Happy Celiac Awareness Day! Ok, technically it was yesterday, but we can celebrate through the weekend, right?
I am always happy to see people choosing to eat gluten free for better health (not a fad diet), but today I wanted to focus on the real deal folks, the Celiac crew. The 1% actually diagnosed with Celiac Disease, although several are probably undiagnosed –> 6-10 years is the average time a person waits to be correctly diagnosed. (Source: Daniel Leffler, MD, MS, The Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center)
Yes, I’m getting specific. But hold on, you all who are not gluten free are part of this too. Why? Because you probably know someone, some family, or some kiddo that has Celiac disease. And you know what? You’ve probably wondered what you can do to help them or at least be able to cook for them, etc. Am I right? You’re nodding your head yes, aren’t you?! [Winking smile]
What can YOU do?
1. You can direct them to helpful resources- Gluten free tips and cooking! Check out the Udis Gluten Free Resource Page for recipes, tips, and more!
2. You can go grocery shopping with them. 2 eyes are better than one for reading ingredients! And now the FDA has published a new regulation defining the term “gluten-free” for voluntary food labeling. YAY!!
- Gluten Free Grocery List Directory- Click here!
- Remember to focus on REAL FOOD First! Most of it is Naturally Gluten Free anyway. Veggies, meats, fruits, etc.
- Some of my favorite gluten free brands. Udis Gluten Free do a great job at creating nutritious gluten free food as well as treats that Celiacs can enjoy. They also label which foods of theirs are soy free, nut free, and dairy free. Other common allergies for Celiacs.
3. You can find Gluten Free Friendly dinning options for them and treat them to a lunch date, brunch, or dinner! If they have kids with Celiac, try finding a fun breakfast spot that make gluten free pancakes, French toast, or waffles. What kid doesn’t like pancakes on the weekend, right? Don’t feel like dining out? Just have them over for some homemade French toast? The Udis Multi Grain Bread cooks up nicely in the pan!
But just in case, here’s a list of GLUTEN FREE dining options. Check out your town!
4. And lastly, stay positive with them! Gluten Free resources and brands and have come a LONG LONG WAY! And I think they are improving each and every day. That’s definitely a POSITIVE outlook.
What can you COOK?
When you cook or bake for someone that has Celiac disease, be sure to keep gluten ingredients far far away to avoid cross contamination. Don’t even use the same toaster oven, or at least, switch trays. Also be sure to thoroughly heat wash your pans and utensils. I always lay down parchment paper before making gluten free goodies as well. Better safe then sorry.
So let’s get cooking. This recipe is super easy, super simple, and taste like one big REESES cup. Try it out and bake up some gluten free goodies for someone today!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar (I used NuNaturals baking sugar)
- 1 cup Organic peanut butter
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup Caramel Chips or diced caramel cubes (check ingredient first to make sure there is no gluten added)
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter (for topping)
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease muffin cups or mini muffin cups and set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the 1 cup sugar, peanut butter, caramel chips, and egg. Roll peanut butter and caramel mixture into balls; Press and flatten the PB balls into each muffin cup using your hands. Should make about 12-15 large cups or 18-20 mini cups. Then take about 1/4 cup dark chocolate pb and place it in ziploc bag. Cut the corner and use it as a frosting decorator tube. Click here for better a description. Then squeeze the Dark Chocolate PB from the tube/bag into your muffin cups. 2. Bake about 15 minutes or until edges are set and bottoms and edges are lightly browned.
Do you have a friend or family member that has Celiac Disease? Have you ever been there to help them?
Do they have a story? Share it with the Udis Gluten Free Family HERE!
Happy GF weekend friends!
Cheers,
Lindsay Cotter
Learn more about living gluten free! Visit http://udisglutenfree.com/
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Udi’s Gluten Free. The opinions and text are all mine.
Creative writing – Talking of which , if someone needs to merge PDF files , my co-workers ran across reference here http://goo.gl/APBaEv
I do not have celiac, but suspect I might have a gluten sensitivity. This makes things complicated as I’m also vegan, so no eggs. The only bread I could find without eggs was really terrible, and that’s being nice. I’m going to try to eat gluten-free for a few weeks to see if it makes a difference.
oh no! so sorry. I have a found a few breads that are okay that are egg free.feel free to email me if you need tips!
This is awesome! I needed a gluten free recipe for this weekend. WOOT thank you!
yay! let me know if you make them! <3
Fantastic tips Lindsay! We have an aunt in the family who has Celiacs and she had to completely change her lifestyle when she was diagnosed. But on the other hand, it granted her great relief to find the cause of her debilitating symptoms. Kudos for bringing awareness to this issue.
yes, agreed! thank goodness it brought her relief! worth the extra effort to change!
is it wrong that despite hating the ‘gf fad diet’ craze, it’s actually been the best thing ever for me as a Celiac? I have so many more choices, access, and awareness now thanks to the fad 😉 and I’m a terrible Celiac b/c I had no idea that it was National Celiac Awareness day! great post friend!
you every right to like it! you have been celiac for years and need a break! Enjoy!! <3 ya!
We found out too late that it was National Celiac Awareness day, on campus. Next year we’re going to make it really special!! I did try Udi’s tortillas yesterday and was very disappointed with them. They broke when I tried to fold them, and they tasted like glue. It was my first Udi’s product I didn’t really care for. Bummer.
i’ll remind you next year! for sure! hehe
So much great information in one post! My hubs is GF, so this is so useful. 🙂
and you are soo good at feeding him! <3
Udi’s must make a VEGAN Gluten-Free bread… Or do they? I haven’t seen it at the store and my brother is DYING for some good gluten/dairy/egg free bread!!! 🙁
And I have never been to any of those restaurants listed – THIS MUST CHANGE. I want to go to Legal Seafood – sounds RIGHT up my alley! 😉
oh i will tell them to make a vegan bread. they need to!! and i’ll go with you to legal seafood!
First – I want to eat lots of those yummy looking cups. I’ll have to wait until after november, since right now my max in 1 tablespoon of nuts/nut butter per day. 🙂
Second – THANK YOU!! for all these GF resources. I know so many GF peeps (like you!) and never know if things I create are GF or not. Thanks for you help confirming my recipe today. 🙂
I have been gluten free for a few years now. The new products and my ability to turn gluten recipes into gluten-free recipes have really helped. I am known in my office to give a lot of advice to my co-workers who are finding out they now need to be gluten free too… its a blessing to share what I know and learn from other’s like you 🙂
oh this makes me so happy! YOu are a blessing!
Happy Celiac awareness day to you too! You’ve worked so hard on informing as with all this knowledge and I really appreciate the effort you put in to keep us in the know!
Especially while I have some good friends with celiac.
You always have the best tips, tricks, and recipes!
it’s best to educate, yes? Happy weekend friend. <3
This is so great, Lindsay! So informative and SUCH a great cause. I’m a little biased, but way to spread the GF love!!
I saw those new Udi’s cookies at HEB last weekend. I restrained myself…this time! Although I don’t have Celiac (or at least not diagnosed), gluten and I definitely are not friends. I was really surprised how easy it has been to go gluten free though. So many options! And thanks for all of these great tips 🙂
GREAT post Lindsay!!! My 1 living aunt has this & was diagnosed in her 20s. She is 80! She has had a tough life with this & in older age, even tougher! Thank you!!!!!
So many great tips and resources! I always think of you when I hear gluten-free… you’ve got so many great recipes!
Yep–three houses down is a dad and two kids who all have celiac. This is great info that I will be sure to share with them b/c I know they struggle with finding good stuff.
Such great info!! As always!
I do not have Celiac Disease but for two weeks now I have been eating mostly gluten free since I am sticking with a clean diet and it is AMAZING how much better I feel and how much more energy I have!
As someone with a ginormous list of food allergies and kids with allergies, it’s always intimidating to figure out where to start or how to manage. This is such a super helpful post that I’m positive will help so many.
yes, i know you can relate! p.s. Making HB’s this weekend for YOU!
As you know I don’t have Celiac & am not gluten free but love many GF products especially your healthy bites hehe. My favs! I love finding out more about gluten & it’s affect on the body & I also like being supportive of the GF community & ppl with celiac. Sharing this 🙂
Celiac affects a close girlfriend of mine and we try to eat GF as much as we can because I definitely notice a difference with my tummy!
I love this! I am a type 1 diabetic and 6%(180,000) diabetics have celiac. I know many celiac diabetics who would love this post. Inspiring and helpful!
We have a family friend that is deathly allergic to gluten. She’s basically quit eating carbs because she’s so scared gluten could sneak in!
Thank god wine is safe… 😉
i’d die if wine wasn’t GF. Not kidding
I have two family members that have Celiac Disease, so I’ve learned over the years what they can and can’t wait. When they come over, I always make sure that I make foods that are safe for them to eat.
Thank you for sharing this information. My sister isn’t celiac, but she is completely gluten intolerant. It’s hard sometimes because I can see how frustrating it is for her. She has to be so very conscious about going out now. My MIL is also GF. She can’t even have oats, corn, rice, nada. I’m not sure if she’s celiac.
you take such good care of them too! <3
one week! YAY!
p.s. are the pups coming? I think you and jason should do a relay!
Great info, thanks! I Have several friends with Celiac and several more who follow a gluten-free diet. Always looking for help. And now that we’re aiming to go 30 days wheat free, I definitely need direction! As always ,thanks!
Such great info!! I don’t know anyone around me so far but it’s always good to know how we can help. I have a lot of friend with a lactose allergy though. Happy weekend lady!!
We have friends who are gluten free and any time I cook for any of them it makes me appreciate the fact that at this point my boys are very healthy. It’s all of the little ingredients like sauces that always make me nervous – I google, text and check again because I want to make sure I’m not going to use something that would make them sick!
Perfect timing! I have a family member with celiac who is staying with me next weekend. Though we plan to eat out one night (at a GF-friendly restaurant of course), I plan to cook at home one night too. I’ll also be leaving some GF oats and Quest bars in the guest room. 🙂
i love udi’s bread and i’m not even gluten free! i’m sending you blog to my good friend who is considering going gluten-free to see if it alleviates some health concerns – YOU are such a great resource!
We do have Celiac, although Michelle has been tested and she is highly sensitive to gluten. Crazy how gluten can cause so much problems haha
I think information like this is SO helpful for those of us that are’t GF. Helps us accommodate people who matter to us more 🙂
yes, i agree! it really does help just to share. thanks Madeline
Yay for Celiacs! I am celiac (4 years!) and so is my mom! I love sharing tips and info with others I meet when they first start out and are struggling to find their footing!
yay! so glad you can be there for other now!