Author Marlisa Brown has a wealth of education and experience which she brings to her latest book, Gluten-Free Hassle Free.
This book is most definitely written in an easy-to-understand, worry-free, and practical manner, with the newly-diagnosed reader in mind, not leaving any leaf unturned. Any newly-diagnosed celiac or “non-celiac gluten intolerant” will feel well-informed.
Marlisa ensured she cleared up some of the most common areas of misunderstanding many people have such as testing, being diagnosed, the diet, nutrition, and nutrients. She covers why one can have symptoms and still negative celiac test results and what to do.
Each section is practical and easy to follow. With topics such as shopping, fast food, delis, restaurants, stocking a GF kitchen, social events, and dining cards in fourteen languages, and much more. Any reader can quickly refer to a particular section and immediately improve one’s life with ease.
Marlisa pays careful attention to focus on the things and foods any celiac or non-celiac gluten-intolerant can enjoy while offering over 100 delicious recipes, the cranberry quinoa salad being one of my favorites.
Marlisa speaks from over 30 years of experience—a compassionate registered dietitian, chef, and president and owner of Total Wellness, a nutritional consulting company offering service in her usual simple-to-understand, helpful and always easy-to-apply manner.
This resource guide is given a thumbs up and is HIGHLY recommended me.
Tina Turbin
Posts Tagged ‘gluten free’
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
Gluten-Free Hassle Free by Marlisa Brown
Thursday, March 4th, 2010
Gluten-Free- the Sunshine Burger!
I have not tasted these little guys but I would be remiss in not sharing this information with you:
They tell me the Sunshine Burger is one of the only companies that offers a gluten-free, soy-free, vegan and
USDA certified organic veggie burger. Only organic whole food ingredients are used, such as raw ground sunflower kernels, brown rice, fresh carrots, herbs and sea salt, all of which (the company is proud to say) consumers can pronounce. Yay!
They went on to share that Organic Sunshine Burgers come in several flavors: Garden Herb, Barbecue, South West, Breakfast and Falafel. All Sunshine Burgers are fully cooked and browned in the oven and come frozen to preserve freshness. Sound easy to me!
You can find these burgers at Whole Foods as well as in many other health food stores and co-ops across the country. They have been busy getting their products out for us consumers.
For more information or recipe ideas, please check out www.sunshineburger.com
Tina Turbin
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
Healthier Without Wheat by Dr. Stephen Wangen, The Gluten-Free Doctor

Author Dr. Stephen Wangen has presented wonderful in-depth research at one’s disposal in identifying if one has a problem with wheat or gluten or not.
With over 10 years in this field, working in his clinic and testing thousands of patients, Dr. Wangen speaks from a position of experience and immense respect for others working in this field as well. He recognizes the need for increased awareness, teamwork, and sharing knowledge.
This incredible book has a significant amount of independent research (cited in the bibliography), shared where applicable to assist the reader with greater understanding and shedding new light on areas possibly unknown.
Conveying a full grasp of the history of wheat and clearing up any confusions regarding wheat, gluten, gliadin, and gluten allergies and intolerances, Healthier Without Wheat then covers the multitude of problems and symptoms in infants, children and adults, all conveyed in clear, concise verbiage, unlike the manner in which many doctors convey knowledge. While this book covers a broad range of topics, each and every one of these operative points is well-written with the readers’ understanding and ability to apply the knowledge in mind.
My highest respect goes to Dr. Wangen for his straightforward approach to clarifying the test available for determining celiac disease as well as the testing for non-celiac forms of gluten intolerance.
In the end, anyone reading this book will have a full understanding of how wheat can affect one’s life and will be able to determine if what is indeed affecting one’s or a loved one’s health and then how to go about addressing it if this is indeed the case. An excellent handbook—buy it, share it, and learn from Dr. Wangen.
Dr. Wangen is also the author of The Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution and founder of the IBS Treatment Center.
This resource book is given a thumbs up and is very HIGHLY recommended by me to have in every house-hold.
Tina Turbin
Monday, March 1st, 2010
Gluten-Free Company – Uli Mana
Uli Mana is a successful company with nothing but positive energy in every handmade product, founded by single mom Theresa Green. My L.A. and Florida gluten-free test group and I had the wonderful opportunity to test these delectable little morsels of yum. Each and every product has the capability to tease one’s taste buds and offers a smooth taste. They are a delicious treat for anyone needing a gluten-free chocolate fix. Who doesn’t have one of those cravings now and then, especially us women! Sorry men, I don’t mean to leave you out of this but there are just those times of the month- “Hey honey, don’t you dare touch MY Uli Mana.”
Not to side track you, but take a peek at the video review of their company.
Theresa Green started her career with Nirvana Manna (renamed later Maca Manna) after expected success with a home recipe passed to a friend at the Natural Foods Expo 2005. Word spread, and she could only grow and expand to incorporating UliMana. Her made-up name is semi-Huna—a Polynesian and Hawaiian science practiced by the aboriginals of those regions. It means asking the goddess Uli, the “Goddess of Serenity,” for the blessings of life force, energy, and vibrant health—“mana.”
All the chocolates used are raw as well as all of her ingredients, offering the raw food community the opportunity to take advantage of the many health benefits of raw chocolate, which reduces blood pressure, contains antioxidants, relaxes muscles (due to the mineral content), and increases insulin activity.
Theresa’s initial products were all sweetened with raw honey, and she featured many Cacao mixes. Two years ago she developed new products as a result of introducing agave into her test kitchen. The result was new versions of truffles, such as Goji Cherry Truffles, Dark Cacao Truffles, and her to-die-for Truffle Butter.
The new truffles were an immediate hit. As Theresa explains, they were an “eat-now” food and did not require any mixing or processing by the consumer except the process of hand-to-the-mouth-and-enjoy. Sales soared.
The manufacturing facility is generously supplied by Blue Ridge Food Ventures, founded by Advantage West, funded by the State of North Carolina to help business. She has access to storage space, a loading dock, shipping and receiving, and even legal and accounting advice. She credits much of her ease in the business’s evolution to the opportunities her state offers through this facility, stating she’s never needed to take out a loan or sell shares of the business.
With the incorporation of UliMana strategically placed on a positive astrological day, Theresa continues to hire only positive people with positive energy, and all products continue to be raw and made by hand. I asked her what we can expect in the coming future, and she openly said a rice syrup version of new delectables to cater to the needs of the macrobiotic consumer, who will be very pleased, she’s sure.
We testers are still raving about Uli Mana and all the handmade treats which passed our palates.
Tina Turbin
This food company is given a thumbs up and is HIGHLY recommended by my entire team here at www.GlutenFreeHelp.info
Don’t forget to look at this company’s video review.
Saturday, February 27th, 2010
Lucky Winners of the Mixes from the Heartland Giveaway!
The 3 lucky winners of the February GlutenFreeHelp giveaway sponsored by Mixes from the Heartland are in for a delicious baking experience. Each winner will receive 3 bags of wonderful gluten-free mixes.
Here are the responses from the winners:
”I won the give-away!?! Oh, that is Awesome News! Thanks so much for holding such a great contest Tina. I can’t wait to try the Heartland Mixes! Thanks again! ” Deb
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
Gluten-Free Bacon Roasted Chicken
A delicious gluten-free dinner for the whole family!
INGREDIENTS
2 ¼ lbs hormone-free chicken
1 tsp salt
¾ tsp fresh black pepper
3 strips smoked bacon
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Season chicken cavity with salt and pepper, then put in your favorite stuffing recipe. Truss the cavity closed. Season the bird with salt and pepper. Lay the bacon over the breast. Place the chicken on a metal roasting rack set inside a roasting pan on the middle rack of the oven.
2. Roast for 1 ½ hours, basting the legs once or twice with pan juices. Internal temperatures should be 140 degrees near the thigh.
3. Let your chicken rest 5 minutes before carving and make sure to remove bacon before carving.
Tina Turbin
Sunday, February 21st, 2010
Planning a Gluten-Free Vacation for Your Child
The trick is planning ahead. Call the local health food stores where you’ll be staying well ahead of your trip and ask them about their selection of gluten-free foods. If there aren’t enough gluten-free choices, usually the store will be happy to order your favorite gluten-free foods for you.
If there aren’t any health food stores around, some grocery stores have health food sections and may be able to order gluten-free foods for you as well. You can always bring along your own supply of gluten-free foods, such as gluten-free flour and pasta for instance, or you can order online from your favorite gluten-free sites and have the gluten-free goodies delivered straight to where you’ll be staying. If you won’t be staying with friends or family, I suggest you rent a condo or get a hotel room with a full kitchen for your gluten-free cooking.
If you’ll be staying with family, particularly during the holidays, tell them ahead of time about your celiac child’s gluten-free diet needs so they can stock up gluten-free foods. You can also send them some gluten-free recipes for the family’s favorite holiday foods. Oftentimes you’ll find that your family will be more than happy to make your celiac child feel at home with gluten-free goodies and a generous stock of gluten-free foods for your gluten-free cooking.
Learning how to meet the gluten-free dietary needs of your celiac child has required some planning and a few adjustments, but in the end it isn’t very tough to successfully adopt a gluten-free lifestyle. Similarly, keeping your celiac child well-fed on gluten-free foods during travel and vacations requires some work and planning ahead, but you’ll find that you’ll get the hang of it in no time.
Tina Turbin
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Bio-K+ Giveaway of February – Here are the Lucky Winners
I’m very pleased to announce the 10 winners of my Bio-K+ Giveaway of February. Indeed they will all be receiving some of the best probiotics products on the market:
Kelly Meyersfield-Wecksell, Colleen Cole, Rosie Newman, Carole Bellini, Mara Rouse, PJ Sedgwick, Dr. Steve Lund, Ashlie Delshad, Janet Heitler, Pamala Payne
Congratulations to everyone! And click on the following link to read my own personal success story with using the Bio-K+ products.
After receiving the winning announcement, here’s what Ashlie Delshad said:
“Oh my goodness!!!! I am so excited. I have been fighting a battle with candida
overgrowth and I’ve tried a ton of different probiotics – I’m really excited to
try this one out! Also, thanks for all the wonderful advice and tips you
provide on your website. I went gluten free about 3 months ago and if it wasn’t
for your site and a few others I’m not sure what I would have done!”
Friday, February 12th, 2010
Winner of my Valentine’s Gluten-Free Giveaway!
Wow, Nicki Everett, the lucky winner of my Valentine’s Day “Gotta Eat Sweets” Giveaway is definitely in for a treat. Many agree that Gotta Eat Sweets make incredible gluten-free products. Click the following link to view my GlutenFreeHelp.info review/video of the company.
Nicki’s response to winning:
“Hi Tina, Winning this month’s www.GlutenFreeHelp.info contest is an unexpected surprise indeed. Thank you for such a lovely and informative site, and such great contests you have every month. I look forward to recieving my Gotta Eat Sweets Valentine’s box! “






















