How Much Salad Did You Eat In 2014?

Don't laugh, this is a legitimate question I have for you. Salad according to my definition, is six or more cold raw vegetables and accompanying healthy counterparts from the land or sea served in a bowl as an appetizer or a meal. It's intent is to fulfill via healthy natural, and organic measures and you should not only enjoy your salad, but celebrate socially each meal. 

When looking back 

did you have a salad 

every day, multiple times per day?

Eat A Smart Salad
I love salad soooooo much. It's a love affair of mine. I talk about it with my brother curiously wondering how much cabbage he ate recently, with my parents who raised me on a salad for every dinner meal, and I'm curious about other people's salads, too. I'm baffled by what's in them, why they choose certain ingredients and dressings and what their motivations are behind each bite. There are dozens of vegetables, fish, meats, poultry, fruits, nuts, some grains and legumes that make there way into my dream salads.  The salad concept here is that the world's melting pot should keep you on edge, always learning about food's place of origin, seasonal freshness and tantalizing your taste buds in suspense. 

Is Salad Making You Fat?
If you think eating salad is your answer to good health you're not even half correct. You can be creative with your salad, eat good veggies, but if it turns into a towering monster that's a sign it's tipping the iceberg of nutrition. If you eat too much high fat marinated meats, bacon, fried/breaded chicken, shredded cheeses, pastas, noodles, nuts, dried fruit, and even avocados and don't portion control you're over indulging. The white iceberg lettuce and common lettuce mixes must have dark leafy greens in there, for optimal nutrition. If you opted out of the creamy dressings, thats' good, but even too much oil and vinegar isn't helping yourself, you're going to give yourself hips that don't lie! 

Looking Forward, Looking Back
Here is my top salad based reflections looking forward into 2015. I will be taking these changes into account myself. In the Winter I become lazier and less motivated to work out and need a few reminders to get back on track...

1. Always shop organic and never GMO (genetically modified organisms).
2. Every day should have a salad meal and each meal have veggies. 
3. Be active on your feet with a sweat 30-45+ minutes per day. 
4. Drink more water with lemon and ginger.
5. Drink green tea daily or various teas during morning and day.
6. Create fantastic high protein and low sugar smoothies for breakfast even if you're not a body builder. Lean protein is essential to being well and fit. 
7. Walk more and focus on less sitting while moving around each and every day. 
8. Stop eating by 8pm - nothing healthy happens late at night!
9. Laugh at yourself, with others and be sure each day you had a good laugh. 
10. Overall, you should only be eating in calories, fats, and proteins, etc for what you're body is capable of utilizing to be great ... you gain weight if the calories aren't being burned off. 

The Truth Behind The Gluten Free Trend

Gluten today is not the gluten from our ancient ancestors. It's common sense that we live in a different world and the environment and sciences have changed. Humans have done a lot of "stuff" to this place. The entire food supply, soil, animal grazing (or lack thereof), insects are dying, weather adjustments and science monsters who created GMOs (Monsanto) have altered the entire planet. 

"People Treat Their Mouths

Like Garbage Cans"

V/NO Alcohol Removed Wine Product Review

Wine For Anytime, Anywhere 

Introducing V/NO 

Alcohol Removed Napa Wine

Just like you, I couldn't believe what I was reading at first. I was intrigued by V/NOs unique logo, taking on the word vino, but with a slash through it.  What could alcohol removed wine taste like? Would it be taste-less, good, or great? Is it expensive? And most importantly is it going to be gluten-free? So I contacted V/NO company and decided to put their product to the test through my new favorite EZ Gluten Test Kit from Elisa Technologies.  

Save Money on Gluten-Free Food

Find More Local Stores

Since gluten-free products tend to cost higher than traditional food (cheap mass produced food) you'll need to shop around to protect your wallet. This may be annoying at first, but you should first look for large grocery chains that may just be a few extra miles away, in addition to the many local health food stores that are in existence because they know something you don't! Get to know these people and ask them questions. Talk, learn, share and try new things.

Food Education The Mainstream Won't Teach

Now that you're avoiding gluten (amino acid/protein) that is found in wheat, barely, rye, malts, etc it's time to learn more about improving your health today and long term. A gluten education is the stepping stone to learning about the corrupted food supply domestically, worldwide and about nutrition. First, gluten is typically found in everything (because wheat is a mass produced cheap ingredient used to fill various types of products) or gluten-free food is contaminated in the manufacturing process (cheap and dirty) because chefs, line staff don't separate and clean equipment and now you need to be smarter. 

It's now important to avoid GMOs, genetically modified organisms, as they're found in more than 70% of the traditional grocery store fresh and packaged foods. GMOs are un-proven, un-tested and believed to be dangerous because they're not actual food, in fact, the seeds are labeled by the FDA first as toxins. How? The DNA of GMOs are entirely made in a laboratory to help them resist insects (a natural predator in the world) and yield more harvest, and that's unproven, while killing too many insects, like bees, and people along with damaging the eco-system because pesticides are over used since the GMO crop can resist the pesticides and prosper. And it's a business, Monsanto, a tech company has patented the seed (life) resulting in horrid business politics of big business and small - large farmers. Its' a mess and it's a heavy corrupted lobbying practice in rich America that you can personallly void with a food education... We 100% recommend that you avoid GMOs and avoid gluten to maximize a legitimate and credible natural and healthy life like our ancestors prospered just fine.

Don't Replace Comfort Foods

Your first step is to finding smarter and healthier real food is to avoid your comfort alternatives such as the pretzels, chips and easy microwavable alternatives.  That would be the opposite of what you should be doing. Focus on organic and nonGMO fruits, vegetables, wild fish, hormone and antibiotic-free meat and poultry, because the mass produced packaged food industry typically have less nutrients and is not healthy or sustainable and now you're in control of living longer and healthier, so minimize the easy alternatives and start cooking, slicing, dicing, baking and sauteing, real nonGMO and organic food. You are given a second chance so don't let what you thought you knew was good, safe, or comfortable get in your way of the new tasty and healthy options ahead to re-train yourself, that's what I did.

Donate Your Microwave

Get rid of it, seriously. There is nothing smart or healthy about putting your food or liquids in a box, pressing a few buttons and it comes out 'ready to eat' unless you have to! The would be fine for an astronaut, if the world ended and you had no choice, or if someone put a gun to your head and said to do it. Eat real, living, raw foods first and slice, dice, cook and bake them like real people have done for thousands of years. Using a microwave everyday is lazy and I highly recommend that you stop. If you can't stop, I'm mad at you, then at least commit to using it only 1x per month or less because planning ahead is part of real challenges in life. Easy to heat and cook foods typically lack nutrition, too.

Don't Pay More For Gluten-Free Products

Research food price, just like the smart shoppers! And don't pay for a crappy product marked up with a gluten-free label. Buy legit natural and credible products from brands you can trust and found in health food stores. They go on sale sometimes or just have legit quality ingredients that you can pronounce and have the certifications on the labels to feel good paying for. Healthier products are worth trying and then you can learn more about how to find them at the best price. Don't be enticed by some mainstream brand with a gluten-free label, that's the easy and dangerous solution, go with a brand that has proven to you their all about health alternatives, not just a band-aid gluten-free text on the bottle.

Plan Ahead, Not Just For Tomorrow

In order to be smarter and healthier, you'll need to plan for what you do today, tomorrow and the next day, just like everyone else. However, now you're not like common people, you have a second chance to gain health and make improvements long term in your life. Have ample fresh organic and nonGMO fruits and vegetables, nuts, etc that you can have handy for when you are on the go. Cook enough left overs for more than the same day and plan ahead to cook, and clean as you should be making food fresh, just like everyone else who is committed to being smarter and healthier. 

When Gluten-Free Doesn't = Gluten-Free Safe

In today's society, gluten is one of many ingredients that contaminate the food supply because it's a cheap filler. It's added to almost everything. Therefore, when you see a gluten-free label you can't trust it unless there is a certification label or they provide transparency into their verification process they do themselves regularly to ensure it's safe. The truth is food often has insects, urine, dead rats and traces of stuff in them and brands are not forced to label that unless someone catches them or if there is a high enough traces if they're tested and somebody catches them! I'm saying, mo money mo problems, in the food industry, got it? The food supply my friends, is a bit wild! FDA passed a gluten-free guidelines in August 2014 about testing <20 ppm for all labeled gluten-free products, but there still is no official policing, except the people :) 

Cluck 'n Moo Gluten-Free Product Review

Grass Fed     No AntibioticsNo Hormones     Low Sat Fat52% less fat than beef33% less calories than beef
Gluten-Free     Paleo No Sugar            

Cluck 'n Moo Burgers 

Can you guess what it is inside? Hahaha, isn't it time to step up your burger nutrition, on all counts, starting with reducing your red meat? Why would you eat a burger that only has beef, or only has turkey when you can have them all in one!?  The Cluck 'n Moo Burger concept is unique and I find it awesome. It's a righteous combination of our favorite burger protein ingredients, beef or a poultry option and they have a product that adds kale as well, which I often add to just about everything to get those healthy leafy greens present in my diet more and more.

NoGii Gluten-Free Product Review

No Gluten

No High Fructose Corn Syrup

No Trans Fats

No Hydrogenated Oils

Balanced Protein, Fats & Carbs

Great Tasting

Who & What is NoGii 

I first found NoGii at a healthy natural food trade show, Expo East, years ago. It is founded by Celiac Disease diagnosed author, celebrity football wife, and news show personality, Elizabeth Hasselbeck. Elizabeth Hasselbeck has a lot going on with her new product line, NoGii (no gluten,) and has introduced 10 small bars, large bars, and protein powders.  Elisabeth is a fabulous gluten-free and Celiac Disease advocate making sure that gluten-free living reaches not just those in the main stream on the gluten-free band wagon, but deeper into the healthy and active gluten-free community.

Healthiest Lifestyle On The Planet Excludes Gluten

Almost 18 years ago, I was forced to convert to the mysterious gluten-free diet with my Celiac Disease diagnosis. Nobody in my family or friends had ever even heard of what the heck gluten was and yet my current and long term health was now dependent on avoiding gluten without medication. It wasn't a nightmare though, because the more I read and learned, I realized that gluten was found in all of the the foods that I ate that were unhealthy, addicting and affected my sports aspirations and everyday health. Gluten-free food is sprouting, harvesting, swimming and grazing all around you... not found in a box.

Avoiding Medication Is Amazing!

There is no cure or Rx treatment for Celiac Disease. That may be scary to most people, but hallelujah for others!  Are you saying that I can treat myself and prosper by avoiding gluten, a grain found in certain grains that are commonly associated with obesity, food addictions and not be dependent on taking pills?  Amaaaaaazing! It is more complicated than that for me and others, but critics will tell you that eating breads, pasta, pastries and various other common wheat based products are perfectly fine. However, I think anyone with common sense will tell you that eating in moderation is fairly okay, but when you realize that avoiding gluten and wheat based products have show significant improvements in gut and brain health then perhaps you should make your own opinions about what's good and bad for you. When people diet they cut out the sweets and snacks, and those are mostly made from gluten and high sugars. The main stream media and the uneducated public will always believe alternative lifestyles are crazy, stupid or fads, because someone is always affected, such as wheat farming industry, and other culinary based gluten industries. Do you realize that most cultures in the world already adhere to a near gluten-free diet but tend to include cultural breads and pastries? Let's look at the low fat diets that had way too much sugar or calories in the products and were merely fads. For gluten-free living, there is no fad here, and there is no drugs necessary, just requires an honest education and will power to change bad American eating habits.

Obtaining A Food Education 

Saved My Life

I was tired of eating the same gluten-free foods everyday and knew that something better was out there than a basic salad, plain chicken, potatoes and the occasional gluten-free sweets. However, I didn't know what to do or where to find the unknown ahead. I went to farmers markets, read cooking books and and watched chef TV shows, attended lectures on gluten-free health, and asked family members questions who were wise, like my brother, a former organic farmer.  Gluten-Free diet has taught me about all of the amazing leafy green vegetables, alternative grains that have more protein, shopping for more diverse fruits, trying new things like making kombucha and nut/coconut milks, new spices and tasting new meat and fish products.  For the critics that tell you gluten-free dieting is unhealthy or dangerous if you don't have Celiac Disease, they are protecting themselves or hiding something. Yes. Everything I Just mentioned above is gluten-free unless it's contaminated in the farm, manufacturing kitchen, your own kitchen, or a restaurant kitchen with gluten because gluten is littered in the eco-system! Our Paleo ancestors and recent family survived for thousands of years on the countless yet basic options in the world with or without grains like gluten. So ask yourself, how are the thousands of food options that are legitimately natural, diverse in nutrients and minerals, unhealthy for those who are attempting a gluten-free diet without Celiac Disease? Simply it's not and it's a very healthy lifestyle if you gather a well-rounded food education that we rarely receive in an American family home and don't get in schooling.  American food is typically fast food, unhealthy coffee chains, hot dogs, burgers, chips and soda. How many of these are you consuming per week, per day? I plan ahead by bringing snacks like nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetable with me to work, on the train traveling, in the car, always having re-usable water bottles and other tasty and nutritious packaged treats that I use only when being active and exercising on the go, so that I don't subdue to impulsive 'cravings'.

Gluten Free Packaged Goods 

Only In Moderation

Gluten-Free products at Wholefoods, Sprouts, Wegmans, Natural Grocers and found at Walmart, Albertsons, Target and Safeway may be growing by the day and tastier than ever before, but are not actually good for your body and mind. The kid in all of us crave chocolate, bagels, easy dinners, pretzels and snacks, and we are so ecstatic to find a gluten-free option that is NonGMO, Organic, and we buy it at high cost and eat those food replacements as they're easy and don't require any cooking, just like me. As a newly diagnosed Celiac, or another auto-immune Disease, child who is just being a child, or the average converter to lose weight, must realize that these replacement options have very limited nutrition in them because they're processed, and you're not adhering to the gluten-free lifestyle correctly by choosing real food first. Gluten-free foods may be easing your Celiac Disease or other health and behavior needs, but you're not going to be long-term healthy and happy until you develop a holistic, full education on health and nutrition which starts with learning how to cook and why GMOs and other foods are may be dangerous for you. You don't have to replace anything from your former life, you should create new food from real natural ingredients and enjoy this second chance at living well with your family and friends. However, I have seen many new nutrient dense products with alternative grains, seeds, nuts, veggies and removed unecessary sugars, fats and carbs appearing in the market and that's a great sign ahead! It's fun to learn, it's invogorating to try new foods solo or with others (and you can share them on Instagram or a blog) and being in tune with  how your gut and mental health will save your life.

Listen & Look Carefully At Your Body Signals

Don't get grossed out by the body noises, appearance and scents that you create. They dictate your health and often guide you for change and treatment. Your bowel movements, stomach/gut and brain are not lying to you... The proof is is right there as you analyze yourself. Get more comfortable with what's happening inside and out and discuss concerns with family, friends or someone who may be able to connect with you and go to a doctor that is right for your needs. 

Namaste Foods Gluten-Free Product Review

If you're gluten-free or have any food allergies, then you must know about Namaste Foods, or your life is about to improve dramatically! Namaste Foods has better ingredients and tastier products than typically found on gluten-free shelves. The team from Namaste Foods is real, passionate, healthy and wicked smart! Their products are NonGMO, top 8 allergen-free and certified gluten-free safe for Celiac Disease as they're committed to providing safe and delicious baking mixes and seasonings (breakfast, entrees, dessert treats) and quick meals like pastas and soups! I met Daphne and her team at Expo East food trade show and now I feel closer than ever to Namaste Foods as they're a regular in my kitchen cabinet.

Celivites Gluten-Free Product Review

Today, let's chat about vitamins and supplements. It's challenging to find a legit gluten-free supplement that is gluten-free verified. In addition, supplements are debatable on their absorption value as people should eat smarter via food education, especially when being diagnosed with Celiac Disease or any other auto-immune or food related intolerance. Nevertheless, I've found a product that speaks to our targeted, yet diverse gluten-free health community, with a balanced and well absorbed supplement that can help you!

Kitchen Table Makers Gluten Free Product Review

About Kitchen Table Makers

The Kitchen Table Bakers offers a unique gourmet wafer crisp, made just about entirely from parmesan cheese! If you appreciate aged cheese such as a parmesan's scent and taste, but demand a strong and sturdy chip, then you will fall in love at your first hello. Kitchen Table Makers are a NY business first starting in their own kitchen during Summer of 2003.These baked parmesan wafer crisps are first grated fresh and flatten in just a few minutes in the oven. They were a Martha Stewart Made in American candidate as well as winning two gold awards from National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. 

Nona Lim Gluten-Free Product Review

Hello, Nona Lim!
Delicious, fresh and convenient for home 

If you're seeking a delicious fall and winter filling meal to warm you up for lunch and/or for dinner, Nona Lim artisan food products should be added to your shopping list. I loved them and they're all very consistent. With deep roots of Singaporean influence, these products are made from scratch and in small batches. Over 90 percent of the vegetables including many organic, are sourced locally nearby their home base of Oakland, California.  In fact, all soups, broth and noodles are certified gluten-free, non Gmo verified, dairy free, and some are vegan, without the use of additives or preservatives, commonly found in other products eaten today. Their products do contain soy. 

Our True Roots Tiger Nuts Gluten-Free Product Review

PreBiotic   Resistant Starch 

No Grain   No Gluten   No Nuts 

Vegan   Organic   Non GMO

Introducing Tiger Nuts from Our True Roots

What the heck are tiger nuts? Well they're not a nut first of all. I met a brand, Our True Roots, at a gluten free and allergen free consumer show and fell in love with Tiger Nuts immediately. Tiger Nuts are a vegetable, in fact they're super nutrient dense tubers that grow under ground, like most awesome super foods. Traces of Tiger nuts are over 4,000 years old and some sources say 4 million years old when our Paleo ancestors consumed Tiger Nuts as most of their diet. In fact, Tiger Nuts are led to be one of the inspirations from foraging to modern day farming...

Natural Products Expo East 2014 Blogger Favorites

It was an exciting few days in Baltimore assisting with the Natural Products Expo East We Blog Team. Led by the fantastic New Hope 360, a digital marketplace for suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers to connect healthy lifestyle industry news and people. Along with other bloggers, it was a remarkable opportunity for a group of committed people with same mutual interest of providing transparency and opportunity for all those committed to the natural foods mission.  See my top three favorites, Hampton Creek's Just Mayo, Suja Juice and Capellos or click below. 

4 food bloggers' favorite bites 

from Natural Products Expo East 2014

New Hope 360 Sep 30, 2014

Natural Products Expo East 2014 Expectations

It's one of two exciting times of the year for 2014, Natural Products Expo East comes to Baltimore (the other show, Expo West, is in the Spring in California). Even though this is a trade show, I attend to shed light on what's happening for my community who need to know where to go, what to trust, and what's trending.

Montana Gluten-Free Product Review

"Celiacs focus on their food and 

really appreciate good food..." 

Bruce Wright

Montana Gluten Free Farmer/Processor 

Montana Gluten Free is a proud to offer gluten-free and Non-GMO oats for everyone of all ages! Being Celiac Spru Association (CSA) verified also adds major respect to ppm gluten traces and trust in the marketplace.  I learned that Montana grows, mills, packages and markets healthy, gluten free food in carefully monitored fields where most of today's oat products are contaminated with wheat at the mills, ehem, Quaker. They're entire line of all purpose baking mix, raw oatmeal, oat bran, cream of oats and waffle pancake mix will delight families.

Maya Kaimal Chickpea Chips Product Review

Introducing my new favorite chip, Maya Kaimal - chick pea chips! I've been looking for a well formed chip to hold my dips and spreads. Preferably, my chip needs to be healthier than the alternative because most chips are still not "healthy" they're too guilty and lack some basics in my diet such as protein when snacking too often. Yes. I'm a chip-a-holic as it's my biggest food weakness! Chick pea chips are full of protein and fiber and are ideal alone or with homemade guacamole, hummus, tomato and onion salad as well as the occasional cheese or salsa for special occasions and football season! 

15% OFF Back 2 School @StrictlyGlutenFree.com

Attend Gluten & Allergen Free Expo In Northern NJ (Greater NYC - September 6 and 7th)

20% automaticall applied -
only for a limited time.

Another delicious Gluten Free Food Show!

It's coming again to the greater NYC area, Gluten & Allergen Free Expo will be in Secaucus, NJ on September 6th and 7th, 2014.  At this event, you'll learn about new brands that fit your lifestyle choices and some of your favorites may be launching new products. Act fast to win free tickets or 20% off. 

But don't only attend for the vendors because this year you should check out the schedule of classes and presenters, then gather your family and friends buy tickets or search for a hotel in the area and enjoy NYC, CT, or the beach.

FDA Gluten-Free Guidelines Arise

 

EDUCATE THE WORLD
As an old friend once said, "knowing is half the battle." These FDA gluten-free guidelines are not a law yet, but they're a step forward to deter the corruption in the gluten-free community from those who don't take it serious or are ignorant. And it's a mess! This is to educate owners, entrepreneurs, chefs, cooks, general managers, waiters, brands, marketers, retailers, brokers, neighbors and shoppers about the seriousness of gluten related cross contamination as a health concern that gluten is a damaging protein found in food grains that cause people to get very ill. The FDA has put together a guideline for how to label and prepare gluten-free in the USA which is behind many countries progression. Remember, despite it's many faults, shortcomings such as testing for <20 ppm levels vs testing for lower quantities, it's a good step into the right place and I am happy it's officially in the books. Take notes and learn more about the gluten-free lifestyle form @GlutenFreeG...

Trader Joe's Forced To Change Gluten Labeling

Knock Knock

Who's There?

Trader Joe's 

  Trader Joe's Who?

Leadership Woes

For many years Trader Joe's have claimed to be at the forefront of gluten labeling. But we all know that's a joke because their labeling is the laughing stock of the gluten-free industry. Why? They have been labeling g+ products for years that albeit may have no gluten ingredients, but admit these products are strongly believed to have all sorts of cross contamination concerns and tell shoppers on a strict gluten free lifestyle to avoid them! Hmm, that's a mixed message, isn't it?! That makes no sense Trader Joe's team.  In reality, this signifies that gluten-free food is being polluted with other gluten containing foods from either supplier, manufacturer or preparation, but their staff has been promoting is as a legitimate gluten-free product in the marketplace and Trader Joe's doesn't seem to care.  The heart wrench is that those innocent people with Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance, wheat allergies, and a variety of lifestyles that find gluten to be damaging to their health have been lied to.  This is a big deal and their lack of respect below could be interpreted that they don't care. 

Top 10 Gluten-Free Misconceptions

False Gluten-Free Statements From Actual People

1. Cross contamination only effects people with Celiac Disease
2. I eat Gluten-Free by only avoiding bread, pasta and pastries
3. Eating at family or friends kitchens is not a big deal
4. Most restaurant have a safe Gluten-Free menu
5. Eating gluten once in a while is okay
6. Gluten-Free labels are trustworthy
7. Gluten-Free Will Cure Everything
8. Corn chips are Gluten-free
9. All wine is Gluten-free
10. Healthy = Gluten-free

Why are these false and why are these dangerous you may ask? Simply because you can't say anything you want about anything without proving it. Don't we learn this as kids? Gluten-Free signifies that all inherent ingredients, manufacturing and preparation areas are all gluten-free and verified to be <20 ppm or much less of gluten contamination per FDA (and common sense). Most products in the world are "contaminated" on some level by other foods, it happens, by machines, people, or accidentally so you cannot trust everything until proven safe, and that goes for everyone, not just someone with Celiac Disease. 

In our society, restaurants and brands have been doing whatever they want with very little regulation. Consumers trust professionals, but it's their own fault to have been doing so. Are these professionals naive or are they simply lying to make profits effecting innocent people's health? We can't let this happen we all need to stand up for health safety. Good thing is that finally those opinions are starting to change! The FDA gluten-free guidelines go in effect in August 2014 and we'll all be watching closely  to see if brands and restaurants make changes to their existing offerings. 

The Gluten Free Craze - Is it healthy?

Eat more veggies!

There have been lots of chatter about gluten-free "diets" and "lifestyles"and whether they are healthy or not; Reference Wall Street Journal article. Together, let's review the food basics to help clear the air and educate each other on why the gluten-free lifestyle (when done correctly) is your road to a healthy, smart and long life ahead.  To elaborate, the following foods were created on the planet Earth without gluten. Gluten-free lifestyle choices are the healthiest and most likely the only, truly sustainable "diet" on the planet Earth...

Wonderfully Raw - Product Review

Sequoia Cheney is going to be your new inspiration... 

She is the founder of Wonderfully Raw, and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, as she was forced to create lifestyle changes and chose to invent delicious food that was safe and tasty for herself and others.  

This story was the birth of My Coco-roons, to provide tasty treats for a targeted audience, but appeals to many more people because of it's great taste and naturally packed health ingredients. Often people stigmatize treats that are made as uniquely as these, but these would even fool the ignorant. Wonderfully Raw focusses on the best possible ways around providing raw ingredients where state laws may have some restrictions, Certified Gluten Free and Vegan, with verifications to back up their claims. 

I feel ill and don't know why

Does that sound familiar? Well, it's been happening to me.  For the past few weeks I haven't been "regular" and although I follow a very strict gluten-free diet, sometimes sh** happens I am afraid of. I trust brands and I take low calculated risks at family and friends homes and occasionally a restaurant I trust.  Although my symptoms are classic Celiac Disease, I believe it's out of my control and need to explore an east coast specialist for analysis to see where/what is wrong with me.

I eat solid foods, smoothies, nuts almost no dairy, no corn, no shellfish, meats, veggies and fruit, what could be so bad about that, haha.  This hasn't happened to me in a verrrrrry long time, but I remain optimistic.  Life is good.

Dear FDA Gluten-Free Guidelines,

We can be happy and healthy if we avoid gluten free cross contamination risks.

Thank you for the steps ahead for gluten-free guidelines as the entire gluten-free community does appreciate your efforts, but there is still way too much confusion out there since there was no major public announcement to educate the good people of the world. Why not?

Eat Your Way To Health Not Rx Drugs

Nature treats and even cures illness. Rx pills often lead to more pills. How incredibly lucky we are to choose our path. 

Everyday, people go shopping for their favorite foods. One shopper's preference may be fruits, veggies, pastas and chocolate, but another may not buy any fruits and instead buy mostly packaged and processed goods such as canned soups, pastas, breads and deli meat. This could be for preference, budget or a variety of other lifestyle and cultural reasons...

Gluten-Free & Milk-Free Matzo Brei Recipe

The east coast Jewish life is full of culture, moving stories, great energy and of course food! Once the quality of gluten-free matzo risen or lack thereof (pun intended) to the main grocery stores it was time to get back into matzo brei, a vivid past time memory of mine.  I used to make matzah from scratch and it never came out any good, it was just there, for me, as the gluten-free option. Enjoy my gluten-free rendition of the famous matzo brei recipe:

Time: 

• Prep: 5 minutes
• Cook: 15 minutes

Serves: 

• 4 people

Ingredients: (Organic when possible)

• 1 large onion
• 8 eggs
• 1 cup "milk"
• 1/4 soy milk
• 1/4 almond milk
• dash of salt and pepper
• 5 sheets of matzo
• dash of cinnamon (optional)
• mushrooms (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. In medium sauce pan, add tea spoon of oil and heat. Then add diced onions and continue to cook on medium. Optional: add a splash of chicken fat if you have some hanging around :) Gently sauté the onions approximately 10 minutes. Optional: if adding diced mushrooms add during 5 minute mark to gentle sauté mushrooms. 
2. Meanwhile, beat the eggs, add salt and pepper and add 3/4 cup of your "milk into a medium mixing bowl and stir together. Take your matzo and run them under water to slightly soften them and also shake them dry once or twice so they don't drip. Crunch them into small 1/2 - 1 inch shapes and mix with the eggs gently.  Add the caramelized onions into the mixing bowl and mix altogether gently. 
3. On low/medium heat turn on your saucepan and then add ingredients into the saucepan to resume cooking. After two minutes add remaining 1/4 cup of milk and turn all ingredients often while heating. Allow matzo brie to collect and turn it over and over to cook. As it heats it will shape and firm the egg, matzo, onion and milk altogether providing a nice aroma. Cook approximately 5-7 minutes. Do not over cook eggs!
4. Serve and eat hot! Optional add sprinkle of cinnamon.