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
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Sunday, May 7, 2017
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
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
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
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.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
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}
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}
Friday, April 21, 2017
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!
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!
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!
Friday, March 10, 2017
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
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
Monday, February 13, 2017
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 🍬
Tuesday, January 31, 2017
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
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
Thursday, January 26, 2017
"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.
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!
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Cross Contamination is NO MYTH!
Let me first start off by saying Cross Contamination is a real issue for us celiacs and cross contamination is everywhere. Here is just a short example of where you can find cross contamination.
Gluten is everywhere because a lot of us do not have to worry about it, including restaurants.
That is why we must ALWAYS be our own advocates and ask to make sure food items are prepared in a safe environment and contain safe ingredients.
If you've had celiacs for more than a year, there is a good chance you've learned about cross contamination and how scary it can be. When we become diagnosed with celiac disease, unfortunately, we are almost forced (naturally) to be more aware, cautious and nervous about how our food is handled, in order to make sure we continue to heal.
That is why I become so distraught over a post that was published 8/22/2016 by Dimitrios Douros entitled The Cross Contamination Myth-Buster This article is packed full of wrong and very dangerous information. Dimitrios is not a Dr. and he is not a scientist, but his claims are outlandish and goes against every GI doctor around the world, undermining their instructions. Quite frankly, his statements are dangerous to the celiac community!
*I have used the word DANGEROUS a lot in this post because I cannot stress enough how much it is.*
Using some basic first grade math and the FDA's regulation for 20ppm, he has attempted to try and figure out exactly how much gluten we are ingesting through cross contamination.
An attempt he clearly failed at because there is absolutely no way of measuring every source of cross contamination, specially gluten in the air.
However, he seems to think it is possible and has even made the claim that gluten is equivalent to E.Coli. It's properties are not at all the same and while sterilizing equipment through the use of boiling water may get rid of E.Coli, it cannot get rid of gluten.
"If you are really concerned, take all your utensils, put them in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes and you're done! After all, that's how hospitals used to sterilize syringes before throw-away ones became the norm." -Dimitrios D.
He goes on to say that gluten can be dissolved in water. Okay, this is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. Everyone knows that gluten is sticky and is very hard to get off surfaces with just water alone. You need soap and water to fully eliminate gluten.
Porous material like wooden spoons collect gluten inside of it. No matter how good you are at cleaning your dishes, you will not be able to completely clean that wooden spoon of gluten. AND THAT IS WITH SOAP AND WATER, can you now imagine, how very little gluten you are removing just by boiling it?. Take a counter full of flour for example. You've just got done making your favorite cookies and the counter is just covered. You reach for a rag that only has water on it and proceed to wash the surface off. What happens?
The flour is spread everywhere and becomes very sticky. The only way to properly remove the flour is to use soap and water.
Why is this?
Because flour contains gluten and gluten is sticky, that is actually how they came up with the name "Gluten", it's very similar to glue.
So to claim that gluten can be dissolved in water is the most ridiculous claim I have ever heard.
Of course he then has to drive into another very important issue us celiacs have to deal with, which is cross contamination when the product is being manufactured.
"I note the label, keep it in mind, but operate on the basis that the company does have a standard process for cleaning their equipment between product runs. With that assumption, the only chance of cross-contamination is in the first few batches of the product to go through the line, batches that most, if not all, manufacturers test and discard if found to be cross-contaminated." Dimitrios D.
This is pathetic. Not every manufacture that makes a "Gluten free" product washes in between every transition from a gluten product to a gluten free and it is ridiculous to think that they will discard the fist batch just to make sure it is safe. Since when will manufactures go to all that trouble when they clearly state on their box (as a warning to us) that, cross contamination can (and probably is) occurring. Unless they have a "Certified gluten free" stamp on their product and strictly following the FDA regulations, they can be as careless or as strict as they want and no one knows unless they call them up personally. To trust that they are following the guidelines and cleaning everything for you despite their statement on the box stating that it is risky, is just plain dangerous.
He goes on to say that when it comes to Sushi and deli meat, that all the gluten that is present on the slicer will stick on the first few slices of meat. Are you kidding me?. How many small areas, cracks, holes, chips & small areas can gluten get in and on an equipment?- A LOT!
So claiming that gluten is removed on the first few slices is an uneducated guess. Something I think ALL celiacs should avoid doing. After all, you are playing with your own health here.
After saying that gluten is not sticky, he changes his mind and decides that gluten is all of a sudden sticky and binds inside of pita & other gluten products.
He tells us that the crumbs do not contain gluten, which is a bunch of bull crap.
He will pick off the pita wedge/ and or crumbs and eat the salad anyways, despite the huge amount of gluten on his salad.
Guys, this article is very dangerous and DO NOT follow his suggestions.
let me remind you again that this guy is not a medical professional by any means & not a scientist, but just an ordinary guys who does not have severe symptoms of celiacs and does not have severe reactions to cross contamination. Everyone is different in the way of reacting to celiacs. Some will experience bowel issues immediately after consuming a small amount (UNDER 20 PPM of gluten) and others will get migraines, stomach aches & it may cause intestinal damage. You do not have to have symptoms to have internal damage, this is something I wish everyone could understand.
When I went on a gluten challenge for six weeks, (Putting gluten back into my diet temporarily before my upper endoscopy & blood tests), the only real symptom I had was mouth sores. After my blood work and scope, I realized, you do not have to have very many symptoms to have SERIOUS DAMAGE.
During those six weeks, my blood antibodies tripled in the severe range and I had total and complete scalping and damage to my intestines. Dimitrios may say he is not having any problems, but I didn't read anything about him having repeat upper endoscopies & blood work done to prove this theory.
The point of his article is to encourage celiacs to stop worry & fearing so much, but honestly, it's natural for us to do so. After all, we are constantly faced with fear of cross contamination, may it be at home or while traveling. Not everyone has to be as careful as we do & because of that, we have to be extra careful. Even when we are careful, we may still be getting glutened and not even know it, by the simplest of things. Let me give you an example:
"Oh I am doing great on my gluten free diet, but I cannot figure out why I am still sick?. Well, I guess it may be because my kids are not gluten free and they enjoy their gluten. They touch every surface and every knob in my home and I have a terrible habit of chewing my nails."
You can eliminate gluten from your diet, but ingest a little each day by touching surfaces in your home that have come into contact with gluten and putting your fingers in your mouth.
See how easy that is?. Unless your house is scrubbed with soap and water from the ceiling to the floor, you can experience cross contamination.
Mocking us and telling us that we worry to much is rude. Don't accuse us of doing this on purpose and telling us to not be so up tight and picky/strict. It's what us celiacs do, it's ingrained in us to be this way.
It is like asking someone with the cold to stop sneezing because they are sneezing to much, or asking a diabetic to stop worry about their sugar because they are worrying about it to much, causing them to become sicker & potentially die. You can't always help things, so don't label us as worry worts & fearful people, and instead label us as great health advocates & overcomers!
I felt the need to post this, because I need to get the word out to celiacs, that this article is full of terrible information.
To a newly diagnosed celiacs, this article could be very confusing. Stick with reliable sources like MayoClinic.org or even Celiacsdisease.org for safe celiac information.
Conclusion:
Again I say, do not listen to what this guy says, because clearly he has no clue about what he is saying and what is safe for us. Be careful, if that means go and get separate utensils then so be it.
It is better to be cautious & safe than lazy & sick!
-Be careful what you read out there guys, some of these articles can confuse & cause harm.
Stay strict & enjoy good health.
-The Gluten Free Momma
- On silverware & cooking tools that has come in contact with gluten.
- In plastic cutting boards & plastic/porous material.
- Surfaces like tables, counters, stoves.
- Kitchen drawer handles, stove handles, Dish washer handles, sink handles, door handles.
- The carpet can harbor a lot of crumbs and gluten.
- Chairs, couches & even beds can have gluten crumbs and flour on it.
- It can be present in the air when doing any sort of baking.
- It can get in or on your gluten free food just by sitting next to, or from getting mixed in with the gluten food.
- In products that are produced in the same area and on the same equipment as wheat or gluten.
Gluten is everywhere because a lot of us do not have to worry about it, including restaurants.
That is why we must ALWAYS be our own advocates and ask to make sure food items are prepared in a safe environment and contain safe ingredients.
If you've had celiacs for more than a year, there is a good chance you've learned about cross contamination and how scary it can be. When we become diagnosed with celiac disease, unfortunately, we are almost forced (naturally) to be more aware, cautious and nervous about how our food is handled, in order to make sure we continue to heal.
That is why I become so distraught over a post that was published 8/22/2016 by Dimitrios Douros entitled The Cross Contamination Myth-Buster This article is packed full of wrong and very dangerous information. Dimitrios is not a Dr. and he is not a scientist, but his claims are outlandish and goes against every GI doctor around the world, undermining their instructions. Quite frankly, his statements are dangerous to the celiac community!
*I have used the word DANGEROUS a lot in this post because I cannot stress enough how much it is.*
Using some basic first grade math and the FDA's regulation for 20ppm, he has attempted to try and figure out exactly how much gluten we are ingesting through cross contamination.
An attempt he clearly failed at because there is absolutely no way of measuring every source of cross contamination, specially gluten in the air.
However, he seems to think it is possible and has even made the claim that gluten is equivalent to E.Coli. It's properties are not at all the same and while sterilizing equipment through the use of boiling water may get rid of E.Coli, it cannot get rid of gluten.
"If you are really concerned, take all your utensils, put them in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes and you're done! After all, that's how hospitals used to sterilize syringes before throw-away ones became the norm." -Dimitrios D.
He goes on to say that gluten can be dissolved in water. Okay, this is the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. Everyone knows that gluten is sticky and is very hard to get off surfaces with just water alone. You need soap and water to fully eliminate gluten.
Porous material like wooden spoons collect gluten inside of it. No matter how good you are at cleaning your dishes, you will not be able to completely clean that wooden spoon of gluten. AND THAT IS WITH SOAP AND WATER, can you now imagine, how very little gluten you are removing just by boiling it?. Take a counter full of flour for example. You've just got done making your favorite cookies and the counter is just covered. You reach for a rag that only has water on it and proceed to wash the surface off. What happens?
The flour is spread everywhere and becomes very sticky. The only way to properly remove the flour is to use soap and water.
Why is this?
Because flour contains gluten and gluten is sticky, that is actually how they came up with the name "Gluten", it's very similar to glue.
So to claim that gluten can be dissolved in water is the most ridiculous claim I have ever heard.
Of course he then has to drive into another very important issue us celiacs have to deal with, which is cross contamination when the product is being manufactured.
"I note the label, keep it in mind, but operate on the basis that the company does have a standard process for cleaning their equipment between product runs. With that assumption, the only chance of cross-contamination is in the first few batches of the product to go through the line, batches that most, if not all, manufacturers test and discard if found to be cross-contaminated." Dimitrios D.
This is pathetic. Not every manufacture that makes a "Gluten free" product washes in between every transition from a gluten product to a gluten free and it is ridiculous to think that they will discard the fist batch just to make sure it is safe. Since when will manufactures go to all that trouble when they clearly state on their box (as a warning to us) that, cross contamination can (and probably is) occurring. Unless they have a "Certified gluten free" stamp on their product and strictly following the FDA regulations, they can be as careless or as strict as they want and no one knows unless they call them up personally. To trust that they are following the guidelines and cleaning everything for you despite their statement on the box stating that it is risky, is just plain dangerous.
He goes on to say that when it comes to Sushi and deli meat, that all the gluten that is present on the slicer will stick on the first few slices of meat. Are you kidding me?. How many small areas, cracks, holes, chips & small areas can gluten get in and on an equipment?- A LOT!
So claiming that gluten is removed on the first few slices is an uneducated guess. Something I think ALL celiacs should avoid doing. After all, you are playing with your own health here.
After saying that gluten is not sticky, he changes his mind and decides that gluten is all of a sudden sticky and binds inside of pita & other gluten products.
He tells us that the crumbs do not contain gluten, which is a bunch of bull crap.
He will pick off the pita wedge/ and or crumbs and eat the salad anyways, despite the huge amount of gluten on his salad.
Guys, this article is very dangerous and DO NOT follow his suggestions.
let me remind you again that this guy is not a medical professional by any means & not a scientist, but just an ordinary guys who does not have severe symptoms of celiacs and does not have severe reactions to cross contamination. Everyone is different in the way of reacting to celiacs. Some will experience bowel issues immediately after consuming a small amount (UNDER 20 PPM of gluten) and others will get migraines, stomach aches & it may cause intestinal damage. You do not have to have symptoms to have internal damage, this is something I wish everyone could understand.
When I went on a gluten challenge for six weeks, (Putting gluten back into my diet temporarily before my upper endoscopy & blood tests), the only real symptom I had was mouth sores. After my blood work and scope, I realized, you do not have to have very many symptoms to have SERIOUS DAMAGE.
During those six weeks, my blood antibodies tripled in the severe range and I had total and complete scalping and damage to my intestines. Dimitrios may say he is not having any problems, but I didn't read anything about him having repeat upper endoscopies & blood work done to prove this theory.
The point of his article is to encourage celiacs to stop worry & fearing so much, but honestly, it's natural for us to do so. After all, we are constantly faced with fear of cross contamination, may it be at home or while traveling. Not everyone has to be as careful as we do & because of that, we have to be extra careful. Even when we are careful, we may still be getting glutened and not even know it, by the simplest of things. Let me give you an example:
"Oh I am doing great on my gluten free diet, but I cannot figure out why I am still sick?. Well, I guess it may be because my kids are not gluten free and they enjoy their gluten. They touch every surface and every knob in my home and I have a terrible habit of chewing my nails."
You can eliminate gluten from your diet, but ingest a little each day by touching surfaces in your home that have come into contact with gluten and putting your fingers in your mouth.
See how easy that is?. Unless your house is scrubbed with soap and water from the ceiling to the floor, you can experience cross contamination.
Mocking us and telling us that we worry to much is rude. Don't accuse us of doing this on purpose and telling us to not be so up tight and picky/strict. It's what us celiacs do, it's ingrained in us to be this way.
It is like asking someone with the cold to stop sneezing because they are sneezing to much, or asking a diabetic to stop worry about their sugar because they are worrying about it to much, causing them to become sicker & potentially die. You can't always help things, so don't label us as worry worts & fearful people, and instead label us as great health advocates & overcomers!
I felt the need to post this, because I need to get the word out to celiacs, that this article is full of terrible information.
To a newly diagnosed celiacs, this article could be very confusing. Stick with reliable sources like MayoClinic.org or even Celiacsdisease.org for safe celiac information.
Conclusion:
Again I say, do not listen to what this guy says, because clearly he has no clue about what he is saying and what is safe for us. Be careful, if that means go and get separate utensils then so be it.
It is better to be cautious & safe than lazy & sick!
-Be careful what you read out there guys, some of these articles can confuse & cause harm.
Stay strict & enjoy good health.
-The Gluten Free Momma
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
From The Heart
I have to share what is on my heart this morning.
For all of you who know me well, you know I have a big heart.
It goes way beyond the need for furry kittens, babies & helping others.
I have a heart to love on people, always ask for forgiveness & make things right, and not be a burden to others.
However, I personally struggle with the fear of burdening my loved ones & close friends.
It breaks my heart to have to point out & scold people for not following strict rules when it comes to safe food handling and preparing. It is embarrassing to have to explain to a large crowd of people why they can't just reach their hands into a bag of potato chips.
It pains me to have to watch as my friends & family consume my favorite food while I am stuck with a plain gluten free sandwich. It gives me a huge amount of anxiety to have to call ahead, search out restaurants before & wait long periods of time for an over priced meal.
To have to watch as my loved ones have to go way out of their way just for me.
I don't want to be different, I want to be the same, like everyone else!
I want the fear and anxiety to disappear & to be normal again.
This is the struggle I face every single day.
I am not overly strict!
I am not doing this for attention!
I do not have a choice!
It is far from easy.
I made the mistake of assuming that the gluten free diet meant that it will take away ALL of your symptoms but the truth is, they never really go away, In fact they may even come every few months in a form of new unusual symptoms that may cause you more anxiety.
I should have NEVER taken for granted the fully rested, fully awake feeling, because now I am fatigued 24/7. To be able to remember something that happened just a day ago, would be a huge blessing.
The Struggle Is Real & I Am A Warrior!
Fighting is not an option for me, it's mandatory. I have a responsibility to myself, to feed my body food it needs to stay healthy not poison. So despite what my heart longs for, I have to keep fighting and pushing through each day.
I truly believe in my heart of hearts that God allows only the strong, to battle invisible autoimmune diseases. It is not for the weak! You're not alone, I understand.
Consider Myself Blessed
Normally, I would tell someone who can eat what ever they want where ever they want that they are blessed or to consider themselves blessed but I am blessed too.
I am blessed because God chose to show me why I was so very sick quickly without having me go from doctor to doctor to find out. He chose to give me a disease that is manageable via the gluten free diet. Even though I cannot eat anywhere I want or what ever I want, I consider myself blessed in that aspect. It's just hard to swallow it down sometimes.
If you have Celiacs Disease or any other auto immune disease, what do you find are your challenges you face daily?. Please share your heart with me by commenting below.
For all of you who know me well, you know I have a big heart.
It goes way beyond the need for furry kittens, babies & helping others.
I have a heart to love on people, always ask for forgiveness & make things right, and not be a burden to others.
However, I personally struggle with the fear of burdening my loved ones & close friends.
It breaks my heart to have to point out & scold people for not following strict rules when it comes to safe food handling and preparing. It is embarrassing to have to explain to a large crowd of people why they can't just reach their hands into a bag of potato chips.
It pains me to have to watch as my friends & family consume my favorite food while I am stuck with a plain gluten free sandwich. It gives me a huge amount of anxiety to have to call ahead, search out restaurants before & wait long periods of time for an over priced meal.
To have to watch as my loved ones have to go way out of their way just for me.
I don't want to be different, I want to be the same, like everyone else!
I want the fear and anxiety to disappear & to be normal again.
This is the struggle I face every single day.
I am not overly strict!
I am not doing this for attention!
I do not have a choice!
It is far from easy.
I made the mistake of assuming that the gluten free diet meant that it will take away ALL of your symptoms but the truth is, they never really go away, In fact they may even come every few months in a form of new unusual symptoms that may cause you more anxiety.
I should have NEVER taken for granted the fully rested, fully awake feeling, because now I am fatigued 24/7. To be able to remember something that happened just a day ago, would be a huge blessing.
The Struggle Is Real & I Am A Warrior!
Fighting is not an option for me, it's mandatory. I have a responsibility to myself, to feed my body food it needs to stay healthy not poison. So despite what my heart longs for, I have to keep fighting and pushing through each day.
I truly believe in my heart of hearts that God allows only the strong, to battle invisible autoimmune diseases. It is not for the weak! You're not alone, I understand.
Consider Myself Blessed
Normally, I would tell someone who can eat what ever they want where ever they want that they are blessed or to consider themselves blessed but I am blessed too.
I am blessed because God chose to show me why I was so very sick quickly without having me go from doctor to doctor to find out. He chose to give me a disease that is manageable via the gluten free diet. Even though I cannot eat anywhere I want or what ever I want, I consider myself blessed in that aspect. It's just hard to swallow it down sometimes.
If you have Celiacs Disease or any other auto immune disease, what do you find are your challenges you face daily?. Please share your heart with me by commenting below.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Know your oats!
"Are your gluten free oats really gluten free?"
The answer to this question may surprise you.
Turns out some of the oat brands we know and trust are actually not gluten free at all.
Let me explain, according to Tricia Thompson over at The Gluten Free Watchdog, some of our favorite brands are mechanically separating their oats and labeling their product gluten free.
And we thought General Mills only did this, I guess not!. (I know, I am just blown away by this.)
This is what Tricia had to say about gluten free oats:
"Over the past five years Gluten Free Watchdog has tested 35 different oat products labeled gluten-free that list oats as the first or second ingredient. Bottom line: Based on testing data from Gluten Free Watchdog, oat products labeled gluten-free are at a higher risk of gluten contamination as compared to labeled gluten-free foods as a whole."
Did you know, that grain millers have been mechanically sorting their oats and selling them to gluten free manufacturers since 2012, that right there is a HUGE SHOCK.
So, this is what the manufacturer recommends we do and I have to agree with them on this one.
- Know your oats! Make sure you are sourcing oats from a supplier of purity protocol oats (e.g., GF Harvest, Avena, Montana Gluten-Free). At this time Gluten Free Watchdog does not recommend any of the commercial suppliers of mechanically and optically sorted oats (e.g., Grain Millers, LaCrosse Milling).
- Ask for test results. Regardless of where you source oats, ask your supplier to provide you with test results, including how frequently oats are tested and what assay is used for testing.
- Test the oats. There is no such thing as too much testing. Send samples of oats to a third party lab for testing using the sandwich R5 ELISA and cocktail extraction. Labs include Bia Diagnostics and FARRP.
Gluten Free Watchdog also states:
- Oats not grown under a gluten-free purity protocol are in our gluten-free food supply and have been for many years.
- The labeling claims “gluten-free oats” or “certified gluten-free oats” or a certification symbol* on product packaging do not necessarily mean the oats are produced under a purity protocol.
- It is very difficult–if not impossible–for a consumer to know whether the oats used in a product are grown under a gluten-free purity protocol or mechanically sorted.
I have to admit these studies are rather alarming and I honestly do not know why I didn't look into this further. I have always heard about how for some, oats make them sick, and to make sure they are being sourced from a trusted mill, however I was under the impression that CERTIFIED meant, that they have already made sure that the grains were 100% under 20ppm and safe for us to consume.
This makes me upset because little by little I am loosing trust in so called gluten free food. Manufacturers started labeling products gluten free which transformed into labeling products certified gluten free thanks to the FDA regulations. So now I question why the FDA ignores the huge risk associated with using mechanical separation, specially after studies have proved over and over and over again that this way of milling the grain doesn't work and will most likely make celiacs extremely sick?.
According to Watchdog, these brands use mechanical separation:
-General Mills
-Quaker Oats
-Grain Millers
-La Crosse Milling
-Bob's Red Mill
Manufacturers and Suppliers using mechanically or optically sorted oats
If you want to purchase oats from a supplier or manufacturer who source oats grown under the purity protocol, click on the link below. *Keep in mind, you must still call the manufacturer and confirm that they are still following the purity protocol before consuming.*
Purity Protocol List
We are in charge of our own bodies and our own health, and with that said, I ask that you do your research before consuming any oats & always label check.
"GLUTEN FREE DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN IT'S GLUTEN FREE"-THE GLUTEN FREE MOMMA
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