Gluten-Free Is Medicine for Me

Imagine having a disease that can be treated entirely by the food you eat. Imagine not needing prescription medicines or having to deal with the side effects from medicine that can often be worse than the symptoms you are trying to treat. You have heard about the healing power of food, but have you heard of a disease that can be healed by only food? Does this sound too good to be true?

This is exactly the case with celiac disease. The only treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong 100% gluten-free diet. Celiac is an autoimmune disease where eating gluten damages the villi of the small intestine, resulting in malnutrition and any of over 300 possible health symptoms. Since tests for celiac disease are only accurate while still eating gluten, it is essential to get tested for celiac disease before trying a gluten-free diet. Ask your doctor to order the celiac disease panel, which is a simple blood test.

The great news is that there are so many choices for finding delicious gluten-free food. It does require vigilance to ensure the food you order at a restaurant or buy in a store is truly gluten-free and not impacted by cross-contamination. However, you will quickly learn the best questions to ask for your safety. Gluten-free is medicine for me. Is it your medicine too?

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Should I Try a Gluten-Free Diet?

Are you thinking of trying a gluten-free diet as a New Year’s resolution or because you think it is a cool trend? Are you wondering if a gluten-free diet is a weight loss diet? Here’s what you need to know before trying a gluten-free diet.

1. Get tested for celiac disease before trying a gluten-free diet. Testing for celiac disease is only accurate if you are still eating gluten.

2. Eating gluten-free is not a weight loss diet, fad or trend. If this is your reason for trying a gluten-free diet, you will be highly disappointed with the results if you don’t have a medically necessary reason for following a gluten-free diet.

3. Gluten-free foods are not healthier choices. In fact, many gluten-free products may be unhealthier than their gluten counterparts and lacking in fiber. There is no benefit to choosing a gluten-free dessert, pizza or bread when you aren’t intolerant to gluten. In fact, this choice will likely be more expensive.

4. Determining if a food is gluten-free can be complicated. Do you know how to determine if oats are safe or unsafe? Do you know all the ways gluten can be hiding in foods, such as malt in Rice Krispies? Do you know how to prevent cross-contamination?

5. If you tested positive for celiac disease, then you need to follow a 100% gluten-free diet. This is the only treatment for celiac disease. Use this gluten-free guide to get started.

6. If you tested negative for celiac disease, but think your health symptoms may be caused by gluten, you could have gluten sensitivity. Here’s what Beyond Celiac recommends for diagnosing non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

“Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is diagnosed by process of exclusion. Experts recommend that you first get tested for a wheat allergy and for celiac disease. If both of those are negative, then your doctor may recommend a gluten elimination diet. If symptoms improve on a gluten-free diet, then you likely have non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It is very important that a knowledgeable physician oversee this entire process, which can help to omit patients self-diagnosing themselves and to reduce the likelihood of a placebo effect occurring during dietary intervention.”

Now that you have the facts, will you still choose a gluten-free diet?  

10 Gluten-Free Predictions for the New Decade

Whether 2020 will be your first year eating gluten-free or you have been eating gluten-free for over a decade (like myself), the new year and new decade offer many gluten-free possibilities. While there have been major improvements in gluten-free life in the last decade, there are far more gluten-free advances that are necessary. Imagine how fantastic gluten-free life will be in 2029 when hopefully most of these gluten-free predictions become a reality! 

Here are my gluten-free predictions in random order. Which ones do you hope will come true? What would you add to this list?

1. Significant increase in the number of Americans diagnosed with celiac disease.

2. Broader awareness of celiac disease symptoms, treatment, and health complications.

3. Gluten disclosed on all medication labels.

4. More colleges offering dining halls that are gluten-free, allergen-free, and vegan, following the examples of the University of North Texas and Michigan State.

5. Gluten-free meals and snacks widely available at hospitals, nursing homes, school cafeterias, work cafeterias, sports and entertainment venues, airlines, hotels, and programs for feeding the homeless.

6. The celiac pill will be available. One option could be available as early as 2021, while a vaccine is being fast-tracked by the FDA. 

7. We will see a big increase in 100% gluten-free restaurants as well as many restaurants adding gluten-free menus without cross-contamination that are truly safe for people with celiac disease.

8. Store brand products will be commonly labeled as gluten-free, offering a much-needed way for gluten-free consumers to save money. 

9. The FDA will enforce proper use of the gluten-free label.

10. Tasty new gluten-free products will meet the demands of many special dietary needs, including vegan, keto, plant-based, allergen-free, low sugar, low carb, and more.

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Alert: Mama Lucia Meatballs Removes Gluten-Free from Packaging

We love Mama Lucia All Beef Meatballs found in the frozen foods section of Safeway and Giant. They are delicious with pasta and in open-faced meatball subs with Udi’s Gluten Free hot dog buns. When I went to buy Mama Lucia Meatballs last night, I was shocked to see that gluten-free has been removed from the front of the All Beef package. I searched the package, and gluten-free is nowhere on the new package! 

Are Mama Lucia Meatballs still gluten-free? Here are the three email replies I received today from a conversation with a Quaker Maid Consumer Affairs representative, with the most recent reply last.

“Thank you for contacting us regarding the Mama Lucia All Beef Italian Style Meatballs. Your comments are appreciated. The “Gluten-Free” notation has been removed from the new packaging, however, the formulation and ingredients are the same. This all beef meatball is still gluten-free. Please accept my apology for the confusion.” 

“I understand that such packaging notation are very important and I’m sorry for any stress this has caused you. The change was made when the package sizes were updated and with the idea that new items may be added to the meatball facility sometime in the future. There has not been any manufacturing change at this point. Because this might mean the facility will no longer be strictly gluten-free, they considered this change very carefully and did not come to this decision lightly. At this time and in the near future you can be assured that all Mama Lucia Meatballs are gluten-free including the All Beef variety. It will be important to watch the BACK of the package where allergens are listed.” 

“Yes they are tested. Nothing is changing! Be assured that the meatballs you have are gluten-free, we are still producing all meatballs that are gluten-free.”

While I would like to trust the company that the product is still gluten-free, my 12 years of eating gluten-free tells me otherwise. Why would you take gluten-free off the package if your product is still gluten-free now? I can’t help but wonder if there is more they aren’t saying. Is it safe for celiac disease? They are clearly saying that their manufacturing may change in the near future when they introduce gluten products, so even if they are gluten-free now, they likely will not be in the near future due to cross-contamination. 

I asked multiple times if gluten-free is being removed from all of their meatball products or only the All Beef ones, but I did not receive a response. None of the photos on their website have gluten-free on any of the packages anymore. Their website FAQ now says, “There are no wheat or gluten ingredients in the products.”

My recommendation is to continue always reading ingredients and start searching for a different brand of gluten-free frozen meatballs. For brands, if you value your gluten-free consumers, don’t remove gluten-free from the package and expect them to keep buying it!

Celebrating 10 Years of Gluten-Free: 10 Things I’m Thankful For

As Celiac Awareness Month ends, this is the perfect time to reflect on how gluten-free life has improved in the past 10 years. It was 2007 when I was first diagnosed with celiac disease. At the time, I remember how hard it was to find gluten-free products in local stores, let alone delicious tasting ones. I remember family members helping me to research online about celiac disease and buying products for me to try.

In December 2008, I started my blog to focus on the positive side of gluten-free life. I never could have imagined then that starting my blog would ultimately lead to a new career for me in social media. You may remember the reviews my daughter did of gluten-free books for kids when she was in elementary school. Now, she is a freshman in high school and has her own blog where she reviews books for teens! 

10 Things I’m Thankful For

 

1. Being Diagnosed with Celiac Disease – That’s right, I’m thankful that I was diagnosed with celiac disease. After five years of health problems and countless doctor visits, it is great to finally have a diagnosis and treatment that resulted in improved health! 

2. FDA Standard for Gluten-Free – It is fabulous to finally have a standard for gluten-free labeling and to see many more products labeled gluten-free as a result. 

3. More Celiac Disease Awareness – I remember how exciting it was years ago to simply see a news story about celiac disease or a mention of gluten-free on TV shows, like Emeril or Cupcake Wars. Now we even have Olympic athletes with celiac disease!

4. More Gluten-Free Products in Local Stores – While I still shop at many different stores, it is great to be able to do my weekly grocery shopping at one major chain.

5. Generic OTC Meds Labeled as Gluten-Free – I remember how happy I was when I could finally buy a gluten-free generic pain reliever. No more paying for brand names!

6. Udi’s Gluten Free – Before Udi’s Gluten Free was even available on the East Coast, they sent me a big box of their delicious products to review. I still remember the first time I saw Udi’s in a local store, and now they are everywhere! We especially love their hamburger buns and cookies.

7. Wegmans – I’m so thankful that Wegmans finally opened in my county, as it truly is a gluten-free mecca. I have discovered many new gluten-free products there, but my favorite is the Wegmans generic gluten-free Rice Krispies. When Kellogg’s first announced gluten-free Rice Krispies, I immediately blogged about it, and it became one of my most popular blog posts. Unfortunately, the excitement was short-lived as Kellogg’s eventually discontinued them, and I desperately sought a replacement for what had become a staple cereal for me. Thank you Wegmans!

8. Not Your Average Joe’s – This restaurant chain has one of the largest gluten-free menus I have seen, featuring a variety of delicious entrees and even a gluten-free bread basket! 

9. Gluten-Free Bloggers – It is truly fantastic to now see so many passionate gluten-free bloggers spreading celiac awareness and sharing gluten-free reviews and news! I fondly remember the gluten-free bloggers that supported me when I first started blogging.

10. My Job at NuGo Nutrition – Teaching myself gluten-free blogging and social media led to my wonderful job as a social media specialist at NuGo Nutrition. When I first started working for NuGo six years ago, they made less than 10 gluten-free bars. Now, they make 27 certified gluten-free protein bars. While I eat several NuGo Dark, NuGo Slim, and NuGo Family flavors, my favorite is NuGo Dark Mint Chocolate Chip, which tastes like Thin Mints! 

I can’t wait to see the gluten-free and celiac disease advancements in the next 10 years!

 

60 Easy Ways to Raise Celiac Awareness

Join me in celebrating Celiac Awareness Month this May. Beyond Celiac, formerly known as the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, has put together a super list of 60 ways to raise celiac awareness. This year’s campaign is focused on raising awareness in 60 seconds (#60forCeliac), and I’m happy to be part of their blogger force. Here are five of my favorite ideas from the campaign. 

1. Watch and share this one minute video.

2. Tell a restaurant worker you have celiac disease instead of only asking for the gluten-free menu. 

3. Talk to one new person about celiac disease. 

4. Help someone in the gluten-free aisle at the grocery store. 

5. Ask your grocery store or supermarket to add gluten-free products.

Visit Beyond Celiac to see all 60 ways! What will you do to spread celiac awareness this May and all year?

Review: Wegmans Gluten-Free Crispy Rice Cereal

Ever since Kellogg’s discontinued gluten-free Rice Krispies in 2015, I haven’t had any luck finding a good replacement. Recently, I heard in social media that Wegmans Crispy Rice cereal is now gluten-free. I was very excited to try it and hoped I wouldn’t be disappointed.

Not only does Wegmans gluten-free Crispy Rice cereal taste very similar to Kellogg’s, but it is actually even better! The oven toasted rice is a bit fluffier and airier, giving it even more of a Snap, Krackle, and Pop. Not to mention the incredibly cheap price for a 12 ounce box of gluten-free and lactose-free enriched cereal – only $1.99! 

If I hadn’t heard in social media that it was gluten-free, I would have completely missed it at Wegmans. It is in the regular cereal aisle on the bottom shelf, and the only indication that it is gluten-free is the tiny orange circle with the letter G on the front of the box. I highly recommend that they also put this cereal in the gluten-free section. Wegmans has succeeded in creating the best tasting gluten-free Crispy Rice cereal. Now, they just need to make sure people with celiac disease can find it!

Review: New Gluten-Free Cheerios

For the last few months, I have been walking down the cereal aisle every week in hopes of spotting the new gluten-free Cheerios. Last night, I finally found them at Giant! In fact, I almost missed them since the front of the new gluten-free boxes is almost identical to the old ones, except for the gluten-free stamp on the bottom right. Plus, there were many old boxes mixed with the new ones. 

For the majority of my life before celiac disease, one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast was a bowl of Cheerios mixed with Rice Krispies. When I heard last spring that Kellogg’s was discontinuing gluten-free Rice Krispies, I immediately stocked up and set aside several boxes to enjoy with the new gluten-free Cheerios. So last night for dinner, I enjoyed a bowl of gluten-free Rice Krispies mixed with the gluten-free Cheerios! 

When I opened the yellow Cheerios box, I instantly recognized its distinct aroma. The Cheerios were delicious! It is funny that I don’t remember them becoming so soggy in milk. I guess that really stood out to me since the texture is unlike any gluten-free cereal I have eaten in the last eight years, but in a good way. This morning for breakfast, I had a bowl of the gluten-free Multigrain Cheerios, which I loved! Wheat and barley were removed from the Multigrain Cheerios, and they added sorghum and millet instead. All the other Cheerios have the exact same taste as before. 

Instead of using certified gluten-free oats, General Mills has come up with “a way to sort the other grains out of our oats.” Part of this process is explained on the back of the new box. I must admit it is odd to buy a product that shows a pile of oats as “what we put in” and then three piles of what is removed: wheat, rye, and barley. However, I trust General Mills when it comes to gluten-free, and I didn’t have any problems from eating the Cheerios. For more about their process, watch this video. I read on the Cheerios website that “every batch of gluten-free oats is tested to make sure it has less than 20 parts per million of other grains.”

Now, if Kellogg’s would bring back gluten-free Rice Krispies, it would be gluten-free cereal nirvana for all! I look forward to trying gluten-free Honey Nut Cheerios next. They are also available in gluten-free Apple Cinnamon Cheerios and Frosted Cheerios. I am excited to stock up the next time there is a Cheerios sale!

Update August 14, 2015: The Gluten-Free Watchdog has expressed significant concerns over the safety of gluten-free Cheerios for people with celiac disease. Please read her position, so you can make an informed decision for yourself. At the time of my review, I was unaware of these concerns. I ate many bowls, especially of Multigrain Cheerios, and did not experience any problems.

The Best Gluten-Free Waffles

I have tried nearly every brand of frozen gluten-free waffles, including the new gluten-free Kellogg's Eggo waffles. The texture of some brands leaves a lot to be desired. Sometimes, frozen waffles don’t hold up to spreading toppings or eating them as sandwiches. I regularly buy Van’s gluten-free waffles simply because they are sold at my local grocery store, but have been disappointed with their lack of consistency. Occasionally, I purchase Nature’s Path gluten-free waffles.

The best frozen gluten-free waffles are definitely Wegmans brand, and they are also the cheapest! For only $1.79, you can enjoy a box of eight waffles in comparison to other gluten-free brands that cost significantly more and contain only six waffles. While the Homestyle flavor is good, I absolutely love the Wegmans blueberry waffles! With Wegmans vegan and gluten-free waffles, you know you will get a delicious waffle that comes out toasted perfectly each time – no inconsistency! They are slightly sweet, and hold up perfectly to spreading cream cheese or butter.

It is well worth the 30-minute drive each way to Wegmans just for their waffles! My teen daughter, who isn’t gluten-free, loves them too and is always asking for them for lunch. I must admit I am not a fair sharer when it comes to these. I stock up when I go to Wegmans every few months and save them mostly for myself. That is the true measure of a great product – when you need to hide them for yourself instead of sharing!

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My Top 5 Celiac Disease Facts

Share these facts for Celiac Disease Awareness Month this May, and leave a comment with what facts you would add to this list. Let’s fight the countless gluten-free myths and insensitive jokes by sharing the facts! 

1. I have an autoimmune disease, not a food allergy.

2. A 100% gluten-free diet is medically necessary for me. It is not a fad, weight loss diet, celebrity trend, or a joke. 

3. Please get tested for celiac disease before experimenting with eating gluten-free.

4. If “gluten-free” food comes in any contact with gluten while cooking or serving, it is not safe for me to eat. 

5. I love that there are tons of delicious certified gluten-free products. I am not deprived or suffering!

Review: Russo’s Frozen Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks

On a recent trip to Wegmans, I was pleasantly surprised to find Russo’s frozen gluten-free mozzarella sticks. I was so excited to eat mozzarella sticks for the first time in seven years! These gluten-free mozzarella sticks cost $6.99 and were in the gluten-free Nature’s Marketplace freezers at Wegmans, right next to another great gluten-free find, Tonya’s gluten-free soft pretzels. They are made in a dedicated gluten-free facility.

After heating the mozzarella sticks in the oven for eight minutes, they were absolutely fantastic dipped in marinara sauce. They satisfied my craving for mozzarella sticks. Despite the calories and the fact that there are only three serving in the package, I will certainly be buying them again! It is definitely worth driving for 30 minutes to Wegmans to buy them and other gluten-free products.

 

My 10 Favorite Gluten-Free Foods

After six years of eating gluten-free, a long house hunt, finally becoming a homeowner again, and recently moving, this is the perfect time to share my current list of ten favorite gluten-free foods. These foods, in random order, were essential during my recent move and most are staples that I usually have on hand. While I was packing to move, I found a list from six years ago of gluten-free products I tried and rated as good or bad. It sure was slim pickings back then compared to the plethora of gluten-free options available today!

1. Moo Goo Gai Pan at P.F. Chang’s – Is there anything better than a gluten-free meal at PF Chang’s of Egg Drop Soup, Moo Goo Gai Pan, and the Chocolate Dome? I always say light on the sauce when ordering, which significantly cuts back on the sodium content.


2. NuGo Dark Chocolate Chocolate Chip Protein Bars – Yes, I work for the company, but this is one of several NuGo Dark and NuGo Slim flavors that I regularly buy. REAL Dark Chocolate plus protein equals a yummy satisfying snack!

3. Blue Diamond Almonds – A perfect low glycemic snack or addition to any meal.

4. Wegmans Blueberry Waffles

5. Udi’s Whole Grain Buns – These are a staple for quick dinners with Sunshine veggie burgers or Trader Joe’s or Jennie-O turkey burgers.

6. Amy’s frozen entrees – Sometimes you just need something quick to nuke, so Amy’s mac and cheese or veggie lasagna are our favorites.

7. Uncle Ben’s Instant Brown Rice – Combine with frozen veggies for a quick Meatless Monday meal.

8.  Smart Flour Foods Pizza Crust - This is our favorite crust for adding our own toppings. It is sold at Whole Foods in a pack of two for a reasonable price.

9. Conte’s Cheese Ravioli – These ravioli are so yummy, it is hard to believe they are frozen in a bag, ready so quick, and lower in sodium than similar products. 

10. Chobani Greek Yogurt – Pineapple, Blueberry, Black Cherry – I can’t pick a favorite, so I get them all!

This list was updated in June 2015.

Celiac and Emeril: New Cookbook from Gluten-Free Daughters

Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse has two adult daughters who are gluten-free! Jilly has celiac disease and was diagnosed in 2004, while her sister Jessie was diagnosed with gluten sensitivity in 2001. The Lagasse girls have a brand new cookbook, The Gluten-Free Table: The Lagasse Girls Share Their Favorite Meals. Emeril wrote the forward to their book and makes gluten-free gumbo for his daughters.
 
Remember how exciting it was too see gluten-free episodes of Emeril Green in 2008? Now, we know why Emeril had a special interest in doing these shows. Is a gluten-free cooking show from the Lagasse girls coming soon?

 

Gluten-Free Olympic Athletes Go for Gold in London 2012

Wondering what US Olympic athletes are gluten-free and may win a gold medal in London 2012? Pole vaulter Jenn Suhr was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2011 and is the world’s top ranked female pole vaulter. Swimmer Dana Vollmer is gluten intolerant and also can’t eat eggs. She will compete in the 100m butterfly and 4x200m freestyle relay. Dana is the new spokesperson for Crunchmaster Crackers. To read about gluten-free Olympic athletes from other countries, visit About.com. View the Olympic schedule for these gluten-free athletes.

Update July 30, 2012 - Dana Vollmer won a Gold medal and set a world record in the 100m butterfly!

Update August 4, 2012 - Dana Vollmer won a total of three gold medals and set two world records! She competed in the 4x200 free relay and 4x100 medley relay.

Update August 6, 2012 - Jenn Suhr won a Gold medal in the pole vault!

How to Get SAFE Gluten-Free Food at a Restaurant

How do you determine if the gluten-free food at a restaurant is truly SAFE for someone with celiac disease to eat? There has been tons of news coverage about Domino’s launching a “gluten-free” pizza that is not SAFE for those with celiac disease.

 

Since May is Celiac Awareness Month, it is the perfect time to implement an easy technique that people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity can follow at restaurants. We need to ensure restaurant employees understand the importance of SAFE gluten-free food, and don’t confuse our order with a weight loss fad!

 

Use my SAFE technique before taking a bite! 

 

Shared cooking equipment, serving spoons, or fryers? Don’t eat it! 

Alert the chef that you will get extremely sick if your meal is not 100% gluten-free.

Follow recommendations and reviews from gluten-free websites, blogs, and support groups.

Examine their knowledge of gluten-free ingredients and cross-contamination.

  

Help keep the gluten-free community SAFE by sharing this blog post!

New Resource for Gluten-Free College Students

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) has a new digital publication for gluten-free college students called GREAT U. The terrific resource is a must read for gluten-free high school students applying to college. Those already in college will find the guide handy not only for themselves, but for helping roommates and friends understand the gluten-free diet. Parents will enjoy reading GREAT U, especially the tips on how to make the ultimate gluten-free package.  

 

“GREAT U was created to build gluten-free students’ confidence and empower them to take action on their own behalf while on campus. All students deserve a GREAT college experience, and this publication helps them do just that.”

 

Here are my favorite articles in GREAT U:  

• Gluten-Free No-Nos in the Dining Hall 
• Gluten-Free One Liners
• Hurdling the Obstacles
• Dating Dos and Don’ts 
• Great Stories from Our GREAT Schools (Emory University, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and University of Colorado Boulder)
• How to Start Your Own Gluten-Free Advocacy Group on Campus

 

Thanks to Kelly Clayton, NFCA’s college intern, and Udi’s Gluten-Free for making this resource possible! Click here to download GREAT U. When you are done reading it, be sure to click the reader feedback button at the bottom to let NFCA know how great you think it is.

Review: Feel Good Foods Gluten-Free Egg Rolls

I was so excited when I found the new Feel Good Foods gluten-free egg rolls at Whole Foods. Trying them is a great way to celebrate five years of living gluten-free and three years of blogging. As many of my blog readers and Twitter followers know, gluten-free egg rolls are the one food that I have been craving for years.  

When I picked up the egg roll box, I was immediately impressed with the nutritional information: low fat and approximately 100 calories! One box of egg rolls is $4.99 and contains three egg rolls. They are available in three varieties: chicken, shrimp, and vegetable. They are dairy-free and contain eggs and soy. I purchased chicken and shrimp.

As soon as I got home, I popped one in the microwave and one in the oven. No matter how eager you are to try them, I don’t recommend microwaving them. Seriously, I waited five years for a gluten-free egg roll, so you would think I could wait an extra 15 minutes for them to cook in the oven before trying them, but I couldn’t. The box offers three cooking options: microwave, quick oven, and conventional method.

The egg rolls are long and thin and look more like a spring roll than an egg roll. If you are expecting a spring roll, then you will enjoy them. However, if like me, you are expecting a traditional egg roll, then you will be disappointed. They have a nice plump filling, but are missing the egg pieces, taste, and texture normally found in egg rolls. The chicken ones have too much black pepper, so I like the shrimp egg rolls best. I greatly appreciate that new gluten-free products like this exist, but unfortunately, they did not satisfy my egg roll craving.

Help Send Children to a Gluten-Free Summer Camp

Here is a special holiday fundraiser to benefit the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) gluten-free summer camp in Southern California. Simply donate $2, and your donation will be matched this week only! All donations go directly to the CDF for camp scholarships. The camp is for any child age 7 to 15, who follows a gluten-free diet. It will be held in San Bernardino, California from July 30 to August 3, 2012.

“This week only, giving just $2 of your hard-earned money will go toward providing scholarships for children to attend a gluten-free summer camp hosted by the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) next summer in Southern California.

But this week, donating $2 doesn’t mean you’re just donating $2…

This week through Sunday, December 25, Gluten-Free Saver has partnered with Van’s Natural Foods to raise money to send children to next summer’s CDF-sponsored summer camp, and Van’s is matching all donations up to $1,000!

The goal is to raise $2,000 – and when you donate $2, you’re really contributing $4.”

You can read more about the fundraiser and make a $2 donation now on the Gluten-Free Saver website. Visit the Celiac Disease Foundation website to register for the camp or to make a future donation. Gluten-Free Saver is a great new gluten-free deal site, offering "limited-time promotions on your favorite gluten-free products at 37-80% off retail price." Happy Holidays!

Gluten-Free Cupcakes Finally Win Cupcake Wars!

Kyra Bussanich of Crave Bake Shop returned to Cupcake Wars and this time, her gluten-free cupcakes won! In December 2010, Kyra first appeared on Cupcake Wars and her gluten-free cupcakes almost won.

On tonight's episode, The Closer 100th Episode, Kyra said that this is a "win for the entire gluten-free community." I couldn't agree more! After watching three seasons of Cupcake Wars, it is fantastic to finally see a gluten-free winner on the Food Network. Cast members of The Closer loved the cupcakes and said "we are all going to gluten-free."

Season four of Cupcake Wars airs Sundays at 8 pm ET/PT. This episode reairs on Tuesday, December 20 at 8 pm ET/PT.  If you missed the episode, watch this clip of the ending to see the first gluten-free champion.

Limited Edition Pumpkin Cream Cheese

I was so excited to find two brands of gluten-free pumpkin cream cheese. Both Trader Joe’s and Philadelphia (Kraft) make delicious limited edition pumpkin cream cheese. The Trader Joe’s pumpkin cream cheese has a lighter whipped texture, but it tastes similar to the Philadelphia one. Both are perfect to spread on an English muffin, bagel, or toast. While you are stocking up on gluten-free limited edition pumpkin products, don’t miss Silk Pumpkin Spice and Edy’s pumpkin ice cream!