Gluten-Free Holiday Tips and Delight GF Giveaway Winner

Last week I hosted a giveaway for a free digital copy of the Delight Gluten-Free Magazine holiday issue. I am excited to announce that Shannon from Gluten-Free Living in DC is the winner. Congratulations Shannon and thanks for your holiday tip!

Here are some of the great tips I got from the contest entries:

"Know what you are eating! If you are attending an office potluck, ask the cooks how they made their meal - or stick with what you KNOW you can eat - salads, popcorn, etc. If you are attending a holiday party - ask the host/hostess in advance what they are planning on making, and see if you could bring something that you know you can eat! For me, this has been a helpful tip!"
~Shannon from Gluten-Free Living in DC 

"I was diagnosed in March 2011, so for me, this is my first family get-together Christmas. My oldest son and I have Celiac. We'll take our own gluten-free rolls, hubby is making the fresh ham and I'll make the gravy. My youngest son, a gluten-eater, is attending school for Bakery & Pastry Arts. He has a gluten-free apple pie recipe - that will be dessert!"
~Helen

For all those out there with a big gluten eating family here's my tip for you: share the love! Being the only diagnosed celiac in my family, I like to use the big family functions to share all of my homemade gf goodies and explain the importance and seriousness of food allergies. If it's possible, I like to cook and bake with them and show them how easy it is to prepare food gluten free. Knowledge is power people and what better place to start then with our families!
~Emily from @blueyemily

My tip for the holidays... eat before and bring your own snacks to any holiday events. That way you can enjoy the company without worrying! When we eat with family we know we are safe and I always bake the desserts. Like the other person commented about the crushed cookies pie crust.. it works great! I made a pumpkin cheesecake pie with gingersnap crust and it was better than any gluten pie!! I also use the cookie crust to make ice cream pies... YUM!
~Kim

My tip is simple , yet essential for me! One I found a yummy gluten free bakery, my life was SOuch easier and now I can enjoy my fave toast and jam with berries! (My all time fave real fast when we travel back home to Canada for the Holidays!!)
~Kennell

Make great pie crusts with crushed gluten free cookies.
I made a great pumpkin pie crust using crushed Glow Gluten Free Ginger Snaps. It was MUCH better than the traditional pie crust; spicy and perfect to go with pumpkin. Just pulse the cookies in a food processor (or crush by hand), then mix with 4 tablespoons of melted butter (or butter substitute), and press into pie plate. Bake crust alone, about 7 minutes at 350, before filling with pumpkin. My next attempt will be using the gingersnaps for an apple custard pie crust.
~Gotham Tomato

I went gluten free just before Christmas last year so it was all very new and emotional. This year I feel a little better-prepared but am not sure I have a tip to share. We are hosting Christmas dinner and I am thinking of doing a Mexican-themed dinner since I can make enchiladas and side dishes which are naturally gluten-free.
~Laura