The Food Channel, together with CultureWaves and the International Food Futurists, has listed gluten-free as one of the top ten food trends for 2010.

Food experts believe that customers want the food that they eat to be nutritional and healthy and they see gluten-free as part of this trend.

Customers are looking for products that use the word “free” (from gluten-free to allergen-free) on their food purchases.

This is great news for us who patronize gluten-free products because it increases the market and hopefully bring prices down because of the increase in demand for it.

Well, the lower the better as far as I am concerned!

Take a moment and share the your best gluten-free top food trends here. What brands do you love and why?

This abstract from the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition states that the research was carried out by Alessio Fasano, MD, of the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research.

Fasano’s findings conclude that there are many cases of people who are found to have gluten sensitivity but do not have celiac disease.

This study was also presented to the annual NASPGHAN pediatric gastroenterology scientific meeting in mid-November

Various studies carried out in the United States, Italy and New Zealand, which studied various aspects of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease revealed that the condition of the small intestines differed between those who were just gluten sensitive and those who had celiac disease.

In the case of the former, their small intestines showed normal intestinal permeability and minimal gut inflammation. In addition, while several immune responses were activated, others, which normally lead to the autoimmune process, were not.

Celia disease is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that is said to occur in genetically predisposed individuals. It is said to affect people of all ages.

Yet now there’s a list you can reference for gluten free candies that will be safe options come Hallows Eve.

• 3 Musketeers
• 3 Musketeers Mint with dark chocolate
• Albert’s Gummy Eyeballs
• Albert’s Iced Halloween pops (lollipops)
• Almond Joy
• Baby Ruth
• Bazooka Big Mix (bubblegum, bubblegum filled candy, candy chews, bubblegum filled lollipops)
• Betty Crocker Halloween fruit flavored snacks – "Gluten Free"
• Butterfinger
• Big Blow bubblegum
• Black Forest Gummy Tarantulas
• Black Forest Gummy Fun Bugs Juicy Oozers
• Bubbly lollipop + gum
• Candy Checkers (made for Target)
• Caramel Apple Pops (lollipops made by Tootsie Roll)
• Charms Blow Pops
• Charms Fluffy Stuff Spider Web cotton candy
• Chewy Lemonheads and Friends
• Colombina Scary Eyeballs bubblegum
• Colombina Fizzy Pops
• Comix Mix Candy Sticks (Tom and Jerry, Flintstones, Scooby Doo, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Popeye) – "Gluten Free"
• Disney Halloween Candy Mix (jelly beans, gummies, candy bracelets and candy characters from Cars, Tinkerbell and Toy Story)
• Dove pieces (Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate, Caramel Milk Chocolate)
• Dum Dum Lollipops (including Shrek Pops) – "This product does not contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat or gluten. It has been manufactured on dedicated equipment."
• Dum Dum Chewy Pops – "This product does not contain peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat or gluten. It has been manufactured on dedicated equipment."
• Farley’s Kiddie Mix (includes Smarties, SweetTarts, Now and Later, Jaw Breakers, Super Bubble and Lolli-pops)
• Ferrara Pan Caramels
• Ferrara Pan Lemonhead & Friends candy mix (includes Applehead, Cherryhead, Grapehead, Chewy Lemonhead & Friends, Chewy Atomic Fireball, and Red Hots)
• Florida’s Natural Healthy Treats Nuggets, Sour String, Fruit Stiks – "Gluten Free"
• Fright Fingers Popcorn Kit
• Frankford’s Bugs Gummy Candy
• Frankford’s Gummy Body Parts
• Frankford’s Marshmallow Pals
• Grave Gummies (Yummy Gummies)
• Gummy Pirate Choppers
• Heath milk chocolate English toffee bar snack size
• Hershey’s Bliss (Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Almonds, Milk Chocolate with Meltaway Center, White Chocolate with Meltaway Center, Milk Chocolate with Raspberry Meltaway Center, Dark Chocolate)
• Hershey’s Kisses (Candy Corn flavored candy, Caramel, Caramel Apple flavored filling, Milk Chocolate, Chocolate Meltaway, Pumpkin Spice, Hugs, Hugs & Kisses, Cherry Cordial Creme, Milk Chocolate with Almonds, Special Dark)
• Hershey’s Milk Chocolate
• Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds
• Hershey’s Mr. Goodbar
• Hershey’s Nuggets (Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Almonds, Milk Chocolate with Toffee and Almonds, Special Dark, Special Dark with Almonds)
• Hot Tamales – "Gluten Free"
• Jolly Rancher hard candy and Doubles Candy
• Jolly Rancher lollipops and sticks
• Junior Mints
• Kellogg’s Spongebob Squarepants fruit flavored snacks
• Kraft Jet-Puffed Boo Mallows marshmallows
• Lemonheads
• LiveSavers Gummies
• M&M’s (original, peanut, peanut butter)
• Mallo Cup
• Marvel Heroes Candy Sticks (Hulk, Spiderman, Wolverine) – "Gluten Free"
• Melster Peanut Butter Kisses
• Milk Duds
• Mike and Ike – "Gluten Free"
• Mini Mentos
• Mini Sour Dudes Straws
• Monstaz Pops (jack-o-lantern lollipops)
• Monster Hunt plastic monster eggs filled with candy bones, skulls and pumpkins (made for Target)
• Mounds dark chocolate fun size bars
• Mr. Goodbar
• Nestle Milk Chocolate
• Nestle Raisinets (milk chocolate
• Now and Later
• Operation Gummy Candy
• Palmer Peanut Butter Cups
• Pay Day peanut caramel
• Peanut M&M’s
• Pearson’s Bun candy -maple and roasted peanuts
• Peeps Jack-o-lanterns, Ghosts and Chocolate Mousse Cats – "Gluten Free"
• Pez candy – "Gluten Free"
• Pop Rocks
• Rain•Blo Bubble Gum Eyes of Terror
• Raisinets
• Reese’s Fast Break candy bars and snack size
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups snack size and miniatures
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins
• Reese’s Pieces
• Reese’s Select Peanut Butter Cremes
• Reese’s Select Clusters
• Reese’s Whipps
• Rolo chocolate covered carmels
• Sixlets
• Skeleton Pops (lollipops)
• Skittles fun size – "Gluten Free"
• Skittles Crazy Cores fun size – "Gluten Free"
• Skittles Sour fun size – "Gluten Free"
• Smarties (this is the small candies sold in rolls, not Nestle’s chocolate candies) – "Contains none of the following: gluten (from wheat, barley, oats and rye), milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, or soy beans."
• Snickers fun size and mini’s
• Snickers Fudge bar mini’s
• Sour Patch
• Starburst Fruit Chews fun size – "Gluten Free"
• Starburst Gummibursts and Sour Gummibursts – "Gluten Free"
• Super Bubble bubble gum
• Swedish Fish treat size
• Sweethearts conversation hearts Forbidden Fruits (candy packaging of The Twilight Saga, New Moon the movie)
• Sweet’s Candy Corn Taffy – "This product is Gluten Free"
• Transformers Candy Mix (gummy shields, fruit chews, candy shields, gum rocks)
• Warheads (Extreme Sour hard candy and Sour QBZ chewy cubes)
• Wonka Chocolate Laffy Taffy
• Wonka Giant Chewy Nerds Jelly Beans
• Wonka Giant Pixy Stix
• Wonka Laffy Taffy Ropes
• Wonka Monster Mix-Ups (SweetTarts Skulls and Bones, Spooky Nerds, Howlin’ Laffy Taffy)
• Wonka Nerds (cross contamination warning on the Spooky Nerds orange and fruit punch flavors)
• X-scream Mouth Morphers Fruit Gushers – "Gluten Free"
• York Peppermint Patties Pumpkins
• Zed Candy Skulls and Bones (fruit flavored hard candy)

Have any that we’ve missed? Please feel free to post. Lets add to the Gluten Free Trick or Treat List.

All of the ingredients have been checked and double checked by use at JEN’s Kitchen.

Cupcakes!

Everyone loves them and now even you – gluten free you – can once again love them too.

Are you interested in discovering how?

If you have twenty minutes, you’ll be able to create delicious cupcakes the kids and big kids in your life will love.

Can you get gluten free cupcakes in the store? Sure.

Most of us with gluten intolerance have broken down and tried those boxed or plastic wrapped cupcakes. The ones void of taste, moisture and the goodness that is what a cupcake represents.

So what if you could change that – in just twenty minutes and one mixing bowl?

Frosting optional.

Watch this quick video…

And get ready for my amazing secret…Fabulous Gluten Free Cupcakes!

Have a desire for a great gluten free cupcake? Post below and tell us about it. We’re here to open up your taste buds to delicious, new treats that are gluten free.

Of course you do!

But you simply can’t go have amazing, crunchy pizza with melting cheese and endless toppings – without getting sick.

So, pizza’s out.

Unless you get the tasteless, cardboard frozen kind some grocery stores sell.

Sure those frozen pre-made pizzas have come a long way, however, there not even close to a thin crust masterpiece right out of a wood burning oven.

Not nearly as chewy and crunchy as that thick crust loaded with seasonings and cooked till golden brown.

Almost makes your mouth water, doesn’t it?

Most of us who are gluten free or celiac have gotten used to making compromises. And it’s time to say enough!

Do you know you’re ten minutes away from a pizza parlor crust – that’s gluten free?

I’ll tell you more about this soon but for now, lets stamp out tasteless, gluten free pizza right here and now.

Share your comments below. Do you miss pizza? Would you simply love a way to create gluten free crust that was both tasty and crispy?

We at JEN’s are about to blow the lid off tasteless pizza – how exciting! So get ready…

Now pizza isn’t the only thing we gluten free individuals make compromises on…so tomorrow I’ll be addressing America’s new number one favorite for parties, weddings and every day occasions – cupcakes!

It’s important to understand that different blood types make different enzymes in the liver and pancreas. Why is this important?

The liver is the largest glandular organ in the body and has a major role in metabolism, detoxification, protein synthesis and the production of chemicals needed for digestion.

One role of the pancreas is secreting digestive enzymes that pass to the small intestine and help to further breakdown carbs, proteins and fats.

D’Adamo took his research into anthropology, medical history, and genetics led him to see that blood type is “the key that unlocks the door to the mysteries of health, disease, longevity, physical vitality, and emotional strength.”

The knowledge within your own blood type unlocks the “key” that allows you to make solid choices about your dietary, supplement, exercise and even medical treatment plans.

D’Adamo has called blood type the body’s blueprint or road map that holds your “biological profile” and “the dynamic natural forces within your own body.”

So what does your blood type tell you about gluten and about you?

And if you don’t know your blood type yet, the characteristics here may shed some light on your possible type.

Type O

People with type O are healthiest with intense physical activity or exercise, eating animal proteins and do less well on dairy products and grains. The leading reason that type O’s gain weight is the gluten found in wheat products.

If you enjoy aerobics, martial arts, running or contact sports you may fall within a Type O blood type.

With the highest production of stomach acid of all the blood types, O’s tend to suffer from ulcers. When an O eats more grains then proteins, the metabolism has to work harder which makes the body feel sluggish and “un-well”.

Type B

With a strong immune system and forgiving digestive system, the type B is one of more resistant of blood types and better able to survive. The B tends to do best with a mild combination of physical exercise that help with mental balance such as hiking, cycling, tennis and swimming.

Type A

Best with a vegetarian diet complete with fresh and organic foods, the type A is predisposed to diabetes, cancer and heart disease. “I can’t emphasize how critically this dietary adjustment can be to the sensitive immune system of Type A,” says Dr. D’Adamo, who himself is a A.

A’s need calming, centering exercise like yoga and tai chi. For the A a drop of dairy is poison in the body and gluten is harsh effects.

Type A produces the least amount of stomach acid that is one reason for less protein, dairy and gluten in the diet.

Type AB

The most recent of types is AB and the most complex as it’s a combination of A and B. Due to this the best exercise lies in a mixture of both A and B along with the same dietary restrictions.

Since you can’t change your blood type, it’s important to know how your individual blood type works for you so that you can eat the right foods, calm the mind and care for the body in the best possible way.

Is Science Contaminating Our Grains?

Gluten sensitivity is something that affects all four blood types because grains have been genetically modified.

Once those grains that are pure, as one’s found on a long sunken ship in Norway may years back. Being perfectly preserved and untouched by science those with gluten intolerance were able to consume them with no ill effects.

What the blood types can tell us is that we have the knowledge and the ability to be healthy. Are the choices always easy? No.

However, we do have choices, we do have our own personal blueprint and we can live a healthy lifestyle right for our individual bodies.

Between acid, antibodies and lectins the blood types determine how the body best functions and how to stay healthy in mind, body and spirit. If you are interested please be sure to leave a comment here and we’ll be sure to provide more blood type/gluten information on JEN’s for your reading pleasure!

So what does that mean to the Celiac or gluten intolerant?

Well, it means that the consumer must be smart and not fully rely on a gluten free label as being the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

A nutritional consultant on celiac disease, Tricia Thompson recently told Reuters Health that “there was some general assumption (among people with celiac disease) that those naturally gluten-free grains and flours weren’t contaminated”.

Are we too trusting?

A recent study by Thompson and her colleagues took 22 naturally gluten-free grains, seeds and flours directly from supermarket shelves. The 22 products were not specifically advertised as being gluten-free.

Each product was tested for the amount of gluten against the FDA proposed limit. In this study, seven out of the 22 contained a gluten content that wouldn’t pass a gluten-free test.

And one soy flour had a gluten content nearly 3,000 parts per million. That’s a long way from the “safe” 20 parts per million which has yet to be accepted by the FDA.

The products tested included millet flour and grain, sorghum flour and buckwheat flour. All of these are typically thought to be safe by those with Celiac.

“It’s a red flag,” stated Cynthia Kupper, the executive director of the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America.

So, how does this happen? This is cross contamination at it’s worst. And there’s no telling if this is a once time occurrence in these products or the norm. More studies are needed to determine this.

The contamination could happen from growing grains too close to wheat fields or in the processing or packaging stages of products.

What does this mean to those who require gluten free foods?

One can’t assume that a product whether labeled or not labeled, but on a Celiac or gluten free safe list, is in fact gluten-free.

Research is needed to determine the depth of contamination. We can’t assume that manufactures will test their gluten-free products. Ever.

Before this research happens, it’s always best to purchase those products with an actual gluten-free label on the packaging. Why? It’s more likely that the manufacture has either tested or taken the precautions against contamination taking place.

Those of us with a gluten intolerance or a family member with Celiac must be aware that gluten can be in just about anything we consume.

Be aware. Be watchful and please be on point by continuing to read up on gluten studies, recalls, etc. You will find up-to-date information here.

The best advice to avoid gluten is to eat from the produce isle in your local store. Fresh fruits and vegetables are a safe bet when staying away from gluten contamination.

Watch this short video to discover more.

Thanks to the work of Dr. James D’Adamo, we know that the first blood type was Type O – the hunter, a meat eater.

Next came Type B, introduced when grains were harvested and communities were developed over the nomadic lifestyle.

The third common is Type A, found primarily along coastlines where the main diet was from the sea or land.

Last, and most recent, is the least common, Type AB.

So what does your blood type mean if you have Celiac or are gluten intolerant?

Chances are your blood type falls into either A or AB. Now, that’s not to say that gluten intolerance can’t happen in Type O and Type B.

It can and does.

Dr. D’Adamo also discovered that we have a sub-blood type.

So a Type O blood type individual can also have a Type A sub-type. That sub-type has the power to influence the dietary needs, exercise, meditation, nutrition and more.

Are you confused yet?

Well, it’s understandable because most people have no idea what their blood type even is. And that’s like not accepting your personal copy of “Your Body’s Personal Instruction Manual”.

The reason for this original research from D’Adamo was due to the randomness of transplant patients surviving or dying – after receiving a new organ.

It was discovered that the blood is a blueprint to the human body. This is why we now know that there is only one universal donor.

This knowledge alone has saved thousands and thousands of lives.

And now it can benefit you on your own search of enlightenment when it comes to living gluten free.

You see each blood type has specific foods that should be avoided and others that promote health.

In addition, blood types showcase differences in personalities, interests and so much more.

To give you a taste of what each blood type entails, we’ve created a summery that may help you on your gluten free search.

Each blood type has a different degree of stomach acids and enzymes, which are released when food enters the stomach and digestion starts.

Certain blood types have a higher level of acid while others lower. That acid level allows foods like meat to be digested. In addition, that acid level also plays into how gluten is broken down once ingested.

Type O is typically able to eat gluten with little to no effects immediately seen. However, over time certain aches and pains, swells and fatigue can be attributed to the build up of eating gluten (and dairy – but that’s another conversation!).

Type B is able to have very small quantities of gluten, but preferably higher-grade grains.

When our ancestors began to cultivate the land and plan grains they started with different varieties that did poorly in windy areas, were not tolerant to the scoring sun or soaking rains. Over time wheat was discovered. A grain that could withstand the wind, rains and sun plus it turned out to be cheaper to harvest.

Unfortunately, this grain was not the healthiest of grains. So even while some Type B’s have a tolerance, others can also experience bloating or mild-flu-like symptoms or other setbacks.

Type A and AB are both intolerant to gluten and D’Adamo has been known to state it’s like poison in the body.

Over 30 years ago, D’Adamo wrote “One Man’s Food Is Someone Else’s Poison.” When it comes to gluten, that’s the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

So do you know your body type?

I encourage you to find out and if your interested in learning more about the Blood Types and how they relate to gluten, please post a comment below.

For some 2% is nothing.

It’s a pad of butter for the vegan.

A tablespoon of milk for the dairy-free individual.

A bite of steak for a vegetarian.

For one with Celiac Disease, 2% is the difference between feeling great and ending up in the hospital with Leaky Gut Syndrome or worse. LGS sounds pretty serious and is no joke.

A gluten free diet is difficult to maintain no matter how disciplined the individual.

On average most people, once diagnosed with Celiac or gluten intolerance, last less than five years – on a 100% gluten free diet.

Slowly a touch of gluten enters the diet here and there. Dining out. Dinner with friends. A slice birthday cake during a celebration. And then a bit more until once again symptoms return and gluten becomes a health problem.

And symptoms come fast for those with gluten intolerance.

Gluten has been linked to miscarriages and fertility issues in women.

Nutritional deficiencies and intestinal symptoms in both children and adults.

Gluten can cause mild weakness, bone pain, abdominal bloating, and weight loss.

In some cases, studies have shown that a person who has a gluten disorder or Celiac Disease increases their changes of gastrointestinal cancer by 40 to 100 times someone able to digest gluten.

Those odds are not good for the gluten intolerant.

Neither are the gastrointestinal carcinoma or lymphoma which has been shown to develop in up to 15 percent of people who go untreated or who ignore their Celiac Disease diagnosis.

So to go untreated and to continue to consume gluten is like playing Russian Roulette with one’s health. With one’s very life.

Yet gluten is allow into our “gluten free” foods because just a touch is deemed “safe”.

I mean really, how concerned are you with that 2%?

That 2% shouldn’t matter to a pregnant woman with Celiac Disease, right?

And if that tiny percentage of gluten increases your risk of life threatening diseases, well it’s not that big a deal, right?

Otherwise they never would have allowed 2% of something that can make you sick to be present in your foods without alerting you clearly through labels, warnings and a big neon sign!

So why are food labels, which are meant to inform us and keep us safe, able to ignore this potentially dangerous oversight?

Why is that 2% allowed to even be a possibility in a product labeled as free from gluten?

Products made in the same location where peanuts and other nuts must be clearly marked.

A drop of dairy is not considered acceptable in lactose-free milk.

Isn’t it about time gluten-free got a little of the same respect so that those who need to steer clear of it could safely eat without endangering their very life?

If you feel strongly about this issue or have something to say please leave a comment and help us create a possibility for healthy, life-saving change.

You may have heard about toys from China with lead paint; Toyota’s numerous recalls over the last year for unsafe cars; and, certain brands of dog food, which were actually killing pets across the nation.

Not to mention hundreds of food recalls including the deadly pre-washed bagged spinach that made people violently ill. Several even ended up hospitalized.

Recalls are no joke and can be hazardous to our very wellbeing. That is the nature of a recall – a product is called back to the manufacture because it is unsafe.

For the gluten free consumer, food recalls can be the difference between health and a serious medical emergency.

For some individuals, just a touch of gluten in the body can lead to disaster.

Information on Gluten Free Food Recalls is not always easy to access.

It’s not always big news on ABC, NBC or CNN in the morning. Often times it’s not even front page of your local paper.

In fact, there’s a good change you could consume something with dangerous levels of gluten – a product you previously thought was safe – before word ever reached you.

Really, how would you know?

Who would ever tell you about a Gluten Food Recall in time?

Unless you plan to never eat manufactured or processed, bagged or boxed or wrapped items, you could be at risk.

Well, I’m here to tell you that JENsGlutenFree.com is your source for immediate, up-to-date Food Recall information so that you can be safe.

And not only will JEN’s have immediate and current information on the front of our newly designed website, we will also show you how to create your own JEN’s Gluten Alert, so that you can have immediate information emailed to you the moment the word breaks.

Imagine being emailed the moment a gluten food recall happens. That would give you the power to prevent an accident from happening for yourself, your family members or gluten-intolerant loved one.

Your health and well-being is important.

Fortunately, there is something you can do that won’t cost you a dime. Something that can prevent a medical disaster.

Just remember, all it takes is just a minuet amount of gluten to cause a reaction.

You can setup your own JEN’s Defense Shield right now. It will take you just five minutes to do but boy will it be worth your time!

You and your loved one’s deserve to be safe.

Follow these simple steps to create your immediate JEN’s Defense Shield:

1. Go to http://www.google.com/alerts
2. Fill in the box on the left side of the screen where is says Search items with Food Recalls for Gluten Free.
3. Type use the drop down menu to select Everything
4. How often use the drop down menu to select as-it-happens or once a day
   
5. Email length use the drop down menu to select up to 50 results
6. Your Email enter the email address you wish to receive your JEN’s Defense Alerts to.

If you have a gmail address already, you will see the option Deliver and you can pick your gmail address where you want your updates sent (this will show a drop down menu if you have more than one gmail account).

You now have your own JEN’s Defense Shield set to protect you and your family.

It’s that simple!

And remember to return to JEN’s often for up-to-date Food Recalls, recipes and breaking news in the gluten free world.

Disclaimer: Please note that your JEN’s Defense Shield is not a substitute for medical advise and can no way be your only tool for protecting yourself or your family from recalls or gluten contamination. This is a tool to help you on your path to living gluten free. Please take this tool at face value as a useful, entertaining tool to help you that in no way provides medical advice but is simply a compiled resource from Food Recall posting found on the World Wide Web. It is your responsibility to check for recalls and to read labels at all times. JEN’s can in no way be held liable should you not see a Food Recall or if one is not posted under the search terms used above. Please always use common sense and consult your doctor.