A Happy Gluten-Free Diet

2nd Annual Gluten Free Awards - Vote Today

2011-10-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

From now until the end of October, you can vote for your favorite gluten free products in GFreek's 2nd Annual Gluten Free Awards. This is a wonderful way for delicious gluten free products to get publicity and for everyone eating gluten free to find favorites in a wide variety of categories. Don't forget to consider adding some local favorites to the mix - such as the baked goods from Outside the Bread Box in Colorado Springs or our very own Gluten Free Diet: A Shopping Guide. And of course, we can't forget Shabti Gourmet's Swiss Chocolate Rolls. Yum...

Organic Peddler - Del Norte Colorado

2011-10-08T14:19:00.001-07:00

Nestled in the hills about 30 miles east of Wolf Creek the town of Del Norte is home to Organic Peddlers, a small grocery market.

As we passed through town we spotted this little store located just off the main highway.

Promptly on their sign out front they say they carry gluten free items!

We berry much appreciate that as it can be quite difficult to find gluten free goods in rural areas.

Stop by there next time you pass through southern Colorado and support them.

Fall is a great time of year down there! We were treated to some great views today as we passed through. Today was a mix of fall colors and an overnight snow which really made the colors shine.

Gluten-Free Restaurant in Colorado Springs: TAPAteria

2011-09-23T07:27:00.000-07:00

Located in Old Colorado City, on the West side of Colorado Springs, TAPAteria is a tapas restaurant with a complete gluten-free menu.

It was the perfect way to spend the last evening of summer. The sun sat just as we were seated on the back patio and the few clouds in the sky changed from orange to red to white as it got dark.

Every item we saw on the menu had a small gluten-free symbol next to it. In case you don't already know, tapas are smaller portions of food - perfect for a light dinner or ideal for trying multiple dishes at one meal!

Our dinner:

Garlic bulb
Carne Adobada
Goat cheese salad
Grilled garlic shrimp
Tortilla espanol
Grilled mushroom and cheese mushroom special
Tuna carpaccio

...and for dessert:
Pan con chocolate

The wine list is made up mostly of Spanish wines - none of which we were familiar with. I was looking for something similar to a pinot noir and so our server recommended the Caceres Rioja. It was perfect.

Tips: parking can be difficult in Old Colorado City. Look for the signs directing you to public parking - it is free and much easier than trying to find parking on Colorado Street. If you're visiting Colorado Springs, plan some time around this meal - firstly so you can walk around Old Colorado City and secondly so you have time to relax while you eat.

Hooray for New Planet Gluten Free Beer Company!

2011-09-22T06:47:00.001-07:00

We are big fans of New Planet beers and it's great to see their continued success. Congratulations to them on their win of the Best Young Business Award for 2011.

Read their latest press release.

We just saw Pedro and Seneca at the Denver Gluten Free Expo in August and they were as personable and sharing as when we first met them over a year ago.

Cheers to New Planet!

Group hopes to raise gluten-free awareness - Vernal.com - The Vernal Express

2011-09-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Group hopes to raise gluten-free awareness - Vernal.com - The Vernal Express

I like this story because it reminds me of the humble beginning we all share when first going gluten-free. It's a major life change and it is rather lonely at first.

Finding a community of others with celiac or who eat gluten-free is so important in getting through the change in diet. I learned a lot at my first couple of celiac support group meetings, didn't you? Over time, eating gluten-free got easier and now life is pretty normal (and I don't go to many support group meetings anymore).

But every day, new people go gluten-free in our communities and they start in the same lonely place we all did.

As I read this article, I realize that I need to stay more involved and be there for those who are new to the diet!

Ready for Gf Entertaining - Try Glutinos Bagel Chips

2011-09-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

Imagine my shock when the display at Sprouts today was bagel chips - GLUTEN FREE ones! Yes, Glutino has come out with a tasty, crunchy new treat for celiacs and gluten intolerant snackers every where -- and the folks that live and/or eat with them! These must be relatively new because I can't even find product information about them on Glutino's website. I did find some tasty sounding recipes, including Bruscetta and a Warm Cheddar and Bean Dip. I have a wonderful artichoke dip that would go nicely on these treats and am also looking forward to serving a cheese plate or serving hummus without the non GF folks giving it a strange look.

Go forth and snack - gluten free gourmet seems to have truly gone mainstream!

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Recipe Contest

2011-06-09T02:39:00.000-07:00

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to submit a gluten-free holiday recipe that uses either a Betty Crocker Gluten Free dessert mix or Bisquick Gluten Free baking mix to the Betty Crocker Baker's Challenge Gluten Free Recipe Contest website by 30 June.

In September, 10 finalists will be announced and each of the ten will receive a gluten-free baking gift basket from Betty Crocker. The contest winner will receive $5,000!

Why not enter one of your family favorite gluten-free recipes and see what happens? Of course, you have to use one of the Betty Crocker mixes mentioned above, but that should be easy. We've reviewed the Gluten Free Dessert mixes here before and found them to be excellent!

The 10 finalists will have their recipes shared on the Gluten Freely website and readers will vote on the best! Think of the exposure you could get just for being a finalist!

Let us know if you enter! We would be happy to share your gluten-free recipe with our readers too!

Namaste Foods: Happy GF Review and Giveaway

2011-06-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

While Namaste Foods is not a newcomer to the manufacturing of gluten-free foods (they have been around since 2000), they were new to us. Having found pastas, bread mixes, etc that meet our regular needs, we are not always as adventurous as we once were in seeking out new GF products.

When we were contacted by Namaste, we said sure, we'll give some of your products a try.    We selected the Bread Mix and the Chocolate Cake Mix but then found some of their pastas at our local Vitamin Cottage and decided to try these too. All the products were tasty with the added benefit of being allergen friendly for items besides gluten (read below for more details) as such we are Happy to offer our endorsement by doing a GF Giveaway!

Please comment below about which of Namaste's products you would like to try (you can read up on all their offerings on their website). On June 21st, we will randomly select one winner from those commenting to receive this beautiful GF Namaste gift package to begin their summer right!

Now more details on our happy experiences with Namaste:

We used the Chocolate Cake mix to make cupcakes for my daughter's birthday party. The Namaste mix was perfect since it is very allergen friendly (being free of soy, corn, potato, peanuts, tree nuts, and dairy) as she has friends with nut, dairy and egg allergies.   We successfully used apple sauce in place of the egg (we made mini cupcakes since without egg the cupcakes are often denser/don't rise as well) and made a shortening based frosting (ours contained soy since this wasn't a worry but you can find some shortenings that are soy free!)  Everyone was very happy to be able to enjoy these treats together.

We also enjoyed the bread. We made it in our bread maker and found it had a wonderful aroma which enticed us to eat most of the loaf while it was still warm with butter and jam.

The two pastas we have tried are the Taco Pasta and the Mac & Cheese.   We did the Taco Pasta first as we had some leftover ground beef we wanted to use.    We also diced up some onion.    It was very good. We can't wait to try it as suggested by Wendy, with Namaste, with black beans and peppers. We do think it is worth noting that one of our kids found its kick a little spicy for her taste! (Her brother enjoyed it!)   The Mac & Cheese looks similarly spicy so we weren't sure how she would react but both kids gobbled it right up... and we look forward to now being able to share this as a side or main dish with the dairy free friends!

Gluten-Free Dining At The Buff in Boulder

2011-05-31T15:23:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning we met some friends for breakfast at The Buff in Boulder, Colorado. This long time Boulder staple offers several gluten-free breakfast, brunch, and lunch options.

We were delighted to learn about their gluten-free pancake special offered over the Memorial Day weekend.

The pancakes were made with 100% organic almond milk and gluten-free/casein-free flour sourced locally from Lillabee in Boulder. They were covered with a nice almond butter and GF/CF granola (from another local company).

The taste was great. These were fluffy pancakes about the size of a regular dinner plate. Nicely done!

The Buff hasn't offered a gluten-free pancake in the past. Our server told us the cooks and owners (who are also gluten-free) have worked for months to get the recipes and kitchen management aspects perfected so they can begin offering gluten-free/casein-free pancakes as a regular menu item.

Several other menu items are (or can be) gluten-free. Simply ask your server about the different options. Don't forget $.99 mimosa's.

Gluten Free Diet: A Shopping Guide Now Available

2011-05-11T03:38:00.000-07:00

With over 3 million Americans affected by celiac disease, and the number of people switching to a gluten-free diet on the rise, the market for gluten-free foods has grown substantially. As most of you who follow our blog know shopping for gluten free products is often difficult and time-consuming.

So co-founder of Happy Gluten Free, James Shirley, wrote and released (in honor of Celiac Awareness month) a new book titled Gluten Free Diet: A Shopping Guide! This book takes the hassle out of gluten-free grocery shopping. It is sized to fit in a glove box, purse or even the back pocket of a favorite pair of jeans. Best of all, the book is easy to use.

Okay, maybe even better - the book is available for FREE electronically. The goal of the free ebook is to help ensure that it to make its’ way into the hands of all the people who need it!!

Get the ebook here:

http://www.glutenfreeshoppingguide.com/free_ebook.html

If you have a blog or website, you can get the ebook, pictures of the book, and more information at:

http://www.GlutenFreeShoppingGuide.com/free_ebookbl.html

Together we can make a difference in many people’s lives by sharing this ebook with others who could benefit from it! Please share the links and ebook with anyone you know of who eats gluten free, feeds those who eat gluten free (like grandparents and teachers) or otherwise might be interested.

The paperback version of the "Gluten-Free Diet: A Shopping Guide" is also now on sale at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online retailers. Local bookstores may carry it and can order it on request - ISBN 978-0-6154-6676-7.

A big, big GF Cake - Will FDA truly notice?

2011-05-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

Today a big, big gluten free cake was made to bring attention to the failure by the federal Food and Drug Administration to provide national regulation and guidance on clear labeling and standards for gluten free foods. The goal is to have a standard, such as at or below 20 parts per million, that allow a product to state it is gluten free. 1 in 133 is the organization that brought a lot of diverse celiacs together for this cause! There are photos of cake prep on their site and a great news great ABC news article explains more of the details.

Are You An Amazing Gluten Free Baker - Enter Rudi's Recipe Contest

2011-04-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery is having a bake off -- a gluten free one that is. Beginning today until May 20th, gluten free bakers can enter their best recipe in the contest. The only required ingredient is one of Rudi's gluten free products - Rudi's Original Gluten-Free Bread, Cinnamon Raisin Gluten-Free Bread, Multigrain Gluten-Free Bread, Gluten-Free Hot Dog Rolls, Gluten-Free Hamburger Buns, and Gluten-Free Pizza Crust. Entrants must also supply a photo of the recipe and an essay describing their gluten-free story.

The judging will be done initially by voting online followed by a final selection by Rudi's. The finalists will be flown to Boulder in June to have their recipes prepared at the fabulous 4580 Restaurant. There also will be a tour of all the best gluten free offerings in Boulder... and there are some good ones.

To enter visit Rudi's Facebook Page.

Newly Crowned Mrs. Alaska is GF and Raising Awareness

2011-04-13T03:16:00.000-07:00

As a parent of a celiac daughter and a member of a gluten free household, it is wonderful to see women in positions of influence, like Brandy Wendler, the newly crowned Mrs. Alaska, promote awareness about celiac disease and the positive impact for so many of a gluten free diet.

Mrs. Wendler was crowned on April 2nd in Anchorage, Alaska. She choose as her platform "Against the Grain" and it was her passion for speaking about celiac and the gluten free diet that helped her win the judges and audience. It is even more impressive that this was Mrs. Wendler's first "beauty" contest.

For more information, including her public calendar and Mrs. Alaska blog, visit www.MrsAlaska.com. You can also check our her GF blog and associated support group at www.livingwithoutgrain.org

Manitou Springs' Coquette Creperie Brings Gluten Free Dinning to A New Level

2011-02-16T12:51:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for a great restaurant that not only serves gluten free items but strives to be entirely gluten free, you should tryCoquette Creperie in Manitou Springs.

For those familiar with Manitou, the unique unassuming yet ahead-of-the-trend feel at Coquette fits with the atmosphere of the town found just to the West of Colorado Springs. For any one who has not yet visited this eclectic tourist haven, plan a full day visit including a meal here. This allows you to visit some of the local sites (Manitou Incline/Cog Railroad, Miramount Castle), playing a few games at the Penny Arcade, stop in the wide selection of stores (don't miss Commonwheel Artists Co-op) and enjoying incredible food that even the pickiest of none gluten free eaters will enjoy.

On our recent visit, our party of 6 each enjoyed a different choice from the diverse crepe selections - all of which were pronounced "great". From a Cajun crepe filled with shrimp, onion, tomato and a cream sauce to an Indian chicken with coconut curry sauce and the Italian themed Bada Bing or GF chorizo filled Latin lover. We found the sweet crepe we split for dessert to be prepared in the traditional French manner - reliant on the sweetness of the fruit instead of filled with additional sugar.

Coquette even offer a kidde menu with such options as peanut butter and jelly and chocolate and banana. These are served with kid friendly sides of fruit - our kids loved the thinly sliced apples and orange spheres.

This will be a new favorite for us... we encourage others to try it, but be prepared to wait as even at lunch on a cool Saturday it has a crowd.

Gluten Freeville - Interesting New Gluten Free Website

2011-02-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

Thanks to some gluten free related tweets, I learned today about Gluten Freeville Directory. It is a new site dedicated to listing gluten free resources. It has a very easy to use format for finding gluten free resources.

For example, in addition to categories like "stores" and "local support groups," you can search for things by zip code or state. While it is a little weak still in listing of independent restaurants (it had some non-chain/non-franchise within 25 miles of our zip code but not many), it is a very useful site.

Perhaps it's claim to be the "largest directory of gluten free resources on the web" may be premature but we think the potential is there. We are contributing what resources we know of or have to help them reach their goal.

Check it out at www.glutenfreevillerdirectory.com and let us know your thoughts.

A Gluten Free Restaurant to Smile About - Smiling Moose Sandwiches

2011-02-04T05:46:00.000-08:00

So I finally made it over to the new Smiling Moose Deli in downtown Denver and tried one of their gluten free sandwiches. The menu clearly indicates which of their regular selections, including some of their breakfast sandwiches, can be made gluten free or you can build your own.

I had a turkey club on a tasty Sweet Escape roll. They also have a few salads and vegetarian items that can be gluten free. The staff all seem aware of cross contamination issues and a manager is on hand to answer questions and assure you!

The manager I spoke to believes all the Colorado locations use Sweet Escape gluten free items but was not sure about the out of state locations (Montana, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and adding more monthly it seems...) This will be a great new favorite for me.

Why Eating Gluten Free is Healthier

2011-01-28T14:08:00.000-08:00

Eating gluten free is healthy. And when asked, I will always tell people this.   But it isn't about cutting carbs or any other quick fix. It boils down to one thing - paying attention to what you eat.

When my daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease at 18 months, my husband and I had to quickly learn which food or products had gluten and which did not.   She depended on us to do this since she was too young to read.

At the time, I thought we ate reasonably healthy.   I knew we occasionally ate "junk" food and for convenience bought items that were "processed." However, once I began reading labels, I realized how little I really knew about the food we had been eating.

Initially, there were lots of questions and our diet drastically changed. If I didn't know what an ingredient was, or if something had been added to (like "broth" to a lot of meats), we didn't bring it home.   This meant more fresh fruit and vegetables and an increase in unprocessed whole grains and organic meats.

Slowly, we added more convenience foods as we became more comfortable with safe ingredients, we had realized how much is added to even the simplest of store-bought items. Besides gluten, soy, high fructose corn syrup and MSG were astonishingly prevalent.    Additionally, we found many seemingly healthy foods (like varieties of fruit snacks and cereal bars) are essentially sugar and food coloring.

Paying attention to what we buy and eat paid off. Now, we all regularly crave and eat a fairly diverse range of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.   Other parents comment on how our kids help themselves to vegetables.

The most amazing thing is how much good information is right there for anyone to read on the product in the form of an ingredient list and nutrition statement.

Knowing what you put into your body is the true first step to healthier eating.   Celiac disease and going gluten free forced us to pay attention to what we eat and that has been the healthy difference in our diet.

Jungle Grub Provides a Tasty Nutritious Gluten Free Snack

2011-01-05T13:25:00.000-08:00

My daughter was attracted by the cute monkey on the box and after reading the nutrition facts, I was happy too!

I was particularly pleased with the protein, iron, calcium and vitamin c in these 100 calorie snack bars. As with most gluten free items, there isn't much fiber but relative to the carbs the 1g is actually pretty decent.

Our whole family likes these - kids, adults, celiacs - even (grudgingly at first grandfathers). The bars themselves are even usually soft enough that an older toddler can eat them with supervision. Our favorite flavor is the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough..

Visit www.junglegrub.com for more information.

The Basics of Guar Gum & Xanthan Gum

2010-12-29T05:01:00.000-08:00

When my daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease, I became good at reading labels.   I also learned which ingredients with strange names are gluten free - like guar gum and xanthan gum.

For a long time, I simply accepted that these were gluten "replacements" but as I bake and cook more gluten free recipes, I wanted more answers.   What are these ingredients and where do they come from?

Xanthan (ZAN thun) gum and guar (gwar) gum are used to bind, thicken and emulsify in gluten free cooking.   Using the proper amount of one of these gums can help prevent gluten free baked goods from deflating after rising or being too crumbly.

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is a corn-based, fermented polysaccharide. It's made by fermenting corn sugar with a microbial called "Xanthomonas campestris." Xanthomonas campestris is the same bacteria responsible for causing rot to form on leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, lettuce and cauliflower.   The bacteria form a slimy substance which acts as a natural stabilizer or thickener. The sugars in Xanthan Gum are present in corn sugar, a derivative of the more familiar corn syrup.

Xanthan gum is commonly used in the food and cosmetic industries to thicken and stabilize. It is used widely in commercial baked products and prepared foods, both gluten free and gluten laden versions. Xanthan gum is also used in dairy products and salad dressings. It prevents ice crystals from forming in ice creams and helps with the consistency and texture in low or no-fat dairy products. It also helps keep water in fillings to keep pie and pastry crusts crisp. A small amount of Xanthan gum in cream-based cosmetic products keeps the ingredients from separating. It can also add a gel like quality to otherwise “liquid” ingredients.   A lesser known use of both xanthan and guar gums is in the oil industry. The gums are added to water to keep well parts lubricated and used as part of many fracking solutions.

Xanthan gum can really make a difference in gluten free cooking, particularly baking.   It helps gluten free dough rise and hold after baking, so you don’t end up with flat muffins or sunken bread loaves or cakes.   However, if you use too much xanthan gum in a recipe the result can be a heavy, gummy or even slimy texture.   So until you are comfortable with using it, measure carefully and follow “tested” recipes.

Guar Gum

Guar gum, also called guaran, comes from the seed of bean-like (legume) Guar plant. The Guar plant sometimes is referred to as the Indian tree. The guar seeds are dehusked, milled and screened to obtain the guar gum. It is typically produced as an off-white, coarse to fine ground powder. It is high in soluble fiber and generally has more thickening ability than cornstarch.    Since it can be produced at cheaply it has made guar gum a popular additive in a number on industries besides food including textiles (finishing, printing, tablet binding), paper (improved sheet formation, density for folding and printing), explosives, pharmaceuticals (binder, disintegrator, laxative), cosmetics (thickener, emollient) and mining.

While folks new to baking or the gluten free diet may see guar gum and xanthan gum as strange new additives, these gums as well as other thickners like carageenan and locust bean gum are what make many store bought ice creams, puddings and sauces edible because they keep the ingredient together, allow the products to maintain mouth pleasing consistencies and help prevent the formation of ice crystals.

Like Xanthan gum, measure carefully when using guar gum in gluten free recipes or you may end up with heavy, stringy baked goods.

General Tips for Using Xanthan Gum and Guar Gum in Gluten Free Cooking

Both gums can be bought at most grocery stores and in bulk at the majority of health food stores or online.   As a little goes a long way, you won’t need much to do plenty of GF baking!

Both gums should be stored in an airtight container in a cool dry place.   Some bakers recommend storing in the fridge but this is probably not necessary in most climates.

Bread and pizza dough recipes: Add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum or guar gum per cup of gluten free flour used in bread and pizza dough recipes
Cake, muffin and quick bread recipes: Add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum or guar gum per one cup of gluten free flour used
Cookie and bar recipes: Add 1/2 teaspoon (or less) xanthan gum or guar gum per one cup gluten free flour used

I have found that I usually will use the recommended amount the first time I make a recipe but often reduce the amount in subsequent recipes and/or with different gluten free flour mixes as I become more familiar with how each flour mix bakes.   I often use less (between ¼ and ½) of what a recipes calls for and the product still turns out nicely.   This takes some experimentation though.

Remember to always check your flour mix or even “single” gluten free flour to make sure neither gum or other binders, such as corn starch, tapioca starch/flour, potato starch, arrowroot, baking soda or baking powder, have already been added.

A Word of Caution

There are people who are allergic and/or sensitive to both xanthan gum and guar gum. People with allergies or sensitivity to corn may want to discuss with their physician whether they need to avoid xanthan gum.   I have also heard/read that xanthan gum can be made from wheat or soy, but have not been able to verify that or if there is detectable gluten in any xanthan gum.   Inhaling xanthan gum “dust”, or getting it in your eyes, can cause irritation. Guar gum has been associated with gastrointestinal upset in some people. Additionally, guar gum was used as an ingredient in non-prescription diet aids until it was banned for such uses in the early 1990s by the FDA.   The guar gum would bind with liquids in the stomach and swell, causing a feeling of fullness. However, this swollen mass would also cause dangerous intestinal blockage. Guar gum has been declared safe in small amounts as a food thickener and binder.

So if you have a reaction to something that contains no other suspicious ingredient, it is possible it could be the one of these gums.   If I learn more about these allergies/sensitives, we will provide an update. Some non gum or starch alternatives that work in some recipes are applesauce, chia or flax seeds. A good article entitled "Could Xanthan Gum Sensitivity be Compliacating your Celiac Disease Recovery" can be Celiac.com

Sources used and with additional information:

Gluten Free Gift Ideas

2010-12-20T05:36:00.000-08:00

Here are a few ideas that make great gifts for your friends and family who follow a gluten free diet. We use all of these!

Kitchen food storage containers
Breadmaker - we use the Breadman TR875 which has a gluten free setting. The Zojirushi Home Bakery Supreme is great for gluten free bread too but it is more expensive
Pastry Blender
Toaster bags - these are great to have at work or when traveling
Something delicious - like a gluten free dessert from Shabtai Gourmet
A gluten free flour blend - we like King Arthur Flour Gluten Free Multi-Purpose Flour, Eating Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour Mix, or Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix. You can find King Arthur Flour and Pamela's brands in most grocers
A bottle of wine or six-pack of gluten free beer
A gluten free cookbook. We like Carol Fenster's books
Buy a membership to a local gluten free or celiac disease association
An Amazon Prime membership. Amazon carries a wide selection of gluten free baking products which are competitively priced. We paid for our Prime membership many times over this year with the savings from buying in bulk and having two day shipping

What gift ideas do you have? Please share them!

Celiac Disease and Stomach Flu... or was it Gluten?

2010-12-14T02:59:00.000-08:00

Question: When is stomach flu not just stomach flu?

Answer: When you have Celiac Disease!

I'm home today with our daughter - she got sick twice this morning. She most likely has the stomach flu - this is the season for it. But what if she got gluten? I just got comfortable that our daughter's school had worked out a good system for ensuring our kids eat gluten free.

I've analyzed yesterday's complete menu. No gluten. I've asked my daughter in many different ways if she thinks she got gluten at school yesterday. No, no, and no.

I guess there's only one thing left to do: Relax, it is just stomach flu.

Gluten Free Diet: All in or just dipping your toes?

2010-12-09T06:39:00.000-08:00

Finding success often requires that you shed all your fears and dive into something head first. It's true for commiting to a gluten free diet too. Are you on a complete gluten free diet or are you still hesitating to jump in?

Consider this. What if it your child had to go on a gluten free diet? What if you had an 18-month old who was visibly wasting away - losing weight, lethargic, and not the same baby she was six months ago?

That was my story. My baby girl was starving. The pediatrician didn't know why my daughter looked and felt the way she did. Thankfully, my wife and I had the courage and persistence to get on a path to finding answers.

A couple of months later we left the hospital with confirmation that our girl had Celiac Disease. We decided on the emotional drive home that we would make our house gluten free and we as parents would go gluten free too. We didn't even know for sure what that meant! But that's the kind of commitment you make for your kids.

Can you make that sort of commitment for yourself and then stick with it? It's hard. Especially when it's not convenient - like when you are invited to lunch with co-workers.

I haven't stuck to eating gluten free and I'm mad at myself about it. For a while now I've been eating gluten here and there when I'm away from the kids.

I want to get back to eating exclusively gluten free.

As New Year's approaches and I sit down to my resolutions for 2011 I plan to take the plunge and go completely gluten free. What about you?

Shabtai Gourmet Offers True Gluten Free Treats

2010-12-06T14:16:00.000-08:00

While perhaps it is healthier to forgo the holiday treats entirely, it has always been one of the hardest things for me on a gluten free diet -- the lack of selection of tasty extra treats around the winter holidays.

Shabtai Gourmet has gone a long way to remedy this situation. With a great selection of good tasting, reasonably priced gluten free desserts, this bakery is a gem. They currently are offering just $5.95 shipping no matter what is ordered nation wide, so whether you are not a baker or, like me, you just crave diversity (or as my husband likes to say "chocolate"), this bakery is worth checking out.

Hmm, is it too late for another yidel (Swiss chocolate roll) or perhaps just one small melt-away cookie...

Katie Chalmers' Kids Book Focuses on Sunny Side of Celiac

2010-11-29T08:31:00.000-08:00

Of the numerous great strides being made for celiac and the gluten free community, none bring us more pleasure than those that help children. Author Katie Chalmers has done just that with her new book "Mommy, What is Celiac Disease?" With cheerful sunny illustrations and descriptions that are both accurate and easy to understand, this book is a wonderful addition for home, school or community libraries. While geared for younger children, the explanations would be helpful for any one newly diagnosed and their loved ones.

For more information or to order a copy visit www.katiechalmers.com

Gluten Free Girl and Dr. Fasano coming to Denver

2010-11-05T09:13:00.000-07:00

In November, there are two great opportunities to hear two "celebrities" within the gluten free world locally here in Denver. Both evenings are free and open to the public -- limited seating is available however.

First, on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 7:30 pm Shauna James Ahern and Daniel Ahern, better known as Gluten Free Girl and the Chef, will be discussing the gluten free diet and their new book at the Tattered Cover on Colfax Avenue. For more information visit the Tattered Cover.

The very next night Dr. will be speaking at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall (15200 West 6th Avenue) at 7 pm. Dr. Fasano is a leading researcher in celiac disease with the Center for Celiac Research out of the University of Maryland. For more information about his talk visit www.DenverCeliac.org