Delight gluten free Magazine

The Summer 2012 issue of Delight: gluten free was the first delightful issue I have read.  Delight was included as part of the care package my little guy received from the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center.  Delight is described as, "the magazine for those with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, food allergies and sensitivities".
Features in this issue include: Beer Bites, Cooking with Watermelon, and Culinary Genius: Chef Ming Tsai.  Each issue offers content categories such as: Enlighten, Indulge, Healthy Living and Travel and Leisure.
Delight's editor is Vanessa Maltin Weisbrod, author or Beyond Rice Cakes and the gloriously gluten-free cookbook.  I absolutely love the layout of the Recipe Index - a quick guide that reveals which allergens each recipe is free of!
The informational content on Celiac Disease health issues, travel information, recipes, easy-to-read format  along with beautiful photography throughout, make this delightful magazine a must-have for any CD family!

Eating Gluten Free with Emily

Although I have been able to check out a variety of books pertaining to Celiac Disease through the inter-library loan program, our local library didn't carry a single childrens' book pertaining to CD.  So, I submitted a short list (4 books) to the childrens' librarian and asked if she might be able to purchase them.  Suzanne happily obliged.
He deserves to be able to go to both his local and school library and find books that he can identify with.  It's so important for children to know that they aren't alone and there are other kids out there - just like them!
The first to arrive was Eating Gluten Free with Emily by Bonnie J. Kruszka, a picture book for kids ages 3-7.  My son will be 7 in August so I was looking forward to sharing this book with him and hearing his critique.  Of course, I previewed the book before sharing it with him.  Emily's story mirrored our own journey and brought a tear to my eye.  I think almost every young child with CD will easily be able to identify with Emily.  The language of the text is age appropriate and easy for young children to understand.  The full color illustrations complement the story beautifully.  After reading, Eating Gluten Free with Emily to my son, I asked for his critique.  He looked at me with a huge grin on his face and declared, "I liked it a lot!".
Every young child with CD should have a copy of this book.  Every elementary school classroom with a child with CD should have a copy as well as this book so that they can feel empowered and can identify with other kids just like them.  The addition of this book to a classroom can serve as a wonderful tool to help peers and classmates understand why their friend doesn't always eat like they do.

Ian's Chocolate Chip Cookie Buttons

My kids and I, yes I tasted them to see what all the complaining was about, are not fans of Ian's Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets.  
However, we decided to take a risk and try Ian's Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Buttons.  My son loves them!  They are packaged in lunch-box sized pouches - making them a fun addition for your childs' lunch box, camp bag or beach bag.  I keep a pouch stashed in my car for "emergencies".  I feel good about giving these to my son as there are no preservatives, artificial flavors or colors.
However, a HUGE disclaimer.  This product is g-free according to ELISA gluten. testing methods as determined by the World Health Organization.  But, the Cookie Buttons are manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat.  So, use your discretion when making the decision to purchase these for your CD child.
I order Ian's Cookie Buttons a case at a time from Amazon.com as they are hard to find on supermarket shelves.
Ian's also has a website with a Fun Station for Kids!

Naturally G-Free Steamed Salmon

I tend not to measure when I cook - only when I bake, but I think you'll get the idea.

Pre-heat your grill or oven to 350 degrees.

I took 1 pound of fresh salmon and cut it into thirds.  It tends to cook more evenly this way.
Next, lay the salmon on 2 sheets of aluminum foil(so in case 1 sheet rips - you wont have a mess).
I drizzled the salmon with olive oil.  Chop an entire bunch of organic scallions and scatter across the top and place 3 thickly cut slices of fresh tomato on top of the scallions.
Then I headed to my herb garden and cut a bunch of cilantro, rosemary, tarragon and basil.  I rinsed the herbs and essentially left them whole, laying across the top.
Close up the foil and cook either in the oven or on the grill at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  I grill whenever I can!

We had ours with fresh corn and jasmine rice.

Absolutely delicious!

Nana's Cookie Bars

Nana's Curious George Goodies are a fun g-free snack for your toddler or pre-schooler!  They are certified gluten-free, all natural, and fruit-juice sweetened.
They can be hard to find - I have only found them at an organic supermarket, on-line and believe it or not - at TJ Maxx!
The Cookie Bars come in fun flavors such as Berry Vanilla, Nana Banana and         .
On the side of each box are free give-aways such as The Curious George DVD or Matching Memory Game.  All it takes is 3-6 UPC codes!
The only drawback is that they are EXTREMELY crumbly.  Not great for a quick snack in the car or you'll have a seat full of crumbs.  But fun at a picnic or at the beach where crumbs don't matter!

CD versus the Nut Free Classroom

We reside in a small community within a very small public school district.  Cafeteria service doesn't begin until the 6th grade.  We notified our district when our son was diagnosed with CD at the very end of his Kindergarten year. When school began in the fall we were told that there was a child with a nut allergy in the class and, therefore, no peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seeds, kiwi or any food manufactured in a facility that also processes nuts was allowed.
Well, when you eliminate foods with all additives and preservatives containing gluten, foods naturally containing wheat or gluten, foods manufactured in a facility that also processes wheat AND add all the peanut allergy restrictions - there isn't much left to pack in a 6 year old childs' lunchbox!  It was an extremely challenging and difficult year with my son coming home ravenous each day.  Due to this restrictive diet he didn't gain a single pound for 6 months - and he was already underweight for his age.  
After countless meetings, beginning the FIRST week of school, with the classroom teacher, school nurse, assistant principal, principal, a pediatric allergist and finally the District Superintendent, we came to a mutually agreeable resolution - the LAST week of the school year.  Our son was granted a 504 Plan designed to ensure and protect his rights in the educational setting.  It isn't a completely comprehensive document, but it is a step in the right direction.  I'm hopeful that his next school year, as a 2nd grader, will prove to be more inclusive, more accommodating and full of educational and dietary nourishment.
If your child has Celiac Disease, I highly recommend obtaining a 504 Plan for him/her.  This document will stay with them as they age, protecting their rights in the regular classroom, art room, cafeteria, science lab and on school field trips.

Enjoy Life Foods have a fabulous product line of gluten-free nut free foods!

School Birthday Party Update

It seems that all of my frantic efforts yesterday to deliver something to the school for my son to eat during the summer birthday celebrations - were un-necessary.  The classroom teacher was not correct in assuming families had dropped off cupcakes.  Instead 1 family brought a box of ice pops and the other family brought a box of Italian ice!  Perhaps both she and I jumped the gun in making "false accusations".  I appreciate the effort the other parents made and hope that next year communication between school & home will improve.

Bagels, Buddy and Me

Bagels, Buddy and Me by Melanie Krumry is a story for children written by the mom of 2 children with gluten intolerance and she also lives with gluten intolerance.  After reading the book I remain uncertain whether she or her children have Celiac Disease as 1 child had high IgG levels but an upper endoscopy was negative and it seems that neither mom or the sibling underwent an upper endoscopy.  Nevertheless, the story is told from the point of view of a child about his physical symptoms along with detailed descriptions of the diagnostic process.  I have my Masters Degree in Elementary Education and was a pre-school educator for 10 years.  After previewing the book, I chose not to read it to my almost-7 year old son.  Bagels, Buddy and Me is a lengthy picture book, which I believe is intended for children ages 6-10.  It might be appropriate for newly diagnosed 8-10 year olds.  It's worth a trip to your library to pick up a copy.  However, I would recommend a parental review before sitting down to read it with your child.

Incredible Edible Gluten Free Food for Kids

Incredible Edible Gluten-Free Food for Kids by Sheri L. Sanderson is the ONLY book for kids about living with Celiac Disease at my local library!  Incredible Edible is a resource guide for families with Celiac Disease.  It was written by a mom of a child with CD, OCD and Autism.  An easy to read format covers basic information about g-free goods, organizing your kitchen and food preparation.  An entire chapter is dedicated to understanding CD, it's history and symptoms.  The recipes are organized by category such as Appetizers and Snacks, Soups and Stews, and Sweet Treats. Each recipe is also marked as EZ, Finger Food, or Less Than 30 Minutes; which is helpful when browsing through the 150 recipes.  Included are 10 yeast bread and 5 bread machine recipes.  

                                                   

My favorite chapter is:  Just for Fun Craft Recipes.  If you have a g-free toddler,this chapter provides great recipes for g-free play dough(an essential item for any g-free kid under the age of 5), finger paint and slime recipes.  These recipes would be great to copy and supply along with the ingredients, to your childs' pre-school teacher.  There is also a great resource guide for "diagnosing" what when wrong with your g-free baking so you can correct the error in the future.  

Grab your toddler and go create with g-free play dough - better yet - make a mess with some home-made slime!

Creating a Celiac Disease Safe Kitchen

We received the CD diagnosis while in the midst of a major kitchen renovation.  As if going g-free as a family wasn't challenging enough, we were initiated into the g-free world while cooking on an electric plate, in a microwave and with our refrigerator plugged in - in the living room.  Adding to the chaos was the usual end-of-the-school year mayhem!

After reviewing my favorite CD website, books and reading a few blogs, I quickly realized that we would need to have designated g-free zones in our kitchen.  As recommended by many sites, I purchased a new toaster and pots specifically dedicated to g-free foods only.  I also purchased new cooking utensils, all green silicone, for cooking g-free foods.  Silicone sterilizes well in the dishwasher and doesn't hold food particles, so it's a great choice.  Keeping it color coded makes it easier for guest and family members who are using our kitchen.  I also purchased a green cutting board and colander as you should never, ever, under any circumstances use either of which that has ever been in contact with gluten.  It's just not worth the possible risk of cross contamination.  Then, I ordered Gluten Free labels from Triumph Dining.  The labels were expensive so I put the stickers on a bright green index card and laminated them.  I use these labels to label the drawer and cabinet holding the g-free pots and utensils.

Finally, in a matter of days - yes days - our pantry, fridge, and kitchen were gluten free.  We were now ready to embark on our G-FREE Journey!