Monday, January 30, 2012

Gluten-Free in...Australia?!

Received this great email from my friends Brett and Alea who visited Australia and just recently returned...looks like I have my new vacation spot!


See the attached pics...
Part of our trip in Australia was up into the rain forest. From the town we were staying in, Cairns, we took a 90 minute train up into the hills and deep into the rain forest. We arrived in a small village called Kuranda. They had a cafe and were advertising Gluten Free food.
Jaime, please add the Kuranda village as a Gluten Free dining alternative to your list. :)
Thanks,
Brett


Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Celebrities Talk Gluten-Free

I found this among other articles that have been published recently about celebrities who enjoy a gluten-free lifestyle. I say we get them on board the cause!! This one from Vanilla Spoons links to articles where celebs are talking gluten-free and Celiac:


look who eats gluten free

What do Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz (The Constant Gardener
), former Spice Girl Victoria “Posh” Beckham and The View’s Elisabeth Hasselbeck have in common? You guessed it. They all enjoy the gluten free life! Not to mention so does the adorable Zooey Deschanel. (She played Will Ferrell’s romantic interest in the box-office hit Elf
.) So whether you require a gluten free diet because of a specific medical condition (e.g. celiac disease
) or have simply chosen the gluten free way (it offers some pretty amazing benefits
which often include improvement to overall health and vitality), we invite all of you, celebs and regular folks alike, to send us your story about going gluten free. You may be featured right here alongside Rachel and Elisabeth!


New York Daily News "Elisabeth Hasselbeck"

Time Out NY "Zooey Deschanel"

Newsweek "Heidi Collins"

BBC News "Rachel Weisz"

The Sun "Victoria Beckham"

The New York Times "Susie Essman"

IMDB "Emmy Rossum"

IMDB "Keith Olbermann"

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Sprouts "Gluten-Free Jubilee" through Feb. 1st


Gluten-Free Jubilee



Sprouts has built a loyal following of customers who seek gluten-free products – 
either because they or their family members suffer from Celiac Disease or other 
wheat-related allergies, or because they have joined the growing legion of 
people who simply believe that a diet with fewer gluten products is better. And 
for all of you, we offer our big gluten-free sale January 18-February 1, with 
25% off of more than 3,000 marked products throughout the store.




Long ago, we began tagging gluten-free products on our shelves. This is harder 
than it sounds. Some manufacturers claim that their products are gluten-free, 
and may even state that on their packaging. But the proof, as they say, is in the 
(wheat-free) pudding. Our buyers go one step further, and will not mark a 
product with a gluten-free tag unless the ingredient list meets our standards and
the facilities used to produce the products are specifically set up for gluten-free 
conditions.




Conversely, there are many products around the store that are gluten-free – 
they simply aren’t packaged in such a way that allows them to make that claim. 
This is especially true of many fresh foods.




That’s why the Gluten-Free Jubilee is such an important event. It’s a great 
opportunity for you to learn more about the ever-expanding supply of gluten-free 
products, and to save a few “wheaties” along the way.




Also be sure to check out our online Gluten-Free Guide (.pdf file).


Sprouts Locations - HERE




Gluten Free Guide Cover

Monday, January 16, 2012

Celiac.com: Higher Depression Risk in Women with Celiac Disease

This article was featured in my Celiac.com e-newsletter and I thought it was one worth sharing with all of my readers because it is a legitimate concern linked to the disease that many don't discuss. Enjoy...


Higher Depression Risk in Women with Celiac Disease

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Organique by Himalaya - Gluten-Free Products

In my Christmas stocking this year I received two Organique products from my parents, toothpaste and face wash. I had never seen the brand before but my mom picked it up at the Mustard Seed near to our home in Cleveland. The website is working on it's Store Locator right now which should be up soon. It has received the Whole Foods Market Premium Body Care seal of approval so I'm sure I'll be able to find it at both of our Austin-area locations.

Since being diagnosed I've been a fan of the pink Tom's of Maine toothpaste but was more than willing to try something new...and I love it! It tastes almost like regular toothpaste (more so than others that have a chalky taste) and the face wash is very refreshing and clean feeling. So far, I've been converted.

Other products include:

- Amla & Holy Basil Conditioner
- Volumizing  Shampoo
- Hydrating Shampoo
- Rejuvenating Shampoo
- Exfoliating Walnut & Wood Apple
- Nourishing Night Cream
- Nourishing Face Moisturizing Lotion
- Neem & Turmeric Face Wash
- Invigorating Face Wash
- Hydrating Face Wash
- Soothing Lotus Flower LipCare
- Revitalizing Hand & Body Lotion
- Rejuvenating Body & Massage Oil
- Stress Free Body & Massage Oil
- Purifying Neem & Turmeric Handcrafted Cleansing Bar
- Refreshing Lavender & Rosemary Handcrafted Cleansing Bar
- i.e. balm (inhale ~ exhale)
- U-Knead-It Balm
- Toothpaste
- Intensive Moisturizing FootCare Cream

In addition to having an extensive collection of personal care products, all of their products are gluten-free and they boast that all of the products are free from over 200 synthetic ingredients. I suggest you give it a try!

Monday, January 9, 2012

G-Free Success: Cruisin' with Royal Caribbean!

As most of you know, traveling instills fear in those of us with special diets. The unknown of each day's schedule, the reliance on a staff of international waiters and the general complications involved with finding food in a foreign country can all cause anxiety on what should be a relaxing escape from real life.

Prior to agreeing to a week-long Caribbean cruise I wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be stressed out and struggling the entire time. I read blogs, researched the cruise line and reached out to customer service multiple times in order to ensure that my digestive system would be safe in their hands. I felt convinced that they knew what it was and would make my meals a priority so I agreed to a fun-filled vacay with classmates on Royal Caribbean to Cozumel, Belize and Costa Maya.

First off, I must say it was the BEST decision I've made. I didn't get sick AT ALL! The first day was a little challenging because I hadn't met with the waitstaff yet so that dinner was a little tough but from that point on I felt like I had my own staff of personal assistants to make sure that every meal pleased me.

There were two main dining areas on the ship that we stuck to. This was the dining room that was open for breakfast and dinner (and a couple days lunch) and the Windjammer Cafe which was a buffet open for all meals. The first thing we did after boarding was walk down to the dining room where I was able to find a waiter and get the names of some individuals who would help me. I would definitely suggest asking for a Head Waiter or a Floor Manager on the first day, because once I found Tolga my life became so much easier. He made sure to show me the menus for the next days meals every night at dinner, as well as came to check on me when I arrived for that meal the next day. They made me gluten-free chocolate chip pancakes and omelets special for breakfast, gluten-free fries for snacks and a wide variety of meals tailored from the dinner menu to be gluten-free each night. Dinners included steak, chicken and rice, gluten-free spaghetti, chicken marsala, turkey...you name it...they even baked me gluten-free bread to have every night while the others enjoyed the massive tray of breads that they walked around with. In addition, once they found a dessert I could have they surprised me with it multiple times.

Please note: I did bring my own salad dressing and I would definitely recommend that because just being able to carry it around opens up your options at all of the food stations.

As far as the buffet (Windjammer Cafe) that was much easier than I thought as well. The Head Waiters are easy to pick out with their official outfits so I would simply walk up to them, they would call a chef down, and the chef would walk me around the entire buffet pointing out everything that was and was not safe for me. They were more than willing to bring me gluten-free fries special as well. Most days I stuck with salad, ribs, rice...but they also had quite a few vegetable options as well as chicken and pork dishes that I could have. I couldn't believe how quick and attentive they were as soon as I asked for help, wow.

The one challenge that I did run into was the port days where there were all day excursions that extended through lunch. On top of not trusting food in a jungle cafe to begin with, I didn't want to chance getting sick in the middle of cave tubing or zip lining so I avoided these meals and snacks. Luckily, I did bring snacks with me onto the ship and was able to sneak them onto land with me (they say you can't take food off the boat, oops!). My go-to snacks were Think Thin bars and almonds which got me through (in addition to Cashew Wine and tequila) so it wasn't the end of the world. Luckily, my big breakfasts lasted most of the day.

I definitely give the cruise line an A+ for their efforts and am happy to report that my cruising days are not over! I can't believe how much fun I've had and want to thank my traveling companions as well for being so patient and helpful at meals as well. I would recommend cruising with Royal Caribbean to anyone with a gluten-free lifestyle :)


Sunday, January 1, 2012

Best year yet for gluten-free...and for the g-free me

With each new year we sit down and reflect, while also thinking about what we hope to accomplish in the year to come. In 2011 I was able to grow my blog and Twitter followers, start writing a book about my experiences coping with Celiac and begin the process of creating the company G-Free in the City. With all of these things underway I have a lot to finish up and move forward with in 2012.

Although it is a lofty goal, I do hope to finish up my e-book and self-publish by the end of the year. If you are thinking...how is Jaime going to write a book...I'm asking myself the same question! I'll figure it out though with some help from friends and support from my own gluten-free community.

On top of that I really hope to get an internship in the industry so I can learn from others who have worked with food and nutrition in the "real world". That process has already begun and let's just cross our fingers that I get a great position with inspiring individuals.

As far as my gluten-free challenges and troubles, my goal this year is to continue to share my stories and share with others to learn how they get through each day. I've learned so much from those I follow on Twitter and through the websites and blogs that I read, and I'm so thankful for how tight-knit the Celiac community really is.

Finally, I will try to cook more. If you know me this is probably the hardest of all to accomplish!

Not only am I setting goals for this year, but so are Celiac patients nationwide. We are all pushing for the FDA to finally pass some gluten-free labeling regulations (hopefully in Q3) and for even more manufacturers to realize that this market is not only here to stay but growing every year. The steps the medical community has taken this year are making it easier to diagnose and pinpoint gluten sensitivities and for that I want to support them in anyway possible. All that is related to gluten sensitivities is growing at a pace unseen since the beginning of the vegetarian craze, so jump on board!

Happy New Year!!