Hello Friends - I don't know about you, but I have been in a wonderful mood these past couple of days...the weather has been perfect, renovations on our house are moving along and our little baby keeps me company 24/7 (especially now that Austin is working nights)! Over the past couple of weeks, well even months really, I haven't been in the best mood though - the stress of all these changes had really brought me down on more than one occasion.  During those times the last thing I wanted to do was be around positive people who were having wonderful days (kind of like how I'm feeling today)...but I'll admit - their positivity seemed to be contagious, and actually it IS! So yes, you've guessed it...this is one of those corny "turn your frown upside down" encouragement posts.  "But gosh darn it" (SNL reference!) sometimes we need these...especially when it comes to being our healthiest and best selves.

It is a fact that surrounding yourself with positive people, redirecting negative thoughts to positive ones and even just a simple smile can help to change your mood! Too many times the negative thoughts interrupt our best intentions - we feel unhappy so we polish off the entire bag of Sour Patch Kids, add the extra scoop of ice cream or watch the third re-run instead of getting out for a walk.  I've noticed that many of us with Celiac Disease turn to food during our not-so-good times. I know, for me, having to be gluten-free feels so restrictive at times that "treating" myself to 4 cookies instead of 1 seems like the best way to escape the negative thoughts.  But, bad days are bound to happen so be prepared for them! Know that they are inevitable, but that tomorrow is a new day and new days bring new opportunities to make better choices! Instead of letting today's bad mood fester and turn tomorrow in to round 2, CHOOSE to turn this day around - smile, call up one of your funniest friends just to say 'hi', get up and go for a 10 minute walk!

Check out the latest page I've added to the new blog, titled 'Nutrition' for some similar perspective on nutrition, wellness and health! All you have to be is better than you were yesterday!

Lacey

A New Gluten-Free 'Bun in the Oven'

It has been a long couple of months since I've last blogged about my life with Celiac Disease. I've been anxious to get back to it, but so many things have had demanded my full attention lately.  To give you a quick update:

1. I've finished my Dietetic Internship - yay! *pat on the back*...so glad to be done!

2. We've moved! Actually, not just moved - we bought our first house.  Its definitely a fixer-upper and has demanded a lot of our attention and care!

3. And speaking of 'firsts' we found out a few months ago that we will adding our first baby to our family - bringing our gluten-free household from 2 members to 3 :)  We couldn't be more happy, even with all of the anxiety and frustration that comes along with being pregnant and having Celiac- and Graves Disease! (I have lots to share about my whole experience so be looking for those posts...and I'll be looking forward to hearing about your tips and experiences too!)

Not to worry, though...if you've enjoyed following my blog as much as I've loved writing it, then you'll be happy to know that it will be back and better than ever in no time! Having had some time to adjust to all the changes we've had recently, I am working on some updates to my blog that I'm excited about and hope you will be too.   Soon I'll be blogging about all things g-free - better than ever! Keep a look-out for updates on the blog relaunch and until then...happy gluten-free living!!!

Lacey

'Plane' & Simple Gluten-Free Snacks

On- The- Plane...In- The- Air *sigh of relief* Marathon weekend at DisneyWorld had arrived! I didn't let myself think too much about the feat that stood (or ran, rather) ahead - 26.2 miles! For my brother, it seemed that getting on the plane was a bigger challenge than the marathon. He hadn't flown since a panic attack on a business trip flight years ago; Needless to say I was busy keeping him (and mom - also uneasy about flying) distracted during our time at the airport...so it was a good thing that I planned our gluten-free travel food/meals ahead of time so we had one less thing about which to worry!

While a short 2.5 hour plane ride wouldn't normally be a concern, making sure that we had enough gluten-free carbohydrates (what people often call 'carb-loading) each day was. Knowing that airports/airlines are not the most reliable for food service for safe gluten-free needs, I took some time to plan our half-day's worth of travel food (something that's easy to overlook when a week's worth of food for vacation is staring you in the face). Also, I'm not going to lie, packing fun treats gives you something to look forward to and can help keep an anxious flyer distracted during the flight.

The food and snacks I packed were perfect. They each fit my pre-marathon nutrition criteria and also met my safe gluten-free standards. Even better, they each passed easily through airport security.

1. GoGo Squeez - I would normally just eat a whole apple, in all its fibrous glory, but with my limited carry-on space, the squeeze pouches ended up being easier for travel. Apple Strawberry is my favorite flavor. Each one of these pouches is 3.2 oz making it a perfect snack and airline-okay. Plus, it provides a basic 15 grams of carbohydrates (typically considered 1 serving) from all natural, no additive, all fruit goodness. Now, I'll admit, sometimes I feel a little funny toting these pouches around in public; they don't come in the most mature looking packaging. But when it comes down to it, a healthy gluten-free, convenient snack is worth it!

2. Popcorn Corners - Carmel. I usually don't prefer carmel flavored popcorn treats, but it satisfies the desire to have something sweet without it packing a bunch of saturated fat. Its a light, crunchy, sweet and salty treat that doesn't leave you feeling full and heavy. Also, the saltiness of the 'chips' encouraged me to keep drinking lots of water!

Hopefully you'll find these convenient (whens the last time you were able to describe your g-free food that way?!) treats just as fun and enjoyable!


Happy Snacking and Be well!

Lacey
The Gluten Free Nutritionist

When Life Gets Tough...Run a Marathon

Yikes! It has been way too long since I last blogged. It sounds cliche, but life has just been too chaotic and busy. To give you a quick idea: the holidays, bronchitis, comprehensive case study for internship, Austin with an unidentified illness, marathon training, moving, and most importantly some very sick family members.  

 Two little ladies in my life have been battling sickness; our 16 year old Lhasa Apso, Holly, with a chronic eye infection causing blindness, arthritis, and progressing cancer has been having a rough couple of days, and my Aunt Theresa has been bravely battling Stage IV Ovarian Cancer since August of this year...the reality of their situations has really snapped my priorities in to place. While at times the sadness of it all   overwhelms me, it even more so motivates me to pursue each day and each task with joy and immerse myself in the moment.  It has even meant me making an effort, every day, to keep my health a top priority (keeping on top of doctor's visits, being strict about gluten-free, a healthy and wholesome diet, and lots of exercise). 

To keep myself motivated in these ways, and being inspired by my aunt and even our little Holly, I've taken on new challenges to ensure I'm always working toward something and not becoming complacent in the day- to-day shuffle. Not really knowing what I was getting myself into, marathon training has done the trick...it keeps me motivated and EXHAUSTED! My brother, my Celiac sibling, has been training for a marathon too! We've decided to run the Disney marathon together this coming January 2013, both because it's The Walt Disney World (what better atmosphere to take on 26.2 miles) and because of their gluten-free accommodations (Thank you Disney for always thinking out of the box...even when it comes to special dietary needs for guests!). 

What's even better is we are running for charity with Team in Training; an organization that raises money for cancer research! Not only is this cause close to my heart because of my aunt, my grandma Keefer, and Holly but because cancer affects so many of our friends with undiagnosed/unmanaged Celiac.  Please donate to this cause today...any amount is appreciated! Think about it this way: forego the box of Glutino cookies (save yourself the calories too :) and instead put that money towards curing cancer! Check out our fun site http://pages.teamintraining.org/uny/wdw13/keefer

Be well,

Lacey

Celiac Corner - Guest Author

Readers and Friends:

I know, its been a very long time since my last post...far too long! I would use the old "things have just been so busy lately" excuse, but lets face it, who isn't feeling busy all the time? To be honest, aside from the time it takes to manage a safe gluten-free life, some personal and family matters have taken priority over sharing my gfree insights online. Admist marathon training, clinical rotations, Celiac Events, the holidays, etc. there have been some exciting things happening!

In fact, what has two thumbs and was a guest author over at Celiac Corner *points-at-self*! Thats right, the good people over at Celiac Corner asked me to share some thoughts on finding nutrition support after a Celiac Diagnosis. Since I love to share about Celiac and overall health and wellness, I was extatic to team up with another group of like-minded people via Celiac Corner!

You can check out the article here!

Hope you enjoy...be well,

Lacey

Did You Choose to be Gluten-Free?

To be or not to be gluten-free?...that really isn’t the question!

 Do you HAVE to be?…now THAT  is the question!

We all know that “Going Gluten-Free” for those that do not medically require it has been the coolest thing since sliced bread (J) for quite some time now.  Lately I’ve been doing a lot of people-watching and a good deal of eaves-dropping too (its amazing what people will say when they don’t think anyone is listening or at least when they don’t know who is listening).  I’m most interested to hear what people think and believe about Celiac Disease and being gluten-free when they have no idea I am “The One” (celiac inside-joke J)!

Despite the fact that professional research organizations and medical authorities, like Dr. Alessio Fasano (a world renowned gluten-related disease researcher), strongly state over and over again that “there is no substantiated evidence to suggest that a gluten-free diet is healthier” than a gluten-full diet for those that do not medically require the restriction, people continue to push the gluten-free “diet” as the healthiest “choice” for everyone.  Anecdotal information on the internet and TV about “choosing to be gluten-free” is piling up like the gfree pancakes I make on Saturday mornings!

While I think its great for people to make their own healthy choices, I just can’t bring myself to get behind the “Gluten-Free By Choice” camp for a couple of reasons:

1.       The healthiest way to eat, and this is by no means a novel idea, means including a variety of all different types of foods, colors, flavors, tastes…in balance and moderation.

2.       You should never restrict or completely avoid any one food or category of food unless medically necessary (as is the case with Celiac Disease, anaphylactic food allergies, etc.)

a.      The avoidance or complete restriction of a food or food group requires careful attention to ensure that you don’t become deficient in any vitamins or minerals and this can be a difficult thing to manage.

b.   In fact, whole wheat is one of the best sources of fiber and its packed with vitamins and minerals!

3.       Last, but certainly not least, people too often claim to be on a gfree diet when in reality they are merely avoiding wheat.  Most (not all) who elect to eat gluten-free do not think twice about cross-contamination, or the ‘hidden’ sources of gluten.  Oooh yeaaah, I see you…at Trader Joes…I envy you: strolling the aisles, dropping beautiful, hearty, convenient, delicious looking “no gluten ingredients” ready-to-eat meals in your basket, without even so much as glancing at the label…because if you did, you would have seen that its processed on the same equipment as wheat-containing products and they cannot guarantee that the products hasn’t been cross-contaminated with gluten.  If you weren’t choosing to be gfree but instead had to be, you’d be with me with your head in the Trader Joe’s gluten-free worksheet knocking small children over as you clumsily zig-zag through the store!

Frankly those that elect to be gluten-free and their ‘different’/often relaxed approach to it, are contributing to a culture and atmosphere in which the public views gluten-free as a choice…and not a very serious one.  Instead, for those of us with a medical necessity, evading gluten at all costs (including cross-contamination, sources of hidden gluten, etc.) has never been about weight loss or preventing the infamous Wheat Belly (another day, another blog post), but is about preventing debilitating disease and cancers, delaying the onset or better managing other autoimmune diseases, and ultimately having a better quality of life. 

I don’t choose to be gluten-free…I have to be!

Make it a Sweet Month with Gluten-Free Candy

It’s that time of year…Halloween is almost here!  That also means that hoards of happy kids will be looking for candy…and us adults waiting to sneak some of their hard-earned plunder; but what about kids (and adultsJ) who are gluten-free? It’s very true that this can be a difficult and scary time, how will people respond when a little wizard or princess shows up at their door, coyly investigates their bowl of candy and proceeds to grill them about the contents of their candy? In order to keep your kids (and yourself) safe from gluten help them prepare before trick-or-treating with this list of gluten-free candy provided by the Celiac Disease Foundation (click HERE to find the list).

 

Take it one step further and suggest (like I have) that your friends and family provide only gluten-free candy this year for Halloween.  There are plenty of sweet and delicious gluten-free candies (like Snickers, Caramel Apple Pops or Smarties) that are popular with kids regardless of their being free of gluten. 

Here’s to a sweet October!

Be well,

Lacey

(you can also follow me on twitter @GFreeNutrition)