Why Gluten Free Dieters Still Have Symptoms

Still having gluten free symptoms? Despite your race, skin color, eye color, sex, or job, gluten related illness can strike. Modern science research has objectively showcased that any person, regardless of their heritage, often cannot ingest and digest food and beverage containing gluten resulting in a variety of auto immune related illnesses. 

Happy Baby Organics Gluten Free Pouches

Happy Baby Organics clear packaging is just the transparency and visibility you need to provide your baby with the best organic food ingredients. And the best is the only option. From those early months when baby begins to explore beyond breast milk, Happy Baby Organics delicious variety of purees during that first year or a bit longer are a first hand recommendation! Especially early on, when you don't have the time or lack the energy, you don't have to make fresh baby food all of the time. C'mon you are an overloaded mommy and daddy on a busy schedule. The non-stop To Do list from your day time job working, cleaning, lack of sleep, and soaking in the baby moments are all in the mix.  If you are like us, sleep wasn't easy to come by, so having a trusted baby snack helped a few times per week and especially during traveling!

Clearly Crafted Baby Puree for Babies And Tots

With dozens of flavors and easy to open packs your kids are going to enjoy these organic baby food pouches and see their other awesome baby goods. 

Gluten Free Cheerios Evil Joke On Celiac Disease

What is with Gluten Free Cheerios evil joke on Celiac Disease? First, in 2015 Cheerios launch resulted in a recall of 1.8 million boxes. Two years later in late 2017, Canada rejects gluten-free Cheerios uncommitted attempt at legit gluten-free cross contaminated product safety and removes it from the country. Zoinks! Advocates from Canada our northern neighbor of USA deem Cheerios from parent company General Mills not suitable for gluten-free consumption.  Still eating fake GF Cheerios? Too many gluten-free consumers either don't know this news exists, aren't showing symptoms or living ill and in denial of gluten-free issues. Who can we jump on to blame?

No Definition or Standard For Gluten-Free Exists

2017 Gluten Free & Allergen Free Food Show Oct 14 and 15

Attention all smart and health conscious shoppers in the tri-state area, October 14 and 15th is the Gluten-Free & Allergen Friendly Expo! This is a humungous opportunity to learn along with your family and close friends who support your health needs. It surely does take support to be 100% committed to gluten-free safety and no cross contamination. Whether you have Celiac Disease or on a strict gluten-free smart diet choice, some of these brands you should learn more about and get to know as they could be your new favorites. Below is the info you need to grab tickets on discount and serious tips to have a great show and not get yourself ill or ill-informed.

 Get Tickets Here >

For 20% off enter code: 

ADVANCE 

(Expires: 10/13)

Cross Contamination Is A Secret Killer

Stop using the phrase "Gluten-Free" 

and start using "Reduced Gluten"

In over 20+ years of managing Celiac Disease, I proclaim to you from the top of my lungs and bottom of my heart that gluten cross contamination is the #1 health issue facing gluten-free consumers today. Yet majority of gluten-free consumers do not take gluten seriously and lack a huge education to eat safely.  Most have either no idea of the phrase "cross contamination" or simply don't care how dangerous it is to consume a little bit of gluten in a public kitchen which scares me even more! It's my belief that these everyday cross contamination risks are damaging the entire gluten-free movement and keeping people secretly sick while they carry out their "normal" fake health focussed lives.

Have you worked at a restaurant or at least peeked inside a busy restaurant kitchen? It's a mad house of mastery with multiple chefs, cooks and runners on the line slicing, dicing, sautéing, baking and preparing dishes. In fact, it's quite beautiful at a nice restaurant to watch this unfold. You probably have at least seen it on TV or online cooking shows. However, when any gluten ingredients are involved, especially, wheat flour, an entire kitchen becomes cross contaminated and risks go up for you and me.

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.

Hidden Garden Gluten Free Cookies Review

There are few foods in the world that people can't live without. Let's get to the point and identify cookies! With so many gluten free restrictions we find and love gluten free cookies to be a needed replacement sometimes. That's fine if you are able to balance sweets with choosing the right brand and of course, exercise! Sweet, chewy, crunchy, soft or hard it's impossible to eat just one of your favorite GF treats. I don't frequent the cookie jar, but when I do, I love the cookies and I'll share them, too. I have been sampling GF cookies more often than I anticipated, and there are a few treats out there such as Hidden Gardens. Hidden Gardens gluten free cookies have beets, squash, spinach,  pumpkin sneaking in their cookies for taste and delicate nutrients still tasting entirely like cookies. From British Columbia, Canada now available in USA sneaking veggies in your new favorite gluten free cookies! Let's say, I wish these Hidden Garden cookies were around in 1997 when gluten free cookies hadn't evolved...if only I thought of this!

Certified Gluten Free

Avocado Mayo Primal Kitchen Review

"every bite of food you eat should be 

both delicious and healthy. "  

- Mark Sission -

Absolutely! Today is  an opportunity to put down that product in your shopping cart and find a smarter food that still tastes good but is better for you. What you bought in the past may have scary and questionable ingredients. Ehh that's the truth we all face at some point. Decision Time. Got the stones to replace the unhealthy mayonnaise and/or dressing you keep using in your fridge and replace it to strive for better gluten free ingredients? Introducing Primal Kitchen's Gluten Free mayonnaise, dressings, avocado oil and chocolate bar made of awesomeness that keeps your family satisfied with delicious and more nutritious options. Let's learn about the mayo!

Primal Kitchen Mayonnaise

Scratch & Grain Cookie Kit Product Review

Watch out cookie monsters, the easiest, most convenient gluten free cookie recipe has arrived from Scratch & Grain Cookie Kit. Previously featured on ABC Shark Tank a few years ago, the product line has grown! I don't eat cookies or sweets too often, but when I do, I make them special with the best ingredients, usually cut out 1/2 the sugar, butter or excess naughtiness. With Scratch & Grain Cookie Kit you're able to pick and choose the numbered gluten free ingredients to make your gluten free cookies in a flash and have fun, just add butter and eggs, for example. Baking is always supposed to be a joy, and it remains that way, and now you don't have to buy those 5-7 random ingredients and store them in your cabinet to spoil.  

Vermints Gluten Free Product Review

Finally, a mint that delivers on ingredients, taste and is certified awesome! Introducing... Vermints! 

You may be used to the taste of traditional store mints. Mouth cooling, low priced, wild packaging. Yes and their ingredients likely have red dye #40 and have artificial sweeteners and GMOs (genetically modified organisms). If you love mints and gum like me, let's discuss better options because they are here :) Healthy snacks, ice cream, mints, gum, and other splurges are needed (we're humans after all) so I'm sharing these Vermints with you today. 

Valentine's Day With Celiac Disease Is Rough

One, two or three bars of chocolate, that is an important question of many for today's purchases on Valentine's Day. 

Then I would get a pit in my stomach and think about where would I search for safe gluten-free chocolate, knowing it's not commonly available at most stores. 

Promise Gluten Free Bread Is For Celiacs

If you have Celiac Disease vs choosing a gluten free lifestyle, there is a different health standard and expectation. But we should reunite our standards. Those who know me and have read my articles regularly (thank you) would know by now that I have very high gluten free standards and constantly question the market place, restaurants and any labeled GF options because of ongoing disappointments and lack of policing and regulation. Yet I love our progress and appreciate those who certify their products, you rock! However for some reason in 2016, gluten-free standards are still not taken seriously by all.  However, today is a great day for gluten free sandwich lovers out there whom have Celiac Disease or a legit gluten free lifestyle choice because Promise Gluten Free Bread is a great option! 

Bisogno Pasta Is A Must Try Gluten Free Pasta

Is it yarn, a painting, is it premium rubber bands, or is this gluten free artisan pasta? Yes my friends! Introducing gluten free artisan Bisogno Pasta made from lentils. Bisogno Pasta is high protein and a vegan, nonGMO delicious and nutritious pasta improvement from some of the gluten free crappy pasta. Made in California and available at select retailers or shipped fresh online to your home cold, refrigerated Bisogno Pasta is for your new year delight. Lentils are naturally high in protein (made with pea protein, too) includes high fiber, and overall more nutritious pasta meal that you can brag about. With a unique desireable shape, instead of penne, elbows, fusilli, etc, a fresh cold pasta expectation (not stored in a box in your cupboard) will send you running from gross tasting gluten free pasta of yesterday. Just look at how beautiful fresh gluten free pasta can be!

Gluten Free Protein Pancakes

Is there a perfect pancake? For most of my life and maybe yours, too, we were taught certain things such as foods should taste a certain way to be perfect, be made with only the ideal ingredients and no substitutes, and even look a certain way. Further, these foods must be perfectly round or squared and flawless, but that's heavy b.s. The truth is what we learned as a child or in the past may not be true for the present and future.  Health is an ongoing change unless you just don't care about your health! Balancing your food and beverage intake, your libations, exercise and other variable choices are an ongoing choice that you make. Nothing is perfect.  Welcome to the new normal. 

Epic Acquisition by General Mills Big Food

Has the small guy taught the big bully how to be nice? Only time will tell, but how much time and how much change? 

Hooray or Hmmm?

Have you ever eaten one of these delicious Epic Bars? You can find Epic at nearly every natural food market and grocery, along with some of the local stores and big food chains. They're amazing, any flavor actually (beef, chicken, bison and bacon). Epic products are gluten free, paleo friendly, low in sugar and scream about their grass fed animals and epic changes of land regeneration, sourcing and certifying humane treatments of animals. As of today, Epic Provisions is now part of the General Mills family of brands. Are we excited?