THE SPRUE-NIK PRESS

       Published by the Tri-County Celiac Sprue Support Group,
       a chapter of CSA/USA, Inc. serving southeastern Michigan

Volume 9, Number 1                                        January 2000
**********************************************************************

...........................................
: What's Inside                           :
: -------------                           :
: Miscellaneous Notes                     :
: 1999 CSA Conference Report              :
:    Genetically Engineered Foods         :
: 10th Annual GF Gang Celiac Workshop     :
:    Common Sense for the Next Century    :
:    Pharmaceuticals                      :
:    Osteoporosis                         :
: Tips for Celiacs                        :
: Newsletter Roundup                      :
:    CD and Kidney Stones                 :
:    On-the-Go Nourishments               :
: Recipe Page                             :
:    Pumpkin Muffins                      :
:    GF Peanutty Chocolate Cookies        :
:    French Butter Cookies                :
:    Lemon Bars                           :
:    GF Peanut Butter Chip Snacks         :
:.........................................:

References Disclaimer
Miscellaneous Notes: -------------------- Lipton Margarines and Spreads: TCCSSG member Dan Powell passes along some updated information he received from Lipton: "All of our margarines and spreads are gluten-free. Lipton manufactures the following brands: Brummel & Brown I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Imperial Mrs. Filbert's Promise Shedd's "Because products are formulated for use by a majority of consumers and not specifically for those on restricted diets....our product formulations may change at any time....more products/varieties may have been added....changes in existing products may have occurred. Therefore, we suggest reading all ingredient labels carefully." -=-=- -=-=- Benecol Products: TCCSSG member Diane Chadwell recently contacted Benecol and shared with us what she learned. Diane wrote: "Benecol is a 'margarine' spread that actually helps reduce one's cholesterol [but only in conjunction with a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet--Dorothy Vaughan, our group's dietitian advisor]. The 'regular' spread is quite tasty, but I don't like the 'light' version (doesn't melt well or taste as good). However, both are gluten-free (GF). "Additionally, they now have other products. I know ALL of their dressings are GF because I called last week to check since this is new in my grocery store. I believe they make bars also, but these are NOT GF." For more information, send e-mail to managecholesterol@benecol.com or call 888-BENECOL. -=-=- -=-=- GF Summer Camp in Washington State: The Gluten Intolerance Group of North America will go to camp at the same time as the American Diabetic Association, July 5-10 and 11-14, 2000. This offers our children with both celiac disease and diabetes a chance to have a summer camp experience with all the support staff possible. These sessions will fill fast. Camp brochures will be available later this month. If you would like information, please send e-mail to gig@accessone.com; write to GIG of NA, 15110 10th Ave. SW, Suite A, Seattle, WA 98166-1820; call 206-246-6652; or fax 206-246-6531 (fax). GIG will also have some scholarships available; they are currently working on funding to help cover the airfare for some of the children.<1>
Return to the Table of Contents

1999 CSA Conference Report -------------------------- by Janet Armil and Carolyn and Tom Sullivan [Note: Most of the highlights from the conference were covered in a previous issue of this newsletter (Dec. 1999). This item was held until now due to space considerations.--ed.] Genetically Engineered Foods: Unanswered Health Questions, Michael ---------------------------------------------------------- Hansen, Ph.D., Research Associate, Consumer Policy Institute and Consumer Union, Yonkers, NY [Publisher, Consumer Reports] Genetically engineered foods are those in which genes have been introduced into the plant to, ostensibly, increase herbicide tolerance or bug resistance. The major genetically engineered crops today are corn (about 30%), soybeans (about 50%), canola, cotton and potatoes. Dr. Hansen stated that there is NO evidence of health problems with genetically engineered foods on the market today. BUT, there are no studies to prove the long term safety of genetically engineered foods. This is a new and powerful technology that allows the barriers between species to be breached and there is no long term knowledge of the results. His concerns are that the technology is inadequately regulated and insufficiently identified for consumers. Genetically engineered foods today are not required to undergo any pre-market safety testing, have any unique labeling, or provide any consumer notification. The U.S. is increasingly isolated in its refusal to label genetically engineered foods. [Author's note: the European Union requires labeling of genetically engineered foods. The United Kingdom (England) will not allow the importation of genetically engineered foods. A review of genetically engineered foods is contained in Consumer Reports, September 1999, pg. 41-46 and pg. 7. A website for a group seeking more research and regulation is http://www.SAFE-FOOD.org.] With current technology there is no control of the precise location or attachment of the implanted gene in the host organism. Because of this imprecision, the implications of the following genetic engineering assumptions on human health are unknown: * The implanted gene exhibits the same behavior before and after implantation, i.e., there is a linear causal chain. * There are no environmental effects from the implanted gene. * The implanted gene remains constant and stable. * The implanted gene remains both in the host organism and at the site where it is implanted. Potential issues or concerns with genetically engineered foods include: * The creation of unanticipated toxins in the host. * The transfer of allergens to the host from the marker gene. This has not occurred to date because no KNOWN allergen source has been utilized as a marker gene. However, if the same food product is both genetically altered and not genetically altered it will be very difficult to find the source of an allergy without some obvious product differentiation. * The transfer of antibiotic resistance to the host from the marker gene. DNA can survive digestion by both animals and humans. * A reduction in nutrient levels of the genetically altered food. The U.S. does not require labeling of genetically engineered foods. Many other countries do. The topic is on the agenda of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for discussion in November. The recommendations of Dr. Hansen and Consumer Reports are for more safety studies, mandatory labeling and some process for tracing a change to its source. Audience questions elicited the following: * There is no visual way to differentiate between a genetically engineered ear of corn and a non-genetically engineered ear. * There are three federal agencies involved in food safety: the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is part of the Department of Health and Human Resources under Secretary Donna Shallala; the Animal Plant Inspection Service (APIS) of the Agriculture Department; and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). * The FDA responds to numbers-the number of letters, phone calls, etc. * The Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth and PIRGIM (Public Interest Research Group In Michigan) are actively involved in the genetically engineered foods issue. * A grassroots group on the internet interested in genetically engineered food issues can be found at http://www.safe-food.org. * A method of asking questions and receiving answers on the internet can be found at http://www.ask.com. Dr. Hansen can be reached by e-mail at HANSMI@consumer.org.
Return to the Table of Contents

Tenth Annual Gluten Free Gang Celiac Workshop --------------------------------------------- summarized by Marcia Campbell, Sue Gentilia, and Mary Guerriero This report contains some highlights from the Eleventh Annual Celiac Workshop, held November 6, 1999, at Children's Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio. Common Sense for the Next Century, by Ann Whelan --------------------------------- The keynote speaker was Ann Whelan, editor and publisher of Gluten-Free Living, a bi-monthly newsletter. Subscriptions are $29 for one year and $49 for two years. Write to Gluten-Free Living, PO Box 105, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, NY 10706. The happiest diagnosis of your life, Ann says, is to be diagnosed as a bona fide, gold-standard-certified, biopsied celiac. Ann feels that celiac disease (CD) will be the disease of the 21st century (as awareness increases). The best time to be diagnosed is in childhood. Early diagnosis helps you avoid complications such as osteoporosis, some forms of cancer, and possibly other autoimmune-related diseases. If diagnosed during your older years, more damage is likely to be done to your system; and it is harder to cope with the diet and to make changes in eating habits. Also, some older people are reluctant to become involved in a support group. (Support groups can be extremely important in the process of learning to cope and adjust to being a celiac.) The gluten-free (GF) diet does not need to be as difficult as we sometimes make it. Some celiacs give up because of the perceived complexity of the diet. If handled well, a balanced diet can contain adequate amounts of calcium and fiber, as well as the necessary vitamins and nutrients needed for healthy living. Ann commented that you shouldn't believe all you read and hear. Look for answers on your own. Evaluate the source of the information. You need valid evidence that something is harmful before you eliminate it from your diet. Examples of this are distilled vinegar, quinoa, canola oil, and buckwheat. (There is no evidence that canola oil is not GF. Quinoa and buckwheat could be contaminated, but in and of themselves, they are GF. Distilled vinegar can come from a number of different grains, including corn and wheat; but even when it comes from wheat the distillation process eliminates all traces of gluten.) It is hard to change your thinking from gluten to GF, but we should take advantage of the evidence being presented on these products. [This is Ann's position, which is shared by many, but not all celiac groups and experts.--ed.] CD is the disease of the 21st century because of the growing number of diagnoses being made. The prevalence of CD in the U.S. is the focus of a study being conducted in Maryland by Dr. Alessio Fasano. The next International Celiac Symposium is being held in August in the U.S. for the first time. For these reasons celiacs are being brought together as a unified group. Many support groups are involved in assisting Dr. Fasano. To prove the prevalence of CD, groups are providing centers for blood testing first and second degree relatives. [Information about our own group's participation appears earlier in this newsletter. PLEASE make an effort to get your relatives to come for the screening.--ed.] Adjust your attitude from "half-empty" to "half-full". For some there is a paranoia that makes us work against ourselves in the GF diet. We work against ourselves when we obsess about CD. (However we should still be as careful as we can be about maintaining a GF diet.) Ann stressed strongly the need for all CD support groups in the U.S. to present a unified front. This could bring about a basic, nationally-agreed-upon diet that would be in line with the rest of the world. A national celiac diet would preclude cheating, make following the diet easier, and eliminate confusion about what is and is not GF in the celiac community. Ann Whelan's presentation could seem controversial to some, but she would like celiacs to think about and question what has been accepted as "tried and true"; some of it may not be "true" after all. We need to be willing to investigate new trends, new ideas, and new theories in order to expand our knowledge of CD. Pharmaceuticals, Steve Plogsted, Pharmacist --------------- Steve Plogsted is a clinical pharmacy specialist at Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He recommended Stoke's GF Pharmaceutical Guide as a reference. The cost is $20. For more information, call 800-754-5222; fax 609-654-5899; write to Stokes Medical Arts Pharmacy, Inc., 639 Stokes Road, Medford, NJ 08055; e-mail stokesrx@stokesrx.com; or visit their web page at http://www.stokesrx.com. Stokes also has the ability to make and compound medications. Steve recommends having your doctor write "DAW (Dispense as Written)" on your prescriptions. Generic brands may change as often as once a year. Most mail-order pharmaceutical companies supply a toll-free phone number or you can check their internet web sites. Very few medications these days have dyes, starches, sugars, or lactose in them. Medications are regulated in the US with rigorous testing and quality control. There are approximately 250 new generic brands per year, of which 40-60% are rejected within the first 30 days due to lack of sufficient information, etc. 360 million dollars are spent on new products each year. The patent life is 17 years, but it takes up to 12 years from discovery to market a new pharmaceutical. That leaves only 5 years to recover the research costs in developing a new drug. If you have exhausted all other avenues for getting information for a medication, you can contact Steve at his internet web page: http://www.geocities.com/gluten_Rx/gluten.html. (Steve will be leaving Children's Hospital, so we don't have a phone number for him.) Osteoporosis, Nancy Stevens, MS, RD, LD ------------ Risk factors for osteoporosis include a family history of osteoporosis, small frame and weight, hormonal factors, and late onset of menses (15 years and older) in female patients, prolonged amenorrhea, and early or surgical menopause. Caucasion women have a higher risk factor then other population groups. Your lifestyle can play a part in low calcium absorption. Risk factors include smoking, alcoholism, eating disorders, and a low level of physical activity. Salt, the tannins in tea, and fiber in large amounts can also hinder calcium absorption. Medical factors to consider include hypo- and hyperthyroidism, malabsorption disorders [including untreated celiac disease], liver problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression. Children building bone and older people losing bone mass have the highest risk factor for fractures. The dual-energy X-ray absorptometry (DEXA) is the most accurate test for detecting bone loss. A plain X-ray will not detect bone loss until 30% of the bone mass is gone. The DEXA has a very low radiation level, about 10% of the amount of a chest X-ray. There are no referenced standards for anyone under the age of 20. Bone density reaches its peak around age 18-20. It starts to decline around age 40. Between those ages it is at a plateau; it is at that time that we should begin to increase calcium intake. Osteoporosis in relation to [untreated] celiac disease can cause insufficient bone formation and excessive bone loss if not watched, as more bone is broken down than is built up. Of the calcium in our body, 99% is for bone and teeth. Bone formation and strength is the number one use. Other uses include blood clotting, hormonal function, and muscle contraction. 30% of calcium absorption occurs in the small intestines. Good calcium sources include milk, cheese, and yogurt. Other sources include tofu, pudding, ice cream, shell fish, canned sardines and canned salmon with bones, broccoli, spinach, bok choy, collard greens, and turnip greens. The guidelines for daily calcium intake are: children ages 4-8 ........ 800 mg pre-teens and teens ..... 1300 mg adults 19-50 ............ 1000 mg adults 51 and up ... 1200-1500 mg Vitamin D is also important in regulating the body's absorption of calcium. You need about 200 IU of Vitamin D for each 500 mg of calcium you take in a supplement. An effective calcium supplement should dissolve in about 30 minutes when placed in 6 oz. of distilled vinegar. It is also recommended that you put some form of weight-bearing exercise into your routine, such as walking or jogging for 30 minutes, 3-4 times per week.
Return to the Table of Contents

Tips for Celiacs<2> ------------------- by Ann Whelan This is a report on a presentation by Ann Whelan, Editor of Gluten-Free Living, at the Feb. 20th, 1999 meeting of the Houston Support Group. Background: Ann has officially been a celiac for eight years, but probably had it much longer. Before starting Gluten-Free Living (now nearly 4 years old) she was managing editor of Baby Talk Magazine. Now she also teaches writing and grammar at a local college. Ann developed Glufen-Free Living because she felt there wasn't reliable, clearly understandable information about Celiac Disease (CD) and wanted to use her publishing skills, a profession she loves, to benefit the celiac population. Ann gave us TIPS: Five food tips, five health tips, five quickie tips, and five things to look forward to, always in a "Let's Be Positive" mode. Food Tips: 1. Concentrate on what you CAN eat, not what you can't. Try not to blow the gluten-free (GF) diet out of proportion. If you take processed foods out of the equation, you can eat almost anything: fruits, vegetables, beans, meat, fish, rice, corn, etc. When you eat plain food, you start to really taste food the way you never tasted before. What we can eat is good for us. 2. Get used to the fact that you have to do more cooking and baking Turn this factor into an asset and become a good GF cook. Eat simply. For breakfast Ann eats eggs, yogurt, fruit, Jowar (sorghum) Jo Crisps Cereal, or even vegetables. For lunch you can eat leftovers. Leftover rice mixed with a vegetable is always a good idea; you can keep bags of frozen peas, corn, or broccoli in the freezer. One of Ann's favorite lunches is to put plain peanut butter on a rice cake and slice apples on top. For snacks try fruit, Jell-O, or home-popped popcorn, all of which can be quickly prepared. In a restaurant, first check the menu to see what you can eat without question, what you might be able to eat if you ask questions, what you'd better stay away from, and what you might want to look into a little bit. Try not to make an issue of it and don't be embarrassed or afraid to ask questions. Ann says she figures whatever the gathering is for, it's not to discuss her diet. 3. Forget about getting dietary advice from your doctor. A gastroenterologist's primary job is to diagnose your illness and then send you on to a dietitian and a support group. Please don't get mad at doctors for not knowing all the details of the GF diet. Dietitians, too, may not know a lot about the GF diet. We celiacs need to partner with dietitians to get them up to speed and help those we educate teach other dietitians. There are many pieces of the celiac pie that need to be improved, and adopting and educating dietitians is an important step toward getting more reliable information to more people. 4. Join a support group. The best place to get information about the disease and the GF diet is from a support group because the leaders and members deal with diet issues every day. Celiacs need to support their group leaders and volunteer assistance. Ann says she feels strongly about all of us giving something back to society for the richness that we have managed in our own personal lives. So if you are really interested in making celiac disease your "thing", you can volunteer to work with a support group 5. Accept that there are very few absolutes and very many points of disagreement about what is and is not GF or what is and is not appropriate for celiacs. We know with certainty that the things we should not eat are wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, triticale and kamut. The next thing we need to find out is where those grains actually are, not necessarily where they might be. We should have a basic diet we can rely on before we waste valuable time and effort looking for needles in haystacks. In her research Ann has discovered that a lot of the things we celiacs believe but have never checked out are not necessarily true in the real world. Misinformation takes hold in the celiac community and then we are left trying to disprove something that should never have been proposed in the first place. In other words, we are left trying to prove a negative. For example, research shows that canola oil is GF, so it should be appropriate for any celiac except those with a special sensitivity to it. Since it is GF, any sensitivities to canola oil can't be gluten problems. But it's been publicized that canola oil is not appropriate for any celiac, so everyone (especially food vendors) has been forced to decide what to do about this product, which actually happens to be a "healthy" oil. Canola oil did not belong on any list of products that all celiacs should avoid in the first place. Celiacs need to make their own judgements and realize that no one can tell them what they cannot eat without explaining and/or proving that it is dangerous. You have to do the best you can with tlie diet, but try to stay away from any gluten-fearing paranoia that exists. Try to know your sources and the reasons why you should be avoiding something. Health Tips: 1. Eat a varied diet, which will provide a wider variety of vitamins and minerals for better nutrition. Iron, calcium and folic acid are the three nutrients most frequently malabsorbed by celiacs, so be sure you eat the foods that contain them. 2. Whatever your age and whatever your sex, do get a bone density test. Many celiac experts say that most celiac patients have some degree of abnormal bone loss, often serious, at diagnosis. If your doctor is not up to speed on CD, you may have to firmly request the simple, noninvasive bone density test. The treatments for osteoporosis include hormone therapy and some new drugs, primarily Fosamax. There are 10 million Americans today who have osteoporosis, and 18.5 million more who have some early signs of osteoporosis. The cost of treating these problems is enormous. Yet if a person has osteoporosis and also has hidden CD, and is taking osteoporosis medications and eating calcium-rich foods, the treatment will probably not be optimum if the patient is malabsorbing the calcium she is eating and perhaps even the medications. Since the celiac connection to osteoporosis is the malabsorption of calcium, treating the cause of the malabsorption--the GF diet --needs to come before consideration of Fosamax or other drugs. Celiacs need to eat dairy products because they are a prime source of calcium. Calcium, which has such a strong connection with osteoporosis, is one of the most malabsorbed nutrients in CD. Some celiacs have difficulty eating dairy products because of associated lactose intolerance, but it is extremely important to get dairy products into your body in whatever way works. Of all the dairy products available, one of the best is yogurt; it's low fat, easily digested (even for some who are lactose intolerant), and readily available. 3. Have an annual physical exam that includes a complete blood count (CBC) and stool testing, according to Dr. Joseph Murray of the Mayo Clinic. He thinks you should have thyroid testing every other year, but if you already have thyroid disease, more frequent testing might be advantageous. The experts also say you should have serology antibody testing once a year to test for compliance with the GF diet. A positive result almost always means some gluten has been inadvertently ingested. Dr. Murray says you then have to: Check your diet, check your diet again, and check your diet a third time. He also recommends taking one good multi-vitamin a day that includes 100 percent of the recommended daily amount of B-complex vitamins, iron, folate and other vitamins and minerals. Whatever other supplements you take will depend on your own personal needs. You will need to investigate the possible gluten content in everything you ingest, including (and especially!) vitamins and medications. We have to be careful of everything that goes into our mouths, but especially of anything we take every day. 4. Encourage your first-degree relatives to get screened for CD. Usually these relatives are not comfortable with your request because they don't want to follow your diet, but 10% of them will probably have CD, and of the 10% who have it, 50% will have no symptoms but will have flat intestinal villi. How can we get our relatives tested? First of all, don't make an issue of your diet around them. Make them drool over the delicious GF dishes you are eating. Keep the current complexities about the diet to yourself. And don't nag! If you can, send donations to the University of Maryland Prevalence Study, which is testing first-degree relatives (and others) to try to find out what the true prevalence of CD is in the United States. If it turns out that celiac disease is not rare, then the FDA and food manufacturers will have to pay more attention to our problems. Please make checks payable to the UM Foundation, Inc. Center for Celiac Research, Attn: Pam King, 700 W. Lombard St., Room 206, Baltimore, MD 21201. These funds are administered by the University of Maryland Foundation, Inc. 5. The very best thing you can do for yourself is to have a life beyond CD. Don't let having this disorder stop you from doing anything! Make sure you have other interests. Make sure you exercise. Make sure you get out and eat with gluten-eating people. Make sure you travel. Make sure you stay all-around healthy. Five Quick Tips: 1. Buy your own toaster or toaster oven. This is an easy way to avoid cross contamination. 2. Try not to complain about the cost of GF products. They are expensive for a reason. The manufacturers have to pay more to get supplies, pay more to process the food, and they have to pay more to market it because they don't have normal marketing avenues. We have to pay more because we have to order a lot by mail. It helps to remember that we usually don't have to take expensive medications as treatment for gluten sensitivity and, unlike medications, the foods we eat have no side effects. 3. Buy a bread machine. When you bake your own bread, it is ultimately cheaper than any ready-made bread. Plus it usually tastes better. 4. Not everyone can do this, but it helps to avoid processed food. Even when you investigate products over the phone or get a letter from the manufacturers or consult some of the commercial product listings that are available, you are still not totally sure the product is safe. Life is simpler and safer when you avoid processed foods--or eat them as infrequently as possible. 5. Remember that Europe is well ahead of the U.S. in dealing with CD. We know physicians there have been diagnosing CD for a longer time and celiacs have been on a GF diet longer in Europe than here. Yes, several European countries do allow a small amount of wheat starch in international products, but their research has not shown an increased morbidity or mortality rate in their celiac population. Ann says she tends to think of this when she hears Americans going nuts about potential (versus actual) trace amounts of scientifically unmeasurable gluten in certain ingredients. Unfortunately, we don't have our act together in the U.S. when it comes to CD and the GF diet. All U.S. celiacs have a lot in common and we all need to pull together, not apart, for our common good. Five Things to Look Forward To: 1. A good possibility that doctors will be able to diagnose CD without the biopsy in the years to come. 2. The Celiac International Conference in August 2000 in Baltimore. Those who attend can plan a nice east coast vacation around the dates (August 10-13) if they'd like. 3. GF food that gets better and more varied as the number of vendors grows. Hopefully our specialty foods will be more easily available locally. In the meantime, ask your supermarket managers to stock specific products in their stores. You might be surprised at how quickly they agree to do so. 4. More awareness of CD, especially in terms of research, doctors' understanding, availability of GF food, and interest from the federal government and FDA. We need to make CD a household word because it impacts so many peoples' lives. 5. A united U.S. effort to support celiacs!! Highlights of Gluten-Free Living: Previous issues from this year have included articles on CD and diabetes, canola oil, GF travel, a report on the Canadian Celiac Association's annual convention, and answers from medical experts to questions from celiacs across the country. The most recent issue includes articles on quinoa, maintaining a positive attitude, and several recipes, among other topics. Subscribe to Gluten-Free Living (6 issues for $29;12 issues for $49), PO Box 105, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706.
Return to the Table of Contents

Newsletter Roundup ------------------ Compiled by Jim Lyles This section contains articles and excerpts from newsletters produced by other celiac groups. ............................................................ : : : Excerpts from _Calgary Celiac News_ : : ----------------------------------- : : Sep. 1999 Jo Anne Murray and Betty Salewicz, editors : : Calgary Chapter of CCA : : #7, 11 Street NE : : Calgary, AB T2E 4Z2 CANADA : :..........................................................: CD and Kidney Stones: According to a local urologist, people with intestinal disorders that are characterized by fat malabsorption and steatorrhea are at a greater risk of forming calcium oxalate kidney stones. This results when calcium in the digestive tract binds with unabsorbed fat rather than oxalate which then allows the oxalate to be absorbed through the intestine, increasing the risk of developing stones in the urinary system. Fat malabsorption and steatorrhea are common symptoms of untreated Celiac Disease (CD). If you have concerns of kidney stones as they may relate to your CD diagnosis, discuss them with your physician. Together you can establish an appropriate treatment plan to meet your individual needs. ........................................................ : : : Excerpts from _Celiac Connections_ : : ---------------------------------- : : Sep./Oct. 1999 Barbara Jordan, editor : : The Celiac Disease Resource, Inc. : : PO Box 621 : : Glenmont, NY 12077 : :......................................................: On-the-Go Nourishments, by Karen Anderson, CSW, RD, CDN Dole pitted dates stuffed with Blue Diamond roasted almonds Sunmaid raisins with a handful of fresh roasted peanuts Smucker's all-natural peanut butter sandwiched into a ripe banana 3 cups of Orville Redenbacher's lowfat popcorn with a V8 juice Baby carrots, raw with a dip of Land O'Lakes Sour Cream-Lipton Onion Soup Mix Seedless green or red grapes and some MooTown Snackers cheese Cracker Barrel cheddar on Edward & Son's Brown Rice Snaps Tostitos baked tortilla chips with Ortega Salsa and a Juicy Juice "chaser" Dannon lowfat or Lite yogurt sprinkled with Nutty Rice cereal by Pacific Foods 1/2 Cup Ener-G Foods granola and fat free milk Caramel rice cakes by Orville Redenbacher with a couple tsps. of Jif peanut butter Dole California trail mix
Return to the Table of Contents

References ---------- <1> "Re: summer camp", by Cynthia Kupper, from the CELIAC Listserv archives on the Internet, posted Nov. 8, 1999. To obtain a copy on the internet, go to http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/celiac.html and click on "November 1999, week 2". <2> Reprinted from the Sep. 1999 newsletter of the Houston Celiac Support Group, edited by Janet Y. Rinehart. For more information, write to her at 11011 Chevy Chase, Houston, TX 77042-2606.
Return to the Table of Contents

Recipe Page ----------- ********************************************************************** Pumpkin Muffins 2/3 cup rice flour 1/3 cup black bean flour 1/3 cup corn starch 1/3 cup tapioca starch 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. salt 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. xanthan gum 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg dash ground cloves dash ginger 1 cup pumpkin 3 eggs 1 cup milk Mix all the dry ingredients together well. Add in the pumpkin, eggs, and milk. Combine well. Use one 12-pan muffin tin or two 6-pan muffin tins. Fill each pan 3/4 full. Bake at 325 degrees F for about 30 minutes. This recipe comes to us from Bruce Richardson, chef of Saint Charles Seminary in Wynnewood, PA. ********************************************************************** GF Peanutty Chocolate Cookies 2/3 cup sugar 1/3 cup Hershey's cocoa 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/2 cup milk 2 cups (12 oz.) Reese's peanut butter chips 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup finely chopped peanuts 2-1/2 dozen whole peanuts In a medium saucepan combine the sugar, cocoa, and baking soda. Blend in the milk. Add the peanut butter chips and stir over low heat just until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Add the vanilla and pour the mixture into a medium bowl. Cool; chill until set. Roll spoonfuls of the batter into 1-inch balls, then roll the balls in the chopped peanuts. Flatten them slightly and top each with a whole peanut. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until slightly firm, but not hard. Cool slightly and remove the cookies from the cookie sheet. Cool on a wire rack. Makes about 30 cookies. This recipe comes to us from TCCSSG member Alice Priestley, who received it from Hershey Foods Corporation (800-468-1714) in May 1999. ********************************************************************** French Butter Cookies 2 sticks (1/2 lb.) of butter, room temperature 2/3 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 2-1/2 cups GF flour mix** 1 tsp. salt Mix the butter and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla. Mix in the flour and salt. Make three rolls in plastic and chill them for 1 hour. Roll each roll in sugar and cut into 1/4" thick slices. Use wood skewers to make 5 holes; one in each corner and one in the middle. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes. The resulting cookies taste a little like Lorna Doone cookies. This recipe comes to us from TCCSSG member Joan Kulka. ********************************************************************** Lemon Bars 1 pkg. angel food cake mix from The Gluten-Free Pantry 1 15.75-oz. can of Comstock lemon (or other flavor) pie filling Stir the two ingredients together with a spatula. Spoon into a 9x13 inch pan or a brownie pan (ungreased) and bake at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes. While still warm, sprinkle powdered sugar on top. This recipe comes to us from TCCSSG member Mary Guerriero, who claims that even her gluten-eating friends love it. ********************************************************************** GF Peanut Butter Chip Snacks 2 cups (12 oz.) Reese's peanut butter chips 1 Tbsp. shortening 5 cups GF corn flakes, crushed to about 2-1/3 cups 1 cup raisins In the top of the double boiler over hot, but not boiling, water; melt the peanut butter chips and shortening. Stir until smooth and creamy. (Or, place the chips and shortening in a medium, microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high 60 to 90 seconds until the mixture is smooth when stirred.) Mix the crushed corn flakes with the melted chips and raisins. Stir until the cereal is well-coated. Drop by the teaspoonful onto a tray covered with wax paper. Cover and chill for about one hour, or until firm. Remove from the refrigerator and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Makes about 3-1/2 dozen snacks. This recipe comes to us from TCCSSG member Alice Priestley, who received it from Hershey Foods Corporation (800-468-1714) in May 1999. ********************************************************************** ** GF flour mix: 6 cups white rice flour 2 cups potato starch (NOT the same as potato flour) 1 cup tapioca starch (also called tapioca flour) Tri-County Celiac Sprue Support Group Officials: ------------------------------------------------ Physician Advisor: Thomas Alexander, M.D. Pediatric Advisor: Robert Truding, M.D. Dietitian Advisor: Dorothy Vaughan, R.D. President: Mary Guerriero Vice President: Sue Gentilia Past President: Diane Morof Finance Committee: Tom Sullivan Sue Gentilia Secretaries: Marilynn Ponto Pat Michael Web Page Editor: Pam Murphy Newsletter Editor: Jim Lyles Contributing Editors: Tom & Carolyn Sullivan Group E-mail address: tccssg@yahoo.com Group web page: http://community.mlive.com/cc/celiac Disclaimer: ----------- All recommendations, information, dietary suggestions, menus, shopping guide suggestions, medical updates, miscellaneous articles, and recipes in this newsletter are intended for the benefit of our members, readers, and the general public. No liability is assumed by the Tri-County Celiac Sprue Support Group or any of its members. Information in The Sprue-nik Press has been approved by our physician and dietitian advisors. Individuals should consult with their physicians and dietitians before following any medical or dietary recommendations in The Sprue-nik Press. Original material used in The Sprue-nik Press is placed in the public domain for the benefit of all celiacs. The information is not copyrighted to facilitate the easy exchange of celiac information. Feel free to reproduce any portion of this newsletter, unless it specifically states otherwise. All we ask is that you indicate where the information came from. The Sprue-nik Press is published by the Tri-County Celiac Sprue Support Group (TCCSSG), a local chapter of CSA/USA located in southeast Michigan. Members receive printed copies of this newsletter (8+ issues per year), a shopping guide, and a new member packet full of articles and useful information. Out of area subscriptions are welcome. For subscription information, send a note to tccssg@yahoo.com.
Return to the Table of Contents