Living a Gluten free Lifestyle.

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 to help lead those of you with allergies in a direction that is both healthy and encouraging.


So, why live a gluten free lifestyle? The answer is plain and simple because if you choose a gluten free diet then you are choosing the healthiest diet on the planet. That is only if you do it correctly. A gluten free diet may dramatically improve your health, both physical and emotional.

The gastrointestinal symptoms of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease are vast. Although most people think diarrhea is the most common symptom, gastrointestinal symptoms can include constipation, gas, bloating, reflux, and even vomiting.

These are some of the "classic"- though not the most common- symptoms of celiac disease:

Abdominal pain and distension
Acid reflux
Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Gas and flatulence
Greasy, foul-smelling, floating stools
Nausea
Vomiting
Weight loss or weight gain

Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity are gastrointestinal conditions because the damage is done to the small intestine. But people more commonly have what are called extraintestinal(outside the intestine) symptoms. These make up an extensive list of more than 250 symptoms, including the following:

Fatigue and weakness (due to iron-deficiency anemia)
Vitamin and/or mineral deficiencies
Headaches (including migraines)
Joint or bone pain
Depression, irritability, listlessness, and mood disorders
"fuzzy brain" or an inability to concentrate
Infertility
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Dental enamel deficiencies and irregularities
Seizures
Ataxia (bad balance)
Nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy
Respiratory problems
Canker sores (aphthous ulcers)
Lactose intolerance
Eczema/psoriasis
Rosacea ( a skin disorder)
Acne
Hashimoto's disease, sjogren's syndrome, lupus erythematosus, and other autoimmune disorders
Early onset osteoporosis
Hair loss (alopecia)
Bruising easily
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Muscle cramping
Nosebleeds
Swelling and inflammation
Night blindness

Now it is time for you to watch out for your children. Kids who have celiac disease or sensitivity to gluten tend to have the "classic" gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhea or constipation. They may also have some of the following symptoms that aren't gastrointestinal in nature:

Inability to concentrate.
Irritability
ADD/ADHD or autistic-type behaviors.
Failure to thrive (in infants and toddlers).
Short stature or delayed growth.
Delayed onset of puberty.
Weak bones or bone pain.
Abdominal pain and distension.
Nosebleeds.
With such an overwhelming assortment of symptoms, it's no wonder people are often misdiagnosed before finding out that they have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It's also no wonder so many people go undiagnosed.

We will continue with this topic on my next posting. Now it is time for a new allergy free recipe.

Allergy free brownies- yum yum

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas, mashed 
 1 1/2 cups canola oil
1 cup potato flour
1 cup of brown rice flour
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
5/8 teaspoon cream of tarter
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven too 325 degrees F (165 degrees C.) Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the potato flour, rice flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Blend together the bananas and oil in a separate bowl. Stir the banana mixture into the dry ingredients until well blended. Spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until they appear dry on the top. Cool completely, and cut into squares.

 I hope you enjoy and we'll see you next time on Life Around The Allergies

 

A Gluten free Lifestyle should be for EVERYONE

Hello readers it has been a while since I have done any blogging well I'm back and it is time to educate allergy sufferers again. This is one of my older post's but it is time to bring the topic up again because to many people do not understand a gluten free diet.

I hope that everyone learns this week of what a gluten free diet truly is and how for the majority of humans how a gluten free diet will change your health for the better. I'm positive that those of you who are not gluten free will start thinking of making some changes especially if you are over the age of 30.

Unless you're shopping at stores like Trader Joe's or Whole Foods — grocery stores that indicate which products are gluten-free — it can be difficult to figure out what is and isn't free of gluten, not to mention, time consuming! Here are some tips to make gluten-free shopping a bit easier. Become a label reader! This is the most important tip, which is why it's number one

 For anyone with celiac disease — or an allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity to gluten — the six-letter word "gluten" most likely has a prominent place in their daily conversations. I try my hardest not to be that annoying friend who grills the waiter about every item on the menu. But gluten is no laughing matter, especially if your body can't process it and you are trying to adhere to a gluten-free diet — which is why you need to be armed with the right information before dining out or even going to the grocery store.

 A protein found in wheat, rye and barley, gluten is usually the main ingredient in grain-based products like breads and pastries since it allows flour to rise. When I first went gluten-free, my rule of thumb was this: the doughier the item, the more harmful it is for me. The usual suspects include bread, crackers, cookies, biscuits, breaded meat, croutons, pasta, pizza crust, noodles, muffins, noodles, and cake.

 Here's a list of foods that I would have never expected to contain gluten. Do keep in mind that some companies offer gluten-free variations of some of these items. Always make sure to read ingredient labels thoroughly. But it's all about arming yourself with information, so without further ado . . .

• Twizzlers licorice
• Malt vinegar
• Pickles
• Blue cheese
• Couscous
• Hot dogs
• Gravy powders
• Root beer
• Cold-cut meats
• Canned baked beans
• Pudding
• Boxed soups
• Soy sauce
• Farina
• Dry mustard powder
• Salad dressings
• Tabbouleh
• Lower end brands of chocolate
• Communion wafers
• Sausages
• Curry powder
• Beer

This list has quite a few surprises to it so it is very important to truly read labels on a consistent basis. Now time for today's allergy free recipe.

Egg-Free, Soy-Free, Dairy-Free Vegan Potato Salad

Traditional potato salad is loaded with mayonnaise, which contains several big eight allergens. Try this lighter, fresher version and enjoy potato salad that is allergen-free.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds red-skinned or Yukon gold potatoes
• 3 Tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• fresh ground pepper to taste
• 1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely minced (about 1/2 cup)

Preparation:

Bring water to boiling in a large stock pot. While you are waiting for the water to boil, scrub potatoes and chop into roughly 1-inch cubes.
Whisk together lemon juice, salt, garlic, thyme, and pepper and set aside.
When potatoes are fork-tender, drain and rinse under cold water. Dump into a large serving bowl and toss with the lemon-shallot mixture and the parsley.
Serve immediately or chill for an hour to overnight to allow the flavors to mingle. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Till next time on Life Around The Allergies  and thank you all for reading my blog.