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What is “Healthy” Food to You?

Gluten free produceIn the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to ponder the question “What is healthy food?” It seems that many of us have very different perceptions. Maybe that’s what stands in our way some times, we think healthy food and healthy eating is not obtainable.

It would be so much easier if my brain did not crave things like salty chips or sweet cookies but the reality is, it does. Maybe it’s a combination of many years of being bombarded with advertising to make me think I want it or maybe it’s as simple as it satisfies something in my head. I didn’t take enough psychology in college to answer that. I do know if it’s around me (like it is now as I write; you wouldn’t believe what is at the end of the table at my sister’s house) I’m less likely to eat well.

In my older years, I have realized that if I allow myself a little rather than denying myself entirely, I can balance the cravings with

9 Simple Steps for Successful Gluten-Free Shopping

Shopping for gluten-free foods can be inexpensive and fairly easy. Follow these nine steps for successful gluten-free shopping:

gluten free shopping1. Learn Naturally Gluten-Free Foods. Only foods containing wheat, barley, rye and oats contain gluten. All unprocessed meat, poultry, seafood, fish, eggs, dairy, vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans and grains like corn and rice are naturally gluten-free. This list of Safe Foods will help you.

2. Learn Gluten Code Words. Flour, rye and oat bran are obvious, but learn other names, like seitan, vegetable protein and malt, as well as common hiding spots, like sauces and coatings. Follow this helpful list of Hidden Ingredients.

3. Read Ingredient Labels Every Time. Ingredients can change. You may find a food you counted on for months now lists

Amazon Warehouse Gluten Free Deals of the Day

Hey Guys! I thought it would be fun to see what is selling on Amazon Warehouse today. Amazon Warehouse is basically Amazon’s discount section. You can find hundreds of gluten-free product deals there. Let’s take… 

Karo Corn Syrup Is Gluten Free and Allergen-friendly

Karo Corn Syrup Photo: www.karosyrup.com

Karo corn syrup is gluten-free.  There was some confusion about Karo since it contains caramel coloring.  A few of my readers were concerned about the coloring and here is what the manufacturer of Karo Syrup has to say.

“All Karo Syrup products are free of gluten, soy, milk, egg, peanut and tree nuts. The syrup production facility does not contain ingredients with these allergens, so cross contamination is not an issue. While some caramel colorings

The Fresh Market Introduces Private Label Gluten-free Products

the fresh market gluten free

The Fresh Market has embraced the growing gluten-free products category by introducing a private label gluten-free line and by adding shelf tags for all of the gluten-free products in the store. Additionally, they have added new gluten-free items to its selection of private brand products. From baking mixes to bread crumbs, all of their gluten-free private label products are certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization.

They currently offer 25 private label gluten-free items and are working on expanding the selection:

The Best of G-Free Grab & Go

gluten free kind barsI’m a huge fan of naturally gluten-free food. It’s usually healthier, usually cheaper, and IMHO, usually tastier, too. There are so many ways to go g-free quick and easy, and I highlighted a bunch in last month’s newsletter, with tips from a variety of gluten-free bloggers.

And yet…there are so many reasons packaged foods do come in handy from time to time, whether it’s because of job demands, travel, outdoor activities that prevent easy access or you just need to have something shelf-stable and portable in the car in case of emergency.

So…in honor of Celiac Disease Awareness month in May, I put together a list of healthier options among packaged products, with an eye out towards

Appetite for Awareness 2012: Gluten-free Chefs Get Creative

Mouth Watering Marlin Tacos from Alma de Cuba

Besides the pasta, there were all kinds of interesting and delicious gluten-free foods at Appetite for Awareness. Caffe Gelato Restaurant and Catering, out of Newark, DE, was offering perfect crabcake morsels full of crabmeat while Rittenhouse Square’s Alma de Cuba was serving up mini marlin tacos. Chef Eric Paraskevas of Terra was plating up beautiful samples of his gluten-free pulled pork tostados and El Rey presented hungry attendees with mouth-watering

Gluten-Free Finds at Expo East

Gluten Free Works Jennifer Harris

New gluten-free products flavor of Kale Chips from Brad’s Credit: Brad’s Raw Foods

I was not able to go to Expo East this year, so I have been researching blogs and tweets to see what gluten-free products got some buzz. After researching, I didn’t find a whole lot of new products that weren’t introduced earlier in the year at Expo West (sister show in California), but there were some interesting ones.