Don't take my strawberries! (Are Strawberries Gluten-Free when Grown in Wheat Straw?)

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 00:00:00 +0000

As thanksgiving approaches my stress level increases. It is now not only my own diet that I have to worry about but also the diet of my 13 year old daughter. Thanksgiving being such a family oriented and traditional holiday, especially in the realm of food, makes it very difficult to maneuver. Being a guest at my brother's house, I dare not try to break the family tradition of stuffing the bird with my mother's oyster stuffing. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving for everyone else. So as a result I separately make a turkey, cornbread stuffing and a pumpkin pie to take to immerse my daughter and I in the tradition. This year is especially difficult being that I have been invited to the home of a couple of new friends. I do not want to decline, I do not want to cart my own food and I certainly do not want them to adapt their dinner for me. This has been my dilemma many times when I have been invited to eat at someone's home. It is much easier to eat out these days, but eating in even with the best of intentions from your friends, is very difficult.

My Blessing

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

I have a new appreciation for the fact that my diet has had to be modified. Without the need to analyze what I am eating, the revelation and reality of what I am eating would not have occurred. I was a person always conscious of healthy eating habits, so I thought. Delving into the world of food has been a very frightening and eye opening experience. Being forced to read labels has taught me to be more cautious and buy from the fresh and organic sections of the market. We are inundated with chemicals, genetically modified products and fillers. The more I learn about those ingredients the more I believe, my dietary limitations are a blessing, not a tragedy.

Not So Saintly (or Gluten-Free) Ham!

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Food, food, food. The one thing I realize since being diagnosed with celiac disease, is how much time was not spent on food before. I must spend half of my recent waking hours thinking about what to eat. I have told myself that I am trying too hard and that all I need to do is convert my pantry to gluten free and stay with fresh, whole foods. Easy right? This has however, not been the case. It seems that at least once a week I am mistakingly adding some ingredient that I cannot eat. Tonight, Mexican night. Refried Pinto beans are in order. Simple right? Well, I had the great idea that I should boil them with ham. I open the freezer, eureka, ham bone! Not thinking I throw it in the pot with the beans...then it dawned on me...when did we have ham?? Oh no, it was not gluten-free, It was given to us as a gift from a ham store. I called the store and sure enough they put wheat in their spice (but the ham is gluten-free). WHY?? I wish more chain stores would get on board and stop adding allergens to their foods. I hope we can all enjoy eating out some day without worry or if not, at least be able to cook at home without poisoning ourselves.

Kim's Gluten-Free Artichoke Salad

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Ingredients:
2 Large cans gluten-free artichoke hearts, drained
8 baby carrots, sliced lengthwise
10 asparagus stalks previously steamed until bright green and tender crisp
1 medium tomato
½ yellow or red bell pepper
5 fresh basil leaves, chopped
4-6 oz. feta cheese
4 tablespoons fresh grated Romano (or Parmesan) cheese

Dressing:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine or rice vinegar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 cloves fresh pressed garlic
Â¾ teaspoon dry mustard
Fresh ground black pepper

Directions:
Chop the artichokes into medium bowl. Cut the asparagus into 1 inch pieces and add to the artichokes. Cut up other vegetables into medium pieces and add to mixture tossing carefully. Pour on dressing mixture and add Romano. Gently stir in Feta cheese just before serving.

Strawberry update

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I have not yet gotten an answer to the question " Are strawberries grown in wheat straw gluten free. I have asked my local Chapter of the Dept. of Agriculture to look into the question. However, I have found that the surface coating of gluten can be removed with Vege Wash that you can buy at your local grocer.

Don't take my strawberries! (Are Strawberries Gluten-Free when Grown in Wheat Straw?)

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:00:00 +0000

I have been reading articles that say that people with celiac shouldn't consume strawberries due to the fact that they are grown in straw. I picked strawberries with my children yesterday and I asked the local grower what type of straw they used and sure enough it was wheat straw. I have eaten strawberries and had not had a reaction, but after knowing this, I didn't eat any of the ones that we picked. I intend to look into this situation and I will keep you posted as to what I find out.