Party like a Type 1 Celiac

Ok, so we've all been there.  That stressful place we mom's find ourselves in just weeks before our children's birthday.  You know, the one where we have to out-do ourselves in planning the most perfectly pretty princess party.  The hours we spend pouring over pinterest boards looking for ideas to make the party fabulous and ensure squeals of delight from our child.

Hopefully I'm not the only one!  I do really enjoy a good party and planning it is half the fun.  The other half?  Those excited squeals from my daughter!

Planning a birthday party for a diabetic child is a challenge.  At least for me it is.  You won't find some of the most popular party themes happening at our house (think Carnival or Candy shoppe) and for obvious reasons.  You won't find an abundance of sweets or goodie bags for the kids; but what you will find is a good time with family and friends.

We celebrated Miss Lily's 5th birthday this last Saturday with about 40 of our family and friends in attendance.  So how in the world do you plan to feed a large group without breaking the bank and making sure our own needs are met?  Here's what we did.  FIRST, ask for folks to bring potluck dishes, if they know how to do gluten free, and offer to do so, take them up on the offer.  SECOND, make sure you have yourselves covered first. 

Our menu consisted of simple and easy to make picnic type dishes.  Think a variety of sandwiches, salads and lots of veggies.  I took charge of covering the gluten free folks.  I set out trays of freshly slice GF deli meats and cheeses, a condiment tray and GF bread for a make your own sandwich bar.  For the other guests (on a separate table) we put out sandwiches made on fresh deli rolls which my mother in law made.  Let me tell you, having a mother in law who used to work in a deli really has it's advantages.  She really came through for me, with chicken salad, ham, turkey and cheese rolls for the other guests. 

Salad wise, you'll find that most picnic salads are both diabetes and celiac friendly.  Think sides like, potato salad, broccoli salad, coleslaw, and crock pot beans.  All of these items can be easily and cheaply be made diabetic and celiac friendly. 

For the cake situation I made a GF cake for our Celiac friends and the birthday girl and ordered cupcakes  for everyone else.  Believe it or not ordering cupcakes is a lot cheaper than using our expensive GF flour blend!  And I'm sure your wondering, "Do you do Sugar Free for the diabetics"  and I'm here to tell you, NO!  It just doesn't taste as good, and quite honestly during a birthday party, the kids are so active you will inevitably go low right before it's cake time.  What better way to cover a low than with a big ol slice of birthday cake.

I came up with a recipe for GF lemon cake (as requested by the birthday girl)  If you'd like to give it a try here is what I did and it was delicious.

2.5cups  Gluten Free All purpose flour ( I used Better Batter brand)
1.5 tsp Xantan Gum (if your blend doesn't include already. Better Batter does)
1tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking pwd
zest 3 meyer lemons
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups sugar
1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup applesauce
3 eggs
juice of 3 meyer lemons

Mix together all wet ingredients, then add dry.  Bake 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.  Cool and frost with your favorite frosting.  NOTE:  the cake is better without being refrigerated.  I noticed that it was way more fluffy without refrigeration, so I recommend storing the cake and frosting shortly before you plan on eating to avoid refrigeration.  It was still delicious, but just more dense. I like a fluffy cake!

Here is a picture of my cake.  Sorry no inside pictures, we were all too busy munching away to remember to take a picture, then it was gone and too late!