Cupcake Wars is a Food Network TV show where four bakers compete in a cupcake bake-off for $10,000. They are judged on taste and appearance. One of my children loves this show and together we’ve watched many episodes.

I was very happy to see that Crave Bake Shop, a gluten-free bakery in Portland, Oregon won the 100th episode. This just goes to show that living without gluten doesn’t mean sacrificing taste.

Crave is owned by Kyra Bussanich, who was diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder when she was 20. Part of staying healthy meant switching to a gluten-free diet, avoiding all wheat and overly processed foods. Often Kyra would run to Whole Foods or her local market to look for gluten-free substitutes.

After being disappointed in the gluten-free products that were available on the market, Kyra thought she’d have to live without Click to continue reading »

ShirleyJ sent us a box of gluten-free Mugging! samples, which Eldest Daughter tore into the moment I walked in the door with them. From the box she pulled out a cute red mug, opened the packet and poured the contents into the mug. She added five tablespoons of water and a hand full of chocolate chips. Then she stirred the whole thing together with a fork and threw it in the microwave on high for 90 seconds. I was still debating what kind of chicken to make for dinner as she shoveled the Chocolate Brownie Cake into her mouth claiming it was an appetizer.

I don’t imagine that this same scene will take place in your house. However, our product testers, the ones who are actually gluten-free and not just hungry, agreed with Eldest Daughter: these are good! The Brownie Cake was the right combination of cakey and fudgey and at the intersection of sweet but not cloyingly sweet.

They’re just the right size for dessert and would be a great thing to send along with a child who cannot eat the gluten-laden treat being served at the event s/he is attending. ShirleyJ, based in Orem, Utah, offers these in individual gift packs and larger quantities. The company has been in business for more than 30 years and also offers gluten-free Whisk Bliss, a universal cooking base that creates quick and delicious sauces and soups without flour. Click to continue reading »

If you’re a gluten-free meat eater, have you tried any of Jones Dairy Farm’s gluten-free options? Triumph Dining recently had the opportunity to try some of their tasty products.

Jones products are certified gluten-free by the GFCO.  They only produce one product which is not gluten free, scrapple.  The scrapple however, is produced in a different facility from the gluten-free products.

Certified gluten-free products include all-natural pork and turkey sausage, Canadian bacon, hams, traditional bacon and braunschweiger. Click to continue reading »

When you’re gluten-free, it becomes second nature to double check the gluten content of everything you eat, and drink. But how about those cleaning or beauty supplies. Are you just as cautious when it comes to your toothpaste, mouthwash or lipstick?

Whilst we don’t eat these things on purpose, it’s more than likely that some of the product is being consumed and if gluten-containing, it could be the reason for any lingering symptoms you’re having.

I’m not a big make-up girl myself, but I do like to wear a little lip gloss or eye shadow to sparkle myself up when I’m headed out. I was pretty excited when I found out about Red Apple Lipstick. Click to continue reading »

After a busy day at work, sometimes you want something simple for dinner. Passage Foods make a great variety of gluten-free cooking sauces which could help you have just that.

Passage Foods specialize in simmer and stir-fry sauces made from flavors and aromas from different parts of the world such as India, Thailand, Morocco and China. Add meat, seafood or vegetables to any of their ready-to-use sauces and you will have yourself a meal in just 20 minutes.

If you fancy a curry, Passage to India flavors include Butter Chicken, Rogan Josh, Korma and Tikka Masala. Thai flavors include Pad Thai, red Thai Curry, Thai Basil & Sweet Chili and Tom Yum. The later can be used as a soup base as well as a stir-fry sauce.  Moroccan spiced sauces include Harissa Tomato & Bell Pepper, Honey Tagine and Lemon Chicken.  Honey, Soy & Garlic and Black Bean are the Chinese inspired choices. Click to continue reading »

With more and more children being diagnosed with celiac disease and gluten intolerance, the need for gluten-free alternatives to gluten containing arts & crafts is a must!

But which toys contain gluten? Well, Play-Doh for one. Play-Doh is made using wheat flour and since kids are known for putting everything in their mouths, it’s something you probably don’t want your gluten-free kids playing with.

Last year we reviewed a gluten-free clay from Mama K and there are a growing number of companies like this, realizing the fast increasing market for gluten-free versions of modeling clay. Soy-Yer Dough sold 50,000 containers of their product last year, more than 25 times the amount sold when the company began five years ago. Click to continue reading »

One of my biggest challenges leading a gluten-free life is packing food on the go. Finding a good, reliable “granola” bar is a huge obstacle in this gluten-filled food world. There have been a number of times I’ve enjoyed what I thought was a gluten-free bar, only to find out later that there were trace elements of wheat or processed oats that contaminated my delicious snack.

As many of you are aware of SOYJOY bars and their continually gluten-free bars, Celiacs can now sleep even easier in light of recent news. SOYJOY has just received a literal stamp of gluten-free approval – the official gluten-free certification from the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). Though the brand has always maintained its natural product made with real fruit and ground soybeans, this recognition via third-party examination assures that there is no risk of cross contamination and the manufacturing of these delicious snack bars. Click to continue reading »

If you’re a fan of chewing gum after a meal or simply for the flavor, but you worry about the aspartame and who knows what else, Glee Gum could be something new for you to try.

Most gums on the market are filled with all sorts of artificial ingredients but Glee Gum is different. Glee Gum is made using all-natural coloring, flavoring and sweeteners. There is no aspartame, preservatives or GMOs. Aspartame gets a lot of bad press and it’s rare to find a gum free from aspartame so this is pretty great news. Click to continue reading »

This month by Dr. Susan Blum released her new book, The Immune System Recovery Plan. Dr. Blum is certainly a credible advocate for the gluten-free community. She is both being a medical doctor, as well as holds a master’s degree in public health. Her research focuses on autoimmune disease that plagues people all over the world, from thyroid disease to Crohn’s disease to Celiac disease.

While I’m sure most of you are aware when it comes to doctors and illness, they often retroactively treat symptoms (take X to relieve GI distress), rather than treat the root of the problem. Dr. Blum focuses her practice on preventative treatment, seeking to explore what is causing disease or gastrointestinal distress.

Her book systematically explores how the immune system is affected by what we eat. She delves into the issues on a deeper level, offering practical solutions to healing damaged guts and rebuilding our systems’ natural protective abilities. As most Celiacs have discovered through their own trial and error, it is oftentimes the processed foods that cause us the most problems. Moreover, if Click to continue reading »