The FABULOUS Girls Are at it Again!

The FABULOUS GIRLS break out into song and dance in Boston at the Natural Products Expo East!!

YIIPEEEEE!!!!!

I am SO excited to bake! 

If you know me, you know how much I love to bake. In the past few months, I've baked some gf brownies, muffins, and cookies- all disastrous. These experiences left my heart heavy but determined to one day find that perfect recipe for a gluten-free/dairy-free recipe. I knew it would take a lot of experimenting with xantham gum, different flours, and lots of patience. 

However, someone must have heard my prayers, and that someone is BETTY CROCKER!

That's right- Betty Crocker has come up with FOUR different gluten-free mixes: Brownie, Chocolate chip cookie, devil's food, and chocolate cake. Remember Betty Crocker from your pre-gf days? The fluffy, moist, melt in your mouth recipes that went hand in hand with holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. Well, now us gluten-free folks can rejoin that bandwagon along with Betty's new mixes. 

Betty Crocker is truly an admirable organization. General Mills is proud CSA Benefactor Members of the Celiac Sprue Association. They have done an excellent job at reaching out to their special audience of those with celiac disease and other related disorders that require a gluten-free diet.

Go Betty! :)

Gluten-Free: It's not GREEK to Me!

I'll admit that some of the things that I most remember my first year of college in Missouri: Domino's Pizza, Spaghetti-O's, and beer. 

You might be wondering why these three things stand out as some of my boldest memories among others like sorority life, Greek week, Bearcat football, and my first year ever living in the snow. The fact of the matter is that although I was living in what should have been the best year of my life (FREEDOM!), I was literally dying inside. Those three things, which were staples among my freshman diet, were contributing to my celiac disease, and only making things worse.

Celiac disease is often dormant throughout a certain period of one's life until it is finally exposed due to many things, one of which can be stress. Living across the country from my family for the first time in my life was definitely a contributor to awakening the celiac disease inside of me. Not only did I gain the freshman 15 this year, but I ended up losing double the amount by the end of the year. The rapid weight gain, and even more extreme weight loss, left me at below 100 lbs. by final exams. Little did I know that this was all because of my celiac disease.  

Thankfully, science is becoming quicker at diagnosing those with celiac disease. 

ABC has a show called Greek, and one of the actors on the show Michael Foster, is raving about losing his freshman 15. 

According to a recent post on People.com, Foster says his life on the set was similar to college life. "I was so happy about having a job and not having to worry about paying the food bill, I ate anything on set," says Foster, 24. "Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, you name it. I got sucked into craft services and, yes, it was just like college!" 

However, The 6'3" actor, who plays Cappie on the hit show, quickly reached 200 lbs. Around the same time, he also found out he was allergic to gluten. "It runs in my family," says Foster, whose symptoms included a bloated stomach and extremely dry skin on his hands. "It just got worse and worse and I was like, 'This can't be normal!' " 

After being diagnosed about three months ago, Foster cut out wheat and flour products from his diet. "I can't eat bread, anything fried or even drink a beer," he says. People.com further states that his diet now consists of protein, vegetables and fruit. He also eliminated most milk products, including cheese. 

Foster goes on to say that eating better makes him feel great, which reassures him that he will be fine this time around on set. 

I completely understand Foster's attitude. I used to go through withdraws on my new gluten-free diet, however now I embrace it. I feel so great about the fact that I eat so healthy. I don't drink soda, eat fast food, and rarely indulge in sweets. I also don't eat dairy products or eggs, and rarely eat red meat as well. Overall, being diagnosed with celiac disease is a blessing. It has taught me so many things such as persistence, patience, and to always trust your "gut"! 

The View's Elisabeth Hasselback Gets Creative With Gluten-Free

A gluten-free diet, or "G Free" as she calls it, doesn't stop Elisabeth Hasselback from copying her grandma's famous recipes. 

"My grandmother was giving me her meatball-and-sauce recipe," The View co-host, 31, says in an upcoming issue of Every Day with Rachael Ray. "When she got to the part about adding breadcrumbs, she looked up at me and said, 'Elisabeth, you can add whatever you want here.' I thought, if my Italian grandmother can understand being G-free, anyone can." 

According to People.com, it's been a struggle for Hasselback to live gluten-free since she was diagnosed with celiac disease a few years ago. Now, though, she's written her own book, The G Free Diet, which is a guide to those living gluten-free. 

It is so uplifting to see celebrities embracing the gluten-free diet. This ultimately raises awareness of celiac disease, which is something that is so crucial in widespread diagnosis. According to The Celiac Sprue Association, the oldest nonprofit association dedicated to raising awareness for celiac disease, 1 in 133 people in the US have celiac disease, but only 3% of these people have been diagnosed. This means that over 2.1 million people are living with celiac disease and are undiagnosed. Those of you with celiac disease (and are aware of it) are probably cringing right now! The thought of their poor little intestines slowly being damaged and not knowing why hits so close to home. 

Thankfully, we have celebrities such as Hasselback who are using their fame for a good cause: raising awareness for celiac disease! If you are interested in her book, The G Free Diet, check out the website.

APRIL is AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH!

Hello April!

According to Autism Speaks, in 2007 the UN General Assembly officially recognized April 2 as "World Autism Awareness Day" (WAAD). WAAD's goal is to further educate and improve the world's knowledge on the disease that effects so many people around the globe. Additionally, it seeks to shed light on the magnificent things that those with Autism are doing, such as their unique talents and accomplishments! It also highlights events that are occurring in conjunction with WAAD. 

Many parents have put their children with Autism on a gluten-free/casein free diet to improve their dietary conditions as a tactic to cure their Autism. Many have seen results, although for some it has been hit or miss. However, the notion that dietary changes can "reverse" the effects of Autism is still prevalent on the list of methods to curing Autism. Many people embrace the GF/CF diet, such as actress/Autism spokeswoman Jenny McCarthy. 

Another fabulous woman who swears by the GF/CF diet is Shari Cole of Gluten Free & FABULOUS! Shari's own daughter was diagnosed with Autism when she was younger. Now she is in high school and participates in a competitive choir program and is a successful equestrian! Shari gives thanks for her daughter's achievements to the GF/CF diet. With Autism being an issue that is near and dear to her heart, as well as Celiac Disease, Shari and her father Larry decided to create GLUTEN FREE & FABULOUS just a few years ago.  

Celiac Disease & The Economy: How You Can Help!

If you have Celiac Disease, you can probably relate to me when I say a good majority of my life was spent routinely in doctor's offices for stomach aches, sinus infections, reoccurring strep throat, migraines, and constant pain. My parents must have spent thousands and thousands of dollars each year in my medical bills (wouldn't that be something to get a hold of that figure?) before I was diagnosed and became healthy again.

I often wonder what life would have been like if I had been diagnosed earlier. So many things would have been different, yet I never hang on to that thought simply because I am thankful of where I am today. However, this leads to a much more serious conclusion that is currently affecting many Americans today (whether they know it or not!). According to the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, it is apparent that there would be an economic benefit to the diagnosis of Celiac Disease in a national managed-care population of the United States. 

Peter HR Green, M.D., Professor of Clinical Medicine & Director, Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University Medical Center, had this to say about the study (Journal of Insurance Medicine, 2008; 40:218-228) and the economic benefits of increased diagnosis of Celiac Disease: "We now have evidence that the increased awareness and diagnosis of Celiac Disease would benefit not only the patients but would result in health care costs savings."

According to the study, those in whom it is diagnosed have a long duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis (they're preaching to the choir here!). Celiac Disease has been associated with Osteoporosis, Anemia, and a multitude of associated autoimmune conditions. The recent study that examined a large managed-care database revealed reduced health care costs after the diagnosis of Celiac Disease, such as the reduction of office visits, lab tests, diagnostic imaging, and endoscopy procedures.

"There needs to be greater physician education in the carious modes of presentation and manifestations of Celiac Disease and more use of the widely available screening blood tests that detect the disease," Dr. Green said.

Hopefully, this will spark an interest with organizations such as the Celiac Sprue Assocation. Goodwill organizations like theirs can help with awareness at places like doctors offices and schools in order to inform people that they could have Celiac Disease. 

To find out more about legislation and government links on Celiac Disease, visit CSA's health links.

GET GLUTEN FREE & FABULOUS AT A STORE NEAR YOU!!

If you haven't checked the website, please do so! We're working so hard to get our cookies and pizzas all over the country! You won't be disappointed, in fact, you'll be overjoyed! 

If Gluten Free & Fabulous is NOT in your store, don't worry! Just use THIS SHEET to send a request to your grocery manager. They are happy to order whatever you request!