Baked on the Bright Side

• College Life, Gluten-Free

  May 16, 2012

  

  Ah college… the best years of your life, right? A time of growing, learning, making friends and experiencing new things. While these “glory years” may be all fun and games for many people, there is an increasing number of college students being diagnosed with Celiac Disease or gluten intolerance – and these diagnoses can be quite a burden when living in a dorm room or living the college lifestyle.

  Today’s post is all about tips and tricks to get you through these “glory years” without missing a beat!

  Many college campuses across the U.S. are expanding their food offerings to include gluten-free items. Do some campus browsing and find the dining halls or “mini-markets” that provide gluten-free fare. Be sure to also familiarize yourself with the staff cooking the food! Creating a relationship will help them to understand that certain foods are not tolerated by many students, and you can teach them about g-free options to include in the menu.

  Go beyond your campus and explore the local markets and restaurants near your school. Chances are, you’ll find a few go-to stops that you can suggest to friends and family when they want to go out. Having these options will lessen your stress knowing you have options!

  If you live in a dorm room, be sure to designate gluten-free zones between you and your roommate(s). Put your name on anything that is yours to avoid “missing” snacks when you get back from class, and be sure to explain to your roomies the dietary restrictions you are dealing with so they understand the need for separation in your dorm food goodies.

  Lastly, always take snacks with you wherever you go. College life is unpredictable and you definitely don’t want to get stuck at the library without any food that you can eat. Create your own trail mix, pack string cheese and gluten-free crackers, make a GF sandwich or PB&J, bring fresh fruit and veggies – the possibilities are endless! Just be sure to have a snack on hand to avoid being “glutened” at that Thursday night study session!

  While it is difficult and frustrating at times, once you figure out your own tricks you’ll be able to cruise through college without any worry. To give you a little more inspiration and courage, here are a few blogs to look at written by college students themselves living the gluten free life.

  Gluten-Free Dorm Room Survival Tips

  Living Gluten Free in the College World

  Gluten Free In College Blog Series

  Stay positive and optimistic and you’ll be able to enjoy your college career to the fullest!

  ~Melaina

  Submitted by mmeek of Rudi's Gluten-Free

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• Still time to Spread the Bread for Celiac Awareness Month

  May 15, 2012

  

  Boy does time fly—can you believe we’re already halfway through Celiac Awareness Month? But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to celebrate! At Rudi’s Gluten-Free, we’ve been enjoying the spring weather and chowing down on some delicious gluten-free goodies to celebrate in style. Come on over to our Facebook page and share with us how you’ve been celebrating Celiac Awareness Month so far. We’d love to hear what makes you happy!

  And remember, you have until the end of the month to visit the Rudi’s Gluten-Free Facebook page and click on the Spread the Bread campaign to get $1 donated to one of four organizations that support celiac education and awareness. You can choose from the Celiac Disease Foundation, Celiac Sprue Association, Gluten Intolerance Group or the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness to help these amazing groups continue to support the celiac community. Plus, you’ll get a $1 coupon to use on your next Rudi’s Gluten-Free product purchase. Get a $1. Give a $1.

  To date, here’s a breakdown of the percentage of our Celiac Awareness Month donation that will be going to each organization:
  • Celiac Disease Foundation – 38 %
  • Celiac Sprue Association – 8%
  • Gluten Intolerance Group – 34%
  • National Foundation for Celiac Awareness – 18%

  Want to make sure you’re favorite organization gets a heftier donation? Again, we encourage you to make your way over to our Spread the Bread campaign and show your support!

  We hope you’re having an awesome Celiac Awareness Month!

  Submitted by mmeek of Rudi's Gluten-Free

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• Gluten-Free Food Fair Makes its Way to Grand Rapids

  May 14, 2012

  

  Grand Rapids will get a little grander on May 19 when the Gluten Free Food Fair arrives in Michigan. While celiac disease is becoming better known since celebrities like Zooey Deschanel and Elisabeth Hasselbeck have publicly shared stories about their gluten-free lifestyle, the disease is still unknown to many Americans and could be affecting you or your family.

  This food fair will be full of important information about celiac disease, including tips for living a healthy life, live cooking demos and plenty of tasty samples along the way. You won’t want to miss this delicious and educational day!

  The event will be at the DeltaPlex Arena located at 2500 Turner NW in Grand Rapids from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It’s FREE to attend, so forget the checkbook and grab all of your friends and family. And, if you’re looking for a tasty gluten-free restaurant while you’re in town, check out Marie Catribs, and have them cook you up something special.

  We’re looking forward to seeing all of our Rudi’s Gluten-Free fans in Grand Rapids on May 19. Come stop by our booth where we’ll be serving up quesadillas to all of you gluten-free food lovers in the area.

  Submitted by mmeek of Rudi's Gluten-Free

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• National Children's Book Week, Recommended Books for Educating Children With Celiac

  May 11, 2012

  

  In celebration of National Children’s Book Week, May 7-13, we want to share a list of children’s books dealing with celiac disease and gluten intolerance.  We know it can be really hard for kids to make the transition to a gluten-free diet.  Questions abound and often it hard to come up with an easy answer. What is gluten? Why can’t I eat cookies and pizza like everyone else?  What will my friends think? We think the following books are helpful resources for kids diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten-intolerance.

  Eating Gluten-Free with Emily: A Story for Children with Celiac Disease

  Written by the mother of a child with celiac disease, who also has the disease herself, this book offers a reassuring look at celiac disease in language that a child can easily understand. This fictional story is based on the real-life experiences many newly diagnosed children face. Five-year-old Emily and her parents wonder why she’s not feeling well. Her belly is swollen, and she feels moody and sick. A trip to the doctor raises some concerns and further tests show that Emily has celiac disease. Emily talks about what food she can and cannot eat, how her Mom buys special gluten-free food, and the need to stay on a gluten-free diet at restaurants, birthday parties, friends’ houses, school, and camp. With its light-hearted, colourful illustrations, the book helps children to see that having celiac disease is not so scary after all. Emily acknowledges that having celiac disease is sometimes tough, but talking about her feelings with her mom always makes her feel better. She knows that celiac disease is only part of who she is — she also likes to jump rope, paint, tell jokes, and pick flowers! This book’s positive message will be a huge boost to children with celiac disease, especially those who have been recently diagnosed. Ages 3 to 7 years.

  Amy Goes Gluten-Free: A Young Person’s Guide to Celiac Disease.

  The Division of Gastroenterology nd Nutrition at Children’s Hospital Boston designed “Amy Goes Gluten-Free”to help children navigate the diagnosis of celiac disease. Packed with pages of colorful pictures, nutrition information and activities. “Amy Goes Gluten-Free” is a fun and useful tool for new and veteran celiac patients alike!

  Adam’s Gluten Free Surprise

  In Adam’s Gluten Free Surprise, we watch Adam as he goes through the first six months of a new school year just after being diagnosed with celiac. Adam faces each special treat day in his classroom with a positive attitude, knowing he can choose from his own box of gluten free treats that his mom supplies. At the same time, his teacher, Mrs. Brown, is learning how to accommodate his needs by reading labels and avoiding cross contamination. Finally, in the end, the entire class learns a bit about celiac and how they can surprise Adam with a class party that is completely gluten free. It is about the acceptance that is required by the child with a special diet and of the understanding required by those who are important parts of his or her life. We live in a world where the word “diet” is synonymous with “cheat a little”. It’s difficult for many to understand that this is a diet that requires 100% adherence. And with this comes an emotional need to be understood, for whoever the person requiring this strict diet may be, whether one or one hundred years of age.

  Gluten-Free Friends: An Activity Book for Kids

  Noted expert, Nancy Falini, MA, RD, LDN, draws upon her vast experience in counseling gluten-free patients to create a delightful activity/coloring book that helps parents and caretakers educate children ages 4-11 about what it means to live on a gluten-free diet. Delightful illustrations help communicate basic concepts….such as how gluten damages a child’s small intestine in simple, easy-to-understand terms….that clarify the idea without confusing the child. After each chapter, multi-sensory learning activities assist parents and caretakers in guiding the child through the book. For example, one activity asks kids to draw the path of food as it goes through their bodies. Clever, happy-face stickers are provided for kids to label their own gluten-free food. Kids want to fit in and Falini knows that a special diet often sets kids apart from their peers at a time when they desperately want to be a part of the gang. That’s why parents and caretakers love the easy-to-follow instructions that help kids explore their thoughts and feelings along the way. A portion of the profits from this book are donated to research on celiac disease.

  Mommy, What Is Celiac Disease?: A look at the sunny side of being a gluten-free kid

  When it comes to Celiac disease, questions abound… What is Celiac disease? . . . . What is gluten? . . . Which foods are gluten-free?. . . Is it contagious? . . . Do I need to take medicine for it? Katie Chalmers, author of the unique, new children’s book, titled, Mommy, What is Celiac Disease? creatively answers these and many more questions, using positive dialogue and captivating illustrations. This book is endorsed by the top experts in the fields of Celiac disease research and awareness, including Dr. Fasano, Dr. Green, Dr. Guandalini, Alice Bast, Elaine Monarch and more. This book leaves readers feeling reassured, confident…and even lucky to have been diagnosed with Celiac disease, because they are now on the path to better health. A combination of colorful illustrations and photography. This book leaves children feeling empowered and optimistic about their healthy future.

  No More Cupcakes & Tummy Aches

  Izzie wasn’t very tall for seven. Not even for six. Or five. Even if she stood on her tippy, tippy toes, her pony tail, just reached the top of Daddy’s chair.” So begins the tale of the little girl who believes that by eating lots of cupcakes, she will get tall, maybe even tall enough to be a ballerina. Too many cupcakes cause a tummy ache and the trouble starts. Living gluten-free isn’t a piece of cake until Izzie learns that being special is really what makes you tall. Beautifully illustrated and with a foreword by Alessio Fasano, M.D., Director of the Center for Celiac Research, Lowell’s charming and emotionally honest tale, complete with resources and a real-life happy ending in the form of a gluten- and lactose-free cupcake recipe from Whole Foods Market Gluten-Free Bakehouse chef Lee Tobin, will live in the hearts of parents and children for generations to come. ”

  The descriptions for the books listed above were taken from amazon.com and can ordered online here
  http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Childrens-Books-Celiac-Disease/lm/R1JL5TXINT16FS

  Submitted by mmeek of Rudi's Gluten-Free

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• Fresh Basil Almond Butter Toast by guest blogger Amie Valpone

  May 4, 2012

  

  Ingredients
  •4 pieces Rudi’s Cinnamon Raisin Gluten-Free Bread
  •1/2 cup organic almond butter
  •1/2 cup brewed tea, warm
  •1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  •1 Tbsp. honey
  •1/4 cup pistachios, finely chopped
  •1 Tbsp. fresh basil, finely chopped

  Directions
  1. Toast each piece of Rudi’s Cinnamon Raisin Gluten-Free Bread.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together almond butter and warm tea until smooth. Whisk in lemon juice and honey.
  3. Using a teaspoon, spread almond butter mixture on top of Rudi’s toast. Sprinkle pistachios and basil over toast just before serving.
  4. Enjoy!

  Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP is a Manhattan-based culinary marketing consultant specializing in gluten-free “clean” eating. Her experience as a marketing consultant spans the hotel, spa, restaurant and FMG sectors, where she creates menus, develops marketing and publicity efforts, and builds brand awareness for her clients. Amie is also a culinary nutritionist, spending time with clients as a Food Allergy Concierge and Pantry Stylist in the big apple of Manhattan. http://thehealthyapple.com/

  *feature image taken by Amie Valpone
  

  Submitted by mmeek of Rudi's Gluten-Free

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