The Best of ALL Worlds!

As many of you may know, trying to make sense of the whole "Gluten Free" concept can be a long journey. I have not posted for a while, but this is because I have been on my own journey to improve my health. While it is true that I have always been a "bean pole", not having to do much to stay skinny, I have made terrible choices on what to feed my body in the past. Well, today is a new day! I have been focusing on getting healthier for several months now.

Someone who cared about me shared some gluten free products with me that have changed my life! In 2011 around the holidays I began only eating organic products and less processed foods. I liked the changes I noticed in my health, but there was no way that I could eat enough food to REALLY provide my body the nutrients it needed. So when I looked into the Isagenix products I was excited to not only have a gluten free product, but also organic and all natural with no fillers or additives. This is when I really started to notice a difference in my health! I now am full of so much energy, my body is actually getting all of the important minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and active enzymes to drive it into my cells that I need. I have never felt better. This is me just using their shakes, which actually taste delicious by the way. Imagine my excitement when I cleansed for the first time. Now, this is not a "sit on the toilet all day" cleanse ;-) We are talking about a cellular cleanse. By cleansing out these toxins your body is able to start releasing fat and building lean muscle. I cannot believe how amazing I feel.

Isagenix products have helped me so much that I feel it would be wrong if I didn't share these amazing product with others. I have always tried to find easy and delicious foods to share with my followers and I have discovered the jack pot on this one! There is a great movie called "Are you Toxic" that really explains how these products work better than I can. Isagenix products are not medications and don't claim to cure anything, but they sure have helped me to feel great!

This is a solution based company so if you are having a problem, they may have the answer. It is for EVERYONE! Weight loss, Athletic Performance, Energy, Supplements, and much more! One of my favorite things about this company is that they back their products up because if you don't like something they have a 30 day 100% money back guarantee. How many companies do that?

Hope this post finds it's way to many people looking for solutions :-)  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like more information & I would be happy to get you to the right spot. God Bless!

Gluten Free? I THINK NOT!

So, We tried out Heartland Gluten free/Wheat Free Penne Pasta tonight. Let's just say that I blew up like a balloon, looking at least 4 months pregnant now in a matter of minutes. My son, also GF, is curled up in the other room with his old complaints "post meals" when he indgested gluten. I guess I got kind of lazy on my label reading because low and behold, there on the side it states that it is processed in a facility that processes wheat products. Not ok if you cannot have gluten. Cross contamination is a big issue. I went to the website and they have under frequently asked questions that they do clean their equipment according to "government standards" and do periodic tests to make sure that there is not more than 20 ppm levels on the equipment.

So, here is my warning...for all of those who might start getting comfortable with the products they are using, especially with those that advertise that they are gluten free. Continue to read and investigate before using product. Even Walmart is very guilty about slapping "gluten free" on their products, but noting that they are processed in facilities processing wheat. Perhaps more education needs to be out there for the manufactures as well as FDA concerning Celiac Disease and what Gluten Actually does to a person. I just want to make sure the warning is out there! We are busy people, so sometimes we take the label's word for it. Just take an extra second for your health.

Gluten Free - For Beginners

Disclosure: Always check menus and sites for updated versions. This information is meant to be used as a tool to help guide newly diagnosed Celiac or Gluten Intolerant patients, or just anyone who is beginning the gluten free diet for various other reasons.

NOTE FROM ME: I hope that this information is helpful to all of you google searchers who stumble upon this page. I decided to try to create a "one stop shop" for this information, especially since so many people around me have found this information so helpful when they are going onto this diet since it is so confusing. Thank goodness they are finally beginning to mark Gluten on the allergy warning label on food labels (effective 12/2008). This is a work in progress. I still plan to add favorite cookbooks, great mainstream foods that just happen to be gluten free but are not advertised as such, and also create an attachment so that this information is printable & more handy. I am open to suggestions & comments so I can continually improve this information. Hope this is helpful to all!

Fast food Restaurants

http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/allergens

Restaurants

Brands that I recommend

This is my ultimate favorite brand ever! There is nothing Namaste that I have tried that has not been great. I highly recommend all of their products.

The cookies are my favorite!!!!

WONDERFUL PRODUCTS!

GF bread mix is good (can also also use the recipe online to make from scratch *cheaper* the banana bread recipe online is also good)

(pretzels are good, so are the hot dog & hamburger buns)

Where to shop (Some of many local locations)
Most grocery stores are willing to try to carry products that you request at first, you just have to spread the word when the product comes in so it makes it worth their while. They probably won't order the GF product again if it just sits and collects dust.












I have found GF noodles, cookies, Amy's entrees, GF Betty Crocker, and much more at my local Walmart!

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Helpful Websites

Celiac Disease Foundation
Lonestar Celiac GIG Support Group
Dallas ROCK (Raising Our Celiac Kids)
Gluten Free Planet
Gluten Free on the Go

North Texas Gluten Intolerance Group
Wheat Free
Mayo Clinic: Celiac