Feeding My Gluten Free Kid

May 14, 2019

Educate the people in your child’s life, they will want to feed your child from time to time: neighbors (where they play), people at church, school teachers, family, etc. The concern is how to help them be “normal” and still be safe and healthy.

Of course, you can always send your own snacks and treats, but some people will still want to feed your child.

Educate Family and Friends

It is important to educate family and friends that interact with your child. Help them to understand the importance of your child eating gluten free. Educate them about celiac, gluten intolerance, wheat allergy or other health issue that necessitates they eat gluten free.

Some facts about celiac disease:

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease not an allergy. This means they have an autoimmune response rather than a histamine response.
They won’t necessarily see the reaction while they are with your child. (It is not like anaphylaxis or allergic rashes.)
Reactions to gluten last 3-5 days. Explain what those reactions are like: diarrhea, constipation, tummy-ache, headache, moodiness, irritability, etc. These are just the outward symptoms that signal the autoimmune system has been tripped and is now struggling.
Your child must be strictly gluten free. Don’t tempt her with things she shouldn’t and can’t have.
Explain cross contamination and cross contact as well as how to avoid it.
Teach what things to look out for: wheat, rye, barley and oats. *Remember there is more education for oats, because not all oats are safe. I just include to stay away from oats, it is much easier.
Not everything labeled gluten free tastes good or is safe.

This post contains affiliate links. I include these links for your convenience. I earn a small commission for the referral, but your price remains the same.

Lists and Favorites

I feel so bad when someone goes to the effort to get me or my child something that is gluten free, but it is absolutely dreadful and inedible.

This is where making lists can come in handy. Make lists of “normal” foods your child likes and can eat:

Fruit
Vegetables
Popcorn
Chips and salsa (brand names also help)
Fruit snacks: Welch’s, Tree Top, Motts, etc.
Hershey’s: chocolate bar, Kisses, Almond Joy, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Milk Duds, etc.
Jelly Belly, jelly beans
Pixy Stix
Laffy Taffy
Bit-O-Honey
Smarties
Sour Patch Kids
Popsicles
Minute Maid Juice Bars
Philly Swirl Swirlstix
Creamies

Snacks and Easy Meals

For those that spend more time with your child: daycare, babysitter, Grandma, aunts, etc. There is a great list here of easy to find and fix meals and snacks.

I have also put together some easy to make snacks and meal recipes and ideas here.

Feeding My Gluten Free Kid

To make things a little bit easier, I made these business cards.

Create an informational business card for your child

I made these cards for my daughter to give to family, friends, teachers, etc. Basically, anyone who might want to feed her. It says she is gluten free, has her name, my name, my phone # and a website for more information about gluten free and celiac.

Informational business card for my child about her dietary needs.

On the back of the card I gave information about what she couldn’t have. I request that they read labels and if they have questions to please call me.

Safe Sunscreens 2019- Free of Gluten and Hormone Disrupters

Apr 19, 2019

Safe sunscreens are a must. You don’t want to burn, but you also don’t want a negative reaction and other medical problems caused by your sunscreen. Many sunscreens contain harmful chemicals. These chemicals can be detrimental for your health and the environment. Also,if you have celiac or react to gluten, you should consider a gluten free sunscreen. Then, there are the hormone disrupting chemicals you need to be aware of. I have addressed the harmful chemicals and what they are and what they do, in this post, you can check it out.

Safe Sunscreen

Gluten Free

Why you should look for a gluten free sunscreen. Okay, so everyone will tell you that if you have celiac, you don’t need to worry about what you put on your skin, because the gluten protein is too big to absorb through your pores. However, there are many people with celiac or other gluten issues who react to gluten topically. (I am one of those people! The reaction is horrible!!!)

Also, if you get the sunscreen in your eyes or on your lips and in your mouth, that is one way to get cross contact with gluten. I have had sweaty sunscreen run into my eyes and mouth before and it isn’t pleasant. Even worse, if it causes you to react to the gluten. If the sunscreen is on your hands and you are eating, you can get cross contact that way as well.

For me and my family, finding a gluten free sunscreen is important, but we also want it to be free of hormone disrupting chemicals and here is why: having celiac makes us more likely to develop other auto-immune diseases. Chemicals that disrupt hormones increases that risk. My youngest daughter, has Hashimoto’s disease and the last thing she needs is more problems with her hormones.

Gluten free or certified gluten free doesn’t mean it doesn’t have other issues that are unsafe.

Free of Hormone Disrupting Chemicals

If you have celiac disease, your are more prone to developing other conditions like diabetes and thyroid disease. Hormone disrupting chemicals increase that risk. A hormone disrupting chemical is one that either mimics or blocks your hormones. Some of these chemicals /toxins can build up in your tissues and become toxic.

2 of the most harmful chemicals are also very harmful for the coral reefs and are responsible for bleaching them. They are Oxybenzone and Octinoxate (Octylmethoxycinnamate). For more information about these 2 chemicals and others, check out this post that discusses hormone disrupting chemicals, what they are used for and the problems they cause.

Reef Safe does NOT mean that is is hormone free or gluten free.

The majority of spray on sunscreens are not hormone free. Click here to find certified gluten free sunscreens. The certified products on the list are there for being gluten free, some still contain harmful chemicals that should be avoided. Many brands have hormone free, chemical free, and gluten free products, but not all of their products may be safe. Check the labels to be sure.

This post contains affiliate links. I include these links for your convenience. I earn a small commission for the referral, but your price remains the same.

Safe Sunscreen Options

These sunscreens are free of hormone disrupting chemicals and are gluten free. All of them are reef safe, as well. I am unaware of any other harmful ingredients in these products, at this time.

ThinkSport

3rd party verified for being gluten free. They are a Leaping Bunny member; meaning they don’t test on animals. Rated well by EWG. Sunscreen should be re-applied every 80 minutes for the best protection when sweating or swimming. Consult a doctor for children 6 months and younger.

Mineral based, water-resistent, no PABA, parabens or BPA. Non-nano zinc oxide.

Great for travel with the 3 oz bottle, it is approved by the FDA for carry on baggage.-

All Good

Lists their products as being gluten free on their web-site. Free of hormone disrupting chemicals and safe for the coral reef. Excellent rating by EWG. Their sunscreens are vegan and biodegradable.

This particular brand is tinted so you can be sure you are getting covered. Re-apply every 80 minutes.

Fragrance free, non-nano zinc (18%), vegan, and biodegradable.

Babo Botanicals

*No phlalates- fragrance free, soy free, gluten free and dairy free. They use certified organic oils. Safe for adults and kids. Hypo-allergenic, but does contain Shea butter. Has mixed ratings at EWG depending on the product from their line.

Non-nano Zinc (19%)

Suntegrity

Phthalates free, as well as free of other hormone disrupting chemicals. They have no gluten ingredients, but haven’t been tested and will not make a definitive statement for that reason. They have excellent ratings at EWG. Contains organic ingredients. Contains a small amount of essential oils, but their tinted face sunscreen and no fragrance sunscreens are the way to go. They are also free of mineral oil.

Non-Nano (20%)

Leaping Bunny certified

Badger

Certified Gluten free! However, not all of their products are gluten free, only some of them are certified and free of gluten. Certified organic ingredients and no GMOs. Cruelty free, biodegradable and reef safe. Re-apply every 80 minutes. Excellent ratings at EWG.

Un-coated clear zinc oxide (22.5%) and fragrance free.

Raw Elements

Really good ratings a EWG. Safe for the reefs and biodegradable. This sunscreen is also soy and nut free, besides being gluten free. Re-apply every 80 minutes. Non nano (23%) and hormone disrupting chemical free. USDA certified organic. It does contain Mangifera Indica seed butter which is made from mango. I have a daughter anaphylactic to mango and so this is a concern for us.

Kokua

Excellent EWG ratings. Made in Hawaii and safe for the reefs. Non-nano zinc (25%), hormone disrupting chemicals free, biodegradable, and broad spectrum protection. They are also gluten free! They use a natural resin extract instead of beeswax. There are 23 antioxidants in this sunscreen. They really want to look out for your skin and keep it from being damaged or aging prematurely. I can’t wait to try this sunscreen!

Raw Love

Could not find an EWG rating. Non-Nano, free of hormone disrupting chemicals, and made with natural ingredients, they don’t use fillers. The owner of the company is gluten free and developed her sunscreen to be safe for her skin. Needing skin products that were hormone disrupting free, were a necessity as well. Cute company in Hawaii. Re-apply often.

Loving Naturals

Verified gluten free through e-mail. This sunscreen has a high EWG rating. Should be applied every 40 minutes. They use all natural ingredients and are part of the Leaping Bunny Program. No testing on animals, cruelty free. Broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.

Goddess Garden

In a chat with Goddess Garden Organics, I was told all of their products are gluten free! Excellent ratings at EWG. New sheer formula in their daily mineral sunscreen. Non-nano zinc oxide and is reef safe without harmful chemicals for you and your skin.

True Naturals

All their products are gluten free and vegan, according to the ingredient statement on their page. Great ratings by EWG. Their sensitive skin formula is especially great for those prone to allergies. Certified organic.

California Baby

From their website: “California Baby products are free of common allergens such as gluten, milk/casein, egg, peanut, walnut, cashew, almond and pecans, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.” (does contain coconut) Great EWG ratings. Award winning, cruelty free sunscreen. Apply every 80 minutes

Kabana Organic Skincare

Green Screen D Organic SPF 35 is free of common allergens: soy-free, gluten-free, corn-free, dairy-free, Non-GMO and vegetarian. Mixed reviews on EWG. Contains 6 certified organic and mineral ingredients. 25% non-nano zinc oxide.

I hope this post helps you to find safe sunscreens for all your outdoor play, this year!

For babies check out this post on Best Sun Care For Babies. You don’t want to use the same sunscreen on babies as you do on yourself.

7 Harmful Chemicals Found in Sunscreen

Apr 15, 2019

There are far more than 7 harmful chemicals that may be in your sunscreen. I am focusing on 7 of the most harmful chemicals to your body, because they are endocrine (hormone) disrupters and some do damage to the coral reefs.

Sunscreen isn’t only a potential hazard for your health, but also to the coral reefs and marine life. Have you heard about how sunscreen is harming the coral reefs? It is pretty startling and some places are banning harmful sunscreens. (*Not all hormone disrupting chemicals damage the reefs. A sunscreen may be reef safe, but still contain harmful hormone disrupting chemicals.) Interestingly, the same chemicals that are harmful to the reefs and ocean life, are also harmful to us! They are known to be harmful and yet are still used in the majority of sunscreens!

Hormone Disrupters

What is a hormone disrupter and why should you avoid it?

Great questions! Hormone disrupters mimic or block your hormones and interfere with your body’s natural functions. They are confusing to your body and how it functions; they absorb through your skin and into your system.

This is of course bad for everyone, but is especially worrisome if you have a health condition like celiac or thyroid disease. Celiac makes you more prone to developing auto-immune thyroid disease and diabetes. Hormone disruption chemicals increase that risk. Also, another term for hormone disrupting chemicals is endocrine disruptor. Meaning it can disrupt your endocrine system, which is largely responsible for regulating hormones.

This is an incomplete list of health issues caused by Hormone Disrupting Chemicals:

Problems with sperm quality and fertility
Abnormalities in sex organs (fibroids, undescended testicles, and urethra defects)
Early puberty and early menopause
Endometriosis
Alter the function of the nervous system (possible connections to autism and ADD for example)
Effect immune function
Linked to some cancers
Respiratory Problems
Metabolic diseases – obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia
Cardiovascular problems
May effect growth
Neurological and learning disabilities

Harmful Chemicals

This is not a complete list of harmful chemical that are found in some sunscreens. I am focusing on the ones that are commonly known as harmful due to hormone disrupters and what they do to the coral reefs.

Oxybenzone and Octinoxate appear to be two of the most harmful chemicals found in sunscreen, for the reefs, marine life, and you. Some people say that you can taste the fragrances used in sunscreens, when you eat fish from the ocean. For example, your fish may taste like it has had a coconut seasoning or cooked in coconut oil, when in reality, no coconut was used in seasoning or cooking the fish.

This post contains affiliate links. I include these links for your convenience to be able to find similar items to what I am using. I earn a small commission for the referral, but your price remains the same.

1 Oxybenzone or Benzophenone-3

This chemical in sunscreen and cosmetics is used because it absorbs harmful UV rays from the sun. However, there are several problems with this chemical! Oxybenzone is known to cause allergic skin reactions. “In laboratory studies it is a weak estrogen and has potent anti-androgenic effects.” (http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/) It acts like estrogen, in the body, disrupting natural hormone levels. (Making it a hormone disrupter.)

Some research has shown, teen boys have a lower testosterone level when they have high levels of oxybenzone in their systems. The chemical has also been detected in breast milk, may contribute to endometriosis, and poor sperm quality in men.

Yikes! It is also the main culprit to damaging the reefs, because it acts as a bleaching agent.

2 Avobenzone and Benzophenone

This is another chemical that helps to protect you against UV rays. However, it is less stable and breaks down quickly. It only gives about 30 minutes of protection, so other chemicals have to be added to help it break down slower and last longer.

Problems with this are similar to above: skin irritation, acne and rashes, and is a hormone disrupter. Even worse is the research that show avobenzone, becomes toxic when in chlorine. Studies have shown this toxicity can result in problems with the kidneys, liver and nervous system.

*I don’t know why Avobenzone is allowed in sunscreens that are considered reef safe,

3 Homosalate

Often paired with Avobenzone is homosalate. They are put together because the homosalate allows the sunscreen to absorb quickly and deeper into your layers of skin.

Homosalate disrupts estrogen, androgen, and progesterone. Besides being a hormone disrupter it may also enhance the absorption of pesticides! (http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/homosalate/) Another issue sited, is that it may take longer for our bodies to get rid of the chemicals, causing it to build up and be toxic.

4 Octinoxate (Octylmethoxycinnamate)

Octinoxate (Octylmethoxycinnamate) Another hormone disrupter to watch out for. It disrupts the hormones as it mimics estrogen and can disrupt the function of the thyroid. (http://www.safecosmetics.org/get-the-facts/chemicals-of-concern/octinoxate/) Studies show it can also affect the reproductive system and may be linked to breast cancer. (http://www.thedermreview.com/octinoxate/)Not only is this chemical found in sunscreen but also in hair color products, lip stick, shampoo, lotion, nail polish and skin cream.

In sunscreens, this chemical is used for UV ray filtering and absorbs quickly into the skin. This chemical has been found in breast milk, urine, and blood of those who regularly use sunscreen.

Bleaches the coral reefs.

5 Cylcopentasiloxane / Cyclomethicone

This chemical is added to sunscreen for the purpose of soft skin and smooth follicles. The problem is, it is known to cause health problems, accumulate in marine life, and is toxic. May cause problems with reproducing and be an endocrine disrupter.

6 Phthalates

This chemical is especially bad, if you are a guy. It blocks male hormones, causes problems in development, reproduction, and normal brain function. These chemicals are endocrine disrupters. Why are they used in products? To smell good. They are part of the fragrance.

7 Parabens

Parabens are preservatives. If you have ever made your own beauty products you know they can spoil quickly, because they don’t have preservatives in them and some of them, like homemade shampoo may need to be kept refrigerated. Chemicals that are parabens will have “paraben” in the word, but may be listed as: propylparaben, benzylparaben, methylparaben and butylparaben.

2 big health issues with parabens: they are suspected of causing cancer and they are hormone disrupters.

As far as the environment goes, these chemicals have been found in marine life.

What now?

Most mineral sunscreens are free of these chemicals. Here are a few suggestions:

For more safe sunscreens check out this post for 2019!

Special Puppy Treat For Special Occasions- Gluten Free

Mar 9, 2019

My daughter spoils our dog! Penny is now 7 years old and she often wants a treat along with everyone else. We have all kinds of treats for her, but on special occasions it is fun to give her a special puppy treat!

Is it healthy for my dog?

The answer is: yes and no.

The peanut butter is awesome for your dog! Peanut butter is loaded with all kinds of proteins, vitamins and healthy fats. However, make sure to avoid sugar free and/or lite peanut butter. To replace the sugar they load it up with sugar substitutes, like xylitol, which is toxic for dogs. (As are other artificial sweeteners, but I think xylitol is the most harmful.)

The whip cream isn’t harmful and dogs love it! However, it may bother some dog’s tummies. Also, you shouldn’t do a lot, even though they love it! Whipped cream has a lot of sugar and fats that aren’t necessarily the best for your favorite puppy. (Honestly, my daughter should put a little less whipped cream. Also, just found out that the best peanut butter for her is raw and unsalted, we use Jiff.)

This post contains affiliate links. I include these links for your convenience. I earn a small commission for the referral, but your price remains the same.

Special Puppy Treat Ingredients:

A small paper plate (dessert size)

Peanut butter (preferably raw and unsalted, according to Cesar)
Whipped cream

Constructing the Puppy Treat:

1st spread a thin layer of peanut butter across the plate.

Next, apply the whipped cream.

Puppy Treat for a special occasion- gluten free-

Look at that anticipation!

Enjoying Her Treat

Penny is a well trained dog and knows where she is to eat and to wait patiently until told it is time.

Penny always gets her treat at the carpet, by the back door. The plate doesn’t slide as much when she eats here. She patiently waits for the release word that tells her it is time to eat!

If you look closely you can see she still has whip cream just under her nose! She has really enjoyed her treat!

Specail puppy treat for a special occasion- gluten free

It is fun to give her something she really enjoys, once in a while!

Why does it matter that it is gluten free?

Our family is gluten free because of celiac, crohn’s and other medical conditions that respond better when you are on a gluten free diet. Okay, so our dog doesn’t have any of those, so why should she have to be gluten free, too?

Well, because my dog doesn’t wash her face and brush her teeth after she eats, before she licks me. I react topically to gluten and I need to minimize gluten exposure risks as much as possible. It is miserable to break out in a rash because of gluten and one exposure can last for months!

Some other risks, come from the gluten that goes in the air when putting her dog food in her bowl or touching her dog food or treats that contain gluten. Breathing in the gluten definitely is not good! Also, If I forget to wash my hands and touch my lips, skin, table or counter there is now cross contamination risks that can cause me to have a reaction.

A reaction to gluten typically lasts 3-5 days, at least the most obvious symptoms do. Some doctors say that the reaction can continue virtually unnoticed in your body for up to two months. However, on the skin I have experienced reactions that last for several months and took a steroid shot to calm it down.

Cream Cheese Ham Rolls- Gluten Free Lunch or Snack

Mar 6, 2019

When I was first married, I went to a class that was teaching some fun food ideas for appetizers and easy to make, but fun food items. The one thing I remembered and started making after that class was cream cheese ham rolls.

They suggested cutting them into bite sized pieces and putting toothpicks in them, but hey if it is your snack or lunch why bother? Except that might be fun for the kids.

When I was diagnosed with celiac, I remembered this idea and it was a life saver!

This post contains affiliate links. I include these links for your convenience. I earn a small commission for the referral, but your price remains the same.

Lunch Time!

I like Kirkland’s ham, from Costco, for making these. Also, I like the 1 oz cream cheese packets (I find them at Costco, too). It is easy to use and just the right amount! I do recommend letting the packets sit out for a little while to come closer to room temperature, making the cream cheese easier to spread.

Typically, I eat three, sometimes 4. They are filling, easy and have a lot of protein.

Cream Cheese Ham Roll Ingredients

3-4 oz of cream cheese – spreadable

3-4 slices of deli sliced ham- not too thin, because you need it to be able to hold ingredients

3-4 pickle spears

Knife- for spreading

Cream cheese seems to make so many things taste good! I have a few other recipes with cream cheese, you can check out: Cream Cheese Enchiladas, Pimento Cream Cheese Salad, Cream Cheese Chicken Crockpot, Creamy Lemon Pie, and Applesauce spice cake with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Ham Roll Directions

Spread the cream cheese on the slice of ham.

Gluten Free Cream Cheese Ham rolls - great snack or lunch

When I made these, I wasn’t really hungry and not patient enough to bring the cream cheese to room temperature for easier spreading. It isn’t pretty, but it is still delicious!

Put the pickle spear at one end and roll the spear in the ham. You can do it without the pickle spear, but it is so much tastier with it!

The spears are sometimes really thick and I often cut them to be a little thinner.

It is at this point you could put toothpicks in (usually 3 or 4) and cut into bite sized pieces or just eat as the roll!

Easy Peasy!!!

Serve with chips, Cheetos or Doritos, some grapes and a juice box and you have a full lunch!

Great for travel

I think these are easier to put together on the road because they don’t get slimy and soak in pickle juice until you are ready to eat. I have done them both ways depending on whether we will have time to stop or not.

Both ways meaning: already made vs making on the road.

They are easier, in my opinion, if you can find the one ounce packets and just squeeze the cheese onto the ham and then spread it out with a knife. If you don’t have a knife or don’t want to worry about it you can squeeze the cheese on one end and then carefully roll it. You will still get cream cheese in every bite. However, the small spreadable containers are also easy for travel, too.

Gluten Free Cream Cheese ham rolls great for lunch or a snack

Cream Cheese Ham Rolls- Gluten Free Lunch or Snack

Shannon LeMmon

Easy to make at home or on the go.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Lunch

Servings 1

Ingredients

3-4 Ham slices
3-4 ounces of cream cheese
1-2 pickle spears sliced again making 2-4 pickle spears - optional
Knife
Plate

Instructions

Spread cream cheese onto ham slice. Optional: put pickle spear at one (short) end of the ham slice. Roll the ham from short side to short side making it a log roll.
Optional: put toothpicks in and cut into bite sized pieces.

I Am Glad Gluten Free Foods Are NOT Fortified

Feb 27, 2019

Why I am glad that most gluten free foods are NOT fortified.

Seems like a crazy statement, I know. I used to think it would be great if they would fortify the gluten free foods and cereals like so many gluten foods are fortified. However, as I have recently been doing research into the MTHFR gene defect/mutation and the problems and issues with it, I have changed my mind about fortified foods!

Also, some companies are fortifying their gf foods, so make sure you are reading labels.

I am not a doctor. I am sharing what I have learned in the quest to help myself and my family have better health. Please do your own research and talk to your doctor.

What is fortification?

We see fortified on a lot of processed foods, especially cereals. However, there is also fortification to milk and juice. So, what exactly does it mean when a food is fortified?

It means that a nutrient is added to a food when the ingredients in that food never included that nutrient to begin with. For example, milk and juice don’t naturally have vitamin D, but vitamin D is added to most milk and juice products. This addition did help a serious health issue, in children, that seems to be rare, now, rickets.

Rickets is the softening and weakening of bones; which leads to skeletal deformities and breaks, from a lack of vitamin D. The soft and weakened bones can be caused by other medical issues, but lack of vitamin D has been a major cause.

How is fortification different from enriched?

Fortification is done to a food when that nutrient was never a part of it naturally. Enriched foods are foods that have lost some of its nutrients from being processed and so those nutrients are added back in. Keep in mind that the nutrients added back in are almost always in their synthetic form.

Salt has added iodine. It has naturally occurring iodine and has more added for daily recommended iodine levels.

Our bodies tend to absorb and use ingredients that are natural, better than their synthetic counter-parts. Other than this, what could be wrong with fortified and enriched foods? It seems like a wonderful benefit to us and we don’t have to take as many vitamin pills. Right?!

Well, to understand the problem we first need to look at the MTHFR gene defect/mutation.

What is MTHFR?

Everyone agrees that the acronym MTHFR looks like it stands for a really bad phrase! Some people do refer to it by that crude phrase because of the havoc it can cause within a persons body.

“MTHFR mutation—changes to a gene linked to an increasing number of medical conditions, including thyroid disease—has become a controversial topic among scientists. While the National Institutes of Health lists five conditions directly linked to the genetic mutation, a growing body of evidence has linked it, either directly or indirectly, to a host of disorders affecting the heart, eyes, brain, thyroid gland, and other organ systems. The MTHFR mutation is also believed to predispose a person to certain cancers, birth defects, and autoimmune diseases.”

There are 2 MTHFR genes: C677T and A1298C. You can have one copy of one of the genes, one copy of both genes or 2 copies of one or both of these genes. With a gene test you can sort out with your doctor what you have and what is best to do about it.

What does it mean if you have this mutation?

It means that your body can’t properly use folic acid and convert it to the usable form of folate. Deliciously Organic said it best:

“For example, many people have the MTHFR mutation today. When someone with the MTHFR mutation consumes folic acid (the synthetic form of folate) the body can’t process it. The synthetic folic acid builds up in the system and the excess ends up stored as a toxin in organs and fat tissue.”

These stored up toxins can wreak havoc on a persons body! Your baby is still at risk for neural tube defects when your body is unable to properly use the folic acid that you are putting into it.

Here are some other possible problems (not a complete list):

Recurrent miscarriage
Tongue tie
Neurological problems
Anxiety
Growth problems
Thyroid problems
Anemia
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Childhood respiratory problems

Folic Acid verses Folate

Folic acid is widely recommended for pregnant women, especially before pregnancy and early on in their pregnancies. Folic acid was added to foods in the U.S. by FDA mandate in 1996. The purpose was to cut down on neural tube defects in babies. The incidences of these neural defects did drop and the program is considered a success.

However, folic acid is not for everyone! Folic acid is the synthetic version of the naturally occurring vitamin B, folate, that you find in vegetables, fruit, fruit juice, nuts, beans and beef liver. If you can’t convert the folic acid you are at risk for problems associated with low vitamin B levels as well as issues from the unusable folic acid.

So, in short, folic acid is synthetic vitamin B and folate is the natural form of vitamin B.

Why can fortification bad?

There are a lot of benefits to fortified and enriched foods. However, if nutrients that are being added and even mandated by the government, that your body cannot properly use and can cause harmful effects, it is a problem!

It is easy for adults to get too much of your daily vitamins and minerals, if you are eating a lot of processed foods and taking your vitamins. Yet, there can still be gaps in your nutrition and missing other essential vitamins and minerals. Adults are often low on magnesium, dietary fiber, calcium and vitamins A, D, E, and C.

Vitamins are also, often fortified with folic acid. Also, keep in mind that you can’t absorb calcium if you don’t have enough vitamin D.

What to do if you have MTHFR genes?

The following is a very short list, you can find more at this website, and please always discuss these issues and dietary changes and vitamins with your doctor!

Avoid folic acid- stick with the natural folate
Eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts and beans
Talk to your doctor about methylated folate and how much you should be taking
Eat less processed foods
Check your multi-vitamin for folic acid and find one that doesn’t contain it (I have no recommendations at this time, I need to do this.)

What is Dysautonomia?

Like I said, it is an umbrella term. These conditions effect the function of the autonomic nervous system. So, we are talking about, the things your body just does, without you thinking about and they happen automatically. Some examples are: dilation of pupils, lung function, heart rate, blood pressure, etc. When the body isn’t properly regulating itself you can have heart palpitations, shallow breathing, anxiety, fainting, feel light headed, have malnutrition and more.

“Dysautonomia is not rare. Over 70 million people worldwide live with various forms of dysautonomia. People of any age, gender or race can be impacted. There is no cure for any form of dysautonomia at this time, but Dysautonomia International is funding research to develop better treatments, and hopefully someday a cure for each form of dysautonomia. Despite the high prevalence of dysautonomia, most patients take years to get diagnosed due to a lack of awareness amongst the public and within the medical profession.”

What are Dysautonomia Conditions?

There are 3 conditions under this umbrella: POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), Neurocardiogenic Syncope (NCS), and Multiple System Atrophy (MSA). These conditions are often secondary to a main condition, but not always. Some of the diseases dysautonomonia is found with are: diabetes, celiac, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, lupus and Parkinson’s.

The first two are invisible diseases while the third one progresses and becomes more pronounced and noticeable. Invisible, meaning you look great and function well; how could you possibly be sick?!

POTS

The signs and symptoms can be subtle and/or look like a symptom of many, many other issues. At My Heart they describe these symptoms in greater detail. Please, check it out.

Symptoms:

Getting dizzy when standing
Having a fast heart rate when going from sitting to standing (or even bending over to standing)
Headaches
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Chronic pain
Heart palpitations
Shortness of breath
Sleeping problems- waking up frequently and night sweats
Brain fog- difficulty focusing, thinking or communicating
Reddish coloring in legs after standing
Abnormal sweating- too much or too little
Fatigue
Chest pains
Worse symptoms during menstruation
Gynecological issues
Shakiness
Anxiety

Please go to this link http://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/page.php?ID=30 for more information on POTS and what it takes to get a diagnosis, as well as treatment.

Neurocardiogenic Syncope

This is the most common form of dysautonomia and what most people are diagnosed as having. Neuro means it has to do with the nervous system; Cardio means it has to do with the heart; genic means it is causing or forming something and syncope literally means to faint. So, the nervous system is malfunctioning and causing the heart to beat faster because blood pressure has dropped, causing you to be light headed, dizzy or faint.

From the Dysautonomia International website it looks like there is a name change for this condition and is now being called: Neurally Mediated Syncope (NMS). (Seriously, Neurocardiogenic syncope is much more fun to say!) Please follow the link for more information on syncope, diagnosis and treatment.

This is a chronic condition where the blood pools in the extremities. When you go from sitting to standing (or, I have had this happen, from bending over or altering my verticalness in some way and then standing), blood pressure drops and heart rate increases. This causes you to be light headed, dizzy and may cause fainting.

This post contains affiliate links. I include these links for your convenience. I earn a small commission for the referral, but your price remains the same.

Symptoms

Fatigue
Light headed
Low blood pressure going from sitting to standing
Fast heart rate going from sitting to standing
Dizziness
Fainting

Multiple System Atrophy

This presents a lot like Parkinson’s disease and typically shows up after age 50. MSA is characterized by widespread nerve damage causing lots of problems, in lots of areas of the body. This means, symptoms can be in any part of the body. For a more comprehensive understanding of this condition please go to Dysautonomia International. Some of the symptoms are as the disease progresses and some are what happens late in the disease.

Symptoms:

Tremors
Drop in blood pressure/ heart rate increases upon standing- causing light-headedness and fainting
Headaches
Dry mouth, eyes and skin
abnormally dilated pupils
Impotence
Loss of bladder control
Heart arrhythmias
Difficulty eating, swallowing or chewing food
Difficulty speaking
Changes in voice
Parkinson type symptoms
Confusion
Demensia
Depression

Treatment for Dysautonomia

For most of these conditions, the treatment is as follows:

Increase fluids
Increase salt
Wear compression stockings
Exercise- mild aerobic or reclined exercise (rowing, swimming, recumbent cycling)
Sleep with elevated head
Medications- help with symptoms

There is no cure, just a managing of symptoms.

Celiac and Dysautonomia

There have been small studies performed to suggest that more research needs to be done to find out more about this connection between celiac an dysautonomia. There isn’t a lot on it, but it is out there. It is something to consider, if you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor about it. The majority of what I found, said that most dysautonomia patients were diagnosed after being diagnosed with celiac and while following a gluten free diet.

The question is whether dysautonomia patients should also be checked for celiac disease. It does seem to be found in a lot of celiac patients; is celiac in a lot of dysautonomia patients?

This may be the cause of the fatigue many celiac patients complain about, even when their celiac is well managed.

Good luck on unraveling your medical questions, complexities and quandaries!

2019 Gluten Free Goals For the New Year

Jan 4, 2019

The start of a new year has always been a great time for setting goals. It is a time to renew our resolve to the things we would like to accomplish. Here are a few goal ideas to help you with your gluten free experience.

Eat at Home

It is expensive to eat out. Often more expensive if you are gluten free. Gluten free ingredients often cost more than other ingredients, especially if they are buying only a few buns or bread to keep in stock. Often, the more you buy, the more you save, especially in retail. If places don’t get a lot of gluten free customers, they don’t buy as much and don’t receive the same kick backs as places that buy in higher quantities. Therefore, it is more expensive for them to stock gluten free specialty items.

Eating out increases your risk of getting accidental cross contact or straight up accidental gluten. The more you eat out, the greater your risk. You have no control of your food, how it is handled, or what ingredients are actually being used. Eating out is ALWAYS a risk! Most places try hard to keep you safe and minimize cross contact, but even the best places sometimes have errors.

I’m not down on eating out. I love to eat out, but there are definitely draw backs and risks. Eating at home has some great benefits besides finances: family time, less worry, and expanding your cooking ability!

Learn to make something new

My stance on cooking at home is that if I have to go to all that work, it better taste good! I love Pinterest! I love all of the ideas. I don’t count out the gluten recipes. If something looks good, I see how I can modify it. Does it just need a gf pasta or gf bread? What are my options for making it gluten free?

I used to be so intimidated about making something new or things that seemed hard to make. I was very intimidated by lasagna! I first learned how to make lasagna after going to a gluten free cooking class and the lady demonstrated how easy it was. It wasn’t bad, but I found an easier way to do it in a church cookbook. I made it gluten free and modified it to my liking, making it my own!

Try something new, make some adjustments, ask on gluten free pages for advice and soon you will be able to make anything gluten free. Let yourself experiment and enjoy the process.

Things I have made that used to intimidate me:

lasagna
cream puffs
eclairs
donuts
Korean food
gourmet pizza
cooking more at home

Try a new place

Like I said, I am not opposed to eating out. I love to eat out and would rather eat out than have the mess at home.

I get tired of going to the same couple of places. We used to hear about a new place opening up and plan a day to go try it out! I miss that! The adventure of trying a new place, new food, etc. It is still doable. You just need to know what questions to ask and have an adventurous spirit.

Here are some tips to make it a more pleasant experience:

Call ahead and ask about gluten free options and practices
Do you have a gluten free menu?
Do you have a dedicated gluten free kitchen area?
Are you able to use fresh ingredients that haven’t been handled all day?
Do you have a dedicated fryer? Are there any breaded items that are fried in that fryer? (Breaded fries or onion rings) Sometimes their dedicated fryer only excludes fish and meat.
Is the grill cleaned before cooking gluten free foods? Do they use a grill mat or can they use tinfoil to cook your food on?
Are there any measures taken to cut down on cross contact?
Is the staff willing to change gloves?
What are the substitutes you need to make?
Do they have any suggestions of what will make it easier for your to communicate your needs when you are interacting with their staff?

Try a gluten free product you haven’t had before

We can get stuck in our ways. We find products we like and stick to. Shake things up a little bit and try a product you haven’t tried before. Find out if the Trader Joe’s gluten free products are any good, try a different pancake mix, see if that gluten free cake mix tastes a little more like what you used to have, etc.

You may be surprised by what you find. There are a lot of great products out there and they are worth finding.

Attend a gluten free expo

These are great events to go to! There are a lot of booths and samples. This is a great way to find new products without breaking the bank. You get to sample and then decide if you like it enough to buy it!

Often there are information booths to learn more and activities for kids.

Participate in a gluten free event

The Gluten Intolerance Group often has events throughout the country on education and support. These are great for learning more about the health issues involving celiac, gluten intolerance, and other diseases and health problems that facilitate the need to be gluten free.

We have a local gluten free group that is putting together a Disneyland gluten free experience! They are planning on making it an annual event.

There are also gluten free summer camps and family trips.

Join a support group

(*I am a support group leader, but get nothing for endorsing going to a support group or the GIG website. I just believe in what they do and I know how it can benefit others to join and be involved.)

Joining a support group helps those who are newly diagnosed and connects people together who are living the same lifestyle. Support groups need the experience of those who have been gluten free, to help one another. Surprisingly, those who have been gluten free for a long time often find other benefits from coming to the support group:

Information you didn’t know you need to know
Places where gluten hides
Health information
Special speakers
Special events
Interacting with people going through similar difficulties and challenges
Help in how to handle situations with medical professionals, family, friends, work, etc.
There is just something different about talking face to face

This is a great year to get healthy, try new things, and enjoy being gluten free!

The Benefits and Downside of Flaxseed- gluten free issues

Nov 14, 2018

Flaxseed, what is it and why do so many people put it in gluten free foods? What are it’s benefits and is there a downside?

I must say, this post has been an educational experience for me and has changed my point of view.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is also known as linseed. Doesn’t mean anything to you? Me neither, though I have heard the word before.

The plant is flax, but in another article it was referred to as the linseed plant. Frequently, it goes by both names. The seeds are called linseed or flaxseed. It is an ancient grain that people have been growing as early as 3000 B.C.

“Her hair was flaxen!”

Flaxen hair

Flaxseed Benefits

Here is why people like flaxseed, but keep in mind many researchers still don’t consider the benefits settled. They do agree that research suggests that there “appear” to be many benefits. Let’s list a few:

Reduce the risk of:

Cancer
Stroke
Heart Disease
Diabetes
Lung Disease
high blood pressure
high Cholesterol
inflammation
(reduce) hot flashes
(prevent) constipation

What makes flaxseed so beneficial?

Omega-3s- Each tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains about 1.8 grams of plant omega-3s.
healthy fats
protein
fiber- both soluble and insoluble fiber
lignans
antioxidant properties
amino acids

This post contains affiliate links. I include these links for your convenience. I earn a small commission for the referral, but your price remains the same.

Which is better flaxseed or flaxseed oil?

With flaxseed you get the entire seed and benefits of the whole thing. The oil only gives you part of the pieces of the seed.

Don’t just eat the seeds

The body isn’t made to digest flaxseed in it’s whole form. Eating it straight will not give you the benefits, because it will go straight through you. So, to get the benefits of this wonder seed we need to grind it down. Because flaxseed has a lot of oil and the seeds are small, the best way to grind it is with a coffee grinder.

The oils will gum up a grinder and many find that using an electric coffee grinder is the way to go, when you are doing it yourself. In fact, any seed or other oily grain that you want to grind, does better in a coffee grinder.

Is there a downside to flaxseed?

There are a few concerns and downside to flaxseed, for some people. Keep in mind these problems usually go along with other conditions or from high consumption of flaxseed. Some people tolerate it very well and others may not do so well. Listen to your body.

High consumption of flaxseed can lead to a laxative effect. For this reason the National Institute of Health has suggested that those with the following conditions should not use flaxseed: diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. (I need to re-evaluate our use of flaxseed, considering my husband was diagnosed with crohn’s.)
If you are eating a lot of flaxseed it can cause obstructions in the esophagus, intestines or bowel.
Some people are allergic to flaxseed
Because of the estrogen found in the plant, it can have a negative effect on those with certain hormone related health conditions. This is because the hormone in the plant acts the same as human hormones. (Reminds me of the issues with estrogen in soy.)
May reduce blood clotting; making the blood thinner.
Can cause the mania in some people who are bipolar
May contain heavy metal amounts because of contaminated soil. The one of most concern with the flaxseed crop is cadium. The cadium the plant absorbs may actually increase the chances of breast cancer. Undoing all the benefits of the flaxseed. Organic foods are NOT tested for heavy metals.
Possible cross contamination with gluten. As with any grain, if the flaxseed is grown in a field that alternates with gluten grains the potential for cross contamination increases. Also, if the milling happens in a plant, but especially on the same equipment or same area as gluten grains the potential for cross contamination is greater.

Who shouldn’t supplement with flaxseed?

With so many great benefits it seems like everyone should supplement their diet with flaxseed! However, there are groups of people that should be more weary:

Pregnant women (more below)
According to research, breast feeding mothers may not want to consume flaxseed. Studies are contradictory and the risk may outweigh the benefits.

“Our own animal studies showed that flaxseed exposure during these stages may be protective against breast cancer in the offspring. But a study of another investigator showed the opposite effect,” Thompson says.

Hormone related health conditions: endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, and breast, ovarian or uterine cancer. Pregnant women also should not consume supplemental flax seed, as it could stimulate menstruation or cause other hormonal effects that might be harmful to the developing baby.
You shouldn’t eat flaxseed if you have the following: diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
People who have scleroderma.
Those who have an allergic reaction to flaxseed which can include: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or anaphylaxis.
Diabetics should be cautious about consuming flaxseed and how much. (This one is a little confusing since other information says it may lower the risk of diabetes. One would think that it would also help if you already have diabetes. I think the biggest problem for diabetics with this is the thinning blood.)
People with bleeding disorders should also be cautious. This is because it can thin the blood and reduce blood clotting.
Those who are bipolar– flaxseed may bring on mania.

Why I Use Flaxseed in My Flour Mixture

I wanted to add more protein and fiber to our flour mixture. Our whole family is gluten free and so, I make Bette Hagman’s combination for flour; it is less expensive for me to do so. Which is simply: 6 cups rice flour, 2 cups potato starch and 1 cup tapioca flour. Then, I add approximately 1/4 cup (maybe a little less) of ground flaxseed. I really like this mixture and it works well in most things.

For baked goods I use Bette Hagman’s Featherlight combination of 1:1:1. 1 Cup rice flour, 1 cup corn starch and 1 cup tapioca starch. (I do not add flaxseed to this! You want it to be light so your baked goods can be fluffy.)

***Remember that there IS a difference between potato starch and potato flour. Potato starch will last longer and they have different textures.

Tapioca starch and tapioca flour are the exact same thing! There is no end to the confusion in the gluten free diet.

Continued use of flaxseed?

I need to carefully decide if we should continue to use flaxseed in our mixture; I am leaning toward not doing so. My husband has been diagnosed with crohn’s and that is a big deal! The last thing I want is to cause him more problems with his digestive tract.

Another big concern for me is the hormone issues. My daughter has Hashimotos and hormones do affect this disease in a negative way. It is recommended to avoid soy (which is also hard to do on a gluten free diet) and the hormone issue is the same or similar with flaxseed.

In my opinion, I don’t understand why so many gluten free companies use these plants that are hormone disrupters. People with celiac already have a higher risk of developing certain conditions like auto-immune thyroid and these foods can have such a negative effect.

I am disheartened by what I have learned in writing this post. When I began, I was a proponent for flaxseed, but after what I have learned I am strongly leaning toward discontinuing using flaxseed.

Eating Gluten Free on Thanksgiving

Nov 1, 2018

When you have celiac, gluten intolerance, a wheat allergy or some other medical issue that causes you to need to eat gluten free, there are no holidays from gluten free eating. There is no “just a little bit” because, “Yes! A little bit will hurt!!!”.

So, how do we have a safe Thanksgiving and enjoy it with family and friends?!

Thanksgiving Host

The easiest way, is if you are the Thanksgiving host, but that isn’t always possible. Not to mention that “easy” only refers to the being able to have some control over what gluten is at dinner. Thanksgiving is a big event that can be stressful. Keep this in mind when approaching the host. They are putting on a big party and you don’t want to stress them out with demands.

However, it doesn’t hurt to ask them, if they would mind looking for a gluten free turkey and not stuffing it. If this is something they are unwilling to do, there are other things you can do.

There are many brands of gluten free turkey. Yes, turkey is naturally gluten free, but some companies inject their birds with broth that contains gluten. So, stay away from self basting turkeys.

Volunteer

Ask if you can bring something:

salad
pie
rolls
stuffing
side dish

This way you know there will be something you can eat. If possible, you may want to bring something for the meal and something for dessert. Dessert is always nice to have the option of, especially at a large gathering like this. (Often I will dish to the side what I need before I put it with everyone elses to cut down on possible cross contact.)

Thanksgiving Plan B

In the event that your host is unwilling to work with you or leaves you feeling like you don’t dare eat anything when you go, here is plan B. Alert your host that you will be bringing your own food, because you want to enjoy being with everyone, but really don’t want to get sick. Be sure to not make them feel guilty about you doing this. Emotions are already high during the holidays and you don’t need this to be a source of contention.

Decide if there are parts of the meal you are safe to eat and just bring the parts you need. Your health is important and you need to do what is best for you.

Option 1

Decide if you feel safe eating parts of the meal: salad, deviled eggs, vegetables, plain mashed potatoes etc. Bring your own gluten free: rolls, stuffing, gravy, turkey (if they aren’t working with you), pie, etc.

This post contains affiliate links. I include these links for your convenience. I earn a small commission for the referral, but your price remains the same.

Option 2

Bring your own turkey and stuffing if you want. I’m not talking about walking in with the whole bird! Here are some options:

Cook your own turkey at home, cut it and bring what you plan on eating. At least you will have leftovers.
Get turkey from a deli (check on it’s gluten free status) and bring that with you.
Cook a little Cornish hen for your Thanksgiving meat. It is small and looks so cute when cooked.
Offer to bring the Thanksgiving turkey for everyone and take that load off of your host.

Option 3

Bring all your own food and don’t worry about what everyone else is having. No cross contact or worrying what Aunt Martha put in her bean casserole.

There are some restaurants that serve gluten free Thanksgiving dinners. If you have a place like this near you, you may be able to place your order ahead of time and pick it up on the way to your party. You’ll have to do some work before Thanksgiving to have this in place and double check on their menu. Even if they say it is gluten free, it is still a good idea to ask questions and be sure that they truly know what is gluten free and that gluten free is more than just ingredients, it also involves the kitchen processes.

Thankful

Remember to be thankful this Thanksgiving.

Thankful:

To have a diagnosis and/or know what you need to do to be healthy
There are options for how to enjoy this holiday and still be with family and friends
Your health is in your hands- through diet, you can choose how healthy you are going to be
Hopefully you have family and friends willing to work with you that you can be thankful for
Thanksgiving is only once a year
Time with family and friends

Wishing you a happy, safe, gluten free Thanksgiving!

9 Gluten Free Questions to Ask When Dining Out

Oct 27, 2018

When you are gluten free, dining out has its challenges. Even good places sometimes make mistakes or have an employee that does a less than stellar job! However, there are things you can do to raise the chances of having a good experience. Ask questions and don’t rely on someone else’s opinion.

Questions to Ask

1. Do you have a gluten free menu or gluten free options available

This is a great starting point! The best is when they have a certified gluten free menu! California Pizza Kitchen has gone through the process to certify their gluten free menu. Because they are certified, you know that you can safely eat those things and they have the least amount of risk for cross contact. (Just one example)

However, most places don’t have certified menus, so asking questions and helping them to understand what you need, helps to make it a better experience. You can even print out a restaurant card, cut it and laminate it to keep in your wallet.

Some of the places we like are:

In and Out Burger (protein style)
Chick-Fil-A (option for a gf bun, though they will do it lettuce wrapped/grilled chicken)
Red Robin (option for a gf bun)
Outback (Chocolate Thunder From Down Under is already a gf brownie)
PF Changs (gf dishes are served on dishes with a black ring around the edge)

2. Ask to talk to the chef or manager

We have gone places where we know they offer gluten free, but the server or seater gives us a blank stare and doesn’t know what we are talking out. Especially, if you are uncomfortable with your server, make sure you talk to the manager and /or chef. Ask them what they would recommend for gluten free options.

Whether your order is taken by a server, manager or chef, make sure they mark your order clearly that it is gluten free! Double check with them about injected flavorings in meat, bouillon, croutons, sauces, etc. These are the usual places that problems come in.

We went to one place, on a recent trip (in Anaheim, California, not the parks), and our food was almost done when the server told us they wouldn’t be able to put cheese on any of it. They used wheat/flour to keep the cheese from clumping. I have heard about this, but it was the first time I encountered it and it was really disappointing!

3. Do you have a separate place to prepare gluten free foods?

Some kitchens have a separate place to prepare gluten free foods. Often this includes getting fresh ingredients that haven’t been opened or at least untouched in making gluten dishes. These areas are typically wiped down and kept free of gluten.

It doesn’t hurt to ask if they can use fresh ingredients from the back.

This post contains affiliate links. I include these links for your convenience. I earn a small commission for the referral, but your price remains the same.

4. Is the grill cleaned before cooking gf foods? (Ask for a grill mat or for your food to be cooked on tinfoil)

If they grill buns or other gluten things on their grills, ask them to clean it before cooking your food. The gluten does NOT burn off, no matter how hot the grill cooks!

We have a sandwich place near us that takes wonderful measures and uses a grill mat for all of their gluten free customers! They do an amazing job! We have never gotten sick there!

5. What measures are taken to cut down on cross contact?

There are lots of reasons why you may still choose to eat somewhere that doesn’t offer most of the above. So, what measures do you take to cut down on cross contact is an important question. You may want to just have a drink if you are with a group or find another place to eat.

I wouldn’t eat at a place that says we really don’t do anything. . .

6. Please change gloves

Even if you go somewhere frequently, it is good to remind them of things that should be done. Especially with fast food. They tend to be kids, working in those places and may have a tendency to get lax on things. Also, high turn over and sometimes the training for gluten free is on the job; figuring it out with the customers.

Ask the person taking your order to make sure the cook crew knows it is gluten free and ask them to change their gloves.

7. Does your salad contain croutons? Ask to have salad mixed in a clean bowl

I always double check about croutons. No! You can’t just pick them off!

Some restaurants mix their salads in a big bowl that may have croutons and/or pita bread. Bits of those gluten products can still be in the bowl, so ask them to mix it in a fresh bowl.

8. Do you have a dedicated fryer?

Contrary to what seems to be a popular myth, frying foods does NOT kill nor neutralize the gluten! If breaded gluteny foods are cooked in the oil, it is not safe! If they combine and reuse the oil in that fryer, it is not safe. (Combine from all fryers into one container.) If they are dripping from the gluten fryer across the dedicated fryer, it is not safe. (I know a chain of restaurants with a dedicated fryer that does this! What is the point in having a dedicated fryer when you purposefully contaminate it? Why won’t they switch the fryers so the gluten doesn’t drip into the dedicated fryer? Ugh!!!)

A dedicated fryer should have no breaded items or fry anything other than French fries.

9. Are vegetables cooked in clean water or in pasta water?

A popular practice in many restaurants is to use the water that pasta was cooked in, for cooking vegetables. So, those very gluten free vegetables suddenly aren’t as safe as they would seem.

Happy Safe Dining!

I hope these tips help you in having a happy and safe dining experience. What other questions do you ask when eating out?

Sources for this post:

Eating Out Gluten Free

https://gluten.org/resources/lifestyle/restaurant-dining-seven-tips-for-staying-gluten-free/

Gram Flour Verses Graham Flour- Is there a difference?

Oct 20, 2018

There are many types of flours. Basically, if something can be ground down, it can be a flour. Flour can be made from practically anything! For those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, it is important to know which different varieties of flour are made from gluten. You can’t avoid what you don’t know to avoid.

Know the Variations

There are many gluten grain/wheat-derived strains of grains with names other than wheat, rye or barley. Here is a list of some of these gluten grains (not complete). With so many names for wheat or other gluten grains in order to stay healthy it is important to learn about them.

Kamut
Bulgur
Triticale
Spelt
Bran
Couscous
Farina
Orzo
Wheaten Corn flour
Frumento
Duram or Durum
Einkorn
Seitan
Matzoh/Matzah/Matzo

Graham VS Gram

So, What about Graham and Gram flour? They are pronounced the same, but unlike some of the variations in the list above, they are not even close to being the same or similar in their properties. This is unlike duram and durum or Matzoh, Matzah or Matzo which are all the same types of flour, just variations in spelling.

However, in the case of Matzoh, Matzah and Matzo, they can be wheat, rye, barley and/or oats. The oat variety can be safe if the only flour is oat and is made with purity protocol oats.

So, the short of it is, graham is derived from wheat grains and gram is not.

What is Graham?

Graham is literally a whole wheat flour! The inventor of Graham flour was Sylvester Graham who thought that refining flour was unhealthy. More is ground into graham flour than the more traditional flours we use.This results in a coarser, darker flour.

Winter wheat endosperm is ground down and added to the wheat grains that are also ground down. The endosperm creates starch and nutrients in tissue of the seeds. This combination of bran and germ is what makes graham flour different than wheat flour. It is brown in color with a nutty flavor.

Graham Crackers are made from this flour and are also a creation from Sylvester Graham.

What is Gram?

Gram on the other hand is a gluten free flour! It is made from chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. They are a part of the legume family.

This flour is mostly used in cooking Indian foods. It grows just like peas in pods. They are pale yellow in color. Some variations in the name are: besan, chana, cici, chickpea or hummus.

Gram flour is high in protein, fiber and carbohydrates. It also has a nutty flavor to it.

***If it is milled in a mill that does wheat flour the chances of contamination with gluten is high. Look for gram flour that meets FDA rules for being gluten free. Certified gluten free is the best!

Using Gram Flour

There are a lot of breads especially flat breads that can be made from gram/chickpea flour. Check out the links below for a few recipes and ideas.

Authentic Italian Flat Bread

9 of the Very Best Gluten-Free Chickpea Flour Recipes

Celiac

Educate Family and Friends

Lists and Favorites

Snacks and Easy Meals

Feeding My Gluten Free Kid

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Safe Sunscreen

Gluten Free

Gluten free or certified gluten free doesn’t mean it doesn’t have other issues that are unsafe.

Free of Hormone Disrupting Chemicals

Reef Safe does NOT mean that is is hormone free or gluten free.

Safe Sunscreen Options

ThinkSport

All Good

Babo Botanicals

Suntegrity

Badger

Raw Elements

Kokua

Raw Love

Loving Naturals

Goddess Garden

True Naturals

California Baby

Kabana Organic Skincare

I hope this post helps you to find safe sunscreens for all your outdoor play, this year!

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Hormone Disrupters

What is a hormone disrupter and why should you avoid it?

Harmful Chemicals

1 Oxybenzone or Benzophenone-3

2 Avobenzone and Benzophenone

3 Homosalate

4 Octinoxate (Octylmethoxycinnamate)

Bleaches the coral reefs.

5 Cylcopentasiloxane / Cyclomethicone

6 Phthalates

7 Parabens

What now?

For more safe sunscreens check out this post for 2019!

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Is it healthy for my dog?

Special Puppy Treat Ingredients:

Constructing the Puppy Treat:

Enjoying Her Treat

Why does it matter that it is gluten free?

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Lunch Time!

Cream Cheese Ham Roll Ingredients

Cream Cheese Ham Roll Directions

Easy Peasy!!!

Great for travel

Cream Cheese Ham Rolls- Gluten Free Lunch or Snack

Ingredients

Instructions

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Why I am glad that most gluten free foods are NOT fortified.

I am not a doctor. I am sharing what I have learned in the quest to help myself and my family have better health. Please do your own research and talk to your doctor.

What is fortification?

How is fortification different from enriched?

What is MTHFR?

What does it mean if you have this mutation?

Folic Acid verses Folate

Why can fortification bad?

What to do if you have MTHFR genes?

More links to check out:

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I am not a doctor, please talk to your doctor about dietary changes, testing and diagnosis. Make a plan with a trained medical professional on how to proceed with your health.

What is Dysautonomia?

What are Dysautonomia Conditions?

POTS

Symptoms:

Neurocardiogenic Syncope

Symptoms

Multiple System Atrophy

Symptoms:

Treatment for Dysautonomia

Celiac and Dysautonomia

Good luck on unraveling your medical questions, complexities and quandaries!

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