Saturday, December 3, 2011

Gluten Free Resturants

Hi everyone,

Do you know of a resturant that has a gluten free menu that is not located on my blog post of all the resturants in the Indianapolis area? If you do, please let me know and I will add it!!

I have a lot of yummy gluten free recipes I want to post here shortly. In them meantime please enjoy this one:

Bean-Less Chili
7-10 clery stalks, diced
1 white onion, diced
6 cloves of garlic, minced
4 tablespoons EVOO
2 pounds grass-fed ground beef
1 pound spicy Italian pork-sausage, casing removed
1 teaspooon sea salt
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons of dried basil
1 tablespoon cumin
3-4 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
16 ounces chicken broth

1. In a large soup pot, saute the veggies in the EVOO. Add the beef and sausage, and brown.
2. Season the meat mixture with all the spices.
3. Add the tomatoes and chicken broth and simmer for 35 minutes.
4. Taste and add more seasoning if desired.

Enjoy!!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Great Cooks The Bakery

Hi folks,

There is a great bakery in Indianapolis that serves great tasting gluten free goodies. Check out Great Cook the Bakery for some tasty gluten free treats.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Paleo

Hi Folks,
I want to share with you my favorite paleo site, Mark's Daily Apple. Feel free to look around on his site, it has amazing information about the paleo diet, as well many many recipes, that are of course, gluten free!

Mark's Daily Apple


Enjoy

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Gluten Free Expo

Hi folks,
Don't forget about the Gluten Free Expo this coming weekend, October 7th, 8th, and 9th. The event will be held at The Fountains Banquet and Conference Center in Carmel, IN. You can get more information at the events website: http://www.glutenfreelivingnow.org/Gluten_Free_Living_EXPO.html

Hope to see everyone there!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Magazines and Newsletters

Hi folks,

Sorry I have been MIA for a while. My 12 week triathlon training has taken up a lot of my time and energy.
Want to remind everyone that there are tons of gluten free/celiac disease magazines and newsletters out there. http://www.celiac.com/ has a link on their home page for most mags and newsletters.

I currently subscribe to Living Without magazine. This mag has a lot of information on celiac disease and celiac research as well as easy recipes and QA from doctors.

Hope everyone is enjoying the Midwest heat!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Gluten Free Rice Krispies

What is everyone's take on the new gluten free rice krispies? It is so nice to go to store to find more then one or two kinds of gluten free cereals but this new version doesn't do much for me!

What are your thoughts? Might be better when  making rice krispie treats. ;)

Friday, May 20, 2011

Grand Opening of Nature's Pharm

The Grand Opening of Nature's Pharm in Castleton is today.   They have a very good selection of GF products, with sales this weekend on most of their GF items, including Udi's products, Glutino, Ener-G and Ian's.  On Saturday, May 21st, from 11:30 to 12:30, Shelia Cafferty will be giving out samples of dairy-free/gluten-free cupcakes and GF pizza, including some dairy-free pizza.  Nature's Pharm is along the road around Castleton Mall, near Best Buy.  The address is 5888 E. 82nd Street, Indianapolis.  Phone:  (317) 849-3362.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Paleo Recipe

Hi folks! If you have been following my blog you know that I'm trying a lot of Paleo recipes and want to share another favorite from Robb Wolf!

Sausage Stir-Fry Breakfast
1-2 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 pound sausages, sliced, no nitrates
4 cups of spinach

Add olive oil to a skillet. Heat over medium heat. Add diced onions, saute until soft. Add the sausage, cook untill browned, tossing occasionally. Add the greens, reduce heat and cover. Serve when the greens are wilted and soft.

Enjoy!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

ChopSaver Lip Balm

Hi folks!! I just returned from a trip to Whole Foods where a woman stopped me about chapstick she was selling. I tried it and loved it! It is made from all natural ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, and vitamin E and was created by Indianapolis trumpeter Dan Gosling in his kitchen.

I will admit it was absolutely amazing but it is a little pricy, at 5 bucks a stick! You can only get this at Whole Foods and through the Chopsaver website. I recommending at least trying it, you lips will thank you!

It is Gluten Free so I had to support the cause right? ;)

Enjoy!

Monday, May 9, 2011

Luna Bars

What is your favorite health bar? Mine personally is Larabars but recently Luna Bars came out with a few protein bars that are gluten free.

As of March, 2011, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough, and Chocolate Cherry Almond will be transitioning to be gluten free, as well. We removed the barley malt extract, a potential gluten concern, from the rice crisps in Chocolate Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cherry Almond flavors. The new gluten free product will hit shelves as soon as March. You can tell if your LUNA Protein bar is gluten free by looking at the packaging.

Make sure they say gluten free on the package before buying!

Enjoy!!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Paleo Egg Casserole

Want to share a recipe I made this week! It is paleo approved and very delis! ENJOY!!

Paleo Egg Casserole
1 pd of sausage
1 tsp baking power
1/2 c flax meal
10 eggs
2 bell peppers (I used a red and yellow one)
1 package of mushrooms
1 can of diced tomatoes (drained) (I didn't use tomatoes as it is just an option)

Brown meat. Add veggies. In seperate dish wisp eggs, baking power, and flax meal. Add sausage and veggies to egg mixture. Grease pan. Pour mixture into 13x9 pan. Bake 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Turn heat down 350 degrees for another 15 minutes.

ENJOY!!!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Celiac Disease Awareness Bracelets

May is celiac disease awareness month! What will you to make people aware? Go to Celiac Center and get a celiac disease awareness bracelet!!

The Center for Celiac Research is selling celiac awareness bracelets (like the Lance Armstrong LiveStrong wristbands) in children and adult sizes for $2.00 each, as well as celiac awareness magnets for $3.00 each, to raise funds for celiac research and to continue our efforts in increasing the awareness of celiac disease.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Updated news on gluten sensitivity

In a recent study, a new type of gluten sensitivity was identified.  Researchers studied a very specific group of people:  they were family members of someone who had been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, they were all positive for one of the Celiac genes (DQ2) and they had all had been tested for CD by blood test and biopsy and found to be negative.  But many of them also had symptoms of CD.  They found that tTG antibodies are often present in the small intestine even though it does not show up on a blood test and the biopsy is normal.  Those people who had symptoms improved on the gluten free diet and the tTG deposits disappeared.  This study supports the idea that many relatives who have symptoms of CD may very well benefit from a gluten-free diet even though their tests are negative.  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21471568

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Gluten Free Asian Food Anyone?

Did you ever think there would be a restaurant where you can eat gluten free chinese, korean, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnames food? Guess what there now is! A new place in Indianapolis called Pei Wei!

A few gluten free item include:

Gluten Free Vietnamese Rolls
Gluten Free Pei Wei Spicy Chicken
Gluten Free Spicy Shrimp
Gluten Free Asian Chopped Chicken Salad
Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Chicken

Who's up for dinner? ;)

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Celiac Disease Awareness

National Foundation for Celiac Awareness provides "Defining, Diagnosing and Managing Celiac Disease" a free online educational program intended for primary care providers.  Physicians can receive continuing medical education credit for completing this activity.  However, anyone can access the information.
  
To view the activity materials (requires registration):  http://www.celiaccmecentral.com/register.php
For further information about the CME credit: http://www.celiaccmecentral.com/getstarted.html
For an accompanying guide that can be freely distributed by healthcare organizations or interested parties:  http://www.celiaccmecentral.com/pdf_redirect.php
 

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Craving something sweet and easy to make? Check these bad boys out!

GF Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup PB
I cup sugar
1 tsp GF vanilla
1 egg beaten

Mix the above. Drop by spoonful on cooke sheet. Press down wiht a fork. Bake 350 for 16-18 minutes.

Enjoy!

New Found Love: Triathlons

This isn't gluten free but wanted to share my express of love for my newly found LOVE, triathlons! When the new year started I wanted to challenge myself in a way I haven't before and since I am a swimmer, I decided to try a sprint triathlon.

The 12 week training program has been great, loving every moment of it!

The sprint triathlon I am competing in is the Carmel Sprint Triathlon in Carmel Indiana. It is one week from today!

Hoping this training has paid off and I hit my goal time of 1:15:00. I will keep you posted on the actual time, hoping I am not to far away!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Trader Joe's

Do you have a Trader Joe's in your town? If you do, please make time to visit. They have an array of gluten free goodies, and if you want to try before you buy, go right ahead, they will open it for you!

My favorite treat at Trader Joe's--Gluten Free Ginger Snaps!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Paleo Macadama Nut Pancakes

Want to share one of my favorite gluten free recipes

Paleo Macadama Nut Pancakes

2 really ripe bananas
2 tbs macadama nut butter (I will sometimes use almond butter)
1/4 cup flax seed meal
1 tbs honey
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
3 tbs olive oil
Smooth bananas with a fork in large bowl. Add in eggs, flax meal, mac nut butter, vanilla, and honey. Stir to combine. Heat olive oil over med heat in a large pan. Use spoon to scoop out batter and pour out pancakes. Put down about 3 or 4 at at time to avoid crowding. When the edges are brown and there are bubbles on the top, flip and cook another couple of minutes.

Serve with fresh fruit on top! Enjoy!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Frito Lays and Progresso Canned Soups

Frito Lay has announced that they have tested some of their products for gluten.  The tested products are in the first group shown on their webpage:
 
Progresso has 17 varieties of gluten free canned soups: http://www.liveglutenfreely.com/products/default.aspx?WT.ac=HomeTab_Products_GetList (click Progresso on the left side of their webpage)
 
Enjoy!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Cereal

When I first found out I had to go gluten free there was not a lot of products on the market but now I do a lot of grocery shopping at regular grocery stores thanks to many brands that have make some of their products gluten free including: post and general mills and betty crocker! I also LOVE that I can get gluten free oats, flour, spices, etc. at regualr stores. I say THANK YOU for making my life easier! Cereal anyone?

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Paleo Solutions

I would like to share a link with everyone. There is a lot of people out there that I would like to help make a better lifestyle and if this article doesn't stand for something I don't know what will!

The Paleo Diet is the world’s healthiest diet and it is based on the simple understanding that the best human diet is the one to which we are best genetically adapt to. It is supported by documented scientific evidence and by real-life improvements, even triumphs, of people winning their personal health battles. The diet is of course GLUTEN FREE and a lot of my meals are based on this concept.

Please take some time to read this very interesting article, you just might become gluten free youself after reading this, if you aren't already! Happy Reading!

http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2010/09/19/paleo-diet-solution/

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Save the Date!!

October 7-9, 2011 are the dates for the Gluten Free Living Expo!    The featured speaker will be Alessio Fasano, MD, from the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research.  The 3-day event will also include lectures by other speakers, a gourmet gluten-free luncheon, cooking demonstrations, foods and services by more than  60 local and national gluten-free vendors.  It all takes place at The Fountains, 502 Carmel Drive, Carmel, Indiana.  This event is presented by Gluten Free Living Now, LLC.  For more information, go to:   http://www.glutenfreelivingnow.org/Gluten_Free_Living_EXPO.html  or contact Shelia at (317) 771-6506 or email: shelia@glutenfreelivingnow.org  
Space is still available for vendors who are interested in participating.  Contact Shelia for details.

Gluten Free Cosmetics and Skin Care

Below is a list of gluten free beauty products. I will only list the brands that confirm they are gluten free and safe along with some notes for some companies. Remember wheat free does not mean gluten free so if you contact a company about their products and they cannot validate, please use a company that can confirm gluten free products. I DO suggest checking the company’s website in case of changes.
There are a lot of products at Whole Foods that carry gluten free beauty products. Please check with the store to confirm products.
Bare Escentuals
Afterglow Cosmetics
Smashbox Cosmetics
Avon
Suave (In labeling their products Suave follows the guidelines established by the International Nomenclature for Cosmetics Ingredients (INCI) process. Therefore, if they use an ingredient derived from a grain such as wheat, oat, rye, and/or barley, those names will appear on the label.)
Softsoap liquid hand soap and body wash. All varieties
Softlips Lip Balms (product will say gluten free on the back of the package)
ChapStick® lip balm
Crest toothpaste
Dove (In labeling their products Dove follows the guidelines established by the International Nomenclature for Cosmetics Ingredients (INCI) process. Therefore, if they use an ingredient derived from a grain such as wheat, oat, rye, and/or barley, those names will appear on the label.) I use Dove sensitive skin soap and have no problem.

Kiss My Face
Kiss My Face is another line that is sensitive to Celiacs. On their
website's FAQ page they list products that are gluten free. However, the company stresses that they cannot guarantee that there is no cross contamination, and thus people with severe intolerances should be warned.

Neutrogena
Neutrogena cannot confirm that their products are gluten free.  There is no listing of all of the GF Neutrogena products and you should call Neutrogena with specific product concerns. On a side note the oil-free moisturizer is gluten free.
Vaseline-all Vaseline products, except for the Total Moisture Lotion (packaged in a yellow bottle), are gluten free!

When new products come out or if I find new products I will let you know, or you can email me at glutenfreelikeme@gmail.com

Friday, March 11, 2011

Vitamins

There are a lot of vitamins out there but if you have Celiac Disease you have watch out for gluten in vitamins. Whole Foods and other health store carry a lot of gluten free brands of vitamins. My favorite is the NOW brand. All the vitamins I use are from NOW and I have no issues. If you have any questions about vitamins and which vitamins you should take please contact me. I currently take: multi, calcium, gluten disgest, iron, and D.

Gluten Free Restaurants 2012

Below is a list of restaurants in the Indianapolis area that offer a gluten free menu. Even though these restaurants offer a gluten free menu, make sure you talk to the manager when you arrive to make sure they are aware you are ordering a gluten free meal. This step is important to help avoid cross-contamination. And if you would like to do what I do, take a gluten digest pill which will help with digestion just in case your gluten free meal is contaminated.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

CLASSIC SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE
  • Abdominal cramping, intestinal gas
  • Distention and bloating of the stomach
  • Chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both)
  • Steatorrhea – fatty stools
  • Anemia – unexplained, due to folic acid, B12 or iron deficiency (or all)
  • Unexplained weight loss with large appetite or weight gain
OTHER SYMPTOMS
  • Dental enamel defects
  • Osteopenia, osteoporosis
  • Bone or joint pain
  • Fatigue, weakness and lack of energy
  • Infertility – male/female
  • Depression
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Delayed puberty
  • Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
  • Migraine headaches
SOME LONG-TERM CONDITIONS THAT CAN RESULT FROM UNTREATED CD
  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • Early onset osteoporosis or osteopenia
  • Vitamin K deficiency associated with risk for hemorrhaging
  • Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
  • Central and peripheral nervous system disorders - usually due to unsuspected nutrient deficiencies
  • Pancreatic insufficiency
  • Intestinal lymphomas and other GI cancers (malignancies)
  • Gall bladder malfunction
  • Neurological manifestations
For more information on celiac disease please go to: http://www.celiac.org/. If you have any questions, concerns, advice, support, please contact me at glutenfreelike@gmail.com

How it all got started

Picture this. You wake up in the morning unable to move, with a stomach the size of a bowling ball, fingers and toes tripled in size, abdominal cramping, and you haven't eaten in two days? What gives? After months and months of these symptoms I decided it was time to go see a doctor. In 2006 I went to an intestinal doctor that was recommended to me by a coworker. On my first visit I was told to eat more fiber, that I needed more fiber being a vegetarian. So I followed my doctor's orders and ate more fiber. My symptoms were not getting better, they were getting worse. A few months later I went back to the doctor. After a brief discussion about my symptoms I was sent to a Gastrologist. After a few tests (colonoscopy and an upper GI Endoscopy) and many months of visits it was finally determined that I had an autoimmune disease called Celiac Disease.
Celiac disease is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. The damage is due to a reaction to eating gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye, millet, and oats.
So that was it, I had to follow a gluten free diet the rest of my life. What did I do first? I went home and threw out almost every pantry item I had and did some of my own research on living a gluten free lifestyle. You would be surprised to know that I didn't own more then 3 things that were naturally gluten free.
Since 2006 I have been gluten free and have never felt better. Living a gluten free lifestyle is not hard nor complicated, it is my life.
I hope the information I provide on Celiac Disease and living a gluten free lifestyle is helpful for all who have the disease and everyone who is gluten free. I try and make the lifestyle as easy as possible and hope to in return, show you the ways to make it easy and stressfree in your life.