Gluten-free Cheerios!

Picture Credit: glutenfreehomemaker.com

I used to eat Cheerios all the time as a child, as it was a great snack and cereal! Of course, when I was diagnosed with Celiac at the age of 6, we didn't want to focus on what I couldn't eat-so we focused on what I could eat (there is plenty out there)! Oats are in fact gluten-free, but often come in contact with wheat during the production phase , which is why you have to buy certified gluten-free oats. I am very excited that the manufacturer of Cheerios finally has decided to make Cheerios certified gluten-free through a procedure that ensures the separation of oats from other grains during the production phase. However, make sure you check with your physician if you can tolerate gf oats, as not everyone with Celiac can!

-Sema

Gluten-free Labeling!

All foods labeled gluten-free on or after August 5, 2014 (which is today) must meet all requirements of the gluten-free labeling final rule. This is great news for all of us who have to be on a gluten free diet! Here are some of the FAQ’s that are posted on the FDA’s webpage.  :)

 

1. How is “gluten-free” defined in the rule?
In general, foods may be labeled “gluten-free” if they meet the definition and otherwise comply with the final rule’s requirements. More specifically, the final rule defines "gluten-free" as meaning that the food either is inherently gluten free; or does not contain an ingredient that is: 1) a gluten-containing grain (e.g., spelt wheat); 2) derived from a gluten-containing grain that has not been processed to remove gluten (e.g., wheat flour); or 3) derived from a gluten-containing grain that has been processed to remove gluten (e.g., wheat starch), if the use of that ingredient results in the presence of 20 parts per million (ppm) or more gluten in the food. Also, any unavoidable presence of gluten in the food must be less than 20 ppm.

 

2. Why is the FDA regulating gluten labeling on food?
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) directed HHS to define and permit the use of the term "gluten-free" in the labeling of foods. FDA published a proposed rule in January 2007. The proposal defined the term "gluten-free" and announced FDA's intent to conduct a safety assessment for gluten exposure for people with celiac disease. In August 2011, FDA reopened the comment period on the proposal, and announced the availability of the gluten safety assessment, as well as its tentative conclusion to follow the approach in the proposed rule.

 

3. What products are covered by the final rule? 
The final rule applies to all FDA-regulated packaged foods, including dietary supplements. The rule excludes those foods whose labeling is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Generally, USDA regulates the labeling of meats, poultry, and certain egg products (FDA regulates the labeling of shell eggs). TTB regulates the labeling of most alcoholic beverages, including all distilled spirits, wines that contain 7 percent or more alcohol by volume, and malted beverages that are made with both malted barley and hops.

 

For more information go to: www.fda.gov/gluten-freelabeling

 -Sema 

The Gluten-free Consumer World

Now I know statistics is math, and it's summer, but I thought this was so interesting! GlutenAway shared it (go check out his blog), and it's quite an informative poster on what's going on now in the consumer world :). Gluten-free has gone much more mainstream since I was diagnosed (9 years ago!) It's nice to be able to go to a grocery store and see plenty of gluten-free items to choose from!

-Sema

One Year Anniversary as a Gluten-free Blogger!

This week marks the one year anniversary of my blog! My blog's goal is to make sure that whether you are a teenager or an adult, you navigate the gluten-free lifestyle easily. Going gluten-free does not just mean eliminating something from your diet, it is also a lifestyle change. I'm here for recipes and information and I'm also your gluten-free friend. There are so many alternatives out there, and I want to make sure you find them.

Thank you to all my readers and supporters, I honestly could not have come so far without you :').

GFAF Wellness Event in Little Rock, AR Recap

I had a great time at the GFAF Wellness Event in Little Rock, AR on Saturday! Thank you to everyone who made it out to the event, as I got to speak to so many great people!

Here's the recap:

GFAF Wellness Event in Little Rock, AR

Are you in the Little Rock, AR area? If so, come out to the GFAF Wellness Event in Little Rock, AR to sample delicious treats, and hear fabulous people talk. The good news is that I'm one of those fabulous people. I went to the event in St. Louis, and LOVED it, so come on out! The event is going to take place on June 21 from 10 am to 3 pm (come and go as you please), and will be at the Metroplex (Clear Channel Building.) Tickets are $10 for adults, and children enter for free.

Click here for more information about the event in Little Rock.

Click here to go to the event's homepage.
Click here to go to the event's Facebook page.

I hope to see you all there :)

-Sema

GFAF Wellness Event Recap

So yesterday was the GFAF Wellness Event, and it was a blast! I met so many new people and vendors and tasted so many delicious items!!
Here's the recap:

Andrea had so many delicious cakes and breads!

You NEED to try Ellbee's garlic spreads. It spiced up bread for sure!

I never knew that coconut tasted so good!

Gluten-free for Men taught me that you can use barbecue sauce as a dip!

I got to meet Gluten-free Hungry Girl!

You need to go to The Nest to try their cookies!

Here's my booth! I got to meet the fabulous Huong Dishian, and she has an AMAZING cookbook: Living Free Solutions that is worth checking out!

I also had the pleasure of meeting GF Mom Certified and I'm a Celiac!

If you are in the Little Rock, AR area, come see me speak at the next GFAF Wellness Event on June 21!
-Sema

Gluten and Allergy Free Wellness Event

Woohoo! I'm starting the countdown to the Gluten and Allergy Free Wellness that's going to take place in St. Louis! I am so excited that I'm going to be speaking there! The event is going to take place on May 31, from 10 am to 3 pm at Orlando's Garden (admission is $10 for adults and children are free), and there are going to be many speakers and food samples (yum.)

I may be speaking in your area in the following months! Here are the dates and cities I will speak at:
-Little Rock, AR on June 21
-Raleigh/Durham, NC on August 9

Click here for more information about the event in St. Louis.
Click here to go to the event's homepage.
Click here to go to the event's Facebook page.

Are You Up For The Challenge?

 How much do you know about Celiac Disease? The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has a quiz you can take to determine it! By taking this quiz, you are raising awareness of Celiac Disease, and I'm sure you will be surprised by some of the answers! I'm proud to say I passed, but I'll admit I could have done a bit better :) I was surprised by the answer to number 10!
Enjoy!
-Sema

Click here to take the quiz.

Gluten-free Athletes in the 2014 Sochi Olympics!

The Winter Olympics are here, and did you know that many of the athletes are on a gluten-free diet?

"Here are a few from the United States:

• Chris Creveling, Speed Skater - follows a gluten-free diet to reduce inflammation

• Jazmine Fenlator, Bobsled - follows a gluten-free diet.

• Todd Lodwick, Nordic Combined Skier - follows a gluten-free diet to help with inflammation of the lungs.

• Elana Meyers, Bobsled - follows a gluten-free diet.

• Sara Studebaker, Biathlon - follows a gluten-free diet. Sara's fiance, Zachary Hall, a fellow US Biathlon National Team member 2007-2011, is gluten intolerant, so it's easier if both of them eat gluten free. Sara says she "..feels better training and competing!"."

For more information, visit:

http://www.examiner.com/article/2014-winter-olympics-athletes-following-a-gluten-free-diet-sochi

NFCA Webinar

NFCA is offering a gluten free webinar today. “Chef Richard Coppedge, Professor of Baking and Pastry Arts at The Culinary Institute of America and author of Gluten-Free Baking with The Culinary Institute of America, will review gluten-free baking ingredients such as flours and starches and discuss how to incorporate them into your holiday baked good recipes. Webinar participants will also benefit from learning about helpful gluten-free baking tips and tried and true gluten-free recipes."

The webinar is free of charge. To register click on the following link:

http://www.celiaccentral.org/community/upcoming-nfca-events/free-webinar-holiday-special-gluten-free-baking-10071/

 

Enjoy!

-Sema

"Packing the gluten-free lunchbox"- NFCA webinar

"The audience will benefit from this back to school webinar designed to share suggestions and recipes for healthy gluten-free lunches. Parents will also learn ways to engage their gluten-free children in the menu development process, an important detail to ensure diet compliance and healthy eating behaviors."

When:            Thursday, October 3, 2013
Time:              8:30 p.m. EDT/5:30 p.m. PDT
Where:           Your computer

http://www.celiaccentral.org/community/upcoming-nfca-events/free-webinar-kids-central-special-packing-the-gluten-free-lunchbox-9496/

Enjoy!
-Sema

Gluten-free Can Make a Difference

"Junior runner Drew Padgett earned NCAA Division III Men’s Cross Country National Athlete of the Week honors after his record-setting performance Saturday at the Gabby Reuveni Early Bird Meet. Padgett’s 19:10 run was the fastest in team history on the 6,000-meter course in Forest Park, and he finished 15 seconds ahead of all competitors Saturday."

A doctor’s diagnosis last winter was the secret to Padgett’s breakthrough! In addition to training for the meet, he also credits the gluten-free diet for his success. Drew Padgett is a student at Washington University in St. Louis,  Missouri, USA.

To read more about his story check out the recent article in: 

http://www.studlife.com/sports/cross-country/2013/09/05/speedy-season-debut-earns-padgett-national-recognition/

Enjoy!

-Sema

Drew Padgett and his dad, who is also gluten-free.

Breaking News: FDA Passes a Gluten Free Labeling Rule!

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finally set a standard definition of "gluten free". Check out the National Association for Celiac Awareness website to find out what this regulation means to you at:
http://www.celiaccentral.org/fda/ 

"To clear up the confusion, NFCA is creating a fact sheet that breaks down the new regulations into easy-to-understand terms. The fact sheet will be available at:
www.CeliacCentral.org/FDA.

NFCA is also planning a free webinar to explain the FDA’s final rule in greater depth, making the complex information accessible and understandable to all. The webinar will feature Dr. Fasano and Tricia Thompson, MS, RD, a renowned dietitian with expertise in gluten-free labeling and founder of Gluten Free Watchdog, LLC. For updates on this webinar, including date and time, see NFCA’s Webinar Schedule." 

Hat tip to NCFA!