Tis the season for gift giving and for those of you not familiar with the gluten-free diet this can be a time of confusion. It can be difficult to give someone on the gluten-free diet food because some of us avoid additional allergens and not all gluten-free food is created equal.
This Examiner has created the list below as an aide for gluten-free gift giving. This Examiner would be happy to get any of these items as a gift!
1. Subscription(s)
To a magazine that covers events regarding the gluten free lifestyle:
I tend to over think blogging so my intent is to be short and sweet (good luck to me). Many years ago, I had a recipe for Lemon Almond Cookies. I had copied it from a magazine (specifically from Gourmet, Feb 1990) and kept it all of these years. It is hand written on a recipe card; I added my own interpretation and instructions. At Christmas, I always made these delicious, sweet and crisp cookies.
I’m not sure of the last time I made them but in recent years, with a gluten-free diet, I haven’t even attempted them. This year, I just couldn’t take it and decided to (more…)
This Holiday Season I am especially thankful for the health I now enjoy… it’s been a long journey these past 10 years or so…but I am so thankful for the knowledge I’ve gained about living a Gluten-Free lifestyle…the benefits that have come from it, and that after 10 years, I can finally say that I feel like “me” again. :) I’ve never really shared my entire experience, and normally don’t write posts that are too personal… but perhaps this can help someone out there who is wondering if they might have Gluten Intolerance or Celiac Disease… or someone who has been diagnosed and wonders if it is really a “big deal” if they HAVE to go gluten-free or not. I can tell you from personal experience that it WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!! It changed mine… and here’s how:
It all started back in junior high and high school. I just felt “tired” all the time. I can’t even tell you how many times a day someone would come up to me and say, “What’s wrong? You look tired.” I even remember someone saying to me once, “You look dead.” (ouch!) It seemed like maybe I was just depressed or (more…)
by Janet Y. Rinehart, Houston, and Lynn Rainwater, San Antonio
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A definite diagnosis of Celiac Disease (screening blood tests plus endoscopic biopsies) and/or Dermatitis Herpetiformis (skin biopsy) means a lifetime commitment to a gluten-free diet.
Take full advantage of your local chapter membership. Our group leaders and contacts have experience with the gluten-free diet. We can help you acclimate to the changes in your lifestyle. We welcome your questions.
Join national celiac support groups, for example: (more…)
The earliest description of celiac disease was recorded in the second century A.D. In 1888 Samuel Gee published a monograph on celiac disease that “to regulate the food is the main part of treatment … The allowance of farinaceous foods must be small … but if the patient can be cured at all, it must be by means of diet.”
In the early 1900’s a carbohydrate restricted diet was advocated where the only carbohydrates allowed were ripe bananas and rice. Then in the 1950’s Dr. W. K. Dicke published work reporting that celiac children improved dramatically during World War II when wheat, rye and (more…)
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. (more…)
This week’s gluten free soapbox comes from the personal archives. I’m absolutely certain that I’m not the only one who has encountered this, but it doesn’t seem to get talked about much…
Often times, it seems that people who are on strict gluten free diets get viewed as high maintenance, or picky. The constant need to check and double check ingredients tends to bother some people. The reports of contamination and reactions go unbelieved, and people give that knowing look when “gluten free” is mentioned.
I even had a doctor say that the worst that could happen with Celiac Disease is diarrhea, so not to (more…)
It is almost Thanksgiving and time for another holiday that centers around food. This can be a time of stress for some on the gluten-free diet, but with a little research it is easy to determine which turkeys are gluten free. It is important to note that fresh, plain unstuffed turkeys are naturally gluten free. All regular stuffed turkeys contain gluten even if you don’t eat it because the gluten stuffing permeates the turkey while it is cooking. Check the gravy packets very carefully to ensure they are gluten free as most are not safe and should be discarded.
We dined on a Honeysuckle White turkey last year and couldn’t believe how moist and flavorful it was, so that is now our turkey of choice. If you question the status of a turkey call their customer service line for confirmation. It is always better to confirm than to wonder or possibly eat a turkey that is not gluten free. Here’s a list of turkey information from many major brands: (more…)
1) Never assume. Just because your host knows you’re on a special diet doesn’t mean they understand the nuances of your lifestyle. Ask to see packages of foods before you eat them.
2) Bring a protein-based dish to your next gathering. That way, you know there will be something safe to eat, and you won’t be hungry. Click here for a Holiday (more…)
Like many of you, this Examiner grew up having Honeybaked ham for the holidays. It is such an easy meal and one that is a real crowd pleaser, so it was disturbing to learn that even thought the ham and the turkey are gluten free the glaze used on each contained gluten making it unsafe for those on the gluten-free diet.
Back in 2008, Honeybaked reformulated their glaze and removed gluten and soy making the hams/turkeys safe for those on a gluten-free diet, but (more…)
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Gluten Free Soapbox: We Are Not Crazy!
November 29th, 2010 by Marissa Carter
This week’s gluten free soapbox comes from the personal archives. I’m absolutely certain that I’m not the only one who has encountered this, but it doesn’t seem to get talked about much…
I even had a doctor say that the worst that could happen with Celiac Disease is diarrhea, so not to (more…)
Tags: Celiac disease, Commentary, Gluten free, Lifestyle
Category: Celiac disease, Children, Gluten free, Lifestyle, Symptoms
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