Thoughts On a Cure For Celiac Disease

Several clinical trials underway to find a cure or at least a potential treatment for Celiac Disease. The future is full of hope and I'm excited for that.

There are those out there who see this hard work as a waste of time. They see the Gluten Free diet as enough. Perhaps for those with an intolerance or allergy, it's indeed enough. 

As a Celiac, the gluten free diet can be problematic at times. Avoiding gluten is not an easy task. Many countries are far behind in ingredient labelling practices. Another issue is potential  food recalls - errors happen and gluten can accidentally be left off the label or land itself in what should be a safe product. It is often hard to get quick and accurate information on whether or not prescribed medications are gluten free. On top of that, many people suffer from ongoing symptoms despite following a gluten free diet. This is called Non-Responsive celiac disease.

I believe that you can honour the needs of your body with a strict gluten-free diet, while accepting the need for preventative measures. Let's face it, a strict gluten-free life (notice I didn't say diet?) is not always 100% achievable. 

I'm not holding out hope for a cure that erases celiac disease from my life completely. It's part of me and I've come to terms with that. What I would like to see is a companion treatment to the gluten free diet. A safety net to catch me and prevent serious damage when I have been glutened.

For me, the desire is two-fold. I really don't enjoy the sickness and pain involved with even the smallest exposure to gluten. I also despise the anxiety of what if's that follow recovery from a glutening. You guys know what Im talking about here.

While I understand that a treatment for celiac may not be everyone's cup of coffee, it would be nice to have the option. Keep in mind that it's a personal decision and everyone's situation varies. There is no need to belittle anyone for wanting a potential treatment. Just like there should be support and understanding for those who wish to battle on with the gluten-free diet as a sole source of treatment.

Merry Christmas

JK Gourmet - Review

Recently, I received a package of items to review from JK Gourmet which is  a Canadian company that was started in 2001. They are devoted to making all natural foods which taste as good as they are healthy. Visit their website to view the impressive variety of products available.

Fig & Apricot Granola

I love that this granola is completely grain free! That's right, no oats either. Just nuts, seeds, dried fruit and honey. It offers the perfect amount of crunch and is sweet without being too sweet. I found the granola to be really hearty and a fantastic way to liven up a salad. It's also quite filling on its own. I can see this granola being a great addition to a variety of recipes.

Fig & Apricot Granola

GG Bites

These are pretty great. Again, JK Gourmet does an excellent job of providing a sweet product without going overboard. I really enjoy how crunchy these are. As I am a snacker, GG Bites are great as they are quite filling. They remind me of something you would eat to refuel while hiking or camping.

GG Bites

Almond & Cherry Chocolate

As a self-proclaimed lover of chocolate, this really hit the mark. There is something really special about dark chocolate and fruit. This particular chocolate is sweetened with honey and has almonds and cherries in it. It looks quite pretty right out of the package. I nibbled a wee bit right away (couldn't help myself) then did as the directions suggested - I cut it into chunks and placed in the fridge. The result was even better. This is the only item which I did not offer to share with anyone. Can you really blame me though?  It's that good, I promise you.

Almond & Cherry Chocolate

Overall, I think that JK Gourmet is really on to something. All three items were great. They filled the need for sweet, without being excessive. That is a total plus in my opinion. Anything that can be indulgent and healthy is golden!

You can find these items in both the USA and Canada. If you live near or will be visiting Toronto, you can also place a pick up order here.

Celiac Friendly Christmas Gift Ideas

Looking for gift ideas for the gluten-free foodie on your list? Create the ultimate Celiac friendly gift basket using the widely available options below. If you live in an area where gluten-free items are not very prominent, explore online shopping with my post Online Gluten-Free Groceries Canada.

Gluten Free Baking Mixes

Gluten-free baking mixes go a long way. They are an asset to any foodie and are time savers, especially during the holidays. 

Gluten Free Cook Book

The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook by America's Test Kitchen is a great choice. I own this and I love how much insight it provides about the science technical differences behind gluten free. It's widely available in the US and Canada. You can view detailed information on the book here.

Something Fun

Personalized aprons are adorable and useful. Check out the CafePress website to see the one above and more.

New tools and gadgets can inspire some kitchen fun. It's the little things, like whisks, muffin cups, spatulas and bowls that go a long way.

 Gluten Free Magazine

There are many magazines which center around gluten-free living. Most of them can be found in local grocery and book stores. Another option is to purchase a gift subscription for that special person on your list.

Awareness Items

Pretty Little Celiac sells some really cute headbands, bracelets, and shirts. These items are cute, and they promote awareness of Celiac Disease as well. I personally own 2 of the headbands, a rubber bracelet, and a stretch bracelet.

Zazzle offers up a variety of unique gluten free and Celiac awareness items.You can check out the options here.

Top off the gift basket with a set of  Gluten Free Labels. They are super handy have a wide variety of uses. I have a set and love them!

Stuffed Tomato Boats With A Kick

The cold weather is here to stay, bringing with it the longing for comfort food. I have created the recipe below, as part of the Hidden Valley Gluten Free Challenge. These Stuffed Tomato Boats With A Kick, are a great addition to any meal. They are also a perfect little snack, which will warm you right up.




Ingredients

• 1 boneless chicken breast
• 4 Roma tomatoes, halved
• 1/3 Cup Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch Dressing
• 1 Tbsp gluten free apple butter BBQ sauce
• 1/4 Cup crumbled, already cooked bacon
• 1/4 Cup diced green onion
• 1 Tsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 Cup sour cream
• 1/3 Cup grated, Marble cheese
• Shredded lettuce to garnish

* Always read labels to ensure ingredients are gluten free



Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Heat 1 Tsp of Olive Oil in a pan, over medium heat. Add chicken to pan and cook each side for approximately 10 minutes. Chicken should no longer be pink. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken has safely cooked to an internal temperature of 165F-170F.
3. Let chicken rest for about 5 minutes.
4. Place chicken in a bowl. Hold chicken steady with one fork and use another to pull or tear the chicken apart.
5. Add Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch, gluten free apple butter BBQ sauce, crumbled bacon and green onion to the shredded chicken. Stir ingredients together until well incorporated. Set aside.
6. Use a spoon to scoop out the pulp and juices of tomatoes. Fill tomatoes with chicken mixture and place on baking sheet.
7. Add cheese to top of the now filled tomatoes
8. Bake for 15 minutes. Tomato skins will be blistering slightly when done.
9. When tomatoes are finished baking, top each with a spoonful of sour cream. Place shredded lettuce (as little or as much as you like) on top to complete dish and serve.

Hidden Valley Ranch Products and other promotional consideration were received in exchange for providing the above recipe as part of a submission in a contest sponsored by Hidden Valley Ranch.