THE SPRUE-NIK PRESS

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

Volume 8, Number 3                                          March 1999
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...........................................
: What's Inside                           :
: -------------                           :
: Miscellaneous Notes                     :
:    Product Information                  :
:    9th Int'l Symposium on CD            :
:    GF Trips from Bob & Ruth             :
: CD: An Under-Recognized Disease         :
:    Definition of CD                     :
:    Prevalence                           :
:    Pathogenesis                         :
:    Diagnosis                            :
:    Laboratory Studies                   :
:    Complications                        :
:    Associated Disorders                 :
:    Latent CD                            :
:    Treatment                            :
:    Post-Diagnosis Management            :
:    Q & A                                :
: Recipe Page                             :
:    Apple Bavarian Torte                 :
:    High on the Hog Ham Bone Stew        :
:    Party Mix                            :
:    Fig Honey Cookies                    :
:    Cherry Jello Dessert                 :
:.........................................:

References Disclaimer
Miscellaneous Notes: -------------------- Product Information: * Pamela's is switching to safflower oil. The canola oil in all products is being replaced with high oleic safflower oil. Watch the ingredient panels for this change. [Note: both canola and safflower oil are gluten-free, so for most celiacs this is not an issue. However, some people seem to have a sensitivity to canola oil, so if you are in this category then this will be a welcome change.-ed.] * Brand 365 is making a list of their gluten-free (GF) items. Right now we have a partial list, that is accurate as of Feb. 16, 1999; more items will likely be added in the future. At this point, the following Brand 365 items are listed as being GF: 100% fruit juices balsamic vinegar 5 years old canned tomatoes Everyday energy bars expeller pressed canola oil frozen fruits frozen orange juice frozen vegetables (EXCEPT potato products) fruit spreads Italian extra virgin olive oil natural spring water NFC orange juice soft drinks solid white albacore tuna tongol tuna Brand 365 products can be found at Merchant of Vino. For more information, call Dennis Ring at 925-299-1365. (Thank you to Pat Michael for this information.) * Whole Foods has a list of gluten-free (GF) products, dated Jan. 1999: apple butter bagged tea beans in glass bread dipping oil bread spreads dessert sauce dry rubs fire roasted salsa fruit essence honey Italian-style pasta sauce jam juices maple syrup mayonnaise organic applesauce organic balsamic vinegar organic chocolate bar organic mustard organic nut butter organic olive oil organic olives organic pasta sauce organic roasted red piquillo peppers organic tomatoes in glass pear and plum butter sparkling cider vinegar Whole Foods products can also be found at Merchant of Vino. For more information, contact Annie Smith, 919-286-0145 ext. 372, 718 Iredell St., Durham, NC 27705. (Thank you again to Pat Michael for this information.) -=-=- -=-=- JCAHCO Address Correction: In the February newsletter we listed an address you could write to with complaints regarding poor health care service (such as failing to provide a GF diet during a hospital stay or uncooperative pharmacists). Unfortunately, we didn't get the address right. The correct address is: Division of Accreditation Operations, Accreditation Service Specialist, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, One Renaissance Blvd., Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181.<1> -=-=- -=-=- The Cookie Recipe Web Page has a listing of about 40 gluten-free cookie recipes, along with some basic information about celiacs and their need for a gluten-free diet. The URL is http://www.CookieRecipe.com. Scroll down to the bottom of the "All Kinds O' Cookies!" section and click on "Gluten-free Cookies".<2> -=-=- -=-=- GIG's Annual Conference will be on Saturday, April 17th, 1999, at the Highline Community Hospital, near the Sea-Tac Airport in Washington State. There is also a pre-conference dinner Friday evening. For non-GIG members the cost is $70 for the conference ($80 if after March 26th), and $25 for the pre-conference dinner. Speakers include Peggy A. Wagener, president of Sully's Living Without magazine; Jay Berger, owner of Miss Roben's, a GF mail-order vendor; and Dr. Michael Schuffler, GIG's medical advisor. The conference includes a continental breakfast and lunch. For more information or to make reservations, write to Gluten Intolerance Group, 15110 10th Ave. SW, Suite A, Seattle, WA 98166; call 206-246-6652; fax 206-246-6531; or send e-mail to gig@accessone.com. -=-=- -=-=- The 9th International Symposium On Celiac Disease will be held in the United States, August 10-13, 2000. This is the "Super Bowl" of all celiac conferences, last held in Finland a few years ago, and to be held this year in Italy. It has never before been held in our country, so plan now to set aside some time in August next year to attend. A large turnout is expected, and it is likely that the hotel will be completely filled with attendees to the conference. Therefore, special arrangements are being made now to take early hotel reservations. The following is for HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS ONLY. The symposium program and registration fees will be released as soon as they are available (probably not until June or July, 1999). Marriott Hotels International Reservations System cannot accept reservations more than a year in advance, so special arrangements have been made to accommodate your early reservation requests. Dates: August 10-13, 2000 Accommodations: Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn, Hunt Valley, Maryland Rates per night: Single or Double $115; Triple $135; Quad $155 (These rates are available 2 days prior and 2 days after the dates of the conference, based upon availability.) We recommend that reservations be made by mail prior to September 1, 1999 to ensure availability. All reservations must be made by July 20, 2000 and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. To make your reservations by mail prior to September 1, 1999, simply complete the form below and mail it to: Bob & Ruth's Gluten-free Dining & Travel Club, 22 Breton Hill Rd., Suite 1B, Baltimore, MD 21208. Written requests will be confirmed by letter upon receipt; and, then reconfirmed with a confirmation number after September 1, 1999. Reservations after that date must be made by calling 1-800-228-9290. (Prior to Sept. 1, 1999, telephone reservations will NOT be accepted by either Bob & Ruth's OR Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn). Name: _____________________________ Tele #: ______- ______- _________ Address: _____________________________________________________________ City: ________________ ST: ____ Zip __________ Country: ___________ # in Party: ____ Arrival Date: __________ Departure Date: __________ Room Type Requests: (Circle your choices) Smoking/Non-Smoking One King Bed/Two Double Beds Credit Card #: ________________________ Expiration Date ____________ (A credit card is required to confirm reservation only) Type (Visa, MC, Amex, etc.): _________________________ Signature: ___________________________________ Date: _______________ -=-=- -=-=- Bob & Ruth's Gluten-free Dining & Travel Club has set up two trips you may find of interest. The first trip is coming up quickly, so act now if you are interested. (Club members have priority and receive a discounted rate): * Gluten-Free Family Getaway To Jamaica: Join us on August 2-8, 1999, at the SuperClubs Boscobel Beach All-Inclusive Family Resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. One child per each paying adult in the same room is FREE. Comprehensive SuperKids programs are available at 4 age levels. There is an adult-only complex as well. Gluten-free food is the best part of all. From the time your plane lands in Jamaica (airfare not included) until you takeoff for home, ALL of your family's food, drink, and activities are paid for. All deposits for reservations must be in by April 8, 1999. * Gluten-Free Getaway To The Bahamas: Join us November 15-21, 1999, at the SuperClubs Adult Only All-Inclusive Breezes Bahamas Resort Hotel at Cable Beach, Nassau. We will be wined, dined (gluten-free and regular) and entertained in casual elegance. Every meal will include a gluten-free selection of food specialties and baked goods. From the time your plane lands in Nassau, Jamaica (airfare not included) until you takeoff for home, your food, drink, and activities are paid for (with few exceptions). Tipping is not even allowed. Last year's trip was enjoyed by 46 of us and we had to turn away another 16, so please make your reservations early as we have only been allotted 25 rooms this year. If you are interested in costs and additional information for either of these trips, send e-mail to bobolevy@erols.com or call 410-486-0292. -=-=- -=-=- Brown Rice--Better than White Rice: Milling is the primary difference between brown and white rice. Milling removes the outer hull, bran, germ, and endosperm from the rice grain. While milling increases the cooking convenience of rice, making it a 20 minute process instead of 40, the trade-off is a dramatic drop in nutrients. The outer layers that are milled off contain nutritionally important oils, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fiber is not only more filling, but has a probable role in preventing certain gastrointestinal diseases and heart disease. Brown rice contributes to health in a way that white rice can't, and is therefore well worth the wait.<3> -=-=- -=-=- Are You Out of Baking Powder? Or are you not sure if the commercial baking powders are GF? You can mix your own using 1 part baking soda, 2 parts cream of tartar, and 2 parts arrowroot powder. Mix well. Store in a sealed container, at room temperature.<4>
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Celiac Disease: An Under-Recognized Disorder ----------------------2---------------------- by Thomas Alexander, MD summarized by Tom and Carolyn Sullivan The speaker for our Feb. 8 general meeting was our physician advisor, Thomas J. Alexander, M.D. He presented an overview of the current thinking on clinical presentation of celiac disease and then handled questions and answers. A summary is provided here for those who were unable to attend. Definition ---------- Celiac disease (CD) is a life-long autoimmune disorder of the intestinal tract which can have its onset anytime during childhood or adulthood. It varies in severity, with classic symptoms of malabsorption noted in some patients while others remain completely asymptomatic. Prevalence ---------- It is more common in the European population with more recent studies suggesting an incidence as high as 1:250. There is a 2:1 female preponderance. It is felt that the disease is grossly under-diagnosed, perhaps in large part due to the relatively recent understanding of the disease and the wide spectrum of symptoms which are increasingly recognized. In one study, the number of patients diagnosed over three successive five-year periods increased seven-fold when the disease was considered in less severe or atypical cases. Pathogenesis ------------ In a genetically predisposed individual, the intestinal immune system is abnormally activated by gliadin, a specific portion of the predominant wheat protein molecule, gluten. As a result, an inflammatory reaction takes place resulting in the destruction of the villi, with the first portion of the small intestine generally the most severely damaged. This damage then limits the small intestine's ability to absorb nutrients. 95% of patients with CD have the HLA-DQA1 0501 and HLA-DQB1 0201 genes encoded for the HLA-DQ protein. The remaining 5% have the DR4 and DQ8 genes. But there is more than just genetics involved, as only 30% of siblings with the identical haplotype will also have CD. Even in identical twins, when one has CD only about 75% of the time will the other twin also have CD. Clearly something else is involved in "triggering" the onset of CD in individuals that are genetically predisposed to it. Diagnosis --------- There are three important syndromes which occur in CD with the degree of severity varying greatly. 1. Malabsorption with diarrhea, foul-smelling gas, and weight loss. 2. Iron deficiency without blood loss. These patients frequently present with chronic or even life-long anemia with hemoccult-negative stools, without any significant symptoms of malabsorption such as diarrhea or weight loss. 3. A common presentation noted in children is that of unexplained diarrhea and/or growth retardation often associated with irritability. The onset may occur in infancy when gluten is introduced into the diet, or at a later age. Other non-classic presentations may include osteoporosis, oligoarthritis, hypertransaminasemia, atypical Sturge-Weber syndrome (epilepsy with cerebral calcifications), and dental enamel defects (horizontal grooves). Laboratory Studies ------------------ Laboratory studies which would suggest malabsorption and CD would include iron deficiency anemia, hypocarotenemia, hypoalbuminemia, elevated prothrombin time, and decreased D-Xylose absorption. Serologic studies which would suggest CD include the anti-gliadin, anti-endomysial and anti-reticulin antibodies (typically ordered as a celiac panel) which are about 85-90% accurate. These tests are used for screening purposes; they cannot be used to make a firm diagnosis. More recently, autoantibodies to tissue transglutaminase have been shown to be 95% accurate in predicting CD. Small bowel x-rays are abnormal in less than 50% of celiac patients. In time, the tissue transglutaminase autoantibody tests may prove to be accurate enough to be the single screening blood test for CD. The only way to definitively diagnose CD is through a small intestinal biopsy followed by clinical response to a gluten-free (GF) diet. Pathologic features of the disease may include shortened or absent villi with crypt hyperplasia. However, these findings may also be present in a variety of other conditions. Features which are more specific for CD include increased numbers of lymphocytes (type of immune cells) mixed in with and below the cells of the villi (enterocytes). Complications ------------- These include the complications of malabsorption such as weight loss, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, coagulopathy, osteopenia, bone fractures, lymphocytic gastritis, and lymphocytic colitis. Intestinal strictures and ulcerations may occur. Other complications include refractory and collagenous sprue as well as malignancy. There is a 3-4 fold increased incidence of all malignancies, half of which occur in the intestinal tract. The risk of malignancy returns to that of the general population after 5 years on the GF diet. Untreated CD may also negatively affect pregnancy outcome with relative incidences of spontaneous abortion and low birth weight being nearly 9 and 6 times higher respectively. These improve markedly in treated celiac patients. Other major complications include osteoporosis, short stature, delayed puberty, infertility, and lactose intolerance. CD may be present in up to 20% of patients with unexplained neurologic dysfunction. Associated Disorders -------------------- CD occurs with greater incidence in patients with other autoimmune disorders. It is present in about 90% of those individuals with dermatitis herpetiformis (DH). It has also been seen with increased frequency in insulin dependent (Type 1) diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease, and liver disease. Latent Celiac Disease --------------------- This is an ill-defined syndrome where there are positive serologies with otherwise normal biopsies. These patients have increased gamma delta T cell receptor lymphocytes. 25% develop histologic features of CD at 5 years. Treatment --------- Life long adherence to a strict GF diet is mandatory. This includes avoidance of all products made from grains in the wheat family such as wheat, rye, barley, triticale, and spelt. Pure oats have been shown to be safe for periods up to 1 year. However, commercially available oat products are typically grown in fields or milled in plants where there is wheat contamination. All food products must be constantly and carefully examined for the presence of any "hidden glutens" which are often used as food additives or in processing. Adherence to the diet can be confusing and overwhelming, particularly in the newly diagnosed patient. Patient support groups at the national and particularly the local level have been invaluable in helping these patients adjust to their restrictions. Most patients achieve symptomatic improvement within 2-3 weeks of beginning the diet. Histologic improvement occurs 4-6 months later. If there is no improvement, it is usually because of noncompliance to the diet although other causes include refractory sprue, collagenous sprue, and small bowel lymphoma. There is often a "honeymoon" period during the teen years when celiac patients who ingest gluten may be relatively symptom-free. However, the disease does NOT disappear and their symptoms typically recur in their twenties. Post-Diagnosis Management ------------------------- While most patients will improve with careful attention to the diet, it is still advisable to obtain an annual CBC, biochemical panel, iron levels, B12, folic acid, and vitamin D-250H. A one-year post-treatment biopsy is important in establishing a new baseline as all patients do not heal completely in spite of strict adherence to the diet. Bone densitometry at the time of diagnosis and periodically thereafter is important particularly in female patients. Celiac antibodies may be helpful in monitoring some patients, particularly those in whom noncompliance with the diet is suspected. Q & A ----- Q: Is there any connection between arthritis and CD? A: I don't know of any even though arthritis is sometimes the only presentation. Q: If a patient has positive blood tests but a normal biopsy, do they have CD? A: This may describe latent CD. Symptoms alone will not tell if CD is present. Testing must be done for a certain type of lymphocyte. Within 5 years a typical CD biopsy may develop. Q: Does a negative blood test always mean no CD? A: No. Family history and symptoms consistent with CD are also factors in determining if a biopsy is necessary. Q: If all tests for CD are negative but a patient has CD symptoms and a family history of CD, should they have a biopsy? A: Absolutely yes. Q: If one has anemia, negative blood tests, but a flat small intestine biopsy, is there a possibility of mixed up test samples and is a second opinion necessary or does one have CD? A: Mixed-up blood test samples is not the problem here. If you see the disease in the biopsy, you have it. If you don't see it, you don't have it. A second opinion in this case is unnecessary. Q: What does one look for to diagnose CD in young children? A: The most common presentations in young children are diarrhea and/or a drop in the growth curve. Q: What does one look for to diagnose CD if there are no symptoms? A: Blood tests such as gliadin, endomysial, and tissue transglutaminase antibodies are the first clinical tests. If there is any suspicion from these tests or from other symptoms, then the biopsy should be done. Q: A patient was diagnosed 7 years ago and has been OK on the GF diet until about 3 months ago when bloating, diarrhea and other symptoms started appearing. Why? A: Several things are possible. First, it need not be CD. There are various other diseases that have similar symptoms such as spastic or irritable bowel which would require other treatment. There may be inadvertent gluten ingestion or the CD could have progressed to the refractory stage where it doesn't respond to treatment in which case a new biopsy would be required. Or lymphocytic colitis could be a possibility to consider. Q: A patient was recently diagnosed with CD but the follow-up biopsy showed no change. Why? A: It may take time for any improvement to show. The patient usually requires about 3 or 4 months to figure out the diet and then the body requires another several months to heal. The European practice is to re-biopsy in 3 to 6 months but I consider that too soon. It might be valid if the symptoms are very minor. Q: What about vitamin and mineral supplements? A: Take a standard "One-A-Day" type of vitamin. Vitamins are important, you have been deficient in them for a long time, and the one-a-day variety can't hurt. B12 deficiency, for example, can cause a nerve deficiency. The megavitamin regime- NO! But the regular one-a-day, yes. Q: After the initial diagnosis of CD and being placed on the GF diet, what follow-up should be done? A: Each year there should be a physical exam and blood tests. (This would be prudent even if the patient has no symptoms.) At the initial diagnosis a bone density test should be taken. Depending upon the age, sex (women should be tested more often) and symptoms of the patient, bone density tests should be taken probably every 5 to 15 years. After the first year there should be a follow-up biopsy. Q: Should blood tests be used with children for follow-up? A: Blood tests could be used for every patient. They are helpful for monitoring purposes. They can check for inadvertent gluten in children and/or adults. Q: Does CD cause headaches and migraines? A: The symptoms are listed but the connection is not known. If one is diagnosed with CD and the headaches still persist, look for another cause. Q: How does all this apply to dermatitis herpetiformis (DH)? A: DH is a very itchy skin condition usually found symmetrically on the body extensions, elbows, buttocks, etc. 90% of DH patients also have CD but many have no gastrointestinal symptoms. When DH patients are put on a GF diet, the majority respond. For DH patients it is recommended that they be tested for CD and usually they should have a biopsy too. NOTE: A member suggested that a change to 100% cotton sheets, no polyester, helped her skin irritation problems. Q: How is the absorption of medications, and in particular thyroid, affected by CD? A: Untreated or newly-diagnosed celiac patients can have problems with drugs. The absorptive capacity is severely restricted because drugs are processed into the body via enzymes on the tips of the villi. Q: Why isn't the medical profession more aware of CD? A: The history of CD is one of a slow learning process. It wasn't until after World War II that a connection was made between the disease and wheat. Then the gluten portion of wheat was found to be the problem for celiacs, and finally the gliadin portion in wheat gluten. In the last 5 years, the publication of information in journals has just exploded. Doctors are now checking for the disease earlier, they are recognizing that it doesn't have to be accompanied by diarrhea and weight loss. Each celiac can help the learning process by providing information to their own personal doctor. Q: What about a partial GF diet? A: It is not good and is definitely NOT recommended. The lower limits of tolerable gluten intake are not known. If cancer develops, it is extremely difficult to treat. Q: Are there different standards for the GF diet? A: Yes. In the United States, we espouse a zero tolerance standard. In England, for example, they allow wheat starch. A celiac must read labels and be aware of the differences between countries when using imported products. Q: Is alcohol OK? A: There is no one answer. Alcohol is simply an OH radical at the end of a chemical name. If you are referring to alcoholic drinks, then wine, potato vodka, tequila, and rum would generally be acceptable. Wine coolers are generally not acceptable because malt is usually added to them. If you are referring to a pharmaceutical, you would need to talk to the company. If you are talking about distilled alcohol with a food chemist, then the answer would be that gluten can't transfer through the distillation process even though gliadin is the alcohol-soluble portion of the gluten molecule. [Editor's note: Distillation involves evaporating the liquid, capturing the vapor it forms, and then allowing the vapor to condense back into a liquid in another container. Any impurities in the liquid are left behind, unless these impurities evaporate as well. Gliadin is a protein, and proteins don't evaporate. Therefore, the process of distilling alcohol or vinegar should remove any gluten proteins from the liquid. In theory, the only way you could still have gliadin in distilled alcohol or vinegar is if there is some environmental cross contamination between the original gluten grains and the distilled end product.] Q: How does one handle the diet in a hospital? A: You must be very emphatic. This is your health that is in danger. NOTE: Ron De Cicco, who spent time in the hospital for knee replacement surgery (see "Total Knee Replacement", _The Sprue-nik Press_, April 1997, pg. 3), stated that you should get the doctor to write it on the orders. Then it must be followed; you have your doctor's orders to point to if it isn't. Q: After a patient has been on the GF diet for a long time, what are the results of inadvertent intake of gluten? A: There is no answer. The longer one is on the GF diet, usually the better control of the diet one has. However, individual responses to inadvertent gluten intake are just that, individual. Q: Is there any correlation between an allergic reaction to sulfites in wine and CD? A: No. Allergic reactions and celiac reactions are caused by two different mechanisms in the body. Q: What is the time lag between ingesting gluten and having a gluten reaction? A: It can vary anywhere from almost immediate to taking years. Everybody is different, but usually an individual will react within 24 hours. Q: Are oats, buckwheat, and millet OK? A: Oats are not recommended because of the high probability of cross-contamination in the products commercially available to celiacs. The one study done on oats was conducted for only one year and was done with specially-grown and handled pure oats-something not commercially available in the United States. Buckwheat and millet are not a problem themselves, but again, you may have trouble finding a source that does not have cross-contamination issues.
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References ---------- <1> "JACHO", by Greta De Wolf, from the CELIAC Listserv archives on the Internet, posted Feb. 6, 1999. To obtain a copy on the internet, go to http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/celiac.html and click on "February 1999, week 1." <2> "cookie recipe web site", by Marian Narodowiec, from the CELIAC Listserv archives on the Internet, posted June 9, 1998. To obtain a copy on the internet, go to http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/celiac.html and click on "June 1998, week 2." <3> "Brown Rice: Well Worth the Wait", Christine Negm, nutritionist, _Lundberg Rice Paper_, vol. 9, no. 1 <4> _Cooperative Gluten-Free Commercial Products Listing_, edited by Leon H. Rottmann, CSA/USA, printed Jan. 1995, pgs. 2-3.
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Recipe Page -----3----- ********************************************************************** Apple Bavarian Torte Crust: 1 cup GF flour mix** 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. GF vanilla 1/2 cup butter Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the flour, sugar, and vanilla. Cut in the butter until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Press the mixture into the bottom and sides of a 10" springform pan. Bake until golden, about 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Filling: 2 8-oz. pkgs. GF cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. GF vanilla 2 eggs, room temperature Beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla with a mixer until smooth. Beat in the eggs. Spoon the mixture into the crust. Topping: 2 large tart apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. GF vanilla Preheat the oven to 425-450 degrees F. Mix the apples, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Spoon the mixture over the cream cheese layer, spreading it evenly. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F and bake another 45 minutes, or until the tester comes out clean. This recipe comes to us from Julie Trescott. ********************************************************************** High on the Hog Ham Bone Stew 1 ham bone 6 cups water 4 medium potatoes, diced 2 cups chopped cabbage 1 lb. frozen corn 1 large onion, diced salt and pepper to taste Don't throw away the ham bone after your Easter meal. You can cook it with beans or you can make this tasty stew. In a large pan, bring the water to a boil. Add in the salt, pepper, and ham bone. Reduce heat to a slow simmer. Cook the ham bone for several hours, until the meat comes off the bone. Add the vegetables. You may need to add additional water during cooking. You can thicken the broth with rice flour or cornstarch if desired. This recipe comes to us from Bruce Richardson, chef of St. Charles Seminary in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. ********************************************************************** Party Mix 6 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. GF worchestershire sauce 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. onion powder 2 cups popped popcorn 2 cups Health Valley Rice Crunch 'Ems cereal 1 cup peanuts 1 cup Dietary Specialties GF pretzels Melt the butter. Add the seasonings. Add the other ingredients, stirring well to coat. Microwave the mixture 4-6 minutes on High, stirring every 2 minutes. Spread the mixture on paper towels to cool. Store in an airtight container. This recipe came from a recent meeting. If the author will identify him/herself, I'll give credit in a future issue of the newsletter. ********************************************************************** Fig Honey Cookies 1 cup dried figs 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup shortening 1/2 cup honey 2 eggs, well-beaten 2 Tbsp. milk 2-3/4 cups GF flour mix** 1 tsp. xanthan gum 3 Tbsp. GF baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup coconut 1 tsp. GF lemon or vanilla flavoring 3 Tbsp. chopped orange rind Cover the figs with cold water, simmer 10 minutes, and drain. Cut the figs into pieces. Cream the sugar and shortening together. Add in the honey, eggs, and milk, and mix thoroughly. Sift together the flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the sugar/shortening mixture. Add in the figs, coconut, and flavoring. Add in the orange rind and mix thoroughly. Drop by the teaspoonful onto an oiled baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12-15 minutes. This recipe came from a recent meeting. If the author will identify him/herself, I'll give credit in a future issue of the newsletter. ********************************************************************** Cherry Jello Dessert Jello: 1 large package of GF cherry-flavored gelatin mix 2 cups boiling water 1 can GF cherry pie filling Dissolve the gelatin mix in the water. Add the cherry pie filling. Place the mixture in the refrigerator until firm (about 40 minutes). Topping: 1 8-oz. container of Cool Whip 1 8-oz. pkg. GF cream cheese 1/4 cup sugar Beat the Cool Whip, cream cheese, and sugar together. Spread the mixture on top of the chilled gelatin mixture. Chill until firm. This recipe comes to us from Beth Coderre. ********************************************************************** ** 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) **********************************************************************
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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 Secretary: Pam Murphy Newsletter Editor: Jim Lyles Contributing Editors: Tom & Carolyn Sullivan 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 this newsletter, a shopping guide, and a new member packet full of articles and useful information. Mail-in subscriptions are welcome. For subscription information, send a note to Mary Guerriero.
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