The Road Trip!

We started off early Saturday morning and headed out to the 5 fwy north towards Oregon. Going away for 8 days takes planning. Having a restricted diet takes lots of planning and a little bit of "courage". I made foods, I purchased foods, packed up the bags and searched  findmegluten-free.com, so we could eat on the road with minimal stress.

As we got past Los Angeles we started to see a recurring landscape theme. Dried bush, no greenery and lots of dust in the air. It looks like the "Dust Bowl" of the1930's. There was no let up even past Sacramento.   Mt. Shasta Lake has barely any water in it and it is a huge lake. For those who do not live in CA, it is so hot here during the summer, with little to no rain, that we do not see a lot of green in the hills until fall. Then it stays green until April/May. The drought is most definitely here.

Back to eating: Lunch was sandwiches on homemade bread. Later we stopped in Sacramento for the night. I found "The Farmer's Kitchen Cafe" in Davis, It is a 100% Gluten -free and dairy-free eatery. Excellent baked goods, especially the dinner rolls. We purchased a loaf of bread to make sandwiches on the road. We shared a Caesar salad with homemade croutons and chicken em-pandas with risotto. Their menu is "Plat du Jour" which roughly translated means "food of the day". They make several meals and when you come in you can chose from the 3-5 options. They do a huge take out business.

Breakfast next morning was more challenging. I had made hard boiled eggs and purchased packets of  Gluten-free oatmeal. We had this in our room and planned to travel to Redding for a real breakfast. There were only a few options that appeared safe but when we got there I questioned it. Instead we had  some snacks that I brought with us. Several hours later we stopped for gas and found a Ray's Food Place (grocery store) just at the base of Mt Shasta. They carry Ketschmar deli meats which are gluten-free. We happily made sandwiches and ate them will we drove.

We got to Oregon mid day and headed to Richard's uncles house where were having dinner. I had already had detailed communication with Brooke and she assured me she would cook GF. I knew she is a gourmet cook and knows her way around ingredients but of course I was still concerned. She made an exceptional meal of Morocco Chicken, saffron rice and salad. She had all the recipes books out so I could review the ingredients. The meal was delightful and uneventful (no reaction to the food)

We stayed in Ashland, Oregon that night. I had heard Ashland was a progressive town  and well aware of foods and health. They lived up tot heir reputation. We had breakfast at a place called "Brothers Restaurant".
They use rice oil to substitute for diary, they carry Udi's breads and  are well aware of cross contamination issues.

After a lovely stroll in 32 degree temperatures, we headed back down the 5 fwy to San Bruno. We enjoyed the snacks I had with us. We are now resting here with friends for a few days. I will be checking out several GF bakeries etc and will continue this when we are home.

Read Labels it Could Save Your Life!

READ LABELS seems to come out of my mouth on a regular basis.
I am at a friends house and I am helping them clean out their pantry so they can go gluten-free (health reasons). When I go through this process I never assume something is okay, even if it looks obvious or appears to be fine.
As many of you know, I am deathly allergic to celery and any celery product. Now I am also allergic to sunflowers but I was looking for gluten.
Today I got a SURPRISE, Planters Dry Roasted Sunflower Kernels, has celery in them.
Lesson always read the labels.

My Gluten-Free Handbooks are on Amazon!

 As many of you know, I started writing a “How To” Gluten-free book 2 years ago. One year into the process the book had grown to over 200 pages. I decided I didn’t want another lengthy book that would take days to read and even longer to process. I made up my mind to break the book up into handbooks that are manageable and easy to understand. I am now the proud author of 2 handbooks with a third one on the way. (Gluten-Free Living 101 will be on Amazon soon.) Handbook descriptions below:

Is Gluten Hiding inYour Shampoo? It was Hiding in Mine!

          ISBN-10: 1494407825

          ISBN-13: 978-1494407827

Is Gluten Hiding inYour Kid’s Things?

          ISBN-10: 1494335018

          ISBN-13: 978-1494335014

Is Gluten Hiding in Your Shampoo? It was Hiding in Mine! is a detailed gluten-free shopping guide with over 2,400 personal care products. Why take the risk of being exposed to gluten, when using this easy- to- use handbook can protect you? This handbook will help you avoid products containing gluten and recommend products that are gluten-free.

Gluten can and often does affect people’s digestive system but did you know it can cause skin issues also. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is a disease similar to Celiac but instead of affecting the digestive system it causes clusters of watery, itchy blisters. Doctors are also linking skin issues such as; eczema, psoriasis, and undetermined rashes to topical gluten exposure.

This handbook includes:

• Basic Gluten Facts
• List of over 200 gluten containing ingredient names used in personal care products.
• Personal Care Products Categorized by Type, Brand, and Item (detailing if the product is gluten-free or if it contains gluten and/or whether it is undetermined)
• Categories include but are not limited to: medication, dental products, body lotion, soap, hair products, skin care, nail products, deodorant, sunscreen and cosmetics
• Men’s Personal Care Products (including lotions, soaps, condoms, deodorant, facial products, and shaving products)

       

Is Gluten Hiding in Your Kid’s Things? Raising children on a gluten-free diet can be challenging and frustrating.  This handbook guides parents and/or guardians through the world of gluten-free living. Looking for answers to questions such as: what is gluten, where can gluten be found, what foods can I feed my child, and is gluten in non-food products?  Tired of playing gluten detective? Are you struggling with your child’s emotional reaction to having to live a gluten-free life? Then this easy-to-follow, gluten-free handbook is for you.

Included in this handbook:

• Gluten Facts
• Shopping List (over 750 child and infant products such as:  foods, body care products, art supplies, diapers, formula and more)
• Creative Ideas (fun ways to adjust to a gluten-free lifestyle)
• Menu Ideas (including a list of gluten-free snacks and treats)
• Fast Food Facts
• Gluten-Free Candy and More…

Thank you all for your love, support, friendship and patience.

Marian Z Geringer

Benefits of Bone Broth

I made bone broth yesterday for the first time, for my friend who just had surgery to remove stomach cancer. My friend is now home and can only eat broth for 2 weeks. The most nutritious broth is bone broths. This broth is filled with nutrients, iron, calcium etc that are easy to absorb and probiotics that help heal the gut.

I made a chicken broth and beef broth. I do not eat beef often and brisket is the only red meat I have cooked years, so buying oxtail, knuckle ones and marrow bones and chicken feet was a little out of my wheel house. Sure hope it tastes okay. It soaks for hours and then brews for 8-18 more. 

I was told to cook the first batch for 8 hours. The longer you cook it the more is released and since this person is just out of surgery, I was told to start slowly.
 

For more information about the benefits of bone broth here are a few sites:

The GAPS diet (gut and physiology) is being used all over the world to help people heal their gut issues.
 

Living Healthy n Happy is a wonderful blog filled with valuable information about the GAPs diet, fermented foods etc.   

Wellnessmama has a good tutorial on how to make bone broth. The photo below is from her tutorial. 
 

Tea Anyone?

Teas come in various forms: tea bags, loose and single serving container such as K-cups.  Tea is inherently gluten-free. But it is not that simple.

Flavored tea can contain gluten in the form of malt, malt barley or barley.

Tea bags can be made with barley (this would not be on the ingredient list)

Some tea manufactures use glue to hold the tea bag wrapper together. This glue may contain gluten.There is little information about single serving packaging and the ingredients are proprietary. 

I have contacted the following companies and here are the responses.

There is a quick view list and then a detailed list by company. 

Key Codes:

       GF = GLUTEN-FREE

       GF? = the TEA BAG is unknown

       Dedicated Facility – no cross contamination

       Non GMO- no genetically modified ingredients      

       Possible Cross Contamination: due to the facility

       Unknown means I consider this an unsafe brand due to lack of information. 

     

Quick List of Teas:

Bigelow Tea (via website & phone) GF & Dedicated Facility

Celestial Seasoning: (via website) Unknown

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf:(via  email)GF& Possible CrossContamination   

David Tea: (via website) GF

Good Earth (via website & email) GF & Dedicated Facility         

Green Mountain Tea (via phone)  GF

Lipton Tea: (via website) Unknown

     
     MightyTea (via website) GF, possible Cross Contamination

     Numi Tea: (via email) GF, NON-GMO, DEDICATED FACILITY

Peets Coffee & Tea (via email) GF

     
     Pukka Tea: (via email)   GF

    
     Republic of Tea (via website) Certified GF by GFCO

      
     Red Rose Tea (via website & phone)  GF?

     

     Stash Tea (via website & phone)  Possible Cross Contamination. 

 

     Tazo Tea (via email)  Unknown

     
     Teavana: (via website)  GF & Dedicated facility

    
     Tetley Tea: (via phone)  GF & Dedicated Facility

     
     Twining Tea (via email) GF?

    
     Yogi Tea (via email) GLUTEN in many teas & Possible Cross Contamination

Detailed list by manufacture and comments made about the product:

Bigelow Tea (via website & phone) GF & Dedicated Facility

“Is GF but contains soy.”            

 The Bigelow phone representative stated:

Bigelow discontinued the teas that did contained gluten.

 They converted their manufacturing plant so it is completely GF.           

  

Celestial seasoning: (via website) Unknown

‘… a few Celestial Seasonings tea contain roasted barley, which contributes a small amount of gluten. We recommend reviewing the box of tea you’re interested in to make sure it says “gluten free”’.

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf: (via email)

                                                     GF & Possible Cross Contamination

“All of our coffees, teas and powders are made without gluten ingredients. Though, please note that our powders are produced in a facility that does produce products for other companies that may contain gluten. So,there is always a risk of cross contamination.  For nutritional information on a specific item please feel free to email us at info@coffeebean.com.”

David Tea: (via website) GF

    “Yes indeed, but please be aware that our teas do not come from certified 

      gluten-free facility."   

Good Earth (via website & email) GF & Dedicated Facility         

      “All of our teas are gluten-free as well as free from containing MSG, sugar, 

     preservatives or sweeteners, either natural or artificial and are made in

     allergen free production facilities  Any perceived sweetness in the tea is due

     to the combination of herbs, spices and citrus components in the blends.”

Green Mountain Tea (via phone)  GF

All tea is gluten-free.

The tea comes in K cups and I am waiting for an answer. 


Lipton Tea ( via website) Unknown
"We recommend that you read the label each time before buying our products. If gluten is present, it is clearly listed in plain language on the ingredient label. (i.e. wheat flour, rye , barley, oats, and malt)"
Tea Bag/ Tea Attachment:
"We do not use any glue in the assembly of our Tea bags or tags. Where a staple is not used, we use pressure and heat to adhere the string to the tag and the bag." 

Mighty Tea (via website)  GF & Possible Cross Contamination
"None of our blends contain wheat, rye, barley, or oats, so the tea itself is gluten-free. However, our teas may be processed in a facility that also processes gluten products, opening up the risk for cross contamination." 

Numi Tea ( via website) GF, NON-GMO, Dedicated Facility 
"...All Numi products are gluten-free. Our tea are packaged in facilities and on machines that do  not process or work with gluten. Our teas do not come into contact with soy, dairy, or nut products.  "

"Our tea bags are compostible and made from Manila hemp cellulose. They are non-GMO verified, oxygen whitened and the tag is made from 100% recycled material and soy-based inks. They do not contain any gluten."  

Peets Coffee & Tea (via email) GF
"Our teas, and herbal (black, green, Oolong, white, and herbals) are made without
gluten ingredients."

Our Tea Bags we use have been confirmed gluten-free"   

Pukka Tea (via email)  GF ( see exception)
"Yes, our products are gluten-free"
"Our tea bags are not healed sealed so therefore they do not require a polymer of any kind to keep then closed. The machine folds the bags and sews it shut with a single piece of cotton thread... 
ALL Pukka Teas are gluten-free BUT our Night Time and Relax Blends contain oat straw. Although the analytical tests undertaken on these teas show that gluten is absent, consumers who are extremely sensitive many want to check the suitable contents of oat straw for related gluten allergies like avein."

Republic of Tea (via website) Certified GF by GFCO

Is certified GF as is their bags. Look for GF label to be sure.

*I found one tea flavor that is not GF and is not labeled GF.                                   
Coconut Cocoa Cuppa Chocolate - contains barley. "

Red Rose Tea (via website & phone)  GF?

“Please be advised products of Red Rose are all gluten free.”

There was no response about how the tea bag is made. 

Stash Tea ( via website & phone) Possible Cross Contamination
"All of the flavors used in our blends are gluten-free/ we do not use barley malt in any of our blends." 
"We do not test our products or have a GF facility."
"Our tea bags are heated sealed and do not contain gluten."

Tazo Tea (Starbucks) (via email)  Unknown
Thank you for getting in touch with us, Tazo is unable to guarantee a "gluten-free" environment in our retail locations due to the potential for cross contamination with gluten-containing products. The open environment and operating procedures of our store locations may present additional risk for gluten-sensitive customers aside from the gluten-containing ingredients themselves. "Gluten-free" is a claim with specific requirements defined by government agencies and industry standards. We are unable to make this claim on a product unless the item is specifically formulated and manufactured to meet the definition of the claim.

Teavana (via website)  GF & Dedicated Facility
"All Teavana teas are gluten-free"
Teavana Teas are loose tea and therefore tea bags are not used.


Tetley Tea: (via phone)  GF & Dedicated Facility

All tea and tea bags are gluten-free and made in a dedicated facility.

Twining Tea (via email) GF?

“All teas are inherently gluten free regardless of where the tea is sourced,   

 our ingredient listing states black tea or green tea in additional

 to other ingredients a particular tea may contain.  None of these added

 ingredients these contain gluten, so therefore our teas are gluten free.   

 Please note, however, that Twining's at this time does not utilize an

 outside agency to certify our teas as gluten free.”

 

 Yogi Tea (via email)  GLUTEN in many teas & Possible Cross Contamination

 "The following teas contain Barley malt / Gluten:

 YT Schoko, YT Licorice, Schoko Chili, Digestive Tea, Women’s Tea,  

 Calming  Men’s Tea, Good Morning Chai” 

      Happy Sipping!

       

Are You Prepared for a Disaster?

My friend recently returned from a trip to Canada. Instead of snuggling up to the fire during Christmas and sipping hot chocolate, she and her family and friends were in survival mode. Ice storms had blanketed the area and often there was no electric, roads were impossible to use and stores were shut down. She came home asking herself, " Am I  really prepared for a disaster such as an earthquake."  Her comment got me thinking about people on restricted diets and disasters.

Are those of us who are gluten-free really prepared for a disaster?  It is recommended that a person have 3 days worth of food and essentials in a prepared kit. BUT what about the GF people. Will  Red Cross or other emergency responders such as FEMA have GF food or GF Medication?

I know I often talk about whole foods vs processed foods but this is one situation where processed foods could save your life. I would consider preparing enough food for 7 days, if you are GF or have a restricted diet. 

Examples of GF Foods to put in a kit:
GF Protein bars
Dried GF cereals or granola 
Jars of nut butters
Small individual containers of applesauce or other fruit
GF granola bars
GF Crackers
Juice boxes
Canned vegetables
Canned tuna or salmon
GF cookies (everyone needs stress food during a disaster)
REMEMBER a can opener if the cans are not a pop top. 

The California Science Center ,and Ready.gov have a list of suggested things to put in a disaster kit as well as what to do before and after a disaster. You can also get valuable information from the Red Cross and FEMA website.

Remember to include: (please refer to the links above for a complete list)

• Gluten-Free Foods
• Clean Water
• Cash
• Basic First Aid Kit
• Hand wipes
• Flashlights 
• Extra batteries
• Cell Phone Charger
• Change of clothes and shoes
• All Medication including an epinephrine auto-injector or inhaler if you need them                               
• Written medical information about you so that a rescuer will know what to do.
• List of contacts and family members
• I have a contact family member in another state so that we can all call the same person and check in. 

BEING PREPARE COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Prayers are being requested for my friend and fellow O.C.Celiac member:

The person I told you about that has just been diagnosis with stomach cancer is undergoing surgery this week. The doctors plan to remove 50% of his/her stomach in order to be sure they get all the cancer. Currently, the cancer is enclosed but it is a very fast moving cancer and if it had not been found this quickly – well – who knows.

The cancer was described to me by comparing it to an egg. The shell is what is containing the cancer. The yolk is the cancer. As long as the shell stays in tact the cancer will stay contained. Removing it immediately is the safest way to go. 

The doctors kept asking him/her how he/she got diagnosis so soon and that they rarely see patients this earlier in the cancer process. Her life was saved because she went and got retested for his/her Celiac disease.

He/she will have to spend the rest of his/her life eating as if he/she had a gastric bypass surgery.  The 1^st two weeks it is broth only, next few weeks to 3 months baby type food that is pureed without trace of solid food. After that, soft foods limited to a few mouth fills at a time. Solid foods will be reentered into the diet as the doctor see fit.

Please keep him/her in your prayers!