Skip to content

Penn State College Celiac Support Group’s Food Faire 2011

It’s always great when people proactively celebrate and educate others about the gluten free life, and that’s exactly what Penn State’s Celiac Support Group is doing with its 2011 Food Faire.  It’s sure to be a good time with lots of food – if you’re going to be around central Pennsylvania, check it out and tell us about all the fun!  Below is some information on the Food Faire from Heidi Watson, president of the Celiac Support Group.

————————————————

Information for Attendees:

This year, for the first time ever, local Celiacs and residents of central PA will be able to attend the Centre Area Gluten Free Food Faire to learn about products and services for individuals with celiac disease/gluten intolerance and we anticipate a great turnout! The State College Celiac Support Group is sponsoring a food expo, so it will also be a terrific chance to try new

Gluten-free Biscotti Recipe

Gluten free biscottiThis is often how things work with me. I decide at some point that I want something. Pizza, cookies, a madeleine…and since I’m eating a gluten-free diet, I can’t always go to the store to buy it. Or, maybe I can but it’s not always good.

So it was, that day, when I really wanted a good biscotti. Believe it or not, I’ve never even made them, even with gluten! The next part of the journey began with finding the right recipe.

I wasn’t in the mood for lemon pecan or orange walnut. I didn’t want chocolate either. Cinnamon almond was coming to mind so that’s what I decided to

Smart Balance Acquires Glutino Food Group for $66.3 Million

John Libonati Gluten Free Works

On August 3, Smart Balance, Inc. announced it purchased Glutino Food Group for $66.3 million cash.  With this purchase, Smart Balance picks up arguably the #1 most recognized gluten-free brand in the United States.

Smart Balance Gluten FreePARAMUS, N.J., Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Smart Balance, Inc. (NasdaqGM: SMBL) announced it acquired 100% of the equity interest of Importations DE-RO-MA, which owns Glutino Food Group (“Glutino”), for $66.3 million, from Claridge, aMontreal-based investment firm.  Based in Laval, Quebec, Glutino is a leading manufacturer and marketer of innovative, premium-priced, gluten-free foods sold under the Glutino and Gluten Free Pantry brands.  Glutino offers a wide range of shelf-stable and frozen gluten-free products, including snack foods, frozen baked goods, frozen entrees and baking mixes throughout North America and on its website www.glutenfree.com.  Glutino had annual sales of $53.9 million during its fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

Commenting on the announcement, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hughes stated,

Gluten Free Spells Success for Big Time Athletes

Finally it seems that athletes have become savvy to the benefits of a gluten free diet.  As the general population has started to become more aware of the prevalence of gluten sensitivities and Celiac Disease, there has been a noted increase in the number of athletes turning to the gluten free lifestyle in an attempt to maximize their training and find greater success in their respective sports.

Among the most notable athletes making the gluten free switch are Raul Ibanez of the Philadelphia Phillies, Cedric Benson of the Cincinnati Bengals, and tennis player Novak Djokovic, the 2011 winner of Wimbledon who went on an unprecedented 43-match win streak.  Most significant about their decision to go gluten free is the marked improvement in all three athletes after the switch.

National Jewish Health Expert Discusses Psychological Aspect of Living with Life Threatening Food Allergies

Gluten Free Works Author Jennifer Leeson

Mary Klinnert National Jewish Health
Mary Klinnert, PhD at National Jewish Health

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mary Klinnert, PhD at National Jewish Health. Mary is an expert in child psychology and has numerous previous research studies on the effects of asthma on mental health.  She started her career mostly focusing on asthma, but in recent years, has turned much of her attention to the psychological aspects of living with life threatening food allergies.

While meeting with Mary, she briefed me on a study she is conducting on the psychological aspects of food allergies and how this study differs from the majority of previous studies that mostly focus on quality of life issues related to living with food allergies.  The hope of Mary and the rest of the team is to get to the root of what is happening to families that sometimes contributes to deeper

Medifast Gluten-free Weight Loss Diet Meal Program Discounts

John Libonati Gluten Free Works

Save up to $50 on Medifast gluten-free diet meal packages through September 30th.

Gluten-Free 4-Week Package
Medifast Gluten-Free 4 Week Package. Click image to see more.

Medifast has developed two gluten-free packages for people on the gluten-free diet who want to lose weight quickly and safely. The gluten-free packages come in a 4 week package and a 2 week package.

Discount codes are good until September 30th, 2011. Use these codes at checkout:

Medifast – $50 off any purchase of $275 or more! Good through September 30th. Click here & Use Coupon Code: SEP30H

Medifast – $25 off any purchase of $150 or more! Good through September 30th. Click here & Use Coupon Code: SEP30H25

What is Medifast?

The Medifast 5 & 1 Plan was developed by a medical doctor in 1980.

Medifast Meals are individually portioned, calorie- and carbohydrate-controlled, low-fat meal replacements.

Every Medifast Meal is based on a similar nutritional “footprint” that provides a proper balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. Medifast Meals are fortified with 

Gluten Free Review: Mix1 Strawberry Banana Protein Shake

Kim Bouldin Gluten Free Works

Mix1 Strawberry Vanilla Gluten Free

As a runner I have learned the importance of properly fueling my body.

Skimping on calories & nutrients hurts performance and can hurt your body, too. Carbohydrates are important to supply muscles with glycogen for exercise and a snack of protein & carbs is important after running to help refuel & repair muscles. It imperative to begin this process as soon as possible after a run, but absolutely within 30 minutes.

I have been a little lax on refueling recently,but that has to stop. My current,soon-to-be history, routine for my long runs involved meeting up with my MIT group, running, socializing, driving home (with a coffee detour) and then eating breakfast. By the time I was actually sitting down to eat it was easily 1+ hours later. Not good.

Last week I shared my plan of action for better training with you guys. I am taking it seriously and am now going to include these Mix 1 Protein Shakes in the Saturday routine to see how they work for me.

Gluten-Free Labeling Update: Big News!

Cheryl Harris Gluten Free Works

Could it possibly be?  At long last, there’s some movement on the behalf of the gluten-free labeling movement.

nutrition labelThis is REALLY big news for people who are gluten-free in the U.S.!  The FDA has re-opened a comment period for 60 days to solicit opinions from health professionals, scientists and the public on a potential ruling for defining gluten-free as less than 20 ppm.

Why 20ppm? According Michael Taylor at the FDA at stakeholder teleconference on Aug 2nd, it’s the lowest amount that can be accurately quantified, and many leading experts believe it is a safe amount. Europe has used it for 20 + years.  Several prominent researchers, including Dr. Alesso Fasano and Dr.Stefano Guandalini, spoke in favor of the new proposed legislation. “This is a standard that has been in use in

Gluten Free Product Review: Sweet Potato Fries at Chick-fil-A

Gluten Free Works Jennifer Harris

Chick-fil-A-sweet-potato-fries
Crunchy on the outside! Creamy on the inside!

Back in May Chick-fil-A added sweet potato waffle fries to their menu. The sweet potato fries are still in development, so they are just gathering feedback at this time, which also means they are only available in select locations.

Unfortunately, they were not available anywhere in Atlanta, but you can get them until August 31st at Chick-fil-A in Athens, GA.

Chick-fil-A is a great place to get fast food if you are on the gluten-free diet because

Probiotics and a Gluten-Free Diet

Ever wonder why all of these digestive problems, food allergies and intolerances were rarely heard of up until the past 10 years or so? It seems that many problems like Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue, Gluten-Intolerance, Candida, Celiac Disease, and food allergies, are a relatively “new thing”, and that more and more people are being diagnosed each day. Many of the symptoms of these problems are similar… digestive upsets, fatigue, chronic pain, vitamin deficiencies, bloating, etc etc etc. So…what is causing all this stuff??

In my opinion ANTIBIOTICS are to blame. Most people are unaware that antibiotics have only been prescribed by doctors since the 1940s or so. Antibiotics do not make the immune system stronger, they just temporarily replace one of its functions: killing harmful bacteria. The immune system functions like an organ or muscle. When it is not put to use, it atrophies. So when an antibiotic does one its jobs, the immune system performs that job poorly once the antibiotic leaves the body. Because of this, someone who takes antibiotics to cure a bacterial based illness may end up catching the same illness, only with more