Dear Readers

It has been some time since I last posted and it's all because I have been focusing on my facebook Celiac Disease Support page. If you haven't checked it out yet, hop on over &  join our group. 
Celiac Disease Support Group

Update on my health. 
I went in to see the doctor about aches in my joints that just wouldn't go away. 
I know, I know, that is a Celiac thing, but something just felt off. 
I have been bruising like crazy and I mean, crazy!! 
I counted I think around 18 bruises on both legs at one point. I was just not feeling the greatest. 

The doctor did an overall blood test for me and everything turned out fine except my cortisol level. 
It is supposed to be lower but it was pretty high. I was told that I needed to check it again in about a month and see how it's going. 1 month later, it had gone up even more. 

My doctor didn't even want to test how my adrenal glands were functioning, she knew that if it came back off, that I would have questions. She was right, I did and I was freaking out (still am a bit). 
There are so many questions going through my mind right now, what could be causing this? 
Could it be the bad sleeping pattern I have put myself & my children in (night shift without actually being on night shift, due to daddy's work schedule?) or is it all the regular health anxiety I have, causing issues?

What ever the case, I will be seeing an endocrinologist sometime this year (hopefully soon) and get an answer as to what is going on with me. The fatigue I experience normally feels like it has tripled and I find myself waiting impatiently for each day to end so I can go back to sleep again. 

That is no way to live! 
I really pray I get some answers and soon! 

Until then, I just wait. 

Thought I would just update you guys. 
Hope to do some new product reviews soon on here. 

-Keep on keeping on. 

Love, 
The Gluten Free Momma

Vaccine For Celiac Patients

When it comes to finding treatments for Celiacs disease & creating awareness, we've come A LONG WAY. 
I am excited & also nervous to announce that they are making a vaccine for us celiacs. 
This will help us in addition to our gluten free diet.  

I am personally still on the fence about it's accuracy but according to Dr. Joseph Murray of the Rochester Clinic, he is hopeful. 

I do not think this vaccine should be administered and the patient to be allowed to eat gluten again, until this drug is tested for a longer period of time. Only because I have no idea the impact it will have on the body over time. What ever the case, I am happy that they are trying to make it easier on us & give us a drug that will help us in addition to our gluten free diet. 

Below you will find a link to a website that has more details about the vaccine & a link to Dr. Murray's video. Feel free to comment below, I would love to hear what you think about this new drug. 

Have a wonderful GLUTEN FREE day! 

-Love, 

The Gluten Free Momma


The Celiac Vaccine  


Dr. Murray's Views

Celiac Disease Timeline

Isn't it incredible how far along we've come? 

Like I said in my last post on here, we are blessed to be in this day an age. 

I just want to thank the Lord for bringing this to Dr. Gee's attention & helping him make the connection. 

Just think, in the early 1800s, people were having issues with Celiacs back then too. 

Celiacs has evolved so much during these years, that the common symptoms that go with Celiacs are not always the symptoms patients present now when going to see the doctor. 

Like for instance, Doctors thought that you had to be skinny, short, have diarrhea & or failing to grow, to even be considered to have Celiac Disease. 

Now days, you can be over weight, constipated & look to be completely healthy. 

You just never know, and that is a scary thought. 

But once again, due to the fact that we have ways to detect Celiacs Disease easier now, 

more and more people are being diagnosed with it. 

You just never know with Celiacs Disease to be honest, it can disguise itself as all sorts of diseases. 

It's a sneaky, annoying disease.

Remembering back

Let's take a moment out of our busy night tonight just to reflect on the fact that so many people lost their lives because of this disease. 

Back then, doctors had no idea what was causing these random deaths, they couldn't understand why so many children & adults were suffering from malnutrition while still on a balanced diet. They couldn't figure out why so many children failed to grow right & presented many symptoms. Connecting the dots was just near impossible. 

Finally after World War 2, doctors were able to finally see the connection between symptoms & what their patients ate. Children were getting better with the lack of gluten in their diet. 

We could have prevented the deaths of so many people if we would have come to this conclusion earlier.  

Luckily for you and I, doctors as well as medicine have come a long way. Technology & blood tests can now make it easier for doctors to detect this disease quickly. 

We now live in an age where you can typically find a gluten free product on the shelf of most grocery stores.  Decades before, that was not a common occurrence at all. 

So once again, I want to dedicate this post to those who lost their lives to this horrible disease.

{Even though we have Celiac Disease, we are blessed}

Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest 2017 Tickets

 I wanted to quickly write a post and share with you how you can get a discount on this years Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest in Minneapolis Mn, May 20th-21st. 

If you are going to this wonderful event, check out groupon before getting tickets through Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest's website. On there, they want you to pay $15 per person but on groupon you can get a deal {2 people for $15}. That is 50% off. 

    WHAT A FABULOUS DEAL, FOR AN INCREDIBLE EVENT! 

So check out the link below, to go get your ticket now! 
If you will be attending this year, make sure & leave me a comment below, 
I would love to meet you!

Enjoy the event guys. 

-The Gluten Free Momma 

Groupon Deal For The Gluten Free Food Allergy Fest


{I will more than likely be going facebook live at the event on my facebook page, so make sure & check it out   The Gluten Free Momma On Facebook}   

Are You On Facebook?

Are you on Facebook?

Join my Celiac Disease Support Group 

where you will find some helpful links, information & be able to fellowship with other Celiacs just like you. 

What are you waiting for? 

CHECK IT OUT 

See you there! 

My Celiac Support Group

You can also follow my blog page on facebook at The Gluten Free Momma

I will let you in on a little secret of mine

It has been 4 years that I have been completely gluten free and I can tell you with full confidence that it has been quite a journey. It has had it's ups an it's downs. This journey has filled my heart with such joy & also tore it into pieces at the same time. I have laughed & I have cried, but this path that I have taken has allowed me to meet such amazing people. I now have more friends than I ever thought possible, all because of this disease and my willingness to help. 

But despite how it may look on the outside, I have been battling a darkness inside of me ever since diagnosis. There is a war going on in my mind and it keeps me up most nights. My thoughts are not my own anymore, they are made up of lies. My mind is negatively creative and knows just what to imagine up, to bring fear into every part of my being. It knows exactly what buttons to press & presses it continually. I am a prisoner of my own mind and I have chained myself to my own fears. 
The day I got diagnosed is the day my life completely changed.  

My health was always precious to me, even growing up. My brother would get the flu and it would send me into a complete panic. Now I realize that the battle that I am facing on a daily basis is Anxiety & Hypochondria. What used to just be a normal periodic fear, is now in my face 24/7. 
You can't really explain this to anyone who hasn't experienced anxiety first hand. 
But, for those of you who have experienced this or continue to battle it, you are not alone. 
I know it may feel like we have trapped ourselves in a black small corner, but truth be told, 
we are far from alone. 

Celiacs is not the end of the world, even though it can cause many scary diseases and be the root to a lot of unexplained issues & symptoms, we shouldn't fear it.  

I am uncomfortable writing this because it exposes the very thing that has bound me for many years, but I am not ashamed of it anymore and I want others to know, that having anxiety with Celiacs is absolutely normal. It's okay to worry, but it's not okay to let it take over your life.  
 I am personally at a point in my life where I want my joy back!! 

God has allowed us to have Celiacs Disease for a reason. We must look at this disease in a fresh new light.       
                                    "How can we serve others who have Celiac Disease?" 
                                  "What positive things have come out of this diagnosis?" 
                                         "Am I healthier being on a gluten free diet?"  

Strength comes when you face your adversity, and what is holding you back and you say, 
"You will no longer control me, this is my life and I will live it & enjoy it." 

Raise the white flag in your mind and shut this war down! 
We can make up imaginary situations/problems but more than likely it really isn't that severe. 

I am down right sick of not being in control of my emotions, & my thoughts.   If you suffer from anxiety or hypochondria, let this be a hope to you. 
We must break through our protective shell, expose the enemy who has kept us in the dark and fed us lies for this long.                                           We deserve better! 
                                   We will not give up, we are warriors & warriors win the battle!  

My Favorites

Good evening everyone.
Lately the Lord has put people in my life who have just been diagnosed with Celiac Disease or who are struggling. I have been beyond blessed and honored to help these wonderful people. I understand the struggle and the overwhelming anxiety that comes with diagnosis and Celiacs. If I can help just a little, I am happy to.

With that said, I have decided to compile a list of all of my gluten free favorites. The products that are 100% worth every penny and the companies worth checking out.
This list will not only save you time searching for gluten free products online but in store as well.  I have done the tasting & trying for you and all you have to do is go out and buy it.

As we all know, not all gluten free products are created equal. That means that not every product tastes amazing and is worth purchasing. I have tasted tons of great products and a huge amount of very disgusting ones too. I want you to have the best start possible in your gluten free journey, so without further a do, I present to you...

                  My Favorites  
Let's start off the list with bread, because after all, it is the product most used in households all over. If you haven't learned already, gluten free bread is usually dry, brittle and crumbly. If you attempt to wrap it around a hot dog, it will most likely break.
I have tried all kinds of breads in the 4 years I have had Celiacs and I can officially tell you that you want to stay away from BREAD MADE OF RICE. Honestly, I think rice should NEVER be used in bread making, because it leaves the bread very grainy and unappetizing. Not to mention a horrible after taste.

Two of my favorite brands which carry gluten free bread that is not only flexable, soft, but also tastes great is:

Schars Artisian Gluten Free Bread
Schars Gluten Free Bread
               And
Aldi's Live G Free Gluten Free Bread
Aldi's Gluten Free Bread

Out of those two, I would say Schars stays softer longer. Keep in mind that if you freeze gluten free bread, it will become dry and brittle. Try to eat it up fresh.

Now, let's talk noodles. Noodles are used in a lot of dishes and normally they contain gluten. Fortunately there are great alternatives out there. Once again, try to stay away from the rice noodles as they tend to be very grainy. Some are good, but most will have a weird texture. I have found that gluten free noodles made from CORN & QUINOA come the closest to wheat pasta. So, try to stick with ones made with those grains.

This is one of my favorites, also made by Schars.
Schars Gluten Free Noodles

I was bummed out when I thought I could no longer have cheesy raviolis. However, I am happy to announce that the company
THREE BRIDGES carries a Three Cheese Gluten Free Ravioli that tastes down right amazing! Add some gluten free spaghetti sauce to this, and it makes for a super delicious meal. *Classico brand of spaghetti sauce is gluten free*.

Three Bridges Products

When making tacos, quesadillas or any similar meal, gluten free wraps are a total need.  I have tried both Udi's & Aldi' brand of wraps and to tell you the truth, I like Aldi's Gluten Free Wraps better.

For all you pizza lovers out there, there are options for you as well. These three brands carry delicious and safe gluten free pizza.
These are my favorite.

Freschetta Gluten Free Pizza

Three Bakers Gluten Free Pizza

Mama Stoen carries not only an amazing gluten free pizza but some other great gluten free products as well.
Mama Stoens

Breakfast, the most important meal of the day. Can they be gluten free as well?
OF COURSE THEY CAN!
But unfortunately most cereals and oat meals are made of gluten ingredients & unsafe.
Even the brands that claim to be gluten free, use mechanical separation to separate their oats causing a cross contamination concern. Here are some products and brands I trust and you should too!

Vans Gluten Free Cereal is one cold cereal that I definately trust. Their Cinnamon Heaven tastes like a gluten free version of cinnamon toast crunch.
Vans Gluten Free Cereal

When it comes to hot cereal (oatmeal), there is a lot of controversy. Honestly, what I have found is that despite their gluten free label, most are not trust worthy. You have to look for oat meal that follows the purity protocol, which means that the product hasn't been mechanically separated. Most companies seperate their oats with machines and the risk of contamination is very high.  I have done the research for you and found out that one of the safest brands for us is Glutenfreeda Oats. Their oat meal is very good tasting!


I am a HUGE FAN of blueberry muffins and with that said, I have tasted quite a few.

If you want a great tasting, sweet blueberry muffin that is quick and easy, check out Udi's Blueberry muffins next time you are at the store.
Udi's Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins

Now if you like to bake and eat super moist blueberry muffins, look no further than
Brody's 579 Gluten Free Blueberry Muffins

Craving donuts?
Katz Gluten Free brand has amazing tasting donuts that taste like regular gluten ones.
Katz also have a huge variety of other great products you have to try out. All of which are worth it. I have tried majority of their products and they do a fantastic job at making everything taste like the original.  Katz Gluten Free *Tip: follow the directions on the back of the donut box, to microwave them. They become even more moist.*


Most packaged meat in the meat department is gluten free, but not all. You always need to look for hidden ingredients like (unspecified spices) (flavors) (broth/solutions & meats that have been marinated). Go as natural as possible with nothing added. One of my favorites, despite the minimal processing that they do to it, is CHICKEN FROM GOLDEN PLUMP.
It is very moist and great tasting!
*Keep in mind, not all of their products are gluten free, so make sure to always label read!*

Golden Plump Chicken

Now let's say you don't have very much time to cook a meal and want something quick and safe. Udi's has amazing gluten free frozen meals. They are a bit spendy though.

These are my favorites:
Udi's Gluten Free Parm Penne.
The perfect amount of cheese, marinara sauce and chicken.
 Chicken Parm Penne

Udi Chicken Penne Alfedo is divine.
It is so creamy, and packed full of broccoli and chicken. So delicious!
Chicken Penne Alfredo

Do you like chicken nuggets/strips or have children who do?
Check out my ultimate favorite gluten free chicken strips. They are crispy, and tender.

Simply Smart Gluten Free Breaded Chicken Tenders

Walmart makes some pretty good gluten free products, one of which is their macaroni and cheese. I like the elbow noodle version better than their shell noodle one because it tastes more like cheddar. The one with shells taste more like Velveeta cheese and has a bitter taste.

*Not all Walmart Brand products are gluten free*

Walmart Brand Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese

Before I get into my favorite gluten free snacks, let's talk a little bit about soy sauce and broth. As you probably already know, these two products contain gluten. I have found two that do not and are worth buying.

San-J Soy Sauce
There is absolutely no difference in taste and quality. This Soy Sauce rocks!

Pregresso & Swanson are two brands that carry gluten free liquid broths for both chicken and beef.  Broth cubes, usually contain gluten, so stick with the liquid broths and always label check. It will say gluten free on the bottom/ back of the container or the side in bold black writing. If it does not say it, look for a different one.

As far as sweets go, my go to products are:

Hershey's kisses (regular)
Hershey's bar (regular)
*Do not buy the one with almonds because it can contain gluten.*

Enjoy Life Soft Baked Snickerdoodle Cookies
Their cookies are SUPER SOFT and sweet.
They have other products that are just as good, like their gluten free trail mix. They are proud to say their products are free from the 8 common food allergies.

Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
This is a guilt free Celiac snack as it is packed full of fiber. This product is made by Angies.

Do you miss having pretzels?
Well, both Glutino & Snyders make gluten free pretzels. One of my favorites has to be the Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Sticks by Snyders. These pretzel sticks are super addicting, so be aware!

If you have kids like I do who love their animal crackers, check this out:
Kinnikinnick Animal Crackers are not only gluten free but dairy free as well. So if you cannot handle dairy (most celiacs cannot), this is a great snack even for adults.

Tootsie Roll claims that all of their candies are gluten free, which is great news for us.
Tootsie Roll Gluten Free FAQ

This includes my ultimate favorite candy
Frooties!
When I was a young girl, I remember saving up my pennies, to go down to the store and pick out which penny candy I wanted. These frooties were those penny candies. Yummy!

This concludes my list of favorite products, I hope this has helped you out.
If you need a recommendation for a product that is not listed above, leave me a comment and I will be more than happy to let you know which one I would suggest.

Now remember, products can change from month to month, so ALWAYS check the labels to make sure they are gluten free.

May all your gluten free wishes come true.

-The Gluten Free Momma

Are you on facebook? 
Check out my page at The Gluten Free Momma

Valentines

Can you believe it is Valentines day tomorrow?. How did this year fly by this fast?. 

It feels like just yesterday that we celebrated Christmas, now Valentines is here? WOW! 

Well, for all you lovers out there, finding a perfect GLUTEN FREE treat for your sweet heart may be tough and time consuming.  

Well thanks to Celiac.org, they've put together an up to date list of gluten free goodies just for you. 

Save yourself some time at the store and check out the list below. 

I would love to hear about what your plans are for this Valentines. Feel free to comment below. 

I am thoroughly greatful for all of my readers and I LOVE all of you! 

I hope you have an amazing Valentines Day!! 

Love, 
The Gluten Free Momma 
❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

The Gluten Free Candy List 🍬

The Gluten Free Allergy Fest 2017

So it's that time of year again. 
May 20th and 21st 2017 is the GLUTEN FREE ALLERGY FEST. 

I am always in awe at how many products I get to sample and try and how many new products I am introduced to. If you have Celiacs or on a gluten free diet, this is definately an event you don't want to miss. 

The event I am talking about will be at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis Mn. 
These events are held in different states, so make sure to check out their website and see when they come to your state. 

Hope to see you there! 

GLUTEN FREE FOOD ALLERGY FEST

"These are not the beans you're looking for"

You can be the worlds best Gluten Detective and pro label reader and still miss 1 or 2 things sometimes. 

I have been gluten free for 4 years now. 
I can safely say that I have learned a lot and this is a lot easier now than it was back in 2012. 

I have read every label you can imagine because I didn't want a hidden gluten ninja lerking in my food. Last thing I wanted was to get sick again. 

My husband and I thought we were doing fabulous and I had complete peace about it. We even eliminated all gluten from the home, so there was absolutely no risk to my health. 

However, it hit me hard last week when I went grocery shopping. I was bound and determined to get canned beans for chili. My husband makes the best chili in the world and I thought this would be a perfect meal, that would last our family of 6 for at least a few days.  

Normally my husband and I just grab the beans and don't think twice about it. Beans are naturally gluten free right?. There is no chance that gluten can be learking in the canned beans right?..... WRONG! 

I grabbed the GREAT VALUE Walmart brand of beans and just happened to look at the label. This is what I saw. 

Now this got me thinking, "how often have we made chili with these canned beans?". 

I knew I had to speak to my husband about this and see just how often we bought this. 

He told me that he would get the cheapest brand which happened to be THIS BRAND. 

Now my mind is racing trying to figure out if what made me sick peridically from his chili was the dairy (I initially thought it was) or from the very high chance there was gluten mixed in with the beans?. 

Needless to say, we wont be buying these canned beans again. 

BE AWARE I could only find 1 product that said it was "Naturally Gluten Free" from the GREAT VALUE brand and that was their shredded cheese. 

All the other products they make are SUPER RISKY. 

I wanted to share this story with you to remind you that even though it may look gluten free or you believe there would be no chance gluten could be mixed in, ALWAYS READ THE LABEL no matter what!

This is just a reminder to all you Celiacs out there. 

Gluten ninjas are everywhere, don't be fooled, take a second and look. Your tummy will thank you!