That is why when I read the title of this article “Sip Your Way to a Flat Belly” I was turned off. I wondered why would anyone send me something like this?

Against my better judgment I clicked anyhow. I was surprised by what I learned:

“There is a potion that magically strips away pounds from your body, improves your overall health, lengthens your life, makes you more attractive to the opposite sex, and keeps you lean forever. Even better, you can have as much of this magic weight-loss potion as you want, for free, and start stripping away pounds—perhaps even several dozen pounds this year alone—without exercise, without dieting, without visiting the set of Nip/Tuck.

What is this magical elixir? It’s water.”

That is right, there is no secret trick. All our bodies need is what mother nature intended for us.

Now I know why I was sent the article. I am always talking about going gluten free “naturally”. By that I mean focusing your gluten free diet on foods that are naturally gluten free such as nuts, fruits, veggies, meat, dairy, etc. the stuff nature intended for us. Instead of running out and buying every box of food labeled gluten free you can get your hands on.

So CHEERS, I raise my glass of water to you. Hoping you have a wonderful gluten free and water filled day.

To read the rest of the article click here –> “Sip Your Way to a Flat Belly”

Spain, land of bulls, paella, manchego cheese, fancy flamenco dancers and breaking research in Celiac disease treatment? Whaaaaat?

It is true. Biologist and scientists for The National Spanish Research Council in Valencia (southern Spain) are researching the effects of probiotic and prebiotic bacteria in treating Celiac Disease.

Their research suggests that the introduction of certain probiotic and prebiotic bacterias to Celiac patients “could influence inflammation to varying degrees”. This suggests that manipulating the intestinal microbiota with dietary strategies such as probiotics and prebiotics, could improve the quality of life for Celiac patients.”

This is a lot of hope for people with Celiac disease. This means that one day there may be more therapy for treating symptoms of Celiac disease than just a gluten free diet.

For more on the study visit –> http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100429102818.htm

Cheers,

Chelsea

The other day I stumbled across a Men’s Health Article that stated are comrades to the south, the Argentinians, eat on average 30, yep a whooping 30!, more pounds of beef a year than Americans do. Yet the obesity rates and heart disease rates are still lower than in the United States. “How can this be?” I thought.

It all boils down to one key element that makes Argentinian beef far superior than American beef. It is not the clean south American air, it is not the breed of cattle, not even some legendary farmers. The difference is simple. The cows eat grass not grains.

Shocking but true, Americans cows do not normally eat what nature intended for them to eat which is grass. So far it has had devastating effects on the meat that they produce and makes the meat people eat nutritionally inferior.

Case in Point: According to famed New York Chef, Alicia Rodriguez ‘ “The [Argentine] beef has about half the calories, and a lot less fat and cholesterol.” In fact, one independent test found that a 4-ounce cut of American beef contained 10.8 grams (g) of saturated fat and 328 calories, while the same cut of Argentine beef had 2.5 g saturated fat and 140 calories.’

That is a huge difference! And it is all attributed to the food that the cow is eating. It seems like common sense but some how along the way someone missed a step and decided that what is natural for the cows is not the best. I cannot understand why in the United States we have to seek out grass fed beef.

For more information and original article content visit Men’s Health:

http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/international_food/Argentina.php

Mandarins, Blood oranges and the standard navel are all great for not only warding off the cold but they all have other powerful health benefits beyond being great immune system boosters.

– oranges are high in anti-oxidants which are essential for the health of your cells

– the high content of vitamin C helps your body absorb iron from the food you eat

– oranges are high in fiber (the whitish part under the skin has the most fiber)

– oranges are also high in potassium which plays a vital role in your heart health and muscular health.

– the high concentration of beta carotene of the orange plays a role in protecting your cells (especially skin cells) from damage

– magnesium and hesperidin, a flavonoid in oranges, both help to regulate and maintain blood pressure levels

So enjoy your orange juice or a fresh orange this winter. Your body will thank you for it. And let me know if you have any recipes that incorporate oranges in the comments section. I would love to get more oranges in my diet.

Chamomile tea is not really a tea at all. It is an herb from a plant similar to the daisy flower. The active ingredient in chamomile is called bisabolol. This compound has a number of anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. The benefits of chamomile are extensive…

Chamomile is not only good for soothing nausea

- Chamomile tea is a natural remedy for stomach aches and intestianl cramps. Just 1 cup of the “tea” can soothe a stomach ache.

- Chamomile can also help ease migraine pain.

- Chamomile oil is also good for scrapes and burns. Just rub it on the affected area once a day. In addition you can soak a towel in chamomile tea and use it as a compress.

- Chamomile tea bags over the eyes help to reduce swelling and eye fatigue. Just soak them in water then put in the refrigerator until they are cool and place over your eyes.

- Drinking chamomile tea is also known to help people with insomnia or trouble sleeping.

- Studies have also shown that the active ingredients in chamomile can relax the muscles and help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

If you are gluten free you may have heard that tea bags are not safe for people with Celiac or gluten intolerance. Chamomile and other teas are naturally gluten free but the tea bags may be sealed with a wheat derived paste. So look for loose leaf Chamomile and tea bags sealed with a small staple instead of the paste.

It is a good idea to get more leafy green like spinach in our daily diets because there are so many benefits of eating foods like these. Here are just a few:

– spinach is a nutrient dense food. this means that although it is very low in calories, it is very high in nutrients. just one cup of spinach packs vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium, and vitamin B6. It’s a very good source of protein, phosphorus, vitamin E, zinc, dietary fiber, and copper. and, it’s a good source of selenium, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids.

– it is a versatile food. eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. in eggs, in a smoothie or creamed as a warm comfort food side

– it is good for your digestive health. the fiber, beta-carotene and vitamin C work to protect the cells of the body’s digestive tract

– studies show that eating leafy greens, like spinach are linked to keeping your brain healthy too

– spinach is a great source of iron. iron is a component of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to all body cells. this process is necessary for maintaining energy all day.

Spinach Salad=Delish...

Spinach Salad with Feta & Klamata Olives

Ingredients:  (serves 1, multiply for more people)

- 1 1/2 cups spinach
- 1/4 (7-8in.) cucumber sliced
- 6 klamata olives
- 2 tablespoons sliced red onions
- 1 tablespoon feta cheese
- 1 tsp. to 1 tablespoon (gluten free) balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
- fresh ground pepper to taste

1. lay spinach down on a salad plate
2. place onions and cucumbers on the spinach leaves
3. add olives and feta cheese
4. sprinkle with vinegar and olive oil and add pepper (to taste)
* I do not add any salt, the feta, olives and the vinegar give it all the flavor it needs. but if you like it more salty sprinkle some on. Also, adding some spicy pickled peppers to the mix is a good idea.

This is one fo my favorite salads. Let me know what you think in the comments section. Cheers, Chelsea

– very rich in fiber and high in protein (even higher than wheat flour)

– less expensive than other low carbohydrate flours such as nut flours

– contains no trans fats

– low glycemic index, meaning it is suitable for diabetics

– rich in protein, essential vitamins, calcium and iron

I use tropical traditions organic coconut flour. A friend of mine told me about them, but if you cannot get this brand in your local store or find it online, you can use any one you like. Note: Coconut flour should be slightly cream in color, if it is bright white this means that it was bleached with chemicals. In my opinion, the less chemicals in your body the better. I would just go with the creamy colored kind, it makes no difference when you are cooking or baking.

Let me know what you think in the comments section. Or leave me a coconut flour recipe, I am always looking for new ones. Enjoy, Chelsea J.

It Looks innocent enough. You would think that a hospital that has spend millions rebuilding, remodeling and reshaping not only its buildings but also encouraging its employees to get healthier, would have better choices and some gluten free choices available in its cafeteria.

Exhibit A:

Just because there are doctors sitting around does not mean that eating gluten free will be easy. I seriously felt like asking the group of medical students sitting in front of me if they knew what gluten is. Bagels was one of the basic food groups offered in the hospital’s cafeteria. Even the yogurt was covered with a sugary granola.

Exhibit B:

These are just for the record. I don’t care what diet you are on. White flour, fried in trans fats then covered in a sugary glaze is not by any standard a healthy breakfast. The hospital should be offering more than donuts and pastries. The word “contradiction” comes to mind as well as the phrase “broken health care system”.

I have not been in a hospital cafeteria in years, so this comes as a bit of a shock to me after all of the debate that has been going on about health care and the obesity rates. Let me know what you think in the comments section.

I was surprised by the response so I decided to write a little post about it. People often ask me how I seem to stay so thin and fit and still enjoy a variety of foods. When I tell them I am gluten free and I am not afraid of fats. They tend to not believe the second part, that I am not afraid of fats. If they come over to my house they will see coconut oil, fish oil and olive oil in large quantities. So maybe a little more explanation is due:

What are Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)?

These are necessary fatty acids that cannot be produced by the human body. We must obtain them from our diets. Luckily nature gave us a lot of natural resources to get out daily dose. (More on what foods have them in a sec.)

Why are they ‘essential’?

In the body, essential fatty acids are primarily used to produce hormone-like substances that regulate a wide range of functions, including blood pressure, blood clotting, blood lipid levels, the immune response, and the inflammation response to injury infection. Basically they keep our bodies performing at optimum levels all the time.

What Foods contain EFAs?

Fish like salmon also: nuts, avocados, certain oils (I usually use only raw & cold pressed oils), seeds, green leafy veggies and shellfish.

Why do I say EFAs keep me fit?

EFSs help regulate blood insulin levels and this helps control hunger. EFAs also provide our bodies with a kind of ‘vehicle’ for nutrients to be absorbed in the body. Many micro nutrients (vitamins) are ‘fat-soluble’ meaning that they need fat to be absorbed in the body.

A lot of people that go on low or no fat diets have a very hard time sticking to their diets. This is because even though they may have eaten, they do not have the sufficient amount of fat in their bodies to absorb the nutrients they need. Because they did not get the nutrients they need their bodies are telling them they are hungry because it still needs the nutrients to get absorbed. Our bodies are amazing at letting you know when it needs something.

I am not a doctor or a nurse. I am just stating the facts and what has worked for me for years. I know this is a blog about my travels and gluten free recipes, but it would just not be fair for me to not share this info.

Let me know what you think, rants and raves are appreciated.

spice and everything nice...

But is super food is not limited to the sweet stuff, it has actually shown a number of health benefits that cannot be ignored.

1. cinnamon has a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.

2. studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower “bad” cholesterol.

3. it has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

4. when cinnamon is added to food, not only does it taste amazing, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage making it a natural food preservative. another study suggests it inhibits bacteria growth (yeast) in the body as well.

5. it is also a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

So go ahead eat your pie (in moderation). But try adding cinnamon to tea or hot chocolate for a fall spin on a warm drink, or to cakes and cupcakes to add a little kick, or sprinkle it in curries or sauces to get your daily dose.

I just got these out of the oven, I can't wait to try them. gluten free recipe to come soon

O, and a fact  I left out, a study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory. So you get an extra boost when you are baking with it and the lovely scent fills the house.

How do you use cinnamon in your favorite recipes? Or do you use it as your ’secret ingredient’ to spice up old standbys? Let me know in the comments section.