FRIDAYS ARE ALWAYS A SPECIAL DAY FOR GEMLIFE PALMWOODS GRANDPARENTS ANDY AND CHRISTINE SANDERS – THAT’S THE DAY THEIR YOUNGEST GRANDDAUGHTER POPPY ARRIVES FOR AN OVERNIGHT VISIT.
The vivacious five-year-old is a popular regular at the over-50s lifestyle resort where she has charmed everyone she has met.
“When Poppy finishes school on Friday she comes back to our place,” said Christine. “She just loves it here and, of course, we are delighted to have her stay with us.
“We’ve even decorated one of our bedrooms with a princess theme for her visits.”
GemLife Palmwoods is a charming community with a beautiful treelined boardwalk and a popular Summer House with resort swimming pool. This will soon be joined by a superb Country Club which is currently under construction.
But out of all the amenities, Poppy loves her grandmother’s kitchen most of all.
“Poppy loves to pretend bake and just a few weeks ago, she made me a playdough cake complete with ‘icing’ and decorations,” she said.
“I asked her what they were. She called them ‘accessories’ and that gave us a giggle.”
And it’s not just in the world of pretend where the kitchen comes into use.
“Poppy is gluten intolerant which means there are quite a few treats that she can’t enjoy that other children do. But I’ve found a gluten-free packet of muffins that Poppy really loves, and we bake those together,” said Christine.
Gluten-free banana choc chip muffins
No one should miss out on having a sweet treat every so often because they are gluten intolerant.
There is an increasing number of wheat-flour alternatives on the market which add an interesting texture and flavour to many recipes.
Gluten-free flour types include almond flour, arrowroot flour, brown rice flour, oat flour, and coconut flour.
INGREDIENTS (Serves 12)
- 1 3/4 cups (220g) gluten-free flour
- 1/2 cup (110g) white sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup (65ml) vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup (65ml) milk
- 1 cup mashed bananas
METHOD
Measure flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and chocolate chips into a large bowl. Mix thoroughly and make a well in the centre.
Beat the egg in a small bowl until frothy. Mix in cooking oil, milk and bananas. Pour mixture into the well. Stir only to moisten. Batter will be lumpy. Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full.
Bake at 200°C for 20 to 25 minutes.