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.

The gluten-free version of this classic topping is easy and delicious. Top your favorite desserts with it for a new, scrumptious twist!

INGREDIENTS

½ c firmly packed brown sugar

½ c quick-cooking GF oats

1/3 c GF flour mix

6 tbsp butter, melted

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, oats, and flour.

2. Stir in melted butter.

Miranda Jade

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.

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

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.”

Miranda Jade

www.glutenfreehelp.info

 This gluten-free, grain-free recipe comes from Debbie Radstrom. I like it because it really has a kick to it! Pair it with your favorite grain-free pasta.

INGREDIENTS:

2 c cilantro, chopped and packed

2/3 c walnuts

2/3 fresh lime juice

1 ½ tsp salt or Shoyu sauce

½ c spinach

1 tbsp garlic

1 tbsp ginger, minced

¼ tsp habanera chili or 2 tbsp jalapeno

¼ c olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

Mix ingredients together in a blender. Makes 4 cups.

Miranda Jade

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info

k.m.