How To Cure Celiac Disease

I read the following article almost a year ago. Taking their advice I began my daughter on a mild candida yeast cleanse and cut out all white sugar, white starchy flours (mostly), white rice and processed food from our kitchen.
Now 10 months later, my daughter can eat a piece of wheat toast with no side effects. She isn't completely free from the disease or yeast problem, but she is well on her way.

I encourage you to read the whole article.

An update on the NEW diet change

April 26, 2012. 


That's when I changed Rachel's diet from a strict gluten free to a still gluten free, but with no white sugar, less white flour/starches, and more wholesome natural foods. It's been almost two months since we began this diet.  


Want to know what has happened?


Will you believe me what I'm about to tell you?


Let me just say these few things: Rachel (our daughter with Celiac for 3.5 years now) has had more energy than she has ever had before and she is happier. Her sweet, energetic personality has just shone with her exuberance. What a difference from before! 
Today she ate not one, but two granola bars (homemade) with regular oats. Yes, the regular, full of cross contaminants, oats. What happened? Usually she would be doubled over in pain, on the couch, crying in pain within 20 minutes or less. Then she would move to the bathroom and you can guess what we (a mother and a sick child) would experience in there.
None of that happened. She played on throughout the day as if she had eaten nothing "wrong" and was still her cheerful, wonderful self as we now have come to know her.


Amazing. Unbelievable. Yet very believable. 


I am writing this to give you hope. I am writing this post to give you inspiration to look at what things you or your child are eating. Please read this article with an open mind and give it a go. 


It is worth it.

The Four Letter Word

I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sick and tired of seeing my sweet five year old girl suffer every day. She is separated from the rest of the family by her disease. She has a separate toaster, a separate wash rag to wipe her mouth on, separate toothpaste. When I make wheat bread I make sure she isn't in the kitchen "just in case" she breathes in the flour. And yet, she is still tired a lot of the time. She gets sick easily, even though we homeschool and keep a (somewhat) clean house.  


If gluten-free is really the way to go for Celiac Disease then why doesn't my little girl feel and act healthy. Yes, she is much better than what she used to be before diagnosis, but it makes me wonder.


I use herbs and I enjoy using what God has given us on this green and blue earth. I strive to keep our family away from chemicals, processed foods, etc. So, I started searching on the Internet for herbs used to help Celiacs and their digestive troubles. I came across a website that completely intrigued me. This website was right up my alley! Not only do they promote herbs and such, but they had a whole article on how to treat all kinds of diseases. Uncurable diseases. Including Celiac Disease. A Cure? Really? I looked the article over and it all made sense and it was nothing out of the ordinary. The cure promoted a more healthy lifestyle- right where I wanted myself and my family to be. And I didn't have to pay anything- it was right there- the whole plan and diet change.


I am already starting to implement these changes to mine and my daughter's diet. I am trying to give it to God, keep a level head, but yet hopeful.


Here is the website link: www.healthwyze.org


Here is the Celiac Disease article: http://healthwyze.org/index.php/curing-celiac-disease.html


I hope you will become inspired and motivated to try it!

Living Without - Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Mocha Chocolate Cake - Recipes Article

My Husband and I recently made a delicious GF Dairy Free Chocolate Mocha Cake, Recipe by Living Without. It reminded me of the classic "Wacky Cake" Recipe from wheat days of old. Click below for the recipe:

Living Without - Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Mocha Chocolate Cake - Recipes Article

A "New" Flour Mix

We are trying to eat healthier here at our house. We are cutting out meat, dairy and lowering our sugar intake. At the same time we are eating more of a whole foods, plant based diet which is better for everyone including my dear daughter with Celiac. Our six year old son was just diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in November, so now my husband and I are even more convinced we need to eat healthier, for our children's sake. I've been searching the internet in my spare seconds of time to find vegan, gluten free recipe ideas. Wow. Not much out there, maybe I'm just not seeing it... So you can imagine my excitement when I found this recipe for muffins. Not only was the recipe do-able but the post was about creating a whole grain gluten free flour mix. I didn't even know this was possible. What? Only 30% starches and the rest is whole grain? Amazing. Go ahead and check it out. I'm really liking the site and their recipe ideas.
As far as the said muffin recipe, I made it vegan by using homemade applesauce instead of the buttermilk. They were delicious! Next time though I'm going to cut down on the sugar-they were too sweet for us. 

Traveling Gluten Free? With Kids?

My husband and I have been traveling quite a bit with four kiddos ranging from 6 years old to 5 months. One of my children has Celiac disease. How in the world do I travel in the van for multiple hours, on a tight budget, with 3 picky (ok, selective) children? One of which is strictly gluten free?

Well, I've been taking notes these past few trips and I have some ideas. I would appreciate yours also.

(To make some of these ideas cheaper, you can make it homemade or watch for the sales!)

**Quick breads (I have found my daughter to enjoy GF banana bread, cranberry bread, etc for car food than any other bread. The bread tends to stay moister for a longer period of time than does the regular GF yeast breads.) Slather with butter, peanut butter, and/or jelly.

**Jell-O jigglers (Kraft brand will specify gluten containing ingredients on their food labels) or Knox blocks. Use the jiggler/blocks recipe not the regular jello recipe- it's too soft for the car. The jigglers hold together much better for little fingers.

**Chips (check ingredients, there are chips that are naturally gluten free.)

**Make your own Lunchables. Take rice crackers (or homemade) and cut up GF deli meat and cheese into bite sized squares. My four year old daughter enjoyed this as well as my six year old and my two year old. And it takes them longer to eat it, so great temporary entertainment for the car!

**Lara bars

**Fruit (gotta love grapes! Apples, peach slices, and canned fruits are great too.)

**String cheese

** GF Granola bars

**Yogurt (great for a snack or a breakfast car food, remember to bring a spoon, though, oh, and napkins/wipes.)

**Pudding (again, Kraft brand will specify gluten containing ingredients, or make your own. And again, bring a spoon and wipes)

**How about vegetables? Carrot sticks are practical, but my four year old doesn't particularly enjoy the texture. I tried the V-8 Fusion this last trip. It was a great alternative to just juice or water. My kids liked the Blueberry Pomegranate flavor. We also tried grape tomatoes. Loved 'em! Just be careful with the choking possibility. Slice them in quarters before hand and bring a fork and a bowl.

**Pre-cooked hot dogs work for a quick dinner.

**Jerky can be "if-ey", but we make our own venison jerky. Sometimes our GF daughter likes it, sometimes not...

**Applesauce

**Luna bars

**Popcorn!

**Fruit roll-ups and fruit leather tend to be on the sticky side.

**Does your child enjoy cold leftovers? GF mac n cheese is a fav.

**How about dessert? I try to stick with fruit. Filling kids with sugar when they are stuck in a small space isn't my idea of a good time. But there is a time for chocolate or some other nice alternative. Homemade GF cookies, frosting slathered on some GF banana bread is what I did last time, skittles or starburst is GF as well as Reese's peanut butter cups.

Some tips for traveling:

Bring a cooler. Definitely a must.

Bring plastic bowls. I bring three: one for each kid.

Bring forks and spoons for each child.

Bring lots of wipes. I wipe out each bowl after eating to reduce the cross contamination issue.

Bring a sense of humor and plenty of patience.

Plan out each meal and have ideas for snacks- it makes the trip go so much smoother.

Do some research on restaurants in the area you are traveling. It's good to be prepared!

And lastly:

Enjoy the trip! I've been told over and over: these days with our kids are short, so enjoy them!

Happy summer to you!

Tone’s/Durkee/Spice Islands

Here is a reply from Tone's/Durkee/Spice Islands of which I asked them about their products and if they contained gluten.

Please find attached the Gluten Free List you requested.

If you have questions about products NOT listed on the attached list, or can't open the attachment, please call the Spice Advice Line at1-800-247-5251 weekdays, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM Central Standard Time, and we will be happy to answer your questions.

Consumer Affairs

ACH Food, Inc.

Spices are inherently gluten free. The items listed are safe for those who avoid gluten in their diet, because they contain only spices or non-gluten products.

Tone’s/Durkee/Spice Islands

All Liquid Extracts

All Liquid Flavorings

All Food Coloring

Allspice

Alum

Anise Seed

Apple Pie Spice

Arrowroot

Baking Powder

Baking Soda

Basil

Bay Leaves

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

Caraway Seed

Cardamom

Celery Flakes

Celery Seed

Chicken & Rib Rub

Chicken Seasoning

Chili Powder

Chives

Cilantro

Cinnamon

Cloves

Coriander

Cream of Tartar

Cumin

Curry Powder

Dill Seed/Weed

Fennel

Garlic Pepper

Garlic Powder

Garlic Minced

Garlic Salt

Ginger

Hickory Smoke Salt

Italian Seasoning

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Lemon & Herb

Lemon Garlic Seas.

Lemon Pepper

Lime Pepper

Seasoned Pepper

Mace

Marjoram

Meat Tenderizer

Mint Leaves

MSG

Mustard

Nutmeg

Onion, Minced

Onion Powder

Onion Salt

Orange Peel

Oregano

Oriental 5-Spice

Paprika

Parsley

Pepper, Black/White – all

Pepper, Green Bell

Cayenne Pepper

Crushed Red Pepper

Pickling Spice

Poppy Seed

Poultry Seasoning

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Rosemary

Rosemary Garlic Seas.

Sage

Sesame Seed

Six Pepper Blend

Smokey Mesquite Seas.

Steak Seasoning

Tarragon

Thyme

Turmeric

Salt Free Garden Seas.

Salt Free Lemon Pepper

Salt Free Original All-Purpose Seasoning

Salt Free Garlic & Herb

Salt Free Veg. Seasoning

Crazy Dave’s Lemon Pepper

Crazy Dave’s Pepper & Spice

Crazy Dave’s Salt & Spice

Mr. Pepper

Pizza Seasoning

Spaghetti/Pasta Seasoning

Spicy Spaghetti Seasoning

Durkee California Style Blends

Garlic Powder

Garlic Salt

Onion Powder

Onion Salt

Spice Islands Specialty

Beau Monde

Chili Powder

Fines Herbs

Crystallized Ginger

Italian Herb Seasoning

Garlic Pepper Seasoning

Saffron

Old Hickory Smoked Salt

Summer Savory

Vanilla Bean

Spice Islands Salt-Free

All are gluten free

Spice Islands Grilling Gourmet & World Flavors

All are gluten free


ACH Food, Inc. Items which are also Gluten Free

All Karo Syrups

Golden Griddle, Old Tyme, Beehive, Crown, Lily White and Old Colony

All Mazola Oils and Sprays

Argo Corn Starch

Kingsford, Benson’s and Canada Corn Starch

All Fleischmann’s Yeasts

All Henri’s Salad Dressings

Mug Root Beer

Mug Root Beer is Gluten Free!

Check here under FAQ's.

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Website!

Betty Crocker has a whole new line of products...click here for Gluten Free Betty Crocker baking mixes! Hurrah!

Bertolli Pasta Sauce (U.S.)

I visited Bertolli Pasta Sauce and asked them if any of their products had gluten in them. This is what I received from Bertolli:

"Ingredients that may contain gluten are always listed on the label. Accordingly, the best way to determine whether a product contains gluten is to check the ingredient list on the label. If you are allergic or sensitive to gluten and cannot determine whether the product contains gluten, we suggest you do not use it."

Burger King

Sometimes it's nice to just go out and grab a burger. Check out Burger King's list below for some gluten free items:

Click here for Burger King's list.

Pepsi-Cola

I emailed Pepsi-Cola and this was their response concerning their products and gluten:

Dear Renee,

Thank you for contacting us at Pepsi-Cola.

Here at Pepsi, we use only ingredients that are fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration and deemed safe-for-use in foods.

There is no gluten in any carbonated soft drink produced by Pepsi-Cola Company in North America. Please check out www.pepsiproductfacts.com for additional ingredient information on our other beverages.

I hope this information is helpful. Thanks again for your interest in our products.

Stephanie White
Consumer Relations Representative

012196229A

The Coca Cola Company

I emailed Coca Cola to see if they could send me a list of gluten free products. What a nice list they sent me! Check it out:

We are able to confirm that, in the U.S., the following products are gluten free:

All 100% juice products (without added ingredients)
Aquarius Spring!
Barq's root beer
caffeine free Barq's root beer
diet Barq's root beer
diet Barq's Red Creme Soda
Caribou Iced Coffee (all flavors)
cherry Coke
Diet Cherry Coke
Cherry Coke zero
Coca-Cola
caffeine free Coca-Cola classic
Coca-Cola Zero
DASANI
DASANI Lemon
DASANI Plus Refresh and Revive
DASANI Plus Cleanse and Restore
DASANI Essence
Diet Coke
Diet Coke Plus
caffeine free Diet Coke
Diet Coke Sweetened with Splenda
Diet Coke with Lime
Enviga Sparkling Berry Green Tea
Enviga Sparkling Green Tea
Fanta Grape, Fanta Orange
Fanta Orange Zero
Fresca
FUZE (all flavors)
Gold Peak Lemon Iced Tea
Minute Maid Lemonade
Minute Maid Light Lemonade
Minute Maid Multi-Vitamin Orange Juice
Minute Maid Pomegranate Blueberry
Minute Maid Pomegranate Lemonade
Minute Maid Pomegranate Flavored Tea
Minute Maid Juice Bars (Orange, Cherry and Grape)
NESTEA Sweetened Lemon Tea
Diet NESTEA Lemon
NESTEA Red Tea
NESTEA Citrus Green Tea
Diet NESTEA Citrus Green Tea
NOS Energy Drinks
POWERADE Grape
POWERADE Mountain Blast
POWERADE Zero (all flavors)
POWERADE with ION4 (all flavors)
Rehab
Simply Orange Juice Medium Pulp with Calcium Country Stand
Simply Orange with Mango
Simply Orange with Pineapple
Simply Apple
Simply Grapefruit
Simply Lemonade
Simply Limeade
Simply Lemonade with Raspberry
Sprite
Diet Sprite Zero
vanilla Coke
Vanilla Coke Zero
VIO Vibrancy Drinks


We are able to confirm that, in Canada, the following products are gluten free:

Coca-Cola Classic
Coca-Cola Classic Caffeine Free
Coca-Cola with Lime
Coca-Cola Zero
Barq's Root Beer
caffeine free Barq's Root Beer
Barq's Diet Root Beer
Barq's Diet Red Creme Soda
Diet Coke
Diet Coke with Lime
Diet Coke Caffeine Free
Diet Coke Sweetened with Splenda
Sprite
Diet Sprite Zero
Fresca
DASANI Lemon
Minute Maid Light Lemonade
Simply Lemonade
Simply Limeade
POWERADE Berry Blitz
100% juice products (without added ingredients) are gluten free.

We can tell you that all of our other products meet the Codex definition of gluten free. Codex is in the process of reviewing this standard and we are monitoring the progress closely.

Should you require information on another product, please send us your question in an email.

For additional assistance, you may also contact our Consumer Affairs office by calling (800) 438-2653.

Land O'Lakes Vanilla Ice Cream

Here is reply email from Land O' Lakes regarding their ice cream specifically.

Thank you for your recent e-mail. Your interest in LAND O LAKES Vanilla Ice Cream is greatly appreciated.

LAND O LAKES Vanilla Ice Cream is gluten free; however we must state that there is always a chance of cross contaimination from ingredients that we get from outside suppliers.

We value your opinion and will make sure that the management team is aware of your comments.


Wendy Hiller
Consumer Response Representative

000633639A

Land O' Lakes Products

This isn't entirely helpful, but this is all Land o' Lakes has on their website:

Do LAND O LAKES® Products contain gluten?

Land O'Lakes, Inc. strives to provide complete and accurate ingredient information on its labels. For any specific product, we feel the best source of this information is the product ingredient listing on the package. To date, the FDA and USDA have not defined the term "gluten-free." To the best of our knowledge, the ingredients in our natural dairy products (e.g., natural cheese and butter) do not contain gluten.

McCormick Spices and Herbs

McCormick is a leading brand in spices, herbs, food colorings, extracts, etc. Here is a link to their Q & A page concerning gluten.

Campbell's

Go to Campbell's website and click on the third question down on the list. There you will find a list of their products which contain no gluten. Hurrah!

Caramel Coloring: Is it Gluten Free?

Question: Is Caramel Coloring Gluten Free?

Answer:

Here's the bottom-line answer (right on top): the experts say that yes, caramel coloring is gluten-free.

There is a lot of confusion about this issue, and this answer might contradict what you have heard or read in the past. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.), in its rules on color additives, says the color additive caramel can be derived from the following food-grade carbohydrates: dextrose, invert sugar, lactose, malt syrup, molasses, starch hydrolysates and fractions thereof, or sucrose. Barley malt -- which is the most common kind of malt -- would make a product off-limits to people with celiac disease.

BUT registered dietitian Shelley Case, who is on the medical advisory board of the Celiac Disease Foundation, the Gluten Intolerance Group, and the Canadian Celiac Association, told me that gluten-containing ingredients are no longer used to make caramel coloring in North America, and from my own correspondence with major manufacturers of caramel color that indeed seems to be the case. While gluten-containing ingredients can be used in the production of caramel color, North American companies are now using glucose from corn, or sometimes sucrose (table sugar). In Europe, Shelley says, companies use glucose syrup that's derived from wheat starch, but the caramel color is highly processed and contains no gluten.

Therefore, Shelley says, "Caramel color is an acceptable ingredient on the gluten-free diet and does not need to be restricted."

Taken from About.com-Nancy Lapid

Halloween Candy List for Gluten Free Diets

Click here for a "candy without gluten list" from About.com.

Catelli Pasta Sauce (Canada)

Dear Ms. ____,

Thank you for visiting our website.

As per your inquiry, all of our Catelli Pasta Sauces distributed in Canada, with the exception of Catelli Meat Sauce, are all gluten free. Please note that we would be pleased to mail to your home address a copy of our HEINZ ALLERGENIC & SENSITIVE INGREDIENT DOCUMENT. We trust this document will assist you with your quest for allergen information. We kindly ask that you provide us with your complete mailing address. Upon receipt of this information we will promptly forward the document in question.

Sincerely,

Michelle Altmid
Consumer Services
Heinz Canada