How to Live Gluten Free
Learn how to create the perfect gluten-free lifestyle.
The worst feeling in the world is when you just can’t sleep. You’d do just about anything to go to sleep, but aren’t comfortable with sleeping medication. And that’s why you’d rather try some natural sleep remedies first! Listen… I totally get it! There are some scary side effects to sleeping…
As the cooler weather sets in, you’re probably wondering what cold and flu season remedies you can be ready with the moment that scratchy throat strikes. There are a few that I use that I’d love to share with you! The truth is, I hate getting sick. It can take…
It’s time to stop the pervasive and often incorrect notion that heartburn means that you have too much stomach acid. What’s more common is having low stomach acid! And though it might surprise you — the symptoms of both high and low stomach acid are virtually identical. Big pharma would…
Cindy woke up feeling as if her brain was floating in a swamp. The past few days had been rough with lots of digestive issues and brain fog. Not to mention, she was moody as heck. Actually, moody was an understatement. Cindy’s husband would describe her mood as highly variable.…
Did you know — the gut microbiome is all the rage these days. But what’s often overlooked is that to build a healthy gut, you’ve got to start with your mouth. That’s right! Your mouth has a microbiome too. And it needs more attention than simply brushing your teeth twice…
Christmas is right around the corner. Have you figured out what gluten free Christmas recipes you plan to make? It can certainly be tough if you still miss those traditional recipes that are now off limits. What’s worse is watching everyone else eat them because you didn’t think (nor plan)…
Chronic diarrhea is the worst! (I know personally from experience.) If you still have diarrhea even after going gluten free, stop scratching your head and feeling baffled about what could be causing it. Allow me to set the record straight, a gluten free diet isn’t the end all, be all…
Have you ever wondered how your mouth could be affected by gluten? The answer is yes, and there are gluten intolerance mouth symptoms that you can look for in the mirror. You can also have your dentist look for them at your next dental appointment. Believe it or not, dentists…
If you’re worried that your Thanksgiving will never be the same again, I’ve got good news! I’ve gathered over 70 of the best gluten free Thanksgiving recipes and meal ideas to turn your turkey day into a delicious experience. So delicious that you (along with everyone else) won’t even notice that…
With one of the biggest worries this summer being how to avoid getting burned out in the sun, have you ever wondered about your suntan lotion? The tough truth is that few (yes, few) can be accurately labeled as gluten free sunscreens. To be honest, I didn’t realize that nearly…
Does the word “buffet” make you nervous? If it hasn’t yet, it should. You’re not alone in asking the question “are buffets safe if you’re gluten free?” Since food sensitivities or food allergies can make you feel rather limited in your options, it’s common to think that a buffet is…
Have you ever wondered what’s the difference between gluten sensitivity vs gluten intolerance? The terms are used interchangeably even by functional practitioners which would make you think that a sensitivity and an intolerance are the same thing. The problem is that they aren’t. Each term speaks to very different mechanisms…
Have you ever ordered food at a restaurant and gotten sick afterward? Maybe you even told the waitstaff you were gluten-free. And maybe what you ordered was marked as gluten-free OR it was on the gluten-free menu. Either way, you know that you just found some hidden gluten in restaurant food. It’s…
Have you ever opened up your fridge looking for those berries you bought 2 days ago and they’re covered with mold? Or how about an $8 container of organic raspberries… loaded with mold? This is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to buying fresh fruit (specifically berries).…
The warm weather is finally here again and I see a gluten free picnic (or two) in your future! That means dusting off the grill, eating outdoors, attending pool parties, and all that the glorious summer fun that gets turned into great memories. Rather than leave you scrambling for some wonderful…
Do you keep getting sick and feel like you’re getting glutened, but you can’t figure out where the problem is? Even if you eat at home, it’s very likely to come in contact with gluten even if your ingredients are 100% gluten free. Aside from developing other new food sensitivities,…
Have you ever complained that eating gluten free is too expensive? Even fresh produce (especially organic) can kill your budget. That’s why the absolute best answer for the safest and healthiest food is gluten free gardening. Come on… get your hands dirty! Plus, you can create a garden anywhere you want! You…
To find a doctor or practitioner who actually gets what gluten sensitivity is (and believes in it) is a refreshing experience. Too often we’ve heard from members of our community that it took years… 2, 4, 6, 10 years (!!) to finally get straight answers on why they were sick.
If you’ve ever wondered if something you eat could affect your skin… the answer is yes. Can gluten affect your skin? Absolutely. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and plays a key role in protecting your body from harm against toxins, bacteria, viruses, UV light and general…
If you told me that you’re a “Wellness Warrior”, I’d say that you’re not nor could you ever be one because this overused badge of honor doesn’t exist. But before you get upset, hear me out. Something about how the health conversation has been framed by health …
Would you like some hidden gluten with your dinner? Of course not! If you’re like us, we do whatever we can to avoid getting glutened during the holidays. With all the hustle and bustle, holiday parties, time with loved ones, and even working overtime, getting glutened is definitely not part…
The Gluten Autoimmune Connection… have you heard of it? Did you know that it can totally wreck your thyroid health? That said… do you have any idea how gluten and overly processed gluten-free foods play a role? The truth can be rather scary because many believe just cutting out gluten…
“Sorry, we no longer offer a gluten free menu” is a phrase you’ll likely hear more frequently as gluten free restaurant menus quietly disappear. Even many restaurants that were once toying with the idea of offering gluten free dishes have since scratched their plans to do so. Let’s be clear…
If you’re gluten-free and getting married, now is the time to wisely stock your wedding registry. Though there’s plenty of talk about how to create a gluten free wedding, little is mentioned about what you should ask for! I cannot stress how important making the right choices for your registry are!…
Do you feel like you keep getting glutened by random dishes or food products? I recall feeling that way on day 5 of my initial Gluten Elimination Diet after eating a gluten-free breakfast burrito that I’d made from scratch. My stomach suddenly went from happy to super angry and I…
Who says that every Super Bowl party’s got to be filled with total and complete crap? I believe that you can totally indulge during the biggest football game of the year with healthy gluten free Super Bowl snacks and drinks that everyone (even the gluten-eaters) will love. Healthy Gluten Free…
I’ve spent the past month contemplating where my journeys in gluten-free advocacy have take me (and us as a community) over the past year. This time of reflection has helped me to see that we have made tremendous strides in getting the gluten-free lifestyle recognized in ways that have had…
Do you miss the days when the holidays felt carefree and you could eat anything? I sure do and I’m willing to bet that you might as well. That’s you need the gluten free holiday survival tips I’ve learned over the years. Though there are many homecooked, Italian family favorites that…
If you’re at a loss for what to buy gluten-free folks in your life, I’ve got some great gluten free holiday gift ideas that they’ll love. Though I will be honest and admit up front that pretty much all of these gifts revolve in some way, shape or form around…
“First you went gluten-free and now you want to remove dairy too. Are you crazy?” No, you aren’t. Gluten free Dairy free diet changes can really make you feel better. For many of us gluten-free folk, dairy tends to be next on the list to cut out. Whether it’s another sensitivity…
Do you have a gluten free dentist? Though we often talk about food, we rarely talk about our teeth. The dentist chair can be a real sore spot for some, especially when you worry about everything that ends up in your mouth. It was bad enough to deal with the discomfort…
Have you got babies on your brain? Could a gluten free diet increase fertility? For anyone seeking to start a family, a sensitivity to gluten or Celiac Disease can make that goal a bit tricky if not impossible. Unless, of course, there is a willingness for the ladies affected by…
When you went gluten-free, did you ever suspect your pets as a culprit to getting glutened? Have you wondered if gluten free pet food is necessary? These are excellent and important questions. In my experience, anyone sensitive to gluten needs to know this because they often forget about the animals…
You already worry about gluten when you eat gluten-free, but what if there are some other seemingly innocuous food items on shelves that could be of concern? Are you concerned about gluten free GMO foods? What if it were the “healthy” and “natural” stuff like vegetables were the issue… would…
An interesting question popped into my head today — Is a gluten free anti aging diet possible? Thanks to my good friend Dr. Google, I came to find that I’m not the only person asking that question. In fact, the term “anti-aging” is attached to quite a lot of articles…
I often get asked,”Are vegetable oils bad for you?”. And what if I were to tell you that they could be just as bad for your health as gluten… would you keep using and eating them? As you may already know, those of us with gut issues like celiac disease…
Whether you want to believe it or not, a gluten free hypothyroidism diet might be just what you need to start feeling better. “Gluten depresses thyroid activity.” What?!?! Yep. When I first heard this statement years ago, I was floored. I didn’t realize at the time how food could directly…
Hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, headaches? Sounds like how you might feel if you got glutened, yes? What these symptoms really describe is the treacherous and unpleasant transition into menopause. It’s often spoken of with dread and distain because few women claim to have an easy one. And…
Are you ready to fire up the gluten-free BBQ? Whether you host or attend a summer picnic or BBQ, the fun of grilling can come to a screeching halt if you aren’t aware of how easy it is to get glutened. The key to gluten-free grilling is to keep things…
After sharing my own personal story of adrenal fatigue, the response from folks was astounding! More and more people came forward to acknowledge that they too were struggling with similar issues. The article was a big A-HA moment for them! (If you haven’t read the article yet, CLICK HERE to…
Do you find gluten-free labels and the various wording on gluten-free products confusing? Would you love to understand the complex concept of gluten-free labeling requirements so that you can know more about what you’re buying at the store? I’m right there with you on all of these points. I get…
Do you feel tired all the time? Maybe tired isn’t even strong enough of a word to describe the extreme fatigue you feel all day, every day. The problem seems to be pretty common place for those who eat a gluten-free diet. Or maybe you have trouble falling asleep at…
As you may recall, my article questioning whether mushrooms are gluten-free and safe for those with celiac and gluten sensitivity caused quite a stir. (CLICK HERE to read it.) The folks at The Mushroom Council got wind of my article and finally agreed that it was time to get mushrooms tested because…
Are you new to being gluten-free? Do you wish you could ask someone like me or any number of other folks who you follow on the web for advice about how to do it? Imagine this: You just found out your diagnosis of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity and you’ve…
After traveling in Costa Rica during the summer of 2008, I came home to find that despite being gluten-free for 4 full months, I felt horrible. I knew that I wasn’t getting glutened because I cooked everything at home and yet I was having horrible, unexplainable bouts of diarrhea, gas…
Have you searched the web for gluten-free recipes (probably desserts) that are “sugar-free”? You figure if it’s “sugar-free” then you’re making a better choice, right? What if I told you that a good number of recipes out there (especially on blogs) are NOT actually “sugar-free”? Would you be shocked or…
Did you know that you have more bacteria living in and on you than human cells? Though some folks might find this idea to be gross (which isn’t entirely shocking considering the germophobic culture in which we live), bacteria can be extremely beneficial to good health. As a population of…
If there’s one thing I love to do, it’s drinking water. I know there’s a lot of folks out there that have the mindset (and it is TOTALLY a mindset) that water is gross. I have bad news for those negative water Nellies… water is the best thing that you…
Going gluten-free can be good for you, but it takes more effort than what the regular Joe and Jane usually allow for. That’s why I often refer to what most folks in the GF community are eating as the Standard American Gluten-Free Diet (SAGFD). It’s truly the crappy mirror image…
When did you officially overdosed on gluten-free cookies and treats? Or maybe it’s the rich, heavy, starchy foods that got you this time around? Either way, the holidays pretty much throw everyone’s diet off the rails (including mine) with too many meals eaten outside of the home all in the…
I know exactly how tough the holidays can be as a ‘normal’ eater, but when you throw into the mix that you’ve got issue with food because of celiac or sensitivity to gluten (or anything else), it can make the typical celebratory parties seem like an obstacle course too treacherous…
Have you ever been served a dish that you were told was gluten-free, but really wasn’t? Case in point: A lovely woman I met through my local cooking classes (we’ll call her Anna) told me that her sister made her a special gluten-free cheesecake and served her a slice to…
That’s the question I was left with after watching his truly astounding interview with Jennifer Esposito. If you are in the dark about the backstory of why he was interviewing Jennifer, here’s your quick recap: Jennifer has celiac and was an actress staring on CBS’ Blue Bloods TV show. She…
Counting down the days until Turkey day, holidays like this can make you cringe. Maybe you get nervous about what you’re going to eat. Maybe you worry that someone in your family will accidentally contaminate every single dish making you a victim of being glutened (even in your own home!).…
If you haven’t heard, Hurricane Sandy is on her way headed straight toward the mid-atlantic East Coast. I’m located in Philadelphia and, after finding out that the direct hit of the storm is coming about an hour south of here, I started to actually become alarmed. Don’t worry… I’m…
There are times when I’m irked to no end about the problems and pitfalls that lie in plain view of anyone going gluten-free. Though you might not see them, I do (all the time) because of my work through Gluten Free School. I’m often annoyed when attending celiac events…
UPDATED POST 8/15/2013 — Bad news, folks… Yes, rice (a staple of a gluten-free diet) contains arsenic. And what’s worse? We now know that the arsenic damages genetic material in YOUR body. A new study has found that elevated arsenic levels in rice can produce detectable damage at a cellular…
Do you feel confused about whether your sweet tooth is actually a more significant problem? Are you kidding yourself about how bad your cravings for sugar, chocolate and/or carbs might be? I have a quick and easy way for you to find out exactly where you are in relation to…
I want to be honest with you — most of the gluten-free products you’re eating are not good for you. I don’t care that they have organic labels or mention being vegan, low sodium, or a good source of X, Y, or Z… There’s a lot of huge problems popping…
Though I feel a bit funny wishing people a “Happy Celiac Awareness Day”, I do want to highlight those who follow my work as well as present and past clients who struggle with Celiac day-in and day-out. I know that you put your heart and soul into this endeavor and,…
Walk into many retail stores and already you’ll see decorations lining the rack for the upcoming festive holidays (right now we’re looking at Halloween in the US). The end of summer had yet to pass, but retailers began reminding us many weeks in advance that our shopping focus should be…
At some point, we all get angry… Whether you’re pissed that the foods you love are now off limits and people stop calling you to go out, or you just throw in the towel disgusted from trying so hard to be gluten-free and eat whatever everyone else is… there’s your…
Are you drinking gluten free alcohol? I get asked all the time whether alcohol is safe for those who are gluten sensitive. The truth is, it’s not an easy answer and many times it’s best to avoid if you really don’t know what you could be drinking. However, if you…
Q::: I struggle with more than just gluten, also casein and soy protein….and, I’m morally challenged by eating meat. Any advise on that? ~ Cynthia Oh boy, this is a great question! It’s one that I’ve faced many times (not in this exact formation, but similar as you’ll learn). So,…
Have you ever gotten stuck on a busy week without freshly cooked gluten free food? Perhaps life got in the way or an emergency popped up. Or maybe you want to shorten prep and cooking time, but aren’t sure how… Well, I can tell you this – learning how to…
Do you ever catch yourself saying, “I hate buying fresh food because it always goes bad before I can use it all”? Well, you won’t have to worry about that any more with your fruit! Last summer I was on a mission to waste not a single bit of seasonally…
Summer’s here, can you believe it? I honestly can’t. But we’re ready to celebrate over the heated pit of a fired grill with family and friends this coming weekend. Here’s my top picks for the weekend festivities: Sweet Potato Chips Certified organic, vegan, gluten-free and nut-free, these chips from Late…
Is your Easter candy gone? Or did you stock up on all the treats marked down to keep on hand? Don’t worry, I’m not judging you. But most people, when I ask them these two questions lately, chuckle. They know exactly what I’m talking about and so do you. It…
Take care of thyself should be a motto that everyone, including myself ought to follow. However, it seems for me that life get in the way (or I let it) sooner or later which causes many well-intentioned plans to fall to the way side. I don’t often write about myself…
I’d like to take this moment to introduce you to my husband, Nick. He’s been my biggest fan over the past month as we journey together on the road of cleansing sugar from our lives. He asked me to post this note to you so you can hear all about…
Ever get the winter blues? As the cold weather really sets in, some feel the blahs much more intensely than others. Though you could possibly attribute it to the decrease in light or the temperature outside, I’d like for you to consider that consuming gluten could have an effect on…
Are you wondering “are french fries gluten free” because they’re made from potatoes? Think again. While french fries SHOULD be gluten-free, there’s a really good chance that they aren’t. There are two factors that directly affect french fries – whether they are battered or pre-formed AND how they are fried. So my…
Everyone makes New Year’s resolutions unless they’ve completely disgusted him/herself with years of goal failure. The tossing out of an old calendar somehow signifies to us all that we’ve got to give SOMETHING a go or just not bother at all. I’m personally of the mindset that these types of…
I’m often asked what are some of my favorite products that I use in my home that make life easier and better. Well, here is a short list of those that I’ve found in 2011 and would love to send some gratitude and love to these hard-working companies. Please note…
My first year being gluten-free wasn’t all that tough until I hit the holidays. It was, in that moment, that I hated being gluten-free. Though I’m sorry in a sense to admit it, I was and still am at times as I watch relatives enjoy family favorites that are completely…
I have to say that I love all the holiday lights up at this time of year. It just makes me feel so happy – all that twinkliness! Meanwhile in my yoga classes, I encourage students and fellow practitioners to remember that the holiday season isn’t just about giving or…
Remember when you were a child and the holiday parties were always filled with your favorite cookies and candies? I sure do! Being gluten-free put a bit of a damper on that for me which is compounded by the fact that I’m not all that into baking. If you’re like…
Gluten-free sugar addict – I’m sure you know some. Or maybe you’re one. Regardless of what your current diet looks like, a sweet tooth can sneak into everyone’s diet at some point since most people rarely make a transition away from unhealthy American eating habits simply because they are gluten-free.…
Holidays can be stressful for everyone. For those of us who don’t eat gluten, it’s worse because somehow gluten has become a staple ingredient in most dishes that are served, even though it’s typically unnecessary. The uncertainty factor can be nerve-wrecking and even maddening because you just can’t ever be…
When I first heard about Chipotle, I was tickled pink! A rather food conscious chain that was working a little harder to bring America a better quality of fast food. Plus, they were pretty allergen-aware which, in my book, is a huge plus. I occasionally have enjoyed a meal there…
As you may know, it’s critical to find gluten free body care products IF you are really going to live a gluten free lifestyle. Otherwise, there’s always this chance that you’ll end up with gluten in your mouth or inhaled and thus injected. And for some people, they experience rashes…