Gluten Free Desert

You may think that I have misspelled a word in the title or perhaps be expecting a recipe for GF chocolate brownies or some other treat, but the title is actually a nod to my becoming, somewhat suddenly, gluten-intolerant in the closing days of 2016.  I was very unwell in January, losing 8kgs in 5 weeks, without trying I hasten to add, and I could see the concern in my friends’ eyes.  It was only when I went to the Oasis Hospital in Al Ain that the doctor, after running a few tests, suggested I try a strict gluten free diet for 2 weeks.  The results were almost instant, my malaise disappeared and three weeks on I have regained most of my energy and my appetite for life!

My next challenge is to find a good source of GF products in Muscat as the supermarkets are not so well organised as the UAE ones – in Carrefour Barka there is a GF section but 90% of the products there are sugar free, not gluten free.  I need to find foods I can take on my desert expeditions including carbs (I tend to use a lot of energy out there) and protein (I have lost a bit of muscle/strength so need to build that up again) but thankfully I have a fridge so can take meats, eggs and bio yoghurts with me.

Any suggestions for one-pot easy-to-prepare recipes are very welcome!

And as for the weight loss?  Well I have been carrying extra weight for a long time, in fact I must own up to having been slightly overweight for 20 years.  I am now almost at my pre-pregnancy weight so look forward to maintaining that or even shedding a few more kilogrammes, gradually and under control.  (Thank you for not pointing out that my younger “baby” is 24 later this month!)