Rudi's Spread the Bread Campaign!

During the month of May, Celiac Awareness Month, Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery is giving back to the celiac community by donating up to $30,000 to various celiac organizations, via their SPREAD THE BREAD campaign!

Starting May 2, 2012, you can go to Rudi’s Facebook page and select one of four celiac organizations – Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF), Celiac Sprue Association (CSA), Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) to receive a one dollar ($1.00) donation from Rudi’s. Visitors will also be able to download a $1.00 off coupon for any Rudi’s product … so basically you will be getting $1.00 for having Rudi's give $1.00 to a celiac organization of your choice!

Rudi’s Spread the Bread campaign is a great way for you to give back to the celiac community, all you need to do is click and choose which organization, and don’t forget to download your coupon!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 0 comments

Domino's New Gluten-Free Pizza

By now I am sure you have all read the headlines Domino's Pizza launched it's gluten-free pizza crust last week. But don't get too excited the news came with a disclaimer, while the pizza crust is certified gluten-free, the pizza itself is still prepared and cooked in oven with gluten filled pizzas. I thought I would write a quick post to give you some of the facts on the new pizza from Domino's. 

Yes, Domino's, the world's largest delivery pizza chain jumped on the $6.2 billion dollar gluten-free bandwagon along with the likes of Frito-Lay, Subway, Anheuser-Bush, and P.F. Chang's (*more about them below), boldly stating that "they are the first national pizza delivery chain to offer a gluten-free option". 6% to 8% of the US population are on some kind of gluten-free diet, according to Alice Blast the president of the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness.

Domino's press release states,

“While Domino’s new Gluten Free Crust is appropriate for those with mild gluten sensitivity, Domino’s and the NFCA do not recommend it for those with celiac disease. Domino’s and the NFCA found that while the crust is certified as gluten free, current store operations at Domino’s cannot guarantee that each handcrafted pizza will be completely free from gluten.”

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) states,

“Please be advised all of Domino’s menu items, including pizza made with Gluten Free Crust, are prepared in a common kitchen. While the Gluten Free Crust contains no gluten ingredients, there is a risk of gluten exposure. NFCA supports the availability of Gluten Free Crust at Domino’s, but CANNOT recommend the pizza for customers with celiac disease. Customers with gluten-related disorders other than celiac disease should exercise their own judgment in consuming pizza made with Gluten Free Crust."

Jump on over to the NFCA's FAQ page regarding Domino's new gluten-free pizza to find out more information. Here are a few interesting bits but I highly recommend you check out the entire FAQ if you are sensitive to gluten and are thinking of ordering up Domino's new crust.

• The Gluten Free Crust is stored in a separate area of the walk-in cooler until it is ordered.
• The Gluten Free Crust pizza is made on the same pizza screen and uses the same makeline, ingredients, and utensils as all other pizzas.
• Employees use the same pizza peel and pizza cutter on the Gluten Free Crust pizza as all other pizzas.
• There is no airborne flour in the store. Domino’s® ingredients that contain gluten and should not be added to a Gluten Free Crust are, Philly meat, Alfredo sauce, and Cheddar sauce.

So what are the facts that we know at this time? The crust is indeed certified gluten-free, however each pizza will be prepared and cooked along side non-gluten-free pizzas, and the pizza is not intended for folks who are extra sensitive or have celiac disease. Oh and by the way, just like every other gluten-free product, it will be $3 dollars extra.

According to Domino’s, the pizza is safe for people with a mild gluten sensitivity. Personally, I feel like it is geared towards people who have gone gluten-free as a part of a fad diet.

It's not surprising that Domino’s would jump on the fad bandwagon, like I stated above it's a $6.2 billion dollar industry, but I will say I'm a little disappointed that they don’t have more regard for those who need to eat gluten free for medical and health reasons and are not willing to go the extra step to insure their pizza's are safe for the entire gluten-free community. 

To read more facts and questions about Domino's new gluten-free pizza crust head over to Domino's gluten-free FAQ page. 

What is your opinion on Domino's new gluten-free pizza crust? Will you be trying it?

*P.F. Chang's currently has 25 gluten-free dishes and just added seven more to its menu, including Gluten-Free Caramel Mango Chicken and Gluten-Free Asian Tomato Cucumber Salad. P.F. Chang's also uses gluten-free soy sauce. 

Frito-Lay, has begun to label more than a dozen of their packages with a special "GF" icon or a statement on the back of the bag on their gluten-free products.

Subway has been testing gluten-free products, bread and brownies, in four key markets since early 2011. Oregon being one of them look for my review coming soon! 

Anheusher-Busch launched Redbridge in 2006 which was the first nationally available gluten-free beer and will also begin to roll out Michelob Ultra Light Cider in the coming months.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 7:00 AM 2 comments

HAWMC Day 29, Six Sentence Story

Today's challenge topic is, Six Sentence Story; In this day of micro-blogging –  brevity is a skill worth honing. Can you tell a story and make it short and sweet? What can you say in six sentences. Check out some here: http://sixsentences.blogspot.com/

Food Allergy Facts in 6 Sentences

Food allergies are a growing public health concern. According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) as many as 15 million people suffer from food allergies today in the United States, 4% of adults and 8% of children. Although childhood allergies generally resolve themselves they appear to be resolving more slowly than in previous decades with many children still having allergies beyond 5 years of age. Eight foods known as the "Big 8" account for 90% of all food allergic reactions; milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Those people suffering from food allergies have increased by a whopping 18% between 1997 to 2007. There is no cure for food allergies and the only way to avoid a reaction is the strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 11:35 AM 1 comments

HAWMC Day 12, Stream of Consciousness Day

Today's challenge topic is, Stream of Consciousness Day; We challenge you, start with this phrase: “Today I looked in the mirror and…” (Or another sentence you come across.) But be sure to – Keep writing. Don’t stop for 15 minutes. Don’t edit. Post. Go!

Here is my stream of consciousness post for today...

“Today I looked in the mirror and…”

Today I looked in the mirror and I see the reflection of myself holding my daughter, she is wearing a navy blue and white polka-dot headband with a navy blue and white striped dress and navy blue leggings. My husband is in the background telling me, "Polka-dots don't go with stripes, even I know that!" But I think it looks pretty darn cute and from the smile on my daughter's face as she looks in the mirror, so does she. We have just started our day: I am still in my pajamas, my husband has just got back from his morning run, and my daughter is the only one that is dressed and ready for the day; it's how most of our mornings start. I asked my daughter, "What should mommy and daddy have for breakfast this morning?" She just smiles back at me like I had just told her something funny. We go to the kitchen and I scan the fridge for something quick to make for breakfast. My husband chimes in he wants pancakes. I look at him and say, "Really? You don't like pancakes". He replies, "Yes I do, just not everyday." So I hand my daughter to him and start to make the syrup and pancakes. After breakfast is over it is time for my daughter's morning nap. We head into her room and sit down to read a book; her new favorite is a touch and feel puppy book {that we apparently stole from my parents house over Easter weekend, (mom and dad - if you are reading this, I'll bring it back next time we are up!)} She starts to get fussy and we finish up the book. We sing a few songs, 'BINGO' and 'Where is Thumb-kin,' and she drifts off to sleep. Now my husband and I can start to get ready for our day. As I look in the mirror before I hop in the shower, I see my reflection, a happy (maybe a bit tired looking) mom, who can't wait to see what the day will bring.

If you are curious here is the recipe for my gluten-fee, egg free, dairy free pancakes I made for breakfast this morning!

G-Free, Egg Free, Dairy Free Pancakes

by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 5 mins

Keywords: breakfast gluten-free vegan soy-free

Ingredients:

2 1/3 cups gluten-free flour mix*

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups milk (I used rice milk)

3 tablespoons butter, melted or  oil (I used earth balance the red soy-free one) 

2 eggs, (6 tablespoons warm water and 2 tablespoons ground flax seed mixed together)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla    

*The gluten-free flour mix I used for this recipe is:

2 cups Brown Rice Flour

1/3 cup Tapioca Starch (also called Tapioca Flour)

2/3 cup Potato Starch (NOT flour)

—>Mix well in large plastic container and store in cool place or fridge.

How to Make It:

• Combine the first four ingredients in a large mixing bowl and give it a few whisks. 
• Mix up the warm water and flax to make a gel, let sit. 
• Add the milk, butter, and vanilla to the dry ingredient mixture and whisk again. (I wasn't patient enough to wait for the butter to melt so I just added it cold, but it would mix better if it was at least soft)
• Pour the flax gel into the mixture and stir until the ingredients are combined.  Stir the batter until all of the flour is mixed in. This should just take a few seconds – there will still be lumps in the batter and that is okay. 
• Put the batter aside while you heat up the griddle.
• Put some oil (I use grapeseed) on your griddle or non-stick skillet and heat on medium. 
• Once the skillet is warm using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, dip the batter out of the bowl and pour onto your skillet.
• Let the pancakes cook and do not touch them until you see bubbles popping in the middle of the pancakes.
• Now, flip the pancakes. They will only cook for a minute or two on the second side, and you can use your spatula to peek and see if they are as brown as you want them.
• Put a tiny bit more oil on your skillet and repeat the cooking process
• Enjoy!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 1:40 PM 0 comments

Healthy Crumbs Week: Guest Blogger Wednesday: Food and Pet Allergies and Behavior of School Age Children

HEALTHY CRUMB: GUEST BLOGGER WEDNESDAY

This month as we start getting ready to send our kids back to school, I couldn't think of a better guest blogger for this month than my dad, Dane Way. He has been an educator in the public school sector for over 35 years and has seen it all. In his post he highlights how important it is to include allergy testing as part of your child's medical workup. He has also included a number of great links to check out if you think your child may be suffering from allergies, an intolerance or a food sensitivity. The articles discuss how food can have an effect on your child's behavior and are a must read for any parent! I hope you enjoy!

Food and Pet Allergies and Behavior of School Age Children by Dane Way

As an educator in the public school sector for over 35 years, and someone that has dealt with allergies all my life, I am elated when I hear that the parents of a youngster having trouble in school include allergy tests as a part of their efforts to help their child.

If you are the parent of a child that is having trouble settling down or staying on task or focussing on an activity for any length of time, I would suggest that you do some research on your local area physicians and naturopaths and find one that will include allergy testing as part of their workup of your child.  Although family practitioners are getting better at including allergy tests when dealing with child behavior issues, many times your normal family doctor is not trained to think about allergies or to find the best solutions when allergies are indicated.

It is in your child's best interest if you take the time to find a doctor that isn't going to make a snap decision to quickly throw drugs at the problem.  Don't get me wrong, I have seen situations where the correct drug with the correct dosage has turned a child's life around.  But for as many of those success stories there are as many that didn't work out.

There are simple blood tests that can show allergy tendencies as well as scratch tests.  I tend to put more weight in the accuracies of the blood tests over the scratch tests, but you can make that decison when talking to the physician of your choice.

I have included a few links that will hopefully give you food for thought and more information to help you make the best informed decisions for your son or daughter.

http://www.foodforthebrain.org/content.asp?id_Content=1676

http://www.cspinet.org/nah/3_00/diet_behavior.html

http://www.borntoexplore.org/allergies.htm

http://www.allergicchild.com/prevalance.htm

http://www.foodsmatter.com/

Elizabeth's thoughts; I hope you enjoyed this post and found it informative. If your child is having difficulty with behavioral problems in school this might be a good, inexpensive option for you to check into and discuss with your physician. And remember since allergies tend to be a genetic thing maybe as a parent you can get tested along with your child to ease some of your child's fears about getting tested. Who knows it might just turn into a bonding experience for your whole family! Do you have a school aged child with allergies?  Have you noticed a difference in behavior in school since finding out? I would love to hear your stories, as always, please feel free to comment and share with your fellow readers.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 11:07 AM 0 comments

Mambo Sprouts Gluten-Free Giveaway!

There is still time to enter! As a way of celebrating May- Celiac Awareness Month, Mambo Sprouts is hosting a Gluten-Free Giveaway! By commenting on one of the participating sponsored brand pages below you can win a Gluten-Free gift pack of samples, coupons, and goodies!  

Barbara's Bakery

Rudi's Gluten-FreeBakery

Cocomama

Nature's Path

San-J

thinkThin

Udi's gluten Free Foods

Crunchmaster Crackers

So hurry and start commenting today for your chance to win!  A total of 10 winners will be selected!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 5:00 AM 0 comments

Barbara's Bakery Puffins Cereal

To help celebrate Celiac Awareness Month I was asked by Mambo Sprouts to participate in a product review of Barbara's Bakery's Puffins Multigrain Cereal! I had already tried a couple of Barbara's cereals and loved them, so of course I jumped at the chance at trying this one! If you don't know much about Barbara's Bakery, it was founded as an organic bakery in 1971. Barbara's is committed to providing great tasting, all-natural products, free of artificial colors, preservatives, and additives. Barbara's also strives to make a positive contribution to the world with donations to national and local non-profit organizations involved in environmental, hunger, and children's issues, such as Petaluma's School Teaching Gardens, Audubon's Project Puffin, and Chef Ann Cooper's The Lunch Box Project through Barbara's for a Brighter Future program. And to support its commitment to the environment, all of Barbara's cartons feature 100% recycled carbon neutral Green Choice cardboard!

I love all of Barbara's Puffins Gluten-Free Cereals, including the Honey Rice and Brown Rice Crisp varieties. And now the new Multigrain Puffins are just as delicious! Aside from tasting yummy, they are nutritious as well containing a full 8g of whole grains and 3g of fiber per serving. As an added bonus, they don't get soggy sitting in the milk while you eat them! But the best part is they do not contain any species of the grains, wheat, rye or barley! Although the Multigrain Puffins do contain oats, they are certified to be gluten-free. The Multigrain Puffins are great straight out of the box as a quick snack or in a bowl with rice milk in the morning as part of a complete, balanced breakfast. You can also make a yummy trail mix with Barbara's Multigrain cereal, raisins, nuts, and a few dairy-free chocolate chips! So the next time you are looking for a gluten-free, healthy cereal, why not give Barbara's Bakery's Puffins Cereal a try. They not only taste great, but they are nutritious too! Oh, and I almost forgot, right now you can save $1 on any of Barbara's delicious products by downloading and printing this coupon!

If you would like to learn more about Barbara's Bakery or find a store near you that carries Barbara's products, check out their website at www.barbarasbakery.com. 

*The opinions in this post are mine and have not been influenced by anyone or anything and I have benefited in no way by this review. 

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 3:41 PM 0 comments

Celiac Awareness Month

May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month. It is a great time to spread the word about celiac disease and gluten intolerance. 

What is Celiac Disease you might ask? Celiac Disease is an auto-immune disorder in which the consumption of foods containing gluten (a form of protein found in some grains e.g. wheat, barley, and rye…) triggers an autoimmune response which damages the small intestine. The damage to the intestine makes it hard for the body to absorb nutrients from food, especially fat, calcium, iron, and folic acid, leading to malnutrition and a variety of other problems such as diarrhea, weight loss, and weakness, that those with celiac disease are all to familiar with.

In the United States, the exact number of people who have Celiac Disease is unknown. Recent screening tests have shown that as many as 1 in every 133 people, or 3 million people in the U.S. alone, may have the disease. Suporting research shows that an additional 17 million Americans are "gluten sensitive." Many of those people are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions that have similar symptoms. The only cure for celiac disease is to follow a gluten free diet. 

There are many websites with a wealth of information about celiac disease. Here are a few for you to check out if you would like more information on celiac disease. 

http://www.celiac.com/

http://csaceliacs.org/

http://www.celiaccentral.org/

http://celiac.org/

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/

Looking for a ideas for spreading the awareness about celiac disease? Here are a few for you to choose from:

• Try out a new restaurant where they have a special gluten free menu or where you have heard they are responsive to special dietary needs. A few of my favorites are; Outback Steakhouse - http://www.outback.com/menu/pdf/glutenfree.pdf, Chili's - http://www.brinker.com/gr/allergens/Chilis%20Allergen.PDF, Old Spaghetti Factory - http://www.osf.com/menu/gluten-free-menu.html, Olive Garden - http://www.olivegarden.com/menus/gluten_free/, and the Melting Pot - http://www.meltingpot.com/our-menu/gluten-free-menu.aspx. Be sure to check out their menus before you go and always talk to your server about any allergies and intolerances that you may have. 

• Bring your favorite gluten free treats to your work to share with co-workers. Share with others just how delicious gluten free can be! Here are a few of my favorite treats you can try: Super Yummy Cinnamon Rolls, Divinely Rich Mocha Chocolate Cake, and Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies. Or if you don't have time to bake something from scratch, try out one of my favorite packaged mixes from The Cravings Place. Their delicious all natural baking mixes include; Ooey Gooey Chocolatey Chewy Brownie Mix, Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix, Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie and Muffin Mix, Peanut Butter Cookie Mix (does NOT contain peanuts, tree nuts or nuts of any kind!), Raisin Spice Cookie and Cake Mix, Cinnamon Crumble Coffeecake Mix, and Dutch Chocolate Cake Mix. All of these baking mixes are gluten, wheat, nut, dairy, and egg free.

• Host a gluten free party with your friends and family and only serve gluten free foods and beverages. One idea is to have a gluten free beer taste testing party. Taste test different brands of gluten free beer served along with some of your favorite gluten free appetizers. Some gluten free beers to look for and try are; Redbridge Beer, Bard's Tale Beer, New Grist Beer, Spreecher Brewery- Mbege and Shakparo Beers, Schnitzerbrau Gluten-Free Beer, New Planet Beer, Green's Gluten-Free Beer, St. Peter's Gluten Free Beer, Estrella Damm Daura, and Ramapo Valley Honey Beer. Bon appetit! 

What are some of your ideas for spreading the awareness about celiac disease during celiac awareness month?

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 2:58 PM 0 comments

Is All Sugar Created Equal?

We all know that all types of sugar are not created equal, but do you know which type of sugar is best?  You might be surprised, like me. I recently ran across an interesting article about sugar, especially some information about agave nectar, which I wasn’t aware of! We are all aware that white refined sugar is bad for us, but what about the rest?  Did you know agave nectar can contain up to 90- percent fructose!  I had no idea! Why didn’t I know this and why does this matter? Studies suggest high concentrations of fructose can lead to weight gain and obesity. So the best solution is to choose sweeteners with lower fructose levels such as brown rice syrup, honey, or brown sugar. As a bonus, these less-refined sugars contain more antioxidants and nutrients than highly processed sugars. But keep in mind NO sugar is healthy beyond very small quantities, like large amounts of salt, so limit your sugar intake and choose a better type of sugar the next time you reach for some sweetener!

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 4:22 PM 0 comments

Why Buy Organic?

Organic vs. Non-Organic

To buy organic or not to buy organic is a question many of us ask ourselves. In these financial times it is sometimes hard to justify the higher cost of buying organic to ourselves. The following is a list of items that are found to have higher pesticide levels and are healthier to buy organic and also a list of items you can get away with skipping their organic versions if you are on a tight budget.

When you SHOULD buy organic:

1. Celery


2. Peaches


3. Strawberries


4. Apples


5. Blueberries


6. Nectarines


7. Bell peppers


8. Spinach, kale & collard greens


9. Cherries


10. Potatoes


11. Grapes


12. Leafy greens

13. Carrots

14. Pears

15. Meat

16. Milk

17. Coffee

When you can SKIP it:


1. Onions


2. Avocados

3. Sweet corn

4. Pineapples


5. Mangoes


6. Sweet peas


7. Asparagus


8. Kiwi fruit


9. Cabbage


10. Eggplant


11. Papaya


12. Watermelon


13. Sweet potatoes


14. Broccoli

Why Buy Organic?

Although selectively choosing which products you buy organically saves money, doing so also misses an important point: buying organic is about more than keeping pesticides out of our bodies. It is about supporting a system of sustainable agricultural management that promotes soil health and fertility which nourish plants, foster species diversity, helps combat climate change, prevent damage to valuable water resources, and protects farmers and farmers’ families from exposure to harmful chemicals. In this sense, buying organic is a commitment to the bigger, more complex picture of which our personal health is a part.

In thinking about which organic products to buy, consider this: instead of focusing your organic purchases on a particular category of items, choose organic versions of the products you buy most. Whether that is milk, produce, or personal care products, buying organic will not only help reduce your exposure to harmful pesticides and fertilizers, but also support a system of agricultural management that is great for the planet.

So simply in my opinion if you can afford to go organic, DO, it’s worth it.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 11:47 AM 0 comments

Fast Food Nation's Eric Schlosser!

I recently had the opportunity to see Eric Schlosser speak at University of Alaska Fairbanks.  For those of you who do not know who Eric Schlosser is he is the author of the bestselling book, Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the America Meal.  He also co-produced the documentary Food, Inc and the acclaimed film There Will Be Blood. As an investigative journalist and author, he has made a name for himself by giving a voice to the voiceless in modern society, addressing such issues as the black market industries of drugs and prostitution, exploitation of vulnerable workers and most recently the U.S. prison system.

After seeing Food, Inc. I thought I was already aware of all the horrors of the food industry. Surprise, I don’t and during his lecture I learned much, much more!  He talked a bit about the environmental movement that started 40 years ago with the first Earth Day. Some of the background and history I found fascinating, as well as some background about the food industry in the same time period. Did you know that in 1970 when the first Earth day was celebrated there were over 1,000 meatpacking plants, currently there are only a handful of plants. Why the change? In two words, FACTORY FARMS. The meat industry has moved these packing plants to be closer to the GIANT factory farms they have created, causing the closing down of most local packing plants. The EPA has said the run off from these giant factory farms pollute our waterways more than all other industrial sources combined!  Some more food for thought, one hamburger you buy at a fast food restaurant can contain meat from 100’s of different cows. Yep that’s right 100’s. I won’t even go into the feces contamination factor in these factory farms that not only show up in the burgers we eat but in our environment and waterways as well.     

During his talk he not only shared some pretty eye opening statistics about the food industry as a whole but also about Alaska and Fairbanks. For example Alaska has the highest obesity rate in the United States!  This fact alone is staggering, considering the population density of Alaska compared to other states! 95% of all food we eat in Alaska is shipped up from the lower 48 through Anchorage. To go a step further if Fairbanks somehow got cut off from the rest of the United States or Anchorage within three days all the fresh produce would be gone from our local grocery stores!

His lecture reiterated, in my mind at least, that this is not only a fight for better health, or better quality of food, but it is also a social fight, a fight for the fair treatment of workers in the United States and internationally. Jobs in the meat packing industry are one of the lowest paying jobs in the United States and according to Human Rights Watch is “the most dangerous factory job in America.” This really made me take a deeper look at where my food is coming from and the consequences of what I eat.

If you haven’t read Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of The American Meal or seen Food, Inc. I highly recommend them both. Everyone needs to be aware of where their food is coming from and what is in their food. If you ever get the chance to go see Eric Schlosser speak in person, do, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed and I am positive you will learn a thing or two about your food you were not aware of.

posted by Allergy Free and Cheap Like Me! at 10:05 PM 0 comments