Celiac Awareness Day 2017

Me (Siouxland Celiac) and my biggest supporter, my mom (Edie "Smilee" Orris)

Today is National Celiac Awareness Day.  Yes, I know what you're thinking - Isn't May Celiac Awareness Month?  Yes, yes it is.  But today, September 13th is National Celiac Awareness Day.  I can't help but reflect on the journey that has brought me to this point, the people and friendships I've gained along the way and how far I've come from pre-diagnosis until now.

It was just before summer of 2011 that I experienced what would be the first of too many anaphylactic attacks.  I know that not everyone is familiar with what an anaphylactic attack is.  Here is a pictorial example both pre attack and post attack.

Waiting for my hubby to get off work so we could have date night.

Approximately 20 minutes after the "pre attack" picture was taken

I'm not sure what exactly caused that attack.  I thought I'd gotten bitten by some kind of bug.  My face got swollen and my voice got choked off so that I couldn't speak above a forced whisper.  My husband, instead of taking me to dinner, took me to Urgent Care where they gave me a shot of prednisone and sent me home with a prescription for more prednisone to take orally over the next few days.  Then began the hives.  Horrible, large, angry pink welts that appeared over just about every inch of my body.  For 24/7 for over 2 1/2 years, I would be afflicted with these nasty, itchy blots.  My health deteriorated, brain fog set in, I was spiraling downward in depression, feeling like I was losing my mind.  I began to gain weight without diet changes, had major issues trying to focus and concentrate.  I began having increasingly alarming panic attacks at work, driving in the car, in the grocery store, etc.  I couldn't sleep.  I didn't know it at the time, but I came very close to losing my job at this point in my life because my lack of concentration caused me to make rookie mistakes and my attitude ranged from irrationally irritable to completely apathetic.  I bounced back and forth between my regular doctor, an allergist (who treated me 1 - as if it was all in my head and 2 - as if I was wasting his time), Urgent Care, tests, treatments and no answers.  I should have bought stock in Calamine lotion because I was going through it like crazy.  I would slather on the pink lotion before going to bed at night only to wake myself several times each night due to scratching the hives.  I kept my fingernails very short, yet I was still scratching so much in my sleep that I woke each morning with scratches on my arms, legs and torso and dried blood in my nailbeds.  I just wanted an end to all of the madness.  My doctor was worried, my husband was worried, my mom, co-workers, boss, church family - all worried.  What was going on with me?????

Then, on January 12, 2014 I had an anaphylactic attack that hit fast and hard.  It began with a slight tingle in the corner of my left eye lid.  I went to the bathroom and downed 3 Benadryl tablets, looking in the mirror as I did so.  There was no swelling, yet, but I knew it was on the way.  In the two minutes it took me to get to the bathroom, take the Benadryl and return to the living room, my face went from zero swelling to being so swollen that my eyes were nearly swollen shut, my lips were enormous, I couldn't speak and I was having difficulty swallowing.  My breathing, however, was fine.  Urgent Care had helped me before, so, since I was able to breathe, we headed there.  After about a 20 minute car ride, we arrived at Urgent Care where I was immediately given a shot of epinephrine.  Instead of getting better, I continued to get worse.  The PA at Urgent Care called for an ambulance.  When I told her (as best I could, considering I couldn't speak above a forced whisper and I was drooling all over the place) that my husband was in the waiting room and he could take me, she said that she wasn't even going to let me leave AMA (against medical advice).  She said if she let my husband take me to the hospital I would die on my way there!  I was shocked and had a hard time believing this.  She was adamant!  Thank God for that!  She was also right.  In the ambulance, still probably about 10 minutes away from the hospital, I quit breathing.  Talk about panic!!!  The EMT in the back of the ambulance with me, Corey, gave me a second shot of epinephrine and I was able to breathe again.  Corey and Nigel, the EMT's, are the only names I remember from that awful day.  They were my angels!  At the ER, I was given another shot of epinephrine, a shot of prednisone and a shot of Benadryl as well as an anti-nausea med and something to normalize my heart rate.  The entire episode began a little before 2:00 in the afternoon and we didn't get home that night until after 11 pm.  It was after 10 pm before the ER doctor finally decided it was safe to send me home.

The next day, my doctor's office called me to tell me that my doctor had one more test to run.  He was grasping at straws, but there was a test he hadn't tried yet.  I was desperate and hoping against hope that whatever the test was would be the answer we'd been searching for.  He wanted to test me for Celiac Disease.  I had actually heard of it, though I knew nothing about it.  I already knew of members of my extended family who had Celiac Disease.  When my doctor learned that, he became very anxious to test me because he knew that Celiac Disease is hereditary.  After a blood test revealed elevated gluten levels and I have one of the genes for Celiac Disease, my doctor advised me to research Celiac Disease and to get on a gluten free diet.  I had no idea what gluten was, let alone how to eat gluten free.  I was relieved to have an answer, but overwhelmed at how little I knew.  I was on my own.  There is no medical treatment for Celiac Disease.  It isn't something you can grow out of, there is no cure.  It is an autoimmune disease.  When I started learning about the over 300 possible known symptoms of Celiac Disease I realized that I'd been living with this monster probably since I was a toddler.  So many things about my life and health finally made sense.  

Unfortunately, when I asked if there were any other tests that I needed to have, my doctor said that there were not.  It was only after I'd been gluten free for several months that I learned that the gold standard for Celiac Disease testing and diagnosis is an endoscopy.  By the time I learned that I needed to have this to verify that I have Celiac Disease and to see how much damage there was to  the villi in my intestines, I'd have had to introduce gluten back into my diet for 6 to 8 weeks so that testing could be accurate.  Knowing that gluten nearly killed me, I chose not to do this.  I was terrified of ingesting any amount of gluten for even a day, let alone 6 to 8 weeks!!  I had already seen many health improvements and I hadn't (still haven't) had another anaphylactic attack since going gluten free.  The hives were gone and haven't returned.  I was sleeping better, the brain fog was lifting, my depression and stress were improving and the panic attacks were fewer and farther between.  I know that I should have had this testing.  Because of my experience, I tell everyone who thinks they may have Celiac Disease - do NOT go gluten free until AFTER you get the confirming endoscopy!!!!  This is extremely important! I don't want others to go through what I've gone through.

Now I am approaching my fourth year since diagnosis.  I am still in the healing process.  I continue to be amazed that I now know what it feels like to truly feel good.  It wasn't until about a year and a half or so, after my diagnosis that I'd had a day where I realized that I really and truly felt good.  I cried!  I didn't remember EVER having felt that good at all before in my life!  MY. ENTIRE. LIFE.  I didn't always feel sick, but I had so many different issues I was dealing with that even a good day before was NOTHING like the good days I have now.  Do the good days happen all of the time or frequently?  Not really.  Most days are not bad, but that doesn't mean I necessarily feel good.  Yet, "not bad" is a good thing in my life.  I've had so many of the symptoms through the years (by my calculations, I've experienced 73 out of 300 possible symptoms).  Even as I am typing this I am dealing with muscle spasms in my right bicep and swollen, achy joints.  While many areas of my health improved quickly, many others are taking much more time.  Getting a Celiac diagnosis doesn't mean that all of your health problems will clear up if you stick to a 100% gluten free lifestyle.  Not by a long shot.  I still have times where my body simply shuts down and says, "No more!".  If I am too stressed out, not getting enough sleep, not getting enough nutrients (a tricky one, since Celiac Disease means that my body has a really hard time absorbing the nutrients it needs) I can have days (in a row, not just once in awhile) where I simply cannot function.  I am living with an autoimmune disease, after all.  Actually, two autoimmune diseases, because I also have hypothyroidism.  But I do the best I can to take care of myself.  I avoid gluten and take pains to be safe.  Do I always succeed?  Nope.  Just recently I was with family and we ate at a restaurant where I've safely eaten gluten free items from their menu before.  I got complacent.  I didn't run through my usual spiel about being gluten free for health reasons, asking how the food is prepared, is there a separate prep space, ingredients & fryers used or are any seasonings used and do they contain gluten, etc.  I am usually so careful.  That day I was not.  And it cost me!  By the time we left the restaurant I was feeling bloated and uncomfortable.  By that evening my stomach was cramping horribly and I was miserable and spent a lot of time in the bathroom due to nasty diarrhea that lasted for many hours.  I spent the rest of the evening in bed while everyone else ate and visited with each other.  Well, between bed and the bathroom.  It felt like every 10 minutes I was getting up and running back to the bathroom.  I know better and I didn't take the precautions I normally do.  And I paid the price for it.  I don't blame the restaurant.  I didn't make my needs clear to them.  I blame myself for that.  That is why I'm not naming the restaurant here.  It wasn't their fault.  It was my own responsibility to let them know my needs.  That is why I tell people all the time, "do not take anything for granted".  Speak up!  Be your own best advocate!  No one can advocate for you and your health as good as you can!

#celiacawareness #glutenfreebecauseihavetobe #itsnotafadforme #siouxlandceliac

Until next time - be well.

Siouxland Celiac

Gluten Free Baking - GF Mixes by Better For You Bakery

Before I begin this post about the new products available from Better For You Bakery in Jefferson, Iowa, I wanted to take a moment to address something that is heavy on many of our hearts and minds: Hurricane Harvey Relief. When natural disasters hit it isn't only healthy people who are affected. There are always people with special dietary needs affected as well. Here is some great information from Gluten Free Watchdog on how you can donate gluten free non-perishables to Celiacs and people with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity who've been impacted by Hurricane Harvey. #hurricaneharveyrelief #glutenfreewatchdog  To find out how you can help, click here.

Recently Better For You Bakery released some new products available online here as well as in selected grocery stores in Jefferson, Carroll and Sioux City, Iowa and at Gud n Free in Sioux City.  Not all of these new products are available in Sioux City, however.  Gud n Free restaurant, for example, does not carry the Nut Granola because they are a nut free establishment.  However, all of these products (as well as previous mixes by BFYB) can be found at the Better For You Bakery Website.

(Labor Day Special from Better For You Bakery: This offer will end after Labor Day so shop now by following the link below. Delicious starts with our Gluten Free bakery mixes! Get yours now in this SHIP ONLY special limited time offer here: 

https://betterforyoubakery.net/product/better-baking-box/

BFYB Gluten Free mixes and Granola are made in our dedicated Gluten Free Peanut Free facility from NON GMO sourced ingredients and include dominant whole grains. Have other food allergies? Did you know our bakery mixes can ALL be made to avoid any of the other 7 other major food allergens? Granola does include tree nuts. Shop now and share the news with others.)

Tina, founder, owner and entrepreneur of Better For You Bakery sent me each of her new products to test out and review.  Unfortunately, I've had some technical issues in the past few weeks with my laptop and then my cell phone (on which I had many of the photos for this blog post) completely died and I had to send it in to get a replacement phone - after first being instructed to do a full factory reset to make sure it really was a faulty phone.  Due to the factory reset, I lost all of the pictures that I hadn't already sent to my laptop.  UGH!  Frustration!  And, yes, it was the phone that was faulty.  So, this blog post is long overdue.   

A couple of weeks ago, my mom and I had a baking day.  Basically, it was a cookie day!  I used BFYB Sugar Cookie mix (and Tina provided me with the recipe for her amazing frosting, which I will share here).  Tina had also provided me with her recipe for a Pecan Coffee Cake, but I haven't had time to make that, yet.  When I do, I will share it (and her recipe) here on the blog.

Better For You Bakery Sugar Cookie Mix

Anyone who has enjoyed BFYB's decorated sugar cookies either directly from the bakery or through Gud n Free restaurant is going to love this mix!  The cookies were so easy to make and they are just as flaky and delicious as if Tina had baked them herself.  I shared with both my mom and husband as well as the ladies I work with, none of whom have to be gluten free.  They were all amazed by the taste and texture and I had several surprised comments of, "These are gluten free?!"  and "Does everything gluten free taste this good?"  The answer to that last question, unfortunately, is no.  These mixes are truly an exception.  Between the reasonable price of the cookie mix and the added ingredients, these are so worth it!  I bought two more packages of this mix from Gud n Free in the last couple of weeks so that I can make more soon!!!

I didn't have any cookie cutters, so I simply used a canning
ring as my cookie cutter

These were medium sized diameter, but I made them a bit thicker than the instructions on the package

I thought I was completely prepared ingredient-wise, but I was missing one thing - food coloring for the frosting.  So, my cookies may not have turned out very pretty, but boy did they taste great - and they didn't last long!!

Of all of the new products out now from BFYB the one I am the most excited about is the new All Purpose GF Flour Blend!  Used cup for cup in substitution for regular flour, there are so many possibilities for this product.  Tina shared with me her recipe for Pecan Coffee Cake, which I haven't had a chance to make, yet, but when I do, I will share it on here.  I promise!  What I chose to make was plain and simple chocolate chip cookies, a staple of pretty much every American childhood.  I used the Nestle Tollhouse Cookie recipe from the Nestle website, though I made it with the BFYB gluten free AP Flour blend and I chose to use organic coconut sugar in place of refined white sugar.  The coconut sugar gave the cookies a bit darker color and a slightly different taste than what I think of with chocolate chip cookies, but it was really tasty and the texture was perfect!

Since Mom was helping me bake, I thought it only fair to invite her to stay for supper.  Of course, I used the new pizza crust mix from BFYB.  Unfortunately, I don't have any of the before/after baking pictures of the pizza crust without toppings because they were among the pictures that I lost with the reset of my phone.  Very disappointing.  But the pizza was not!  I'm sure, like me, you've searched high and low for a gluten free pizza crust that doesn't taste like cardboard.  Not an easy task.  Look no further than the pizza crust mix from Better For You Bakery.  This is much the same mix as the French Bread mix, however the pizza crust mix contains the seasoning as well.  I got one large round pizza pan crust out of the mix plus enough for a smaller pizza crust out of one mix.  I like my pizza crust a bit thicker.  The taste and texture of this pizza crust was so savory and amazing!  My mouth is watering for it now just thinking about it!

I made this pizza for 3 very different people with 3 very different likes, so it was topped in thirds.

Good to the last crumb!

 The last of the new products is the Nut Blend Granola.  I haven't used it to make anything yet, though I do plan to make some apple crisp using it in the topping - again, recipe will appear on the blog when I do make the apple crisp.  This tasty treat goes well with so many things.  Currently I've been using it to mix in with my Greek yogurt for a hearty and delightful snack at work.  YUM!

This nut blend gluten free granola has so much flavor and crispy almonds, walnuts & pecans, along with sunflower kernels.

Now, as I promised, Better For You Bakery's sugar cookie frosting recipe (this is for the full batch as Tina makes it for her customer orders.  You can either adjust the recipe in half or use what you need and freeze the rest for later use.

Ingredients: 

1 bag of powder sugar (2lb)

2 sticks unsalted butter (softened)

1 cup shortening (Tina's suggestion - Holsum brand, though Crisco works fine). 

1 tbsp of vanilla extract

2-4 tbsp of water this is depending on how thick or thin you need frosting. 

Cream softened butter with shortening on medium speed.  Add half the powder sugar then start on low then medium to mix in then add other half bag and vanilla and 2 tbsp water mix on low then when it's mixed in turn on high and mix for about 5 minutes add the extra water in this case you'll need it.  **Helpful Hints: The two biggest mistakes people make with frosting is not creaming shortening and butter till creamy and not mixing powder sugar long enough till it's fluffy frosting and if you don't it will be gritty.  Also lots of people use cheap and salted butter but good butter and no salt makes better frosting.**  You shouldn't need more water for cookies, however, you may need more for cake frosting if you are spreading it.  If you want chocolate frosting you add 1/4 cup cocoa and another tbsp or so water.  Mocha is tsp espresso plus cocoa.  

If you are looking for high quality, great tasting gluten free mixes, check out Better For You Bakery's website https://betterforyoubakery.net/ for more information on all of her products and recipes that you can use these mixes for at home.  

Until next time - have a safe Labor Day!

Siouxland Celiac 💚

Healthy Choices ~ Healthy Girl

My husband and I have been making some changes recently.  We both want to lose weight and get healthier, so we're watching what we eat and our portions.  However, it goes much deeper than that for me.  After my Celiac diagnosis 3 1/2 years ago, not really understanding what it truly means to eat gluten free, like anyone else newly diagnosed, I went crazy buying up a lot of processed (usually overly processed) gluten free food products from the Health Market at my local grocery store.  Now, just because a food product says "Gluten Free" doesn't mean it is healthy or good for you.  Many times, it can be just as bad, if not worse just because of the extra ingredients (refined sugars, sodium, etc) included to make up for the lack of gluten.  For lunches for much too long now, I've depended on many frozen, prepared, processed meals.  I've been afraid to venture out on my own and fell into a comfort zone sort of pattern where I was trying to replace the treats I can no longer eat with high calorie, high carb, high sugar content foods that contain a lot of preservatives, as well.  This is not to say that all products in your health market are bad for you.  I say this to remind you - read the labels - on EVERYTHING!  There are many products out there that use healthy, quality ingredients.  Two of my favorites that I use frequently are mixes from Better For You Bakery, which use whole, gluten free grains and ancient grains where possible, with minimal processing, cutting out unhealthy white starches, and Gnarly Pepper mixes that, used with plain, low fat or non fat Greek yogurt, are healthier options to sour cream dips and mayonnaise.  There are others out there, as well.  You just have to look for them.

Healthy workday snacking

I decided a few weeks ago that I need to find out what other foods I may have issues with, as this is a common problem with Celiacs.  Many Celiacs also have issues with dairy, soy and other foods.  A woman who's blog I follow, Cupcakes and Yoga Pants, has been doing the AIP or Autoimmune Protocol Diet (for more information about AIP click here) to learn what other foods she has issues with.  Following her journey got me thinking about my health and what other issues I may have.  While I haven't done the AIP diet, as of 10 days ago I cut out processed foods and am now eating clean, which is naturally gluten free foods, organic and local whenever possible.  

Fresh produce and locally raised pork shoulder roast from the Sioux City Farmer's Market

Added bonus of clean eating - weight loss!  Other than the effects of detox, mainly in the form of terribly painful muscle spasms in my right arm (which, thankfully, have mostly subsided now), I've been feeling more energetic with no more bloating.  I've increased my water intake and decreased my serving size.  I'm sleeping better at night and am more alert and focused during the day.  I'm making healthier choices, buying most of my groceries each week at the Sioux City Farmer's Market, eating naturally gluten free instead of processed gluten free.  In the past 10 days since making these changes, I've gone from the heaviest weight in my life of 185 pounds to 179.2 - in just 10 days!  That may not seem like much to some of you, but this is HUGE to me!!!  I was always told by doctors that I'd have a hard time losing weight due to having hypothyroidism.  With my Celiac and having a hard time absorbing the vitamins and nutrients my body needs, I figured that wouldn't help in the weight loss arena, either.  Ha!  Just by making these simple changes - and limiting my eating out to Gud n Free, since it is not only 100% gluten free, but they use  better ingredients, too.  Don't get me wrong, it is still restaurant food, but I keep track of every bite I eat and count the calories as best as I can and work the rest of my meals around it when I eat there.  I am NOT giving up my Gud n Free :-)  But that is an awesome thing - if you are tracking what you are eating and are aware of every bite you take, you can make adjustments and still enjoy foods you love or a bite out every now and then.  Of course, with Celiac Disease, eating out is it's own challenge unless you have a 100% dedicated restaurant like Gud n Free where you can dine.

Sioux City Farmer's Market

As you can see, I still enjoy an iced coffee from my favorite coffee place, Heartland Coffee & Nosh now and then!

I'm also excited about a new free cell phone app I downloaded this week called, Lifesum, which is helping me keep on course by tracking my meals, water intake, my weight and activity.  By using this app, I am staying focused and taking it one day, one meal at a time.  And I'm feeling satisfied after each meal!  I had learned how much tracking your food and fluid intake works many years ago when I was a member of Weight Watchers.  I lost 53 pounds by following their Points program and learned so much from my time with Weight Watchers about making healthier choices!!  When my health took a nosedive 3 years before my Celiac diagnosis, I ended up gaining all of the weight back, though I hadn't changed my eating habits.  Unbeknownst to me at the time, that was another sign of Celiac Disease.  For more information on the over 300 signs and symptoms of Celiac Disease click here.  Since I'm now 3 1/2 years into living gluten free, though I'm sure my gut is still in the healing process, I feel like I'm far enough along to work on the weight loss, too.  Doing it this way is a good way to continue healing the damaged villi in my intestines, as well.  (for more information on just what exactly Celiac Disease is, click here)

There are many popular diets out there that make it seem like counting points or calories is unnecessary effort in the weight loss journey.  I disagree.  By tracking your food and fluid intake, you become more aware of absolutely everything that you put into your mouth, which leads to making healthier choices.  When you track your activity, you become more intentional about making that extra effort because you are seeing results.  

Along with eating clean, I've added Kura Protein Powder smoothies and probiotics, as well as other vitamin supplements that my body has difficulty absorbing to my daily routine.  The smoothie powder mix I shake together with one cup of unsweetened cashiew milk and then put in my Magic Bullet mixer (BEST. INVENTION. EVER.) along with whatever fresh, raw fruit I have on hand.  My favorite combo is the berry flavor protein powder along with a small to medium banana, fresh raspberries and fresh strawberries.  YUM!

Kura Berry flavor Protein Powder smootie with crushed ice, blueberries and raspberries.

Whatever your journey, Dear Reader, stick with it!  See it through no matter the work or the cost.  You'll be so glad you did!  Here's to a healthier me and a healthier you!!

Connecting with Community

Panoramic shot of the GF/AF Expo in Schaumburg, IL, April 22 & 23, 2017

I was just watching an episode from the first season of one of my favorite shows, "Switched At Birth".  It's fun to be able to go back on Netflix and re-watch episodes of shows I like that are no longer on the air.  This episode was the last one from season one.  If you have never watched it, it is a drama from the channel now called Free Form.  The first episode begins with two families learning that their 15 year old daughters, born the same day at the same hospital, had accidentally been switched at birth, hence the title.  The show follows these two very different families as they struggle to deal with the life changing news and figure out the new family dynamics that they are now presented with.  One of the two girls who was switched is deaf, the other hearing.  In one of the last episodes of season one, Daphne, the deaf half of the duo, is playing on the basketball team for the school for the deaf that she attends.  As she and her father are checking into the hotel, a young hearing impaired mother and her also deaf little girl meet Daphne and tell her that they drove from another state to cheer on the deaf girls team because they not only represent their school, but the entire hearing impaired community.  This thrills and scares Daphne at the same time because she just realized that she is a role model for the hearing impaired community.  As she explains this to her hearing father, she talks about how no matter where a deaf person travels, if they meet another deaf person, there is an instant connection.  She tells him that the deaf community is a small, but tight knit community and that what a deaf person in the spotlight does reflects and influences others in the community.

Watching this episode again made me think of the Celiac and gluten free community that I became a part of with my diagnosis 3 1/2 years ago.  The way Daphne spoke about the deaf community makes me think of how I feel about the community that I am a part of.  We're a small, but tight knit community.  When I meet someone else who has Celiac Disease or is gluten free for another health reason, I feel an instant connection with them.  So often, it ends up with each of us sharing our Celiac stories with each other, though we are complete strangers.  But you don't feel like you are strangers because you have this link with one another.  Something that people outside of this community can't identify with or understand.  You feel a deep kinship with that other person.  Thinking about the Celiac/Gluten Free community made me think of the connections and friendships I have been blessed to form in this past year more than any other time since my diagnosis.  

Mike & Brenda Orlando and their girls.

As I said before, it began in April, 2016 when I met Mike and Brenda Orlando who were in the process of starting the first gluten free/allergen friendly restaurant in Sioux City and their lovely family.  I've had the privilege of being able to get to know them and some of their staff along the way as I quickly became a huge supporter of their business.  And, yes, by huge supporter, I mean that I eat there - A LOT!  I can't help it!  The food is awesome and I know I can safely eat there without fear of cross-contamination.  Through writing a review of their restaurant, Gud n Free, I then met Tina Messeck who had started a gluten free bakery in Jefferson, Iowa in 2015 called Better For You Bakery.  Tina sent me her four mixes to try and review (loved them, as you can read for yourself on my blog)  Tina, herself, is not gluten free, but she has a 100% dedicated facility and provides wonderful gluten free mixes and baked goods that are out of this world!  I've become a part of the Siouxland Celiac Support Group, sponsored by the Sioux City Hamilton Blvd Hy Vee dietitian, Corrinna Lenort.  I have met some wonderful people through this group, including Corrinna, the facilitator of the group, members of the group and Sara Gotch, the creative mind behind Gnarly Pepper seasoning mixes, which I also love and use (they are gluten free and vegan).  I've met and have been getting to know Alafia and Marije Wright, the people behind the wonderful skin and hair care line called, God's Green Earth.  I also finally got to meet Angela Tague, the voice behind the blog Cupcakes and Yoga Pants.  There are so many people I've had the privilege to connect with through this journey that none of us asked to be on, yet, we are on it nonetheless - together.  Yes, I regularly use the products provided by these entrepreneurial people, however, they have become a part of my world, not just their products or the services they provide, but the people behind these products and services.  We're a community.  We're in this together!

Me, Tina Messeck of Better For You Bakery and Tina Stoen of Mama Stoen's

Sara Gotch from Gnarly Pepper

God's Green Earth products I am currently using.

 Brenda from Gud n Free, Tina from Better For You Bakery and Me - Siouxland Celiac at the Siouxland Health Expo in early April, 2017

Susie from Gud n Free and Me - Siouxland Celiac representing for Gud n Free at the GF/AF Expo in Schaumburg, IL late April, 2017

Graduation Season 2017

Today my family and I celebrated the college graduation of my niece, Shelby from the University of Iowa.  What an exciting time.  It has been wonderful for me to see nieces and nephews as they continue their education, get married, start families, find careers that suit them.  My husband and I don't have any living children of our own, so we've live vicariously through our siblings, their children and grandchildren.

Traveling is always an adventure for someone with food issues (allergies, intolerances, diabetes, Celiac Disease, etc).  Through the past few years I have learned to always pack a LOT of gluten free food and treats to take with me.  This weekend trip has been no exception.  I feel very blessed to have a family that is very supportive, understanding and as accommodating as possible under the circumstances.  Last night we ate at a place we've eaten before since my diagnosis.  While I am always wary of buffets and normally avoid them at all costs, I will eat at the buffet at Riverside Casino & Resort near Iowa City.  They've been accommodating and have a few items that I can safely eat.  As always, I avoid areas where there is likely to be cross-contamination, even if there is a gluten free item.  If it is next to something not gluten free, I don't take a chance.  I took meat that was carved from a larger piece as I watched the cook cut it and put it on my plate and I chose to eat a lot of crab legs - all still in the shell and in an area away from the rest of the food on the buffet.  Granted, I do know that I was taking a risk - more than the usual risk I take eating at a non-buffet restaurant that is not dedicated gluten free.  I chose to take that risk because I know that I've eaten safely at this place before and haven't had any issues.  I do not recommend doing this without doing your research to be as sure as possible that you can eat safely.  Today, the luncheon after the commencement ceremonies was held at Pizza Ranch in North Liberty, Iowa.  I've been very happy with the Pizza Ranch near where I live.  They are extremely cautious and take great care to protect their gluten free customers from cross-contamination as much as they can.  Again, do your research and ask questions beforehand.  Find out how your food is prepared and what they do to make it as safe as possible before you order.  Be as safe as you can be.

Yay, Shelby!!!

If you have to - eat beforehand.  Do NOT let having Celiac or any other food issue keep you from joining in on the celebration!!!  I've attended plenty of events where I had to eat either before or after the event.  Yes, I sit there with nothing to eat while everyone else is eating, but I can still join in on the conversation and celebration.  My health and being proactive in taking care of it is about me, but the celebration or event isn't.  Don't make it about you, but God bless the families and friends who are understanding and accommodating of our needs even during their big and important events!  Celebrate!  Enjoy time with loved ones, co-workers, etc.  Don't stop living just because you can't eat what everyone else can!

Congratulations, Shelby and all of the other 2017 graduates - high school and college - everywhere!  Let the celebrating begin!!!!!

Touching Base

Good morning.  I had planned on writing over the weekend, but some things came up that took me away from writing.  I'm Monday I got into something that has made me I'll with all kinds of Celiac symptoms including diarrhea, inflamed and achy muscles and joints, headaches, nausea and brain dog with trouble concentrating.  Yesterday was worse than Monday.  Starting to feel better today, but still have lingering headache along with the inflamed and achy muscles and joints.  Heading back to work today and hope to be able to concentrate enough to write a real post tonight or tomorrow.  Thank you for your patience and understanding, Dear Readers.

God's Green Earth

Photo Credit: God's Green Earth Facebook page (used with permission)

In 2016 I had the privilege to meet Alafia and Marije Wright at their booth at the Sioux City Farmer's Market (which opened for the 2017 Summer Season today, by the way).  The Wright's produce a skin care line, which includes soaps, lotions, lip balm and much, much more, under the company name of God's Green Earth.  It was the name of their company that first caught my eye.  I tried their soap and hand lotion and quickly became a regular customer!  

    Tea Tree soap                                    Facial Scrub

     Facial Lotion             Lavender Hand & Body Cream

These are just a few of the products I've purchased and used from God's Green Earth.  The Tea Tree Soap is my favorite.  I love that the fragrance helps wake me up in my morning shower - especially since I am NOT a morning person at all.  The soap is gentle and leaves my skin soft and without a filmy residue that some store bought soaps leave behind - yuck! The Facial Scrub was a different experience for me.  I haven't used one like it before.  The texture is what you'd expect for a facial scrub, gritty.  It doesn't take very much product to work gently into your damp face and then wash off with warm water.  It exfoliates really well and leaves me feeling fresh and clean.  I've gone through a couple of bottles of the Facial Lotion.  Again, it doesn't take a lot to cover my entire face.  I use it in the morning under my make up and at night after I've washed the make up off.  The lotion doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy, but smooth and silky soft.  I've had dry skin most of my life, but since using the products from God's Green Earth, my skin feels hydrated and soft, not rough and scaly!  Probably my very favorite products are the Lavender Hand & Body Cream and the Lip Balm (not pictured).  I use the hand & body cream on my hands, my rough (not anymore) elbows and calloused feet.  I'm amazed at how smooth using this cream has made the roughest, most dry areas of my skin.  The lavender scent is very relaxing and calming.  I like to use the cream especially at night before going to bed because of its soothing qualities.  The lip balm really surprised me the most.  I can't stand to have dry, chapped lips.  It drives me crazy.  I always carry lip balm and put it on a lot through out the day.  The lip balm from God's Green Earth I can apply once at the start of the day and my lips stay moist and hydrated all day long.

I asked Marije to give me a little information about their business and the inspiration behind it.

"God's Green Earth was established in 2014 by husband and wife team Alafia & Marije.  After their children had been diagnosed with eczema, asthma and food sensitivities to Gluten, Soy and Lactose they were on a quest to find natural remedies.  The prescribed medications for eczema are full of steroids and were causing undesirable side effects.  Alafia & Marije tested many recipes for soaps, lotions, toiletries and household cleaners before being confident in bringing them to market for sale.  Alafia & Marije have a commitment to produce their product lines toxic-free with as many natural, organic, GMO-free, dairy free, soy free and gluten free ingredients as possible.  They only use a small amount of preservative for their lotions because they grow bacteria and get rancid quickly, which would make them unsafe.  They source their ingredients from reputable companies and try to buy as many ingredients locally as possible.  At God's Green Earth nothing gets made that Alafia & Marije wouldn't use themselves for their family of 7.  They are committed to providing toxic free products that you can be confident are safe and enjoyable to use in your household.  Alafia & Marije offer products that are allergen friendly, meaning that they create their products in a manner where they are safe to use for people with sensitivities and allergies to gluten, soy and dairy.  At God's Green Earth we know our skin is our largest organ and we want to help our customers take care of their skin in a healthy and safe way.  We strive to produce all our products without gluten so that anyone can use them.  The only soy that is used by God's Green Earth is in the candles and wax melts; soy is a common allergen because it's one of the highest GMO crops in the nation and it is used in a lot of beauty products, we leave it out of our products that are applied and used on the skin.  God's Green Earth does not use dairy in their general product line.  If you have a bovine protein allergy, Alafia & Marije recommend you stay away from their ...And It Was GOAT line of products because Goat milk may contain some of the same proteins as cow milk.  Sometimes a specialty soap is created which contains some dairy and it gets labeled very clearly.  All the beeswax Alafia & Marije use comes from local (within 200 miles of Vermillion, SD) sources, and is in its rawest form when it gets to them.  This means the only processing that has been done to the beeswax is a filtering to get out large particulates and the heating to produce our particular product.  Alafia & Marije believe in transparency with labeling so even on their handcrafted soaps you will find an ingredient list.  All the products created for God's Green Earth are made in small batches which ensures quality control and it reduces the risk of contamination with ingredients that are not desirable.  Alafia & Marije are committed to providing products you love to use, they are willing and able to create custom formulas for individuals with specific needs or to make available wholesale.  They are available to answer questions about their products if you have specific needs or allergies and can match you with a product or make a special one for you."

Contact information:

Alafia & Marije

God's Green Earth

Vermillion, SD 57069

605-202-9126

GodsGreenEarth57069@gmail.com

www.mkt.com/GodsGreenEarth

www.facebook.com/GodGreenEarth