My boys & I had a fantastic gluten free Easter! We started off with Brunch at my Mom’s house. Both of my brothers were there to entertain Aiden!

This is what our menu consisted of (thank you, Mom!):

Scrambled eggs with bell peppers & scallions, gf bread with Almond Butter, fresh sliced up organic oranges, mangoes & pears, fried red potatoes w/ red onions, some gf muffins and some fresh squeezed tangerine juice!

Then it was off to MrGlutenFree’s family time! We went to his Aunt’s house for dinner & an easter egg hunt!

This is what our menu consisted of (thanks Grams & Auntie Jo!):

A delicious tri-tip roast, with garlic mashed potatoes, a fresh fruit salad, fresh lettuce salad & iced tea! Later on we enjoyed some gluten free cookies (we baked them there, so they were nice and warm) & vanilla ice cream.

Aiden had a blast searching for his easter eggs filled with gluten free goodies (mainly snickers & m&ms)!

I’m going to give you the recipe for the garlic mashed potatoes that I made! Enjoy!

3 lb. bag of organic russet potatoes

1 1/2-2 cups of half & half

1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

3 tsp. of finely chopped garlic (I got the kind in the jar to save time on the busy holiday!)

Cook potatoes (I leave half the skins on) and drain. Mash up, set aside.

In a small saucepan cook the half & half & garlic, stirring constantly for about 5-7 min. Add into the potatoes with the Parmesan cheese. Add Earth balance spread, salt & pepper to your own preferred taste!

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Since Easter is this Sunday & my boys have lots of family, I’ve had numerous people ask me about what kind of gluten-free candy they can give Aiden. So, without hesitating, I said, “M & Ms, snickers & Peeps” because, well, those are the ones I know for sure are gluten free right now.

With manufacturers constantly changing their ingredients, not tough enough allergen labeling laws (they could be much better, in my opinion), I find myself constantly on the phone, tracking down gluten free products that aren’t specifically labeled “Gluten Free”! What a pain! With an almost 4 year old & a 10 week old, I don’t have the time to do that for every holiday! So, this year, instead of buying/researching/locating/calling different manufacturers in order to find some gluten free candy… why not buy healthier alternatives (which I’d rather Aiden have anyways) or make your own?

There are some great recipes & mixes for gluten free cookies (which you can put in cute decorative re-usable boxes) or some gluten free marshmallow/rice bars or some chocolate covered raisins (either done by you or boughten from a place like Trader Joes- who has gluten free chocolate covered raisins)?!

Now, I know that most people can’t bake or cook for others with Celiacs because of the cross contamination being an issue, so in that case, I would suggest even healthier alternatives like organic raisins, organic dried fruits, baking mixes to let the little ones make their own cookies (something Aiden loves to do), Ians gluten/wheat free cookie buttons or against all better judgement, PEEPS, since they so kindly put “gluten free” on their items… and let’s face it: what’s Easter without a little Peeps?!

Here’s a recipe for some Gluten Free Marshmallow/Rice Treats:

6 cups of gluten free brown rice cereal

1-1 1/2 10 oz. pkg. of large marshmallows (I use a little more than one bag because I like them chewier & the Kraft ones are Ok)

1/4 cup Earth balance butter spread

Melt butter & marshmallows in a pan over low heat until melted. Pour in rice cereal and mix. Pour into a dish that’s been buttered and let sit until cooled (unless you’re like myself and eat them warm!)

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