What about grain free rice?

I was talking to one of my good friends from high school last week, and it was so good to catch up on the latest goings ons in our lives. It's hard to believe we used to see eachother almost everyday, and nowadays, I'm lucky to see her once a year! It is a distance thing.

These days, instead of the girly giggles about the latest cute boys we have a crush on, it's more about "grown up" stuff... like the kids, bills, home life, and food ideas. 

The conversation turned to more "mature" matters when i told her about my plan to eliminate grains from my diet to heal my body. Although she won't have realised it, her suggestion for grain free rice was rather inspirational and has motivated me to look further into mock fried rice using vegies.
     

I spent many hours over the weekend searching for grain free recipes and ideas. There is so much out there, but it really is a matter of getting a good range of easy, filling recipes that i can refer to at anytime.  

    

Friday night was Vietnamese Pho night - without the rice noodles. Can I say, I really missed the noodles to start with, but overall it was a tasty meal which the kiddies enjoyed. They asked for seconds which is always a good sign. 

Vietnamese Pho (Sue Style): Wombuk, Brocollini, Beef with fresh coriander, mint and lime juice.

When you finely chop up cauliflower and then pan fry it, you end up with a yummy mock fried rice. Great as a light lunch. This is what i had for lunch today. The side of pan-fried pumpkin was a tasty sweet addition.

Mock Fried Rice made with finely chopped Cauliflower, Yellow Squash and Shallots,
with a side of thinly sliced pan-fried pumpkin.

I also spent some time this weekend making a card for a friend of mine, and I can't wait to share it with you! But first, I have to wait for her to receive it before i post up the photos. Don't want to spoil the surprise.

I got out my embossing powder and heat tool and embossed away like you wouldn't believe. I must have gone a little bit crazy as I dropped my entire VersaMark ink pad into my embossing powder. If you have used a VersaMark ink pad, you will know how sticky it is, and will understand why i let out a big "D'OH!" and grumbled at how i couldn't believe what i had just done.

Happy to say, I am not deterred in the least and cannot not wait to do more embossing soon - once i get myself a new VersaMark inkpad!

Looking forward to sharing more of my cardmaking projects with you soon!

But isn't this a paper crafting blog?

Beef and green bean stif-fry with shredded nori and toasted sesame seeds.

So you may be wondering, why am I posting up a food photo?  This is a paper crafting blog, I hear you saying! 

Allow me to explain.  When I started this blog, I wanted to share the fun of my paper crafting creations.  But I had always intended to someday share my other two loves - food and photography. And that is why I chose the name THE MAKING TABLE, it's about making cards, making layouts, making food, and most importantly, making memories.   

Those who know me, are well aware that I have been on a non-stop roller coaster ride for the past 12 years trying to unravel the mysteries of my food allergies. It has taken me on an intense ride that has been emotionally and physically challenging in so many ways.

I am now embarking on my latest challenge.  Grain Free eating.  Oh my goodness.  I thought going gluten free, dairy free, corn free, soy free, sugar free etc etc was hard.  Grain free in addition to all my other "frees" is a tough one.

This little adventure of mine to eat grain free is new way of eating, which means a new way of cooking.  

To make it a little more fun, I would like to take photos of the new grain free dishes I create myself, and of the recipes i try from grain free blogs.

Initially, I won't be posting up any recipes, but you can message me if you would more details. I will leave the recipe posting to the professional food bloggers, like Emma from My Darling Lemon Thyme. 

I stumbled across Emma's blog earlier this year and was fully inspired by her passion for healthy healing foods and recipes, gorgeous photography, and her willingness to share her knowledge and wisdom with others. Also, i am mentioning My Darling Lemon Thyme for no other reason than because I am a big fan :)   

The Making Table will still be about all things crafty, but with occasional food photography thrown in for good measure!