​There are a lot of benefits to being gluten free. Whether you're gluten free because of Celiac Disease, wheat allergy, gluten allergy, your physician prescribed it for you, or you're making a lifestyle change, you'd be pleased to know that a gluten free diet may actually help lower the risk of Diabetes, especially in women.
Researchers in Denmark theorize that women who are pregnant and are on a gluten free diet can lower the risk of Diabetes in their babies.
More about this study can be found at www.celiac.com/articles/23701/1/Can-a-Gluten-free-Diet-Lower-the-Risk-of-Diabetes/Page1.html.

When it comes to a gluten free diet, make sure you're eating the right foods. Gluten free baked goods tend to have a lot of processed carbs, butter, and ingredients that no human being can pronounce. While these baked goods are okay to have once in a while, I recommend sticking to naturally gluten free foods: meat (if you eat meat), fruits, vegetables, and dairy (if you aren't allergic).

By staying away from the processed baked goods, you're helping to keep the risk of developing diabetes very low. Plus you are doing something very good for your body. You're feeding it nutrients to keep it strong and healthy. You and I both know, us Celiacs need all the nutrients our bodies can absorb!

This recipe is filling, delicious, and GLUTEN FREE!!! It is super easy to make and is a perfect summertime lunch or dinner meal.






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Here is what you will need:

• One green papaya (peel the papaya and slice it into matchstick strips)
• One slightly firm mango (peel the mango and slice into Matchstick slices)
• One small cucumber (thinly sliced)
• 1/2 package of Annie Chin's Maifun's Rice Noodles (cook, drain, and rinse as directions state for salad usage).
• 1 cup of small to medium sized shrimp. Make sure the shrimp are cleaned, deveined, and cooked (recipe says prawns, but shrimp is the same thing).
• 1 head of rinsed lettuce (separate leaves)
• 5 to 6 TBSP of peanut butter (recipe says to use Thai Peanut Sauce, but we improvised)
• 2 TBSP of fresh cilantro

 Directions:

• Mix papaya, mango, cucumber, cooked noodles and shrimp in a bowl.
• Add peanut butter to above mixture and toss.
• Arrange lettuce leaves on a plate and divide noodle mix among the leaves.
• Garnish with the cilantro (if you wish).
• Wrap the lettuce leaves and eat!

The lettuce does have a hard time staying in a 'wrap' position, you might need to use a toothpick to hold it in place if you're making this for family or guests. I ended up just getting a fork and eating it like it was a noodle salad. Using peanut butter instead of the Thai Peanut Sauce gave it more of a hearty texture and made me full after eating just a little bit of it. I do recommend that you pick up gluten free Thai peanut sauce. Annie Chun doesn't make gluten free sauce, but San-J does! Thai peanut sauce will definitely add some spice and flavor to the dish.

Udi's Broccoli and Kale Lasagna
​Recently, I came across Udi's Broccoli and Kale Lasagna while at the grocery store doing my weekly shopping. Me, being the foodie that I am, did not hesitate to pick up a box and see if this lasagna was any good. I've tried so many amazing Udi's products and I hoped that this one would be a winner too.


​Well, folks, I was right! This lasagna was very good. The sauce was very rich and the meal was full of flavor!
I don't need to tell you that it is Gluten Free because Udi's is a go-to brand for those of us who are gluten free.
As for the nutritional facts, I was scared that it was going to be a million calories and have a ton of sodium. Nope.
Only 370 calories and 290mg of sodium. If you're watching your carb intake, there are only 35 grams of carbs in this lasagna.

This lasagna is pretty filling, but for those of you looking to add a side dish to your lasagna, I suggest steamed veggies that are seasoned and a glass of your favorite wine.

Allergen Warnings: This item contains Milk and Eggs. Those of us who have Celiac disease often have bouts of (or are full blown) lactose intolerance. I HIGHLY recommend taking a lactaid pill before consuming this product. I tend to have lactose intolerance symptoms whenever I have something that is oozing tons of dairy. I make sure my medicine cabinet is stocked with lactaid pills.

Definitely pick up Udi's Broccoli and Kale Lasagna. It's a scrumptious and quick meal that you can just pop into the microwave and indulge in while watching your favorite TV programs.
Thank you, Udi's for making another amazing product! Keep em' coming!

Udi's GF Cinnamon Rolls
I know I'm not the only one who loves cinnamon rolls. I remember frequenting Cinnabon through the years and indulging in some ooey gooey cinnamon roll goodness. Unfortunately, since my Celiac diagnosis, places like Cinnabon are kryptonite to my digestive tract.
After my diagnosis, I tirelessly searched for gluten free cinnamon rolls that were as good or better than Cinnabon cinnamon rolls.
In comes Udi's Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls! So.... did ​yours truly like these cinnamon rolls?

Delish! It was so amazing! The cinnamon roll was nice and soft. You could taste the cinnamon and spices, and the glaze was perfection. Even my boyfriend thought it was amazing (and he isn't gluten free)!
I don't have to tell you that the cinnamon rolls didn't last too long in this house! I pretty much devoured them within 3 or 4 days, LOL!
For those of you tracking your calories, carbs, etc., here is what you need to know:

• Calories: 300
• Fat: 6g (no trans fat)
• Carbs: 56g
• Sugars: 30g
• Sodium: 370mg

Allergen Warning: This item contains Eggs.

I highly recommend that all my gluten-free friends try this item. If you have a serious sweet tooth, and need to satisfy it, PICK THESE CINNAMON ROLLS UP today! They are so tasty!

If you have gluten free kids in your house, they will definitely love this delish pastry!

Wow Snickerdoodles!
​I am a big fan of snickerdoodles, so I figured I would give this product a try.
The name of the company definitely describes the thought that went through my mind after taking my first bite: Wow! The cookie was moist, chewy, sweet, and tasty. I've tried snickerdoodle cookies from a handful of gluten free companies, this cookie trumps them all! So delicious!
The cookies are small, and there are only four servings per bag. The cookies are all natural, no trans fat, and is certified gluten free.
Here are the nutritional facts:
Calories 260
Fat 12g
Cholesterol 50mg
Sodium 220mg
Carbs 36g
Sugar 14g
They are made in a dedicated gluten free facility here in the USA.
Allergy Warnings: This product contains eggs and milk. Item may contain traces of nuts.
I highly recommend this product! These cookies are perfect with a glass of milk, and they definitely satisfy any sweet tooth!
Give this product a try! You can find this product at Target, some local grocery stores, and on Amazon!

Hey everyone! Are you looking for a delicious comfort food to warm your soul? Look no further!

Early on in my Celiac/GF journey, I came across this turkey chili recipe (below) in my local newspaper. The turkey chili is naturally gluten free and was painless to put together. Since I had gluten free cornbread mix in my pantry, I decided to bake cornbread muffins along with it. 
​Once finished, I indulged and it hit the spot!
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​This recipe is perfect for a fall/winter day, and the recipe yields enough for the entire family. Bon appetite! 

​Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing the nutrients in food that are essential for humans to stay healthy. While there is no cure for Celiac Disease, there is a treatment: Maintaining a strict Gluten Free(GF) Diet for the rest of your life.
The more that I research Gluten Free dieting, the more I see a lot of misconceptions that people have when it comes to Celiac Disease and Gluten Free dieting:

1. "Eating Gluten Free can help you lose weight."
   Not necessarily. If you look at the ingredients in baked goods, some of them use an extra stick or two of butter, or an extra cup or two of sugar. Adding these ingredients provides enough elasticity in the baked good so it doesn't get completely hard. People who eat GF have been known to gain weight. In order to be successful at losing weight, while being gluten free, you have to stick with the foods that are naturally gluten free: meats, dairy, vegetables, fruit, and rice.
2. One regular meal won't hurt you."
   False. There are a small amount of Celiacs, such as myself, who are extremely sensitive to the point that even a crumb of gluten can cause relapse that lasts for DAYS, even months. My longest "glutening" relapse lasted 3 or 4 MONTHS! It was pretty much hell. I had to stay hydrated and my potassium levels had to be monitored.
3. "Gluten Free food is nasty."
   Not all of it is nasty. While some baked goods (bread, etc) can be hard as a rock, there are some brands that are amazing. I recommend Bisquick Gluten Free pancakes. It is actually much tastier than regular pancakes.
4. "You can't eat at restaurants, right?"
   False. There are more restaurants offering GF options. However, restaurants don't make any guarantees that the GF food hasn't come into contact with food containing gluten. Every GF menu I've seen has that disclaimer and it also advises that you eat at your own risk. I've eaten at several restaurants since my diagnosis, and most of them I have gotten sick from. Eating out is a risk us Celiacs take. It's sort of like playing Russian Roulette. I have a handful of restaurants and bakeries that I trust (half of them cater to GF individuals only). 
5. "They make GF oats, so you can have granola and oatmeal, right?"
   Yes and no. Yes, they make GF oats, but, not everyone is able to have them without problems. Some end up with painful stomach issues, others were able to build up a tolerance to it. When I was first diagnosed, I had an issue with GF oats. It took me a few years to build up a tolerance to it. I'm able to tolerate GF oats from specific brands. Others, not so much. This is another area where people have to be careful. What I did could be considered reckless, but I haven't had any issues since I built up a tolerance.
6. Celiac Disease is the same as a gluten/wheat allergy.
   WRONG! This is my biggest pet peeve, as it downplays the severity of Celiac Disease. Complications from Celiac Disease can be serious, even fatal in rare cases. Gluten actually DESTROYS the villi in the small intestine in Celiac Disease patients, the villi being the only way humans absorb nutrients. In those suffering from gluten/wheat allergies, they endure the miserable reactions of being exposed to gluten. However, they do not suffer the long-term consequences. The villi in their small intestine aren't destroyed. 

There are many more misconceptions about Gluten Free dieting, but these are the most common ones I have come across. Living day to day with Celiac Disease and eating GF is a tough road to travel, but, it's worth it in the end.

(also featured on my site Celiac Warrior Gal)

Health Benefits of Avocados
​Avocados, also known as "alligator pears," have many health benefits. This "alphabet fruit" contains vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6. They also contain anti-oxidants and health mono saturated fats. Along with these benefits, there are several more reasons why avocados should be added to your diet.

Avocados are high in potassium.
Avocados have 30% more potassium than bananas. Potassium helps in controlling blood pressure, and it aids in preventing circulatory diseases.

Avocados provide skin protection.
Chock full of vitamin E, this alligator pear can protect your skin and keep you looking healthy and young.

Avocados prevent symptoms of aging.
Rich in anti-oxidants, avocados boost the immune system and aids in keeping your nervous system healthy.

Avocados keep your eyes healthy.
Avocados can keep you safe from cataracts and macular degeneration, by means of carotenoid lutein .

Avocados can ease Arthritis.
The anti-oxidants in avocados can aid in preventing Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. The avocado helps in reducing inflammation at the problem area.

From keeping your skin looking healthy, to easing inflammation due to arthritis, avocados have the nutrients you need to keep you living a longer and healthy life.

(previously published by Shauna Silva on Yahoo Contributor Network)


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