Celiac Warrior Gal

Good morning everyone and happy Halloween! I know that many of you are getting ready for trick or treaters. If you have little ones that have Celiac disease (or are gluten intolerant), make sure that what ever candy they get is safe. If you haven't already, read my post on gluten free candy: Gluten Free Halloween Candy Have a happy and safe Halloween everyone! See you in November! photo credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX9r8K5rH4le9DBt0ae_yMbkSpJRvKE7RW4PvcmL7bLsdLcnje31npkpz7x270ZtvIOS05fHFFheyVBEhdF90o0uNYwU8aAKBviI5nkDBRPj1H4fcGXA-yOcsm_KRYIDnAPZedLh0DxYyJ/s1600/Gluten+Free+Eye+of+Newt.gif

Remember back to the days when we would look forward to girl scout cookies season? It was one of my favorite times of the year. My favorite cookies to buy were the thin mints. After I was diagnosed with Celiac disease I had to kiss those cookies good-bye. Every time I walked by those cookies, I died a little inside. However, now is a time to celebrate, since Girl Scouts of America are introducing GF cookies! The Chocolate Chip Shortbread cookies will make their debut in the 2013-2014 cookie sale! That's right! We Celiacs will be able to indulge in yummy cookies, and support a good cause. These cookies are certified gluten free, and are made with real chocolate chips. There are no artificial ingredients, and no high fructose corn syrup. The cookies are being piloted in the following states: California Maryland Illinois Massachusetts Pennsylvania Maine Minnesota/Wisconsin The Carolinas Virginia Western New York If the cookies sell well, they will be made avail

Glutino is a very popular gluten free food brand, and I've reviewed several of their products. Last week, I found this product by Glutino, while shopping at a local Wal-mart. Since I have been very happy with every Glutino product I've tried, I did not hesitate to purchase this product. The toaster pastry is very good. It is flaky, and the apple cinnamon center has a great flavor. For breakfasts on the go, I highly recommend this product. It pairs great with a hot cup of coffee. If apple cinnamon isn't your thing, try their strawberry toaster pastry. This product can be found at your local grocery store, at a reasonable price. Or, you can purchase some online by clicking on the photo. photo credit: https://gourmet.kehe.com/images/products/678523043035.jpg

Good morning readers. For the past few months, I have been working on a novella about a teen girl who has been diagnosed with Celiac disease. Last night, it went live on Amazon. Here's a synopsis of "Her Unforgettable Year:" The summer before she starts a new school, 16 year old Lennox Williams is diagnosed with Celiac disease. She comes to terms with her diagnosis, while navigating the bumpy road of adolescence. The novella is ON SALE for 99 cents , exclusively for amazon Kindle. If you do not have Kindle, you can download it for FREE on your PC or mobile device. Here is the link to my story: http://www.amazon.com/Her-Unforgettable-Year-ebook/dp/B00G9AO1B4/ref=la_B00G9GBWTC_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383009585&sr=1-1

The University of Chicago is holding FREE Celiac disease screenings on November 16, 2013. If you suspect that you (or someone you know) may have Celiac disease, sign up for this free screening. On an average, it takes 11 years for an adult to be diagnosed with Celiac disease ( it took yours truly over 15 years to be diagnosed with Celiac disease ). For children, it takes going to 8 pediatricians in order to be diagnosed. If you are in the area, don't miss out on this opportunity. The blood screening will be located on the 4th floor of the University of Chicago Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine, at 5758 S. Maryland Avenue. You MUST pre-register for this free screening. For more information, visit: http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/living-with-celiac/screening photo credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOGW5eqxrqI7hnpCnB8uiExnSXJ_qV24hPZ3tpECM8dkmZgkqY4AId2IrvoSxLsWHnBPvKjavwmCzh1g1jUeQwoX5gMzN9OnpHZ2ChkCtsQntkj0PW9M7KkmKHx1fXanHDN5K

My boyfriend had found this product and purchased it for me to try. Today, I decided to test this product out. Inside the box, were two French bread pizzas. I microwaved the pizza for 2 and a half minutes, and let it cool for 1 minute. The pizza was very cheesy, which I really liked. Unfortunately, that was the only thing about the pizza that I liked. Because I made the mistake of microwaving the pizza, there was no crunch factor. I also found the pizza sauce to be a little bland. If you're wondering about the nutritional factors, well, I hope you're sitting down. There are 260 calories in one French bread pizza. It is high in saturated fats, and chock full of sodium. The French bread pizza is unlike any of its competitors, meaning, it is gluten, wheat, dairy, casein, egg, soy, and nut free. This product is good to have around if you are looking for a quick lunch. Though, I highly recommend that you cook the pizza in the oven. Do NOT make the mistake I made and micro

Domino's Pizza is one of the most popular carry-out pizza chains here in the United States. Unlike its competitor, Pizza Hut, Domino's does offer a gluten free pizza here in America. While I have known this for quite some time, I have not researched whether or not it is safe for my fellow Celiacs. Until now. While their website states that their pizza is gluten free, it does warn that the pizza base is made in a kitchen that is exposed to gluten. Domino's Pizza does NOT recommend this pizza for those of us with Celiac disease. Even those whom have mild gluten sensitivity should exercise caution while dining at Domino's Pizza. I read that they have been in contact with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA), in attempt to better understand Celiac disease and gluten free food. Even though my disease prevents me from eating at Domino's, I applaud them for reaching out to the NFCA in order to understand Celiac disease. It shows that they are a caring

Many restaurant establishments are going gluten free. However, many Celiacs, such as myself, may wonder how safe the gluten free food really is. Well, this morning, I decided to research Pizza Hut. This popular pizza chain launched their gluten free options in Australia. I wanted to find out how safe their gluten free options were for Celiacs in Australia. Looking at their menu online, I notice a disclaimer on the bottom of the page. It says that their gluten free bases are prepared in an environment that contains gluten. Also, they tell us that most pizza toppings contain gluten. Now, one may ask: Why say the menu is gluten free when, in fact, it is not? Why trick the Celiac and gluten allergy communities into buying pizzas that will cause violent internal reactions? Is it all about your bottom line? Are you trying to keep up with your competitors? Why advertise gluten items as gluten free? Fellow Celiacs, I would highly recommend staying AWAY from Pizza Hut. As you can see

Happy Wednesday, everyone. I'm not sure if any of you have seen this video, but, there is a gluten free version of Lorde's Royals song. In case you were wondering, Royals are the Australian version of Mallomars. Anyways, here is the song: I thought the song was pretty funny. Australian singer Terry Mann did a fantastic job rewriting this song for those of us with Celiac disease, lactose intolerance, and those with fructose intolerance. There is only a minute and a half of the song, but, it is very enjoyable. What do you think of the song? Do you love it? Or do you find it offensive?

Happy Tuesday everyone! I know that many of the food reviews I've written about are a tad bit high in carbs and calories. Today I wanted to share a snack that is healthy and naturally gluten free. Kale chips are one of the healthiest and easiest snacks to make. Kale is a healthy super-food, rich in nutrients. You can find it in most supermarkets, for an affordable price. Making Kale Chips: You will need Kale 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil 1 Teaspoon of Salt 2 Baking Sheets Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Wash the Kale and trim the ends off. Put the Kale in a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and salt. Mix the salt and oil well, so that it coats the Kale. Put the Kale on the baking sheets and put them in the oven. Bake the Kale for 8 to 10 minutes. Take the Kale out of the oven and serve immediately. photo credit: http://www.taniaz.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/kale-chips.jpg

The holiday season is just around the corner, which means, many of us will be slaving away in our kitchens, preparing delicious pies. When it comes to gluten free pies, it is hard to find decent pie crust. If you are looking for pre-made pie crusts that won't crumble, check out gluten free pie crusts from Kinnikinnick foods. I bought this item because my boyfriend wanted to bake me a gluten free apple pie. *cue the awww's* We went to a local organic/gluten free store and found this product. The product contains two 8 inch pie crusts. We took it home, and he started on the pie. After the pie was cooked, we let it cool down. After waiting patiently for 15 minutes, I sliced the pie. The pie crust was delicious and flaky. Even my boyfriend loved the crust. You almost couldn't tell that it was gluten free. My only note on this item: It does not come with a pie top crust. My boyfriend used the second pie crust as the top of the apple pie. So, if you don't have the m

Greetings on this fine Saturday afternoon. After looking in my local flyer, I have found out that Barilla pasta will be ON SALE at your local ShopRite starting next week. This INCLUDES the new gluten free line. The pasta will be on sale for $2.09. That's 0.30 cents off the regular price. So, stock up. It's not every day that gluten free pasta goes on sale! To purchase this amazing pasta online, click on the above photo. Have a good weekend everyone! :-) photo credit: http://www.groceryheadquarters.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Barilla-Gluten-Free-Product-Image.jpg

Attention fellow Celiac chocolate lovers! I have another sweet treat review for you! Glutino, one of the most popular gluten free brands, is responsible for this product. Glutino is 100% dedicated to customer service. They go above and beyond to make sure their products are "pristinely" gluten free. Glutino chocolate wafers are completely covered and chock full of milk chocolate goodness. This sweet treat has the taste of the original chocolate wafers we used to eat before we were diagnosed with Celiac disease. This is the perfect product to treat yourself, and your Celiac child to. Pack a few wafers in your child's lunch bag. Enjoy these wafers with a cup of coffee, as you sit on the couch watching TV or reading a book. Each box has about 4.5 servings. That's 4 wafers per serving. This product is very low in sodium. Naturally, this product is a little high in carbohydrates (20 grams per serving, to be exact). For you calorie counters, this product contains 160

 Hello my fellow Celiacs! I hope everyone is doing quite well. I have another food review for you. Yesterday, I had the great pleasure to try gluten free Barilla pasta. It was being served at a family get-together. Anyways, before I was diagnosed with Celiac disease, Barilla pasta was my go-to pasta. I loved the way it cooked. I loved the taste. I loved everything about it. Earlier this year, when I heard that Barilla was going gluten free, it was music to my Celiac ears! I couldn't wait to try it! The pasta was absolutely amazing. The way it was cooked, the texture, everything about it screamed original Barilla. This pasta is almost identical to original pasta. It's much better than the Ronzoni gluten free pasta. Best part about this pasta? It is made in a dedicated gluten free facility in Italy, and is certified Gluten Free!! With this pasta, you are getting the taste of the original, but, without the wheat. The pasta has non-GMO corn and rice ingredients. The pas

I've mentioned this a few times in previous posts. However, it bears repeating because of a news story that broke out last week, in regards to a Celiac coming in contact with cross-contamination. A woman in Connecticut contacted a local TV station after being 'glutened' at a restaurant. Kate Bradley, who is diagnosed with Celiac disease, was very excited to find out that a local pizza restaurant now had gluten free pizza. Immediately, she placed an order. During her lunch hour, she sat down for some pizza. After taking a few bites, she noticed some breaded eggplant underneath the spinach on her pizza. She notified the staff of the issue. A few minutes later, she fell ill. Bradley decided to contact the local TV station in hopes to raise awareness of the severity of the situation. The owner of the restaurant emailed Bradley, saying that the restaurant is not 100% gluten free. Therefore, he cannot guarantee the safeness of their gluten free products. He plans on imple

You have the blood test, and the biopsy. Several days go by, and then the doctor gives you the news: " You've tested positive for Celiac disease. " The first thing that pops into your mind: "What the heck is Celiac disease?" The doctor tells you, and refers you to some reading material on the subject. He or she tells you to begin a gluten free diet immediately. After you've had the conversation with the doctor, you wonder, " What the hell am I going to do now? " You look around at your fully stocked kitchen of gluten-y goods and you begin to feel your heart start to break. As you pack up these foods and give them away, you feel a part of you die. Those double stuf oreos that you were going to enjoy with a glass of milk, will never touch your lips again. The loaf of rye bread, oatmeal, pasta, leftover pizza, it all has to go. After you're done getting rid of these items, you look around your empty kitchen. You gather a list of foods that ar

Glutino, one of the most popular gluten free companies, has been making gluten free food for 30 years. They are dedicated to making high quality gluten free food. With over 100 products available to us, they make sure that each product is "pristinely gluten free (source: http://www.glutino.com/our-story/ )." They are very customer service oriented, and listen to the advice of the customers. Yesterday morning, I tried one of Glutino's newest products: the Instant Pancake Mix. Just like Bisquick's shake 'n' pour, Glutino wanted to make something just as similar and convenient, but, gluten free. With this product, all you have to do is just add water, and shake the bottle. The pancakes came out thick and delicious. The bottle does not have a lot of mix in it, so, if you are making pancakes for the family, you might want to purchase a couple of bottles. Same thing goes for making waffles. The bottle only yields 4 pancakes. I really like the convenience of th

As you have seen, I have done a lot of food reviews. I thought I would switch gears for today and do a store review. Today, my boyfriend and I went to Nature's Goods Market in Middlebury, Connecticut. It is a natural food and organic market/deli that happens to have gluten free items. The store was pretty crowded. Today, they had employees inviting customers to sample certain products. The employees talked a great deal about the product they were advertising. They seemed to know a great deal about the product. The store has a great selection of gluten free food. They have all the famous brands (Udi's, Bob's Red Mill, Glutino, Three Bakers, etc. They even had brands that I had never even heard of. The store also has a lot of gluten free shampoos, conditioners, lotions, body washes, styling gels, vitamins, supplements, etc. Nature's Goods Market also has a deli with an amazing selection of gluten free food. Today, I bought a pound of gluten free chicken salad s

 As someone who does a TON of reviews, it is still exciting to have people retweet my posts, and thank me for reviewing their products and restaurants. I wanted to share with all of you some of the acknowledgements that I've received. Jeff Horowitz ‏ @ HorowitzJeff 24 Jun @ Shausil82 @ Vitacost Thanks for the great review ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Gluten Intolerance retweeted you 27 Jun : Is There A Connection Between Celiac Disease and Crohn's Disease? # Celiac # Crohns # Colitis http:// fb.me/BZekuFqP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  KUTOA Company favorited your Tweet 28 Jun : Considering Summer Camp For Your Celiac Child? # CeliacDisease # SummerCamp # GlutenFree http:// fb.me/2PIP0BnHi -----------------------

 With food corporations becoming more Celiac and gluten intolerant aware, they have made strides to accommodate our dietary needs. Snyder's of Hanover has been selling great tasting gluten free pretzels since 2010. After working on these pretzels for a year prior to its release, Snyder's of Hanover went through the proper venues to ensure that their products would be safe for those of us with Celiac disease. They began working with the Gluten Free Certification Organization(GFCO) in 2009, and Snyder's of Hanover pretzels have tested at 10ppm or lower (source: http://celiacdisease.about.com/b/2010/04/04/snyders-of-hanover-to-make-gluten-free-pretzels.htm ). Snyder's of Hanover Pretzel Sticks are a great tasting snack that you can enjoy while watching TV on the couch, entertaining guests (Celiacs and non-Celiacs), or while you are blogging away in your home office (guilty as charged, LOL). You won't miss the non-gluten free pretzels at all. Your friends and famil

When you're over 21, and have Celiac disease, you may think that going out to bars with your friends won't fit into your new life. Think again. With the increase of people being diagnosed with Celiac disease, many food and beverage corporations have been able to accommodate our dietary needs. While there may not be an abundance of gluten free beers to choose from, there are a few choice beers that have received two thumbs up by fellow Celiacs and those who are gluten intolerant. Omission Beers - This beer is brewed with traditional beer ingredients, one of which is designed to remove gluten. Several testimonies from Celiacs and non-Celiacs alike have attested to this beer's great taste. Be forewarned: if you are a highly sensitive Celiac, exercise caution with this beer ( http://omissionbeer.com/ ) Bard's Beers - This beer is known as being the original sorghum malt beer. The founders of Bard's beers are fellow Celiacs, who wanted to make a great tasting glu

Nature's Path, a family owned and operated company, has been selling high quality organic food since 1985 (source: http://us.naturespath.com/about/our-roots ). One of their product lines is called Envirokidz. Envirokidz gluten free cereal and snack items, is geared toward children and families afflicted with Celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Kids that are missing their sugary cereals can indulge in yummy gluten free cereals, such as "Leapin' Lemurs (peanut butter and chocolate cereal)," "Gorilla Munch," "Koala Crisps (cocoa crispies)," Lightly Frosted Amazon Flakes," and "Panda Puffs (peanut butter cereal)." Along with their delicious line of cereal, Envirokidz has a line of snack food: "Peanut Choco Drizzle Crispy Rice Bar," "Chocolate Crisp Rice Bar," and "Berry Blast Crispy Rice Bar." Not only will kids enjoy these delicious snack bars and cereals, adults will love them as well! All Envir

Aleia's gluten free foods, is located in Branford, Connecticut. The company is run by Kimberly Snow, a culinary trained chef, whom happens to be Gluten Intolerant. Aleia's products are CSA (Celiac Sprue Association) approved, and a wide variety of Aleia's gluten free products are available for purchase (source: http://www.aleias.com/about_us.html ). I recently tried Aleia's Peanut Butter Cookies, and they are actually pretty good. The cookies are tasty and sweet. You can definitely taste the peanut butter in the cookie. They are a bit crumbly, which is to be expected with gluten free baked goods, but, they are definitely worth trying. The cookies can be found in the natural foods section, and are moderately priced. I highly recommend this product, if you are looking for a tasty treat that is gluten free, and low carb. Pour yourself a cup of milk, grab a cookie or two, and enjoy! Allergy warning: This product does contain Eggs, Peanuts, and Milk ingredients. Als