Monday, July 9, 2012

The Paleo Diet and Gluten Free Living


What is a Paleo Diet you may ask?
Is it a new fad diet?
The answer is no. It is a choice about eating the way nature intended based upon the diet our ancestors ate during the Paleolithic era 2.5 million years ago.

According to Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic_diet

The paleolithic diet (abbreviated paleo diet or paleodiet), also popularly referred to as the caveman diet, Stone Age diet and hunter-gatherer diet, is a modern nutritional plan based on the presumed ancient diet of wild plants and animals that various hominid species habitually consumed during the Paleolithic era—a period of about 2.5 million years duration that ended around 10,000 years ago with the development of agriculture. In common usage, such terms as the "Paleolithic diet" also refer to the actual ancestral human diet.[1][2]
Centered on commonly available modern foods, the "contemporary" Paleolithic diet consists mainly of fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots, and nuts, and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, salt, refined sugar, and processed oils.[1][3][4]
First popularized in the mid-1970s by gastroenterologist Walter L. Voegtlin,[5][6] this nutritional concept has been promoted and adapted by a number of authors and researchers in several books and academic journals.[7] A common theme in evolutionary medicine,[8][9] Paleolithic nutrition is based on the premise that modern humans are genetically adapted to the diet of their Paleolithic ancestors and that human genetics have scarcely changed since the dawn of agriculture, and therefore that an ideal diet for human health and well-being is one that resembles this ancestral diet.[4][10] Proponents of this diet argue that modern human populations subsisting on traditional diets allegedly similar to those of Paleolithic hunter-gatherers are largely free of diseases of affluence,[11][12] and that two small prospective studies of the Paleolithic diet in humans have shown some positive health outcomes.[13][14] Supporters point to several potentially therapeutic nutritional characteristics of allegedly preagricultural diets.[10][15]



While the Paleo Diet may not be for everyone it is Gluten Free friendly.


Our family is not exclusive to this choice of eating but, based on the description of foods that are consumed in the Paleo Diet, Madeleine, my daughter follows it quite closely!



Sunday, July 8, 2012

I'm Hungry!!!!

Dining out can be very challenging on a Gluten Free diet.  Especially when you need something quick.


Today we were at the mall when everyone decided they were starving. Thank goodness we learned about Five Guys Burger and Fries. While we promote healthy eating habits, a treat of  french fries from Five Guys puts a smile on everyone's face.
Five Guys cook their french fries in 100% peanut oil and the great news is they are not cross-contaminated by breaded fryer products/foods!


We have eaten at Five Guys several times and it has been a great experience every time.  Our family is thrilled that we can actually go out and find something that is quick and Gluten Free!
Everything on the menu is Gluten Free EXCEPT for the Buns (which are toasted on a separate grill and the Hintz Malt Vinegar)


See this link for more information: http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/455301/mark-basch/2011-06-24/five-guys-confirms-its-gluten-free-except-buns


Saturday, July 7, 2012

Gluten-Free Summertime Snacks that KIDS love!



It's summertime! There a play dates, picnics, and gatherings to attend.  Eating Gluten Free can be challenging in these situations.  Here are some great Summertime snack ideas that everyone can eat and that KIDS love too!

Easy Snack Ideas

Gluten Free Pretzels and Dip -  Try dipping pretzels in yogurt, peanut butter, or cream cheese (plain or flavored)

Another option is to use rice crackers.







Homemade Popcorn is fun to make and fun to eat!

Rice Cakes can be eaten as a dessert or put cream cheese or peanut butter on top and you have an easy lunch time snack.


A variety of fresh fruit is refreshing and a healthy choice.  You can also have a build your own fruit Kabob station to make it fun!

Fresh veggies with or without dip.

Gelatin Cups
Apple sauce (squeezable is best - no mess)
Dried Fruits/Nuts
Fruit Snacks
Are all easy items that can be packed up to take along with you during your summer adventures.

Make deli meat roll ups with string cheese in the middle.


Hot Dogs with Gluten Free buns are an all time summer favorite!


And finally, it would not be summer without popscicles!!!!



Share your summertime Gluten Free Favorites!!!

Friday, July 6, 2012

What is Celiac Disease?

There are many people who are new to living a Gluten Free Lifestyle. This link is helpful to gain a better understanding of what Celiac Disease is. Further, I have shared this link with others (family and friends) to help them understand what it means to live a Gluten Free Lifestyle.

http://www.glutenfreely.com/liveglutenfreely/closer-look-at-celiac-disease
Welcome to My Gluten Free Me's Blog!

My name is Christiane Wood.  I am a mom of two girls, Madeleine (9) and Izzy (7). They both have Celiac Disease.  While we have been living a Gluten Free lifestyle for quite sometime, I have decided that it was time I begin to blog about our family's experiences and challenges as a way to help others with obstacles they encounter living Gluten Free.

One thing that I have learned is that with today's available technologies, sharing information enhances everyones quality of life. So, here I am ready to blog!