We’re mostly do-it-yourselfers in the kitchen—we usually make our own pizza crust, bake our own muffins, and bake our own gluten free bread or make our own alternatives. We do this because we just don’t love a lot of the gluten free packaged bread products we’ve tried on the market today.

Udi’s Gluten Free Foods sent us several gluten-free items to try and review here on GlutenFreeHub.com. We were excited to receive the care package, but we also wondered to what degree these products would resemble cardboard like many of the other gluten free bread products we’ve tried.

Gluten Free Muffins

First up were the Lemon Streusel muffins. We took one of the muffins out of the freezer, warmed it, spread a little butter, closed our eyes and took a bite.

“Wow,” was all Drew could muster with his mouthful of the moist, flavorful muffin.

Wow indeed! We were really impressed with everything about the muffins: the texture is amazing, the flavor is great—honestly these are great muffins period, not just when compared to other gluten-free alternatives.

Gluten Free Whole Grain and White Sandwich Breads

The next morning I toasted some of Udi’s Whole Grain Bread to eat with my breakfast. I expected something spongy or cracker-like. That’s not at all what I got.

Both the Whole Grain Bread and White Sandwich Bread have excellent texture and a nice flavor. These are now one of the few packaged gluten free breads I will recommend—and I will recommend them to everyone!

Gluten Free Pizza Crusts

This was the real test for us—we love our homemade pizza crust, and it’s gotten legitimate compliments from our gluten-eating friends as well.

Drew wanted to make something that highlighted the flavor of the crust, so he made a Mediterranean-style flat bread with olive oil, goat cheese, sautéed onion, spinach, Kalamata olives, capers and a little Italian-style pepperoni from a local farm.

The first thing that surprised us was that we could put the Udi’s Pizza Crusts directly on the oven shelf at 450° F. Heather from Udi’s says you can put these pizza crusts on the grill as well, which Drew is really excited to try. The pizza baked evenly, and was done in about 12-14 minutes.

As you can see from the picture above, this pizza looked really great. But the question of flavor still remained. One bite and we both looked at each other with surprise (although we shouldn’t have been). The crust is delicious!

The flavor of Udi’s Pizza Crust is good, the texture is great, and it holds up really well (no fork needed). Also, while these crusts are on the small side, they are packaged in twos. We found that one crust was enough for the two of us, so we have an entire pizza leftover!

We are very impressed with Udi’s Gluten Free Foods, and if you haven’t tried their products, you now have our blessing! You can find Udi’s products in your grocer’s gluten-free freezer section, or you can order them online at UdisGlutenFree.com.

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Americans drink 146 Billion cups of coffee each year (that’s 400 million cups per day), and most of us don’t drink it for the flavor. We drink it for the buzz! But some of us, especially those of us with celiac disease, feel worn out and tired almost all the time, even after a cup of strong coffee (well, worn out and jittery, I suppose!).

There are several reasons why people who have celiac disease and are on the gluten-free diet feel fatigued. Fortunately, there are some quick solutions that can help you feel energetic without wasting much time!

7 Ways to End Fatigue and Have More Energy

1. Eat complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are foods with three or more sugar molecules linked together, and they are the fuel for our body. One of the best sources for complex carbohydrates is whole grain, like breads and pasta, but obviously this is not a possibility for us. Other great sources of complex carbohydrates are fruits, vegetables, beans, and brown rice or quinoa (white rice is a simple carbohydrate and won’t provide you with the energy you need).
2. Avoid simple sugars and starches. While complex carbohydrates fuel your body for the long run, simple carbohydrates give you short energy bursts and cause you to crash. These simple sugars are obviously found in deserts like cookies, cake and ice cream, but they also come from white rice, potatoes, and other white starch vegetables. It’s also best to lessen the amount of sugar you put in your food for cooking in general (I know it tastes good—try using a small amount of agave nectar instead!).
3. Eat more often. One of the healthiest ways to eat is to eat three meals each day just until you’re full, and have two healthy snacks in between. I’ve been trying to eat this way for months, and I love it! I carry fruit, like an apple or peach, and a KIND fruit and nut bar with me everyday for mid-day snacks. These healthy snacks keep me energetic, and my blood sugar doesn’t crash so I don’t crave cookies or Snickers bars like I used to.
4. Take a multivitamin (with vitamin B and iron). One of the reasons I was so fatigued is because I had a deficiency of iron and vitamin B that was related to my body’s inability to absorb nutrients when I had untreated celiac disease. Once I added a multivitamin with iron and started taking vitamin B supplements, my energy level really improved! Check with your doctor to see if you have any specific nutrient deficiencies that may be causing you to feel tired all the time.
5. Drink Green Tea or Yerba Maté instead of coffee. I’m not trying to get all “hippy” on you, but green tea and yerba maté are full of healthy antioxidants, in addition to a little natural caffeine. If coffee gives you the jitters like it gives me, try a cup of organic green tea instead. If you need extra pick-me-up, yerba maté has more caffeine than green tea, but it’s a less intense high than caffeine from coffee. Plus, these teas are great for your body!
6. Exercise a little everyday. Seriously, it doesn’t have to be much. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or parking in the back of the parking lot at work and walking in. Also, try to stand up and stretch every 30-45 minutes you are sitting at your desk. This little extra will help keep your blood flowing and remind your body that you are an active individual and you need energy!
7. Avoid alcohol and soda; drink water instead. Drew and I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, and that’s okay. But we always feel sluggish the next day when we decide to finish the bottle. Instead of having that second glass of wine or a glass of Diet Coke, drink some water. After all, our bodies are made of up 60-70 percent water, and we need that water to fuel our cells.

Did you like these tips? We have a ton more like them in our Free Gluten-Free E-Course. You’ll get 7 lessons that are full of helpful ways to live a hassle-free, worry-free, gluten-free life. Click here to signup now!

Photo credit: delgaudm

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Crystal and I have been working really hard recently to improve our immune system and our overall health. Improving the functionality of your immune system is important for everyone, and it is critical when you have celiac disease.

Imagine that your immune system is the security guard of your body, and your intestines are the payroll department. Now the CEO (you) puts gluten in your system and your security guard has to work overtime to fight it. But the payroll department doesn’t have enough money (nutrients) to pay the security guard for the overtime.

How hard do you think the security guard will work without pay?

This is pretty close to what happens in your body when you have untreated celiac disease. So once you are on the gluten free diet, you need to build your immune system health back up to function normally.

Here are 5 ways you can improve your immune system function and overall health:

1. Drink plenty of water. Did you know that we’re made up almost entirely of water (60-70%)? Replacing that water in our system improves our health—think of it like a daily oil change for your body. How much is enough? We’ve all heard 8 glasses per day, but that’s just an average. Obviously a person who is 6’3” will need more water than a person who is 5′1″. The best thing to do is drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day (so if you are 150 pounds, you would drink 75 ounces of water per day).
2. Take deep breaths. One of the best things you can do for your body and your mood is to sit up straight and take a few deep breaths (the ones that make your stomach and your chest poof out). The fresh air will help you relax, and your body will have more energy from the extra oxygen in your blood.
3. Exercise. I know we’ve all heard how much we need to exercise. But honestly, it doesn’t have to be hard, and it doesn’t have to take long. Ideally, we should exercise for 30-minutes a day, 5 days per week. That sounds like a lot, but here are a few suggestions to get you moving:
   • Take a 10-minute walk over your lunch break
   • Run around with your children or pets for a few minutes in the morning or evening
   • Stretch or do yoga poses while you watch your favorite TV show
   • Take the stairs instead of the elevator
4. Reduce your stress level. If you’re a high-stress person, you may think this is impossible. Believe me, it’s not. I’m a recovering Type-A high-strung person who takes the little things way too seriously! I’ve learned that the situations that stress you out happen regardless of whether you stress about them or not.You can almost never change a situation, but you can always change your attitude! Yoga and meditation have been really important for me in reducing my overall stress level (although I do relapse from time-to-time!).
5. Smile more often. Seriously! Smiling and laughter improve the immune system’s function, and you’ll feel better when you’re smiling anyway. So turn that frown upside-down and smile your way to health.

Did you like these tips? We have a ton more like them in our Free Gluten-Free E-Course. You’ll get 7 lessons that are full of helpful ways to live a hassle-free, worry-free, gluten-free life. Click here to signup now!

Photo credit: apdk

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When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, there were plenty of books and websites that talked about eating gluten free, but I had trouble finding resources that showed me how to implement the changes in my life. Even today, no one really shows you how to create a system that automatically protects you from getting gluten and allows you to enjoy life without worrying.

So Drew and I decided to do something about this.

We’ve been using a system like this in our own lives, and we call it the Celiac System. Basically, it’s an effortless way to handle every situation that arises: dinner parties and family gatherings, replacing the dietary nutrients we used to get from whole grains, and strengthening my immune system that was so weakened by celiac disease.

And I’m so excited, because today, for the first time, we’re able to share our system with you! We’ve put together a free e-course at CeliacSystem.com that will show you how our system works.

In the e-course, you’ll get a new lesson in your inbox every couple of days that will help you discover the seven simple secrets to getting the most out of your gluten free life.

Oh, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that this information is only for those who are new to the gluten-free diet. We’re packing tons of information into this course, and I promise that there is something for everyone!

Drew and I have been working hard on this, and we’d love your feedback. And be sure to share this free course with your gluten-free friends!

Get your free e-course now at CeliacSystem.com!

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Drew and I went to a seminar last weekend about improving immunity through nutrition and lifestyle choices. We learned that there are a lot of things about our health and nutrition that we can improve. Dr. Bevacqua recommends drinking a lot of water, breathing deeply, and sweating on a regular basis to cleanse the body (exercise 30 minutes a day, five days a week!). She also recommends eating tons of fruits and vegetables, which is something that Drew and I have been trying to do anyway. Her presentation also highlighted the importance of eating fiber and protein at every meal.

Eating enough fiber can be difficult on the gluten-free diet. Of course, some of the best sources of fiber are whole grains, and we obviously can’t eat many of those. She shared with us a recipe for breakfast cereal that is high in fiber and protein, but it contained wheat, barley, and rye. The gluten trifecta! So, I have adapted her recipe into something just as nutritious, but without the gluten.

Healthy Gluten-Free Breakfast (Makes 5 Servings)

• 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats
• ¼ cup flax seed
• ½ cup raw organic pecans (crushed)
• ½ cup raw organic almonds (crushed or ground)
• 2 tbsp cinnamon (Tones is gluten free)
• Vanilla extract to taste (Tones is gluten free)
• Almond milk

Grind flax seeds using a coffee grinder (flax seed is only properly digested when ground). Mix together all dry ingredients and store in an airtight container in the freezer. One serving is ¼ to ½ cup. Add vanilla and almond milk before serving. Do not cook. Serve cold or warm (30 seconds in the microwave max).

I chopped up a pear with it this morning and then put it in the microwave for 30 seconds (don’t put it in for longer or it will become a soggy mess). It was like having a fruit crisp for breakfast (yum!), and it was totally guilt-free, which is even better.

This breakfast mix is high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants. Cinnamon is really good for you, too. Hope you enjoy!

Photo credit: filtran

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Celiac disease requires more than a gluten-free diet, it requires a gluten-free lifestyle. In an effort to cultivate a gluten-free lifestyle that is both happy and healthy, I do a lot of reading. Blogs, websites, books, podcasts, and videos provide tons of tips and ideas, but there are only a few to which I return time and again. Here are three of my favorite online resources to which I continually return for quality information:

The Gluten Doctors

Written by Dr. Vikki Petersen, founder of HealthNOW Medical Center and author of “The Gluten Effect,” The Gluten Doctors is both witty and informative. Petersen provides a wealth of medical information about celiac disease. She answers questions like: What is gluten?  What should I eat if I have celiac disease? Her most recent post discusses the link between depression and celiac disease. This blog has terrific information about everything from gluten-free nutrition to the latest research on celiac disease. I read it every week.

Organic Jar

Organic Jar is a Mecca for all things healthy and organic. Whether he’s exposing unsavory cropdusting practices in the Midwest or finding the best tearoom in San Francisco, our friend Jason Cairns gets to the bottom of what’s really good for you. I was inspired by his article about the preparation and nutritional value of quinoa, which is a delicious gluten-free grain that Drew and I now eat all the time. Jason also recently posted an article about reading food labels, which as you know, can be quite tricky for those of us with celiac disease. I have also learned a lot about superfoods, raw foods, nutrition, and the benefits of going organic by reading this blog.

The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center Website

The Celiac Disease Center provides tons of great information about the gluten-free diet. Topics include healing the gut, ingredients to avoid, safe (gluten-free) ingredients, and creating a safe cooking environment. I use their list of ingredients to avoid to reference ingredient lists of foods from the grocery store. They also list many other resources and provide avenues for advocacy (e.g., how to approach your child’s school about gluten-free lunches). I highly recommend exploring this site.

So now that you’ve read about three of our favorite celiac resources, what are your favorites?

Photo credit: lady_lbrty

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We make most of our meals using naturally gluten free ingredients, but there are several gluten free products in our kitchen we just can’t go without. Here are five of our favorites (in no particular order):

1. DeBoles Gluten Free Corn Spaghetti Style Pasta
2. Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix (check out how we doctor this to make Gluten-Free Red Velvet Cupcakes and Lemon Poppyseed Cupcakes)
3. Kinnikinnick KinniToos Chocolate Vanilla Sandwich Cookies (Just like Oreos!)
4. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
5. Kinnikinnick Cheese Tapioca Rice Bread (Makes excellent garlic bread to serve with the corn spaghetti)

What are your favorites? Leave a comment and let us know!

Photo credit: the_moment

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I travelled to Minneapolis over the weekend to present some of my research on depression and anxiety at a conference. While there, I had an opportunity to eat at some fantastic restaurants that offer gluten-free menu options (Fogo de Chão rocks!). I also had a chance to hangout with my best friend from college and her 11-month-old baby. I don’t have a baby, so I have to admit that I had never really thought about all of the ways in which celiac disease could affect the mother-infant relationship. My friend tasted most things that she fed the baby, and she always checked the temperature of warm foods and drinks. Most of what the baby ate ended up all over his face, hands and clothes, which inevitably touched his mom’s face and mouth by the end of the meal.

Beyond the food issues inherent in the mother-infant relationship, cosmetics and self-care products are an important consideration. The baby’s hands were constantly in his mouth, his mom’s mouth, touching her face, and my face.  Many kisses were exchanged.

If your baby has celiac disease, all of his or her activities must be taken into account. Does she suck her thumb? Do you kiss her while wearing lipstick or lip balm? Do you put lotion on her? Does she put her hands in her mouth when eating? If so, then you may want to make sure that your lipstick and lip balm are gluten free so that you can exchange worry-free kisses. You may also want to consider the baby lotion, oil, and shampoo that you use.

If you have celiac disease, the considerations are similar. Do you kiss the baby’s skin or hair? Do you wash your hands after applying the baby’s lotion or oil and after giving her a bath? Does the child wear lip balm or facial moisturizer? You may want to make sure that the baby’s products are gluten free so that you don’t have to worry about avoiding kissing her skin or washing your hands after applying her lotion.

This approach may sound overzealous to some, but many others, including celiac specialists, nutritionists, and physicians, seem to agree:

“Make sure everything you use is gluten free; for example, shampoos, hand soaps, makeup and hand lotions.” Erik Spersrud & Jennifer Spersrud (2008) in Everything You Want to Know about Recipes Restaurants and Much More…

“Anything that can be ingested may be a potential source of gluten. This includes not only medications and dietary supplements but also toothpaste, mouthwash, lipstick, and postage stamps… Until more is know about the minimum safe exposure threshold of gluten, the patient should be advised to be as strict as possible.” – See & Murray (2008) in Nutrition in Clinical Practice

“These non-foods may also be gluten sources: lip stick and lip balm, sunscreen… soaps and shampoos, toothpaste and mouthwash, cosmetics, lotions, creams…” – Baurman & Friedlander (2008)

“The make-up that matters most is make-up you’re likely to get in your mouth (or someone else’s), like lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm, and anything else that goes on or near your lips…. Sometimes lotion from your hands or arms can get on the food you’re eating or preparing, and that can cause a problem.” Dana Korn in Living Gluten Free for Dummies (p. 74-75).

Finding out which cosmetics and self care-products are gluten free can be difficult and time-consuming, so we have done the legwork for you. Our Gluten Free Cosmetics List makes going gluten-free easy and includes over 550 gluten-free products from 25 companies in 35 categories and includes baby products, men’s products, lipsticks, lip balms, and lotions, and we’re constantly adding more.

Photo credit: charlottemorrall

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Recently I discovered Ecco Bella cosmetics, and I am thoroughly impressed. I received a bottle of Age Antidote Day Cream and Vanilla Herbal Body Lotion from the company to review.

I love the Age Antidote Day Cream. It is light and not greasy. It doesn’t sit on top of my face like a lot of other moisturizers, so it provides an ideal base for makeup. It contains SPF, which I love because I have very sun-sensitive skin. I even went for a long run on a hot, sunny day, and the Day Cream completely protected my face from the sun without any additional sunscreen. Ecco Bella Day Cream is a new part of my daily skincare routine. I have been using it for about two weeks now, and I have noticed a decrease in skin breakouts and blemishes. It also provides a nice, natural glow. This is my new favorite skincare product!

The Vanilla Herbal Body Lotion has a great texture and consistency. It moisturizes my hands very well, again, without being greasy. It also absorbs quickly and easily, unlike many other organic lotions. I like to rub it into my hands and cuticles before bed. You’d have to really love vanilla in order to put this all over your body, but I find it to be perfect for my hands and feet.

The best part about Ecco Bella is that most of their products are organic, gluten-free, and preservative-free. They never test any of their products on animals. The skin care products contain anti-aging vitamins, lutein, lycopene, astaxanthin, CoQ10, vitamin E, and vitamin C.

You can purchase Ecco Bella online. However, after I received products in the mail, I noticed that my local organic grocery store sells them, so I will definitely be going there for more!

For more information about gluten-free cosmetics from Ecco Bella and 23 other companies, visit our new site: GlutenFreeCosmeticsList.com. Our list includes over 500 gluten-free products, and we’re constantly adding more. The list includes 34 product categories, including toothpaste, lipstick, lip gloss, lip balm, and nail polish!

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Crystal’s birthday was over the weekend, so I decided to try my hand at baking one of her very favorites: Red Velvet Cupcakes.

I’m much more of a cook than a baker, but as I mentioned in my last cupcake post, I learned a great deal about doctoring cake mixes from my mother, the Cake Mix Queen. Knowing the basics of red velvet (white flour, vanilla, cocoa and tons of red food coloring), I set out to doctor Betty Crocker’s Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix.

These cupcakes are delicious, easy, quick and beautiful. What more could a wife ask for on her birthday?

Easy Gluten Free Red Velvet Cupcakes (makes about 15)

• 1 box Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix
• 1 package chocolate-flavored instant pudding/pie filling (Jello brand is gluten free)
• 1 stick of butter, softened
• 8 oz. sour cream
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 milk or plain soy milk
• 2 tbsp. red food coloring (Tones is gluten free)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl at medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes (watch out for the food coloring—it stains anything it touches!). Once combined, spoon the mixture into muffin pans lined with cupcake liners. Bake for 16 – 20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when you stick it in the center.

Let the cupcakes cool in the pans for five minutes, then carefully remove them and place them on cooling racks.

Cream Cheese Frosting

This is the same cream cheese frosting we used on our gluten free lemon poppyseed cupcakes.

Cream Cheese Frosting (makes more than enough)

• 8 oz. cold cream cheese (Philadelphia is gluten-free)
• 5 Tbsp. softened butter
• 2 tsp. vanilla (Tones is gluten-free)
• 3 C. powdered sugar
• pinch of salt

Beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until combined (but do not whip). Add salt. Gradually add powdered sugar with the mixer on slow until the desired consistency and sweetness is achieved.

Remember that because of the cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes should be kept in the refrigerator if they aren’t eaten within 12-24 hours. Enjoy!

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