Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Maya Kaimal Chickpea Chips Product Review


Introducing my new favorite chip, Maya Kaimal - chick pea chips! I've been looking for a well formed chip to hold my dips and spreads. Preferably, my chip needs to be healthier than the alternative because most chips are still not "healthy" they're too guilty and lack some basics in my diet such as protein when snacking too often. Yes. I'm a chip-a-holic as it's my biggest food weakness! Chick pea chips are full of protein and fiber and are ideal alone or with homemade guacamole, hummus, tomato and onion salad as well as the occasional cheese or salsa for special occasions and football season! 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Attend Gluten & Allergen Free Expo In Northern NJ (Greater NYC - September 6 and 7th)



20% automaticall applied -
only for a limited time.
Another delicious Gluten Free Food Show!

It's coming again to the greater NYC area, Gluten & Allergen Free Expo will be in Secaucus, NJ on September 6th and 7th, 2014.  At this event, you'll learn about new brands that fit your lifestyle choices and some of your favorites may be launching new products. Act fast to win free tickets or 20% off. 

But don't only attend for the vendors because this year you should check out the schedule of classes and presenters, then gather your family and friends buy tickets or search for a hotel in the area and enjoy NYC, CT, or the beach.


Tuesday, August 5, 2014

FDA Gluten-Free Guidelines Arise


 
EDUCATE THE WORLD
As an old friend once said, "knowing is half the battle." These FDA gluten-free guidelines are not a law yet, but they're a step forward to deter the corruption in the gluten-free community from those who don't take it serious or are ignorant. And it's a mess! This is to educate owners, entrepreneurs, chefs, cooks, general managers, waiters, brands, marketers, retailers, brokers, neighbors and shoppers about the seriousness of gluten related cross contamination as a health concern that gluten is a damaging protein found in food grains that cause people to get very ill. The FDA has put together a guideline for how to label and prepare gluten-free in the USA which is behind many countries progression. Remember, despite it's many faults, shortcomings such as testing for <20 ppm levels vs testing for lower quantities, it's a good step into the right place and I am happy it's officially in the books. Take notes and learn more about the gluten-free lifestyle form @GlutenFreeG...

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Trader Joe's Forced To Change Gluten Labeling


Knock Knock

Who's There?

Trader Joe's 

  Trader Joe's Who?

Leadership Woes

For many years Trader Joe's have claimed to be at the forefront of gluten labeling. But we all know that's a joke because their labeling is the laughing stock of the gluten-free industry. Why? They have been labeling g+ products for years that albeit may have no gluten ingredients, but admit these products are strongly believed to have all sorts of cross contamination concerns and tell shoppers on a strict gluten free lifestyle to avoid them! Hmm, that's a mixed message, isn't it?! That makes no sense Trader Joe's team.  In reality, this signifies that gluten-free food is being polluted with other gluten containing foods from either supplier, manufacturer or preparation, but their staff has been promoting is as a legitimate gluten-free product in the marketplace and Trader Joe's doesn't seem to care.  The heart wrench is that those innocent people with Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance, wheat allergies, and a variety of lifestyles that find gluten to be damaging to their health have been lied to.  This is a big deal and their lack of respect below could be interpreted that they don't care. 

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Top 10 Gluten-Free Misconceptions


False Gluten-Free Statements From Actual People


  1. Cross contamination only effects people with Celiac Disease
  2. I eat Gluten-Free by only avoiding bread, pasta and pastries
  3. Eating at family or friends kitchens is not a big deal
  4. Most restaurant have a safe Gluten-Free menu
  5. Eating gluten once in a while is okay
  6. Gluten-Free labels are trustworthy
  7. Gluten-Free Will Cure Everything
  8. Corn chips are Gluten-free
  9. All wine is Gluten-free
  10. Healthy = Gluten-free

Why are these false and why are these dangerous you may ask? Simply because you can't say anything you want about anything without proving it. Don't we learn this as kids? Gluten-Free signifies that all inherent ingredients, manufacturing and preparation areas are all gluten-free and verified to be <20 ppm or much less of gluten contamination per FDA (and common sense). Most products in the world are "contaminated" on some level by other foods, it happens, by machines, people, or accidentally so you cannot trust everything until proven safe, and that goes for everyone, not just someone with Celiac Disease. 


In our society, restaurants and brands have been doing whatever they want with very little regulation. Consumers trust professionals, but it's their own fault to have been doing so. Are these professionals naive or are they simply lying to make profits effecting innocent people's health? We can't let this happen we all need to stand up for health safety. Good thing is that finally those opinions are starting to change! The FDA gluten-free guidelines go in effect in August 2014 and we'll all be watching closely  to see if brands and restaurants make changes to their existing offerings.