BREAKING NEWS :

There seems to be a common theme building in my mind these days. What exactly am I eating and where did it actually come from? I spend so much time looking at food and questioning it on a daily basis while reading labels, but for some reason I am not satisfied by the easy answer. I feel as though I need more information. I want details like location of the ingredients somewhat similar to a bottle of wine and knowing it’s vintage. I want to know if I eat a piece of fruit that it has good energy from growing on a sunny tree. I want to know that it passed through only a few gentle hands, gracefully, preferably locally and above all organically. I need to know this information so that I can become more personally connected to my wellness via my food.

Maybe it is the new year and talk of resolutions that is feeding my appetite for this additional food knowledge. The one thing that I do know about myself is that I get somewhat impatient this time of year if I don’t have a plan as to my hopes and wishes for the coming year. I also get frustrated as to the cold hard and painful fact that I still don’t feel well. So it makes me want to go back to the source. What am I putting into my body? What is the response of the food that is going into me?
So I am digging deeper and into “My R&R Mode” – reading and research mode. I have been reading some very interesting articles and books about the food we eat. One article in particular is embedded in my mind that was posted recently -

Dr. Mark Hyman’s article – “Gluten: What You Don’t Know Might Kill You” posted on the Huffington Post on January 2, 2010

I have seen it posted at least a dozen times on Facebook and yet it doesn’t seem to have caught other people’s attention like it did mine. I think it might have to do with timing but whatever was in the news that day or a few days to follow may have allowed it to just not make the top of the list. Well, it has been on the top of my list of discussions with everyone that I talk to these days.
Dr. Hyman shares some very important information about a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association from 1969-2008. The study proves that Celiacs are not the only ones that have to been cautioned about consuming Gluten. It states that all forms of Gluten Sensitivity and Intolerance are affected but in disguise as other chronic illnesses i.e., IBS, autoimmune diseases, cancer, heart disease just to name a few. Dr. Hyman also questions the cause – Gluten – Why are we so sensitive to this “staff of life” the staple of our diet?

I actually think there is more to it. I think there are more foods that we should question because the more people that I talk to that know they are Celiac or Gluten Intolerant, the more I am finding that they too have multiple food allergies. The FDA’s list of the top 8 Food Allergies – Wheat, Dairy, Soy, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Eggs, Fish and Shellfish. I find it frustrating that Gluten is not on this list. Don’t you? (I think the list should be updated to add – Gluten; which includes wheat barley, rye, spelt, kamut, malt, and oats. Corn, Rice and Yeast because they are also high on the food allergy list as well.) I really want consistency of information.

My hope this year is to create a deeper dialogue between the Gluten Free Foodies so that our voices are heard and we can give support to each other. I want to create more awareness about the risks of undiagnosed Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance. I want us to be able to find healthy Gluten Free Food anywhere we go. My wish is for all of us to be well and eat good, healthy food so that we can do the things we love and live a balanced life.

What are your thoughts? I want to hear from you. I want to know what foods are on your list of additional food allergies. Please email me at glutenfreefoodie@gmail.com and share your thoughts with me.

I look forward to chatting with you!

Lisa

For more information about the GLUTEN FREE FOODIES  events or to chat with me via email glutenfreefoodie@gmail.com .  I look forward to hearing from you!

I am adding a few of my new favorite Gluten Free Cookbooks to my MUST have list. I apologize for such a late posting, so close to the holiday, but I only just picked these books up and wanted to tell you about them right away.

Gluten-Free Italian (… need I say more??!!)

by Jacquelie Mallorca

The book covers some basic recipes for all of your favorite Italian dishes like Chicken Scaloppine with Almond Crust and Lemon - can’t wait to try this can you? Oh… and Foccacia with Black Olives.

Easy Gluten-Free Baking by Elizabeth Barbone

This is a perfect cookbook for the Gluten Free baker that needs help with the basic recipes like cakes, cookies, pies etc. The best part about this book is the back section – Tastes Like … recipes for our old favorites like Oreos, Twinkies, Ritz and Saltine Crackers! I can’t wait to have some time to try all of these … actually taste them is more like it!!!

 

 

Artisianal Gluten-Free Cooking

by Kelli Bronski and Peter Bronski

 

I think the recipes that intrigue me most about this cookbook are the variety of pizza doughs or crust and recipes … yes I said variety!!! Get this … Deep Dish, Thin Crust, New York Style, Chicago-Deep Dish … PIZZA! Actually there are recipes from around the world including - Thai Coconut Cilantro Chicken to Mexican Spiced- Rubbed Pork Tenderloin.

Thank goodness we all know “some people” that thrive on shopping at the last minute! Just don’t forget to tell them that you have a few additions to “your wish list”. Look at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com or your favorite local bookstore like Eagle Harbor Book Comapny on Bainbridge Island.

Enjoy!

Lisa

For more info about the GLUTEN FREE FOODIES  events or to chat with me via email glutenfreefoodie@gmail.com . I look forward to hearing from you!

Not sure if you like donuts … Who doesn’t???
YES … I said it …
GLUTEN FREE CINNAMON DONUTS …

Hopefully you have a really good, strong cup of coffee while you read this … so that you can wake up and run to the store to get some too!

Kinnikinnik Foods – makes them and you can find them in the freezer section at Town & Country, Central Market and Whole Foods Market. I put mine in a small bowl with a paper towel on top and heat it in the microwave for about 22 seconds. You get 6 donuts in the box so you can share or save them for special occasions. The donuts are Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Dairy Free and Soy Free. They also come in glaze, but I really like the Cinnamon!

This is the perfect treat for a special day like Thanksgiving or a birthday when you just want a little extra “sweet treat” for you or your extra special gluten intolerant sweetie in your life! The best part is that you can stay in your jammies … pop them in the microwave … make the coffee and you don’t even have to go out the door … well … as long as you plan ahead and get them the next time you go to the grocery store!

Living Gluten Free isn’t so bad after all …

Enjoy!

Lisa – Gluten Free Foodie

For more info about the GLUTEN FREE FOODIES events or to chat with me via email glutenfreefoodie@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you!

Easy, flavorful and fast dinner - Gluten Free Spaghetti Squash with Rosemary Chicken Sausage. In the past few years I have discovered Spaghetti Squash and really love it! It is a great alternative to traditional pasta or brown rice, corn or quinoa pasta because it is a vegetable. It is low in Saturated Fat, good source of Niacin, B6, Potassium, Manganese and a good source of fiber and Vitamin C. 1 cup = 42 calories.

Cook the squash on a baking sheet and carefully pierce with a skewer several times, then put it in the oven at 375 degrees for 1 hour. Take it out and use hot pads to hold it while you cut it length-wise through the squash. Let it cool slightly on a rack. Use a large spoon to scoop out the seeds in the middle and throw the seeds away. Use a large fork and begin to run the teeth of the fork down the interior of the squash as the meat of the squash begins to shred into strings like “spaghetti”.

Did you know that there is really good  GLUTEN FREE GRANOLA?  Have you tried Enjoy Life Food’s Granola? I love it – hot in the morning with Coconut Milk. This is one of my favorite, fast and easy ways to enjoy breakfast in the morning. I put about a cup of Coconut Milk into a bowl with a 1/2 cup of Enjoy Life Cinnamon Crunch Granola.

I admit there are a few things that I miss, but just as I think about it, another great company delivers. It is almost as if they are in my head or my stomach as I begin to think … would it be nice to have some granola – better yet some gluten free and allergy friendly tasty granola? I highly recommend that you look for this the next time you go shopping. Ask your grocer to carry it if you can’t find it. I put some in snack size zip lock bags or a small container and take it with me in the car. I always get hungry when I am out running errands and this is a great way to stick to a gluten free lifestyle. It is slightly sweet, with cinnamon and raisins. It definitely satisfies the crunch that we sometimes just need in a healthy snack.
Enjoy!

It’s time to rally for the Phillies tonight in the first game of the 2009 World Series!  In honor of the Phillies … Foley’s Pizza is making their world famous  (in my world) … Gluten Free Philly Cheese Steak Pizza !!! I went to see Mona yesterday in Bremerton to catch up on “pizza talk” … and I had the greatest Gluten Free Pizza – I had to order the Italian and after the first bite said … I need another pizza! So I asked if she could turn the Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich into a Gluten Free Pizza? To my delight … about 30 minutes later … hot out of the oven and in front of me…. a gorgeous pizza see picture with thinly sliced beef, sauteed green peppers, onion and lots of cheese … just like the sandwich but even better as a Gluten Free Pizza! So be sure to say “GO PHILLIES ! I WANT MY GLUTEN FREE PHILLY CHEESE STEAK PIZZA … PLEASE!” to get the special.  If you have non-gluten free people in your group you can order a regular as well. Trust me you won’t want to share this pizza because you will want all of it!

After just one bite I told her that this is the perfect way to celebrate the Phillies at the World Series and that I had to share this with the Gluten Free Foodies. So here is the info – Call Mona at 360.373.7222 – Foley’s Pizza  is located at 724 Lebo Blvd in Bremerton, WA. Free delivery with a $15 minimum ask for details when you call to place your order.

Gooooo Phillies!

Enjoy!

Lisa

For more info about the GLUTEN FREE FOODIES events or to chat with me via email glutenfreefoodie@gmail.com .  I look forward to hearing from you!

 Celebrate Celiac Awareness Month

with the

GLUTEN FREE FOODIES

October 24, 2009 1:30 – 3:30 at Element 7 Wellness

Learn about Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance and Food Allergies while you exchange ideas, experiences, information, meet new people and

 best of all … really great Gluten Free food! 

 We will be sampling Teas provided by Element 7 Wellness in the

new Tea Lounge.

Bring your favorite Gluten Free food to share with a recipe card of all the ingredients so that others with additional Food Allergies can decide if the food is good for them too!

Element 7 Wellness is located at

123 Bjune Drive, suite 111, just off Madison Road on Bainbridge Island.

For more info and to RSVP by October 23, 2009 – please email me at

glutenfreefoodie@gmail.com

I look forward to seeing you!

Lisa

GLUTEN FREE FOODIES  - Celebrate the foods that you can eat!