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Do You Suffer From Brain Fog?

Do you ever get a major case of brain fog and just can’t seem to concentrate or complete a thought? Well there could be a specific reason this occurs and for me the answer was gluten. Yes, gluten! I remember getting to work in the mornings and not being able to concentrate for what seemed like a couple of hours. I used to blame it on what I was working on, perhaps that was a small part of it, but after eliminating gluten from my diet, it all became clear! The actual reason for my chronic brain fog was gluten.

After being off gluten for quite some time now, I did an experiment on myself. I had some cereal made with wheat one afternoon, and the very next morning, yep it was back again…Brain Fog! We often link gluten intolerance to stomach issues, but it can and does affect our brains as well. Some people get moody, others can’t seem to think straight, some get chronic cravings, migraines, headaches. There are several hidden ways gluten affects our bodies. The list below are some symptoms and there are several more. Click here for more extensive information.

  • depression
  • migraines and headaches
  • adrenal fatigue
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Autism
  • sinus problems
  • halitosis
  • mouth ulcers
  • gastrointestinal upset, including ulcers

Most people are fine and can consume gluten, which is a good thing, because foods like wheat, barley, rye, and oats (which contain gluten due to contamination, but you can find gluten free oats) are very nutritious. If you can tolerate gluten, then enjoy gluten containing foods and all of their benefits. If you suspect you may be intolerant, allergic, or possibly have celiac disease, try an elimination diet. Remove gluten from your diet for 2 weeks and see how you feel. You want to first be aware of all the places gluten can exist, including in soy sauce, cereal, bread, soups, cookies, most baked goods, pasta, bottled sauces, crackers.

Many products are now labeled gluten free so you know, but not all will tell you. It’s best to stick to the basics: nuts/seeds, dairy, eggs, fruit, veggies, meat, beans, lentils do not contain gluten, however, processed forms of all these foods may contain gluten. Gluten free grains are as follows: rice, wild rice, quinoa, corn, millet, amaranth. You can find gluten free cereals, crackers, pasta, and bread made of these gluten free grains as well.

If you found this article helpful, learned something new or have info to share, please comment below Smile

Helpful resources:

http://www.celiac.com/

http://celiac.org/

http://www.celiaccentral.org/Celiac-Disease/21/

Gluten-Free Gluttony

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/

Decadent Chocolate Valentine’s Cake

Valentine’s Day treat for your sweetie! This chocolate delight is both dairy free and gluten free for your special loved one.

Serve with lots of hugs and kisses XOXO!

 

Recipe adapted from my Birthday Cake!

Ingredients:

* 1 cup millet flour or Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All-Purpose Baking Flour

* 1/2 cup quinoa flakes

* 3/4 cup unrefined turbinado sugar

* 4 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

* 1 teaspoon baking soda

* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

* 1 tablespoon cider vinegar

* 4 Tablespoons applesauce PLUS 2 Tablespoons canola oil

* 1 cup water

* 1/3 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Sift flour, quinoa flakes, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cocoa together into an 8×8 inch ungreased cake pan.

3. Make three depressions. Pour applesauce and oil into one well, vinegar into second, and vanilla into third well. Pour water over all, and stir well with fork.

4. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of batter in pan.

5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 minutes, or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean.

6. Cool completely, then cut into 16 small squares.

Moist and delicious, the perfect Valentine chocolate treat for your sweetie!

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Quinoa Tabouli

 

Quinoa is a great gluten-free substitute; it’s also a complete protein because it contains all of the essential amino acids. Tabouli is typically made with bulgur, i.e., cracked wheat; this is a twist on a traditional Mediterranean dish I grew up eating. Read more