Posts Tagged ‘reviews’

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Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Gluten-Free Hassle Free by Marlisa Brown

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 www.glutenfreehelp.info


Sunday, March 7th, 2010

My Interview in Amsterdam-Holland

This was a fun interview! Charlie Valentino of glutenfreegroove.com found me through a search on the internet and asked if he could interview me. He then sent me the questions and we had a blast form that point on. His questions were fun and so was his interview!
He placed my replies up and here they are for your reading pleasure.:
Tina Turbin

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Fun & Fabulous Grain-Free Breakfast Recipes by Lisa Bishop

We can all get quite tired of the basic egg recipes, pancakes and maybe some gluten-free toast for breakfast. Look no further. Lisa Bishop has authored an entire book devoted to not only gluten-free breakfast but the added step of a grain-free breakfast.
Many recipes are simply coconut flour, flax, or neither, or offer unusual ways to play with vegetables to make for example fake fried potatoes—with no potatoes!
This book is a real solution to the problems many grain-free dieters face. The difficulties of making crispy waffles, creamy cereals, or softy pillowy pancakes are all resolved.
Delicious breakfasts are at your fingertips with each presentation unlike the other. This book truly presents variety in every sense of the word.
Start your day out right—enjoy a home-cooked grain-free meal in Fun & Fabulous Grain-Free Breakfast Recipes.
This cookbook is given a thumbs up and is HIGHLY recommended by me.
Tina Turbin
www.glutenfreehelp.info


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


Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Gluten-Free Company Review- The Buffalo Guys

 

We all know Buffalo is gluten-free, but when it comes to sausage patties, beef jerky, and more, we never know exactly what’s in the ingredients. Gluten? Preservatives? The list goes on.

The Buffalo Guys is the best-ever preservative-free buffalo jerky I have ever tested in my test kitchens. It was nice to taste the flavorful blend of spices, meat, and no preservatives! I had no idea what I was missing, and I’m a lover of jerky and have been since I was a child. The products are gluten-free, easy to cook or prepare and absolutely safe for anyone on a gluten restricted diet, celiac of gluten intolerant.

Please see the incredible  video review now.

The Buffalo Guys offers a variety of sausages, again without preservatives. I’d say my favorite was the Buffalo Bratwurst. We tested the sausages in a variety of ways—alone, as a side dish to accompany eggs, in a quiche, in a stew, and tossed with grilled vegetables, and in each dish, they added just the right flavor and proper balance of protein. See buffalo recipes we have shared on this website.

Worth mentioning is the fact the meat has far less fat, so it’s cooking properties are different than we’re accustomed to.  We found the need to cook on lower heat (and noticed it cooks faster), or else the meat would toughen.  In a 100-gram portion of buffalo, there is 2.42 grams of fat. In beef, that number is 11.73 and for pork and chicken, 18.19 and 3.87 respectively.

The filet mignons, New York strip, short and back ribs, and rib-eye were delicious. Each cut had its own unique flavor. The taste is unlike beef, so don’t expect a similarity in flavor. It’s unique, truly worth a try, and we loved it.

The owners of Buffalo Guys take care of their buffalo (aka bison) and have a work ethic and approach based on an education in Alan Savoy’s principle of Holistic Resource and Management, using wildlife-friendly fences, rotational stock grazing, stock water developments, prohibition of non-organic chemical means to solve what could be otherwise managed organically, and never force-feeding any buffalo, for example.

Ken Klemm, one of the owners and m y new friend, explained that the buffalo (technically bison) is to this date is the largest mammal on North America since the Ice Age. It is estimated that before European settlers arrived, there were 30-70 million bison, yet in 1899 less than 1,000 were remaining. The American Bison Society was formed to protect the bison and their land. The National Bison Society and Canadian Bison Society are today carrying forth these efforts to success. The Bison number is over 350,000 and growing.

Ken and his partner chose to raise buffalo because of their ability to naturally forage, their resistance to disease, and they way they naturally balance their own diet, resulting in little to no waste and, hence, the “minimalist system.” Ken goes to say that the ecosystem and buffalo are a harmonious pair. For example, the grassland and the buffalo are in perfect balance, each depending on the other. He states that hogs, sheep, chicken, and cattle are not as suited to the natural world, so they aren’t suited to the “minimalistic system.”

At just one year a typical bison weights 450 pounds, and by 5-6 years a cow weighs nearly 1,000 pounds and a bull 1,500-2,000 pounds. Bison are survivors and Ken and his partners as well as the many other ranchers all recognize and respect this massive animal. Through a business of no waste, they bring to our homes the opportunity to enjoy the Buffalo Guys delicious buffalo products, knowing their healthier, preservative-free, and absolutely delicious. Be sure and try the jerky—out-of-this-world!

Please see the incredible  video review now.

Tina Turbin

This food company is given a thumbs up and is HIGHLY recommended by me and my testers in my own kitchens as well as my field testers. This is saying a lot! We all loved it. If you have a favorite Bison/Buffalo, please  recipe share it now!


Monday, February 8th, 2010

Product Review- Bio-K Plus

After my personal success with Bio-K+, which has their home base in Canada, I reached out to find out more about this company.

Bio-K+ started with two people and a vision, which all merged into a reality. Dr. Francois-Marie Luquet and Mr. Claude Chevalier met over twenty years ago at a dairy industry conference and discussed the health benefits of probiotics. Fast forward many years and their paths crossed again. Dr. Luquet shared his new strains of acidophilus with healing and health benefits. A company evolved.

Dr. Luquet is by no means new to this business. He brought many years of research and development with him from well-known names as Dannon and Activia. This new “strain” and concept was new, unique, and allowed the strains to live in high dosages before getting to work in the body, unlike its predecessors.

Each product contains a proprietary type of L. acidophilus and L. Casei. I was well-informed each behave different—acidophilus more antibacterial, and L. Casei more antiviral, yet when together they can antagonize one another. Bio-K+ has developed a way these strains can survive together, in the manufacturing, in combining, and in refrigerator storage—all until it reaches our system, producing effects well-documented over and over in individual, clinical, and hospital studies. Nothing comes close to these studies in what products I’ve tested and what I’ve read thus far. I am impressed.

The company currently has less than sixty high-quality people in the facility itself overseeing the two-week process it takes to make each and every batch. Currently it’s available in soy (mango flavor), original (unflavored), and fruity (pineapple and vanilla flavor), and soon a rice-based vanilla will be available.

Bio-K+ has a minimum of 50 billion L. acidophilus and L. casei per 3.5-oz. little bottle. Compare for yourself—nothing comes close. I was also sent (and you can read on their website) a number of clinical results and hospital testimonials. The company’s products are superior, and so is its staff.

Note: It was explained to me that the number CL1285 after the name Bio-K+ simply indicates the specific C strain and is just arbitrary, but that the strain is unlike any other available.

This product is given a thumbs up and is HIGHLY recommended and I will be on the radio with BioK PLus as well as an supporting an product give-away for four days.

Tina Turbin- founder of www.glutenfreehelp.info.

 


Friday, February 5th, 2010

Cooqi’s Gluten-Free Products: Rave Review

Yes – the brownies in the above photo really are that huge!

I had the opportunity to try some absolutely delicious products recently, so incredibly satisfying that I had to run to get to my keyboard and share the news immediately.
 
Cooqi is a wonderful gluten-free company based out of St. Paul Minnesota. Right this moment I am still smiling with chocolate in my teeth from THE BEST brownies I have ever been sent. These are the real deal folks! I can not believe the texture and flavor of these delectable squares. They are not overly rich and most definitely not too sweet, may I be so bold to say these are truly “perfect”.
 
Some of Cooqi’s other products include: granola, muffins, donuts, biscotti and  specialty gift baskets.  If you’re in the St. Paul, MN area, you can stop in for a visit to their bakery, pick up some goodies to take home and of course you can order products online.
 
You may be wondering about their granola. I did inquire about the source of their oats to discover their oats are delivered shipped in from another company. As always, if you are hesitant about oats, you need to do what you feel is right for your body. Not all celiac or gluten sensitive people have adverse reactions to oats and it is wise to start out a little at a time. For those who can tolerate oats, you will love the wholesomeness of their granola. You may call Cooqi and inquire about the source of their oats for further details.
 
In addition to the delicious contributions they’re making to our gluten-free community and taste buds, Cooqii’s website has helpful information on the topic of gluten-free, resources as well as informative information. I recommend spending some time on your computer and learning more about Cooqi and what they offer.
 
Be sure and get those brownies!
 
Happy Gluten-Free Eating!
Tina  Turbin


Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Central Florida is the World’s Most Celiac-Friendly Destination!


 
It’s always nice to receive a pleasant message, which in turn makes the day that much more brighter.
 
The Attune Foods Community Manager recently wrote to me concerning a  product review of their delicious gluten-free bars.  As a side note, these bars are fantastic and the video and written rave reviews will be posted soon!
 
She shared with me some TERRIFIC news about central Florida and paid me a lovely compliment:

“Tina, The Orlando Sentinel published a blog (click here to read the blog entry) stipulating that ‘Central Florida is considered to be the world’s most celiac-friendly destination.’  I bet your influence and awareness-building had something to do with that!  Have a great day and please let me know if I can be of assistance.”  Attune

Thank you!

Tina Turbin


Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

True Story: Stomach Pains Vanish After Eating Gluten-Free!

Following is a terrific testimonial from a man that had participated in my Gluten-Free Taste Testing Party on January 17th. 

“After the meeting at your house for the products taste party I decided to get very strict on a gluten free  program.

“After two days I had zero gut pain and a brain fog is clearing.   I have had gut pain for years and I have reduced the gluten but had not stayed really strict with it.

“Feel so much better.  Thanks so much again.”


Monday, January 18th, 2010

Gluten-Free Taste Testing Parties: East and West Coasts

At my Gluten-Free taste-testing party on Sunday the 17th, we tested 42 Gluten-Free products in the course of 2-1/2 hours. I had everyone take diligent notes on their feedback for each and every item I presented. The results have already been put together in my various reviews which my team in LA and FL worked hard on.
 
I want to thank Janet, Head of the Tampa Area Celiacs; and Brian Kelly, Founder of the Pinellas County Celiac Support Group and Secretary Susan Wilson for attending and lending their support and time. A special thanks goes to all those who attended: children, doctors, nutritionists and friends. You are all wonderful and I know you all left with a belly full of delicious food.
 
From this point forward I will be sharing with you the written and video results. Please check the Review sections located on the lower right hand side of my Gluten-Free home page starting on January 28th. Every week I will be releasing more!
 
Tina

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Tina Turbin

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Tina Turbin became extremely interested and involved in the subjects of gluten free, gluten sensitive and celiac disease a number of years ago as a result of...

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