As if preparing gluten-free meals, planning ahead and shopping for special diets didn't eat up enough of my time, the holiday season is now in full swing. And as I'm scurrying around looking for the best deal for my picky eaters and last-minute gifts for teachers and friends, I pause and remember those little things that have made my life a little easier.

Right before Thanksgiving, I stumbled upon a group called Door-to-Door Organics. Not only is the produce fresh and organic, it is delivered right to my door! I am surprised every other week with a box of fresh produce on my doorstep. The boring gluten-free spaghetti or grilled chicken tastes a little better with roasted red potatoes and garlic cloves tossed with olive oil, or with grilled mushrooms fresh from the farm. I recommend this handy service. It takes the guess work out of grocery shopping for produce and saves a trip to the market. Click here for more information.

Something else I can't live without this season are the handy cookie dough recipes from one of my favorite cookbooks, "Gluten Free Quick and Easy" by Carol Fenster. In her book, Fenster offers many recipes for flour "mixes." I prepare the basic cookie mix and store in a canister. When it's time to make cookies, I scoop and add butter, eggs, etc. and have dough ready to go for holiday cutout cookies. She has many suggestions for think-ahead cooking and I for one am grateful for the shortcuts!

Prepared foods, such as Ian's Fish Sticks, Van's gluten-free waffles and Boar's Head lunch meats fill my freezer. I have had my eye on sales, and find these brands are often reduced in price or offer coupons. When I buy Van's waffles at Meijer (and they're usually on sale), I often get a coupon at the checkout.

Any chance to sample new products and get new information is also vital. Be sure to check out Hiller's Gluten-free Food Fair Dec. 13-Dec. 14 in Commerce Township. Click here for more information.

So, stock up, make cooking simple and try to make meal time a little less daunting with some of these gluten-free favorites. Holidays are supposed to be fun, after all.

Tip: Be careful before you unwrap a candy cane. Some say candy canes are dusted with flour to avoid sticking to the wrapper. Others say that's an urban myth. I say my son got really sick last year about eight hours after snacking on a few candy canes. Bob's Candy Canes (Farley's and Sather's), Lifesaver and Spangler brands all claim to be gluten-free.