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I’ve been so excited about hosting this special edition of Slightly Indulgent Tuesday for the Spring Cleaning event hosted by Katie at Kitchen Stewardship.
I have the honor of guest blogging at Kitchen Stewardship today sharing why I eat gluten-free and my thoughts on taking some of the healthier eating cues from gluten-free bloggers. Make sure to read my post there and enter our contest on her site – more details below.
Getting Out the Gluten…Let’s Talk
If you don’t need to eat gluten-free, then by all means don’t. Instead, take a good look at how gluten-free flours and foods can enhance your current diet and make it healthier.
If you remember nothing else, remember this – many people feel better when eating gluten-free because consumption of whole foods increases while the intake processed foods decreases. My husband would be the first one to vouch for this – he loves my nutrient dense olive oil zucchini muffins, baked quinoa pudding with raisins, and chocolate walnut flourless brownies.
Heck, he even eats seconds when I make apple & walnut stuffed acorn squash. He didn’t even like orange food when we met.
Baby Steps
Maybe you’re thinking about going gluten-free or you just want to learn a little more. I’ve hand-picked some of the best articles and recipes for you.
- Choosing & Understanding Gluten-Free Flours Parts One, Two, Three, and Four by yours truly
- 50+ Gluten Free Foods You Can Eat Today from Shirley at Gluten Free Easily
- Have a teen that needs to eat gluten-free? Celiac Teen is the place to go.
- Visit Whole Life Nutrition and read about some of the products Ali uses.
- Visit Ginger Lemon Girl’s Gluten-Free Recipe Swap Group.
Moving Forward
You’ve done some research and going gluten-free, or at least adding some healthier gluten-free recipes to your diet, sounds like it might work for you.
Start by swapping out some of the processed foods you eat for naturally gluten-free foods. You probably have many of the ingredients on hand or can find them at any grocery store.
- Easy, Crustless Pecan Pie from Gluten Free Easily
- Shredded Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Hand Cut Oven Fries from The WHOLE Gang
- Cottage Cheese & Fruit Salad
- Quinoa Salad with Spinach, Raisins, and Walnuts from Tasty Eats at Home
Educate yourself. Start reading labels – gluten is in so many things! Wheat, barley, and rye all contain gluten. If you need to eliminate all traces of gluten in your diet due to Celiac disease or a severe gluten intolerance, learn about cross-contamination, or when naturally gluten-free foods are processed on machines that also process wheat.
Oats, date sugar, some buckwheat flour, and oat bran are all examples of naturally gluten-free foods that are prime candidates for cross-comtamination.
Leap of Faith
I strongly recommend that you consult with a health care professional before making any drastic changes to your diet. This is for educational purposes only.
So, you’re ready to try some gluten-free foods. Pick up a bag of buckwheat, sorghum, brown rice, or garfava flour. Substitute it for one fourth of the regular, glutenoid flour in your next baking project.
Or, if you want to jump in and get both feet wet all at once try one of these simple recipes.
- Pumpkin Pancakes from The Spunky Coconut
- Flourless Sparking Chocolate Chip Cookies from Gluten Free Easily
- Almond Butter Blondies with Walnuts and Currants from me
- Ginger Chip Teff Cookies from Tasty Eats at Home
Try one of my favorite gluten-free books:
- The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook
by Ali Sergersten & Tom Malterre
- The Spunky Coconut Cookbook
by Kelly Bronza
- Gluten-Free Baking
by Rebecca Reilly
- I Love Dessert
by Nicolette Dumke
However you choose to eat, make sure that it works for you and your body.
Make sure to come back tomorrow for Go Ahead Honey, It’s Gluten-Free! The best gluten-free bloggers have created a divine array of Guiltless Pleasures to share with you!
The Give-Away – Tropical Traditions Coconut Flour
Katie has graciously arranged a ‘double-whammy’ give-away this week. You can enter here AND at Katie’s blog. To enter here:
- Link up your gluten-free related post or recipe below.
- Leave a comment about your gluten-free experiences.
- Post about the give-away on your blog with a link back and leave a comment telling me you did.
- Subscribe to my feed either via RSS or e-mail – leave a comment so I know.
- Follow me on Twitter – again, leave a comment.
- Friend me on Facebook and leave a comment.
Visit Kitchen Stewardship for details on how to enter the contest on her blog.
Note: This contest will be open until Sunday, April 4th at 11:59 pm. The winner has to live in the continental US. Sorry to all of my international friends!
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Laura@HeavenlyHomemakers
posted on March 29, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Thanks for the great info! I’m exploring more about “gluten free” and find it so interesting!
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christina
posted on March 29, 2010 at 9:25 pm
My daughter, who is gluten intolerant, had a bad experience with lip gloss a few weeks ago. It had wheat germ wax as an ingredient. Needless to say we got rid of it! I’d love to find out more information on what to do when you do get gluten by accident. Are there ways to help the body deal with it easier?
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Kat
posted on March 29, 2010 at 9:26 pm
I linked up a very old post with an update from today. It’s about how I went gluten-free and still had some issues so I took my diet one step further. Just thought if anyone wasn’t getting full results on a gluten-free diet it might be of interest to them. Lots of gluten-free recipes on my site too.
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christina
posted on March 29, 2010 at 9:27 pm
I subscribe to your blog also. We’ve been loving the recipes! Thanks!
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nopinkhere
posted on March 29, 2010 at 9:59 pm
I don’t think I’m ready to go gluten free, but I definitely have a number of friends who rave about how much better they feel after doing so. I think I’m definitely interested in trying some recipes that are delicious but just happen to be gluten free.
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Ali @ The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen
posted on March 29, 2010 at 10:46 pm
Amy,
I thought linking up our Elimination Diet post might be helpful. There are a number of linked gluten-free, dairy-free, etc. recipes there. Please don’t enter me in the drawing for the coconut flour, I already have so much!
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Courtney Montierth
posted on March 29, 2010 at 10:54 pm
So I just found your blog through Kitchen Stewardship and read your story. I am pretty sure I could have written it myself complete with Weight Watcher Points. About a year and a half ago I switched to a completely whole foods, almost Vegan diet… we are loving it. But my husband has lost like 40 lbs and I am struggling keeping my 15 off. I have all the food cravings too. Given how we eat there is no reason why I should still be overweight, I am 5’2″ and struggle to maintain 150.
So after reading your story I want to try it for 3 months and see what kind of a difference it makes. I don’t think I will have to change too much… just eliminating whole wheat flour.
Where can I find a list of the ingredients you do use? Like what flours you use (for what), what (if any) sweeteners you use, and how do you eat out (we rarely do anyways), what about feeding children is there anything I should know.
I am also excited to be trying out your almond milk recipe.
Thank you for sharing.
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Sarah
posted on March 30, 2010 at 12:13 am
Amy,
I just wanted to let you know I tagged your blog in my awards post “10 things that make me happy”. I love your blog and your story is so inspiring. Thanks for doing what you do!
Sarah
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Sarah
posted on March 30, 2010 at 6:38 am
I am so interested in being gluten free – I am wondering if it will help my son with his dry skin and their temperments…
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stephanie
posted on March 30, 2010 at 7:37 am
I am absolutely fascinated! I don’t have Celiacs, but my story sounds SO very similar to yours. I am so excited to learn more!
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stephanie
posted on March 30, 2010 at 7:37 am
I subscribed to your feed in Google Reader!
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stephanie
posted on March 30, 2010 at 7:38 am
I am following you on Twitter!
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stephanie
posted on March 30, 2010 at 7:38 am
Friending you on Facebook!
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Liz@HoosierHomemade
posted on March 30, 2010 at 7:45 am
Thanks for hosting Amy! I’m heading over to check out your guest post!
~Liz
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Diane-The W.H.O.L.E. Gang
posted on March 30, 2010 at 8:27 am
Great post! Just one thing that you said that is not always true from my experience. Eating gluten free means eating more whole foods. Fortunately or unfortunately, however you look at it,there are now tons of processed gluten free foods available. A lot of folks that make the switch to living gluten free just go from their original processed foods to the gluten free versions instead of making it themselves from whole foods. Those raw ingredients that are naturally gluten free are the ones that do make you feel better. I totally agree with you there. Our bodies really do need those types of gluten free foods.
Thank you for sharing so many options for gluten free foods that are not processed.
For everyone taking that step to live gluten free, do yourself a favor and stick as closely as you can to real food!
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Kat Reply:
March 30th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
@Diane-The W.H.O.L.E. Gang, Diane, you nailed it! I know so many people who want to go gluten-free and their first inclination is to start trying every processed gluten-free product they can find. First I have to agree with make it yourself. And second, the focus on whole real food made a huge difference for me. Our bodies need nutrition when recovering from illness.
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Christy
posted on March 30, 2010 at 10:15 am
I should be gluten free and one of my big stumbling blocks is breakfast…I linked a rice pudding recipe that gives a warm option for breakfast that is made of whole foods! I love your site and it is giving me courage to go back gluten free.
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Denise Therese
posted on March 30, 2010 at 10:19 am
Hello!
I linked up with my second post. It’s all about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which is gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and starch-free.
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Jen@GFRR
posted on March 30, 2010 at 11:49 am
Great post, Amy! I linked my new-ish blog, Gluten-Free Recipe Review. I even reviewed a couple of your recipes just yesterday.
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Elise
posted on March 30, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Amy, I was so glad to read your post. It is exactly what I’m needing to hear and learn about at this point in my and my husband’s life together. I’m subscribing and really looking forward to learning more from you. Thanks so much!
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Leah F
posted on March 30, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Thank you so much for the information. I am not gluten free at this time but I am researching it. I was diagnosed with IBS in 2001 (because they couldn’t figure out anything else that was wrong) but some of the trigger foods don’t bother me. I have been wondering for a while now if it is the gluten that causes my stomach/digestive problems. Thank you for the resources.
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Leah F
posted on March 30, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I subscribed to your feed via e-mail.
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Linda
posted on March 30, 2010 at 3:03 pm
I’ve been gluten free since I was diagnosed with celiac disease over nine years ago. I find I will get sick from just a crumb or minor cross contamination, so it can be a challenge at times. Thanks for the giveaway and for hosting, Amy.
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lisa
posted on March 30, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Hi,
I posted a recipe for easy yummy rice porridge. Please pray for my daughter- your story reminds me of her. She is 11, 5’1″ and 165 pounds. She started gaining weight excessively, slowly, starting when she was 8 but this year she has gained 30+ lbs. I am 5’2″ & 110 lbs. & my husband is also slim. We keep real, healthy food in the house- but she always wants to eat & will get junk food whenever/however she can. We try to help her but it has to come from her will also.
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lisa
posted on March 30, 2010 at 4:29 pm
I subscribed to your feed via email.
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KatieC
posted on March 30, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Hi Amy – I love your blog! I am gluten free (at least in every way under my control) since late October. Learning as I go, still, but definitely getting better. I love bread, and I’m still hoping to turn out the perfect loaf someday, and hopefully the day after, as well!
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KatieC
posted on March 30, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Oh, and I also subscribe to your blog via both RSS and email.
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jamie
posted on March 30, 2010 at 5:47 pm
great suggestions! and i know your class in’t gfree, but i would be interested in which classical techniques could be used with gfree baking, especially starter info. i have started mine- will see how it goes! oh and i already follow you on twitter
hope i win me some coconut flour!
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gfe--gluten free easily
posted on March 30, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Amy, this is such a great post! I can see that many are finding it helpful and I hope many more will find their way here. Thanks so much for the mentions of my blog and specific posts. I linked up my recipe from today that is healthier with Slightly Indulgent in mind. But after I saw your request for gluten-free info as well as recipes, I linked up my post on 50+ meals that are gfe. I really believe that being able to eat gluten free is all about seeing it in a different way and finally realizing that it is easily doable.
I do want to add that malabsorption and inflammation in some folks can mean that they are overweight, but their bodies are literally starving despite the weight because they are no absorbing the vitamins and minerals that they should be. While the gf diet is not necessarily a weight loss diet, weight loss can be the case for some people. Likewise, underweight people who are not absorbing vitamins/minerals can start absorbing them and gain needed weight. In fact, most (if not all) symptoms/illnesses are related to the malabsorption issues caused by gluten; e.g., depression–B, osteoporosis–calcium, D, K, anemia–iron. Much more to be said, of course, but thanks so much for this post! I’d love to try some coconut flour.
Shirley
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gfe--gluten free easily
posted on March 30, 2010 at 6:45 pm
I follow you on Twitter.
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gfe--gluten free easily
posted on March 30, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I’m a friend on Facebook.
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gfe--gluten free easily
posted on March 30, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I subscribe to your blog.
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Lauren
posted on March 30, 2010 at 9:25 pm
I know I don’t count for the giveaway, but this week I linked to my 2 years of being gluten-free post. It was supposed to be exciting, but the week before, I got glutened, so I shared my experiences with that. I wouldn’t normally say this, but the comments are really worth reading. Many others shared their stories about getting glutened and how their body reacts to the fateful protein. It’s a tough thing, but it can be nice to know that there are others out there, even if you wouldn’t want anyone to experience it.
Thanks for the mention as well =D.
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Mallory Sanders
posted on March 30, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Thanks for the information! I have a friend who was just diagnosed with Celiac and she feels like it is the end of the world. I will share this post with her and let her know that it is really just the beginning of a whole new life of feeling healthy and nourishing her body!
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Zibi
posted on March 30, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Great guest post over at Kitchen Stewardship.
I just subscribed to your RSS feed because I enjoy cooking real food and I’d like to learn more about gluten free grains and how they can be used… then I will leave it to my slow cooker
Have you found that cutting out gluten gives you more energy?
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Lisa's Gluten-Free
posted on March 30, 2010 at 9:50 pm
I have added my gluten-free giveaway on your Linky.
http://www.lisasglutenfree.com/2010/03/namaste-foods-giveaway.html
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Lisa's Gluten-Free
posted on March 30, 2010 at 9:51 pm
I am following you on Twitter. @superglutenfree
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Lisa's Gluten-Free
posted on March 30, 2010 at 9:53 pm
I have asked you to be my friend on facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/lisasglutenfree
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Lisa's Gluten-Free
posted on March 30, 2010 at 9:54 pm
I am subscribed to your e-mail.
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Lenetta @ Nettacow
posted on March 30, 2010 at 10:07 pm
I made sure to mention the giveaway in my post. Thanks for hosting!
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pat
posted on March 31, 2010 at 8:25 am
i subscribed via email. so glad i found your site!
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cheryl
posted on March 31, 2010 at 5:11 pm
I’ve added my not-photogenic-but super tasty vegan and sugar free sunbutter cookies to the line up. Also my website has gobs of GF resources and advice and a newsletter
http://www.harriswholehealth.com
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Cindy
posted on March 31, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Thanks Karina for including my recipe for banana bread on your website. For March, I’ve posted a recipe for oatmeal cranberry muffins. I adapted these muffins from Karina’s gluten-free-goddess cookie recipe by replacing 1.5 cups of brown sugar with 1/3 cup of agave and 2/3 cup apple juice. I made a few other adaptions which can be found on my new to the blogging world blog at http://cleanfoodkitchen.blogspot.com/. My goal for the blog is to mainly showcase gluten-free, sugar-free, and/or dairy free recipes.
Cheers! Cindy
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Cindy Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 11:08 pm
P.S. I’ve linked up my recipe, left a comment on your blog, linked your blog to my blog, subscribed to your RSS feed, and added you to my Twitter and Facebook accounts. Whew!
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Alta
posted on April 1, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Thank you so much for sharing my recipes! This is a great carnival, and a great post!
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CreoleSugar
posted on April 2, 2010 at 7:03 pm
I friended you on FB.
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CreoleSugar
posted on April 2, 2010 at 7:04 pm
I have been having digestive problems, and I heard about Elizabeth Hasselbeck’s G-Free Diet. Ever since reading it, I’ve decided that even if gluten intolerance/celiac disease is not my diagnosis, I can still feel a lot better with gluten-free foods! It’s more fun to eat different things, though, anyway!
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Erin from Long Island
posted on April 3, 2010 at 1:38 am
I am an email subscriber
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Erin from Long Island
posted on April 3, 2010 at 1:38 am
My best friend has a major problem with gluten, and her dad has Celiacs. I am very aware of gluten and I love to experiment with things to make for her!
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Erin from Long Island
posted on April 3, 2010 at 1:46 am
follow on twitter
@erunuevo
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Erin from Long Island
posted on April 3, 2010 at 2:07 am
i am your fb fan
erin neu
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Erin from Long Island
posted on April 3, 2010 at 2:15 am
google reader subscriber
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Pamela
posted on April 3, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Thank you, Amy, for doing this blog. We are at the very beginning of this journey and it can be perplexing and frustrating. My 16 year old daughter has told me on more than one occasion that I am going to kill her by restricting gluten-containing foods from her diet. I am glad to have resources like your blog for tested recipes that are both sugar and gluten free.
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gluten free products
posted on January 11, 2011 at 2:23 am
I admire the valuable information u offer in your message.
I am very impressed to watching your article of Gluten free product.
That is very authentic & fantastic.
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