Gluten is not a staple in the Asian world or in their foods and never has been. Even the inclusion of soy and wheat is “an American idea.” How absurd!

KA-ME has delicious gluten-free, single-serve rice crackers as well as lightly-salted ones which I really enjoyed and would purchase again.

The company manufactures more products and many in Asia, yet these are the only two I tested and can comment upon.

Tina Turbin
www.glutenfreehelp.info.

You can order a copy of the Winter print edition of the Journal of Gluten Sensitivity to read my article, “U.S. Has Yet to Define ‘Gluten-Free’ for Food Labels,” in which I take up the critical subject of the FDA’s gluten-free labeling regulations.

The Journal of Gluten Sensitivity is a print and online quarterly newsletter co-edited by the founder of Celiac.com, Scott Adams. It publishes articles geared toward those on the gluten-free diet for reasons of celiac disease, gluten intolerance, as well as wheat allergies, keeping readers up-to-date on the latest scientific research and developments in the gluten-free arena. I am honored to have my article included in its Winter publication.

Check out the link below to subscribe to the newsletter:

http://www.glutenfreemall.com/catalog/journal-gluten-sensitivity-celiaccom-paper-edition-online-edition-year-subscriptionissues-celiac-disease-newsletters-p-469.html

Tina Turbin
www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

b.a.

INGREDIENTS

2 c Better Batter Gluten Free Flour

1 tsp salt

1/3 c sugar (sugar may be added to taste)

4 eggs

1.5 c milk, milk substitute, or water

poppy seeds, to taste

1 egg-white

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 1 or two cookie sheets or muffin top tins.

2. In an electric mixer, beat the flour, salt, 4 eggs, sugar and milk or water on high speed for 7-10 minutes. This should produce a batter with the consistency of soft butter-cream icing.

3. Working quickly, spoon this mixture by ½-cup portions onto prepared cookie sheets or muffin top tins. Wet hands and gently smooth and flatten mounds to a width of 3-4 inches and a depth of 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

(Note: If you desire a soft edge to the bun, as with store-bought buns, use a cookie sheet and place mounds so that they touch slightly when flattened. For a crisper crust on all surfaces of the bun, use a muffin top tin or do not allow buns to touch on cookie sheet.)

4. Mix together 1 egg white with a little water and the poppy seeds until well-combined. (I like a heavy amount of poppy seeds.) Brush mixture onto the dough.

5. If desired spray with cooking spray – this will improve the finished appearance and texture of the cooked bun.

6. Place in hot oven and bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and puffed.

7. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

The round crackers are beautifully displayed and a terrific idea, made with organic brown rice, quinoa, and flax. Again, they were a bit dry, and we found them to be best eaten with a moist topping or spread. The Caraway was the most true to its name in its taste and has the most flavor.

Mary Waldner, founder of Mary’s Gone Crackers, suffered from intestinal pain for years until discovering her pain was the result of gluten, and her son was soon after diagnosed with celiac disease. Mary’s Gone Crackers has been her solution to satisfy the needs of people and her family with a good, nutritious fiber-packed food.

Here is a video review I did on these wonderful crackers:

I welcome other’s to share opinions in the comment box provided below

Tina Turbin
www.glutenfreehelp.info

     We review a lot of gluten-free companies and products, but it isn’t very often that we come across a body product line that is gluten-free.

Green Beaver is a Canada-based company that truly believes in being gluten-free. From kids’ products to women’s lip products, this company is sure to have something for everyone. This company takes pride in making sure their products are certified organic as well. Green Beaver understands that pesticides accumulate in fatty tissue (bioaccumulation) and are endocrine disruptors. As many of us know, repeated contact with even small doses of pesticides can cause build up in the body which possibly can cause immune and nervous system disorders years after exposure. Using certified organic products can be very beneficial for those with celiac or gluten-sensitivity due to our weaker immune systems.

We tested many of Green Beaver’s products. One of our testers fell in love with the Star Anis toothpaste. He said that he had tried other anis(anise)-flavored toothpastes, and they always tasted very artificial to him. Green Beavers Star Anis toothpaste tasted like real licorice!

     Most important, we always want to protect our children. Green Beaver has a wonderful children’s line complete with a bubble bath. It is gentle enough to use on your kids but still gets the job done. The products are all naturally scented so you don’t have to worry about overwhelming scents. We found them to be very light and pleasing.

Some people who are celiac or gluten-sensitive don’t see a reaction from gluten touching the skin, but why take the risk? With your pores opened from the heat of your shower, whatever you use on your hair or body is sure to get into your system. Green Beavers line of body products for adults is no ordinary organic gluten-free line. It also works! I find that most of the body products at my local health food store just don’t get the job done. My hair is left feeling dry and my skin isn’t moisturized well enough.

     One of our testers said that the lavender shampoo and conditioner were just what she has been looking for. The shampoo really cleaned her hair, and the conditioner gave her that deep-conditioned feel that she normally only gets from salon conditioner. She also thought the body lotion was excellent. It is very thick so she wanted me to warn you that “a little bit goes a long way!”

My favorite product of Green Beaver would have to be their lip shimmers. They moisturize your lips so well and leave them with just the right tint of color. Having a gluten-free product to put on your lips is a must. We all lick our lips and eat food throughout the day. We are bound to get any lip product into our mouth.

When it comes down to it, if you are going to be on a gluten-free diet, remember that everything that touches your body can get into your system. Green Beaver has taken the initiative to ensure these healthy choices are readily available to us.

Green Beaver is truly at the top of our list now.

Miranda Jade

www.Glutenfreehelp.info

I’m pleased to say that my popular Gluten-Free “No Pudge” Brownies in a Cup recipe has made it into the latest Vancouver Chapter Canadian Celiac Association’s Newsletter! My “No Pudge” brownies are one of my favorite quick gluten-free desserts. These babies are low-fat and don’t even taste gluten-free. The best part? They take just a minute to make in the microwave!

The CCA is a fantastic organization—what an honor to have my recipe featured by them.

Hungry for some delicious brownies? Check out my “No Pudge” Brownies in a Cup recipe here:

http://glutenfreehelp.info/20-minute-recipes/no-pudge-brownies-in-a-cup-2-points-weight-watchers/

Tina Turbin
www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

INGREDIENTS

Chicken breast halves

1 c VEGENAISE mayonnaise

1 tbsp paprika

¼ tbsp cayenne

2 tsp olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Char-grill chicken breast halves quickly and then bake in 350-degree oven for about 30-40 mins.

2. Chop chicken up into fine or large pieces, according to preference.

3. In a bowl, mix 1 c mayonnaise, 1 tbsp paprika, ¼ tbsp (or to taste) cayenne pepper, and 2 tsp olive oil.

4. Mix up and save extra for another meal.

5. Add mayo to create your desired consistency.

6. Serve on GF toast or as a salad.

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

One of my lovely readers purchased Cajun Choices Shrimp, Crab and Crawfish Boil and put her own spin on it. Take a look at what she has to say and check out the Cajun Choice review.

“I love to use my “Crab Boil” for other things besides a base for soups. I actually put it into a salt shaker and sprinkle it on top of chicken, fish, vegetables, etc.  I also like to add it to my gluten free flour when i’m breading my chicken to make chicken tenders. I like to use it in replace of salt because of the added spices, which increases the flavor to any dish.”

Tina Turbin

www.glutenfreehelp.info

Riega Foods has four new amazing cheese sauces I had to share with you. Kids and adults alike love them. Not only are they tested to ensure they contain less than 20 ppm of gluten, but they come in four flavors and in easy-to-make packs: Yellow Cheddar, White Cheddar, Pepper Jack, and Alfredo.

Each individual pack makes a delicious cheese sauce for your meal. A delicious sauce, as we all know, depends on its thickness and flavor. To make a thick, creamy cheese sauce without lumps, without it tasting dry, and without it tasting like rice flour can be a challenge for many gluten-free cooks. Most good cheese sauces have wheat thickeners in them. For us celiacs, those days of gluten-containing sauces are long gone, but taste and texture are NOT, thanks to Riega Foods. They make cheese sauces that taste amazing and with a thickness that coats your dishes perfectly. We really love them.

One of my testers made a unique chicken alfredo dish with blackened chicken using the Alfredo Cheese Sauce. She followed the easy directions and was thrilled with the outcome. She reported that although the pack looked small, it yielded a lot of sauce. Just one pack of the Alfredo Cheese Sauce covered enough to feed herself, her husband, and their two hungry, grown boys.

Another test was to sprinkle the White Cheddar Cheese Sauce on top of popcorn. It was gobbled up quickly before we even had a chance to take notes. We all loved the light flavor, and it complemented the popcorn perfectly.

Gluten-free “cheese-oholics,” this is the product you’ve been waiting for. The Yellow Cheddar is perfect for homemade macaroni and cheese. Each cheese sauce is packaged individually for one meal so it makes for easy storage.

I have to admit, I was skeptical. Is this going to be another pack we add water to with a “compromised” flavor for us celiacs? I wondered. NO, it was not. It truly went beyond our expectations, and we are highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys a true cheesy flavor.

One last note: there are a number of ways to use these packs. I always welcome your ideas to share with my readers. So do try them out and send in your recipes too.

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

Oh baby. Talk about GOOD, GOOD, GOOD. This recipe is simple, fast and rewarding, that’s how we women like a meal.

(50 mins, serves 4-6)

INGREDIENTS

2 zucchinis sliced thin lengthwise in slivers

1 lb fresh lump crab meat

1 egg white

Salt and pepper

1 c GF flour mix (no xanthan)

2 eggs beaten

2 c GF bread crumbs

Vegetables for frying

DIRECTIONS

1. Let zucchini dry on a towel for 30 mins. Change towel after 15 mins.

2. Combine egg white and crab. Season with salt and pepper. Mix.

3. Little by little add in zucchini.

4. Roll in flour then egg then bread crumbs.

5. Refrigerate 30 mins.

6. Heat oil in a pan. Pan-fry.

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info