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!

Super Quick and Super Yummy!

We have really cut back on meat in our house for various health reasons but when we do decide you through some Chicken in the mix this recipe has come through time and time again! It is Super Quick and Super Yummy! 

Chicken Marinate  from Food Network

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 3 teaspoons dried herbs, like thyme, oregano, & rosemary
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoon garlic (diced)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 whole chicken (don't forget to discard the insides)

Directions

Put the vinegar, herbs, mustard's, powders if using and oil in a large re-sealable plastic bag. Close the bag and shake to combine all the ingredients. Open the bag, drop in the chicken breast in the bag. Close and shake the bag to coat evenly. Freeze for up to 2 weeks.

I prefer to peel the skin up in different areas on the whole chicken and put marinate between the chicken's body and skin as well as on top of skin. You can put it in a zip lock overnight to cook the next day or as I prefer, you can place it in a crock pot in the morning  on low. (no need to add any extra fluid, it will be plenty moist) Turn off crock pot when you get home.

The chicken will literally fall from the bone. Wait until it cools down and you can put the pieces of chicken in containers.

The sky is the limit!

• It can be used on sandwiches or tortilla wraps in lunches throughout the week.
• Some can be put in air tight freezer safe containers/bags to be used later in meals. Safely frozen for up to six months
• Can use with different casseroles throughout the week
• One meal I like to put it together with is green beans and garlic mashed potatoes.
• AND MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!

Hope you enjoy this as much as our family has!

To Die For!!!

Over the Summer I had the pleasure of going to the Dallas Gluten Free Expo. There were so many wonderful foods that I was able to experience while I was there, but the "LOCAL OVEN" was one of the best. Apparently the woman who started it was diagnosed with Celiac disease over 20 years ago and baked and baked and baked until she came up with these wonderful products that taste better than the real deal. They actually have contracts with certain restaurants and the restaurants are educated on Celiac disease, cross contamination, and preparation methods before they are able to serve them. This is a Dallas Based company, but will ship their products anywhere. 


You can find them at these Dallas Restaurants:

• Kenny's Italian Kitchen - 5100 Beltline Road #764, Dallas, TX 75254
• Kenny's Burger Joint - 1377 Legacy #120, Frisco, TX 75034
• Company Cafe - 2217 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX  or 3136 Routh, Dallas, TX
• 
  

 You don't have to go to these restaurants though, you can also enjoy them in the comfort of your own home with your family. Here are some of the many products they offer. 

 Hot Dog Buns

Hamburger Buns

Pita Pockets

Biscotti

Baguettes

Bread Crumbs

I tried most of them and they are wonderful and very reasonably priced. I hope you get the opportunity to try them as well. Try out the LOCAL OVEN just once and you will be hooked!

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.

New App for your Smartphone makes eating out Gluten Free much easier!

Gluten-Free Diet Slideshow - By Web MD

Gluten-Free Diet Slideshow

Rest In Peace Dr. Alexis Shelokov

Dr. Alexis Shelokov passed away of a heart attack while mountain biking in Colorado this past week (reported by the Daily Planet) This man was many things to many people. He has changed so many peoples' lives in so many ways.

To me personally, he was the one physician who looked at my unique situation and knew a logical way to improve it. As a child I grew up with scoliosis wearing a back brace to prevent a worsening curve. Ultimately, I still ended up having scoliosis corrective surgery by Dr. Walter Bobechko (also deceased from cancer), which was successful and left me pain free. In 2007, as a result of a car accident, the Harrington rod in my back broke and was surgically removed. Overtime, scoliosis reappeared along with kyphosis and degenerating disc leaving me in a lot of pain. I was having a hard time locating a physician who had experience with a similar situation who would be able to guide me in the right direction.

My father participates in triathlons and marathons. During a biking event, he met a woman who raved about Dr. Shelokov and the ways that her corrective surgery improved her life allowing her to be very active. When I contacted Dr. Shelokov's office to inquire about their knowledge with my situation, I was impressed with the office staffs' immense knowledge and scheduled an appointment. After reviewing everything, we decided that surgery was the best route to go.

Dr. Shelokov was so helpful with the entire process. I was set to begin nursing school in 4 months and he worked wonders to get me squeezed into the surgical schedule to make that possible. He had many admirable qualities, but his great attitude and attention to his patients was at the top of the list. I also admired his honesty during the entire pre-op process. He told you his entire statistical history with past patients so that you knew the surgical risks up front. I will always remember how he explained that surgeons are people just like everyone else and that one tiny slip could alter the entire surgery. How many pre-ops have you gone to where the surgeon was this blunt and up-front about everything?

With the help of Dr. Shelokov and his physicians assistant (Eric) and staff, I have officially made it almost to my one year mark post surgery. I am thankful for the improvement in my quality of life compared to almost a year ago. I thank God for opening the doors that led me to him as my surgeon.

Dr. Alexis Shelokov, even at the young age of 55 years old, would truly be able to say that he had a fulfilling life in which he touched so many people in so many ways. My heart goes out to his wife and children in this hard time as well as his close present and past colleagues. The work that he has done with scoliosis is groundbreaking and hopefully continues on with future physicians.

Rest in peace Dr. Alexis Shelokov.

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!

'

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