New Gluten-Free Girl Scout Cookies: Yay!

For the 2015 cookie season, the Girl Scouts are offering two new gluten-free goodies, Toffee-tastic and Trios. Toffee-tastic is a buttery cookie with yummy toffee bits and Trios are peanut butter oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips. The gf cookies cost a dollar more than their non-gf cousins, but when everyone else is enjoying their Thin Mints and Samoas/Caramel deLites, it's amazing to be able to join in with your own tasty treat.

Toffee-tastic

Trios

Also new this year, the super helpful online cookie finder app. Just type in your location, or specific cookie, and the app will find the closest Girl Scout Cookie booth. It's the 98th year of Girl Scout Cookies and they just keep getting better and better!

Another Deal from NoGii!

Happy Cyber Monday! 

Enjoy this deal from NoGii Gluten-Free Protein Bars:

What's So Bad About Celiac Disease?

What's So Bad about Celiac Disease?

To the (woefully) uninformed, Celiac Disease is an eating disorder, fad or a way to drop a few pounds.  For those of us who have it, however, it can mean years of misdiagnosis and pain.

Have you ever had a version of this conversation in a restaurant?
You: Does this entree have gluten?
Server: I don't know. Does it matter?
You: Well, yes. Can you check with the chef?
Server: I'm pretty sure it's gluten-free.
You: Well, can you make sure, please?
Server: I guess. What's the worst that can happen? Aren't you just allergic? Can't you just take a Benadryl?

Just an allergy. We Celiacs love that. And malignant melanoma is just a skin condition.

But, going back - our brilliant server asked what was the worst that could happen. Well, here's a list, Buddy:

• abdominal pain 
• diarrhea, sometimes debilitating 
• embarrassing gas 
• painful mouth sores and skin rashes 
• incapacitating fatigue 
• bone and/or joint pain 
• headaches, sometimes migraine 
• "brain fog" 
• depression and/or anxiety 
• tingling and/or numbness of the extremities 
• seizures 
• missed menstrual periods 
• mood changes 

If Celiac Disease is undiagnosed, or if one continues to ingest gluten after diagnosis (even just a tiny little bit) the consequences can be serious. Long-term, CD patients may have certain cancers in their future, such as Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and small intestine cancers. Celiac Disease can leave patients susceptible to certain conditions, such as: osteopenia/osteoporosis; dental issues, like enamel and structure defects; infertility and/or miscarriage; birth defects; anemia; failure to thrive (children.)

People who have Celiac Disease have higher rates of other autoimmune disorders, especially: Thyroid disease

• Type 1 Diabetes 
• Lupus 
• Rheumatoid Arthritis 
• Sjogren's syndrome 
• Psoriasis 

So obviously, there's nothing here that a Benadryl is going to fix. People with Celiac Disease have to be diligent about what goes in their mouths, especially when dealing with the under-informed public. I'm sure you know your body, and your CD, better than anyone. If you don't feel like you can trust a restaurant, don't eat there! You don't have to make a scene, but a follow-up phone call may go a long way to helping that place get with the program in the future.

Interested in learning more about Celiac Disease and what it does to you, physically and mentally? Check out these articles:
Allergic Living: Celiac Disease's Toll on Your Teeth 
NFCA: Celiac Disease Related Conditions
Celiac.com: Malignancies in Celiac
Celiac Disease Foundation: "Brain Fog" 
NIH: Celiac Disease and Reproductive Problems

Just for fun: What's the most ridiculous thing you've heard when ordering at a restaurant, regarding your desire for Gluten-Free food? Comment below and we can all roll our eyes together. :)

Gluten-Free Peach and Raspberry Pie

It was the perfect dessert storm*: my husband had raspberries leftover from his batch of raspberry wheat beer and peaches were super cheap at Walmart (reduced to .88/lb.) All I needed was a crust and I was in business. 

Crust
1 6 oz. package Annie's Gluten-free SnickerDoodle cookies 
(or 1 1/2 cups cookie crumbs)
2 T. butter or margarine, melted

Annie's GF SnickerDoodle Cookie crumbs

Filling
6-7 fresh peaches, cut into chunks
1 c fresh or frozen raspberries
1 t lemon juice
1/2 c sugar
2 T cornstarch

Cheap peaches and raspberries from my husband's raspberry patch

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Crush the cookies (I used my trusty Magic Bullet), then mix with melted butter. Reserve about 2 tablespoons (for the top), and press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch pie plate. (I use the flat bottom of a measuring cup.) Bake in the preheated oven for 8 - 10 minutes. Remove and let cool.

Mix the peaches and raspberries in a large bowl. Drizzle lemon juice over the fruit. Add sugar and stir well. Sprinkle corn starch over mixture and stir. (If you're not ready to bake yet, refrigerate the fruit until you are.) Pour mixture onto crust, sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs and bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Let stand for about 10 minutes before cutting.

Right out of the oven!

I've never been much of a pie baker, but this pie won raves from my non-GF family. I especially love the way the cinnamon in the cookies brought out the sweet flavor of the fruit.

*See what I did there? :)

Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity

You have all the symptoms of celiac disease: stomach pain after eating gluten, fatigue, headaches, "brain fog" - but your tests came back negative. What gives? Are you crazy? Is your doctor? Frustrated, you give up and stuff yourself with pizza and beer. It can't hurt, right?

Well, yes and...maybe. Debated about for years, recent research has uncovered a "less severe [than celiac disease] non-specific immune response," according to the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, called Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS.) Both conditions are clinically similar, however NCGS does not cause long-term intestinal damage, nor does it seem to be genetic. In his new book, Gluten Freedom, Alessio Fasano, M.D.,world-renowned expert and founder of Massachusetts General Hospital’s Center for Celiac Research, explains the differences between celiac disease, NCGS and wheat allergy. "Celiac disease is not a food allergy. Food allergies, including wheat allergy, are conditions that an individual might outgrow." Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that never goes away; even with complete avoidance of gluten, sufferers will always have it. NCGS may go away on its own.

Should you be gluten-free?

Celiac disease affects about 1% of the population, or 1 in 133 Americans, while research estimates that 6% of Americans (mostly adults) suffer from Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity. Celiac disease can only be diagnosed by blood tests and biopsy. There is no definitive test for NCGS. Sufferers must be sure to first rule out celiac and wheat allergy, then follow an elimination diet and subsequent gluten challenge. Of course, whenever these maladies are suspected, it is important to find a doctor who has experience with gluten issues. This is not the time to self-diagnose.

Dr. Fasano says "Celiac disease is driven by even minimal cross-contamination of gluten. In gluten sensitivity, this is not necessarily so." Some NCGS patients may be able to tolerate a small amount of gluten; their symptoms emerge when they ingest too much wheat, rye or barley. They undoubtedly feel better off gluten, sometimes right away. Most celiac sufferers also begin to feel better soon after quitting gluten but it can take many years for the intestinal damage to heal, and often it never heals completely. Undiagnosed, celiac disease can cause serious long-term problems like osteoporosis, infertility and cancer.

So, is Gluten Sensitivity a fad? Sometimes. But sometimes it is a very real syndrome with very real symptoms. And if gluten causes distresses, by all means, stop ingesting gluten! But remember, it's always better to err on the side of caution and seek out educated medical help.

Gluten-Free in the News

You don't have time to keep up with the latest in GF news? I understand. Here's a little wrap-up for you.


Gluten-Free Olympians in the 2014 Winter Olympics
Fellow Examiner Jennifer Harris gives a great summary of all the GF athletes competing at the Olympics this winter.

Olympic Rings at Sochi 2014

Quicker Blood Test for Diagnosing Celiac Disease
Scientists may have come up with a quicker, easier way to diagnose CD, which doesn't involve snipping into the small intestine. Score!

Unmanaged Celiac Disease = Increased Risk for Hip Fracture 
Yet another reason not to "cheat" on your gluten-free diet.

9 Things You Should Know Before Going Gluten-Free
The Huffington Post gets in on the action, mostly warning away faddists. There is some useful info here.

Gluten-Free Celebrity News: Scandal's Dan Bucatinsky
A celebrity living with Celiac Disease.

A Gluten-Free Holiday: All I Want for Christmas is...Perky Villi

Two front teeth?  I'm okay there. Whiskers on kittens? Well, that would be great, but my husband would have a fit if we brought any more pets home. Bright copper kettles?  Well, maybe...

If you're in the market for thoughtful gift ideas for someone who has Celiac disease (or who must eat gluten-free) look no further. I've compiled a wish-list. And since I actually have Celiac, I should know, right?

In the Kitchen

For the newly diagnosed, it is imperative that they do a kitchen make-over. Most of their pots and pans, bowls and tools have been contaminated with gluten.  Yes, contaminated.  I know that sounds dramatic, but it's accurate.  Even long-time Celiacs, like myself, can use new stuff. Case in point: I was diagnosed with CD over 11 years ago, but recently I noticed that some of my symptoms were reappearing. I couldn't imagine what was going on: I'm always super-careful cooking at home, I constantly checked and re-checked ingredient lists and I was mindful of cross-contamination (and of course, I have a dedicated toaster.) It wasn't until I read Gluten-Free Cookware and Kitchen Utensils by Jane Anderson that I realized I needed to go shopping for some new kitchen items.  Many of these same items make very appreciated gifts.

Cutting Board

 

Since it's the scratches in cookware and surfaces that hide microscopic particles of gluten, it's only natural that their cutting board is likely harboring tons of the little buggers. And there's no real way to get rid of them. Be safe; get your GF loved-one a dedicated GF cutting board like this one.

Dedicated Gluten-Free Cutting Board

Rolling Pin

If their rolling pin was ever used to make non-GF pastry or cookies, it's time for a new rolling pin. Nothing says Happy Holidays like a fresh new rolling pin. 

Cooking Tools

New cooking tools make great stocking stuffers, like this GF bamboo set. 

Bread Machine 

If your GF loved one is tired of paying upwards of $5.00 for a loaf of mediocre gluten-free bread, it could be time for a bread machine. There are many out there, but the Zojirushi consistently wins raves among the GF community. It has a gluten-free cycle and great GF recipes in the included cookbook.

Books and Magazines

Great gluten-free recipes can be found everywhere - cookbooks, magazines and all over the internet. There are so many great gluten-free cookbooks on the market, here are a few fan favorites:

Gluten-Free on a Shoestring, Quick and Easy: 100 Recipes for the Food You Love--Fast! by Nicole Hunn

Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef: A Love Story with 100 Tempting Recipes by Daniel Ahern and Shauna James Ahern

Unbelievably Gluten-Free: 128 Delicious Recipes: Dinner Dishes You Never Thought You'd Be Able to Eat Again by Anne Byrn

And these magazines offer the very latest health reporting, along with delicious recipes and great tips. A subscription is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

• Easy Eats  (online only) 

 

• Simply Gluten-Free 

• Gluten-Free Living  

• Living Without  

• Delight Gluten-Free  

Clothes and Accessories

 Do your friends have a "Gluten for Punishment" apron? Does your baby have a "Please don't feed me gluten" onesie?

Gluten for Punishment Aprons by trishf429
See more Celiac Aprons at zazzle.com

     

Please don't feed me gluten! t-shirts by trishf429
View other Gluten T-Shirts

Food and Drink

You can never go wrong with an edible present. If you eat gluten-free yourself and are confident in your skills, by all means, prepare your famous GF casserole or cookies and give that as a gift, along with a recipe card. If, however, you're afraid of "glutening" your friend or loved one, there are alternatives.  Many large grocery stores and health food stores have excellent gluten-free food selections. Gift baskets are always appreciated. Some suggestions:

A snack attack bowl - fill a bright plastic bowl with a variety of GF chips, cookies, candies and fun flavored sodas.

A tour of Italy - pile packages of GF pasta, olive oil, grated cheese and a jar of pasta sauce in a shiny new (read: uncontaminated) colander. 

If you don't think your gift basket skills are up to par, there are certainly companies that would be happy to make them and send them for you. I Can Have That! and Gourmet Gift Baskets are just two.

I Can Have That! The Nosh basket

Finally, if your gluten-free friends were beer drinkers once upon a time, I have a great gift idea for you. And believe me, I don't think anyone else is going to come up with this one. Present your GF pal with a 6-pack of flavorful GF beer and you'll have a BFF for life.

This is a list of the best gluten-free beers on the market, according to Bon Appetit  and Men's Fitness magazines.

 

• The Alchemist: Celia Saison
• Bard's
• Green's Endeavor Dubbel Ale
• Estrella Damm: Daura
• Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales: Tweason'ale
• Omission Beer: Lager
• Harvester Fresh Hop IPA
• New Planet Pale Ale
• Lakefront Brewery New Grist

 So there you have it - KindaReal's holiday gift idea list. I hope you find something for all the Celiacs on your list. I mean, we deserve it, don't you think? 

Happy shopping! :)

Gluten-Free Meat Pies from the Land Down Under

I am a very predictable cook.  I get it from my Italian family: When I was growing up, Monday through Wednesday we ate some version of four or five chicken and beef dishes and Thursday and Sunday dinners were always "macaroni" (some kind of pasta).  I try to be a little more creative than that, plus I'm so sick of pasta that I never make it at home (I'm sorry, Grandmom!)  Since I am so picky and don't eat fish, game, veal or anything weird, my dinner choices are slim.  We try to eat beef only once a week, so when it was time for ground beef again, even I was tired of my "usuals."

I was trolling (trolling sounds so ugly, doesn't it? Let's try browsing-) browsing around the web, looking for gluten-free ground beef recipes and who should I happen upon? In the words of my youngest, "that cute GF New Zealander" Chef Jason Roberts, cookbook author and regular of The Chew.  Actually, it wasn't Jason that caught my eye (sorry, mate!); it was this:

www.chefjasonroberts.com

Chef Jason Roberts' "Almost an Aussie Meat Pie." Now, normally, I would just make a Shepherd's Pie with mashed potatoes on top, as Chef Jason suggests if you eat gluten free.  But it just so happens that my older daughter had recently bought me Pillsbury Gluten Free Pie and Pastry Dough 

 

so I thought, Hey! (I really did think that!) This would be a great time to try this stuff! And so I did.

1. So far, so good.  The dough rolled out pretty nicely 

 

between sheets of waxed paper.

2. Uh oh...the dough started breaking apart. And sadly, I don't have cool ramekins like Chef Jason, so I had to use mini foil pie plates. :(

3.  A little reconstructive surgery and egg wash 

makes 

everything better.

4.  Success!  The crust was golden and crumbly and the meat filling was savory and satisfying...simply amazing! Thanks to Chef Jason Roberts and Pillsbury's Gluten Free dough, I can add another ground beef dish to my repertoire.

Gluten Free Fridays Recipe Link-up!

What a great idea!  Every Friday, the fine ladies at Vegetarian Mamma, Gluten Free R. D. and Eat.Live.Make host a Gluten Free Recipe Link-up party, inviting everyone to post their favorite GF recipes.  Last week, they posted over 100 awesomely creative GF recipes.  Check it out!  I just put my Gluten Free Reduced Sugar Oatmeal Peach Crisp recipe there...yum!

Snap, Crackle, & Pop go Gluten-Free!

I recently got together with some old friends, and it was awesome!  Maybe you know them, too:  Snap, Crackle and Pop.  Several years ago, when I was first diagnosed with this silly Celiac disease, I had to end my friendship with this zany trio, and a lot of other old pals from my childhood (Tony the Tiger, the Trix Rabbit, Cap'n Crunch and the Lucky Charms leprechaun, to name a few.)  But thanks to Kellogg's, who recently released gluten-free Rice Krispies, the boys and I are once again sharing the breakfast table.  These new Krispies are made from brown rice and they are just as great as you remember them to be.  I haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure they'll make great Rice Krispie Treats, too.

Some other gluten-free surprises I've come across lately are Mike's Lite Hard Lemonade in lemonade and cranberry lemonade flavors, lots and lots of Zatarain's mixes (22 varieties!!!),  Kikkoman just introduced a gluten-free soy sauce (YAY!), and California Pizza Kitchen now offers a gluten-free crust.  Slowly but surely, my GF friends, the food manufacturers are listening to us.  Keep demanding, don't settle.  Who knows?  Someday we may be able to walk into a McDonald's and order a GF burger.

Chill Out with Gluten-Free RelaxZen

 

Do you ever have days where you are so tense, so stressed out, you just want to scream?  But you can’t just hide under the covers; you have too much to do, right?  That is the perfect time for a RelaxZen Day: a tiny little shot of vitamins, amino acids and herbs that works its magic by chilling you out, focusing you, but not making you drowsy.  

Most of my days are exactly as I’ve described…at the end of the day, I’m wound tighter than a two dollar watch.   But I usually just take a non-refreshing nap, and wake up even more stressed, because I haven’t gotten any housework done and I’m now behind the proverbial 8-ball. 

RelaxZen sent me some samples to review, so I took some RelaxZen Day to work with me and tried it during a particularly rough afternoon.  After about 15 minutes, I felt the stress-wrench easing up.  By the time I got home, I was calm and able to do some housework and make a great dinner.  It didn’t even occur to me to lie down.

RelaxZen Day contains Vitamins B6 and B12, both of which can help with stress and mental clarity.  It also has a proprietary blend including L-theanine, L-threonine, GABA, Passion Flower Extract and Acai Extract.  Oh, and by the way…all RelaxZen’s products are Gluten-Free!

It’s probably not at all surprising that I have trouble falling and staying asleep.  Over the years, I’ve tried just about everything; over-the-counter and prescription medications, herbs, vitamins, homeopathic remedies, wine…you name it.   Lots of things work,  or work for a while, but Rx and OTC meds can be scary, and herbs are sometimes unpredictable, making waking up difficult and leaving me groggy for most of the morning. 

RelaxZen makes a night-time product called RelaxZen Night.  It contains the same ingredients as the Day product, with the addition of Chamomile extract and Pantothenic Acid.  I drank a bottle (2.5 fl.oz.) of the pleasant berry-tasting RelaxZen Night and within 15 minutes, I was feeling calm and sleepy.  I fell asleep pretty quickly and stayed asleep most of the night.  The next time I tried it, I slept the whole night through and woke up easily.  Needless to say, I love these products.  It will be a sad day (or night) in my house when my samples are gone!

RelaxZen is a dietary supplement and conforms to all standards set forth by the FDA’s Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). 

The FDA has not evaluated these claims. RelaxZen is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

RelaxZen has generously offered a case (6 shots) of RelaxZen Day and RelaxZen Night to one of our lucky readers.  Just follow these simple steps:

Mandatory- First, visit RelaxZen and then follow Kinda Real Gluten Free Food via Google Friend Connect and leave us a comment telling us something interesting about RelaxZen products.  (If you are already a GFC follower, great! - just let us know in your comment.)

Extra Entries – (leave a comment for each one-please make sure your email address is included)

• Like RelaxZen on Facebook
• Follow RelaxZen on Twitter
• Follow KindaReal on Twitter

The giveaway ends on March 7, 2011, at 8:00 pm EST.  Winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Good luck!

KindaReal was given samples of RelaxZen products.  All opinions are our own.  Winners have 48 hours to respond to our email, after which time a new winner may be chosen.