We live in a society where we can get a pill to fix just about anything.  I'm not saying this is a bad thing, I'm just saying that's the world we live in.  Sometimes, the side effects can be worse than the actual medical condition we are fighting.  

I remember when David was first diagnosed with Celiac.  I remember when the doctor stated the only treatment was to go on a gluten-free diet.  Completely gluten-free.  I remember him saying there is no pill for this.  I knew this would be a challenge when David hit his teen years, and I have been right about this.  He has had moments where he has eaten gluten.  And, thankfully, he's not had physical, typical side effects like he did when he was younger.  No vomiting or diarrhea.  Now, he becomes physically exhausted.  

The recent visit to the Celiac specialist at UVA, Dr. Borowitz, determined David had a large number of gluten in his blood.  For a Celiac, this is a bad thing.  Dr. Borowitz explained to David that because he has chosen to eat gluten, his intestines are inflamed, causing him to be fatigued.  We are talking about asleep by 6pm and up at 7am the next day kind of tired.  

While I would love to give David a pill so he can eat whatever he'd like, I know the reality of this disease.  Which is why I'm posting the information today about a pill that the University of Chicago Celiac Research Center has concluded about a pill to help the digestion of gluten for those with Celiac. Feel free to add your thoughts, comments, and questions about the article.  http://sciencelife.uchospitals.edu/2014/04/01/can-glutenase-pills-help-people-with-celiac-digest-gluten/

As always, thank you for stopping by today! 

Caroline

Dr. Oz, please stop it.

Hello all! I follow Gluten Dude on Facebook and he's pretty good for information about gluten-free living.  He's down right honest about life and what it's like to live with Celiac.  Which is why I'm posting his blog in my blog today.  Attached is the link to his blog with a video of Dr. Oz talking about gluten-free being a scam.  I watched the video and based on the comment Dr. Oz made, he believes people just choose to be gluten-free.  He, the doctor that he is, never even mentions that people could have an actual medical condition that requires they be on a gluten-free diet.  Makes me wonder if the wheat industry is one of his sponsors for his show to be honest with you.  Watch the video and read what Gluten Dude has to say and decide for yourself.  http://glutendude.com/celebrities/dr-oz-calls-gluten-free-a-scam/

Hope you're having a great gluten-free day! And remember, there's LOTS of us out here that know more than some doctors! (It is called "practicing medicine" after all!)

Caroline

Does eating healthy really cost more?

Hi everyone! If you've followed me for a little while, you know I'm a plant-based eater.  Meaning, no dairy or animal protein of any kind.  Not even eggs.  While I know being gluten-free can already be overwhelming, especially to those newly diagnosed, I just wanted to say that there are a ton of plant-based options!! And, the good news is, it doesn't cost as much as you might think to eat healthy.  So today, I want to share an article I found from one of my favorite websites.  http://engine2diet.com/the-daily-beet/plant-strong-at-walmart/

If you have a few minutes to check it out, please do.  I like educate myself and then make my own decision, which I hope you do as well.

As always, have a great gluten-free day and thanks for stopping by!

Caroline

Hello everyone!! It's cake day!! Here's why. I noticed a friend on Facebook asking for a gluten-free cake recipe.  I don't have a favorite one that I use, but I do like to share the recipes I find online.  I am attaching a couple of links to websites with recipes for gluten-free cakes! Feel free to let me know if you try any of them and how they work out.  http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2009/09/gluten-free-cake-cupcake-recipes.html

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/healthy-recipes/special-diets/gluten-free/desserts/cake/

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/health-and-diet/gluten-free/gluten-free-cakes

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/desserts/gluten-free-desserts-00000000058813/

http://simplygluten-free.com/gluten-free-recipes/cupcake-recipes

Hope you have a great gluten-free day!!

Caroline

Thank you Target!!

Finally! I've been waiting for the store I frequent to carry more gluten-free food! And it took everything I had to not start jumping up and down in the isles when I walked past two areas with gluten-free foods!! The Target store in Lynchburg, VA has finally added more gluten-free options!! Thank you Target! Thank you!

 

Can you have a gluten-free Thanksgiving? Really?

I have people ask me this question a lot.  I mean, what about the stuffing, the pie, the rolls?? What in the world do you eat? How do you survive the holiday??  Here's one way to survive http://www.delightglutenfree.com/how-to-survive-the-holidays-being-gluten-free#.UnvQa6XhF96

Another way is to start getting creative! There are so many more products out today than even last year, that can help you experience some of the same traditional food you might be used to.  I am going to list off some of those foods and attach links so you can view and decide if you want to try them or not.

Stuffing:
Products -
http://www.vitacost.com/glutino-gluten-free-stuffing-corn-bread-8-oz?csrc=GPF-PA-678523011096&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=678523011096&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=678523011096&gclid=CPbI4_-v07oCFQGe4AodPTIAbQ

http://www.vitacost.com/three-bakers-herb-seasoned-whole-grain-cubed-stuffing-gluten-free-12-oz?csrc=GPF-PA-817350010142&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=817350010142&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=817350010142&gclid=CO_g5Iiw07oCFQyg4AodTXoAHA

Recipes -
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/gluten-free-bread-stuffing
http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/od/sidedishes/a/top5glutenfreestuffingrecipes.htm
http://glutenfreegirl.com/2006/11/this-is-the-gluten-free-stuffing-we-will-be-eating/
http://udisglutenfree.com/recipes/udi-s-gluten-free-stuffing-recipe/

Dinner rolls:
Recipes -
http://mygluten-freekitchen.com/pull-apart-dinner-rolls-gluten-free/
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/gluten-free-high-fiber-dinner-rolls-recipe
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2011/03/gluten-free-dinner-rolls.html
http://www.pinterest.com/faveglutenfree/gluten-free-bread-recipes/

Products -
http://www.glutenfreepalace.com/Udi-s-Gluten-Free-Whole-Grain-Seeded-Dinner-Rolls-p/u3576.htm&cse=googleproductsearch&utm_source=google_product_search&utm_medium=CSEs&utm_campaign=Udi's+Gluten+Free+Whole+Grain+Seeded+Dinner+Rolls,+8+Rolls+Per+Pack?gclid=CPrx_Y-007oCFQSk4AodVyEA3g

http://www.glutenfreepalace.com/Udi-s-Gluten-Free-Classic-Dinner-Rolls-p/u97651.htm&cse=googleproductsearch&utm_source=google_product_search&utm_medium=CSEs&utm_campaign=Udi's+Gluten+Free+Classic+French+Dinner+Rolls?gclid=CK7SwoK007oCFVSZ4AoddCcAWg

http://www.glutenfreepalace.com/Gluten-Free-Large-Challah-Rolls-p/k9213.htm&cse=googleproductsearch&utm_source=google_product_search&utm_medium=CSEs&utm_campaign=Katz+Gluten+Free+-+Gluten+Free+Large+Challah+Rolls?gclid=CO6dho-007oCFc2d4AodoV0ARA

Green Bean Casserole:
Recipes:
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/11/gluten-free-green-bean-casserole-recipe.html
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/gluten-free-green-bean-casserole/9b923d49-f27a-48c6-ad1e-1c190f857742
http://www.glutenista.com/gluten-free-green-bean-casserole-step-by-step.html
http://www.livingwithout.com/recipes/gluten_dairy_free_green_bean_casserole-2202-1.html
http://www.yummly.com/recipes/gluten-free-dairy-free-green-bean-casserole

I don't know about you, but I'm beginning to feel just a tad overwhelmed with all of this! So, I'm going to save the pie recipes for another day.  I have a feeling you're going to be very busy with the links I've posted!

I do hope you've had a great gluten-free day and please feel free to ask questions, leave comments or just say "Hi!"  Thanks so much!

Caroline

Watch out for gluten-free scammers!

I follow GlutenDude on facebook.  He usually has some pretty helpful information.  Especially for newbies to the gluten-free world.  Here's one that I really felt like I needed to share.  Please take the time to read this short blog and be careful who you give your money to!
http://glutendude.com/scams/do-not-do-business-with-lou-reyes-and-the-gluten-free-awareness-tour/