How To Be Your Best Advocate

Donuts and CoffeeDoes this ever happen to you?

You’re at the home of a friend, or well meaning relative, and as you sit down to enjoy a cup of tea – you’re presented with some cookies, or other savory treats – that have been purchased especially for you.

(I love it when people are so thoughtful!)

Unfortunately, when you’re on a special diet, such thoughtfulness can turn into a stressful situation you’re not prepared for.

Because, suddenly, you’re having to read through a list of ingredients to see if the product is actually safe for you to eat, while at the same time not appearing impolite.

And this is when you might notice that:

  • The product is not gluten-free, OR
  • While it’s gluten-free, there may be one or two other ingredients that are not in compliance with your special diet.

 

This is one of those tricky moments when you want to honor yourself and how you choose to nourish your body – yet, at the same time, you don’t want to offend anyone.

Well, here’s the deal.

Regardless of our individual food allergies, dietary preferences or concerns – we are always going to come up against this sort of thing.

It’s simply part of life and can’t be avoided.

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How to Survive A Holiday Feast

PieAre you breathing a sigh of relief?

Now that you’ve survived the Thanksgiving holiday, you know there are only a few more weeks until Christmas.

But that’s the challenge, isn’t it?

By the time you read this, the Thanksgiving feast will be over.

And, if you’re like most of us, you likely have a bounty of leftovers to enjoy during the next few days.

Are you wondering what to do with those leftovers?

Well, if you’ve signed up for my FREE Holiday Gift 38 Ways to be Gloriously Gluten-Free Thru the Holidays & Beyond you’re already well on your way.

(And if you haven’t signed up yet – no worries. This FREE Holiday Gift is available to you anytime during the holidays. Yes, there’s still time, even if you’ve missed out on the beginning!)

In my own home, Thanksgiving was a bit different this year.

Instead of hosting the annual feast, I was delighted to be an invited guest at someone else’s home.

Although, the prospect of a traditional holiday feast prepared by strangers did give me pause.

What would be safe for me to eat?

If you’re receiving the FREE Holiday Gift this week, you’ve been reading about some of these concerns in your daily tips.

Trust me, it can be an on-going journey learning to navigate the pitfalls!

[Read more…]

Let’s Talk Turkey

Christmas turkey on holiday tableHave you checked your calendar?

Thanksgiving is just a few days away!

If you happen to be new to the gluten-free lifestyle, you might be tearing your hair out right about now.

Perhaps you’ve even decided that the holidays are too much of a challenge and more than you can handle.

How will you ever get through it?

Well, this is true.

It might very well be a challenge.

That’s why my first suggestion is that you sign up for my FREE Holiday Gift – 38 Ways to be Gloriously Gluten-Free – Through the Holidays and Beyond.”

This Free holiday guide will arrive in your in-box daily, beginning November 25.

It’s full of tips, savvy suggestions and delicious gluten-free recipes designed to help you survive the holiday onslaught of tempting treats.

Cause let’s face it – in the weeks to come, your senses will be assaulted with treats of every kind, beginning with the Thanksgiving turkey and all the traditional side dishes.

Here’s what else you need to know before the big day:

  • The Thanksgiving turkey may contain gluten – so beware!
  • While gluten isn’t naturally present in turkey (or any meat) consider the basting solutions and seasonings – that’s where gluten can sneak in.
  • Generally speaking, brands like Butterball, Jennie-O and Diestel are gluten-free. (Diestel turkeys are also organic and sustainably raised).

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Your F.R.E.E. Holiday Gift– “38 Ways to be Gloriously Gluten-Free”

Jelly cookiesIt seems a bit early to be thinking of the holidays, doesn’t it?

Yet, beginning next week, many of us will be sitting down to a Thanksgiving table laden with scrumptious food.

This wonderful feast will likely include many foods you grew up with that are part of your family tradition.

Chances are, you can’t even imagine a holiday meal without them.

I know what that feels like.

I’ve been there.

And I get it.

Yet, for anyone new to the Gluten-Free diet and lifestyle this can feel particularly daunting.

How will you survive all the holiday temptations and treats?

Not to mention endless parties, family gatherings and seemingly non-stop celebration  –  all without a spec of gluten?

Can it even be done?

Well, I’m here to assure you that it can!

As it happens, the elves have been quite busy at this end putting together a special Holiday FREE GIFT – just for you!

You’ve heard of the 12 Days of Christmas, right?

[Read more…]

Who Will You Be In 2013?

We’re at the tail end of the holidays, here, with just a few more days until the calendar changes to 2013.

I don’t know about you, but between the on-going holiday celebrations, visiting relatives and late night hours, my schedule’s been completely thrown off.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’ve enjoyed the warmth, camaraderie and excess of good food – yes all of it!

Yet every year at this time, I reach a point where I’m ready for things to get back to normal.

That means fewer holiday goodies to indulge in, and healthier choices overall.

How about you?

What are your goals for 2013?

With the New Year in mind, here are three simple suggestions for getting your life back on track.

 

Be Prepared

No matter how organized you are, realize that stuff is going to happen.

Sometimes it means being stuck in traffic for hours – leaving you hungry, tired and frustrated with not a bite to eat.

Not to mention your schedule completely thrown off.

Other times, it could be an Act of God.

Of course, Acts of God are not an excuse to eat whatever you want.

Whether planning a shopping trip or a visit to a local museum, it doesn’t matter – you want to look ahead to possible scenarios that might come up.

Are you going to be home in time for lunch?

If not, where will you likely eat?

What will you eat?

If you’re not sure, bring something with you.

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Are Your Holidays “Green” ?

‘Green’ has become quite the buzz-word of late.

First and foremost, it’s the color we associate with Nature. 

It’s soothing and reliable like the dark green of a forest, or the brilliant green of summer grasses.

More and more, we also associate the color Green with a safe,  eco-friendly lifestyle.

And “greening” your holidaysoffers one more opportunity to up the ante, so to speak – and update your decor with eco-safe options.

Of course, along with the mantra to  “Reduce, Re-Use and Recycle” there’s also the recommendation to eat your Greens.

For some of us, this might be the most challenging of all!

However, relying on lots of leafy greens and vegetables as a mainstay of your diet, is a sure fire way to boost your health.

There are lots of ways to sneak extra greens into your daily meals, whether adding a handful to a smoothie (it really doesn’t affect the taste, I promise) – or relying on oversized leaves as a wrap, in lieu of bread.

So – just in time for the holidays – here’s another idea for incorporating greens into your diet.

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Sharing The Joy

Are you breathing a sigh of relief?

Now that you’ve survived the Thanksgiving holiday, you know there are only a few more weeks until Christmas.

But that’s the challenge, isn’t it?

Well, in case you missed it, my clients have been raving about my FREE HOLIDAY GIFT “44 Ways to be Gloriously Gluten-Free – Through the Holidays and Beyond”.

This special offer is available to you during the entire holiday season – right up until New Year’s Day!

 

And I want to make sure you know about this, because I’ve been getting some amazing feedback.

The best part?

You can actually sign up any time!

And while it’s true that you’ve missed the first week of daily tips and recipes, why not join us now?

Yes, there’s still time, and there’s still lots more savvy suggestions coming your way.

I think you’ll find this especially helpful if you’ve been telling yourself that the gluten-free diet is just too difficult.

Trust me – it doesn’t have to be!

[Read more…]

Celebrating Thanksgiving

By the time you read this, the Thanksgiving feast will be over.

Yes, after days of preparation – not to mention anticipation – the meal is consumed in a matter of minutes.

Or so it seems.

And if you’re like most of us, you likely have a bounty of leftovers to enjoy during the next few days.

Are you wondering what to do with those leftovers?

Well, if you’ve signed up for my Free Holiday Gift you’re already well on your way.

(And if you haven’t signed up yet – no worries. This Free Holiday Gift is available to you anytime during the holidays. Yes, there’s still time, even if you’ve missed out on the beginning!)

In my own home, Thanksgiving was a bit different this year.

Instead of hosting the annual feast, I was delighted to be an invited guest at someone else’s home.

Although, the prospect of a traditional holiday feast prepared by strangers did give me pause.

What would be safe for me to eat?

Again, if you’re receiving the Free Holiday Gift this week, you’ve been reading about some of these concerns in your daily tips.

Trust me, it can be an on-going journey learning to navigate the pitfalls!

My biggest concern was that the star of the meal – the Thanksgiving turkey – would likely not be gluten-free, due to injected bastings and seasonings, and a traditional Bread Stuffing.

So, I resigned myself to “getting by” with a few offerings of my own, including a yummy Rice & Pecan Stuffing and a gluten-free dessert.

[Read more…]

Free Gift! – “44 Ways To Be Gloriously Gluten-Free”

It seems a bit early to be thinking of the holidays, doesn’t it?

Yet, beginning next week, many of us will be sitting down to a Thanksgiving table laden with scrumptious food.

This wonderful feast will likely include many foods you grew up with that are part of your family tradition.

Chances are, you can’t even imagine a holiday meal without them.

I know what that feels like.

I’ve been there.

And I get it.

Yet, for anyone new to the Gluten-Free diet and lifestyle this can feel particularly daunting.

How will you survive all the holiday temptations and treats?

Not to mention endless parties, family gatherings and seemingly non-stop celebration  –  all without a spec of gluten?

Can it even be done?

Well, I’m here to assure you that it can!

As it happens, the elves have been quite busy at this end putting together a special Holiday FREE GIFT – just for you!

You’ve heard of the 12 Days of Christmas, right?

Well, this FREE GIFT is called 44 Ways to be Gloriously Gluten-Free – Through the Holidays and Beyond.”

[Read more…]

Avocados, Chocolate & More

I just had to share an amazing new recipe that I came across, one that features the unusual combination of avocados and chocolate!

The recipe is for an Avocado Chocolate Pudding, created by nutritionist Michelle Babb, of Eat, Play, Be – a Mind-Body nutrition practice located in Seattle.

I made this luscious chocolate pudding earlier today, and I can tell you that the taste is incredible – creamy, chocolaty and velvety-rich, just like you’d expect chocolate pudding to be.

Yes, the ingredients are unconventional.

But that’s what I love about it! Plus, it is sugar-free, relying instead on a sugar substitute such as agave nectar or maple syrup.

I, for one, am trying to cut back on my sugar consumption this holiday season. I’m challenging myself to bake less, and stick with a few favorite recipes that can easily be converted to a gluten-free treat that is also low in sugar.

Of course, you can certainly create a perfectly lovely gluten-free pudding using traditional dairy or cream, and refined sugar.

I’m just saying there are alternatives.

If you’re looking for something a little different to tickle your taste buds, I think this tasty treat will likely satisfy your cravings.

Next week, I promise to share some of my own favorite holiday recipes. Meantime, I’ve been invited to two holiday parties this week alone!

[Read more…]