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!

It’s that time of year again.  The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has issued their list of gluten free candy for 2011.  So, make sure you check all the candy that you get this year and always double check the ingredients, as sometimes the ingredients are different, depending on the size of the candy.  Still haven’t figured out why that is..but it is!  So ALWAYS double check!

Hope everyone has a very Happy and Gluten free Halloween!!

2011 Gluten free candy list