Gluten-Free Gluttony

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There is so much buzz about gluten free these days. And now many gluten intolerant and people with celiac disease can rejoice in the many wonderful and tasty gluten free options. I have another amazing guest post from Vitacost.com to share their gluten free options at low cost. Thanks again Vitacost!!

Eating without gluten may be easier today than ever before. Bakeries are specializing in gluten-free treats, concession stands are selling gluten-free beer and merchants are stocking a variety of gluten-free foods. Sweet and savory treats are no longer taboo for gluten-intolerant folks—go ahead, have your cake and eat it, too! (Health Coach interjection – all in moderation Smile)

Put pasta back on your plate – Gluten comes from a protein in wheat kernel. Traditionally, pasta is made with durum wheat flour or durum semolina (a.k.a. wheat). With the increasing prominence of gluten intolerance, companies are concocting faux pasta by replacing wheat with rice. Rice pasta looks the same, smells the same, tastes the same and generally cooks the same as regular pasta. Looking for whole grain pasta without the gluten? Try tossing brown rice pasta shells with your favorite organic dressing for a quick, tasty pasta salad.

It’s your party. Eat cake if you want to – Again, the wheat flour in most sweet sensations – cookies, cakes, pies – spoils any good birthday or wedding when you have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. With the selection of cookies and cake mixes today, you finally have something sweet to celebrate. If you don’t want to make your own gluten-free dessert, look for a local bakery to satisfy your dietary and sweet tooth needs. At your next party, BYOD (Bring Your Own dessert) so you can indulge, too – sharing optional.

Cheers to beer – Wines are naturally free of gluten, so gluten-free sots will sip wine as a safe bet. (Warning: some vineyards add gluten to preserve freshness.) But what about having a beer while watching the game? Drive (sober) to the nearest liquor, or specialty wine, store for a variety of gluten-free beer brands. When you’re watching the game live, research the stadium before you go. Many ballparks feature concession stands dedicated to gluten-free fare, which might be just the ticket!

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins such as vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C since 1994. Since then it’s grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! Get the best price on vitamins, nutritional supplements, whole foods and diet products.

Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, natural foods and sports nutrition to help with your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

By: +Elizabeth Lotts writer for Vitacost.com

A few gluten free recipes from Pam Higgins:

https://www.totalhealthcounseling.com/2012/coconut-curry-chicken/

https://www.totalhealthcounseling.com/2012/pumpkin-seeds-butter/

https://www.totalhealthcounseling.com/2011/turkey-thighs-in-the-crockpot/

https://www.totalhealthcounseling.com/2011/sweet-potato-and-black-bean-stew/

Ooops, You’re Doing It Wrong! Here’s When to Take Fish Oil

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I am happy to share with you a guest post from Vitacost! I love Vitacost because of the care they take with their customers, the amazing selection of products they sell, and of course their super low prices. Read on for great information about when to take fish oil and why you should be taking it! Remember to get your fish oil from Vitacost for great products at the best prices!

Article Courtesy of Vitacost.com:

If you roll out of bed, brush your teeth, then chug a big glass of water to wash down all of your daily supplements—you’re doing it wrong. Certain nutrients, such as vitamin D, CoQ10 and the omega-3 essential fatty acids found in fish oil, are better absorbed when taken with a meal, especially one cushioned with a little fat.

For many Americans, taking fish oil is high on the supplement priority list. A 2010 survey of U.S. adults who regularly use dietary supplements found that 75 percent take fish oil daily, making it the most popular supplement—ahead of calcium, vitamin D, CoQ10 and even multivitamins.

Strongly recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) for its heart-healthy benefits, and increasingly recognized for its role in other aspects of good health (including brain development and mood), fish oil provides two fatty acids—eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—that the body needs, but can’t make on its own. Although the AHA encourages people to obtain these nutrients by eating fresh, whole fish, most Americans fall short when it comes to meeting the twice-weekly recommendation.

Fish oil supplements are a convenient way to obtain more omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also a way to obtain higher levels of DHA and EPA, which are sometimes advised when cardiovascular health issues are present. The AHA recommends one gram daily for those with documented coronary heart disease, and notes that those with elevated triglyceride levels may take two to four grams daily, if directed by a physician.

To get the most from fish oil supplements, keep the following in mind:

• Always take fish oil supplements with a meal, preferably one containing fat. This promotes better absorption of nutrients and helps eliminate unpleasant side effects such as stomach upset, heartburn, belching (“fish burps”) and bad breath. (Note: Enteric-coated supplements, which dissolve in the intestines rather than the stomach, can also help minimize discomfort.)

• Divide fish oil doses throughout the day, especially if you’re taking large amounts. Unlike some vitamins and minerals, which may last only several hours in the bloodstream, essential fatty acids can stay present for several days. “Essential” means they’re used by every cell in the body, but are not produced internally—so it’s important to keep levels steady with regular intake.

• Do not take fish oil supplements if you’re taking blood-thinning medication unless directed by a physician. High doses can cause an increased risk of bleeding. Taking fish oil with herbs that slow clotting, such as Panax ginseng, turmeric, gingko biloba, garlic and ginger, may also cause bleeding in some people.

This article has been provided by the folks at Vitacost.com. Vitacost.com has been selling discount vitamins since 1994. Since then it’s grown into one of the biggest online marketplaces for healthy living essentials-with vitamins and supplements being just one of their many helpful categories! Get the best price on vitamins, nutritional supplements, whole foods and diet products. Vitacost.com’s customers mean the world to them, and it’s their goal to provide you with the best nutritional supplements, natural foods and sports nutrition to help with your health and wellness. Vitacost.com is not affiliated with this blog, and isn’t responsible for content outside of this article.

By: +Rebecca Chopin writer for Vitacost.com