Easy Gluten Free Living

Archive for the ‘Celiac Disease’ Category

 Hi Mary,  Newbie celiac here with a question.  Other than really not liking the gf breads from the supermarkets, the transition has been fairly easy.  I never liked bread anyway, but I do miss pita bread.  I haven’t been able to find a gf pita bread anywhere, even though my town has three major markets with gf sections and several gf bakeries.  Do you have any suggestions for a recipe or a source?  (Vegan too if possible – that would be beyon heaven.)

Phyllis

Hi Phyllis.  I know what you mean about the storebought breads.  Believe it or not they have actually gotten better over the years since I was first diagnosed, but I try not to have to eat them.    I haven’t really seen it in any of my grocery stores where I shop for gluten free supplies either.  But I did find a Focaccia Flat Bread Mix online.  I’m not sure if it is vegan or not, but it is lactose and casien-free and yeast free.

I haven’t tried this mix for myself yet, but it is going to be on my list to try.  I hope this helped a little.

Keep asking those questions, I love getting them and answering them.

Just in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, my husband brought home some gluten free beer.  Two different kinds to be exact.  Bards and Redbridge.  Both are made from Sorghum.

Just as some background, I like to mow the lawn.  I have a gas powered, push mower with the big wheels on the back.  We have two acres that are cleared and the rest is wooded.  When I mow the grass, it’s my time to think, reflect, and get some much needed outdoor exercise.  And when I am   finished I always love having a nice cold beer. 

Of course that was way before celiac disease.  Now I haven’t had a beer in almost 25 years.  My drink of choice since celiac has been ice cold lemon water.  (I know,  far cry from a beer, but it quenches a thirst.  So when my husband arrived with two bottles of gluten free beer, I was really excited and just a little hesitant to try it.  Would it be as good as I remembered ice cold beer tasting?

First I tried the Bards, it was really good.  I mean really good.  It tasted like real beer.  (At least what I thought I remembered real beer tasting like.)  So I said to my hubby, “Taste this and tell me what you think.”  He said, “It’s good”.

Later I tried the Redbridge, it was good too.  More like a pale ale, than a regular beer.  I used to drink a darker beer, when I drank beer, so the Redbridge seemed a little weak to me.

My preference…..Bards.  It just tasted more like a regular beer.   Even though Redbridge by Anheuser-Busch was the first ever produced, I think the guys at Bard’s Tale Beer Company have nailed it.

By the way, there are more and more restaurants adding gluten free beer to their menus.  Outback Steakhouse for one and P.F. Chang’s for another.  If they don’t serve it yet at your favorite restaurant, keep asking.  The more they realize there are a lot of us out here, the more they will be willing to provide for their gluten intolerant patrons.

If you have tried any of the other gluten free beers, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think of them.  What was your favorite and why?

And I feel I have to say this, drink responsibly, please do not drink and drive.  The life you save will very likely be an innocent sober person.

I have been suffering a bit lately from writers block.  I come up with ideas to write about and then when I start they just seem like the same old rehashed stuff.

So my question to you, my readers, today is: 

 What was the one thing you wish someone would have told you, or would have liked to know when you first became a celiac or gluten intolerant?

I would really like to hear your answers so leave your comments in the comment section or find me on facebook, and leave a comment there.

I look forward to your answers.  Thanks.

I had a newly diagnosed reader ask me if there was any food straight off the store shelf that she could eat.  So I decided that I would post some regular food products that I use regularly.

• Meat:  Poultry, Fish, Canned Salmon, Canned Chicken, Canned Tuna, 100% Ground Beef, Pork, Turkey, Chicken
• Prego Spaghetti Sauce
• Joan of Arc Kidney Beans
• Canned Tomatoes / Dei Fratelli Seasoned Diced Tomatoes
• Hormel Pepperoni and Hormel Turkey Pepperoni
• Any and all fresh fruits and vegetables
• Frozen Vegetables (Not packaged with sauces)
• Potatoes both white and sweet
• Pure Rice – Brown, white, basmati, (Not Rice a Roni or such, it has wheat pasta mixed in)
• Corn Tortilla Shells / Corn Taco Shells
• Ortega Brand Taco Seasoning Mix
• Quaker Plain Rice Cakes (not the flavored ones)
• Salsa
• Cereals – Chex Brand, Corn, Rice (or any with the new Gluten Free Label), Cream of Rice, Grits
• Eggs
• Milk – Cow, Soy, Rice, Goat
• Real Cheese (such as mozzerella, cheddar, and such), Velveeta Cheese, Philadelphia Cream Cheese (plain), Cheeze Whiz
• Sour Cream (not light or reduced calorie or fat free, they can contain fillers that could have wheat in them)
• Butter
• I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter brand Margarine (there may be others but this is the only brand I know for certain)
• Yoplait, Breyers, Yogurt, (check ingredient label, not all flavors are gluten free) 
• Cracker Barrel Cheeze
• Kaukauna Cheese
• Beans and Bean Flours
• Lay’s Potato Chips
• Dorito’s Cool Ranch Tortilla Chips
• Cheeto’s Brand corn snacks
• Salted or Plain Nuts and Seeds (as long as they are not seasoned)
• Nut Flour
• Heinz ketchup
• Kraft Miracle Whip Salad Dressing
• All Vinegars except Malt Vinegar
• Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce (in the United States)
• French’s Yellow and Spicy Brown Mustard
• Guldens Spicy Brown Mustard
• Pickles
• Pickle Relish
• Be Wary of Soy Sauce there are some gluten free brands but you need to check labels.
• Most of Kraft Salad Dressings

Just remember to read labels.  All labels.  If you have any favorites that are not listed here feel free to leave a comment letting me know what I’ve missed.

Just as an addendum, my husband bought a bag of Snyder’s of Berlin Potato Chips the other day.  Snyder’s of Berlin Potato chips are not gluten free.  They say right on the bag that they are processed in a factory that also processes wheat products.

So please be sure to check package labels, always.

Everybody has a favorite “something”.  So my question to you all today, “What is your all time favorite gluten free Easter candy? 

I have to say, that even before I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, one of my all time favorite things in my Easter Basket was the Just Born Candy company’s Peeps. 

There is a real controversy on how to eat them.  I like them any way both fresh and “stale”.  My daughter likes them semi stale.  You know when they are still a little plyable, but a little chewy.  Now my daughter-in-law wants them totally stale.  She opens the package and lets them lie out until they are almost like a brick.

So if Peeps are your favorite candy how do you like them?  And if not what is your favorite Easter candy?

It’s hard to believe that Easter is only a little over 5 weeks away.  Here in Southwestern Pennsylvania we are preparing for another major snow storm that is already hammering the eastern part of the state and due to hit us later this afternoon and evening.  But with Easter this close I thought I would give parents of children with celiac disease some ideas for Easter Baskets.

First let me just say that all Jelly Belly jelly beans are gluten free.  YAY!  I love jelly beans. 

• All Just Born Brand candies are gluten free.  That includes their Peep brand marshmellow candies, (all varieties), Mike & Ike, Teenie Beanie Jelly Beans and more.
• M & M’s, all brands except the krispy kind
• Skittles
• Tootsie Roll Industries, posts that all their candies are gluten free
• as does Ferrara Pan Candy Company
• Laffy Taffy
• Heath Milk Chocolate English Toffee small size bars
• Swedish Fish
• Snickers Bars fun size and minis
• Wonka Giant Pixy Stix
• Starburst Fruit Chews
• and Double Bubble Bubble Gum
• Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate Bunny
• Hershey’s milk chocolate eggs
• Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate eggs
• Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bunnies

If you just don’t feel like going through the whole list of gluten free candy, my friend Karon Thackston has done all the work for you by coming up with Gluten Free Easter Baskets .  Be sure to check them out.

If you don’t want to give your kids too much candy, there is always crayons, or other school supplies.

• Crayola Brand Crayons are gluten free this includes their markers, washable markers, 3D markers, chalk, oil pastels, model magic, colored pencils, glue paint and Silly Putty.  However, Crayola Dough is not gluten free.
• All Palmer Paints are gluten free
• All Ross products except the finger paints.

I hope that I have given you some ideas for your childs Easter Basket and that you have a very Happy Easter.

I know it’s been a while since I posted last.  I’ve been doing research into gluten in beauty products.  What I have found is conclusively inconclusive, but I will share with you what I’ve found so far.

When you are first diagnosed with celiac disease, you think that gluten is only found in the food that you were eating.  Not so.  Gluten is found in many things other than food, like toothpaste, although the major brands lke Crest and Colgate do not contain it.  Body wash, body lotion, hair care products, make up, almost everything you come in contact with.

Lipstick, and possibly chapstick.  Since they are used on the lips should be a concern.  Since I’ve used chapstick for a very long time, never really thinking about it, I called the chapstick contact number to see if chapstick has gluten in it.  I mean why would it?  Right?  The answer I received in my opinion was a complete run around.

I asked this exact question, “I have celiac disease, which is an intolerance to gluten, so I cannot eat any products with wheat, rye, or barley in it.  Does chapstick contain any of those grains.”  What I was told, “We do not put gluten in the end product.”  HUH?  Okay but is it in any of the ingredients that make up the end product.  Again I got we do not put gluten in the end product.  I guess I’ll be finding a new product to use instead of chapstick.

Now onto  what if it is body lotion or makeup that is not going anywhere where you might ingest it?  This is where it gets inconclusive. 

In her book The G Free Diet, Elisabeth Hasselbeck says that she can’t have any hair care products, body washes, lotions, or anything that she comes in contact with have any type of gluten in it.

However, Dr. Michael Picco at the Mayo Clinic says, “Gluten containing products and cosmetics aren’t a problem unless you accidentally swallow them.”

“If you use a cosmetic or skin care product that contains gluten and you develop a skin reaction, see your doctor or dermatologist to identify the cause.  It is possible to have an allergy to wheat or another grain that could cause a skin reaction.”

To read Dr. Picco’s full article click here.

That is pretty much what I am finding all over.  Celiac Disease is an intolerance to ingested gluten, but there are some people that can’t use skin  products that have gluten in them.

So it seems the best advice to follow is Dr. Picco’s.  If you use a product and have a reaction see your doctor to find out why.

When I was first diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I thought the last thing I would ever need to worry about was losing weight.  Well that was 22 years ago and over those years I have put on a few pounds.  A few “extra” pounds I should say.  So since this is the beginning of a new year and I hope a healthier me, I am starting an exercise program.

My friend Scott Tousignant of Fat Loss Quickie , has a program that he says will get me in shape and feeling stronger in just 30 days and the kicker is:  in Just 10 minutes a day.

I am not a full time, stay at home entrepreneur, yet.  I work a full day at my husbands business and then come home to work on my fledgling business.  I barely have time to sleep let alone go to a gym to work out.

So I’m giving Scott the next 30 days to help me get back into shape and feeling more energetic.  And I’ll keep you all posted on how it is going.

I thought I should let you all know why I have been  missing in action this week.

After 22 years of a gluten free diet and never having any follow-ups, my daughter thought that I should have a check up. 

I’ve been having some indigestion type discomfort for the past several months.  My daughter is a Cardiovascular Technologist in the cath lab of one of the major hospitals in Pittsburgh, so naturally we went down the road of ruling out heart disease.  I had a walking stress test which was fine, in fact the cardiologist told me that my “heart was as healthy as a horse”.  Thank you, I think. 

So next off to the Gastroenterologist.  She read my diagnosis from 22 years ago, asked me my age and said, “I want you to have an Endoscopy and a Colonoscopy.  Yeah

So this week I’ve been preparing for my tests that I had done yesterday.  Monday night was my last real meal.  Tuesday was a day of all liquids.  That was fun, especially being at work. 

Tuesday evening at 6:30 pm I got to start my magic elixer.  It wasn’t a glass of fine wine, but it didn’t taste as bad as everyone kept telling me it would.  I’ll spare you the details of what happened over the next 3 hours, but bright and early Wednesday morning I was off to the hospital for my tests.

The testing went smoothly and a lot faster than I anticipated.  I got most of the results back right away.  Everything was normal and the doctor said that there was some rippling typical of celiac disease but not abnormal.  In fact if he wouldn’t have known I had Celiac Disease he would not have attributed the rippling to that.   So my vigilance of a gluten free diet has been successful. 

Proof positive that if you are careful, watch your diet and stay on a gluten free diet.  You can stay healthy, even without follow up medical attention.

Oh and the diagnosis for my digestive discomfort?  Acid Reflux.  So I take an acid controller twice a day.  Well at least I know I’m still healthy.

I can’t believe that Christmas is over and we are winding down the last few days of 2009.  New Year’s Eve will be here before you know it.  So for todays Menu Monday I thought I would give you some gluten free appetizer recipes that you can use for your New Year’s Eve Party or to take with you to a party that you’ve been invited to. 

If you are going to a party instead of hosting your own you may want to check out last weeks Menu Monday, 10 Tips to a Gluten Free Holiday, if you haven’t already.

                                               Bruschetta Bites

• 1  (32 ounce) can whole tomatoes drained
• 1 Cup fresh Basil leaves, and a few more for garnish
• 4 Tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic peeled
• 2 large French-Syle Gluten Free Baguettes, sliced 1-inch thick (you can get these in the freezer section at Whole Foods or other specialty stores that carry gluten free breads)
• 1 1/2 pounds shreded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  In a food processor bowl add tomatoes, basil leaves, olive oil, 4 cloves of garlic, salt and pepper.  Pulse until smooth, but still chunky. 

On a baking sheet , place gluten free baguette slices.  Toast in the oven until light golden brown, about 3 minutes.  Sprinkle grated cheese on hot bread and put back in oven for about 45 seconds, to melt the cheese.  Remove from oven and put about 1 tablespoon of the tomatoe mixture on each piece.  Chiffonade (slice thinly) the extra basil leaves and place on top to garnish.

                                               Broccoli Cheese Party Quiches

• 1 can evaporated milk
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• 2 Tablespoons Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 Cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 Cups chopped frozen broccoli, thawed and drained
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and lightly flour 12 mini muffin cups.  Whisk evaporated milk, eggs, flour salt and pepper in a medium bowl until blended.  Spoon 1/4 cup of mixture into muffin cups, filling almost to the top.  Stir mixture frequently to keep ingredients evenly mixed.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are lightly brown.  Cool in pans for about 15 minutes.  To remove from pans, run a knife around the inside edges of the muffin cups.  Remove quiches carefully.

                                               Spinich Dip

• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 container gluten free sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise (not salad dressing)
• 1 package Knorr Vegetable recipe mix
• 1 small onion finely diced

Combine all ingredients well and refridgerate at least 2 hours.  Serve with your favorite raw vegetables or gluten free crackers or chips.

                                               Polenta Bites

• 1 Cup cornmeal
• 3 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 Tablespoon Oil
• 1/2 Cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tablespoon Tabasco sauce

Grease a jelly roll pan and set aside.  In a 2 quart saucepan over high heat bring 2 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of butter, and salt to a boil.

Meanwhile, combine cornmeal and 1 cup cold water and stir.  Add cornmeal mixture to boiling water mixture, bring back up to a boil and reduce heat to low.  Continue to cook until mixture thickens, about 5 to 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and add cheese and tabasco sauce.

Spread cooked cornmeal mixture into prepared jelly roll pan evenly to about 1/2 inch thick.  Refrigerate, uncovered for at least 30 minutes.

After the polenta is cool, cut in to bitesized shapes, about 2 1/2 inch in diameter.  In a large skillet over medium heat, heat remaining butter and oil.  Add polenta shapes and cook 2 minutes on each side, until lightly browned.  Serve with Spicy Salsa.  (Recipe follows)

                                              Spicy Salsa

• 1 Cup Fresh ripe tomatoes diced
• 3 tablespoons minced onions
• 1 Tablespoon cilantro
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.  Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours to blend the flavors.  (Makes about 1 Cup)

                                             Cheese Ball

• 1 (16 ounce) tub Philadelphia cream cheese, (not the bricks of cheese)
• 2 (8 ounce) tubs Kaukauna extra sharp cheddar cheese  (check the ingredient list, besides Kraft Cracker Barrel in the tub which has become next to impossible to find this is the only brand I know of that is all cheese)

Set these out to soften for about 2 hours.  In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and the extra sharp cheddar cheese with an electric mixer.  Refrigerate until firm, place on a platter or cheese plate and form into a ball.  Sprinkle with parsley flakes and serve with your favorite gluten free crackers.

Both of my granddaughters love this cheese so much they eat it on everything.

I hope you enjoy these recipes.  Please let me know how you and your guests liked them. 

Have a safe and Happy New Year and may your 2010 bring you all that you hope for.

Mary Blackburn

Living Gluten Free