Gluten free

More and more people are on a gluten-free diet these days. Whether you have Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance, an allergy, autism, or an anti-inflammatory disease, your situation is the same. You need to figure out how to tackle this crazy world of gluten-free living.

Our society is so gluten-filled that it can often be overwhelming to think about not eating gluten for the rest of your life. We are told to eat our multi-grain cereal for breakfast, our sandwich on wheat bread for lunch and fancy high-fiber grains with our dinner. But what do you do if you can’t eat any of these things anymore? Read More »

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, digestive problems can be really detrimental to your well-being. Whatever your symptoms might be, digestive health is vital to the body’s overall well-being.

Make it your new year goal to figure out the cause of your discomfort and to find a solution that works for you. Read More »

Quinoa is a very nutritious food, being a complete protein, but it can have a rather acrid flavour. This is caused by the coating the seed has to discourage insects from eating it.  If you rinse whole quinoa you can get rid of this.  I have used rinsed quinoa in these muffins, which I then toasted to a light brown before adding to the flour.  The whole quinoa gives a crunchy texture.  If you don’t want this blitz the quinoa in a blender to get a smooth texture.

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When my husband and I lived in California, there was a place that we really loved to dine at named Dharma’s.

Yes, it lived up to the name…

Cooky owner, rockstar looking workers, New Age decor…

Yet it was a wonderful place to eat out at. In fact, if you were in my town, it was an absolute must – everyone knew that.

This restaurant, beautifully was full of all sorts of healthy, organic, vegan, and gluten free clean eats. It was known for its colossal sized breakfast, lunch, and dinner options to try that crossed all cultural bounds – Indian cuisine, Asian, Mexican, Italian, American – you name it.

That was indeed our default go-to restaurant.

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Does your gluten-free section look like this??

Last December this Examiner put together a wish list for restaurants of gluten-free items we would love to see added to their menus.  Now it seems only appropriate as it is the beginning of 2011 to put together a wish list of gluten-free retail products we would like to see hit grocery store shelves.

My best advice for a new gluten-free company is to create something that is unique and stay away from Read More »

Almost everyone who plans a trip the first time after they start living gluten-free has the same question – “how am I going to eat safely away from home?” The answer is simply – by doing some gluten-free home work. They need to do research about gluten-free dining options where they’re headed, and they need to pack some food for the trip.
Here is a list of things that are easy to find and are not likely to be confiscated by airport security. Most of these item can be used for a plane ride and upon arrival to your destination. Brands listed are not the only gluten-free options. Read More »

Here is a list of the top ten gluten-free items that every gluten intolerant person needs in their pantry.

1. A good general gluten-free flour blend. Highly recommended: Better Batter Flour, Meister’s Flour, Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour Blend.

2. Xanthan gum or guar gum for your baked recipes.

3. Quality flavored olive oils and vinegars. Make sure these are gluten-free and you can whip up a marinade or salad dressing in no time.

4. Quinoa. Buy pre-rinsed quinoa from a company such as Ancient Harvest and save yourself a few minutes in the kitchen.

5. Great gluten-free bread such as Udi’s or Katz’s. Keep it in the freezer for those times when you need to make a sandwich on something that tastes like the “real” thing. Read 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 Read More »

Coconut cream pops Expo West

Expo West is simply the best and the largest natural foods event in the United States. Each year the event grows in exhibitors and attendees and shows no signs of slowing down. One of the trends noted this year was the surge of vegan/gluten-free products, like bread, cheese, cheesecake, cookies, frozen desserts, macaroni and cheese, salad dressings, yogurt, etc.

Here are this Examiner’s top 20 gluten, dairy, and vegan product finds:

• CoYo’s coconut milk yogurt hails from Australia and is made from coconut cream and natural flavors in four varieties: Natural, Mango, Mixed Berry, and Raw Chocolate. The berry and mango are incredibly creamy without a funny taste or texture and taste fantastic. This product debuted at Expo West 2014, but this was my first time trying it and color me impressed. Availability: In stores

• Cosmo’s Dairy-Free Spicy Ranch is thick, rich, and mildly spicy. Made from coconuts, it works as a salad dressing, dip, and sandwich spread adding a nice kick to what would be ordinary. It does contain eggs, but is soy and nut free. Availability: Online for now

• Daiya Foods, Inc. gets a nod for their new Cheezecakes and Cheezy Mac kits that are soy free and vegan. Available in three flavors, Deluxe Alfredo, Deluxe Cheddar, and Deluxe White Cheddar Veggie Medley, each kit comes with a bag of liquid cheezy sauce ready to be combined with cooked brown rice pasta.Their cheezecakes are also available in four flavors: New York, Chocolate, Key Lime, and Strawberry. Availability: Rolling into stores now

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If you’re looking to start a gluten-free diet, or to simply experiment with gluten-free eating for the new year, make sure you aren’t distracted or discouraged by the common myths surrounding GF lifestyles. These myths can be deterrents to better health and make you question your commitment.

The top three myths are easily debunked because they don’t take the reality of naturally gluten-free foods that everyone already eats and enjoys into consideration. With so many people already eating gluten-free and experiencing thriving health, don’t let a few misconceptions stand in your way. Read More »