We never (and by that I mean, occasionally, but not often) eat in restaurants. Three times a year, maybe four? With the kids, anyway. SuperDad and I do occasionally wrangle grandparents into babysitting.
We spent this weekend out of town. I find travelling gluten free to be a particular challenge, especially with little kids who are not used to eating out, and a budget that doesn't really allow for it anyway.
- I packed a whole bunch of stuff. Milk and hot dogs and cereal and raisins and peanuts and animal crackers and more. Enough so that we'd never be stuck without food.
- We hit the natural foods store as soon as we got to town. I pretty much let E pick out whatever she wants, within a $25 budget or so. She chose: Envirokidz Crispy Rice Cereal Bars in Berry, Envirokidz Amazon Frosted Flakes, three packages of Thai noodles, Ener-G Gluten Free English Muffins, Mi-Del Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, and an Amy's Rice Crust Cheese Pizza. This kept them fully stocked up on snacks for the whole weekend, plus E loves being able to go pick out "anything on this WHOLE wall!"
- Then I went to the grocery store and bought ingredients for two dinners and a breakfast, which came to $27.00.
- That got us through the weekend. Until we went out for breakfast and spend over $30 on one meal. (The kids shared hash browns and a ham steak, and they each got a milk.) Which is why we don't eat out.
How do you travel gluten free?
4 comments:
We use a few Pamela's products. I make bread ahead of time in the bread machine. I use the same bread mix to make small pizzas. I bring along a bag of cheese and ham to top it off. Since my little girl is also allergic to soy and tomatoes, her pizza consists only of meat and cheese. I also make Pamela's cupcakes and brownies ahead of time. One more handy and yummy Pamela's item is the pancake mix. YUM!
We make plenty of white beans and refried beans and freeze in single size meals for her. I bring along the Natural Blue Tortilla chips for her refried beans and cheese. Depending on how long the trip is, I'll either heat and put in a thermos or freeze and put in an ice chest.
I also purchased one of those little fry pans that you can plug into your car cigarette lighter. Perfect for heating the little pizzas that I make. Great for whipping up a grilled cheese sandwich too. I have used it a lot. Another handy item is one of those plug-in insulated mugs for coffee. I have heated many meals in one of those. It does take a long time though so be sure to start the heating early.
Due to our daughter's allergies we've had the pleasure of not only trying to be gluten free but also needing to avoid dairy, soy, egg, & peanuts.
So far we always bring a cooler along just for her food.
If needing to eat out, Subway (and the like) are usually pretty good because we order a kiddie sandwich minus the bread & cheese (half the time they give this to us for free...usually after we explain why we're ordering such a goody thing).
Burger places have worked too when we just order a double burger and give her the patty on her type of bread (ENER G Light Tapioca).
I might have to look into one of those plug-in fry pans that momof6 brought up. Our clan in on a Grilled cheese kick. (We've been told we can now introduce soy again, and let me tell you, soy cheese is a BIG step up from the other cheese alternatives we've tried.)
-John
I've also been considering buying one of those dip-sized crock pots - I'm thinking I could then bring along things like spaghetti or soup or sloppy joe meat, etc. But a little frying pan sounds really cool too...
I've been eating gf for six months and I'm still to scared to eat out in my home town!
I have decided car trips will be the way to go, when I get my nerve up to travel. I've been thinking one of those little T@B trailers (shaped like a lemon drop) would be the way to go. They are tiny enough to pull behind a Volkswagon, and my kitchen would travel with me.
In lieu of that major purchase, I'll probably pack along an electric skillet and buy a cheap toaster when I arrive. I'm thrilled to hear there is a skillet that plugs into the car!
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