Children

Gluten Free Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

If you think being on a gluten free diet means never eating some of your favorite foods, think again. There has been an explosion of gluten free products over the past few years so become familiar with the brands that work for you. Bionaturae has many options for pasta like elbows, spaghetti and penne rigate.

Here are important tips to cooking good gluten free pasta:

  • Make sure there is plenty of water when boiling.
  • Add salt to the boiling water.
  • Start testing the pasta 1 minute before the recommended time. If it’s not done, test in 1 minute intervals.
  • Don’t over mix or over cook gluten free pasta; it will fall apart.

The key to a satisfying macaroni and cheese is learning to make a good cheese sauce. By making a few adjustments from a traditional recipe, you’ll soon be in business. Read More »

Crayola Crayons & Other Gluten-Free Crayola Products

crayola_crayons_gluten_free

Do Crayola productcontain Gluten?

[Editor’s Note: Updated January 5, 2022]

According to Crayola’s safety specialists, “Crayola Dough*, Glitter Dots, and Easy Peel Crayon Pencils are manufactured with wheat (flour) as an ingredient and therefore are not considered gluten free. All other Crayola products, including Silly Putty, do not contain wheat or other grains known to be a source of gluten.

Multiple Crayola products are produced in the same manufacturing facilities and on the same machinery. While there is a slight chance of cross-contamination, the machinery used to manufacture Crayola products is cleaned between production runs in a manner that meets or exceeds all regulations.

*Some Crayola dough products manufactured by our partner A1 Toys are gluten free, while others are not. Please read the packaging carefully to determine if dough is gluten free.”

The following statement can be found in Crayola’s Gluten Statement Page. 

THE FOLLOWING ARE PREVIOUS STATEMENTS FROM CRAYOLA AND MAY NO LONGER BE ACCURATE…

[Previous Answer from Crayola. May 5, 2009] Crayola Dough is the only product manufactured with wheat (flour) as an ingredient.  All other Crayola products, including Silly Putty, do not contain wheat or other grains known to be a source of gluten.  Since most of our modeling compounds are made in the same manufacturing facility, there is a very slight chance of cross contamination.

The question was raised regarding gluten-free crayons and what type are gluten-free. We contacted Crayola to determine the gluten-free status of their crayons and other products. See below. Please note that Crayola licenses their name to other manufacturers, bath products, cooking products, etc. Crayola only knows the gluten-free status of products they make. If the product is not made by them, the manufacturer should be contacted directly.

Question:

Hi Glutenfreeworks.

I am looking for a gluten-free crayons. I wonder whether you have one or if not could you give me some idea where can I get it from? Thank you and await your reply.
-I.

Answer:

Crayola crayons are gluten-free. We just spoke with a safety representative at the company. Their crayons do not contain wheat, barley, rye or oats. They are also not made on a manufacturing line that uses any of these grains.

The only products Crayola manufactures that contain, or may contain, gluten are their Crayola Dough and modeling compounds. The Crayola Dough contains wheat. The modeling compounds are made on the same line after a thorough wash using a gluten-free cleaner.

The following information can be found on the Crayola website. Crayola
——————————————–
The exact ingredients of our products are proprietary, however, we are happy to provide you with the 7 most common ingredient requests NOT FOUND in products currently manufactured by Crayola–This does not include products manufactured under license. Please check packaging carefully to determine manufacturing company.

Peanuts
Shellfish
Fish
Tree Nuts
Eggs
Milk
Latex

(Latex gloves are one of the personal protection options requested by and available to our employees for the occasional handling of raw materials and finished goods during the product manufacturing process.)

***We are often asked if any of our products contain gluten (wheat flour). Gluten is contained only in Crayola Dough. Other Crayola modeling materials, including Model Magic modeling compound, Modeling Clay, Air-Dry Clay, and Model Magic Fusion are gluten free. All of these products, however, are produced on the same machinery. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products.***

For information regarding specific ingredients not listed, please call us at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Time.
—————–

Who Needs a Gluten Test? Video by “Gluten Syndrome” Expert Dr. Rodney Ford Explains

Dr. Rodney Ford, pediatrician and author of The Gluten Syndrome, provides us with an excellent and easy-to-follow video that tells us how to know if we need a gluten test.

This short presentation explains which symptoms to look for and tells you the tests you need to to request to find out if gluten is making you sick.

Dr. Ford estimates up to one third of people with chronic diseases are being affected by gluten and sums up why people do not ask to be tested. “We are so used to being sick that we don’t know we’re sick.” People think they have always been this way, so they do not know to ask.

He then establishes a great litmus test to determine who should be tested – “People who are sick, tired or grumpy should be tested.”

Read More »

Gluten-Free Cooking for Kids – Plan Ahead and Keep it Simple – Tips for Cooking for Gluten-Free Kids

Photo by David Shankbone

Photo by David Shankbone

Cooking for children on gluten-free diets requires special planning and care to ensure that they are getting all the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Replacing gluten-filled junk food with gluten-free junk food of course, isn’t good for kids.

Research shows that children with celiac disease are at higher risk for nutritional deficiencies. A variety of nutritious foods are vital to healthy growth and development.

Plan Ahead When Cooking for Gluten-Free Kids

Explain to your child what foods are safe for them to eat and what foods contain gluten and are off-limits. The depth of this discussion will depend on the age of your child- use visual aids if you need to in order to help your child understand the concept of safe and unsafe foods.
Read More »

Chuck E Cheese to Offer Gluten Free Options

Effective today, over 500 locations of Chuck E Cheese restaurants will begin offering two GFCO certified gluten-free options for those visitors following a gluten-free diet. An individual cheese pizza and an individual chocolate fudge cupcake are the two certified gluten free options now available to children and parents visiting the establishment.

Chuck E Cheese to offer gluten free options

Chuck E Cheese to offer gluten free options

Read More »

Seashore Celiac Support Group Announces 11th Annual Gluten Free Picnic June 24th

John Libonati Gluten Free Works

Seashore Celiacs Annual Picnic

Photo Courtesy Linda Pickett

Seashore Celiac Support Group CSA #96 is pleased to announce its 11th annual 100% Gluten Free Picnic in conjunction with Central Jersey Celiac/DH Support Group and Cel-Kids Network CSA#58.

Now bigger and better than ever!!

When: Sunday June 24, 2012 (Rain or Shine), 1 to 5 pm

Where: SharkRiverPark–Neptune,NJ

Directions: http://seashoreceliacs.org/SharkRiver.htm

All family & friends of celiacs welcome!

Please RSVP by June 18 with the gluten–free dish you’ll Read More »

Help Send Children To A Gluten-Free Summer Camp. Hurry Fundraiser Ends December 25th!

John Libonati Gluten Free Works

In the spirit of the giving season, Gluten Free Works is excited to bring to your attention a special fundraiser we are helping promote this week for a great gluten-free cause!

This week only, your gift of just $2 will provide $4 toward scholarships for children to attend a gluten-free summer camp hosted by the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) next summer in Southern California.

Gluten-Free Saver has partnered with Van’s Natural Foods to raise money to send children to next summer’s CDF-sponsored summer camp. The summer camp will be held in San Bernardino in Southern California from July 30 to August 3, 2012, and it’s open to all 7-15 year old gluten intolerant and gluten-sensitive children – not just those diagnosed with celiac disease. Read More »

Sweet Pot-Souffle Recipe

sarica cernohaus gluten free works

This is a great way to start the day on a sweeter note, without the sugars found in more traditional sweet morning fare—something that works great for those following a gluten-free–and even grain-free–lifestyle. It is packed with fiber, Vitamin A, protein and healthy fat. Use sweet potatoes or winter squash that has been pre-cooked to make preparation fast and easy–there should be plenty on hand, either before or after a Thanksgiving feast!  This is a dish that pleases young and old alike.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked Sweet Potatoes or Winter Squash, skins removed

• 2-3 raw Eggs

• ½ cup unsweetened Almond Milk or Coconut Milk

• ½ tsp. ground Nutmeg

• ½ tsp. ground Cinnamon

• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract Read More »