Check out this awesome tidbit of information I just received!!

Check out this interesting information!

We all remember the buzz a few weeks ago surrounding Domino's new gluten free pizza. Some were excited, but many were up in arms about the potential cross-contamination.  I was curious, but too afraid to try the pizza myself (the thought of "possibly" getting sick was just too much for me). 

Well, our friends over at CeliAct, decided to put their curiousity into action.  Find out what they did below:


"...we decided to use the nationally acclaimed laboratory that we use to test CeliAct for gluten. This time, we would test Domino’s gluten-free pizza.
Well, the results just came in and they are very, very interesting…

The Domino’s Gluten-Free Lab Test

Since we sell supplements specifically for people with celiac disease, making sure that our supplements are gluten-free is the most important step we take in producing CeliAct. For that reason, we use a lab that tests down to a sensitivity of 3 parts per million (ppm). To put that into context, the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) tests down to a sensitivity of 10 ppm. World leading celiac experts, including Dr. Fasano, have suggested that the FDA use a threshold of 20 ppm to conclude that a food is gluten-free or not.

We decided that one pizza was not enough. To get more representative results, we tested Domino’s gluten-free pizzas from 3 different cities across the United States. Pizzas from New Orleans, Boston and Washington, DC were used for the test.

Once at the lab, each pizza was homogenized (think high-grade food processor) to ensure that the whole pizza was tested, and not just any small piece."


To find out THE RESULTS, on CeliAct's site, click here!

Now for the BIG QUESTION....

Would YOU eat Domino's gluten free pizza after learning this new bit of information?

Check out the newest gluten free buzz surrounding Frito-Lay!  It looks like they're in the process of testing their products to see which are worthy of their new "gluten free" label.



**Label in lower right corner!! From NY Daily News article

Our lovely friends at Red Apple Lipstick shared the following information on their blog.

With all the talk about national food brands offering gluten-free options and the controversy whether or not they are truly gluten-free (see Domino’s), it’s refreshing to see a company make a real effort to show their products are safe for everyone to eat.

Frito-Lay has announced that they are going [to] certify that their potato chips test in a lab gluten-free before they are labeled as such. They are not changing the way they manufacture and prepare their chips; they really don’t have to. The main ingredients of Frito-Lay are potatoes, which are naturally gluten-free anyway.

Frito-Lay could put gluten-free on their packaging, but instead they decided to take the extra step and developed a gluten-free validation process for testing their ingredients before they go into the food and they test the finished product.

Read the rest of this article here!


*So, are you excited for this new development?
*What other products would you like to see clearly labeled?
Leave us a comment and let us know! :)


For more on this topic, here's two other articles:
From ABC News
From NY Daily News

{UPDATE} G-Free Foodie posted the following quote from Dr. Alessio Fasano (gastro-neurologist and gluten expert), "Neither Celiacs or individuals with gluten sensitivity can safely eat this pizza option."  Just wanted to give you this perspective as you use your own judgment before biting into this pizza. 

{Original Post}
That's right...Domino's Pizza came out with its own gluten free crust!  There's a bit of controversy surrounding the new gluten free addition to the chain's menu and I want to know what YOU think about it.

Here's a little bit about this new development:

"Now, instead of whipping up a gluten-free pizza at home or going to a gluten-free restaurant, those with a gluten sensitivity can enjoy a slice of Domino’s pizza that they had once removed from their diet.

The company’s new gluten-free crust is made from rice flour, potato starch, rice starch and olive oil. Domino’s worked with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness to bring their standards to the company’s employees and kitchens."

Read the rest of the article here!

Here's where the controversy lies.  There's a note made by the company stating that only those with a "mild gluten allergy" should partake of this pizza because they can't guarantee against cross contamination.

As stated on Domino's home page, "Domino's pizza made with a Gluten Free Crust is prepared in a common kitchen with the risk of gluten exposure. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness supports the availability of Domino's Gluten Free Crust, but CANNOT recommend the pizza for customers with celiac disease. Customers with gluten sensitivities should exercise judgment in consuming this pizza."





So, what do you think? Would you be willing to eat this pizza?  Do you even think it should be getting all this buzz as the "first national pizza delivery chain to offer gluten free pizza?"

To read more about the new pizza offering, check out this article.
Also, here's their gluten free crusts FAQs.

And PLEASE, please tell us what you think.  We'd love to hear your thoughts.

NFCA (National Foundation for Celiac Awareness) has some awesome events planned for Celiac Awareness Month, starting today.

Logo from NFCA site

Today they're hosting a State of the Union: A LIVE Chat with Experts on Gluten-Related Disorders.  This is an hour long broadcast, streamed online, that will be featuring some of the top experts in Celiac Disease (I hope I don't miss it!).  It takes place at 2pm ET/11am PT and you can register by clicking on the link above!

For the rest of the month they have two ongoing events:

• First, a gluten-free pantry raid.  You can enter this event by donating $20 to their organization during May 1-31, 2012.  The grand prize is worth $2,500 and includes a gluten-free shopping spree!!!
• Second, they have a blogger campaign going on all month featuring 16 top bloggers in the gluten-free world.  Prepare to glean some wisdom and great insight from these posts.

I'm so excited to enjoy all that "our" month has to offer!

It's Celiac Awareness Month, which means it's time to beef up our understanding of Celiac Disease.

Woot woot...aren't you excited?!?!  Hehe...can't you tell I'm starting to feel better? :)

My goal this month is to publish more than just the normal 2-3 posts a week. I mean, come on, it's OUR month!  Why not celebrate?!?!

We're happy...we're celebrating!  Are you?!?! :)

For today, I wanted to highlight some hidden sources of gluten.  I found this great list from Everyday Health that explains some places where gluten may be that you may not have thought about.  No, I don't mean hidden like under your bed, I mean places like cosmetics, healthcare products and weird things that you'd just never thought about.

Two things to really take note of on the above list are medications and vitamin supplements.  PLEASE make sure you read what they have to say about these two (as well as the rest of this list) to insure that you are not, as I like to say, "secretly poinsoning" yourself. 

As always, I'd love for you to share comments about hidden sources of gluten you've found.  The more we educate each other, the better off we all are. 

For me, it was garlic salt.  I used it for at least the first 6 months of going gluten free and could never figure out while I often felt kinda sick.  So lame!  But hey, I always make sure to mention it to others (I have not checked this product since that experience 3 years ago...but I've just decided to use more pure ingredients, meaning garlic+salt=garlic salt). :)

Chocolate...mmm.

Really, need I say more? Ha, can you tell what my weakness is?


I am fittingly writing this post as a Hershey's Kiss from my Easter basket melts in my mouth. Delicious!

And now, to help better feed this weakness, Hershey's has come out with a wonderful gluten free list! LOVE...love...love!

Being gluten free, you know the risks we run each time we take a chance with anything that is not on a gluten-free list.

Well, fret no more as you safely enjoy everything from an Almond Joy (YUM!) to York Peppermint Patties (we love these so much, I made my own!)) and everything in between.


Here's a few of my other favorite gluten-free Hershey's treats:
Hershey's Cocoa
Hershey's Kisses
Heath Bars
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (*ALL, except seasonal shaped items--thanks again Laura for sharing this info on our Easter candy post!)

You can find the full list of Hershey's gluten-free food here!

Yesterday I told you about the GFAF Expo we're attending and announced a GIVEAWAY!

Today, I wanted to tell you about the new products from Rudi's Gluten Free Bakery.  They've made tortillas and they're supposed to be fabulous!  I'm definitely looking forward to trying these babies!

Gluten-Free Tortillas



GF Lettuce Wraps (courtesy imaceliac.com)

 I can't wait to try the new items.

Here's the list of what to expect:

• Vietnamese Crab Salad
• Crab Fried Rice
• Dali Chicken (a favorite being brought back!)
• Philip's Better Lemon Chicken (another favorite being brought back!)
• Caramel Mango Chicken
• Asian Tomato-Cucumber Salad
• Lemon Scented Brussels Sprouts

I'm so excited to try out these new (or renewed) items!  The Lemon Chicken is one of our favorites...and we just so happen to be going to a rehearsal dinner there next Friday!  Yum!

For a little more details about each dish, read more from celiac-disease.com.

Can you believe it?

I was shocked to learn that some Advil contains gluten. Then again, I shouldn't be considering there are so many forms of hidden gluten, why would silly me think medicine was exempt?!

Thanks to the investigations of Goodie Goodie Gluten Free, I've learned that all Advil liquid gel and Advil migraine contain gluten! Steer clear my friends! Steer clear.

However, all Advil tablets, gel caps, and caplets are gluten free!





To read Goodie Goodie Gluten Free's post in it entirety, read here!

This information makes me want to continue with a more thorough investigation when it comes to "non food" products.

Anything you're curious about?

Yippee!  Ok, maybe I'm a bit over-excited, but Udi's has come out with new breads and they're uber-healthy!!  OHH yeah!!!

Finally, a gluten free bread that's healthy and likely tasty (I have yet to try anything from Udi's that I didn't like, but I need to go buy this bread before I'll know for sure!).


Just looking at the facts in the image above, I'm excited to eat something with 12 grams of whole grains!

Besides being gluten free, the bread also boasts being soy-free and nut-free!  Added bonus for those with multiple allergies or just trying to avoid soy or nuts.
Being on a gluten free diet, I've missed the opportunity to buy already made "whole grain" breads.  Crosby and I cook A LOT at home, but we have yet to add making our own bread to the list.  We don't eat a lot of bread anyways, but when we do make sandwiches or toast, it's much more convenient to pull an already made loaf out of the freezer.  It makes me so excited to have the option of a bread that will be good for us to eat. 

Here's a snippet from Udi's blog about their bread.

Udi’s new Omega Flax & Fiber and Millet-Chia breads not only provide great taste and texture – their ‘ancient’’ and wholesome ingredients provide the solid nutritional foundation needed for our current busy lifestyles.  Read on to discover some of the natural health benefits of these ancient ingredients offer.   

Their website carries all their products and the price is pretty reasonable. :)

How do gluten free students deal with eating at school?  Are they destined to always brown bag it?


As a Celiac and a school teacher, I've learned a bit about how the high school I work at addresses food allergies.  From what I understand, the couple of Celiac kids at our school are able to get accomodated gluten free lunches from the cafeteria (prepared separate and everything!).  Pretty cool! 

I personally choose to bring my own food, just to make sure I'm able to eat healthy and regluate the preparation behind my food (personal choice).  However, the option for kids is so great.  Just another way for them to feel "normal!" 

Here's a post our friends from Red Apple Lipstick published yesterday about this very topic. 

Gluten Free School Lunches

This makes me wonder, do all schools accommodate food allergies?  Are we, as Celiacs considered "disabled?"

Thoughts???