So how many of you have problems with palpatations, heart flutters or irregular heartbeats? Well this may be why…researchers conducted a study that showed people with celiac disease have a higher percentage of atrial fibrillation than those without.  They are still conducting studies on why…but they do know that they are linked somehow.

Personally…I have always had problems with heart palpitations and an irregular heartbeat.  It has ended me in the hospital and at the Dr’s offices more times than I’d like to count.  Every time though, the tests come back normal.  So my heart is fine (except for the fact that I have some regurgitation, due to a leaky valve).  But they don’t seem to be worried about that.  I will tell you though…it’s very scary when your heart starts get off beat!  I always wondered why I had these issues…maybe from the celiac?

I have put a couple of things together though.  I have noticed that my heart starts acting up when my body isn’t happy.  Now your asking…happy?  I get run down very easily…do you?  If I am doing a lot of labor intensive things for days on end, I tend to get worn down and my body flips out. Sometimes it can take a week or so before I get any energy back or my stomach feels ok.  I get to the point that it will land me in the hospital…my stomach hurts so bad that I can’t eat or drink, my heartbeat goes WAY off beat and I have no energy.  So…if I have labor intensive things to do, I have to stretch it out and take my time.  Is this a celiac thing?  Is this related to the atrial fibrillation?

I am finding more and more studies on celiac disease, which I think is awesome!!  So, hopefully they will find answers to some of these questions soon!!

I want to take a minute and thank all of you who keep coming back to my blog.  I also want to thank the people who use my links to make your purchases. As you all know, I only link to companies that I believe in and use myself.  So I wanted to thank you all, as it is the only source of income from this blog that I have…until my book is released!!! Yes…that’s right…I finally wrote a book!  It will be hitting the shelves in just a few months!  I can’t wait…I have been hearing for such a long time that I should write a book…well I finally did!  It is at the end of the editing process right now and the publisher will be releasing it to bookstores in a couple of months!  So stay tuned!!

I really appreciate everyone’s feedback on my articles and the fact that you all keep coming back to read my next ones!  My hope is that I can help someone out there with celiac, so they don’t have to go through the same things that I went through and am still going through.  So if I help even one person…I am a happy person!!

I wish you all a happy and healthy day!!!

Elizabeth

Hello everyone!  Sorry I have been out of touch lately…let me start by going back a few months…

So about 5 months ago I ended up in the hospital with severe dehydration and a bacterial infection (which they never figured out where it came from or where it was).  This happens to me about once a year, sometimes more.  Usually during the summer, so I am figuring that the heat has something to do with this.  But anyway, I haven’t felt 100% since I was in the hospital, I went through a few months where I thought I was dying, couldn’t get out of bed most of the time and I had absolutely no energy.  They checked my thyroid and did all kinds of tests…everything came back normal.

So I ended up losing 10 pounds, which I really didn’t need to lose and even today, I am still losing weight…can’t gain.  But…I put myself on a plain diet, got rid of all my sugar and caffeine…and I mean ALL sugar!  I also upped my probiotics and I am now finally starting to feel better and I can go out and do things.  I am not 100% there…but really close!

So, they other day….I had a small bowl of ice cream…gluten free…for the last 3 days my stomach has been in knots and I am not feeling quite as well as I was…I am also starting to scratch again.  I have noticed when I have sugar, my stomach, chest and back itch…I just want to rip my skin off.  SO…I am now assuming that my problems over the past 5 months were all associated with sugar.  As long as I’m 100% sugar free…that includes fruits…I seem to be ok…I add a small amount of sugar and I am down and out for a few days.

Anyone else have these issues?  Is it related to celiac?  These are the questions that I am determined to get the answers to!!!

There’s an age-old saying that, in my opinion, has never been more true…

“It’s better to give than to receive.”

And the holiday season is the perfect time for you to give back to the community.

In the spirit of the giving season, I want to bring your attention to a fundraiser I’m helping promote this week for a great gluten-free cause.

This week only, giving just $2 of your hard-earned money will go toward providing scholarships for children to attend a gluten-free summer camp hosted by the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) next summer in Southern California.

But this week, donating $2 doesn’t mean you’re just donating $2…

This week through Sunday, December 25, Gluten-Free Saver has partnered with Van’s Natural Foods to raise money to send children to next summer’s CDF-sponsored summer camp, and Van’s is matching all donations up to $1,000!

The goal is to raise $2,000 – and when you donate $2, you’re really contributing $4.

You can read more about the fundraiser here: www.glutenfreesaver.com.

The summer camp will be held in San Bernardino in Southern California from July 30 to August 3, 2012, and it’s open to all 7-15 year old gluten intolerant and gluten-sensitive children – not just those diagnosed with celiac disease.

Sure, receiving gifts this time of year is always fun, but the feeling of knowing that your generous donation of just $2 can bring a tremendous amount of joy to a young child… well, now that’s priceless.

Please help reach the goal of donating $2,000 to the Celiac Disease Foundation this week. Every $2 helps.

YES! I want to help send a child to a gluten-free summer camp and donate $2 right now!

P.S. 100% of all donations will go directly to CDF.

P.P.S. If you’re feeling extra generous this holiday season, you aren’t limited to donating just $2 – you can give as much money as your heart desires!

Ok…so I have noticed that when it gets closer to the holidays….gluten intolerant people start to freak out a little.  Everyone needs to just calm down.  It’s just another day…it just happens to be centered around food…food that usually has a lot of flour and wheat and gluten in it.  But it doesn’t have to.  And the best part is….no one needs to know that everything on your table is gluten free.  I have been doing a gluten free Thanksgiving for years…no one knows that it’s all gluten free…but they do always tell me that they don’t understand why they feel so much better after eating the food I’ve cooked!  I always love when they say that!!

SO!  Here we go….most turkey’s now will say that they are gluten free.  I know that Walmart carries brands that specifically say “gluten free” on the turkey, Butterball…I have not seen one that says “gluten free” on the packaging, but they say that their turekys are gluten free…as always…check the ingredients list if you really want a Butterball turkey.

Gravy!  Yes..you can have gravy…make it just like you normally would…the only thing you are going to change is the flour…go to Better Batter Gluten Free Flour and exchange “cup for cup”, their flour with the flour you would normally use.  I promise you…it’s comes out just as good…if nor better.  They have some really great recipes on their site too…so check them out.

Stuffing…I have a cornbread recipe and stuffing recipe on the site….check them out and again…use the Better Batter Gluten Free Flour!

Desserts…I have cheesecake and pumpkin pie recipes on the site…they are awesome…and flourless…no one know’s the difference.

Now…are you going over to someone’s house for Thanksgiving…that’s ok too.  Just double check with them that they don’t put anything on the turkey when they cook it…sauces or anything like that.  Offer to make something and bring it.  If you really want stuffing…offer to make the stuffing…you make it gluten free…don’t have to tell anyone…and then you good!  You can also bring a dessert.  The hostess will love that they don’t have to worry about making those items…and you know that you can eat them!  It’s a win…win!

If you have questions or problems with your Thanksgiving…let me know…and if you have a great one…send me pics and tell me all about it!

I wish you all the best Thanksgiving…may it be happy, healthy and gluten free!