Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Is toxicity the problem?

Life is always changing...new jobs, new homes, new baby, new neighborhood... Hopefully, for some of us that doesn't mean a new allergy!:( But as much as we dislike the thought, it can become a reality.
What is it that causes some of us to develop adverse reaction to foods we ate all our lives? What is it about conventional, non-organic foods that cause asthma when you can eat the same food in its organic form without any problems?
I've been researching this very subject for many years. The most common idea is that some of us have difficulty with the bodies natural detoxification methods not working correctly. This could be from a genetic defect, a nutritional difficiency, or a build up from toxic exposure to chemicals. There are many possible causes, but unfortunately no quick fixes.
What does this mean? Well, I believe that many gluten intolerances are caused by an unhealthy digestive system, resulted from a build of toxicity, and heavy metals from the foods we eat and our environment.
We can't live in a bubble and avoid all the negative effects of toxicity. We are going to be exposed to car exhaust, fertilizers, cleaners, soaps, etc...but at least we can try our best to limit this exposure and spend time out of doors in a natural setting with trees and fresh air (the mountains :). Life goes on, but little choices we make will make a difference.
I am not against vehicles, by the way...I love big SUVs and cool trucks, as well as Ford Mustangs with big engines, and please no convertibles. I think you are exposed to more toxins by riding a bike down a busy road than you would be in an enclosed vehicle. Like I said, we cannot live in a bubble.
Grow your own vegies if you can, or buy organic.  Use glass and not plastic containers when possible.  Avoid driving down a busy road with your windows open. Forget about treating your lawn, its green enough. Don't use traditional cleaners, opt in for natural products, or do the old vinegar thing. There are lots of ways we can limit our exposure even for those of us who live in a city. The key is to do our best without stressing about it. Stress is toxic, too, you know. Live life in balance and enjoy each day!
Have a Happy, Healthy, Gluten Free day!
~EM~

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Applesauce Raisin Muffins Corn, Gluten, Dairy, Egg Free

It is fall!!!! My favorite fall memory has always been my mom's awesome baking spree for Thanksgiving. We would always get a pumpkin or two and she would roast it in the oven until it was soft and then freeze what felt like hundreds of pints size servings of it. (I had to take the bags out to the freezer in the garage. You know, errand running.)
One of my favorites was always her applesauce raisin cake. I loved it! I still love it! I always will love it! But because of my food allergies, I no longer can have it the way she made it, and taught me to make it. I have to substitute, but who cares, I still get to enjoy that flavor!
Here is the most recent recipe I have for the applesauce raisin cake. This one I made into muffins, you know a little less sugar and mess.

Takes only a few minutes to prepare and yields 12 muffins. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a muffin a 12 cup muffin pan with muffin papers. ( I like to use the unbleached ones that I find at Fresh Thyme or Whole Foods.)
1 cup of freshly milled Organic Brown Rice Flour
1/2 cup Bob's Red Mill Sweet White Rice Flour
2 Tablespoons or so of Tapioca flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon David's Kosher salt (any salt should do)
1/2 cup organic seedless raisins
3/4 to 1 cup unsweetened organic applesauce
A few small shavings of crystallized ginger (not a lot or it will be overpowering. We just want to get that spice flavor in there. If you can use cinnamon instead that would probably be better. 1/2 a teaspoon or so.)
2 or 3 tablespoons of sugar in the raw (Or brown, or white sugar. I just like the flavor of the sugar in the raw.)
2 tablespoons of freshly chopped golden flax seeds soaked in 1/3 cup of water. (I chop them in a smoothie cup, but a food processor will work. If you don't have any of these, you can buy the flax already chopped, but be sure to refrigerate it to retain flavor.)
2-3 tablespoons olive oil (The oil must be fresh. If it isn't it will ruin the flavor of the muffins. I use California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Olive Oil. It almost always tastes fresh and can be found at Walmart, Meijer, Kroger, and most other places. (Other types of oil will work, but this is the best)
Mix dry ingredient together first, then add applesauce, flax water, and stir with a spoon until completely combined. Do not over mix. Divide evenly between muffin cups. Bake till a toothpick entered into the center comes out fairly clean. About 15-20 minutes depending on your oven.

If you have an egg allergy, corn allergy, gluten sensitivity, cinnamon allergy, or milk allergy this will work for you!
I hope you enjoy trying out my newest recipe, and please share it with your friends and family. Remember, don't be afraid to be creative in the kitchen and mix something up today!
Have a Happy, Healthy, Gluten Free Day!
~Gluten Free Em~

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Kirkman Pro Bio Gold

So, the last time I posted we talked about food allergies and sensitivities. Since that time, I have been doing a lot of research and experiments with my own allergies. My biggest experiment is still in the making, and that is, I am now taking a strong hypoallergenic probiotic 2 times a day. Yes, I did say hypoallergenic!!! I have looked for years and finally found one that I can take. Kirkman Probio Gold Probiotics is the brand name, corn allergy, milk allergy, gluten sensitivity sufferers!!!! Check it out here!
Already I have seen a positive improvement in my guts. I am excited to see where this journey will take me!
There is no end to the possibilities that creativity can bring! Don't be afraid to mix up something weird, try something new, or change an old recipe! Don't settle with failure, try again. Don't stick with boring, when you can be fabulous. Keep trying, Keep trying, Keep trying!
Don't let your allergies stop you from living life to the fullest! There is nothing that can stop you if you are determined to keep trying. If you are one of us who sufferer from multiple allergies and find a balanced diet is hard to maintain, then you should probably look into a holistic approach to healing leaky gut. Find an all natural, or holistic doctor near you, and see if they can offer some help. For me it took many years to find any help, but help is out there if you are patient and persistent in looking.
Never give up on your dreams, just let them take a little twist! It will be exciting! Enjoy the ride. Until next time, have a Happy, Healthy, Gluten Free day!
~Gluten Free EM~

Friday, July 28, 2017

What are Food Sensitivities

   When I use the term food sensitivity, I often get blank looks. It is a little more difficult to explain, but certainly is important enough to deserve an explanation. So, I decided to devote a post entirely to this misunderstood and often ignored topic.
   What is a food sensitivity? 
Well, simply put it is an adverse reaction your body makes to a given food. It is not a result of an IgE antibody reaction as most serious food allergies are, but can do just as much harm in the long run. Typically it is an IgG antibody reaction or an IgA, or other immune response to the troublesome food. Either way, it is an autoimmune reaction to what would otherwise be a harmless substance. If you want it in down to earth terms... it's the body making a big stink over nothin'...or, an overreactin' and frustratin' immune system. 
   What is it like to have a food sensitivity? 
Frustrating, annoying, but manageble. Your body goes through many steps before the offending food is out of your system. Think of it this way: let's say you have a sensitivity to corn. One day you knowingly or unknowingly consume (eat) some corn or food product that contains corn. The first place the food goes is in your mouth, where it may or may not cause discomfort. It might burn, or itch. It may not bother you at all. 
   Second, it goes down your esophagus where it can cause irritability, swelling, or acid reflux symptoms, usually minor. 
   Thirdly, it hits your stomach. Here is where most of the problem originated. There is not enough, or to much acid to break down the food proteins properly. Most people take antacids to combat the discomfort this situation brings on, not realizing they are only adding to the problem. Also, there is usually a deficiency in digestive enzymes as well. These are so necessary to properly break down the food into something your body can absorb and use.
   Fourthly, it goes into your small intestines where more enzymes are put to work turning the soupy mess into useful energy. Here is where most of the problem is: when the stomach hasn't properly broken down the food particles, and they enter the small intestines this way, they cause inflammation. Your immune system starts freaking out because of these larger than normal proteins that are being absorbed into the blood stream. It sends antibodies to attack and 'destroy' these invaders in order to protect the body from harm.
   Fifthly, what's left to this undigested food matter makes its way through the large intestine or colon. Here it causes symptoms of IBS, colitis, and crohns disease. The symptoms from this range from mild to severe. Irregularity, diarrhea, and cramps are often included in the mountainous list of symptoms.
   Many people think it ends here. They ate the food, it tore them up, it made its way out of their system, and now it's all over, right? WRONG! The damage done can last for up to 2 weeks depending on the food and your bodies response. The damage it does to your already screwy immune system makes this a monotonous circle. If allowed to continue (if the offending food is still being eaten, and not removed from the diet) adrenal fatigue will result. 
   What do you do about it? Remove the food from your diet. At least for several months. Take digestive enzymes and probiotics, and get plenty of rest. Eat a diet of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, and high quality meat, nuts and seeds. Juicing is also helpful.
   As I said, it is difficult to explain, but definitely deserves an explanation. I will write more on this subject later, for now have a happy, healthy, gluten free day! 
~Gluten Free Em~

Want to know more??? Check out my handy guide: 

Friday, July 14, 2017

Digest Gold



If you suffer with food allergies....you need to check this stuff out! It will change your life!
For the last few years I have taken this brand of enzymes with success. It is allergy friendly, no gluten, corn, filler, etc. Safe for those of us who cannot consume nuts or shellfish. They have many different strengths depending on your need. I could go on and on...but I urge you to check it out for yourself! When taken as directed everyday for a while you will see a noticeable difference. It has helped me to maintain a healthy weight and to suffer a lot less. It can be found in most health food stores, as well as on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and many other online retailers. You can even buy it direct from the company that makes it if you want. It is pricey, but worth it in the long run. Take my word for it. It is the best high quality digestive enzyme on the market today for food allergy sufferers. To check out all of their products go to their website here:
Have a healthy, happy, gluten free day!
Gluten Free Em

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Summer Fun Gluten Free Style

As the summer is fast approaching, the weather is warming up. Families are spending more time together outdoors, and ice cream and Smores are on the menu.
What does this mean for us food allergy sufferers? Maybe you have a little one who cannot have corn. Maybe your immediate family is gluten free, but not distant family. Does this mean you can't still have that summer fun???
Of course, not! There are many products on the market now that are corn and gluten free and are safe for food allergy sufferers!

Pamela's makes a very tasty corn and gluten free graham cracker. And most of Hershey's Chocolate is gluten and corn free.

Goldbaums makes a handy ice cream cone. There are several brands out there actually that offer gluten free ice cream cones, but be careful that they are produced in a gluten free facility!

If you live in the western part of the USA, you can get Strauss Family Creamery ice cream from your nearby health foods store. This stuff is awesome, corn and gluten free, as well as free of stabilizers, which means no xanthan gum, carrageenan, guar gum, or the like!

If you must make your own ice cream because you live in the east with a carrageenan allergy, the key is to find some Kalona SuperNatural Whipping Cream. 

Do you have a favorite summer time meal, dessert, or activity that is good for the whole family??? Tell me about it!!! I love to hear from my readers!
Have a Happy, Healthy, Gluten Free Summer!
~Gluten Free Em~

Saturday, April 22, 2017

The Updated Version of 'Could It Be Gluten?'

Take time to check out the updated version of Could it be Gluten?

This book is a guide to understanding the facts of the gluten free diet. It covers the Why, When, and How of going gluten free, and also touches on the possibility of food allergies being at the root of your health conditions.
If you have always wondered about the gluten free diet, but never knew where to start researching on it, start here!
Why look through endless medical encyclopedia's or medical textbooks? Why search the web for weeks on end for helpful information only to find that half of it wasn't legit?
Just take the facts from the trial and error that I have experienced, and learn it all from one source whether or not the gluten free diet is for you. I've already been through it and this is first hand information that can be very helpful in making your decision for or against the gluten free diet.
This book explains how to go gluten free in several easy to follow steps that will help you become free of gluten in no time.
Wondering about the elimination diet? This book also covers the details on the elimination diet. So, pick up your copy today and start learning the answer to the question...Could It Be Gluten?
Also available in ebook form from Kindle.

Have a Happy, Healthy, Gluten Free day!!!
~EM KENNEDY~