Over thirty years ago, Mr. Ritt opened a bakery in Philadelphia that would later become a gluten-free establishment and gain a dedicated fan base among the gluten-free community. It’s no surprise that after closing his bakery’s doors, Mr. Ritt was met with the demands of his enthusiastic customers who couldn’t do without his tasty creations. Lucky for us, in response to their feedback, he developed a variety of mixes, which can now be conveniently ordered online. We had the opportunity to test some of these mixes, and we were quite satisfied.

Mr. Ritt makes a wide assortment of gluten-free mixes, allowing the gluten-free community to make all sorts of baked goods, from cookies and cakes to baguettes, pizza crust, and hamburger buns. The mixes are excellent, with great flavor, versatility, and quality ingredients.

The All-Purpose Buckwheat Flour Blend is a high-fiber and high-protein mix. This one is ideal for baked goods with a flavor that’s stronger than chocolate chip cookies, according to Mr. Ritt’s website. Pizza and Italian lovers can use the Multipurpose Italian Bread and Pizza Crust Mix, which is not only gluten-free but also egg- and dairy-free.  This mix is good for hamburger and hotdog buns as well as pizza crust.

Waffle-lovers, rejoice! Mr. Ritt’s Buttermilk Waffle Mix can be used for not only waffles, which were the mainstay of Mr. Ritt’s bakery for years, but also pancakes and even a tempura mix.

If you’re a fan of soft pretzels, as I am, you’ll love the Quinoa Bread and Pretzel Mix, a delicious mix that’s not only free of gluten, egg, and dairy, but made with quinoa flour, rich in protein and fiber. As far as I know, it’s the only soft pretzel mix celiacs can make at home!

Mr. Ritt has used his impressive experience to enable us to reproduce his cherished goods in our kitchen with versatile, nutritious, and delicious mixes. What’s more, Mr. Ritt says more are coming. I highly recommend his products for your gluten-free baking needs!

Miranda Jade

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

k.m.

Now that you’re gluten-free, you don’t have to say goodbye to your favorite recipes. If you have tons of family recipes that have been handed down to you, this can be very good news!

The conversion process is simple: just use gluten-free flour blend (which you can make yourself using my gluten-free flour blend recipe—or buy it prepackaged) one-for-one. This applies to cookies, pancakes, and muffins.

Does your recipe require cake flour? You can make your own by combining 1 ¼ cups of your gluten-free flour blend with ¼ cup of tapioca starch or flour or ¼ cup of corn starch.

The one-for-one substitution doesn’t apply to all recipes, though, such as with Danish sweet rolls and yeast breads.

Miranda Jade
www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

b.a.

The symptoms of celiac disease cover a wide range and are variable from person to person, but according to the Canadian Celiac Association, there are some symptoms that seem to be particularly common among celiac children.

These are: vomiting, irritability, behavioral changes, delayed growth or puberty, short stature, and dental enamel abnormalities.

According to Celiacs, Inc., the symptoms of celiac disease usually manifest in children after three to five months after they first ingest gluten, but this period of time may be shorter (“as short as one month”).  Their website lists additional celiac symptoms commonly found in children, such as a large abdomen, abnormal stools (large, pale, or floating), flattened buttocks, and acute diarrhea and dehydration.  Older children will experience “more subtle” symptoms such as: poor appetite, poor growth, and anemia.

Miranda Jade
http://www.GlutenFreeHelp.info
b.a.

Celaic disease, which has a wide variety of symptoms in itself, often is attended by other health conditions. According to the Canadian Celiac Association, for this reason, it’s recommended that people with celiac disease symptoms or a family history of celiac disease get tested for the following associated conditions:

-Osteoporosis
-Type 1 diabetes mellitus
-Other autoimmune disease (such as autoimmune hepatitis or autoimmune thyroid disease)
-Down syndrome
-Turner syndrome
-Lymphoma

Miranda Jade
http://www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

b.a.

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.

Experimenting in the kitchen one day with spirulina, I discovered some amazing cookies that are also good for you. These raw cookies are gluten-free and grain-free.

INGREDIENTS:

1 c sunflower seeds, soaked 5-10 hrs

3 tbsp macadamia nut butter

3 ½ tbsp date paste

1 tsp powdered vanilla bean

¼ tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:

 1. Place in greased liner in dehydrator and make about 1/6-inch thick.

2. Dehydrate 10 hrs at 105 degrees. Turn over cookies. Dehydrate another 5 hrs or to desired texture.

3. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

4. Place by heaping tbsp on a greased cookie sheet and flatten slightly so they’re somewhat evenly thick.

5. Bake for 8 mins, turn around in the oven, and bake 1-2 more mins.

6. Let cool only 5 mins then remove.

Miranda Jade

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

k.m.

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

This was contributed by Brenna Jensen, who writes, “I have made this pie so often; the crust is great as posted in the recipe, but I’ve also used it to make pumpkin and berry pie as well. Enjoy!” Thanks, Brenna!

INGREDIENTS

Pastry Crust

(makes two crusts)

1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour (Bob’s Red Mills All Purpose Gluten Free Flour, Avail at Kroger & online)
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon xanthan gum (Bob’s Red Mills)
8 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1 large egg
1 tablespoon gluten-free vanilla extract (Available online at the Gluten Free Pantry)

Apple Filling

7 medium apples, peeled, cored and very thinly sliced. Use mildly sweet to tart very crisp apple (such as Granny Smith, Braeburn, Cortlands)
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt

Crumble Topping

3/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup gluten-free flour (See above)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup butter, chilled & cut into small pieces

DIRECTIONS

Pastry Crust

1. In a mixing bowl stir together the flour, xanthan gum and cornstarch.

2. Then add the sugar, butter, egg and vanilla and mix until combined.

3. Remove dough from bowl and knead and fold on a surface dusted with GF flour until well well combined.

4. Divide into two pieces and wrap in plastic wrap, place one in the refrigerator to chill and place the other in the freezer for later use.

5. Go ahead and make Apple Filling while the Pastry Crust is chilling.

6. After approx 20 minutes, remove dough from refrigerator and roll into a ball.

7. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out on a lightly GF floured surface until it is the thickness of a normal pie crust.

8. Place crust in a 9 inch glass pie dish that is lightly sprayed with non stick spray.

9. Using a fork poke a bunch of holes in the sides and bottom of the crust.

Apple Filling Instructions

10. In a large bowl mix apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.

11. Set aside and let the juices mix.

Crumble Topping Instructions

12. In a small bowl mix together brown sugar, GF flour and nutmeg.

13. Next mix in the chilled butter and cut it in with a fork or other tool until you have a course crumbly mixture.

Assembling your Pie

14. Preheat oven to 400°F.

15. Spoon apples into your pie crust, mounding in the middle and pouring the sugary juices over top.

16. Sprinkle your Crumble Topping all over the top (use it all).

17. Use tin foil to cover edges of crust as it will burn easily.

18. Bake for approximately 35 minutes, topping will be lightly browned and filling will be bubbly.

19. Let cool for at least an hour before serving.

Yum!

Contributed by Brenna Jensen

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

You are going to love this delicious dessert! It’s a simple, fast, and rewarding dessert to present to the table. It really brings the smiles. Kids love it and so does my chocolate-lover husband.

(1 filling for a pie or 8 little ramekins)

INGREDIENTS

16 oz (2 packs) firm silken tofu

½ c cocoa dark powder (not sugar)

1/3 c maple syrup

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp vanilla

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix with your Bullet, Vita-Mix or blender.

2. Pour in a pre-baked pie shell or in 8-10 small ramekins.

3. Refrigerate.

Optional:  3  Wilmar Truffles (grate them and sprinkle on top) or gluten-free marshmallows

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info