Chart for Gluten Sensitivity Symptoms

The chart on this link is a pretty good resource for determining if you have a gluten sensitivity (I know I do.)

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18738&B1=EM021214F

Gluten Free and Fibromyalgia

I AGREE! WIth this article, yes, I do not have Celiacs disease (allergy to gluten) but I know I DO have a SENSITIVITY to gluten! When I stay away from gluten, I feel better, less pain, less fatigue, more energy. I understand my tolerances, maybe something every couple of days, but even then yes, I do begin to feel the difference. And really, when i cut out breads, I don't miss them so much. And gluten free bread? Mighty tasty to me!  just wish I could bring it to the restaurants with me to substitute!

http://www.prohealth.com/fibromyalgia/library/showArticle.cfm?libid=18639&B1=EM021214F

Food Shopping & Saving at Vitacost!

I learned early on in the fibro diagnosis that I did not want to go the prescription route and wanted to stay as all natural as I could, and started down the path of vitamins and supplements. I found an excellent online resource - vitacost.com - and they have started to also offer excellent food products that fit into my healthy eating (gluten free) and my budget! I am so glad specialized food products are becoming more mainstream and affordable. Here are some of my favorites to order and keep on hand:

TULSI TUMMY - Tea for soothing digestive support -- all the Tulsi teas are excellent tasting and healing, this one is a great alternative to coffee in the morning

ANNIE'S HOMEGROWN MICROWAVABLE GLUTEN FREE MAC N CHEESE -- whats not to love, gluten free mac n cheese!!

MARY'S GONE CRACKERS -- Organic gluten free crackers

NATURE'S EARTHLY CHOICE FALAFEL WITH QUINOA -- Original Recipe (I gotta try the garlic flavor next!), cooks in minutes, lots of protein

PERKY'S CRUNCHY FLAX -- free of the 8 common allergens, great as cereal or on top of yogurt, gotta love the fiber :)

LUNDBERGS CINNAMON RICE CAKES -- I love cinnamon!


At these prices you can load up your cart and try a variety of different foods. Free shipping over $50, and unlike Whole Foods, sometimes I find it hard to get to that $50 mark, and when I do I have SO many items for my money! And how great, shopping from my couch, shipped right to my door :)

Dough-Less Pizza Recipe (Gluten-Free!)

I recently tried a new recipe I found online, for a dough-less pizza. Now I looooove pizza and its one of my downfalls. I do ocassionaly order from Dominoes, as they DO offer a gluten-free crust option! Its good, like a thin-crust pizza. Anyhoo, so I came home one night and whipped up this dough-less pizza. I didn't have any spaghetti sauce, marinara or pizza sauce so I mixed together a can of diced tomatoes and a can of tomato paste for the sauce. I will say the pizza was DE-lish! But if you have any lactose intolerance, beware! The cheese-crust is vicious. I am thinking the cream cheese is the culprit, so I may try Neufechatel cheese next time instead of cream cheese.

http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/main-course/italian/no-dough-pizza.html

Fibro-Friendly Kitchen and Pantry

I think I've finally reached the point of having a semi-decent healthy kitchen that I can work with. When first diagnosed with fibromyalgia and I started looking into how eating better would help with the fibro symptoms I was overwhelmed by all the changes needed. I understood the changes, they made sense, but to wake up one day and have such a sudden change in lifestyle was a hard change to adjust to, and hard to accomplish. But little by little, over the years, I've learned to make the changes, I now eat gluten free bread, and keep an extra loaf frozen in the freezer. I've found affordable, gluten free cracker alternatives to keep on hand. I've found fruits and vegetables to keep on hand that I know I snack on. I have a good stash of canned items just in case (diced tomatoes, beans, tuna - some good basics with few ingredients/additives) all my flours for baking are gluten free, as are my bread crumbs. My milk is almond milk (try it! I was skeptical at first, but  really like it, and it lasts much longer than regular milk!)

I have learned to shop more on the outer perimeters of the grocery store (fresh foods: produce, dairy, meats) and less on the inner aisles - processed boxed foods. So I finally feel I have a good basis in my kitchen for whipping up some healthy fibro friendly meals and snacks. It helps to have this basis as I often forget (thanks fibro fog!) what I have in the pantry, so to be able to open it and see healthy choices to work with is great.

I've also learned some quick and easy recipes to whip up, quick and easy go to recipes. When I get home from work I am hungry and tired so I need quick, easy and healthy!

I am not perfect, fatigue often gets the best of me, I do have some processed boxed foods, but I have found ones that work better for me (than say driving through Wendy's or McDonald's!) - the Near East Quinoa/Brown Rice is always an excellent go to and I have plenty of leftovers for future meals. I often toss in some shrimp for protein and extra flavor.

Here are some great resources for working towards your fibro friendly kitchen and pantry:
http://www.thepracticalfibromite.com/kitchen-pantry/recipes/

http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscfs/ss/cooking.htm

http://www.thirdage.com/fibromyalgia/7-tips-for-cooking-with-fibromyalgia

Captain Mike's Fibro Kitchen Blog:
http://kitchenblog.captainhastings.com/

Easy Meal Planning on a Budget - gluten free and vegetarian too!

I stumbled upon this site, its a great idea for easy meal planning and healthy cooking weekly (especially for a family.) $49 for a year of dinner recipes and weekly grocery lists, all featuring fresh foods on a budget for a family of 4! They have classic meals, vegetarian and gluten-free! http://www.thefresh20.com/ or try 3 months for $5/month!

Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Treats!

Gluten-Free Rice Krispie Treats
 

- 1/4 cup Butter or Margarine)
- 1 pkg. (10 1/2-oz.) Miniature Marshmallows
- 6 cups Erewhon Gluten-Free Crispy Brown Rice Cereal
- 1 tsp. Vanilla

Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan. Melt butter over low heat in a large pan. Add marshmallows to melted butter and stir over low heat until melted. Remove pan from heat. Stir in vanilla extract. Stir in rice cereal and gently coat cereal with marshmallow mixture. Pour rice mixture into prepared pan. With buttered fingers press the mixture flat.

ENJOY!!!

Eating Out Gluten-Free

I have been debating a gluten-free diet lately, as I have read a lot on gluten and fibromyalgia. I was tested and I do not have celiac disease (a severe reaction to gluten) however it seems a lot of people have some level of intolerance to gluten.

One of the biggest challenges to me is eating out gluten-free, so once I can conquer this I think I head full on into trying a gluten-free diet and see how it helps my fibro and cfs. I have found a lot of restaurants who do post their gluten free menu items info, and I've listed some links below.

I have found a lot of information on eating out gluten free and wanted to share it here. I think my delving into a gluten-free diet is mostly about educating myself a great deal and being aware when eating out:

http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/socializingwithoutgluten/a/DiningOutLists.htm

This is great!  http://www.glutenfreeregistry.com/

So is this, but don't be scared at first is based in the UK, but there is a search function and includes North America/United States, and has plenty of restaurant info!:
http://www.gluten-free-onthego.com/

FIRST WATCH:
http://www.firstwatch.com/menu-gluten-free.htm

CHILI'S
http://www.chilis.com/EN/menu/Pages/home.aspx

CHICK-FIL-A
http://chick-fil-a.com/default.aspx#gluten

BOSTON MARKET
http://www.bostonmarket.com/restaurant?page=allergens

BONEFISH GRILL
http://www.bonefishgrill.com/our-menu/

WENDY'S
http://wendys.com/food/NutritionLanding.jsp

SUBWAY
http://www.subway.com/applications/NutritionInfo/index.aspx