The Annual GIG Conference is in full swing in Minneapolis. Come on by!

 Go to the GIG Website!

Plenty of great information available at the Annual GIG Conference!

 

 

 

 

 

©2010 Gluten-Free Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.

• Way #30: Avoid Unnecessary Temptations as you Move Toward Your Version of Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #30: Avoid Unnecessary Temptations as you Move Toward Your Version of Gluten-Free Simplicity.   Remember that saying, "Out of sight; out of mind"?  Of course you do.    This posting is about things like that which one can use to help simplify their Gluten-Free Life.  Here are some ideas to......
• How to Tell if a "Gluten-Free Menu" is Truly Gluten-Free How to Tell if a "Gluten-Free Menu" is Truly Gluten-Free By William T. Beverly, Ph.D.   First, it is important for me to acknowledge the efforts of Food Service People.  For one, I am very grateful for their sincere attempts at constructively addressing the important consumer need -- "Gluten-Free". UPDATE......
• Simply Hot Dogs and Black-Eyed Peas Simply Hot Dogs and Black-Eyed Peas   This is so simple and wonderful because it is gluten-free, it is affordable, and it can be ready in about 9 minutes. Ingredients: One 14 ounce can of Black-Eyed Peas * (Read label to be sure Black-Eyed Peas are G-F).  One can find several lists of......
• Corn Starch versus Wheat Flour: Gluten-Free?   According to the Argo website, Argo Corn Starch is Gluten-Free and can be used in place of numerous thickeners.  In responses to a direct question, they wrote: "Corn starch has the same "thickening power" as arrowroot, potato starch and tapioca, and you should substitute the same amount. Corn starch......
• Feeding Two Birds with ONE Seed   I was checking out this blog titled, "Deb Brammer: You and me -- working together" and its posting, "Gluten-Free Company".  It started out with, "You've just invited company and now you find out they have to have a gluten-free diet. Now you are having second thoughts. What will you......

• Scales 101 When it comes to the world of music, scales are a group of musical notes that are collected in both ascending and descending order, and they are responsible for providing material for musical work, including a combination of both harmony and melody that can be converted into instrumental play. Scales......
• Chords 101 pt 2 Continued from pt 1. In contrast, however, Andrew Surmani has written that three or more notes, when sounded together, create a chord. George T. Jones has stated that two tones when sounded together, form an interval, and three notes when sounded together create the chord. It has also been said......
• Apple iPad App Review - Zinio - Magazine Reader Apple iPad App Review - Zinio - Magazine Reader. Fancy reading a magazine on your iPad? How about saving some money on the cover price at the same time? Check out Zinio. ***UPDATE*** Zinio has kindly offered one free digital magazine from a selection of 20, to the first......

Are these guys Gluten-Free?

Check it out!
Read the story.

©2010 Gluten-Free Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.

• Way #22: Recognizing Gluten Relapses as They Happen Might Help as One Attains Gluten-Free Simplicity 22. Recognizing Gluten Relapses as They Happen Might Help as One Attains Gluten-Free Simplicity.   Face it, Relapse happens.  I would even go as far as to say that Relapse is often a part of Recovery.  Just because a person relapses, does not mean that she/he is giving up on......
• Improving Your G-F Simplicity IQ If you review these items and find the answers, you will probably improve your G-F Simplicity IQ level. Study / Review Items: Very Basic Description of Celiac Sprue. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeliac_disease. http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/956622658.html. Primary sources of gluten in food. http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2008/031.html Sources of hidden gluten in food. http://www.babitty.com/?p=89. http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/collections/gluten_free_recipes.html#tips Non edible items containing gluten.......
• G-F Flash! Recipe for Gluten-Free Double Cheese Grits   I found an easily  adaptable recipe for Gluten-Free Double Cheese Grits at the website: "Tales from the Oven: Good Food Recipes from the Lunch Pail". [/caption] Among other ingredients, the recipe calls for:  quick grits shredded Cheddar cheese grated Parmesan cheese   Each of these items can be commonly......
• Gluten-Free Eating Out: A List of Opportunities and Menus   Click HERE to learn how to tell if that "Gluten-Free" Menu is TRULY GLUTEN-FREE!!!   One might Go to http://www.glutenfreerestaurants.org/ in order to see a list of restaurants who have been "certified" as having Gluten-Free menus.    Additionally, this list was sent in by Janelle who compiled it for her......
• Hot Buttered Gluten-Free Fried Chicken-n-Rice (Serves 3-4 Hungry Adults.) Ingredients:      Fried Chicken: 1 Med-Large 12 Ounce (plus) Boneless, Skinless Fresh Chicken Breast, cut into pieces about 1-inch, cubed. 1 Fresh Egg. 1/3 Cup of Fresh Milk. 1 Teaspoon of Honey. 3/4 Cup of Gluten-Free Corn Meal. * Salt. Ground Black Pepper. Garlic Salt. * Ground......

You gonna like this! (c.2010, wtb)

©2010 Gluten-Free Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.

• Be Careful, Gluten Can Be Where One Least Expects It   It is important to warn you that while a positive outlook is necessary in this quest for gluten-free simplicity; one needs to be critically informed to carry a bit of skepticism about the possibility of hidden sources of gluten. [/caption]   How can this be.  The most popular belief is......
• Forgiving Might Help one Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity 6. Humility, Forgiveness, and Grace Might Help one Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity.   On my journey toward Gluten-Free Simplicity I have frequently hesitated -- if not downright sabotaged myself -- during periods while recovering from a gluten relapse.  I have blamed myself, my family, anonymous waiters, waitresses, snack-food manufacturers ...  you name......
• Corn Starch versus Wheat Flour: Gluten-Free?   According to the Argo website, Argo Corn Starch is Gluten-Free and can be used in place of numerous thickeners.  In responses to a direct question, they wrote: "Corn starch has the same "thickening power" as arrowroot, potato starch and tapioca, and you should substitute the same amount. Corn starch......
• Kinda Fast BUT Real Easy Gluten-Free Spaghetti Kinda Fast BUT Real Easy G-F Spaghetti (Serves 2 to 3 people) Ingredients: 1 tsp vegetable oil * 1/4 diced white onion 1/4 diced green pepper 1 lb Lean Ground Beef 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes 1 8 oz can tomato sauce * 1/2 cup of fresh "Matchstick" cut carrots Italian Herbs Black......
• Fried Apples Ingredients: Four Apples cut into wedges is preferred. 1 Tablespoon of Brown Sugar 1/4 Cup of Margarine 1/8 Cup of Raisins   Process: Cut Apples (peel if desired) Heat Margarine in medium skillet Add apples Add Cinnamon Saute on low heat for 15 minutes turn ingredients in pan Add Sugar......

What looks like Fire, may only be a really cool Sunset. (c.2009, wtb)

  So for me when it came to the Doctor’s Gluten speech.  I had lots of emotional reactions.  Even for years following my diagnosis.  Did you?

  I can admit it… YES, sometimes I got issues with authority.  Even if their rulings are really in my own best interest…  How bout you?  If you did could you admit it?  I get even more riled up when it is regarding something I love and I am used to like Cakes, lots of bread with every meal etc… That’s not to mention those hidden sources of Gluten.  And in short, this resistance leads to lots of self-destruction for me.

  Allowing anyone (especially an Authority Figure) tell me “NO MORE” of anything, is hard for me to do.  But once I admitted this to myself, I could more readily reverse my self-destructive tendencies — and my perverse need to spite the authorities.

  Then, I  could start to heal.

  It is frustrating though, with or without authority issues… to be told you cannot do this or your can no longer eat that.  Yes it is!  And at the moment it may seem like  ones world has now been severely limited.

  But I found that when I opened my mind, and I got real curious about other cultures that were NOT necessarily wheat-based there was hope.  Particularly cultures with in climates other than U.S. climates, I found cuisines (e.g., Mexican, Asian, Indian etc…) that I could enjoy, with lots of choices.

  I had to admit to myself that there is a whole world out there.  This world is full of great food ideas.  And sooo sooo soooooo many of them are naturally Gluten-Free.

  I just had to let go of the resistance and get on a more open-minded pathway.

  I started to experiment a lot and I found that there are bountiful options available to me.  Sure, there are always the various newly developed wheat-substitute/fake items.  And I praise those kitchen adventurers who are seeking to make items that used to be made with wheat — without wheat.  More power to them!  I do that too.

  But as I let go of trying to replicate U.S.-type wheat-based items (like Wonder Bread, Cheerios or Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup).   And I have to say again, “those gals and guys who work hard in their kitchens to replicate typically gluten-filled foods without Gluten are angels — they really are”.  But my kitchen ain’t got one of them these days.  So I got to find alternatives.

  I started to explore other cultures.  And I was truly learning – not just about food either!!! 

  As the Gluten-Free Girl will tell you, there is a life beyond Wonder Bread — even though I really did love that stuff.

  Try new foods.  Try new cultures.  Think about climate and how it effects food choices.  Think about centuries of climate influencing food choices and the unlimited bounty of cuisine choices that can create.

  I tried to let go of those boundaries that kept me within a certain mindset of what is -, and is not NORMAL food.

  Give it a shot.  You might discover a whole new world.

* Helpful Hint/Notes:

• This article in Wikipedia about Staple Foods and this one on Tradiational Diets and Culture might be helpful.
• Also check out the various hyperlinks in this article in order to learn more.

: : : : : : : : : : :

©2010 Gluten-Free Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.

• Way #31: Grieve the Loss of those Gluten-Contaminated Dietary Favorites and Move On In A Healthy Way Toward Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #31: Grieve the Loss of those Gluten-Contaminated Dietary Favorites and Move On In A Healthy Way Toward Gluten-Free Simplicity.   Does anyone remember the movie, "M*A*S*H"?  Well there was a scene in which one of the characters claimed he wanted to kill himself, so in order to vanquish that ambivalent......
• Way #36: Deal with those Comfort Food Issues in Order to Get Closer to Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #36: Deal with those Comfort Food Issues in Order to Get Closer to Gluten-Free Simplicity.   What?  OK... now that's a bit personal.. don't ya think?   May be, ... then again... Maybe Not. [/caption]   Really folks.  Seriously now.  According to Wikipedia, Comfort foods are: "Comfort food is typically inexpensive,......
• Way #32: Gracefully Accept the Shortcomings of Others Regarding Gluten Sensitivity and/or Celiac Disease on the Way to Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #32: Gracefully Accept the Shortcomings of Others Regarding Gluten Sensitivity and/or Celiac Disease on the Way to Gluten-Free Simplicity.   Going through life with any illness, much less one as unpopular as Gluten-Sensitivity or Celiac Disease can be difficult.  One is bound to run into people who are either......
• Way #33: Memorize Basic Word Clues that Indicate Gluten is Hidden in Food Ingredients in order to Get Closer to Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #33: Memorize Basic Word Clues that Indicate Gluten is Hidden in Food Ingredients in order to Get Closer to Gluten-Free Simplicity.   There are a few basic words that one might run into on a U.S. food label that indicate that Gluten is probably hidden in the ingredients.  If......
• Way #35: Gluten-Free Tax Breaks on the Way to Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #35: Gluten-Free Tax Breaks on the Way to Gluten-Free Simplicity.   I am not a tax professional, but basically, there are at least 3 places where Gluten-Free Issues cross Tax Breaks and they are the possibility of using ones Flexible Spending Account when buying certain items, Tax Deductions for......

• 10 Ways To Change The World Through Social Media. Citizen journalism, open government, status updates, community building, information sharing, crowdsourcing, and the election of a President. Editor's note: This is the first guest post from Max Gladwell. Our children will inherit a world profoundly changed by the combination of technology and humanity that is social media. They'll take for......
• Honor Earth Day year 'round by eating your way to health In honor of Earth Day, we thought we'd re-visit a subject that has been dear to us in the past: organic and natural foods. This time, rather that emphasize the benefits of wholesome foods, we thought we'd spend some time telling you where to get them. If you've been paying......
• Weekly Roundup - Financial Literacy Edition April is Financial Literacy Month, and this year we need to really emphasize the importance of it more than ever.  If you notice, I've been featuring a number of "kids and money" themed guest posts and advertisers because I believe educating our youth in the world of personal finances is......
• 2010 Financial And Business Goals I've often heard it said "a goal without a time limit is not a goal."  To that end, last year I made a concrete list of goals for 2009 (you can see the results here).  While I didn't accomplish every single one of my goals last year and I don't......
• Scales 101 When it comes to the world of music, scales are a group of musical notes that are collected in both ascending and descending order, and they are responsible for providing material for musical work, including a combination of both harmony and melody that can be converted into instrumental play. Scales......

Yummie! Gluten-Free Corn Chex Casserole (c.2009, wtb)

(Feeds 3-to-4 hungry People.  Ideal for the day after Thanksgiving!)

Ingedients:

• Use an 8 or 9 inch casserole dish.
• 3 Tablespoons of unsalted butter. *
• 4 Cups of Gluten-Free Corn Chex. *
• 1 Can of drained Green Beans. *
• 1 Cup of Diced Ham. * (Use less ham if it is a strong version such as “Smithfield”)
• 1 Tablespoon of Diced White Onion.
• 1 Tablespoon of Diced Green Pepper.
• 3 Fresh Eggs.
• 1/2 Cup of Milk.
• 1 Cup of Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese. *
• Salt, White Pepper, Garlic Salt, Black Pepper, Ground Sage, and Paprika.

 Process:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, fahrenheit.
2. Dice vegitables and place with butter in casserole dish into the oven for about 5 minutes.
3. In large mixing bowl, combine Corn Chex, Green Beans, Ham, and Vegetables with Butter.
4. In small bowl combine eggs, milk, grated cheese and spices (Sprinkle with each spice as if to taste).
5. Stir up each set of ingredients combinations.
6. Combine both ingredients into the large mixing bowl.
7. Stir and poor into the Casserole Dish.
8. Sprinkle top with Paprika.
9. Bake at 350 Degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes.

 * Be sure to use Gluten-Free Brands of these Ingredients.

©2010 Gluten-Free Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.

• Sweet Garbanzos in Gluten-Free Chili Sweet Garbanzos in Gluten-Free Chili (This sweet, rich, and versatile treat serves 4-to-6 hungry people) Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons of Vegetable Oil. * 1 and 1/2 Pound of Lean Ground Beef or Chuck. 1/2 of a large sweet Yellow or White Onion (Diced about 1-inch squares). 1/2 of a Green Bell Pepper (Diced about......
• How to Tell if a "Gluten-Free Menu" is Truly Gluten-Free How to Tell if a "Gluten-Free Menu" is Truly Gluten-Free By William T. Beverly, Ph.D.   First, it is important for me to acknowledge the efforts of Food Service People.  For one, I am very grateful for their sincere attempts at constructively addressing the important consumer need -- "Gluten-Free". UPDATE......
• Contributing to Good, Wise Efforts Could Help to Light Ones Path Toward Gluten-Free Simplicity 19. Contributing to Good, Wise Efforts Could Help to Light Ones Path Toward Gluten-Free Simplicity.   At first, after being diagnosed with this and that and surviving surgeries, sick-leaves, lost jobs, astronomical medical bills, confusion, isolation etc....  I felt like pretty much just a victim.  And with Crohn's Disease, such episodes tend......
• Pork Chops Cippoline: A Hearty Gluten-Free Dinner with a Bite Pork Chops Cippoline: A Hearty Gluten-Free Dinner with a Bite This Hearty Dinner will feed 4 to 6 people.  Ingredients: 1 Fresh Raw  Cippoline Onion (peeled and diced). 2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil or Olive oil. * 2 Pounds of de-boned pork chops. 1 Pound of fresh cabbage sliced about 1/4......
• Gluten Free Lipstick??? Don't Be A CHICKEN!!!   Ok.. so how do you tell her nicely... and without future consequences, [/caption]   "Hey... don't kiss me with that Lipstick on?"   Wow... could this lead you into trouble or what???    Good question? I think so...   Anyway, this is for real. Some cosmetics are chock-full of Gluten.......

• What Are You Feeding Jake? [/caption]Many new dog owners find themselves in a quandary over what to feed their handsome boy when they bring him home. It is important to know that not all dog food is created equally. Most store bought brands, such as those advertised on television, contain more filler than healthful ingredients......
• Taco Casserole Recipe This is a very simple Taco Casserole Recipe. If you are looking to make something quick for dinner this is it. Very little prep and cooking time. Tastes great-your family will love it. Enjoy Ingredients 1. 1 lb ground beef 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning 2. 1......
• Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Recipe Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Recipe Potatoes at their best. This simple Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Recipe has just a delicious combination of flavors. This is a great stand alone meal or if your Family are big eaters a great side dish. For pot luck recipe it could not get......
• Harmony 101 When it comes to music, you can look at harmony as the use of chords or pitches simultaneously. The study behind harmony involves the study of chords and the way that they are constructed as well as harmonic progressions and the connection principles that are used in order to govern......
• Cheese Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole Recipe   I was looking for a dish to go with some shrimp we were cooking on the grill. We have some big eaters in the family and the shrimp was just not going to be enough. We all love cheese. This Cheese Potato & Smoked Sausage Casserole Recipe really......

Tired of Walking Everywhere Looking for the Gluten-Free Turkey? (c.2009, wtb)

Click here for a Listing of Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Turkies.

©2010 Gluten-Free Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.

• Forgiving Might Help one Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity 6. Humility, Forgiveness, and Grace Might Help one Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity.   On my journey toward Gluten-Free Simplicity I have frequently hesitated -- if not downright sabotaged myself -- during periods while recovering from a gluten relapse.  I have blamed myself, my family, anonymous waiters, waitresses, snack-food manufacturers ...  you name......
• Preventing Frustrating Situations for Attaining Gluten-Free Simplicity 7. Preventing Frustrating Situations Might Help Facilitate Ones Attainment of Gluten-Free Simplicity   As one becomes use to the idea of going and living Gluten-Free, one finds that one encounters various old-style situations that in the new G-F style, can often lead to frustration.  For example, one might be invited to dinner and just as one......
• G-F Flash! Recipe for Gluten-Free Double Cheese Grits   I found an easily  adaptable recipe for Gluten-Free Double Cheese Grits at the website: "Tales from the Oven: Good Food Recipes from the Lunch Pail". [/caption] Among other ingredients, the recipe calls for:  quick grits shredded Cheddar cheese grated Parmesan cheese   Each of these items can be commonly......
• Improving Your G-F Simplicity IQ If you review these items and find the answers, you will probably improve your G-F Simplicity IQ level. Study / Review Items: Very Basic Description of Celiac Sprue. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeliac_disease. http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/956622658.html. Primary sources of gluten in food. http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2008/031.html Sources of hidden gluten in food. http://www.babitty.com/?p=89. http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/collections/gluten_free_recipes.html#tips Non edible items containing gluten.......
• Feeding Two Birds with ONE Seed   I was checking out this blog titled, "Deb Brammer: You and me -- working together" and its posting, "Gluten-Free Company".  It started out with, "You've just invited company and now you find out they have to have a gluten-free diet. Now you are having second thoughts. What will you......

• Money Saving Monday Tip #6 - Kids Eat Free! Want to eat out more but your budget just can't handle the expense? You'll be surprised at the number of places that offer kids eat free nights. We love to eat out, but with 6 children it's incredibly expensive regardless of where we go. We are always on the......
• How to Safely Cook a Turkey Ah, turkey!  Each person (in the U.S.) eats almost 18 pounds of it every year!  A delicious turkey is often the priority for the Thanksgiving meal, so knowing how to prepare, cook, and serve the bird is paramount. No need to feel the pressure, though! Achieving turkey success is actually quite simple, especially......
• Chords 101 pt 2 Continued from pt 1. In contrast, however, Andrew Surmani has written that three or more notes, when sounded together, create a chord. George T. Jones has stated that two tones when sounded together, form an interval, and three notes when sounded together create the chord. It has also been said......

It's Amazing what can hide where (c.2009, wtb)

  How can this be.  The most popular belief is that gluten typically comes from wheat, but there are other sources of gluten.  The Internet Health Library site can be helpful as can other sites and sources http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/DietandNutrition/gluten.htm:

  In short, is says:

Gluten is the protein found in wheat. Similar proteins which are harmful to Coeliacs are present in rye, barley and possibly oats. Wheat, rye and barley are therefore excluded from the gluten-free diet. Oats may be allowed for some patients, under careful medical and dietetic supervision.

Under “Hidden Sources of Gluten”, it states:

Gluten is also contained in manufactured and processed foods where wheat flour is commonly used as a processing aid, a binder, a filler or as a carrier for favourings and spices. Contamination with wheat or wheat flour can also occur during cereal production, storage, processing or manufacture.

  So, this would include products that are processed using any of these grains.  Some of these potential products could be:  Vinegar, Salad Dressings, Soy Sauce, Other Sauces, Soups and others.

    In fact, wheat is used in the production of many products, including non-foods according to a recent published article.  Follow this link for more information on that: http://www.journalstar.com/articles/2008/08/20/news/business/doc48ab391e83b5d534866162.txt.

  Any person hoping to attain gluten-free simplicity probably ought to get into the rewarding habit of reading product labels.  And here’s the kicker: The label might not state that the product contains wheat however, the vinegar in the product (such as with some salad dressings) might have been distilled using a gluten yielding grain.

  Get it?  So I know it might sound complex and even more complicating to ask one to not only read product labels, but also to read (into) product labels.  My hope is that once one learns these basic facts though, they will be a few steps closer to G-F Simplicity.

©2010 Gluten-Free Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.

• Way #28. Try New Foods and Explore New Cuisines to Enhance Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #28. Try New Foods and Explore New Cuisines to Enhance Gluten-Free Simplicity.   If you think you might get bored with your eating on a Gluten-Free Diet, think again.    There is a lot out there.   It is quite possible.... and even probable that there are foods out......
• Way #8: Using Your Smarts Might Help You Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #8: Using Your Smarts Might Help You Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity.   If you were born and raised in the U.S.A., you quite possibly grew up thinking the word "Flour" was almost synonymous with the word "Wheat".  As you got older you probably started to realize that there are other......
• Learning to Read Food Labels Can Probably Help One Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity 21. Learning to Read Food Labels Can Probably Help One Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity.   Why?  Because it can help one prevent accidental Gluten exposure.  It can also serve as a gradual way for a person to learn about which foods are safe and which foods are not.  Theoretically, the more......
• Using Good Supports Might Help One Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity 14. Using Good Supports Might Help One Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity.   Support is a good thing.  There, I said it.  (One disclaimer: As long as it is voluntary and healthy for all parties involved.)   What do I mean by support?  Primarily, I am talking about the kind of support......
• Improving Your G-F Simplicity IQ If you review these items and find the answers, you will probably improve your G-F Simplicity IQ level. Study / Review Items: Very Basic Description of Celiac Sprue. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeliac_disease. http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/956622658.html. Primary sources of gluten in food. http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2008/031.html Sources of hidden gluten in food. http://www.babitty.com/?p=89. http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/collections/gluten_free_recipes.html#tips Non edible items containing gluten.......

• If You Want To Succeed In Online Business - Read This Tutorial Nowadays online business is everywhere. When you are buying stockings by the internet it is online business, when you have paid for your games and you now are playing it is online business too. If you want to know more about online business - click just now and make sure......
• The Acai Berry Diet - How Does it Work? Syndicated from eZineArticlesThere are several reviews expressing opinions on new products. The acai berry diet is one of the hottest selling weight loss products on the market. Oprah gives details of how well this product works, but then a person has to take into consideration the source. Oprah jumps on......
• The Frugal Literate's Guide to Affordable Reading Reading is one of the most frugal hobbies in existence, and is something, in my opinion, that everyone should do. Not only is it entertaining, but it can be beneficial and educational in many ways. In fact, reading is (along with watching period films based on classic literature) Madoline's......
• The Master Cleanse Secrets Why Bother With The Master Cleanse? There's a lot of buzz surrounding the Master Cleanse. Lately it seems like every Hollywood actress or actor who needs to get in shape is turning to this decades old health system that involves drinking a mixture of lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne......
• The Best Healthy Food Alternatives There are a lot of different foods in your daily nutritional plan that can probably be switched out for healthier alternatives. Here are some of the best healthy food alternatives and how can you swap bad goods out of your diet in favor of healthier alternatives. Substituting bad foods for......

  What?  OK… now that’s a bit personal.. don’t ya think?

  May be, … then again… Maybe Not.

Talk about your comfort foods -- Yesssir!!! (c.2009, WTB)

  Really folks.  Seriously now.  According to Wikipedia, Comfort foods are:

“Comfort food is typically inexpensive, uncomplicated, and easy to prepare. Many people turn to comfort food for familiarity, emotional security, or as a special reward. The reasons a dish becomes a comfort food are diverse but often include pleasant associations of childhood[1]. Small children often seem to latch on to a specific food or drink (in a way similar to a security blanket) and will repeatedly request it in high stress situations. Adults eat comfort food for a sense of continuity” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comfort_food .

  So what is your culinary security blanket?  Don’t you have one?  I  got way too many.

  I got “Honeycomb“, a breakfast cereal that came along just in time for me to notice as a child.

  BUT… Its possibly (at least there is a discussion to this leaning) got gluten in it — I think.  Somewhere in this list:

“CORN FLOUR AND BRAN BLEND (CORN FLOUR, WHOLE GRAIN CORN FLOUR, CORN BRAN), SUGAR, WHOLE GRAIN OAT FLOUR, HONEY, SALT, YELLOW 5, BHT ADDED TO PACKAGING MATERIAL TO PRESERVE PRODUCT FRESHNESS. VITAMINS & MINERALS: NIACINAMIDE (B VITAMIN), REDUCED IRON, ZINC OXIDE (SOURCE OF ZINC), VITAMIN B6, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), THIAMIN MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), FOLIC ACID (B VITAMIN), VITAMIN B12, VITAMIN D”  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeycomb_(cereal)#Ingredients).

  Or perhaps there is a cross-contamination factor involved.

  And of course, there are pancakes and practically any sort of fresh bread(a no brainer).

  Boy have I been depressed over the last decade sometimes feeling as though there were few options.  How could I deal with my need for comfort food when I was grieving or feeling bad?

  I would sometimes just hate the world for days at a time.  This was perhaps a form of necessary “processing”, but I am not sure how productive it is for just anyone.

  Eventually, I got to a point where I finally had a truly clear thought… deep down in this painful area where rationale seldom waxes. 

   My thought was like this… OK…

1. If all my old comforts have Gluten in them, and
2. I cannot eat Gluten because it makes me feel UN-comfortable, and
3. There are reasonable alternatively attractive substances out there,
4. I just need to find NEW COMFORT FOODS that contain NO GLUTEN.

  So I have started trying to do that. 

  It is a challenge, but it is a much healthier quest (if not just a natural progression from) than/that point where I was just enveloped in grief, anger, and yes… some self pity.

  What are your new Gluten-Free Comfort Foods?

  I will let you know as I identify mine.  Surely as I move along this path, I am getting closer to Gluten-Free Simplicity.

: : : : : : : : : : :

©2010 Gluten-Free Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.

• Learning to Read Food Labels Can Probably Help One Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity 21. Learning to Read Food Labels Can Probably Help One Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity.   Why?  Because it can help one prevent accidental Gluten exposure.  It can also serve as a gradual way for a person to learn about which foods are safe and which foods are not.  Theoretically, the more......
• Way #25: Getting Really Curious When Ones Gluten-Exposure Symptoms Appear Might Help One More Readily Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity 25. Getting Really Curious When Ones Gluten-Exposure Symptoms Appear Might Help One More Readily Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity.   Do you know your Gluten-Exposure symptoms yet?  This is a fair question in that one is NOT being graded and as a bonus, it will hopefully encourage one to begin defining ones......
• Way #38: Move beyond the fear that your “food world” is NOW severely limited on your way to Gluten-Free Simplicity. Way #38: Move beyond the fear that your “food world” is NOW severely limited on your way to Gluten-Free Simplicity.     OK.. I know... I can't stand it when someone tells me, "You can't do that any more."  Oh.. I get soooo upset at that sometimes. [/caption]   So for......
• Gluten Cravings When Maybe All I Really Need is Some Serotonin   XX Days now and no pizza. But then I ask, Why do I want that stuff so badly? It's the cheese that I think of most. Then that sizzling pepperoni. I know... just like an addict. A Gluten Addict.   Food cravings have lots of alleged causes.  According to......
• Way #33: Memorize Basic Word Clues that Indicate Gluten is Hidden in Food Ingredients in order to Get Closer to Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #33: Memorize Basic Word Clues that Indicate Gluten is Hidden in Food Ingredients in order to Get Closer to Gluten-Free Simplicity.   There are a few basic words that one might run into on a U.S. food label that indicate that Gluten is probably hidden in the ingredients.  If......

• Different Ways To Do Your Best To Shop For Food Ethically. I am sure that you know by now that every single dollar you spend on something has an affect on people somewhere down the line of manufacturing. From where you buy your clothes to where you get your food, every step along the way is affected by the step above......
• A Toast to Vitamin C Vitamin C - It's the trusted, good, ol' fashioned vitamin we turn to when fighting a cold or trying to prevent one. It's the hip and celebrity vitamin of youth-promoting facial creams and cosmetics. It's the swashbuckling hero to the sailors (and their teeth) of years gone by. Here's a......
• 10 Tips for Avoiding Seasickness on a Cruise I think God gave people feet instead of fins for a reason – he wants us on land, not on the water.  When we were planning our first cruise, I had one thought that kept haunting me – am I going to get sick on the cruise?  Unfortunately, I tend......
• Solution to Sugar Addiction I've talked about the possibility of being addicted to sugar and more of the specifics on how sugar acts like a drug in some individuals. This post will cover the solution to kicking the sugar addiction, according to the book, Potatoes, Not Prozac. I think the following best sums up......
• Using Technology to Save Money Some would argue that Baby Boomers are slow to use technology to save themselves money on purchases. If that saying is true, I strive to be an exception to the rule. The web is loaded with money-saving tools for online shopping. Here are a few that I have found to......

(Gluten-Free!!!)

  Over the years, I have found and shared many benefits of positive affirmations.  I also like them with perhaps a slight accent of humor and even reality.  I have often found that this sort of exercise can be really fun for friends, family and others who although they are just perfect, they might be feeling down today.

Few things are as affirming as the way the Sky, Clouds, Mountains and Landscape blend into each other on a Fall day in the Rockies (c.2009, WTB)

  But first and foremost, I find them helpful for me…. because I deserve it!!!

Here are a few I can now share with you:

1. Though I may be feeling fatigued and even seem lazy right now; I am a precious person of magnificent potential.
2. I am a genuinely caring and considerate person even though my irritable moods have occasionally made me appear otherwise.
3. My mind, body and reputation have all suffered the continuous assaults and pains of Celiac Disease, other related ailments, and the struggles of trying to go Gluten-Free.  Nonetheless, I am a vibrant being with a nice body, a sound mind, and good character.

  So, these are just a few positive affirmations that are good for me as I look in my mirror and sincerely convince myself of their validity. 

  I hope that if you try my affirmations, they can be good for you too.  And if you have some affirmations to share, please feel free.

©2010 Gluten-Free Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.

• Someone at Bob's Red Mill is Going Gluten-Free for One Month! What Next?   Someone at Bob's Red Mill is Going Gluten-Free for One Month!  They wrote: "Starting today, one of my cohorts (Chelsea) and I will take on a challenge to unwavering live life without gluten for four weeks."  The Mill Room Blog   I find this interesting.  As a social worker,......
• G-F Flash! Recipe for Gluten-Free Double Cheese Grits   I found an easily  adaptable recipe for Gluten-Free Double Cheese Grits at the website: "Tales from the Oven: Good Food Recipes from the Lunch Pail". [/caption] Among other ingredients, the recipe calls for:  quick grits shredded Cheddar cheese grated Parmesan cheese   Each of these items can be commonly......
• Improving Your G-F Simplicity IQ If you review these items and find the answers, you will probably improve your G-F Simplicity IQ level. Study / Review Items: Very Basic Description of Celiac Sprue. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coeliac_disease. http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/956622658.html. Primary sources of gluten in food. http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2008/031.html Sources of hidden gluten in food. http://www.babitty.com/?p=89. http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/collections/gluten_free_recipes.html#tips Non edible items containing gluten.......
• Way #38: Move beyond the fear that your “food world” is NOW severely limited on your way to Gluten-Free Simplicity. Way #38: Move beyond the fear that your “food world” is NOW severely limited on your way to Gluten-Free Simplicity.     OK.. I know... I can't stand it when someone tells me, "You can't do that any more."  Oh.. I get soooo upset at that sometimes. [/caption]   So for......
• Preventing Frustrating Situations for Attaining Gluten-Free Simplicity 7. Preventing Frustrating Situations Might Help Facilitate Ones Attainment of Gluten-Free Simplicity   As one becomes use to the idea of going and living Gluten-Free, one finds that one encounters various old-style situations that in the new G-F style, can often lead to frustration.  For example, one might be invited to dinner and just as one......

• Position Free Recommendations Web & Search Engine Marketing - Security Best Practices, Not Firewalls - Reverse Engineering A Brand With Google - Successful SEO Optimization Strategies - SEO and Dynamic Web Pages - Google’s Page Rank Formula - Choosing a Web Hosting Company - Choosing an SEO Consultant The Adsense Position Security Best......
• Scales 101 When it comes to the world of music, scales are a group of musical notes that are collected in both ascending and descending order, and they are responsible for providing material for musical work, including a combination of both harmony and melody that can be converted into instrumental play. Scales......
• Free Money Management Tools from Google When it comes to managing our money and investments, creating financial plans, or analyzing our retirement portfolio, I'm all about the free stuff. There are lots of online money management tools around. Google has them as well. I like them because they are easy to use and can be found......
• Affirmations & Positive self-talk: Do they work? /caption] Positive Self-talk and Affirmations are pretty much the same thing with the very subtle difference that affirmations are more often verbal or written while Self-talk is more often played out in our heads. I got to know about the idea of Self-talk quite recently through a book by......
• 7 Days, 7 Ways To Save-Daily Tips That Really Add Up. No matter how many ways you stretch that paycheck"¦ it can wind up feeling like there's just too much month left at the end of the money. So, with skyrocketing prices on everything from groceries and gas to homes and cars, is there a realistic way to save without living......

This is the question that a typical person with Gluten intolerance is possibly asking her/his self from the time they know which restaurant they are going to be eating in tonight, to the time that they leave that establishment.

When a place has a “Gluten-Free Menu” or items that they advertise as “Gluten-Free”, a person with such a medical condition is still going to probably be a bit cautious. That is, until they know with whom they are dealing and just what they are getting.

Heading out into a Gluten-Free Sunset for a Meal doesn't have to be Foggy (c.2009, WTB)

With whom are you dealing?

Well, there are big chains that are beginning massive advertising campaigns claiming that they serve some “Gluten-Free items” and that is all well and good. At the same time, one can sometimes get a pretty scary feeling when entering such an establishment and asking a question about such an item, and the server is not at all versed on the terms “Gluten” or “Celiac”.

I guess in cases where the item is fully automated and totally hands off from the time it leaves the corporate big house to the time it is served to you, then perhaps it can be assumed to be truly “gluten-free”. But then who really wants to eat something that mechanized. I mean, even at the fastest, fast-food joints, the folks in the back at least bless your entree with a pickle or something prior to serving it.

And then there is the problem that one often encounters in massive chain operations where the consumer gets an item that is supposedly “Gluten-Free”, yet the item is served with a brand of ketchup or mayo or dressing that is known to contain gluten. Then one nudges up to the counter-server to ask about this and is met with an “I don’t know” or “If you cannot eat wheat, can you eat white bread instead?”

In fact I was at one of those “Have it your way” burger chains the other day and ordered a Double _____ “with everything except the bun”; and the counter guy, savvy as he was — and polite — whistled back, “One Double ______, Low Carb!” OK… so I didn’t say a word. I was delighted that at least he was trying…. but does “Low Carb” necessarily mean “Gluten-Free”… I don’t think soooooooooo.

Part II of With Whom are You Dealing?

OK, so then there are those wonderful mom-and-pop places that just seem to be perfect, and they are trying their best to serve their Gluten-Free-Needy customers a wonderful item and they do….. Except, they get a little touchy when one asks… nicely, “Hey, this steak is like…. mulllahhhh wonderful!!! But can you tell me…. is it marinated?” (yes)… “OK… and I love it tooo……. but how bout… , Does that marinate include any items that might contain gluten???”

Their first defense (and unfortunately it is often a defense — which it does not need to be) is. “Well that’s Jenny’s Secret Recipe and I cannot divulge…” So you explain to the waiter about the Gluten-Free thingee, while at the same time, he is wondering why his establishment actually cares about such “food preferences” and he goes back to consult with the Chef… Jenny…. or Jenny’s daughter or somebody close enough to know the secret.

Of course she gives him a list of the ingredients in the marinate because as the Chef, she is somewhat aware that the Gluten thing is in her face more and more every day now…

The Waiter returns to the table and says, “The ingredients are some herbs and spices, vinegar, mayo, beer (cannot tell you what kind), sugar, a (not-to-be-named) steak sauce, an anonymous fruit juice, and tomato paste.” “Nope, nothing in there could contain Gluten.. so, you are home free.”

“Now can you please cut into your steak and tell me if it is done to your liking?”

At this point, it is kind of hard to tell the guy……. the waiter about how almost every ingredient he mentioned could contain gluten, depending on which brand they use etc… (e.g., Gluten can be in some brands of vinegar, mayo, beer, confectioners sugar, some steak sauces, some fruit juices, and in tomato paste).

I’m Backing Off Now…

So with tons of years in food service under my belt, I say with some firmness that in every establishment, there should be at least one person who cares about this “Gluten issue”. Food service people are people too and they are typically underpaid, overworked and they have to deal constantly with social situations where they clothes smell more like their fryer grease than like the cologne that they splashed on this morning. This is a hard life. So some slack is warranted.

At the same time, as an over-educated person with years of Celiac Disease under my belt (literally un-der my-belt), I can say that this life too is difficult and unfair and some slack is definitely warranted.

So How can We Meet In the Middle?

I am not sure what the solution is going to be.

I am certain that there are two things that cannot be helpful:

1. I do not think that half-hearted “Gluten-Free” menu and advertising overhauls in corporate America are going to do anything but aggravate the situation UNLESS… and I said, “UNLESS!!!”, those same corporate bosses are willing to also act consistently in terms of training ALL involved staff and also sincerely analyzing recipes and inventoried product brands to see that only “Gluten-Free” product makes its way to the consumer’s table. This is an expensive undertaking and I would be surprised if even the majority of those touting “Our New Gluten-Free Menu” are taking it as seriously as all this.
2. and, at the same time: I am certain that nothing really gets solved when a person in need of a Gluten-Free meal gets visibly angry about what she/he is served and then takes out 100% of that anger on the extremely low-level staff-person who served it to them. Yes, I think ALL staff are or should be responsible in such cases, but if a person is a teenager making minimum wage and has not ever even been reasonably briefed on the “New Gluten-Free Items” thingee… then I think it is management who is in the wrong; not the line worker.

So this morning, I was going to write up a list of what kinds of dishes on restaurant menus that say they are “Gluten-Free” are likely to be safe, versus which ones are probably not. I could not write that yet because I think these types of problems — as listed above — are much grander and much more significant at this time.

Surely, I will put together a list of “probably safe” and “possibly not” Gluten-Free “safe” menu items soon. And I will publish it. But for now, I think the “Safe” thing to do would be for America’s Corporate Bosses to wax sincerely about the “Gluten-Free” issue or NOT wax at all. And I think that those of us who sometimes have emotional rants in our empty dining enjoyment quests that sometimes lead to “Gluten-Free” starvation — oh… and I have been there many times too.. — should also think next time before we blast an unsuspecting cashier the local “Minute Burger Joint”.

What do you think?

 Read what others have said about this issue:

• Gluten-Free Dining Out: Is It Safe?
• Gluten-Free Restaurant Dining: Tips for Safe Gluten-Free Restaurant Meals
• How to Tell if a “Gluten-Free Menu” is Truly Gluten-Free
• Keeping Celiac Guests Safe: Gluten-Free Food Guidelines
• Safe and Unsafe Gluten-Free Food Lists

©2010 Gluten-Free Simplicity. All Rights Reserved.

• Way #35: Gluten-Free Tax Breaks on the Way to Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #35: Gluten-Free Tax Breaks on the Way to Gluten-Free Simplicity.   I am not a tax professional, but basically, there are at least 3 places where Gluten-Free Issues cross Tax Breaks and they are the possibility of using ones Flexible Spending Account when buying certain items, Tax Deductions for......
• Gluten-Free Energy Diet (part 2): Energy Levels with Celiac Disease and Its Partner, Gluten-Sensitivity (Part 2)   OK, I'm back.  I have a little more energy now.   One can roll around the Internet and find others talking about this issue.  At Celiac.com there has been a discussion about whether or not Energy Drinks are Gluten-Free. At the same site in a different space is a discussion......
• Way #36: Deal with those Comfort Food Issues in Order to Get Closer to Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #36: Deal with those Comfort Food Issues in Order to Get Closer to Gluten-Free Simplicity.   What?  OK... now that's a bit personal.. don't ya think?   May be, ... then again... Maybe Not. [/caption]   Really folks.  Seriously now.  According to Wikipedia, Comfort foods are: "Comfort food is typically inexpensive,......
• Way #34: Remember, It is OK to Politely Ask A Vendor or Manufacturer About the Ingredients of Her/His Product When One Is Trying to Attain Gluten-Free Simplicity Way #34: Remember, It is OK to Politely Ask A Vendor or Manufacturer About the Ingredients of Her/His Product while one is choosing whether or not to buy.   Since the Gluten-Free Labeling issue is NOT yet resolved with real power by U.S. A. policymakers, it is up to consumers......
• Gluten-Free Energy Diet (part 4): How Many Grams of Proteins, Fats and Carbs Do I Need Each Day? [/caption]   How Many Grams of Proteins, Fats and Carbohydrates Do I Need Each Day? This is a really good question. If one has been following the recent postings about increasing energy levels for persons with Celiac Disease and/or Gluten-Sensitivity, this should make sense.   As a pre-note, let me......

• Personal Finance Links (Dogs Rule Edition) This weekend I watched the movie UP. I think it was one of the worst of the Pixar movies, I've seen... but that's to say that it was still very entertaining and well worth seeing. I cried and laughed (in that order mostly). And for the rest of the weekend,......
• Organizing Collectible Memorabilia The first step when you are dealing with collectible memorabilia is to figure out how you want to collect, organize, store, display and preserve your memorabilia. What keepsakes are you intending to hang onto for the long haul, and which memorabilia keepsakes would you rather sell or give up? Once......
• Something Big Is In the Works Hey everyone, I just wanted to quickly touch base with you to let you know that I'm still alive and I haven't forgotten about you. I've been busy working on a new product which I will be launching soon. I think you'll like it! My intent for creating it is......
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