Classic Symptoms of Celiac

I know that it has been almost a week sines I have posted. I have started a new job and it is really good and fun one you can say it is up my alley because I am working with the gluten free world. Also a quick reminder that this Thursday at 7:00 pm is our support group at Jordan Valley Hospital with Dr. Karnam M.D. that is a specialized gastroenterology/hepatology to address us so you do not want to miss this.
So tonight questions for you that are not diagnosised but think that you may have an intolerance to gluten so ask yourself this?
Do you have ? Diarrhea, Bloating, Weight loss, Anemia, Chronic fatigue, Weakness, Bone pain, Muscle cramps, and many more symptoms so long I can not list all of them. But this is the most common symptoms that people have. I have found that their are many who try the gluten free diet to see if it will help them feel better and many do. So do not give up if the doctor said that gluten is not your problem. Their are many false negatives so if you try the gluten free diet and it works then go for it. You have the right to feel good!! Have a great night.
Pamela

Tonight Tips & Tricks

 Cross- Contamination Tips

 First of all void any bulk bins why because the risk of cross-contamination is too great. Many stores will save out a portion of a newly-opened product for you before filling a bin, but I say don't go their it is too risky. Only buy products that are sealed by the manufacturer before purchase.

 Cross-contamination at home can occur when storing and preparing your gluten-free foods if you are using food containing gluten for other family members. Any storage, eating, or cooking tool should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized if it has been used for food containing gluten. Porous surfaces such as cast iron, stoneware, wooden or nonstick-coated cannot be considered safe for gluten-free food if they have ever been used for gluten. Any surface that is damaged by chipping, scratches, etc. and previously used for gluten should not be used for gluten-free food. If possible, store gluten-free food separately from other foods. If not, make sure packages are sealed and stored above gluten containing food in the pantry. Gluten-free food preparation and cooking should be done separately from food containing gluten, just as you would separate raw meat from cooked food. 

 I hope that tonights tips work out fore you or at least gets you thinking about it. Have a great night!!

Pamela

Waffles Tonight

Tonight I made waffles with the new gluten free Bisquick. They came out so good I was surprised at how perfect they were. They came out golden brown and did not stick to my waffle iron witch has been a problem with the gluten free waffles. So tonight I am telling you this product is a good one to have it passed my test. Have a great night. Pamela

Valentines Day and Chocolate

One fun thing that goes with Valentines day is chocolate!! I am what some people call a chocoholic I love any thing chocolate. The good thing about chocolate is that it is good for you yes it really is and this is the reason why. Chocolate has antioxidant potential to its protein content, also it has a unique chemistry that when you eat chocolate it does not raise your cholesterol levels. It is also rich in minerals such as magnesium, copper, potassium and iron. So what this means is you do not have to feel bad by eating chocolate because you need it. For example when I am feeling depressed I crave chocolate the high antioxidant level helps me feel better mentally and my body knows it so it crave it. One thing that is good in general about chocolate is that it is gluten free but always you have to check on the package to see if they use wheat flour in their molds. Most use corn starch also make sure they do not put malt flavoring in it some may but very few. So when you get your heart shape box of chocolates you go right a head and enjoy them. The heart shape cake picture I just posted is the valentine I gave to my husband it is a gluten free black forest cake but I did not make it. The women that  made it has what I call the magic that I do not have but it is amazing you can not tell that it is gluten free. Now it is my family's new favorite cake.So have a happy valentines day!! And enjoy your chocolate!!
Pamela

Diabetes and Celiac.

 Last night was our support group at St. Marks Hospital. Our dietitian Megen gave our presentation on diabetes and celiac. How to count carbohydrates and what they are, what food they are in, and how many servings you can have. It was very good information. A new world to me that I did not know and their was allot of it. So I will give you just a portion of it this time.
1. Which food have carbohydrates, Breads, crackers, and cereals, pasta, rice, and grains.
Also starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, corn, and peas. Beans, and legumes, milk, soy milk, yogurt, fruit and fruit juices, sweets, such as cake, cookies, ice cream, jam, and jelly.
Carbohydrates. are in more then what you think Counting carbohydrate servings may help you to control your blood glucose level so you feel better. In diabetes meal planning 1 serving of a food with carbohydrate has about 15 grams of carbohydrate. So in a nut shell for many adults, eating 3 to 5 servings of carbohydrate foods at each meal and 1 to 2 carbohydrate servings for each snack works well. I know their is so much more but I will have to give it at a latter time so stay tune. Next month we have a GI doctor coming to Jordan Vally Hospital on March 3, 2011 at 7:00 pm it will be another real good meeting. Have a good night.
Pamela

Tax Deductions for Gluten-Free!!

I have to first say sorry that it has been 5 days since my last post. I have been under the weather like way down so now that it is over I am back!! One thing that is a big advantage to us celiacs is tax deduction yes it is true and this is why. People with celiac disease on a medically prescribed gluten free diet, you may be able to deduct some of your costs for GF food. Also education and other resources necessary to maintain the diet, lifestyle, as a medical deduction on your taxes. Some things you need to know
1. Have available a letter from your doctor that states you have been diagnosed with celiac disease and must adhere to a strict gluten free diet for life as treatment for the disease. Without a medical diagnosis you may not be able to claim the GF diet as a medical expense.
2. You can claim only the difference between a similar wheat based product and the gluten free product. For example, if wheat flour costs $ 3 per 5lb, and rice flour is $ 5 per 5lbs, the difference of $ 2 is tax deductible.
3. You may also claim mileage expense for the extra trip to the health-food store and shipping costs for mail orderer cookbooks, and a portion of the cost to attend educational programs on managing your disease.
4. Specialty items, such as xanthan gum used in gluten free home baked goods is not an item normally purchased for home baking and so the total cost of it can be claimed.
5. Keep your receipts as documentation. It is important to add to your documentation a list of similar products that contain wheat and the cost of those items. Keep with your records to document how arrived at the difference in costs.
6. Of course, your total medical expenses, including those for your GF foods, must meet the percentage of income guidelines according to the IRS rules order to be able to deduct your GF foods.
 I know it may seem like to much work but it is not really and be leave me you will reach your percentage amount. We all know this is not a cheep diet.
 If the IRS should question your ability to take these deductions. you may want to give the IRS representative the following citations that IRS has ruled that the deduction can be taken.
. RevenueRuling 55-261, . Cohen 38TC 387, . RevenueRuling 76-80, 67 TC 481, . FlemmingTC MEMO 1980 583, . Van Kalb TC MEMO 1978 366.

I hope this information will help you out on your taxes. Also just a reminder our support group meets this Tuesday February 8th at St. Marks hospital at 7:00 pm please come we would love to have you there. Have a great night.
Pamela

For your information what is coming up!

The up coming support group at St. Marks hospital February 8 at 7:00 pm . We are having our dietitian will be doing a presentation on doing the gluten free diet right the healthy way and also doing the diet with diabetes. The reason we are doing this is because diabetes and celiac are on the same gene strand meaning if you have celiac you have a high chance of getting ether type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Now if you just have diabetes but not celiac you may not have the gene for celiac. I know it is confusing but that is how it is. I am sorry to say most people with celiac do have diabetes but it is very workable know matter what you do it will be OK. So remember next Tuesday February 8th at 7:00 pm. I will of course be there if you have any questions feel free to ask me so I can help you with what you need or you can ask the dietitian also. This is free and we are with GIG a national support group. Have a great night.
Pamela