Great Wolf Lodge, So Gluten Free Friendly!

 We went to Great Wolf Lodge this weekend and we were so incredibly impressed with how Gluten Free Friendly they were. I had e-mailed them before we went and I got a very nice e-mail back assuring me they could meet our needs and that they were trained on cross contamination. Lauren was thrilled when we got there and she could order a gluten free hamburger with a BUN and she could eat their fries because they use a separate fryer. They also had gf hot dogs and buns, gf pasta, and homemade salad dressings that were all gf. After dinner Lauren asked if I could get a job there so we could eat gf buns and play at the water park every day! Sounds like a pretty perfect life to me:) 

And to top it all off, each meal comes with wolf ears. What more could you ask for?! 

We give Great Wolf Lodge 5 stars- LOVED it! 

S'more cookies!

I was reading Kiwi magazine yesterday and came across a recipe for S'more cookies. Being a huge S'more fan I couldn't resist trying these. The recipe wasn't gluten free but I just substituted a gluten free flour blend and gluten free graham crackers it worked like a charm! Took these tasty little morsels to a family gathering tonight and they were a major hit! 

Here is the recipe, which by the way, according to the magazine, was created by a 6 year old!

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/3 cups powdered sugar (I actually used regular sugar and it worked fine)
• 1 1/2 cups butter, slightly softened (or Earth Balance)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups gluten free flour
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 12 gluten free graham crackers, crumbled (it called for 3 regular graham crackers but since the gf ones are so small I used 12)

Directions: 

1. mix butter and sugar and beat until fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes
2. add flour, about 1 cup at a time until combined
3. using your hands fold in marshmallows, chocolate, & graham cracker crumbs
4. place bowl in fridge to chill dough for at least one hour
5. preheat oven to 350 and line baking sheets with parchment paper
6. remove dough from fridge and roll the dough in 1 inch balls
7. bake for 10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are slightly brown
8. cool on wire rack

Now the only thing that went wrong was that the marshmallows on the outside of the cookies melted all over the place when cooked. As you can see from my picture some cookies were perfect, some were messy looking. It depended on the placement of the marshmallows. Next time I make these I might actually form the dough around a regular sized marshmallow instead to see if it helps it from oozing out. Either way, they were delicious, I highly recommend them. Nice work 6 year old girl who created this recipe;) 

I found them!

I have always LOVED butterscotch cookies and haven't had any luck finding gluten free butterscotch chips the past couple of years. I guess I didn't look hard enough, my friend Casie googled it and said she thought the Kroger brand ones would be gf. I went to Fred Meyer today and not only are they gluten free but they are actually labeled gluten free which always makes me happy! I can't wait to start baking with butterscotch again! 

Good perspective from a teenager on how it feels to be GF

I saw this video this morning and I love it! I am trying so hard to make sure Lauren doesn't feel like this, but I know it is inevitable that she will feel like this at some point. I know I feel like this at times, even as an adult. And as the holiday season approaches it's going to be in full force.

The video is only 3 minutes, and 3 minutes well spent.

Shakeology- delicious gluten free health drink!

 My friend Nickie is a personal trainer and health coach extraordinaire! She lives in Minnesota so I can't use her as a trainer but lucky for me, she sent me some samples of her latest health drink Shakeology! This shake is packed full of all sorts of amazing nutrients and proteins to help your body reach is maximum health. I've been following all Nickie's clients on facebook and the results I've seen are amazing! Her clients are losing inches off their waists, pounds off their bodies, and gaining energy!

  I tried the chocolate shake and added a frozen banana and a scoop of peanut butter and the drink was DELICIOUS! I drank it for breakfast and felt full until lunch. Kevin took a sip and agreed it was very tasty. We decided we liked it so much we are going to do Nickie's 10 day challenge too! We are super excited, we'll keep you posted on our progress. If you are interested check out her website at: 

www.myshakeology.com/nickiecarrigan or check her out on facebook under Nickie Carrigan. She is so friendly, motivating, and just a fabulous person so feel free to ask her any questions! 

I tried my best to get a picture of the ingredient label but it was hard to get a clear shot. 

My First Successful Sugar Cookies!

 I've been trying to find the perfect gluten free sugar cookie dough for a long time now. I've bought a few box mixes that were good but pricey and not really good enough to do cut outs with. Well today I finally mastered it and guess what? I used the recipe on the back of the C & H sugar bag and just substituted gf flour blend and Earth Balance buttery sticks. So simple, easy and tasty! 

 We decorated using Betty Crocker frosting since it is labeled gf.

 Finally have sugar cookie cut outs that taste like I remember! 

Everyone in the family loved them! Yahoo!

Here is the recipe from the C & H sugar bag:

ingredients:

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/3 cups butter, softened (I used Earth Balance so they'd be dairy free) 

2 eggs

2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (make sure it's gf) 

3 1/2 cups gf flour blend (I use Silvana Nardone's, I'll post that below)

2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

directions: 

1. combine sugar and butter with an electric mixer until creamy, about 3-5 minutes
2. add eggs one at a time, blending well
3. add vanilla, mix well
4. in a separate bowl mix flour, baking powder, & salt
5. add flour mixture to butter mixture one cup at a time until well blended 
6. pour onto wax paper in a log shape and refrigerate for 2 hours
7. roll out onto wax paper (this dough is a little more fragile that regular dough, I just rolled it slowly and used a dusting of gf flour each time and it worked just fine). 
8. cut out with cookie cutters and place on baking sheet. 
9. bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes
10. let cool and frost! Enjoy! 

Gluten Free Flour Blend: 

(From Silvana Nardone's book called, "Cooking for Isaiah")

-6 cups rice flour

-3 cups tapioca flour

-1 1/2 cups potato starch

-1 tbsp salt

-2 tbsp xanthum gum

Mix in a big container and store in an air tight container. I keep this on hand at all times and have found that it substitutes perfectly in all recipes, I love it! 

I need help answering a question

Does anyone know the answer to this: If a chicken is fed wheat bread crumbs will the egg it lays contain gluten? 

A friend of mine raises chickens and feeds them bread. I recently ate some of her eggs and got so so sick within a few hours of eating them. I am still feeling the effects 3 days later, I definitely feel as if I've been "glutened" but just can't seem to find the culprit other than the eggs. 

If anyone knows the answer or has a thought on this, I'd love to know. I've googled the questioned a bunch of different ways and just can't seem to get an answer. 

Thanks!

Romio's

 Our very favorite gluten free pizza place is Romio's. We go to the one in Totem Lake but I know it's a chain so there are more around. They have this AMAZING gluten free cheese bread. Obviously, not dairy free but so worth it every once in a while!

 They have a huge variety of gluten free pizza's and sandwiches. Their crust and bread is hands down the closest to the "real" thing we've found. Every time we go there Lauren says, "Mom, are you sure this is really gluten free?" 

The very first time we were there I called the waitress over and told her I was afraid we'd gotten the wrong pizza because it didn't seem like it was gluten free. She assured me it was and she was right, I felt just fine afterwards! 

We highly recommend Romio's if you are looking for a great gluten free pizza & sandwich experience!

A couple good deals at Fred Meyer

Just read the Fred Meyer ad and they have 40% all Amy's products and 35% of Bob's Red Mill products starting today through next Saturday! I'll be stocking up for sure! 

Roasted Chicken and Goat Cheese Pizza

Made this for dinner tonight. Super easy and super yummy. I just used the Namaste Pizza Crust Mix (the whole package) and baked it without the toppings for 10 minutes on a cookie sheet (the actual directions say to cook it longer but I think it's way over done if you do that). Then drizzle with olive oil, sea salt, roasted chicken (I buy the ones at Costco, they are labeled gluten free!), goat cheese, rosemary, and tomatoes. I also sprinkled a little garlic salt and onion salt on just to add a bit more flavor. Baked it for 7 more minutes until everything was slightly toasted and voila! Dinner is served. 

2 Costco Favs

 These may not be super healthy (but they aren't super bad either) and they are perfect for those rushed nights when we need a quick dinner (or lunch!). Both of my kids love them and they are gluten free. I buy them at Costco in the freezer section and I think they are around $10 for a giant box that lasts us a few months. 

And I am THRILLED that they have this hummus. They got rid of the Meza hummus earlier this summer and I was so sad because it was by far our families favorite. I tried a few of the new ones they got to replace it and wasn't really a fan of any of them. Today I spotted this, the same looking design and package but a new name. I brought it home and crossed my fingers as I took my first bite and YAHOO- it tastes just like the Meza hummus! Small things thrill me these days:) 

Yummy GF Dessert at BJ's

Last week we were down by the airport at South Center Mall and had dinner at BJ's. We'd never been there before but were thrilled to see they had GF pizza & a GF dessert. They were both SO good, a huge hit! The dessert was a giant chocolate chip cookie cooked in a deep dish and then topped with vanilla ice cream. Obviously not dairy free but a super fun splurge! I am loving all the gluten free menus that are popping up all over lately. 

Love This!

Found this at Costco today and I LOVE it! So tasty! 

Two New Favs

 We are loving these gf tater tots from Trader Joes. Not exactly healthy, but they are soooo good:) 

And I'm loving this instant oatmeal for breakfast, so easy and healthy! I found it at PCC and The Market in Bellingham. Assuming they have them at Whole Foods too but haven't checked yet. 

Gluten & Dairy Free Burrito

These are my latest go to item when I'm in a hurry for lunch or dinner. They are gluten and dairy free and pretty tasty. They take about 2 min to cook in the microwave and then I put some salsa and top and voila! Lunch or dinner is done. My kids even like them and they can split one for lunch, not bad. They are about $2.50 each, I buy them at Fred Meyer in the natural foods freezer section. 

American Girl Cafe

Lauren & I went to lunch at the American Girl Cafe yesterday and I was SO SO impressed with how gluten free friendly they were. They had gluten free pizza, gluten free hamburger buns and gluten free pasta! It's not on the menu but when you check in they ask if you have any allergies or dietary needs and when I said yes they sent the chef out to talk with me. Lauren had the hamburger and was so thrilled! Yay for American Girl! 

Fabulously Gluten Free in Vancouver, B.C.!

 We went up to Vancouver, B. C. last weekend and it was hands down my best travel experience being gluten free. Every single restaurant we went to was so so helpful and knowledgable and all but 1 had a gluten free menu. The first was Earls on Robson street. We had AMAZING pulled pork tacos & Sangria. 

 This lunch at Edible on Granville Island was to. die. for.! Gluten free fish and chips, need I say more? They fry them in their own fryer and make them from sctrach. I was very skeptical and even asked our server to double check with the kitchen to make sure they were 100% gluten free and she assured me they were. They tasted like heaven! 

 We had a fancy dinner out at Cin Cin, an amazing Italian place. They made me my own little loaf of gluten free bread from scratch and brought me my own dish of tapenade to dip it in to make sure there was no cross contamination, and I didn't even ask for it! How fabulous is that?! 

 I was so happy, it felt so nice to enjoy each course and feel "normal" while out to eat!

And this, homemade gluten free pasta! It was delicious. They also had gluten free wood fired pizzas that looked fabulous but I couldn't pass up the pasta because that is so rare! 

I was so thrilled with the progress Vancouver has made. We were there  in January of 2010 and whenever I asked about gluten everyone looked at me like I was speaking another language. It was amazing to see the changes in 1 1/2 years. We're making progress here in the states as well but nothing like up there! Yay for Canada! 

Gluten Free Rice Krispy Treats!!!!

 I finally found a box of Gluten Free Rice Krispies! I found it at The Market in Bellingham, I haven't found them anywhere in the Seattle area. If anyone knows where they are being sold I'd love to know. I put in a request at Fred Meyer but haven't heard anything. We just finished making our first batch of real Gluten Free Rice Krispy treats and they are tasty! 

So fun to have the "real" thing. We've tried lots of alternatives and they are good but the real thing is so nice! 

Finally tried Snyder's Gluten Free Pretzels and we LOVE them!!!!

I finally tried these yesterday and I love them. They are my new favorite pretzels, taste so much like the original pretzel. Yummy!

PCC Walk, Talk, & Taste Tour

 MY very favorite new non dairy yogurt. Hands down the best dairy free yogurt I've had. Great texture & taste. Gluten, dairy, soy, cane sugar free. It is sweetened with fruit juice and oh so delicious! 

 Annie's is expanding their gluten free Bunny line. I think I saw 3 or 4 different flavors! Still no gluten free cheddar bunnies though, one of these days hopefully.

 These English Muffins are pretty darn good, they aren't as soft as the regular kind but still quite tasty! 

Last week my friend Stacey and I went on one of PCC's Walk, Talk, & Taste Tours. I highly recommend them. They are free (you do have to register on their website) and you get to try a variety of gluten free products the store sells, you get a nice little chat with a nutritionist from PCC, and then they walk you around the store to show you all their favorite products. And to top it all off, you get a $10 coupon off your next $40 purchase, which we all know is easy to spend at PCC! I thought it was a great way to try some new products and learn a little, while having fun:) 

PCC also offers some gluten free cooking classes (there is a fee for the classes) and I'm hoping to try one in the Fall. None of their summer dates worked for me, but they sound great! 

Thrilled with Fred Meyer pharmacy

Ever since going gluten free I get nervous whenever I need a new prescription because it is really hard to find out if medications are gluten free or not. There are some great websites with lists (I have one linked on this blog) but most don't have generics on there. I used to go to Top Foods pharmacy and whenever I'd ask them to help me determine if a medication was gluten free they told me it wasn't their job and I needed to research it myself. Which always thrilled me especially when I was there filling a prescription for a sick kid that needed gf medicine asap! So I switched to the Fred Meyer pharmacy at Thrasher's Corner and they have been AMAZING! Tonight the pharmacist not only took time to research it for me she printed off helpful info for me and told me some sites she likes to use. So glad I switched:) 

New quick and easy dinner!

We discovered these a few weeks ago at Trader Joe's and they are a hit. Yummy, healthy, and quick. Perfect for busy nights when we have to make dinner fast. We topped them with a broccoli slaw, avocado, and salsa. YUM! 

They aren't labeled gluten free but when I was at they store they had them out as a taster and the lady said they were gluten free. Another lady next to me assured me she is gluten free and she eats them. I've eaten them 3 times now and feel great:) 

Bummed

I just got back from Costco and they are no longer carrying Rudi's gf bread! I am so sad, I loved that they were selling it. I asked the supervisor why and he said he didn't know but that none of the Costco's are selling it anymore:( I may just have to write a letter. You should too:) 

P.S.- took that post off about taking a break. I'm just going to casually update when time allows. 

Happy Summer!

xoxo

New Great Blog!

I was just introduced to this new blog that is really great. It has info, tips, etc about eating allergy free but my favorite thing about it is that it has a Steals/Deals section. I will be checking it much more often, you can also "like" it Facebook to get updates. 

http://www.realfoodallergyfree.com/

I hope to be back to posting recipes soon, lots of birthdays and events going on around here these days and not enough time to post! 

New Cookbook!

My very thoughtful mother-in-law got me this cookbook for Mother's Day. I am super excited about it since I'm a huge Quinoa fan. So far I've only made one recipe from it, Raspberry Coconut Bars. It was my first time baking with Quinoa flour and it has an interesting flavor (tastes like quinoa which is great in meals but a bit different in desserts). I served the bars to guests and the verdict was mixed. Some loved them, some thought they were so so, and some didn't love them at all. I was on the so so side. But there are SO many recipes in this book that I am dying to try, just have to find some free time. I'll keep you posted! 

Blogger took my post!

So there was a post here about getting good deals on Amazon.com using their subscribe & save deal. Blogger deleted it when the site was down yesterday, bummer. Anyway, what I was saying was that you can get some good deals on gluten free foods (any food actually & other things like diapers, wipes, etc) using subscribe and save. So far I'm using it to get Gluten Free Bisquick and Annie's Gluten Free Mac & Cheese. Both at prices lower than I've found in any stores. If you have a gluten free staple that you wish was more affordable, check out Amazon's subscribe & save, you just might find a deal:) 

Udi's Buns

The new Udi's hamburger and hotdog buns are out! Lauren was soooooo excited to have a "real" hotdog bun today. We've tried a few other brands but these are definitely the best ones we've had so far. The aren't quite as light and fluffy as the gluten containing buns but it still does the trick! 

We bought ours at PCC today and they were on "sale" for $3.99 per pack. Not exactly a steal, but nice to have as an option at those summer barbecues. 

Another Success From "Cooking For Isaiah"

I made brownies from scratch last night following Silvana Nardone's recipe book, "Cooking for Isaiah" and they were a huge hit with our guests tonight. Very fudge like & decadent. I served them with whip cream and strawberries. I skipped the whip cream and just had strawberries on them and they were delicious! So far I'm very pleased with the 3 recipes I've made from this cookbook. My mom even said, "These are way better than any I've had from a mix" which is always nice to hear! I love when non gluten free people compliment my gluten free baking:) 

Meatball Sliders

 I made a new meatball recipe this week and it was soooo good! These are pretty healthy little meatballs too. We liked them as sliders, but I actually think they'd be really good with spaghetti. 

 Since gluten free slider rolls aren't exactly easy to come by (though I know there are a few out there) I made my own biscuits in mini muffin tins. Next time I'd make them in regular size muffin tins, or make the meatballs smaller. I used Pamela's bread mix for the muffins which is also dairy free! 

I toasted the biscuits with a little mozzarella cheese (we were living on the edge that night and ate a little dairy!) and covered them some marinara sauce and voila! Yummy meatball sliders! 

Here is the recipe (from All You magazine)

Ingredients: 

• 1 lb organic ground beef
• 5 oz frozen spinach, thawed, rinsed, & drained
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• salt & pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• 1 cup marinara sauce (I used Classico)
• gluten free dinner rolls (or gluten free pasta if going the spaghetti route)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional) 

Directions: 

1. Mix ground beef, spinach, onion, garlic, and 1 tsp each of salt & pepper in a large bowl. 
2. Gently shape meat mixture into small balls. 
3. Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Cook meatballs on each side until cooked all the way through (about 15 minutes). 
4. Warm marinara sauce in saucepan over low heat. 
5. If desired, melt cheese on biscuits in oven. 
6. Top  half of biscuit with meatball and drizzle marinara on sauce. Cover with the other half of biscuit to make a sandwich. 
7. Enjoy! 

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oat Bites

I love love love chocolate, peanut butter, & oats combined, I just think it is one of the best combos ever. So I was SO excited when I saw this recipe in All You magazine. I only had a to make a couple changes to make them gluten free. Our whole family loved these and we decided they were practically the same as a breakfast bar, I even ate one before a run the other day to give me a little extra energy;) 

Ingredients: 

• 2 tbsp butter (I used Earth Balance)
• 2/3 cup peanut butter (make sure it's gluten free, all natural is best)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp gluten free vanilla
• 1 1/2 cup crushed Rice Chex cereal
• 1 cup gluten free oats
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I use Nestle Semi Sweet)

Directions:

1. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. 
2. Remove pan from heat and stir in peanut butter, sugar, honey, & vanilla. (I had to keep it on low heat to get this to melt completely)
3. Stir in oats & Rice Chex. Allow mixture to cool. (I didn't wait long enough and the chocolate chips melted, not really a big deal, just depends on if you want the chocolate chips whole or melted I guess). 
4. Stir in chocolate chips . 
5. Form into 1 inch balls and set on cookie sheet in refrigerator to harden. I stored mine in the a sealed container in the refrigerator but the actual recipe does not say you have to. 

Enjoy! 

Sausage and Mushroom Risotto **Revised, I skipped a step!

I love love love Risotto. When the original Spazzo's used to be in Bellevue I adored a mushroom risotto they had and was so sad when they changed their menu. I am always on the look out for a good risotto recipe and have made a few that were just so so. But this one is in the running with Spazzo's. It is AMAZING. Kevin & I both were in heaven with it. Savory, flavorful, delicious. I did use parmesan cheese which I think made it extra good, but I think it would still be very enjoyable without the cheese. 

**I don't tolerate all cheeses that well but I've found that if I buy the block of pure parmesan cheese and grate it myself it doesn't bother me much. I think all the additives in the shredded kind are 1/2 the problem for me. 

I found this recipe in the February issue of All You magazine and I didn't even need to make any changes to make it gluten free, yay!

Ingredients: (serves 4)

• 1 lb italian sausage (make sure it is gluten free)
• olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• salt & pepper
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 8 oz sliced cremini or button mushrooms
• 1 1/2 cup arborio rice
• 4 1/2 cups chicken broth (make sure it's gluten free)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 
2. Cook sausage over medium heat until browned, stir to break up into small chunks. Remove from pan and drain fat. Set aside. 
3. Add 2 tsp olive oil and saute onions & mushrooms. Season with salt & pepper. Cook until onion is soft and mushrooms are cooked through, about 8-10 min. 
4. Pour in wine and cook until reduced by 1/2. 
5. Stir in rice and cook for 3 minutes. 
6. Pour in 3 cups chicken broth and stir well. 
7. Pour into baking dish with lid and bake at 325 for 20 minutes.
8. Add the sausage stir in the parmesan cheese (if using) and pour the remaining broth over the top. 
9. Cover and bake until rice is tender, about 30 minutes. 
10. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. 
11. Enjoy! 

Lemon Thyme Chicken with Zucchini & Squash

I've made this healthy & yummy dish a few times recently and it is always a hit! 

I got it out of Health magazine, I love it because it is naturally gluten free, no substitutions needed!

Ingredients: 

• 2 tbsp lemon zest (I usually juice the lemon too and use the juice for some extra zing)
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 lb chicken breasts cut into cutlets
• salt
• pepper (fresh ground is best)
• olive oil
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced
• 2 medium yellow summer squash, sliced
• 1/4 cup chicken broth (make sure it is gluten free) 
• quinoa

Directions: 

1. Mix lemon zest, lemon juice, and thyme in medium sized bowl
2. Sprinkle a little salt & pepper on the chicken, then coat in the lemon & thyme mixture. 
3. Heat olive oil in a large non stick skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until it is golden and cooked through (a few minutes on each side, depending on thickness). I usually pour any leftover lemon & thyme mixture in the skillet as well. 
4. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside (to keep warm I usually set my toaster oven to warm and put the chicken on a plate in there). 
5. Using the same skillet saute the zucchini and squash ver medium heat. I usually add a little extra olive oil. After the veggies are golden & tender (about 5 minutes) stir in the chicken broth.
6. Add the chicken back in and let simmer another minute or two. 
7. I usually serve this over quinoa which I make in my rice cooker. 
8. Garnish with fresh thyme if you want to feel a bit fancy:) 
9. Enjoy! 

Dairy Free

Being "mostly" dairy free, I am often asked if Lauren and I are getting enough calcium. My naturopath has assured me I need not worry about this as it's not an issue if I eat a healthy balanced diet. I have read many articles that all say the same things and most of the time I feel pretty confident with skipping out on the dairy (especially because it makes us feel so icky). But then I start thinking of how it has been pounded into our heads since birth that cows milk is essential and it's healthy and it makes strong bones, etc... and I start to wonder and think, what if I am missing out on an important health benefit not drinking milk. I am got this newsletter today from a friend who is a nutritionist and I thought this article was really great. I thought I'd share: 

Milk and Calcium Requirements, Dr. Pam Popper, ND, PhD

Dairy consumption does not promote bone health, and there is massive scientific evidence to document this fact.

Most of the world's population does not consume any milk after weaning, and these people grow normal, healthy skeletons and do not experience osteoporosis. Bantu women in Africa, for example, consume no dairy products and their calcium intake is between 250 and 400 mg. per day. These women generally have about 10 children and breast-feed each one for 10 months. Pregnancy and breast-feeding are tremendous drains on calcium, yet osteoporosis is virtually unknown among these women. Population studies further document that dairy consumption does not help bone health – countries that have the highest consumption of cow's milk products, like the U.S., Sweden, Israel, Finland and the U.K., have the highest incidence of osteoporosis.

Beyond population studies, research does not support the use of dairy foods as a tool for building bone. An article in the September 2000 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reflected research compiled by two researchers who reviewed 57 studies that have been published since 1985 on dairy consumption and bone health. An overview of the studies concluded that 53% of them showed no benefit from dairy. When studies with weak evidence or poor techniques were excluded, less than half of the studies remained, and of those 57% showed no benefit and another 14% found that dairy consumption actually weakened bones. This means that 71% of the research published does not support the consumption of dairy products for bone building and health.

7 of the studies were randomized controlled studies, 6 of which were financed by the dairy industry. One looked at the consumption of milk by postmenopausal women. This study was published in the February 1985 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This study concluded that women who drank 3 extra glasses of milk per day were losing more calcium from their bones than they were absorbing, in spite of the fact that they were consuming 1400 mg of calcium per day. In fact, they were losing more than twice as much bone as the women in the control group, who did not drink the extra glasses of milk daily.

This reinforces that the amount of calcium you take in has little to do with the calcium balance in your body or your bone health. It is the source of the calcium, as well as your body's ability to retain and utilize it that are more important. This is why calcium supplementation is generally not recommended for bone health, and why dairy products are not helpful either.

The best diet for building healthy bones is a plant-based diet that minimizes processed and refined foods. The addition of proper exercise, sunlight, and avoiding tobacco, caffeine and alcohol will insure that your bones will last as long as you do!

--
Stacy Farrar
Certified Nutritionist

Certified Facilitator - Wellness 101

(619) 379-0910

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

A friend sent me this recipe for these tasty little morsels (she got the recipe off a blog but I can't remember which one) and changed it a little to make them gluten free. They are fabulous. I love them. They are calling my name in the fridge as I type this. I'll probably never make them again unless I take every single one of them to a party because they are too dangerous to have in my house. But I promise you, they are delicious.

p.s.- even though Reese's Peanut Butter cups are listed as not containing gluten, my daughter and I both get sick every time we eat them, so we don't. Does anyone else have that same reaction? I'd love to know.  

Here is the recipe:

*makes 24 mini cups (use mini cupcake tin)

•                3 cups chocolate, I used Nestle Semi Sweet

•                1 cup peanut butter, I used Adam's All Natural Crunch

•                1/2 cup powdered sugar

•                1/4 cup honey rice Chex, crushed

•                1 teaspoon sea salt

1. Place cupcake liners in cupcake tins. 

2. Melt chocolate. You can use a double boiler if you have one (I don't yet!), a sauce pan on low heat with constant stirring, or 10 second bursts in the microwave with stirring in between until melted. 

3. Once chocolate is melted put a spoonful in each cup and use a brush to paint the chocolate up the sides of the cupcake liners. I didn't have time to fully do this so I just plopped chocolate in each cup and it still worked, just looked more layered. 

4. Place cupcake tins in the fridge for about 10 minutes so chocolate can set, set aside the rest of the melted chocolate.

5. Meanwhile, mix peanut butter, crushed Chex, powdered sugar, & sea salt. 

6. When chocolate is set, pull out of fridge and put little balls of peanut butter mixture in each tin (about 2 tbsp each). 

7. Use melted chocolate (I had to reheat mine for about 10 seconds) to fill the cups. Put back in fridge to completely set. 

8. Enjoy! 

These need to be stored in fridge, but are best to eat at close to room temp. I take them out of the fridge for 10 minutes or so before eating. I took these to a party this weekend and they were quite the hit! While they aren't exactly "healthy" they are a lot better for you than the store bought Reese's Peanut Butter Cups because all the ingredients are whole and recognizable:) 

Rudi's Gluten Free Bread- at Costco!

I was at Costco in Woodinville today and I found this in the freezer section. A 2 pack for $6.99. I had only tried their Cinnamon Raisin bread before (which I really like) but this multigrain bread is fabulous. The slices are thicker and heartier than Udi's which is nice for toast and sandwiches. I'm so excited to see it at Costco, I hope it stays there! 

Gluten Free Alcohol

Ever since going Gluten Free I've been confused about what alcohol is safe and what isn't. Some things I've read say it is all safe because of the distilling process, others say that is not so. I ordered a margarita once and felt so sick afterwards (I only had one, so no, it wasn't a hangover!) so I've kind of just stayed clear of the stuff because I never could find a clear answer. While on vacation I really wanted a margarita so I started doing a little research and I found this list- so fabulous! So happy to finally know what is safe and what isn't.

Here is a copy of the list I found:

• Anisette - Hiram Walker
  
• *Bacardi Silver products NOT gluten-free
  
• Beer - Redbridge, Bard's Tale Dragon's Gold, Bard's Tale Tavern Ale - coming soon,New Grist, Schlafly Gluten-free Ale, Green's (many flavors), Shakparo Ale (Sprecher Brewery), Mbege (Sprecher Brewery), Honey Beer (Ramapo Valley Brewery), La Messagère & Messagere Red Ale (Canada), Birra 76 Bi-Aglut (Italy), O’Brien Premium Lager, Pale Ale & Brown Ale (O'Brien Brewing, Australia), Glutaner (Mongozo BV - sold
  

          in 15 countries - not yet sold in the U.S.)

• Blue Curacao - Hiram Walker
  
• Brandy -  Hiram Walker
  
• Cafe Aztec - Hiram Walker
  
• Champagne, Wine, and Sparkling Wines
  
• Cognac - Martell (email 8/22/08)
  
• Cointreau
  
• Diageo - "Diageo products, which have been distilled, do not contain glutens or gluten residues, Captain Morgan Rums are gluten free but not the Flavored Malt Beverages..." (email 01/28//09)
  
• Dr. McGillicuddy - "the alcohol is sourced from corn products" -"We do not knowingly add any gluten-containing products, but can not certify that they are gluten free." (01/30/09)
  
• Gin - Beefeater Gin (gluten-free but made from wheat, email 8/11/08)
  
• Grand Marnier
  
• Hiram Walker no gluten present in Hiram Walker products (website FAQ 1/26/09)
  
• Jägermeister "On basis of current analyses Jägermeister can be considered free from gluten, starch and lactose." (email 12/15/09)
  
• Kahlua
  
• Kirschwasser - Hiram Walker
  
• Rum - Bacardi (*Bacardi Silver products NOT gluten-free), Captain Morgan, Havana Club (all varieties, email 1/14/10), Cacique Rum, Malibu Rum (email 8/31/10)
  
• Sambuca - Hiram Walker
  
• Schnapps - all Hiram Walker
  
• Scotch
  
• Sparkling Wine
  
• Tequila - Cazadores Reposado, *Jose Cuervo Tradicional,  Sauza Tequilas (email 6/9/08), Cabo Wabo, any 100% Agave, Including White Tequila by Albertson's, Acme, Jewel, Equaline Good Day Labels (mail 5/21/08)  
  

        *Jose Cuervo website states that all Jose Cuervo tequilas, Authentic       
         Cuervo Margaritas, Margarita Minis, and Golden Margaritas are gluten-free.        *Don Julio products are NOT gluten-free - email 6/26/08

• Triple Sec - Hiram Walker
  
• Vermouth
  
• Vodka - Smirnoff (made from corn), Smirnoff Citrus Twist, UV Vodka (corn), Rain Organics Vodka (made from 100% organic white corn), Ciroc (grapes), Chopin, Luksusowa, Teton Glacier, Zodiac, Bushman's, Hampton's, Kamchatka, Popov Citrus & Popov Tangerine, Reisk, Monopolowa, Ketel One (gluten-free but is made from 100% wheat)
  
• Wine - all except wine coolers made with malt
  
• Woodchuck Draft Ciders - all varieties  

Found this info at:http://www.glutenfree-lifestyle.com/gluten-free-alcohol-beverages.html