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Showing posts from 2009

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

This recipe was from www.livingwithout.com Makes 24 2-Inch Cookies Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies 1¼ cups Gluten-Free Cookie Flour Blend ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ teaspoon xanthan gum ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar ¼ teaspoon salt ⅓ cup canola oil ⅓ cup plain-flavored rice milk 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract ⅔ cup sugar ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips* Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Combine flour mix, cocoa powder, xanthan gum, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Mix thoroughly, being sure to work out any lumps of cocoa powder. Using an electric mixer set on medium speed, thoroughly combine canola oil and rice milk. Add vanilla extract and sugar. Mix well. Add the dry ingredients to wet and mix on low speed, scraping sides of bowl. Scoop out dough by heaping teaspoonfuls and place on prepared cookie sheets, 12 per sheet. Wet hands with a little water and roll dough into balls. Bake in preheated oven on center

Chex Cereal

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Chex has been a great company for changing their cereals to gluten free. The Chocolate Chex, Honey Nut Chex,Cinniamon Chex, Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Strawberry Chex are gluten free.It is so exciting that food companies are starting to think about people who can't have wheat/gluten. You can go to chex.com for cool snack recipes. When you get a chance email Chex to thank them for gluten free.

Thanksgiving Dinner Ideas

STUFFING Stuffing has been a tradition in many families. My family always have stuffing. Here is the easiest gluten-free stuffing: 1. Take your favorite gluten free bread and chop it into cubes. 2. Put in other ingrediants such as: rasins, cranberrys,celery is what I usually put in it. But experiment and put other GF foods such as figs, corn, etc. 3. pour chicken broth (Swanson). pour just enough to help keep it moist. 3. put it in the oven at 350 degrees or until it is golden brown PUMPKIN PIE A quick and easy pumpkin pie: 1. Find GF cookies that you didn't really like or GF cookies you love and crumble them. 2. pour a little bit of melted butter to help spread the GF cookie crumbs 3. Open a can of pumpkin filling. Most pumpkin filling is GF, but make sure to read labels and/or call the company. Put the filling in a bowl and pour a small amount of milk until it is easy to spread out on the GF Cookies. You may not even need to use the milk. 4. Put in the oven at 350 degrees unti

Gluten Free Turkeys

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It is time for Thanksgiving and time to pick the turkey. 1. Butterball turkeys are always on the top of the Gluten Free list.Pretty much all Butterball turkeys are Gluten Free unless they have seasoning on it. They will tell you if it contains wheat. You can call 1-800-butterball for information. 2. Don't use the seasoning package that it may come with. And avoid turkeys with seasoning already on it. 3. Most local stores have gluten free turkeys. Spartan Brand turkeys (Family Fare, D&w) should say if it contains wheat, but again it may say wheat on it, but it could be from the seasoning package so read labels slowly. 4. Costco and Sams Club turkeys should be ok, but again please read the labels slowly and ask the meat department if you are questioning it. Most meat department people don't know what is gluten free so ask for a number to call. 5. Also some turkeys come with a gravy package. The gravy Package is NOT gluten free!! The turkey should be ok, unless the gravy is on

Update on Bostons Restaurant GF Pizza

Their gluten-free pizza crust arrives at the restaurant in sealed aluminum pans. Separate utensils are used in the preparation, knives, cutting boards, etc. Also separate food products are also used – so there is no “double dipping” of sauces, etc., from gluten free pizzas and gluten pizzas. The pizzas are 10” size, about 8 slices. You can go to their parent website, www.frenchmeadow.com, you can print a coupon for $1.00 off, which is good on any of their gluten-free pizzas. If you enjoyed their pizza, and if you stop in to their restaurant, be sure to mention how much you appreciate having gluten-free pizza available! They are also considering adding more gluten-free menu items in the future. Boston’s is located at 2024 Celebration Avenue, Grand Rapids. Actually, it is located just off the East Beltline in the Celebration Cinema plaza. Their phone number is 616-363-4948 and website www.bostons.com.

Bostons Gourmet Pizza and Sports restaurant

The Grand Rapids restaurant is now serving gluten free pizza and other menu items. Go to there website and click locations. Pick Grand Rapids. http://www.bostonsgourmet.com Come join us at Boston’s for the best food specials in Grand Rapids! In addition to our signature gourmet pizza and pasta, try our outstanding wings, ribs, salads, sandwiches, lunch specials and the best kids menu around. Want to catch the game? Check out our sports bar featuring great daily drink specials, flat screen TV’s and local team memorabilia. Like dining outside? Enjoy our large wrap-around patio that can accommodate groups of any size. Or if you want to enjoy Boston’s in the comfort of your home, check out our Good To Go! Take Out Menu. Just call ahead, drive up, and we’ll meet you at the curb! 2024 Celebration Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 PHONE: (616) 363-4948 FAX: (616) 363-4815

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy

My life has been crazy with a diagnoses of Reflex Sympathetic Dystropy which is a neurological condition that causes severe disabilitating pain in my legs and can even be in my whole entire body. The pain of this disease is said to be worse then cancer pain. I can believe it. I have had ten major painful surgery, but they were nothing compare to RSD pain. I could spend my day screaming in pain. The pain can last 24 hours seven days a week. Strong pain meds don't even touch it. Diludid shots don't even touch it. The pain is a shrap shooting pain with burning that feels like I am on fire. I have been getting nerve blocks every week for six or more weeks. Thoses injections have been a blessing. Everyone with this disease has different things that work for them. Some people take neurotin and that helps them. Broken legs, surgeries, car crashes, and many other issues can cause RSD. My was caused by a hospital error. This is what I have been dealing with all fall.

The Expense of Eating with Celiac Disease

The Expense of Eating With Celiac Disease from New York Times By LESLEY ALDERMAN Published: August 14, 2009 YOU would think that after Kelly Oram broke more than 10 bones and experienced chronic stomach problems for most of his life, someone (a nurse? a doctor?) might have wondered if something fundamental was wrong with his health. But it wasn’t until Mr. Oram was in his early 40s that a doctor who was treating him for a neck injury became suspicious and ordered tests, including a bone scan. It turned out that Mr. Oram, a music teacher who lives in White Plains, had celiac disease, an underdiagnosed immune disorder set off by eating foods containing gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Celiac disease damages the lining of the small intestine, making it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients. Victims may suffer from mild to serious malnutrition and a host of health problems, including anemia, low bone density and infertility. Celiac affects one out of 100 people in th

School Time!

It has been a year now since I started this blog. I wanted to thank you all for reading and emailing me with questions. It means a lot when I hear from you. It brightens my day when I recieve an email saying that they enjoy and learn a lot. Always feel free to email with any questions or worries. School time is here again. If you have a newbie or experienced celiac child and trying to figure out what to make for his or her lunches. Here are some ideas that will keep lunch making easy. Sandwiches: Corn tortillas, with lettuce, tomatoes,mayo or salad dressing and Oscar Meyer meat. Rice cakes makes a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Two plain rice cakes, put Jiffy peanut butter and Smuckers jelly in the middle. They maybe hard, but they taste great. You can even get apple Cinnamon rice cakes, which are good. Quacker ones are gluten free, but don't get the multi grain ones because they contain oats, which those oats are not gluten free. You can use the rice cakes to make meat sa

Brick Road Pizza Co. and JT'S Pizza GF

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Two pizza places I heard are starting to do Gluten Free Pizzas: BRICK ROAD PIZZA CO. 1017 Wealthy Street Grand Rapids, Michigan (616) 719-2409 JT's Pizza Their Cascade location are doing Gluten Free on Trial basis. Cascade Ada Forest Hills 616-942-1552

Bavarian Inn at Frankenmuth Michigan GF Dinner Party

The Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth Michigan is having a gluten-free wine dinner on Friday, October 9. Five courses and five wines prepared by an award winning chef. They will also be hosting other gluten-free events in the future. If you would like more information on this, their website is www.bavarianinn.com or e-mail them at diningsales@bavarianinn.com.

Our Own Gluten Free Type Facebook.

http://www.glutenfreefaces.com/ This site is amazing. It is the Gluten Free Facebook. This is a type of facebook where you don't feel alone. You meet people that have to deal with the same things that you have to deal with. Or if you are a parent, spouse or family member you can get meet and get advice too. Please try and sign up.

Busy with Wound Problem

Just to keep everyone posted about dealing with a very bad wound on my right mid thigh that started mid-March and still dealing with it. (his picture is after the wound surgery to clean it up and put the VAC Machine.) How did I get this wound? Well, it is a long story so I will try to make it short. I went to the ER on Saturday morning because I got a pain shot in my back which triggered inflammation from my back surgery in December. The Doctor at the ER was not very nice to me. I went to the ER because I had a Theatre show to do. To make a long story short the nurse came in the room very arrogantly and jammed the shot in my leg and pushed the med very fast into my thigh. It hurt so much. The medication was Noraflex, a muscle relaxer. I had never had a shot hurt that much. The next day (Sunday) my leg looked like someone beaten me with a bat very badly. Then on Monday it got worse and a ER doc said it looks like an allergic reaction to that medication. But then a couple days later it g

My Celiac ID (Saliva Testing)

Check out this site: https://myceliacid.com/default.aspx Are you or a family member at risk for celiac disease? Find out if you have the genes with MyCeliacID™ the first saliva based, do it yourself genetic test dedicated to celiac disease. Approximately 1 in 100 Americans have celiac disease. Some have common symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea, and general gastrointestinal distress, while others have symptoms like anemia, infertility, weight loss, or osteoporosis. It is estimated that 60% of children and 41% of adults newly dianosed with celiac disease had no symptoms at all. Now, it’s easier than ever to find out if you have the genes associated with celiac disease. MyCeliacID is the first saliva based, do it yourself genetic test for celiac disease. By ordering this test, you will know within days whether you have the genes for celiac disease. If you don’t have the genes, you are highly unlikely to develop celiac disease in your lifetime. If you do have the genes, you may have cel

More Gluten Free Restaurants

try Silver Beach Pizza in St. Joseph, or Willy O’s in South Haven. Here in Grand Rapids, Bostons restaurant on the East Beltline (in the Celebration Cinema plaza) makes gluten free pizza and other gluten free items.

National Foundation For Celiac Awareness

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is a non profit organization to help raise awareness of Celiac Disease. I have volunteered for over two years by handing out their brochures at doctors offices and natural health food stores. The organization has a monthly email newsletter. I use to have write articles for the newsletter. Their goal is to help reduce the time to diagnose and reduce te devastating impact of undiagnosed Celiac Disease, including the contraction of other diseases such as cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and 'autoimmune cascade.' I was diagnosed late and ended up with many more medical issues. The peditrician didn't know anything about Celiac. I was told that I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but It was acutally Celiac for seventeen years. Now I am twenty-three with already ten surgeries. The Foundation is always looking for volunteers. You can visit their website at: http://www.celiaccentral.org

Meijers Gluten Free Taste Testing

Reading about the Meijers GF taste testing, I thought it would have lots of samples. Come to find out it wasn't much. I went to the Cascade Meijers and there was only one table with samples. It was Pamala's cookies, some type of pizza and the Glutino's pretzels. I went around 1:30pm and was surprise that they didn't have that much to sample. There was more regular samples then that. The best place to samples Gluten Free items is Forest Hills Food, when they have Gluten Free Day. Meijers has alot to catch up compared to Forest Hills Food. At least Meijers was thinking about us gluten free people. Thank You Meijers!!

The Gluten Free Food Fair 2009

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The Gluten Free Fair was a blast, like always. I talk to some of you who went to the event. Most of you said that you liked Breadstone Stone Bakery the best. I have tried many different types of bread and I too agree with all of you at the Fair, that Breadstone Bakery is the best. There breads are so soft and tasty. Usually all the Gluten Free breads are dry and heavy, but their breads and cinnimon rolls are to dye for. Try their breads you wont regret it.Once you try it you won't want to buy any other breads. You can buy their breads at Forest Hills Foods Grand Rapids Michigan, Harvest Health on Cascade Grand Rapids Michigan,We will be delivering frozen products through Panecea in Rockford, as well. This year there was two room, which helped keep the flow of people smooth. People didn't have to wait forever to move table to table. There was many resturants that had their menus out labeling what is Gluten Free. There was tons of Gluten Free items and samples to try. Every th

The Best Gluten Free Store in Grand Rapids MI

Out all the Health Food stores around Grand Rapids area and even Lansing is Apple Valley Natural Foods. They have the best selection of Gluten Free items. Every week they get something new in. I feel that Apple Valley has a better selection then Whole Foods and even Trader Joe's. If you are in the area stop in and you will be happy about going. If you get a chance, drive to Apple Valley Natural Foods. The more you stop and buy the selection will keep getting bigger. Apple Valley Will have some samples, free products and a list of what the store carries at the Grand Rapids Gluten Free Food Fair at Kyuper College on the Beltline at 10:00- 3:00. Address: (The Kentwood Apple Valley, I know has a big section of GF, The other I am not sure, because they are owned by different people.) Apple Valley Natural Foods 6070 Kalamazoo Ave., SE Kentwood, MI 49508 616-554-3205 (phone) Website: http://www.avnf.com/locations.html Hours: Sunday: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am - 8:00 p

Grand Rapids Gluten Free Food Fair 2009

The annual Gluten Free Fair is back for hopefully another successful year. On May 2nd at Kyuper College on the Beltline. Time is at 10:00-3:00 They will have free samples and information about different companies. There will also be door prizes every 30 minutes. Contact Information—616-363-9425 celiackidsofgr@yahoo.com Sponsored by: Anchor Baptist Church Business that will be there are: Tastefully Gluten Free Bread Stone Bakery Breads From Anna Celiac Specialties Full Flavor Foods Best Breads Enjoy Life Meijer, Inc. Food Tek Organic Bistro Coco Charlotte Midge’s Muffins Heartlands Finest Forest Hills Foods Pamela’s Products It’s A Piece of Cake Harvest Health Foods Gluten Free Sensations And More

Stars on a Gluten Free Diet

I've heard that the following celebs avoid wheat. So they may or may not have Celiac Disease (some could just avoid wheat because they think it's healthier... or perhaps for religious reasons), but... they are supposedly on similar diets! Many of these I found on a message board at Celiac.com. Billy Bob Thornton Jim Carrey Victoria Beckham (aka Posh Spice) Rachel Weisz Regis Philbin (from Regis and Kelly) Goldie Hawn Jude Law Madonna Elisabeth Hasselbeck (The View) Juliette Lewis Susie Essman Sarah Vowell (Violet in The Incredibles) Terence Stamp (Jor-El in Smallville) Emmy Rossum Keith Olbermann (MSNBC) Dannii Minogue (Kylie Minogue's sister) Amanda Donohoe Scarlett Johansson said in an interview that she has a wheat allergy, referring to working in a wheat field. Not sure if she is on a wheat-free diet. Gwyneth Paltrow has been on a GF diet in the past (not sure if she still is). I thought that was pretty neat. I wish more would speak out about it though! I'm sure the

General Mills & Betty Crocker is going Gluten Free

The following is an announcement from General Mills - great news! General Mills Announcement 3/31/09 "Thank you for contacting General Mills regarding gluten in Corn Chex cereal. General Mills is reformulating the following Big G Cereals to gluten free status: · Corn Chex · Honey Nut Chex · Strawberry Chex · Chocolate Chex · Cinnamon Chex As was the case with Gluten Free Rice Chex, the barley malt ingredient was removed and replaced with another ingredient. Production has begun, so you may start seeing the gluten free formulas on store shelves now. All 5 products should be widely available across the U.S. by June 1, 2009. As with all reformulated products, both products may be on store shelves at the same time so please read labels/packaging carefully, examining the product packaging to ensure that the cereal inside the box is in fact the new, gluten free product. Look for "NOW GLUTEN FREE" or "GLUTEN FREE" on the front/side/back panels. In addition, the follow

The Economic Impact Of Undiagnosed Celiac Disease Probed By Study

A study published in Journal of Insurance Medicine by members of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center has demonstrated an economic benefit to the diagnosis of celiac disease in a national managed-care population in the United States. Peter HR Green, M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine and Director, Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, had this to say about the study (Journal of Insurance Medicine, 2008;40:218-228) and the economic benefits of increased diagnosis of celiac disease: "We now have evidence that the increased awareness and diagnosis of celiac disease would benefit not only the patients but would result in health care costs savings." Celiac disease occurs in genetically susceptible individuals due to the development of an immune response to gluten, the protein component of wheat, rye and barley. Studies have demonstrated that celiac disease occurs in about 1 percent of the U.S. population; however, most people wit

List of Celiac Symptoms

http://www.glutenfreeworks.com/symptomology.php Gluten Free Works Symptom Guide How can I tell if I have a problem with gluten? This is a common question people ask in the face of a bewildering array of possible symptoms. We have developed a Symptom Guide below to help you identify possible symptoms and health problems that you can present to your doctor. Here is the list of over 300 Signs, Symptoms, Associated Disorders and Complications directly or indirectly resulting from celiac disease. We were the first to present this information in our comprehensive book, "Recognizing Celiac Disease." This list is now being used by celiac disease centers, national celiac organizations and health organizations worldwide. 1. BLOOD SYSTEM PROBLEMS Abnormal levels of blood components and quality of blood cells and plasma, detected by blood studies ordered by a doctor. Anemia, Folic acid deficiency Anemia, Iron deficiency Anemia, Vitamin B12 deficiency Anti-endomysium (EMA) antibodies pres

Bunny Sugar Cookies

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Ingredients Makes about 1 dozen 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg, room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together into a bowl. Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. With machine running, gradually add flour mixture; mix until combined. Shape into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until firm, at least 45 minutes (or up to 3 days). Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface. Roll to 1/8 inch thick. Using a 5-inch-tall bunny-shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies. Space 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. Reroll scraps, and cut out. Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes. Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks. Cookies

Easter Dinner Menu

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Roasted Spiral-Sliced Ham with Maple and Orange Marmalade Glaze Serves 18 to 20 This holiday table centerpiece, sweet on the outside and savory on the inside, makes a memorable main course. Encourage guests to eat the sliced oranges along with the ham since the roasting makes their peels tender and sweet. Ingredients 1 (8- to 9-pound) nitrite-free, boneless, pre-cooked spiral-sliced ham 1 cup grade B maple syrup 1/2 cup orange marmalade 2 tablespoons orange juice 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 2 oranges, sliced (optional) 6 cinnamon sticks (optional) Method Preheat oven to 325°F. Using a sharp paring knife, make shallow crosshatch cuts all over the outside of the ham. Arrange ham in a large roasting pan and bake for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, combine syrup, marmalade, juice, ground cinnamon, pepper and cloves in a small bowl to make a glaze. After ham has baked for 30 minutes, remove from oven; increase oven temperature to 425°F. Arra

Its Easter Time- Egg Dying & Gift Basket

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Here are ways to help you get ready for Easter: Color Eggs: Coloring eggs was always my favorite thing to do with my mom. Once Easter was over we ate them. Most of the dye kits use vinegar, so as long as they are distilled vinegar you should be fine. Here is Paas website. http://www.paaseastereggs.com/products.htm Here is directions on how to make natural dye for coloring eggs: Here is the preferred method for using natural dyes: 1- Place the eggs in a single layer in a pan. Add water until the eggs are covered. 2- Add approximately one teaspoon of vinegar. 3- Add the natural dye. Use more dye material for more eggs or for a more intense color. 4- Bring water to a boil. 5- Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. 6- If you are pleased with the color, remove the eggs from the liquid. 7- If you want more intensely colored eggs, temporarily remove the eggs from the liquid. Strain the dye through a coffee filter (unless you want speckled eggs). 8- Cover the eggs with the filtered dye and let

Back Surgery

I had a lower lumbar surgery on Dec 17th 2008. I have been meaning to tell you all about it, but kept forgetting to. It was amazing on how they went through the side instead of making a opening in the back. The procedure is called the Xlif. If you live in Grand Rapids Michigan, Dr. Timothy Spencer is an amazing doctor. The reason why I had to have the surgery was because I was losing cartilage inbetween my disks. Also he straightened a little of my scoliosis. I was only in the hospital for one night, but was walking that same night after the surgery. Everything was going ok, but my second day home I caught the stomach flu. That made everything worse. I am on my third month and am done with physical therapy and am working out at the gym. I believe that surgery was not to bad was because I was physically fit before having the surgery. My surgeon told me that my back problems most likely came from the Celiac. This surgery has been a painful one and sometimes wish I didn't do it, but m

Pituitary Issues

It has been a year and three months since I had the "time of month". It took me a whole year to get to an endocrinologist. The symptoms I went through was early menopause(I'm only 23 years old), weight gain, tired, sensitivity to heat and cold, sweating, headaches and depression. My primary doctor kept telling me that it was up to my OBGYN, but my OBGYN told me that it was normal to not have the "time of the month". I am so frustrated because I feel so horrid. I went back to my primary doctor's office to see the nurse practitioner who told me that it isn't normal. I finally was refereed to see an endocrinologist. I have done a number of tests. My blood test came out that I am having pituitary issues, but now we have to figure out what is causing the pituitary to not work. It feels like it is taking for ever. In the mean time I have to be very careful on what I eat because I will gain weight pretty quick. I am waiting to see the nurse practitioner at the

Gluten Free Food Fair in Grand Rapids

The annual Grand Rapids Michigan Gluten Free Food Fair is on May 2nd at Kuyper College on the Beltline. http://myanchorbaptist.org/

Celiac Coach

If you are trying to go on a Gluten Free diet and are having a hard time and feeling like all you can have is fruit and vegetables then you might what to think about having a Celiac Coach. Here things a coach can do: Walk you through a grocery store Help you go through your food and other items in your home. Answer your questions. Help you understand how to eat at resturants. And so much more!! If you are interested please email me at sn1138@gmail.com Tell me what are you needing help with. Make you life easier with a coach. **There is some charges with certain things**

Needing Help Shopping?

Just diagnosed and need help with shopping for the first time or even if you have gone shopping and still need help. I can come and help you. If you live in the West Michigan area please feel free to call. Stephanie's Cell:616-490-2616 I will help you get more familiar with being Gluten Free, so it won't be so stressful. Also I can help clean out cabinets or at least go through want you can and can not have. Just give me a call and I will be glad to help you. Stephanie's 616-490-2616 and email is sn11386@gmail.com