Gluten Free and You Digest: June 2011

The Gluten Free and You Digest is a post in which I like to wrap up the month's events in a neat little package. Of course there are so many headlines bursting about gluten free awareness I will not get them all. That's where you come in. If you dear reader saw an article recently that you believe is noteworthy I invite you to comment about it in the comment section below this post.

I was diagnosed 3 years ago in June. If you have been diagnosed and really don't know which way to turn for help there are some really great resources. Through the University of Chicago you can not only get information about celiac disease but also by meeting certain criteria you can get a Gluten Free Care Package.

The National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse website is another source that is very user friendly and very informative. I recommended this website to my son's elementary school administration when he was diagnosed.

I am pleased to post that the prestigious Philadelphia Award was given to Alice Bast, Founder of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness  (NFCA) for her dedication to raising celiac awareness. Gluten Free and You would like to congratulate Ms. Bast on her award and thank her and the staff of the NFCA for their commitment to raising funds for research, education and screening.

Bast will be given the award, along with the $25,000 prize that comes with it, on May 17th, 2011. source: The Gluten Free Bulletin

 The following is the Mission and Vision Statements from the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

Mission:

To be the leading organization in raising awareness for celiac disease and gluten intolerance that will facilitate research, education and early diagnosis, and improve the quality of life for children and adults affected by this autoimmune disease.

Vision:

We envision a world in which:

• Celiac disease is widely recognized as one of the most common hereditary diseases.
• Better, more accurate, and cost-effective screening methodologies are available and in use.
• A pharmaceutical cure is in place to prevent the onset or mitigate the effects of this autoimmune disorder so that men and women suffering from celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis can lead a normal life

 One last current event to share is that Sarah Jane Smith, one of the the NFCA's Celiac Disease Athletes for Awareness played this past weekend in the LPGA Championship presented by Wegmans in Rochester, NY. According to the  LPGA Season Overview, Sarah has had seven starts and one top ten finish. Congratulations Sarah!

"I changed my diet because Celiac disease runs in my family. Earlier this spring, I stopped eating wheat or gluten. I cut out bread and pasta and it's really helped. I feel better on the course and the new diet has given me more energy. It requires a lot of planning, though. You can't just grab a sandwich when you go out on the course. Now, I eat a lot of gluten-free energy bars, fruits and nuts, and rice cakes with wheat-free peanut butter." ~Sarah Jane Smith source: Gluten Free  NYC 

Quinoa Egg Salad

Dear Reader,
I am entering Quinoa Egg Salad in The Gluten Free Homemaker's  Monthly Challenge for June. Wish me luck on getting picked to have this recipe displayed on Linda's fabulous blog.

Recipe Tip: I made enough for one serving, but this recipe can easily be doubled even tripled.

1/2 cup cooked  and cooled quinoa

1 hard boiled egg, chopped

1 Tbsp mayonnaise

1 tsp mustard

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir to desired consistency. Salt and pepper to taste, enjoy!
 Reprinted from original post dated 5/24/10.

I Used to Take Bread Crumbs for Granted

When I write a product review, you can be sure I am passionate about it. My review of Pamela's Products Gluten Free Bread Mix is no exception. In fact, this bread mix which I discovered with the help of a R.O.C.K. co-chair nearly changed my life and that of my son.  My celiac disease diagnosis was stunning and scary. I was riddled with questions and  guilt about having passed it to my son. The clear thinking me knew it was not my fault and that pretty soon I would figure out the gluten free diet and live a happy and healthy life.

Pamela's Products Gluten Free Bread Mix gave me the jump start I needed to feel reassured that I could eat gluten free and enjoy it. My son and I had tried a few breads purchased from the freezer section of a grocery store. Then we tried Pamela's.  Baked inside my bread maker, it was like no other bread I had ever had, gluten free or not. The outside was crisp, the inside fluffy and moist. It compliments all foods. I have made everything from peanut butter and jelly on this bread to french toast and grilled cheese. It goes well with soup. I could write a book on the foods I have had with this bread.

I used to take bread crumbs for granted. Well, no more. That's right, this bread is so delicious you must use every last crumb. I have many recipes that call for bread crumbs. I will often take unused portions of my loaf and put it in the food processor and make crumbs and then place them in the freezer in a freezer bag or container.


 I  highly recommend an excellent bread knife. I labeled this product review under Top 20, Links, Product Reviews and Quick Prep. It does take nearly four hours with my bread machine to bake this bread, but the prep is under ten minutes. Top 20 is a new label. This label is exclusively for my top twenty favorite gluten free products. Stay tuned as this label category takes shape.

Today is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day

It brings me great joy to announce that on August 3, 2010, the United Sates Senate voted unanimously to adopt S. Res. 605, a resolution designating today, September 13, 2010, as National Celiac Disease Awareness Day.

United Sates Senator James Inhofe  R.(Okla.) had this to say,

“As an ongoing supporter for this cause, I am pleased that the U.S. Senate passed this resolution again this year. I applaud the efforts of both Members of Congress and the many organizations who continue to raise much needed awareness for celiac disease that currently affects an estimated 3 million Americans and thousands of Oklahomans. Greater awareness of this disease is needed to properly diagnose and treat the many who suffer the debilitating affects caused by celiac disease.” 

Why September 13th? Well today is Samuel Jones Gee's birthday. Gee is attributed as the first person to link celiac disease and diet. Gee is also known for his inclusion of children in his work.

August 13, 2006, was the first National Celiac Disease Awareness Day; and thanks to Senator Inhofe and others, our government is taking notice and encouraging the ever needed awareness of this complex and often misunderstood disease.

ROCK- A Good Place to Start

Raising Our Celiac Kids or ROCK for short is support group developed by Danna Korn with chapters across the United States. Members of ROCK chapters get and give advice on all aspects of living gluten free whether you have celiac disease or another affliction which requires adherence to a gluten free diet.

I have already posted about ROCK before, but decided it was worth repeating for a few reasons. One, it is a fantastic organization and two I am wondering how many people are being told right now, "You really need to have your child on a strict gluten free diet.", and don't know where to begin. That was me just over two years ago. Well, ROCK is a good place to start. The organizer of the ROCK chapter I belong to was the voice of reason in the early stages of accepting that my child and I had celiac disease.

Don't hesitate, check the list on the link and see if there is a ROCK chapter near you. Call the organizer of the closest one to you. They can offer advice to you as your child goes back to school and a host of other issues.

This is Gluten Free and YOU because you are important and I appreciate you checking out my blogspot. Thank you and come again soon!

Starch Substitution

 Oh no, I am out of potato starch. Has this happened to you?

 I was looking online for a starch substitution chart. I found a good one at http://www.foodsubs.com/ThickenStarch.html I will be posting this link at the bottom of the blogspot under Informational Links, which is the place I go to for quick info, and I hope you do too. Meanwhile I hope cornstarch works for my recipe. Fingers crossed!

Readers I hope you a have wonderful Memorial Day. I hope you get to spend this weekend with family and friends. More posts to come, but for now I am going to relax, have fun, and enjoy the FREEDOM that men and women much braver than I have afforded me. God Bless America!

University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research International Walk for Celiac Disease

I am posting tonight because I am going to be participating in an upcoming walk/run. My family and I participated last year and I was overwhelmed with the sea of people who all had something in common. We either had celiac disease/gluten intolerance or were there in support of someone who does. We shared stories of heartbreak and satisfaction. It was a very special day for my son, myself and my family. 

 

There is still time to participate in a walk/run to benefit the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research International Walk for Celiac Disease.  There are still many events in May and June. The link www.celiacwalk.org will provide you with information on events and how to participate and/or donate. 

 

Many, many thanks from my family to the organizers of the walk/runs. The events are large and  getting larger every year with each new diagnosis. The celiac community is a growing one; with the Center's help it is my hope that patients can live better and healthier lives.

 

Raising Our Celiac Kids (R.O.C.K.)

A R.O.C.K. chapter can make a big difference in the life of a child with celiac disease, gluten intolerance and for any child whose pediatrician has suggested a gluten free diet. My family has attended R.O.C.K. activities.  The chapter members were so welcoming and supportive.  This is in part how I learned about many gluten free products that are not just gluten free, but delicious.

If you were to ask me how I found out about R.O.C.K., I would tell you that I got very lucky. It happened on my first trip to the grocery store after my son's diagnosis. My husband and I were wandering around somewhat bewildered, wondering if our son's diet was ever going to include bread again. An employee of the store must have seen my distress and during our conversation she handed me the card of a R.O.CK Chapter Coordinator.

The following is the story of  R.O.C.K  founder, Daana Korn. For the entire article, a list of R.O.C.K. Chapters across the United States, and books written by Danna Korn, see the following link

http://www.celiac.com/articles/563/1/ROCK-Raising-Our-Celiac-Kids---National-Celiac-Disease-Support-Group/Page1.html

Danna Korn founded R.O.C.K. in 1991 after her son, Tyler, was diagnosed with celiac disease. It has grown to international proportions, helping families all over the world deal with the unique challenges of raising a child on a gluten-free diet. When children are diagnosed with celiac disease at an early age, they usually have a severe intolerance to gluten, and are often extremely sick when ultimately diagnosed. Most parents share horror stories of visiting several doctors before finally arriving at a diagnosis, and are frustrated, exasperated, and angry, yet relieved to finally have a direction in which to turn. Sometimes it helps to talk about it, and it always helps to have some guidance when initially diving into the gluten-free diet. Raising Our Celiac Kids is a support group for parents, families and friends of kids with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. We welcome families of autistic kids involved in a gluten-free/casein-free dietary intervention program.

What is Celiac Disease?

Once my son and I were diagnosed with celiac disease, I found the following to be most helpful in understanding what celiac disease is. For this and much more see the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearing House. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/

 http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/#what

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms.

The small intestine is shaded above.
When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine. Villi normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats.

Villi on the lining of the small intestine help absorb nutrients.
Celiac disease is both a disease of malabsorption—meaning nutrients are not absorbed properly—and an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Celiac disease is genetic, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease is triggered—or becomes active for the first time—after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress.

I'll Drink To That

Another great day for celiac sufferers as more and more media attention is driven our way! Just found the following article on the NYDailyNews.com  website.

I must say the attention to Red Bridge Beer made by Anheuser-Busch Inc. is well deserved, I have a six pack in my fridge right now. Please click on the link for the entire article. Cheers!

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/food/2010/05/11/2010-05-11_as_more_cases_of_celiac_disease_are_diagnosed_the_market_for_glutenfree_foods_is.html

Color Me Impressed

 The following link is to a 16 page insert from the May 7, 2010, USA Today. What wonderful exposure for the Celiac Community. What a great resource for the newly diagnosed and veteran celiac sufferer. Two thumbs up USA Today.

http://www.celiaccentral.org/SiteData/docs/USAToday.C/3e03bb707ddd321e/USAToday.CD.May2010.pdf

Celiac Disease Awareness Month

May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month. I encourage all readers to go to theNational Institute of Health website regarding celiac disease
http://celiac.nih.gov/
and also the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearing House
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/.

Both sites contain information regarding celiac disease. However, if you think you or someone you love has this disease don't just rely on information from websites, go talk to a medical professional. I am so glad I did.