Sunday, November 30, 2014

Celiac.com Information

Posted 11 November 2014 - 12:01 PM
I remember reading many times that some Tazo teas have gluten in them - namely the Green Ginger, Tazo Honeybush, Lemon Ginger, and Tea Lemonade. I decided to check with the company because it looked like all old information and sure enough, they have revised their statement on gluten. Here is what I received from their Customer Care dept. Looks like they have removed the potential gluten in all tea flavors.

Thank you so much for taking the time to contact Tazo.

Thank you for your inquiry. None of our teas contain wheat or barley in them. Some of our teas do contain corn or corn derived products but no wheat or barley.
  • While some glues do contain wheat and/or animal products, no glue of any kind is used to seal Tazo filterbags. They are stapled; so there is no glue present.
  • Tazo Filterbag manufacturing plants have allergen control standards in place.
  • While there is always risk of cross-contamination with gluten containing products in the retail setting, the actual dry filterbag components should not contain any gluten. 

Vitamin Supplements

Collaborate with your doctor and pharmacist.
When it comes to dietary supplements, companies have to say "check with your doctor." But it's often a hollow statement because there's a general lack of education and knowledge about dietary supplements in health care, and the manufacturers know that! This is slowly changing, though. Whether you're seeing a conventional or an alternative practitioner, investigate the supplements you're interested in, and when you go to consult with him or her, take your research with you. Supplement research is moving as fast as any research now, and it's up to you to help your practitioner arrive at the right decision.

Pharmacists are really improving their education in this area, too, and understand or can look up drug and supplement interactions.

Take with food, unless otherwise directed.
Always try to take your supplement with or right after a meal, unless the directions or your doctor tells you to take it on an empty stomach. Taking it with a meal maximizes your stomach acid, which aids absorption, and minimizes the chances of getting gastrointestinal upset—research lingo for an upset stomach, a common side effect of supplements.

You can get too much of a good thing.
Some people like to talk about all the supplements they take every day as if it's a healthy thing. But all those pills make the liver work extra hard to metabolize and detoxify the ingredients (virtually every supplement contains contaminants—such as heavy metals or silicon dioxide, which is sand—even if it's just small amounts).

They may not be treated like prescription drugs, but supplements can still hurt you. A few well-done studies have shown that too much selenium (200 micrograms a day) has been associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, aggressive prostate cancer, and skin cancer recurrence, and with no benefit for heart health. Selenium is a wonderful and probably disease-preventing nutrient; however, either too little or too much can be harmful. Here are some other ways you can OD on supplements.

• Too much vitamin A = liver toxicity
• Too much calcium, vitamin D, or vitamin C = kidney stones
• Too much red yeast rice extract = muscle pain, liver toxicity
• Too much 5-HTP or St. John's wort = nausea
• Too much vitamin B6 = sensory peripheral neuropathy
• Too much fish oil = gastrointestinal upset and an increase in bad cholesterol (LDL)
• Too much zinc = loss of taste and smell
• Too much iron = constipation
• Too much magnesium = diarrhea
• Too much iodine = thyroid problems
• Too much L-arginine = unsafe drop in blood pressure.

I could go on with every supplement ever invented, but I think you get the point. I always recommend taking the lowest dosage possible in every case.
-Rodale News

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Quick Tip

Stock up on healthy gluten-free foods and snacks - so that
when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, you will
still make smart choices when hunger pangs strike.
-Design a Healthy Life

Friday, November 28, 2014

Mandolin Danger

Beware of the mandolin kitchen tool. My sister was using it to thinly slice potatoes and a butternut squash, when she accidentally cut off the tip of her thumb and had to rush to the ER. Don't think it won't happen to you...please be careful!!

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Pumpkin Pudding (egg-free, dairy-free)

AUTHOR: Danielle Walker - AgainstAllGrain.com
SERVES: 6
PREP TIME: 20 mins
COOK TIME: 15 mins TOTAL TIME: 35 mins

Ingredients:


*  I used the Trader Joe’s Organic can, but you can try homemade as well

Instructions:

  1. Pour half of the coconut milk in small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over top. Allow it to bloom (or soak up the liquid) for 5 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk together the remaining coconut milk, pumpkin puree, honey, and pumpkin pie spice in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
  3. Pour in the gelatin and whisk until completely dissolved. Do not let it boil.
  4. Pour mixture into a large heatproof bowl, and press a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the liquid. This will prevent a gelatin ‘skin’ from forming on top.
  5. Place it in the refrigerator for 6 hours or until set. The pudding will be almost solid when chilled.
  6. Remove the plastic wrap and use hand beaters or a stand mixer to beat for 3 to 5 minutes on high, until smooth and creamy.
  7. Serve with gingersnap cookies or you can use it as a pie filling!

No Cheating!

No indiscretions during Thanksgiving please. A friendly reminder that regardless of symptoms the damage still occurs.
Frequently people ask, "Will I be alright if I occasionally cheat and have gluten?" My response never changes. The answer is always: No, once you have determined you are gluten sensitive even the smallest dietary indiscretions can set you back several months. The holidays can be a challenge for some but I encourage you to remain diligent. =-)
-theDr.com

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Chocolate Pumpkin Chiffon Pudding


  1. In a food processor combine pumpkin, coconut milk, and eggs
  2. Pulse in coconut sugar, melted chocolate, salt, and stevia
  3. Transfer into ½ cup mason jars, and place in fridge for 2 hours to set
  4. Serve
Makes 6
please note: this recipe contains raw egg


-Elana's Pantry

Green Smoothie

Don't think you can drink a green smoothie? Let this combo from Live Train Eat Repeat change your mind!
Blend 2 cups coconut water, 1 red apple, 1 banana, 1 kale leaf (no stalk) & half a cup of mango
This is great for kids or adults transitioning into adding more greens into their diets!
— with Sandra M Vazquez.

A Place for Us

We won't be having a support meeting in December but will have one
in January. We are looking for a new place to have our meetings that
is convenient and free. Please let us know if you have any ideas.
Contact: Maureen Marty: mamarty@comcast.net.
Thank you!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Our Support Group

Attendance was up at the November meeting of the Gluten Free Support Group.  Speaker Lisa Angst gave a most interesting presentation, sharing her experience with relationships, travel and shopping while coping with health issues and diet restrictions.  She offered to be our guest again at a future meeting.  Lisa's book, Living Well with Diet Restrictions, is available at Amazon.com and through Barnes & Noble.
We are on a search for a new meeting place as the Public Safety Complex at the Clark County Fairgrounds is utilized by the academy every Saturday throughout the first six months of the calendar year.  Your suggestions for a location should be sent to Maureen Marty at mamarty@comcast.net.
Also, support group members would like to hear your suggestions or requests for topics for our meetings.

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Free Holiday Tastings

Thanksgiving poster

Paleo in Portland

Stacy from Paleo Parents and Sarah from The Paleo Mom are coming to Portland next Friday!!! I just RSVP'd. Portland always turns out a giant crowd for these and I can't wait to see everyone there! Local paleo authors Mickey from Autoimmune Paleo and Kelly from A Girl Worth Saving are coming too!!!

Epic.

http://paleoparents.com/start-here/press-events/

Friday, November 7, 2014

GF Support Meeting Tomorrow!

Please come join us tomorrow for our monthly meeting!

Gluten Free Support Group of SW WA
Agenda: Lisa Angst will present her book, Living Well with Diet Restrictions
Free Gluten Free Pasta Gift Basket Raffle!!!!
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2014
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Location: Public Safety Complex at the Clark County Fairgrounds
(beautiful new building)
505 NW 179th Street, Ridgefield. ½ mile west of I-5, Exit 9.
Cost: Free
For Information: Contact Maureen at 360-571-8998

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Useful Links

Associations (National): 

Gluten Intolerant Group (GIG of NA) http://www.gluten.net/
Celiac Disease Foundation http://www.celiac.com/
Celiac Spru Association http://www.csaceliacs.org/
National Foundation for Celiac Awareness http://www.celiaccentral.org/


Regional GIG Support Groups: 

GIG of Bend https://www.gluten.net/local-branches/bend/
GIG of Eugene http://www.gigbranches.org/eugene/
GIG of Lincoln City https://www.gluten.net/local-branches/grand-ronde/
GIG of McMinnville http://www.glutenfreefriends.org/
GIG of NA http://www.gluten.net/
GIG of Mid Willamette Valley http://www.salemglutenfree.org/
GIG of SW Washington http://www.gigswwa.blogspot.com/

Gluten Free Magazines/News (National): 

Living Without Magazine http://www.livingwithout.com/
Delight Gluten Free http://www.delightglutenfree.com/

Lists: 

Gluten Free Drug List http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/

Support Local Businesses:

Angeline's Bakery http://www.angelinesbakery.com/
Gluten Free Choice (Local CD/GF Educator) http://www.glutenfreechoice.com/home
Lingonberries Market (Local GF Grocery Store!) http://www.lingonberriesmarket.com/
New Cascadia Traditional Bakery (Local) http://www.newcascadiatraditional.com/
Triumph Dining Cards http://www.triumphdining.com/
Gut Gourmet (Local in-home Cheffing Service) http://gutgourmetpdx.com/lets-cook/
-Graindamaged.blogspot.com

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Free Educational Packages

Celiac Information
Please let everyone in your group know that if they would like to receive our educational materials they should email me their name, address, phone and email and I will send them our educational package which consists of our nutrition guide, educational brochure and Dr. Peter Green's book.  We update the nutrition guide and our educational brochure every year.  Everyone on our list receives the current materials as they are updated.
best,
Cynthia

Cynthia Beckman
Director of Development
Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University
Harkness Pavilion
180 Fort Washington Avenue
Suite 934
New York, NY  10032
Tel 212.342.4529
Cell 646.812.1212
Fax 212.342.0447