July 2009

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      July 10, 2009

      Eat Your Greens Soup

      We participate in a CSA, which stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and at this time of year it means that we are getting plenty of greens.  Typically we use greens, like spinach, in a stir-fry or in salads, and even in burgers and in green smoothies.  Greens are so healthy and good for you in terms of nutrition.  But what to do with them other than the smoothies, burgers, salads and stir-frys?  What else are you doing with your organic greens?  This soup is gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, peanut free, tree nut free, which meets our allergy and celiac needs.  As I have noted in the recipe below if you are allergic to tomatoes or not eating them for other reasons, you could omit them and add broth in place of the water for more flavor and increase the spices, possibly even adding some additional ones.

      This recipe I came up with in an effort, quite simply, to use up an abundance of Swiss Chard from our organic farmer.  Was it a hit with my kids?  In a word - YES!!!!!!  The two that tried it (one was under the weather) each gave it a 9 out of 10, meaning that they thought it was excellent.  And they even gave me coaching - to make it a 10, next time I needed to puree the greens a bit more!  I am quite excited and I can't wait to get feedback from you!!  So try it and let me know your opinion and the variations you come up with. 


      Swiss Chard Soup

      A soup that my two sons, ages 10 and 12, actually enjoyed and would eat again!  It has an unusual color with the greens and the tomato.  If you are allergic to tomatoes, you would obviously eliminate them.  I would use broth in place of the water and just add some additional spices for flavor.
      1 medium onion, chopped

      1 Tablespoon of acceptable oil
      8 ounces of broth
      15 ounces of tomato sauce
      24 ounces of water
      Large Bunch of Swiss Chard (or Spinach or other greens that are not bitter)
      1/2 teaspoon dried basil
      1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
      Dash of crushed rosemary
      Dash of sugar
      Salt and Pepper to Taste
      Saute the onion in the old until caramelized and soft.  Add water, tomato sauce and Swiss Chard.  Cook over medium heat until the Swiss Chard is cooked and soft.  Add all remaining ingredients.  Allow to cool slightly and then puree in a blender.  I left small pieces of greens in this soup and my children would like it more pureed the next time.  Overall, this is an excellent way to use up your greens and have a nutritious appetizer or main meal. 

      Now, if I could just come up with a way to use greens in a dessert!!!  Just kidding.  Enjoy!
      Love,
      Lisa


      July 03, 2009

      Have You Seen the '10 Americans' Video by Ken Cook from EWG?

      I suspect many of you have not yet seen it unless you are on the Environmental Working Group's e-mail list or visit their website frequently.  I believe it is a fairly new video.  It is an amazing video in my humble opinion.  I just watched it this past week, and because it was late I had made up my mind that I would just watch a few minutes of it.  After all, I DO know a great deal about health, the environment, and what makes people sick and well.  I watched the entire video, and I highly recommend it.  Here is the link: www.ewg.org

      Here is who I think should watch this particular video:  parents of young children, prospective women who hope to become mothers, grandparents, retired people of all ages, educators, men who hope to become fathers, people who wonder why they don't feel well, legislative representatives at the state and federal level, and journalists.  Who did I miss?  I guess I could have written a shorter list by stating who should skip watching the video.  Let's see the manufacturers of chemicals and environmental toxins and the companies who profit from these toxic chemicals.

      Oh, yes, I have not really mentioned the content of the '10 Americans' Video.  Humm.  Dare I go there?  I guess I'll have to or it will seem too much like a big tease.  The '10 Americans' video is about what they know about chemicals showing up in the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies.  It is very educational.  It is scientific.  It represents a great financial investment in the study that was conducted.  It is a stunning video that would cause an outcry in my humble opinion if enough people saw it.  I hope to contribute to the awakening that is happening in this country and in the world.  Do you know the rate of birth defects for the United States?

      The last time I checked it was 1 out of every 24 babies.  If you ask some medical experts, they would say that number is more like 1 out of 17 or 18.  Thirty years ago, the number was 1 in a couple hundred!!  How we will cause more babies to be born healthier is NOT by giving money to the March of Dimes - but to rally Americans together and make a stand that we will not allow babies to be born poisoned because of chemicals in our environment.  It is a moving video.  It was made with the intention, I believe, to help a new day to arise.  Watch it.  Share it.  Pass it on.  And please let me know what YOU think about this video!!  Sending my love,
      Lisa
       

      July 02, 2009

      Free History of Food Allergies White Paper

      I have recently released a free white paper that you can download from my website on the History of Food Allergies.  You can read the PRWeb Press Release and get the details. I get questions every week about allergies and in particular food allergies.  The average consumer, John Q. Public, is engaged and asking questions like:  Why do you think there has been such an increase in allergies?  Did people used to have food allergies and we just didn't know it?  People are curious now in increasing numbers so much that even I am surprised by this level of interest from people who are seemingly healthy.  When people hear my background they often will stop and want to talk.  The reason that I have released this white paper is because it is, in my quite humble opinion, a good look at allergies and in particular food allergies over time in a reasonably short paper.

      It is only 5 pages long with 27 medical footnotes.  Not a long read by any stretch of the imagination.  Prior to releasing it, I had given out many photo copies and the comments I received back were amazing.  People took the time to call me back or e-mail me and tell me what a difference the paper made and how glad they were that I shared it with them.  That is, of course, the whole point of sharing.  We teach sharing in Kindergarten, and I'm good at sharing.  I'll be anxious to see what comments I get on it from you, so please don't be shy!  This link will take you to the paper History of Food Allergy Paper.

      Over two thousand years ago, Hippocrates, the Greek Physician who is considered to be the 'Father of Medicine', wrote that food could injure some people.  We, as a rule, don't think or talk about food having the ability to injure people.  We certainly are not living in a time where the majority of physicians would agree that food could cause certain health issues, which is probably why people love the paper so much.  From Hippocrates moving forward in time, we can find physicians of great historical stature that are stating that food is a source of illness and disease.  One day, when I have money to burn, I'll be purchasing a copy of a book called "The Food Factor in Disease" a book written by Dr. Francis Hare of Brisbane, Australia in about 1905.  Dr. Hare explains (from the medical literature I read at the medical library) in this two-volume, 1,000 page book how a whole host of diseases were related to food allergies including migraine, asthma, gout, nervousness, epilepsy, mania, dyspepsia, biliousness, headache, bronchitis, eczema, hypertension, gastrointestinal disturbances and other degenerative diseases.

      I have purchased older medical books, the oldest one I have was published in 1951 - long before IgE allergies were named and understood.  By all accounts, allergies have been a topic of conversation for over two thousand years.  I'm sure if I was willing to go back to the medical library and I had unlimited time, I could find other writings dating back to before Hippocrates.  I hope you get great value from the History of Food Allergies, and please let me know your comments.
      Love,
      Lisa


      June 28, 2009

      Mother Desperate for help Chases Down Food Allergy Expert Lisa Lundy

      Friday morning, June 26, 2009, I was driving to my daughter's doctors office to drop off some medical papers minding my own business.  There was very little traffic on the road and no cars behind me as I neared the doctors office.  As I was getting ready to turn into the parking lot I noticed in my rear view mirror a car approaching me at a speed so fast that I became alarmed that I was going to be rear-ended.  I quickly pulled to the left towards the curb as I executed my turn into the parking lot fully expecting to either be rear-ended or have my driver's side passenger mirror clipped by the speeding car.  As I pulled into the parking lot I watched the speeding car make a dramatic turn into the adjacent parking lot, only a mere 10 feet from where I had turned.  How interesting I thought to myself.  Why speed so much just to get an additional 10 feet?  But the car didn't stop in the next parking lot, it made a rapid turn and exited out of the parking lot and came around into the parking lot I was now parked in!  I have to admit I had a small burst of adrenaline, and quite frankly a tinge of fear, as I watch this car pull quickly into the spot next to where I had parked.  What possibly was going on here? 

      I got out of my car, a bit on edge clutching the paperwork I was there to drop off, and looked over my shoulder at the woman now getting out of her car.  She practically fell out of her car and was mumbling and fumbling with her words.  Now, she had my full attention and I turned to see if something was actually wrong with her.  Not really speaking she pointed to the words on the back of my mini-van - www.TheSuperAllergyCookbook.com and said, "Is that you?".  Yes, I assured her, that was my website.  As the conversation unfolded, this desperate mom had a food allergic child, allergic to most of the top 8 allergens, and she was having an extremely difficult time feeding her young child.  I was filled with compassion knowing exactly the kind of upset and frustration she was experiencing.

      She asked for my business card, which I gladly forked over to her.  We had a lovely, although brief, conversation because I had an appointment to get to nearby.  This delightful woman is not alone.  This past week a mother from Australia had ordered my cookbook for the very same reason - trying to cook for a child allergic to wheat, milk, eggs, etc.  Before her copy of my cookbook had even arrived, she downloaded some of my free recipes and made rolls that were in her words "Today I made the dinner rolls and they are the NICEST gluten free bread I have ever tasted. THANKS A MILLION."  Then she posted two comments on this blog later to say that she had made the white cake recipe listed in this blog and said this: "Lisa- back again. This recipe is absolutely fantastic." 

      When I was suffering over feeding my son Noah many moons ago (he is now 10), I knew in my heart of heart that God does not give you a cross without providing a greater cause that it can be used for.  It brings tears to my eyes to know that I am actually helping mothers who are struggling.  I know how hard it can be to get information, manage the maze of medicine, and figure out what is bothering your baby, toddler or child.  I know, too, how difficult it is to bake and cook foods without gluten, dairy, eggs, peanuts, tree-nuts, coconut, and corn and soy (over 75% of my recipes are naturally free of corn and soy).
      Here is a quick look at the statistics of the potential numbers of people who could be helped by a change in diet:
      -3 million Americans with celiac disease (97% of them not yet diagnosed)
      -75-84 million Americans with food intolerances or sensitivities
      -4.4 million school-aged children with ADHD
      -1.2 million with ADD (6.8 million estimated as undiagnosed with ADD)
      -5 million with irritable bowel
      -60-70 million with digestive diseases
      -15-20 million (estimated) with gluten intolerance (distinct and separate from celiac disease)
      -3.1 million with constipation
      -20+ million with depression
      -4 to 8 million with behavior issues, fibromyalgia
      -40 million with anxiety disorders
      -1/2 million with Crohn's disease
      Now, some of the people have more than one symptom, so we can't really say definitively how many individuals could be helped.  The bottom line is that there are millions and millions of people who would have a substantial increase in the quality of their life if they knew that a change in diet might resolve their health issue.

      The more we can get the word out there, the more children and families we can help.  You can help by posting links to this blog on your Facebook page (on your wall), by Tweeting about it, by sharing the link with your friends, co-workers, and family.  Together, we can make life a lot easier for people.  I'd love to hear your comments and your stories!!  
      Love,
      Lisa

      June 23, 2009

      A Plea to Dear Abby for Help for Millions of Children and their families

       I am going to make a personal plea to Dear Abby and ask all of you and everyone I can to do the same thing.  The Dear Abby Column, over years has made a big difference in our society and I am committed that Dear Abby could and can help millions of parents right now.  But first a bit of background.  The Dear Abby column, today, Tuesday, June 23, 2009 was titled “Parents share secret shame” or “Parents of ‘Problem’ Children Share Mom’s Secret Shame” and it was remarkable on one hand and sad on the other.  Here is a link for today’s column: http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/
      The column basically talks about children who are “difficult” to manage and how badly the Mom’s feel, and how often they have negative feelings about their child as a result.  So far, that is a good conversation to get out into the public.  But it gets better!!  One of the writers (Enlightened in Minnesota) discovered after 3 years of dealing with a child who was “spinning out of control, constantly whining, aggressive toward his siblings and unpleasant to be around even on a good day” that he has celiac disease.  This is the good news.  There are hundreds and hundreds of children YET to be diagnosed with celiac disease! 

      Authoritative medical experts estimate that close to 3 million Americans have celiac disease or roughly 1% of the population.  The kicker is that 97% of them don’t yet know that they have it!  In children this often shows up as behavior issues or irritability!!  Dear Abby, you could help get nearly 3 million Americans diagnosed with celiac disease and not only save millions of Moms and Dad’s aggravation, but you would be saving lives as well!  Some people with celiac disease die before they get diagnosed.  Untreated celiac disease (read undiagnosed) increases the risk of cancer 200-300%!

      Here is the sad news, what was missing from this Dear Abby column was the rich research that proves conclusively that foods, food dyes, preservatives, food additives and chemicals can cause learning issues, behavior issues, emotional issues and social problems in children.  So, I wrote to Dear Abby on line, which you can do also, and I urge you to do this.  Here is the link: http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/dearabby_form.html

      If you have not checked out the Feingold Association and their fabulous website and group, please do!  They can be found at www.Feingold.org Their site is loaded with information and research.  Another site loaded with information is Dr. Doris J. Rapp, M.D.’s website at www.DrRapp.com Dr. Rapp, M.D., has been a physician for more than 50 years.  In her clinical practice, she saw the impact of food and other allergens on children.  Dr. Rapp has written several books to help parents including the National Bestseller “Is This Your Child?”  Dr rapp and lisa

      It is high time that the public understood that for more than 2,500 years physicians starting with Hippocrates, the Greek physician considered to be the Father of Medicine, have known that food can injure some people.  Dear Abby, would you please join forces with the Feingold Association, Dr. Doris Rapp, myself and the many other organizations that recognize that food can affect how you think and feel?  This would help millions of parents who are struggling!!  Readers, I request that you contact Dear Abby!  Here is the address for snail mail:  Dear Abby, PO BOX 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.  If enough Moms’ like us write to Dear Abby, I believe that she will get the message and help us help others!
      Let the games begin!
      Love,
      Lisa

      June 08, 2009

      Pedometer Conundrum: What is the most reliable pedometer?

      Having spent the last year and a half, maybe closer to two years, using pedometers I find myself in a conundrum.  What is the most reliable pedometer?  I have used several different models, just ask my loving and supportive husband, who purchases them for me, and all with a disturbing trend.  The pedometers will work great for about two months, and then fizzle out.  I immediately change the battery and usually carry a spare, so it is not an issue of they lack the proper battery power.  This is an issue where they stop counting my steps accurately.  Every manufacturer represents that their pedometer is reliable, and works well, etc.  What I am asking for is consumer input!  Who of you regular consumers has used the same pedometer for years?  What brand and what make?

      I have found that a pedometer is a good structure for helping me keep fit because I can check it periodically during the day and then determine how much more exercise I will need to schedule in to reach 10,000 steps.  The fact that the pedometers have malfunctioned after several weeks of use, without fail, is a real demotivator.  I would like to get a reliable pedometer and I am seeking helpful information from consumers only.  Please DO NOT post a message about a pedometer you are selling.  I'm looking for honest to goodness consumer feedback not the marketing glitz and a sales pitch!  Thank you so much for sharing your feedback and your experiences with pedometers!!  I do appreciate it!
      Love,

      Lisa

      June 02, 2009

      Free Seminar on Avoiding Additives Linked to ADHD and Autism

      I just saw this new press release from the Feingold Association, an organization I support and highly recommend.  With their permission, I am sharing it with you.  Please do share this with your friends, family and others who are in the Maryland and surrounding areas.  Thanks!  Love, Lisa


      Seminar: Avoid Additives Linked to ADHD and Autism
       

      A free seminar about dietary options for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), and other learning/behavior problems will be held by the nonprofit Feingold Association (www.ADHDdiet.org) on June 25th from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.  This event will take place at the Marriott SpringHill Suites at 899 Elkridge Landing Road in Linthicum, Maryland (near BWI).  Reservations are not required. 

       

      This seminar will introduce guests to the low-additive Feingold Diet, which eliminates petroleum-based food dyes, artificial flavors, and certain preservatives that have been shown by scientific studies to cause hyperactivity, impulsivity, short attention spans, and other problems. 

       

      These studies, which include two British trials from the University of Southampton and a Harvard/Columbia University meta-analysis of 23 controlled studies, have inspired efforts to ban synthetic food dyes at both the Maryland state and national levels. 

       

      In February, the Maryland Senate debated whether to ban six synthetic food dyes, including Red 40 and Yellow 5, because of their link with learning and behavior problems.  One Senate bill proposed banning the use of these dyes in all foods sold or served in Maryland, and another bill proposed that the state’s public schools and child care centers not be allowed to sell or serve foods containing these additives.  While the bills did not pass this year, the hearings increased public awareness of this issue.

       

      Last summer, nineteen prominent psychiatrists, toxicologists, and pediatricians submitted a letter to the United States Congress urging members to hold hearings and to introduce legislation to end the use of synthetic food dyes that have negative effects on children’s behavior. 

       

      "The first hints that food ingredients could impair children's behavior came in the mid-1970s, when the late Dr. Ben Feingold publicized his clinical findings,” they wrote.  “Many of the studies done over the years, in the U.S. and abroad, have confirmed that some children are adversely affected by foods, with food dyes being the ingredients most intensively studied."

       

      The Center for Science in the Public Interest, with the support of the Feingold Association, also called on the Food and Drug Administration to ban eight synthetic food dyes and to require warning labels on all foods containing these dyes in the meantime.  

       

      In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics acknowledged in its journal, AAP Grand Rounds, that "a trial of a preservative-free, food coloring-free diet is a reasonable intervention" for hyperactive children.  

       

      This issue has also gained international momentum.  In June 2008, the European Parliament agreed to require labels on foods containing six synthetic dyes to warn that they “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” (Food manufacturers were given eighteen months to comply.)  What's more, the British Food Standards Agency has asked food companies in the United Kingdom to stop using these food dyes by the end of 2009 on a voluntary basis.

       

      According to the Feingold Association, synthetic food additives have also been linked with dyslexia, speech difficulties, seizures, tics, and nightmares, as well as allergic reactions such as asthma and hives.   

       

      The Feingold Association (www.ADHDdiet.org) helps families of children with learning/behavior problems to implement the low-additive Feingold Diet.  The charity publishes a handbook on the Feingold Diet, the Pure Facts Newsletter, a Fast Food & Restaurant Guide, a Foodlist & Shopping Guide, and a Mail Order GuideIts advisory board and board of directors include medical professionals from Johns Hopkins University, the University of Rochester, Stony Brook University, Baltimore's Sinai Hospital, and other institutions.

       

      Individual dietary needs vary and no one diet will meet everyone's daily requirements.  Before starting any new diet, check with your doctor or nutritionist.

       

      References

       

      Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. D McCann et al., Lancet 2007 Nov 3;370(9598):1560-7 

       

      The effects of a double blind placebo controlled artificial food colorings and benzoate preservatives challenge on hyperactivity in a general population sample of pre-school children.  B.J. Bateman, J.O. Warner, E. Hutchinson, T. Dean, P. Rowlandson, C. Gant, J. Grundy, C. Fitzgerald and J. Stevenson, Archives of Disease in Childhood 89: 506-511, June 2004 

       

      Do artificial food colors promote hyperactivity in children with hyperactive syndromes?  A meta-analysis of double-blind placebo-controlled trials.  DW Schab et al., Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics 25(6):423-434, Dec 2004  

      Contact:  Susan Guzo, (703) 841-0085, SusanGuzo@GuzoPR.com

      May 23, 2009

      Gluten-Free Diet: Help! Where Do I Start?

      I am frequently asked this question and earlier this week I promised a reader that I would blog about it in an effort to provide them with answers as they wade through the myriad of information on the gluten-free diet.  My first recommendation is to take a deep breath and breathe.  There are no easy answers if you are experiencing either health issues or behavioral/emotional issues or even depression, which may or may not be related to consuming gluten, dairy or other foods.  The intention of my cookbook, The Super Allergy Girl™ Allergy & Celiac Cookbook, was to help people with this very question.  I have included in my cookbook 100 pages of helpful information to people embarking on a gluten-free and dairy-free diet.  You will find many helpful downloadable and free documents on my website – information free for the taking.  For that reason, I will be as brief as possible here.  You can purchase the cookbook here on my website.

      Where Do I Start?  This is a great question with no easy answers.  I will make some brief recommendations with the understanding that I have already written 100 pages of information in my cookbook to help people get started and be successful.  If you are considering the gluten-free and/or dairy-free diet for yourself or your child due to health symptoms, behavioral issues, emotional problems or cognitive functioning issues, good for you!
       
      Step 1:  I recommend that you begin by seeing your primary care physician or pediatrician and ruling out celiac disease.  Celiac disease is currently one of the most under-diagnosed, if not the most under-diagnosed disease in the U.S.

      About 97% of the people in the U.S. who have celiac disease don’t currently realize that they have it according to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program.  If celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disease with a genetic component, is the underlying cause or source of your health issues, it would be really, really good to know that, medically speaking.  Years down the road, you don’t want to be wondering if you or your child actually has celiac disease.  Because celiac has a genetic component, it would be valuable for you or your relatives to know if you or your child has celiac disease. 

      The mistake I made, and it is the classic mistake that many others make, is to go on a gluten-free diet without ruling out celiac disease.  I have been informed by reputable individuals in a position to know, that if you are on a gluten-free diet for an extended period of time that you will invalidate celiac testing in the future.  My recommendation is to rule celiac disease out.  You can find good information on celiac disease testing on the Celiac Sprus Association, USA, Inc. website at www.csaceliacs.org, so I’m not going to go into celiac testing in this piece.

       Step 2:  After ruling out celiac disease, assuming you are agreeable to that recommendation, you can then select one of several options to try to assess what is contributing to your health issues, behavioral issues, cognitive functioning problems or emotional issues.  Here are some of the options you have:

      Elimination Diet:  As the name implies, an elimination diet is one where you remove many or most common foods.  Once you have removed most foods, you then re-introduce foods to see if symptoms return or get worse.  This requires diligence and many people find it uncomfortable as the elimination diet offers few foods for consumption.  I have not found many parents willing to do an elimination diet, although if you are willing, this can be a helpful option.

      Remove Gluten and/or Dairy from the diet: 
      In this option you remove either gluten or diary or both.  Gluten and diary are two of the foods that seem to impact many people, so I recommend if you are going to do this to remove both for a period of 6 weeks minimum with 3 months being a preferred period.  Gluten and diary remain in the human body longer than other foods, and if you don’t remove it for a long enough period, you won’t be getting a valid test.  If you are going to do this, by all means get a copy of my cookbook so you don’t have to suffer through it.  You can have outstanding gluten-free and dairy-free foods, so if you are going to try this option, give it a good go by getting resources so it is as easy as possible.  If the symptoms are improved or eliminated by being on a gluten-free and/or diary-free diet, you can then introduce gluten or dairy, one at a time, to see if they bring on the symptoms you are addressing.

      Food Diary:  This is another investigative tool that is non-invasive.  It takes time, commitment and patience.  In this option, you write down what you eat, how much of each food and any symptoms, behaviors or emotional states in a journal.  Often by keeping a food diary, people can start to see patterns emerge and they can then make educated guesses as to what might be the source.  If you notice that you feel tired two hours after every meal, that might be helpful.  If you change what you eat and notice that you are energized, that would also be of value. 

      Food colorings, additives & preservatives: 
      In some instances, individuals or parents will see improvements in emotional, cognitive, physical or behavioral functioning by simply removing food colorings, additives, and preservatives.  The rule of thumb here is if you can’t pronounce it, if you don’t know what it is or does, or it says coloring – it falls into this category.  The Feingold Association, www.feingold.org has a program to help parents and professionals in this area.  You can purchase their outstanding program or become a Feingold Association member through their website.  They are a very reputable organization, and I highly recommend their program, organization and website!

      I’m Still Confused:  Where Do I start?  There simply is no easy answer to this question.  The important thing is just to begin somewhere.  You can start with any one of the options I have outlined above.  It depends on your personality, your situation, and your time and resources and what you are willing or unwilling to do.  When parents read the package inserts of some of the ADD or ADHD medications and see some of the serious and/or life-threatening side effects, many of them become willing to spend some time and energy investigating natural, non-invasive dietary changes.   It is unfortunate that there are no easy answers and no one-size-fits-all solutions when it comes to dietary intervention.  Two of my three children require the gluten-free, dairy-free and allergen-free diet for their cognitive processing, emotional well-being, and health.  Two of them are also highly reactive to food colorings and preservatives.  They don’t all react the same to the offending foods.  I wish I could make it easier.  What I have done with my cookbook is to put all the important information about special diets, ingredients, and the basics of what you really need to know in the first 100 pages.  There are over 225 outstanding recipes.  Just because you are on a limited or restricted diet doesn’t mean that you have to tolerate bad foods!  We have great tasting foods free of all gluten, dairy, eggs, tree-nuts, peanuts, and other allergens (Over 75% of the recipes are also free of soy and corn).

      Will it affect people in our household who don’t have these issues?  If you are changing your diet because of celiac disease or to improve health issues, you will have control over how it affects the people in your household.  This is an area where not everyone does the same thing.  Some families cook two separate meals, one free of gluten and dairy and one meal that contains gluten.  I am unwilling to cook two different meals, and my children all have different food requirements.  My daughter has life-threatening food allergies to all diary, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts.  My one son will get a nice rash from eggs, but eggs won’t kill him.  I cook to the lowest common denominator, which means that the meals for my children are free of all gluten, diary, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts and coconut (the coconut is for me!).  You may be willing to make two meals as many families do that.  It will be a change for sure.  However what I can say with all honesty is that people do dietary changes because they see the results and it is safe. 

      This is a very long blog, but it will make at least one reader very happy!!  Or maybe it won’t make her happy, but I at least kept my promise to answer her questions by today!!  Yikes, better get this published as it is 11:24 PM!!  I’d love to hear your comments and thoughts on this.  What results have you seen by changing your child’s diet?  What thoughts do you have to share with someone considering a change in diet to alleviate health symptoms, behaviors, emotional issues or cognitive processing?

      Love,
      Lisa

      May 22, 2009

      Gluten-Free Goes Mainstream and is available at Discount Buyers stores

      The gluten-free market has exploded into the discount buyers groups stores!  You know something is moving rapidly towards acceptance when you can purchase it at a discount mega store!  I just purchased crackers that say "certified gluten free!" on the box.  My husband, Randy, has brought some of these particular crackers home from work as one of his co-workers didn't take to fondly to them.  They are, in my humble opinion, a take-off or knock off of the brand "Mary's Gone Crackers", which we love.  This brand, however is significantly less expensive.  Not all organic, but substantially less expensive.  Here is the picture of the gluten-free crackers I picked up at the big discount store...

      HPIM2354 This is Crunchmaster multi-grain crackers and here are the ingredients:  brown rice meal, sesame seeds, potato starch, quinoa seeds, safflower oil, flax seeds, amaranth seeds, tamari soy sauce powder (tamari soy sauce [Soybeans, salt], maltodextrin[corn]), salt.  Allergy alert:  Contains soy!  In a nutshell, these are a more processed version than the "Mary's Gone Crackers" treats we love.  If you would like to contact the company, you may do so at: www.crunchmaster.com or by calling them toll free at 1-888-574-7737.  The box states that they are made in the U.S.A. 

      Will you like these gluten-free crackers?  Can you even eat them?  If you can tolerate soy, you can obviously eat them and you may or may not like them.  We'll enjoy them at a price that can't be beat.  As the gluten-free market continues to expand, we'll see more and more products as we have over the last ten years, and increased competition is likely to drive the price down a bit as well.  Let me know if you have tried these, if you like them, and what other gluten-free & dairy-free products you love.  Happy Memorial Day weekend!

      Love,
      Lisa

      May 11, 2009

      Social Media and Social Money: Empowerment Workshop in San Francisco on May 18th, 2009

      The full title of the upcoming Workshop sponsored by the Global Abundance Alliance is Social Media, Social Money:  Empowering People with Global Promises to Create Global Community.  Who do you know in the San Francisco area who might be interested in this workshop?  The workshop is being held on Monday, May 18th at the Terrace Cafe at Best Western El Rancho Inn located at 1100 El Camino Real, Millbrae, California from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  All I can share with you comes from the beautiful flyer: 

      "Join us for a lively exploration of what it takes to truly be global with your Promise for the World.  Where are the frontiers we have to push through both personally and technologically?  Where are you not thinking globally?  Where are you thinking globally but not acting globally?  How do complementary currencies reframe the notion of money from barter/exchange to making a contribution to the world?How might using such currencies further your promise for the world?"

      No, I don't get it, but I will be there on Monday, May 18th certain to expand my thinking and certain to learn new things.  The Global Abundance Alliance is a non-profit organization, which I belong to, dedicated to abundance for all people of the world.  You can visit them on the web at: 
      http://globalpromises.wikispaces.com/WikiHome   or
      http://globalpromises.wikispaces.com/GAAHome

      This wonderful organization offers outstanding Learning Leader calls every month or so.  O.K. I actually have not yet made it on one, however they look really excellent!  And they are open to anyone to listen and learn.  Here is the site for learning leader calls: 
      http://sites.google.com/site/globalpromisesorg/Home/LearningLeaderCalls

      I'm learning about social networking and internet marketing.  I have no idea what a time bank is or alternative currency.  I have a commitment to serving the poor and those who need help.  I'll share with you what I learn when I get back.  Right now I have to finish up my poster for the Conference for Global Transformation, which starts this Friday also in San Francisco.  Have a Blessed Day.  And know that what you do makes a difference.
      Love,
      Lisa