gluten-free Living Magazine

[hez]

Up until last night I have really enjoyed this magazine. I feel like they do a great job investigating and reporting on celiac and gluten issues. My one complaint is that the magazine does not arrive at my door in a timely fashion (just got the spring issue, isn't it late summer?).

The last issue mentioned that they were not allowing advertisements for gluten-free personal care products. They felt that this sent the wrong message to their readers (they do not believe that gluten can be absorbed into the skin therefore no need for gluten-free personal products). I disagreed with that decision (I do not think gluten can be absorbed into the skin but that it can travel to your mouth) based on my experience. I got glutened from lotion (licked my fingers). But I did not think too hard or long on it, let it go.

Well, I get this issue and am surprised by their attitude. It seems there were quite a few people who wrote the magazine saying that for them they have reactions from touching gluten. As well as a Mom writing in about kids putting their hands in their mouths and needing gluten-free products for that reason. The magazine seemed to dismiss both of these opinions. Simply stating that it is a scientific fact that gluten can not be absorbed (a fact that I am not disagreeing with). My issue again goes back to the accidental glutening by hands in mouth or preparing food. They dismissed that argument by saying you should wash your hands.

What really got me was the last line "If people with celiac disease do not believe facts delivered by the national experts in the field, then there is no point in believing anythingl"

Does anyone else feel offended by this defensive comment?

Thanks for listening to my rant!

Hez

[eKatherine]

Since experts in the field can't seem to agree on anything, it's a good thing that so many people who think they have issues with gluten are willing to take responsibility for their own health situations.

[angel-jd1]

Up until last night I have really enjoyed this magazine. I feel like they do a great job investigating and reporting on celiac and gluten issues. My one complaint is that the magazine does not arrive at my door in a timely fashion (just got the spring issue, isn't it late summer?).

The last issue mentioned that they were not allowing advertisements for gluten-free personal care products. They felt that this sent the wrong message to their readers (they do not believe that gluten can be absorbed into the skin therefore no need for gluten-free personal products). I disagreed with that decision (I do not think gluten can be absorbed into the skin but that it can travel to your mouth) based on my experience. I got glutened from lotion (licked my fingers). But I did not think too hard or long on it, let it go.

Well, I get this issue and am surprised by their attitude. It seems there were quite a few people who wrote the magazine saying that for them they have reactions from touching gluten. As well as a Mom writing in about kids putting their hands in their mouths and needing gluten-free products for that reason. The magazine seemed to dismiss both of these opinions. Simply stating that it is a scientific fact that gluten can not be absorbed (a fact that I am not disagreeing with). My issue again goes back to the accidental glutening by hands in mouth or preparing food. They dismissed that argument by saying you should wash your hands.

What really got me was the last line "If people with celiac disease do not believe facts delivered by the national experts in the field, then there is no point in believing anythingl"

Does anyone else feel offended by this defensive comment?

Thanks for listening to my rant!

Hez

That magazine seems to believe they are pretty high and mighty for whatever reason. I have heard tons of negative complaints about them. You can find a whole thread on them here: Open Original Shared Link

They stink and are very rude. It doesn't suprise me with the comment. It seems to be the way that they approach things. I quit buying/subscribing because of their lack of professionalism. I refuse to give rude people my money. I hope others will do the same.

-Jessica

[hez]

My subscription is up. I am really not sure if I will renew. I do love some of the articles, just can't stomach the attitude.

Hez

[Nantzie]

I think that who ever made that offensive statement may be getting glutened by their personal care products. It sounds like a snippy, rude thing, that a celiac would say if they were glutened. Seriously.

And it is very offensive. I'm not going to be buying their magazine. As the magazine-reading celiac public, we are their customers. The first rule of working with customers is not to be rude to them or belittle them or their ideas. If the people in charge wanted to push their view on the idea, which they have every right to since it's their magazine, they could do tons of articles about their view. They don't have to make an example of people in their letters to the editor section. This person is acting like a bad waiter or restaurant manager, and is doing the celiac community a disservice by belittling this very important aspect of living gluten-free.

Nancy

[floridanative]

I did not get my Spring issue yet.......I will not be renewing just for that reason, it's always sooooooooo late. Why would someone want the holiday/winter issue in April? If Ann, the editor or anyone there said that about personal care products, well then they will be responsible when they go under. I know for a fact that they are hard pressed for money as they have admitted as much to me when I've complained about never getting issues anywhere near the time promised. So if they won't allow ad revenue to be generated due to their particular belief about skin card and gluten, well that's just dumb. I find many of their articles great but I'll be switching to 'Living Without' instead.

[Dwight Senne]

Yep, I let my subscription to Gluten Free Living expire for the same reason - waaaay negative attitude. How many issues did they beat the dead horse of vinegar? Wow! Basically, if they get even one person in disagreement with what their "facts" are, they will pound the issue into the pavement until the oposing side gives up from exhaustion! They are just too "high and mighty" for my tastes.

[Judyin Philly]

Hez, rant on I'm with you on this one.

judy in Philly

[gfp]

Since experts in the field can't seem to agree on anything, it's a good thing that so many people who think they have issues with gluten are willing to take responsibility for their own health situations.

I guess this is what the editor believes she is doing? I dunno but either way there is a polite way to do something and an impolite way.

I think the way she said it is what counts, I mean I guess if she wants to lose advertising then its up to her and its not stoping anyone buying the stuff, just advertising in that mag but as someone else says sounds like a grumpy celiac being all to direct to me at its certainly not the way to talk to your readers if you want to keep them.

I mean camper vans have no proven health benefits to celaics but someone might want to run an ad in the mag because they figure celaics might WANT to hire a camper for thier vacation because then they are independant of finding places to eat. Not to mention lipstick is a cosmetic product that certainly can contaminate.

My website doesn't have any paid advertising (my decision) but I will advertise a gluten-free resto for FREE because people want to and if someone wants to rave over gluten-free cosmetics then its up to them ... so its a bit weird IMHO but she might actually beleive that the gluten-free cosmetics are just taking advantage of celaics ... if she had worded it nicely (I mean this is what editors are meant to do) it could have come across better???

Silly lady IMHO

[Guest cassidy]

What an attitude! I haven't read the magazine, but my mom likes it.

I completely agree with you about the personal care products. I see gluten like poison and I don't like to have it anywhere near me. If I have to touch something with gluten, I wash my hands immediately. What is the point of putting on lotion with gluten in it and then washing your hands right away to get the gluten off - that would really help moisturize.

I wonder why the magazine doesn't see the difference between absorbing gluten through the skin (we all get that this doesn't happen) and accidently ingesting gluten that is on your skin.

[debmidge]

Who needs "attitude" - it's bad enough that celiacs have to "fight" their battle with the uninitiated let along those who are supposedly "in the know."

Perhaps after their demise a group of us can buy them out and publish what we want instead? Like a "co-operative" magazine. We can rename it "REAL LIVING - Gluten Free".

[taz sharratt]

i have never seen this mad and in fact knew nothing of it but from what you have all said im not missing much, but thanx for the post ill know that if i come across it to keep clear or take it with a pinch of salt.

[gfp]

What an attitude! I haven't read the magazine, but my mom likes it.

I completely agree with you about the personal care products. I see gluten like poison and I don't like to have it anywhere near me. If I have to touch something with gluten, I wash my hands immediately. What is the point of putting on lotion with gluten in it and then washing your hands right away to get the gluten off - that would really help moisturize.

I wonder why the magazine doesn't see the difference between absorbing gluten through the skin (we all get that this doesn't happen) and accidently ingesting gluten that is on your skin.

I don't .... I mean if a product is enriched with "pure organic wheat protein" and that protein isn't adsorbed then why have the products? (rhetoric) Coconut oil is a large molecule as is aloe vera oil .. we obviously adsorb those (speaking as someone just back from a vacation )

The skin is our largest organ ... it is capable of adsorbing lots of things.

Do they end up in the gut? Probably not but this doesn't exempt neuro symptoms. If you are using an allover body cream even if its poorly adsorbed that is still a huge surface area ....

This is without even decending into an altiods type thread! The basis being if gluten isn't adsorbed then it must stay on the skin so a partner could ingest it.

[Nantzie]

I don't .... I mean if a product is enriched with "pure organic wheat protein" and that protein isn't adsorbed then why have the products? (rhetoric) Coconut oil is a large molecule as is aloe vera oil .. we obviously adsorb those (speaking as someone just back from a vacation )

The skin is our largest organ ... it is capable of adsorbing lots of things.

Do they end up in the gut? Probably not but this doesn't exempt neuro symptoms. If you are using an allover body cream even if its poorly adsorbed that is still a huge surface area ....

Oooo... Excellent point.

[4getgluten]

I got my magazine last week, and I was very upset when I read this article. I really wish I had never subscribed. In my mind, I've written the editor at least 20 letters telling her what I think. Now I just need to sit down and write it. The people at the magazine need to get down of their high horse and use some common sense. If they don't have readers, then they don't have a magazine. Using gluten-free skin care products is safe for Celiacs - it can't hurt, so why not promote them? And why on earth would you tell your readers they are stupid for using them?

[hez]

Karen-

I have been writing them letters in my head as well I am just not sure what I want to say. I do not want to come across as some angry weird person that they will immediatly discredit. Although the reality is I do not think they care what I or anyone else thinks.

Hez

[4getgluten]

Hez -

I doubt very much you would come across as a weird person... angry maybe. I would guess they've already received many complaints from angry readers.

Anyhow, I'm afraid you're probably right... they don't care what anyone thinks. This may ultimately put them out of business.

[hez]

Karen,

I think you are right. I think if you anger enough customers they will not come back. It is a shame they do not understand this part of business. I really did enjoy the magazine.

Hez

[sspitzer5]

Yes, that definitely is offensive. I felt so much better after switching to a gluten free shampoo. I have no idea whether it was somehow getting into my mouth or being absorbed through the skin. The least they could say is that they don't know for sure and that if you're still having symptoms to give it a try.

S

[Nantzie]

Yea, normally something like this would just make me mad. Bad customer service makes me screaming blue furious. But I'm a little concerned that a fellow celiac might be getting glutened. I hope she eventually at least gives it a try.

Sigh.

Nancy

[gfp]

I think the problem is she thinks she is doing the 'right thing'.

Refusing paid advertising is obviously going to cost money and people don't do that without at least believing they are doing good. Hence I think an appropriate response might be along those lines that :

1) If it can be adsorbed or not it can certainly be ingested ... from the skin.

2) A blanket statement saying it can't be adsorbed is certainly wrong since although it might not be very much it is being applied to a large area AND in the case of body creames etc. it is being repeatedly applied so a little will gradually build up and at the end of the day isn't safer better than sorry later?

As for being rude.... I suggest keeping this as a seperate issue!

[tiredofdoctors]

I think that, if each individual writes a concise, accurate letter to the editor that is void of any emotion, but letting him/her know that because of a stance they're taking that may adversely affect the health of celiacs you're cancelling your subscription and asking for a partial refund, it may get their attention. May.

I've been glutened by lipstick, by Cetaphil LOTION (the cleanser is gluten-free) simply because I've had them on my face. When you slather lotion on your face, there may be some that comes in contact with your lips. Obviously you get lipstick in your mouth . . . otherwise, we wouldn't have to keep re-applying! Soaps, shampoos . . . they may not get in through your SKIN, but what if you swallow them when you're in the shower, rinsing????

In my experience with regard to letter writing, or even with complaints on the phone, I have found that the less emotion you use, the better. It reminds me of dragnet . . . "just the facts, ma'am." When you present it in that way, typically you get better results. Have stories about that, but they're for another thread . . . .

[queenofhearts]

Grrr! I have yet to see a copy of this magazine although I sent off for a subscription shortly after my diagnosis (over 2 months now). I was already a little ticked off at them, now I'm not even sure I want the darn thing. What more could they teach me than you folks, anyway!?

Leah

[angel-jd1]

You will not BELIEVE what I got in the mail today. A copy of Gluten Free Living Magazine!!!

Let me say that I moved over a year ago and have not had any contact with the magazine since my move. I never updated my info with them. I didn't find it worth the time. I would like to know how in the world they got my new/current address!?! !

I think GFL is stalking me! ha

By the way....it's the summer 06 issue................Isn't it almost fall now?!?

I just can't stop laughing about this one........................

-Jessica

[jerseyangel]

You will not BELIEVE what I got in the mail today. A copy of Gluten Free Living Magazine!!!

Let me say that I moved over a year ago and have not had any contact with the magazine since my move. I never updated my info with them. I didn't find it worth the time. I would like to know how in the world they got my new/current address!?! !

I think GFL is stalking me! ha

By the way....it's the summer 06 issue................Isn't it almost fall now?!?

I just can't stop laughing about this one........................

-Jessica

They're ears must have been burning!