Author Julianne Karow’s husband was diagnosed with celiac disease, opening their eyes to a world unknown to them before the shocking day of the diagnosis. Walking out of the doctor’s office without guidance, living in a small town with no active celiac groups, Julianne was at a loss. She was the cook and grocery shopper in the family.

Her sleeves rolled up, she gained determination to satisfy her husband’s palate. Her awareness of the the world of gluten-free increased measurably. Along her journey to becoming educated about gluten-free, she realized the need for a resourceful book for the celiac community at large.

Julianne has done an incredibly good and thorough job of organizing all manner of gluten-free needs any celiac or gluten-intolerant individual will need. Some topics covered are: physicians, medications, online discussions forums, cookbooks, online grocery stores, and so much more.

Her details are well-researched and appear under item clearly listed. She leaves out nothing! One chapter I found most interesting was travel. She covers hotels and specific chefs, as well as yachts and celiac travel clubs. I was left with so many options and a desire to travel now, rather than the common travel regrets so many of us celiacs are left with.
Her chapter on food company links makes it extremely easy to do time-saving shop online. Not only did Julianne list out the company, address, link, phone number, and e-mail address, she concisely describes the company’s main products, saving a lot of Internet research.

Julianne went onto start a celiac support group and has co-hosted celiac and food allergy food expos. She has perfected the art of GF cooking, refers to many of her resources in her own book, and you can bet she’s satisfying her husband’s palate these days.

Julianne’s book, Celiac Resource Guide, is a wonderful addition to any celiac’s GF book resources, which we all seem to accumulate.    This resource book is HIGHLY recommended.
Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

We tested a number of Kay’s Naturals cereals and Cracker and were quite impressed with the flavor and nutritional content. All the products have a high protein content with approximately ten grams of protein per 1 oz. This is very impressive.

Before getting too involved in testing such a variety of products, as I felt so many of these would great for kids, I needed to ensure the purity of the products. I had the opportunity to speak the owner and founder, Dr. Massoud Kazemzadeh (Dr. Kay), and I asked all my questions with the end result of being well-informed and at ease about pursuing the testing personally and with other celiacs.

The doctor informed that all his products test under 5 ppm, and his facility became 100% dedicated GF two years ago, as he concluded this was the best way to go since the company manufactures only gluten-free products.

Prior to that, a few of his products tested near 30 ppm and he was at a loss as to where this high count was coming from. He had every ingredient tested and all came in under the 5 ppm, except his source for almond flour. Since then, this has been resolved and he’s had standards set which are very well known. He assured me his soy isolate is the best, as its source is Solae, where they produce soy and nothing else.

With my mind at ease, I proceeded to test the products, and I was more than impressed with all I had at hand. The cinnamon toast pretzels taste like mini “cinnabons.” 1.5 oz. has only 9 g carbs, 10 g protein and 6 g sugar). Any child or adult would enjoy these as a quick pick-me-up snack.

They have a large assortment of crackers which are extremely impressive with names like Crispy Parmesan, Chili Nacho Cheese, and Lemon Herb, etc.

My testers felt their cheese chips were the perfect substitute for the long-gone Cheese Nips, which they can no longer eat, and I agree. Without a doubt, kids will enjoy these snacks of approximately 150 calories and 15 g of protein per bag—incredible!

The cereals are much like Cheerios, but better, and come in a variety of flavors and taste delicious alone or with fruit on top. We all agree that Kay’s Naturals (Dr. Kay) has a heartfelt story to share along and deserve our accolades for their products, taste, nutritional content, and well-packaged simple portion sizes.

Dr. Kay worked for years for several Fortune 500 Companies, developing new snacks and cereals for consumers. His wife Linda was a juvenile diabetic, and he was always concerned about the nutritional value of the products he developed—high-carb, low-calorie, and lacking fiber

He saw his wife’s suffering with her illness and saw the need for good products for the diabetic market. He shared his views with Linda and they agreed to start a company offering healthier options. They registered “Kay’s Naturals,” and he began creating prototypes. Unfortunately his wife passed away from complications with diabetes. Years later, Dr. Kay’s and Linda’s dream was rekindled, and he understood the dire need for healthier snacks and cereals and the need to help diabetics. Dr. Kay is remarried to attorney Ann Jones who eventually took over the company, pursuing the plan Dr. Kay and Linda created, and now Dr. Kay can devote time to product development. They currently offer 12 gluten-free and diabetic-friendly (low-carb and low-sugar) products, and he assures me he has no intention of quitting. He is proud to state that his products are now staple in diets addressing obesity, another concern he’s currently at the helm of.

This company, the food, and this incredible man, Dr. Massoud Kazemzadeh (Dr. Kay) are to be commended for exceptional products and purpose.

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

I loved knowing that Starbucks was going to carry gluten-free treats for those on a gluten-free diet, gluten intolerant or who have celiac disease. I am celiac.

I also love how they will accommodate you by allowing you to read ingredients as well as substitute soy milk for milk in case you are dairy, lactose or casein sensitive or have an allergy. When I hear of a large company taking notice of the statistics of those in need of gluten-free foods and then catering to those needs- well thank you Starbucks! ….PAUSE…. DUMBFOUNDED…What did you say?…Excuuuuuse me, this can’t be. There must be a mistake. This is unbelievable.

OK, read it for yourself. Melissa Alison reveals the latest changes to the light Frappuccino- they ADDED gluten! Now are you thinking what I am thinking? Even my daughter asked me the obvious “Why, why would they ADD it with all they know!” That’s what I want to know- why?

Read for yourself that the new base mix for light Frappuccinos now includes gluten yet the regular Frappuccino base mix doesn’t have gluten listed in the ingredients, but is not designated gluten-free because of the risk of cross-contamination- read the full details:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/coffeecity/2011829401_new_frappuccino_recipe_deletes.html

Read, get informed and be very aware that things can change overnight- ingredients can change. Be aware, read your labels and stay in tune with changes of ingredients always for your safety and health.

Tina Turbin

Helen Sanders, owner of Little Bay Baking Company, has been living gluten-free since 1980 and spent 30 years recreating family recipes in the form of baking mixes that anyone can simply bake and enjoy.

These delicious recipes are casein-free and gluten-free. The directions on each box are simple and there’s no need to make substitutions.

Click here to view the embedded video.

My favorite perk is the versatility of each recipe. For example, the Little Bay Corn Bread and Muffin Mix enabled us to make true-to-taste hush puppies, coating for chicken tenders, Toaster Corn Pastries, Blueberry Banana Corn Muffins, and Corn Biscotti. I’m sure anyone creative in the kitchen can come up with many more recipes.

The company is considerate of consumers in using rice milk, soy milk, almond milk. The recipes have been well-tested before packaging the recipe directions, and the ones we tried were delicious.

Five lucky families will receive a supply of mixes for FREE! Click the following link to enter my gluten-free give-away of incredible Little Bay Gluten Free Baking Mixes (ends July 31st at midnight).

The Little Bay Baking Waffle and Donut Hole Mix makes the most unique donut holes that to me tasted much like a funnel cake which I’ve always longed for and can’t have being celiac. I dusted them lightly with powdered sugar and satisfied that desire. Many testers agreed with me on this point.

Another favorite which came out most flavorful and left me wanting more was their recipe, Apple and Spice Bars, from their mix, Little Bay Baking Cookie Bar Mix. It was melt-in-your-mouth incredible. Just be sure to chop your apples very fine, as this was key. We all love this company’s many products and we found them very user-friendly.

Little Bay Baking is a member of the Gluten Intolerance Group and the Celiac Sprue Association of America, and it’s listed in the annual CSA gluten-Free Product Listing Guide.

Helen is proud to share her company’s products, which fulfill a need so that consumers don’t have to live without food that “tastes like you remember.”

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.com

Ross Cohen is the President of Triumph Dining, a website, blog, and newsletter for the celiac and gluten-free world.  Family-owned and run by five happy gluten-free dieters, it has released its third edition of The Essential Gluten-Free Grocery Guide with the latest research of 30,000 products including 1,100 brand names.

The book uses 5 symbols for our ease in determining which products satisfies one’s individual needs in purchasing grocery items in a store or online. I have not come upon such an extensive list of items in any book I’ve had in my hands or researched online.

The availability of items in this 3rd edition far outweighs the availability in the previous edition, and the shopping tips and overview of new food labeling laws are invaluable in themselves. The addition of their honest in “limitations of the Guide itself” only shows Triumph Dining’s dedication to providing a service with nothing but one’s health and service in mind.

The grocery guide is updated yearly and according to Ross they are currently the largest independent gluten-free publisher in North America.

This resource book is given a thumbs up and is HIGHLY recommended by me.
Please visit Triumph Dining – www.triumphdining.com

Tina Turbin

www.glutenfreehelp.info

100% pure cheese, crispy, delightful, fun, salty, and delicious. My taste testers and I all agreed these cheese crackers were full of flavor in each and every bite.

These gluten-, wheat-, and sugar-free  “crisps” are all made with zesty parmesan cheese in nine flavors: aged, sesame, Italian herb, garlic, jalapeno, flax seed, rosemary, everything, and their latest release, “minis.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

As a celiac with a sensitivity to dairy, I tend to stay away from products like these. However, Watching my staff bite into these crisps with their oohs and aahs, I had to give them a try, too. They truly are, in each and every bite, bursting with flavor and life. I absolutely loved the rosemary crisps and feel their “minis” release is more in the right direction in taste as well as in the packaging. The minis are about the size of a quarter, whereas the others are the size of a large cracker, three inches in diameter.

These crisps are the perfect accompaniment to a bottle of wine or dip or broken up on top of a salad, or alone. They really do not need a thing to improve their flavor as they actually will alone enhance any food or drink.

Barry Novick started this company all on a simple search for foods to eat on his diet and a desire to leave his position as a hospital administrator. Playing around in the kitchen with his wife, he came up with the perfect recipe which all his friends devoured and nearby stores were just as fond of. Orders were aggressively placed, and the rest is history.

Kitchen Table Bakers has a wealth of accolades from the finest magazines, numerous TV shows, and prestigious food awards. The most discerning food and beverage buyers across the country have these crisps on their shelves. Word is spreading.

Now the company has made it easier to try their products online on their website, http://kitchentablebakers.com/BuyNow.php.

I think I’ll summarize these crisps as “elegant with a kick of fun” in each and every bite.

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

Kendall Conrad has done a lovely job of recreating her gourmet recipes and customizing them to suit the principles which healed her child’s body- More Than 150 Delicious Specific Carbohydrate Diet(TM)-Compliant Recipes.

Author Kendall Conrad was faced with the fact that her youngest child’s gut and immune system had been severely compromised after her first ten months of life after being on many antibiotics to address severe ear infections. Her daughter finally needed surgery to drain her ears at only ten months old, which did resolve the ear troubles, but she was left with digestive troubles, wasn’t thriving, and wasn’t absorbing nutrients. Conrad spent a year visiting many doctors to no avail.

Conrad was introduced to a nutritionist who introduced her to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which eliminated virtually all starch and complex sugars. The result was that her daughter began to grow and feel much better. She is now a thriving healthy child.

This cookbook and its detailed introduction shares many aspects of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet’s effects on many people with Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis,  IBS, diverticulitis, and other digestive conditions—to incredible results.

The recipes in Kendall’s book are gourmet in every sense of the word, and your family and guests will have no clue that each one of them is a strict adherent to the SCD.

This cookbook is given a thumbs up and is HIGHLY recommended by me.
Tina Turbin
www.glutenfreehelp.info

Sandi Star  founder of  http://www.karmic-health.com shares some insight which everyone should read:

Agave has been in the “media” recently published by Mercola (check out story) stating that agave is extremely dangerous and is worse than high fructose corn syrup. Although I have the highest respect for Dr. Mercola I can only speculate he does not have enough research to back this up and has not taken the time to get each manufacturers side of the story. As you know….. http://www.karmic-health.com/pb/wp_0f68724a/wp_0f68724a.html Be sure and read this all the way to the bottom and 5 articles offered at the bottom, with evidence and data for everyone to have.

and Kath Patalsky of http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com shares this:

I get a lot of questions about my use of Agave Syrup as a sweetener in my vegan recipes. So here is my Agave Syrup 101 post. It is a must read for anyone who is health-conscious or simply curious about what they put in their bodies. I encourage all professional or amateur chefs to read this post as well. There is a wide world beyond white sugar. Click ahead for Agave Syrup 101, it includes health benefits, directions of use, sweetener comparisons and the history of this healthy sugar substitute…

Sugar Confusion. I’m never surprised by the presence of confusion when it comes to sugar and sweeteners. With so many natural and artificial sweeteners…http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2009/07/agave-syrup-101-why-its-healthy-sugar.html

Please do your homework and be aware of AND READ the many articles on Agave.

Tina Turbin

A bi-family-owned company, Foods Alive has created a set of flax crackers which are in essence a “live food snack.” These dehydrated, certified organic golden flax crackers now come in eight flavors which my taste tester teams in L.A. and Florida tried. It was determined that they’re a true snack oozing health and flavor.

All the crackers are made with golden flax seeds and all other ingredients are not only certified organic but they’re gluten-free, kosher, and vegan. It’s now sold all over and in many Whole Foods stores.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Couples Michael and Ellen and Matt and Tammy united in business after a change of hearts about nutrition and taste around the same point in time. Ellen’s experimentation with flax crackers in her own kitchen was to fill a void after visiting the tasty raw buffet at the Creative Health Institute in Hodunk, Michigan. They all agreed these crackers had potential, so in 2003 Food Alive introduced their first line of delicious, fiber-filled raw flax crackers.

In 2006 Michael felt golden flaxseed had a superior taste to the brown flaxseed and decided to press it. Tammy started producing flax oil salad dressing, and Michael played with a combination of herbs and spices to add to the oils. I love the “Mike’s Special” Salad Dressing, which is a blend of paprika and garlic. It turned my plain salad into a gourmet dining experience.

In my testing kitchens, we taste-tested Foods Alive eight flaxseed cracker flavors, and 2 of their 3 oils, and they were superior in texture, flavor, and raw food energy. We also favored “Mike’s Special” Salad Dressing.

Tina Turbin

www.glutenfreehelp.info.