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

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!

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!

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

2011 Gluten free candy list

Ok..so..Rudi’s was nice enough to send me some of their breads to try out and review for them.  I have to say…I was impressed.  The breads all had a really nice taste.  They all had a decent shelf life too.

The only thing that I had a small problem with was the texture.  It was a little harder than I like my breads.  I like really soft bread…which is very hard to find in gluten free breads.  I toasted the breads and it softened them up, so it wasn’t s huge deal.

I made french toast, as you can see in the pictures.  The french toast came out very well, if you like a “multi grain” taste.  I say that…because I like my french toast on white bread…so it had a different taste for me.  I liked it though. I also made grilled cheese sandwiches…which were very good.

They sent me hamburger buns and hot dog buns and I thought those were great!  Not sure if it was because I had missed hot dog and hamburgers buns or because they were really good.  Most gluten free hamburger buns are very “doughy”, like there is too much bread or something….these weren’t like that.  I toasted the bread and they were great.  I did the same thing with hot dog buns.  They made the hot dog buns long, so you can use the longer hot dogs with them, which I thought was awesome.

Overall…I would have to give them 4 out 5 on their bread.  Definitely worth you trying them out.

So…now…leave a comment and sign up for the newsletter and you will be entered to win!  Rudi’s is giving away free bread and sandwich box!  So don’t miss out!!!

The resolution talked about such things as:

• celiac disease affects approximately 1 in every 130 people in the United States, for a total of 3,000,000 people
• majority of people with celiac disease have yet to be diagnosed
• celiac disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is classified as both an autoimmune condition and a genetic condition
• celiac disease causes damage to the lining of the small intestine, which results in overall malnutrition
• celiac disease is underdiagnosed because the symptoms can be attributed to other conditions and are easily overlooked by doctors and patients
• as recently as 2000, the average person with celiac disease waited 11 years for a correct diagnosis
• a delay in the diagnosis of celiac disease can result in damage to the small intestine, which leads to an increased risk for malnutrition, anemia, lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, osteoporosis, miscarriage, congenital malformation, short stature, and disorders of the skin and other organs

Click here to see the entire resolution.

The NFCA’s September newsletter has 13 different ways that you can celebrate this day…so check it out and make big plans for September 13th!  Check out the 13 ways to celebrate here.

I have been using the gluten free Bisquick to make biscuits for awhile and they taste pretty good.  They are easy to make and they are the closest thing I can find to a good biscuit.  So..on the side of the box is the recipe to make pizza dough.  I saw it awhile ago, but never tried it….I think I was tired of trying and being disappointed.  Then my mother calls me and tells me she tried it…and I have to try it…she tells it was awesome.

So…I tried it…I have to admit….VERY good!  It was great!  My father-in-law, husband and kids all said they thought it was great!  It almost tastes like a biscuit with pizza toppings.  It’s not grainy and it cooks properly and gets nice a crispy.  I did one on a pizza stone and the other on a pizza pan.  I wanted to see if it made any difference….the answer is no!  It came out the exact same!  So, if you don’t have a pizza stone…don’t worry about it…don’t spend the extra money…it’s not worth it.

The best part about this…you can buy the Bisquick at Walmart…you don’t have to go to a health food store.  You can even buy the Walmart brand pizza sauce and all the toppings at Walmart…so…it makes the pizza cheap!  I made 2 pizza’s for under $10!

So..give a try and let me know how you like it!!

Happy cooking!!

Check them out!

ToastIt Toaster Bags (2-Pack) – $4.50
Retail Price: $14.50
You Save: $10.00
from: Vat19.com: Curiously Awesome Gifts

1in133.org