Grow Your Own Food - Super Simple Gardening Tips

The Spring Weather has definitely arrived and that early morning freeze has officially subsided in greater NJ/NYC/Philadelphia area. It's the time to rock out with my green thumb and plant some of my favorite greens right away this week. Although I'm not an expert gardener and haven't been able to garden in recent years, I have a few gardening tips that anyone, anywhere can implement to grow your own food. Starting with arugula, red leaf lettuce, spinach, kale and parsley! 

Wild Planet Chicken Breast & Tuna Review

Canned tuna is not all the same. Not even close.  That's why a seafood company must respect the sea and the wild life therein before they can provide you with the best quality and tasting product available. Introducing, Wild Planet Foods, founded in 2004 with a mission that includes sustainable seafood and USDA organic products ranging from tuna, salmon, yellow tail, anchovies, sardines, mackerel and chicken.

(Wild Planet Chicken Breast USDA organic)

King Coconut Water from Sri Lanka Gold

Coconut waters are yummy, but each of them tell us that they're the best quality, right? We love coconut water for their delightful, fresh taste as an alternative to water containing high potassium (1.5x the banana) and full of electrolytes. Therefore, it's a wise choice as a natural hydrating beverage during an active lifestyle for you and kids. 

Have you even looked at the ingredient label of your kid's Gatorade and the junky Powerade? Who cares that super athletes drink it, they're paid to say or do anything. Whether you drink coconut water for sports or for well being, here is my take on the new Sri Lanka Gold coconut water.

Gluten Free Experts

Who gives you advice about living strictly gluten-free? Some random gluten free expert on Instagram with tons of followers, a blogger with gluten sensitivity, a yogi mom with a few auto-immune children living a strict paleo diet, a fellow Celiac with a ton of Twitter followers, but why? 

I ask myself the same question over and over and do not understand why any of them have authority over another. If their pretty food posts, creative recipes and stories of restaurant socializing are inspiring you then it's important to find out who is not living symptom free, and if you're finding yourself often ill when you're supposed to be committed to healthier and smarter gluten free choices. 

Gluten Free Bagels #BagelsToSchool

Seeking a better gluten-free bagel? Enter The Greater Knead's #BageltoSchool contest by October 20th or if you missed it check out their website, Go here >.

It's not easy to find a delicious gluten-free bagel especially one that is allergen free and tasty! But the right gluten-free bagel from Sweet Note Bagel (known today as Greater Knead) is what you need to try!  That's why I would suggest you get on board and join me in entering their #BageltoSchool contest by October 20th, and hurry to win a year supply of gluten-free bagels! Go their Facebook page to sign up for their #BageltoSchool Contest here >

Gluten & Allergen Free Expo 2016 & Event Sampling Tips

Secaucus, NJ – Oct. 15-16, 2016

at Meadowlands Expo Center (click for map)

I am super-duper excited for Gluten & Allergen Free Expo coming to the greater NYC area soon! Have you been there? If not, let's do this together...

How To Sample Gluten-Free

1st: Ask smart questions & learn

2nd: If deemed GF safe then sample 

(See top 10 tips below)

Wild Zora Original Meat And Veggie Bar Review

Just when you thought the gluten-free jerky category was jam packed and couldn't innovate: baam!!!  Merging grass fed beef WITH vegetables, spices and fruit is exactly what omnivores needed desperately from the snack aisle.  Introducing Wild Zora, the original Meat & Veggie Bar full of flavor and made of high quality ingredients for those who care about health and wellness.

No gluten No Soy No Nuts No Milk or Nightshades No MSG No Hormones No Chemical Additives No added Sugar No Preservatives No Dairy

Was Independence Day Meaningful For You?

According to Wikipedia, "Independence Day of the United States, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, by the Continental Congress declaring that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and no longer part of the British Empire."

Despite what you believe in, support or agree with according to American history, when you have allergies or an issue with food associated with this holiday, life is more complicated than just celebratory! Since food is a key variable this time of year, gluten-free eating becomes once again nearly impossible, if you let it. That's why preparing ahead, learning to say no and minimizing expectations by taking no risks is what being "independent" is all about. 

Gluten Free Menus And Their Risky Disclaimers

Living with a gluten related auto-immune disease, wheat allergy, or gluten intolerance can be extremely difficult. None of these are the same though yet that have a lot in common. From Celiac Disease to a wheat allergy we all decide on different lifestyle choices. Some illnesses can be life threatening and others are not because you can treat yourself and remove risks. A very common everyday risk remains though, when you dine in at a restaurant and order from a gluten-free menu or from a server explaining their GF options, there is little to no chance you're receiving a 100% gluten-free meal. In turn, you have accepted the responsibility for potential G.I. intestinal trauma, diarrhea, exhaustion, or another delayed auto immune reaction. A restaurant may provide you with a degree of 1-on-1 attention to make you feel safe, warm and fuzzy, but the risk is real, every time, you're taking a conscious risk of cross contamination in the kitchen. These decisions are very risky!

Example of a gluten-free menu & disclaimer... a complete contradiction of gluten-free definition.

Celiac Awareness Month To Reflect

Activities like yoga connect mind & body.

It is my favorite month of the year, May - Celiac Awareness Month! So another year has gone by, and we journey through another period of reflection. Let's look back at this moment on your health - how do you actually feel about the health of your body and mind this past year? Seriously, are you feeling well right this moment? Are you satisfied with your ability to say, No? Are you handling food and beverages risks and have you learned more this year than the past regarding the risk of cross contamination, asking questions about food ingredients?  Do you feel that your overall health has improved or are you unsure, frustrated and confused more than ever of the status of your Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance or gluten reduced diet? I certainly hope that you put yourself first, lived well, eaten well, exercised and laughed in the good life!

CELIAC AWARENESS MONTH

We all know that I'm not perfect, hehe, but I am a 20 year Celiac Disease veteran managing my strictly gluten free lifestyle in a positive way. If there is one tip I can share regarding the health of my own mind and body, it is my confidence to say, "No" a lot. In fact, all of the time I say No to food options.