn Tractor. You can enter once a day. We've been buying a LOT of groceries from Piggly Wiggly lately.
I have an extremely short attention span.
I love American History.
I do not love flea markets or yard sales. I know they are great frugal alternatives, which I am all about, but it takes too much time to hunt through them.
I love my husband's chicken pie.
I love reading cookbooks from the 50's. I secretly collect them.
I think that's about all the random facts I can muster at the moment.

Make sure to check out my main site: www.gingerlemongirl.com
for my latest gluten free/casein free recipes and menu ideas!

Kid-Friendly Food Fridays Headquarters!

2008-04-24T13:16:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the Headquarters for Kid-Friendly Food Fridays!

This weekly event was started to promote gluten free, often casein free, healthy, quick, veggie-filled, yummy meals just for kids!

Readers and fellow bloggers alike are welcome to submit recipes and ideas to be featured on Kid-Friendly Food Fridays!

To submit a recipe, please email me at gingerlemon_girl at yahoo dot com. Please feel free to send a picture of the dish and why you and your kids love it! Please make sure to submit your recipe no later than Wednesday each week, so I can fully prepare it for publication the following Friday!

We may occasionally have "theme" Fridays in which we promote certain foods or food groups! We will try to accommodate as many food allergies/sensitives as possible!

We also welcome any recipe requests or ideas for future Kid-Friendly Food Friday Themes!

Kid-Friendly Food Fridays Archives

The Ginger Lemon Girl Gluten Free Recipes Index

2008-01-17T15:17:00.000-08:00

* All recipes are gluten free, unless otherwise noted! *

Appetizers and Salads

Apple Mint Salad

Carrie's Simple Strata Salad

Crispy Cheddar Crackers

How to Make my Dad's Caesar Salad

Gluten Free Superbowl 2008 Snack Roundup

Simple Salsa Salad

Southern Style Tuna Salad

Spring Spinach Walnut Pesto

Sweet and Sassy Red Potato Salad (with a Summer Salad Roundup)

Beverages

Easy Chocolate Milkshakes

How to Make Sweet Tea

Humble Hot Cocoa

Breakfast and Brunch

Apple Berry Fruit Leather

Delicious Gluten Free Belgian Waffles

Easy Gluten Free Master Mix Pancakes

How to Make Grits (Basic Boiled Grits)

German Apple Pancakes

Gluten Free Bagels

Gluten Free Mini-Donut Holes

Grits Bowl Breakfast

Kelly's Fast, Whole Grain, Waffle Sandwich Bread

Sara's Baked Oatmeal

Whole Grain Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Cakes, Cookies, Desserts, and Brownies

BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cinnamon Ice Cream

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cherry Fluff Cheesecake

Chocolate Fudge Glaze

Cinnamon Bun Cheesecake Pops

Cream Cheese Meltaways/Sugar Cookies

Dorie Greenspan's Perfect Party Cake

Easy Chocolate Milkshakes

Easy Gluten Free Pie Crust

Eric's Preacher Cookies

Everyday Chocolate Cake

Everyday Carrot Cake

Gluten Free Mini-Donut Holes

Oatmeal Apple Snack Cookies

Orange Cinnamon Cupcakes

Rich Chocolate Brownies

Rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Bars

Rich Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies

Raw Chocolate Brownie Bites

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Secret Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Smokin' Hot Fudge Brownies

Snickerdoodle Cake (Sugar Free)

Vanilla Sandies

Gluten Free Holiday Recipes

2007 Gluten Free Christmas Cookie Roundup

2007 Simply Delicious Gluten Free Thanksgiving Dinner Menu and Preparations

Apple Pecan Pie

Cardamom Pumpki n Custard Pie

Cranberry Apple Muffins

Cream Cheese Meltaways/Sugar Cookies

Easy Gluten Free Pie Crust

Green Beans with Pearl Onions and Almonds

Gluten Free Dressing/Stuffing

Gluten Free Gravy

John's Thanksgiving Pumpkin Lasagna

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Sweet Corn Pudding

Sweet Corn Pudding # 2

Sweet Potato Apple Casserole

Thanksgiving Cranberry Cobbler

Quick Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Gluten Free Master Mix Recipes

Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

Chiles Rellenos Quiche

Easy Gluten Free Master Mix Pancakes

Gluten Free Mini-Donut Holes

Gluten Free Master Baking Mix

Kelly's Fast, Whole Grain, Waffle Sandwich Bread

"Last Minute" Master Mix Brownies

Oatmeal Apple Snack Cookies

Rich Chocolate Brownies

Rich Chocolate Cream Cheese Brownies

Secret Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

How TO Posts:

How to Make and Bake Gluten Free Bread

How to Make Chocolate Chip Cookies

How to Make Dad's Caesar Salad

How to Make Gluten Free Bagels

How to Make Gluten Free Sourdough Starter

How to Make Grits (Basic Boiled Grits)

How to Open a Pomegranate

How to Make Pomegranate Molasses

How to Make a Fresh Strawberry Pie

How to Make Sweet Tea

Main Dishes

Amy's Pecan Chicken

Cafe Atlantic's Baked Parmesan Flounder

Carrie's Fire Roasted Beef Cacciatore

Cheesy Chicken Pasta Primavera

Chicken Mushroom Marinara Bake

Chiles Rellenos Quiche

Eric's Lemon Butter Chicken

Fresh Garlic Shrimp and Veggie Stirfry

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

Hawaiian Pizza

John's Thanksgiving Pumpkin Lasagna

Karen's General Tso's Chicken

Kelly's Crockpot Creamy Chicken Tacos

Michael's Rustic Chicken Pie

Nan's Skillet Dinner

One Dish Bake and Rise Pizza

Pakistani Kimi (Easy Hamburger Curry)

Pizza Sauce and Pizza Crust, Carol Fenster's

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Southern Vegetable Curry with Tomato Sauce

Spring Chicken and Grits

Stacey's Pork Chops

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Vegetarian Shepard's Pie

NOT Gluten Free
Mushroom, Broccoli, and Feta Quiche (NOT Gluten Free)

Stuffed Shells (NOT Gluten Free)

Pies

Amish Shoofly Pie

Apple Pecan Pie

Apple Quince Pie

Bette Hagman's Vinegar Pastry

Cardamom Pumpkin Custard Pie

Easy Gluten Free Pie Crust (My Favorite!!)

Ginger Lemon Pastry - Pie Crust

Grandma's Fresh Strawberry Pie

Quick Breads

Banana Nut Muffins

Cheddar Garlic Drop Biscuits

Cranberry Apple Muffins

Delicious Gluten Free Belgian Waffles

Ginger Lemon Muffins

Gluten Free Crescent Rolls

Gluten Free Master Baking Mix

Gluten Free Mini-Donut Holes

Kelly's Fast, Whole Grain, Waffle Sandwich Bread

Molasses Cornbread Muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Sour Cream Cornbread

Streusel-Topped Fresh Blueberry Muffins

Sugar Free Blueberry Tangerine Muffins

Whole Grain Banana Nut Muffins

Whole Grain Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Yeast and Sourdough Breads

Artisan Maple Oat Bread

Elizabeth Barbone's Easy Gluten Free Bread

Favorite Sandwich Bread

Five-Flour Yeast Bread

Gluten Free Bagels

Gluten Free Sourdough Starter

How to Make and Bake Gluten Free Bread

Millet Flat Bread

Pizza Crust, Carol Fenster's

Sauces & Homemade Dressings

Cafe Atlantic's Homemade Cucumber Dill Dressing

Chocolate Fudge Glaze

Gluten Free Dressing/Stuffing

Gluten Free Gravy

Gluten Free Cream Soup and Gravy Recipes

Pomegranate Molasses

Spring Spinach Walnut Pesto

Quick Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Soups, Stews, Chili, and Chowders

Carol's Chili

Hatteras Clam Chowder

Homemade Gluten Free Condensed Cream Soup

Easy Homemade Gluten Free Cream Soup

Lamb and Artichoke Stew

Tuscan Potato, Kale, and Sausage Soup

Twenty-Minute Turkey Chili

Vegetables and Side Dishes

Aunt Linda's Amazing Broccoli Puff

Cheddar Baked Hominy

Green Beans with Pearl Onions and Almonds

Sweet Corn Pudding

Sweet Corn Pudding # 2

Sweet Potato Apple Casserole

Southern Vegetable Curry with Tomato Sauce

Thanksgiving Cranberry Cobbler

Warm Tuscan Bean Salad

Recipe Roundups

2007 Gluten Free Christmas Cookie Roundup

2007 Simply Delicious Gluten Free Thanksgiving Dinner Menu and Preparations

2008 Gluten Free Superbowl Snack Roundup

2008 Summer Salad Roundup and Sweet and Sassy Red Potato Salad

Gluten Free Asian Recipe Roundup

Go Ahead Honey It's Gluten Free - June 2008 Roundup

Why didn't I think of that (Round-up 1)

Miscellaneous

A Tour of your local Cracker Barrel

Apple Berry Fruit Leather

Cinnamon Ice Cream

Crispy Cheddar Crackers

Gluten Free Flour Blend

Grand Prize Chocolate Chip Cookies

How NOT to make a loaf of bread

Sugar Free January 2008 Guide

Gluten Free Grill Headquarters!

2008-01-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Monthly Gluten Free Grill Headquarters!

I started the Gluten Free Grill in January 2008 as a way to highlight one individual gluten free blogger each month. This is a fun, interactive way to get to know your fellow gluten free food bloggers!

Every month I randomly choose a fellow gluten free blogger for the event. I will send an email to the chosen blogger asking if they are willing to be "Grilled" and if they agree, I send an additional email with a list of 25 questions all about their gluten free life. Each interview is individualized and will include links back to your gluten free blog. I also invite bloggers to send pictures and a recipe to go along with their Grill interview.

The Grill is then published monthly on www.gingerlemongirl.com. Some participants even use the Gluten Free Grill interview as their 'About Me' page on their blog!

If you are interested in being a Grill participant, feel free to send me an email at gingerlemon_girl at yahoo dot com. To qualify, you need to be a dedicated gluten free blogger with 5 months of continuous posting experience.

Gluten Free Grill Archives

January 2008 - Natalie of Gluten Free Mommy

February 2008 - Karen of Gluten Free Sox Fan

March 2008 - No Grill this month! Sorry!

April 2008 - Melanie of The Gluti Girls

May/June 2008 - Carol of Simply Gluten Free