Celiac for me

Our son was diagnosed with Celiac during his fourth year. His antibodies were high. He was put on a gluten free diet, including oats at that time. We were blessed to have a neighbor and now friend, Deb, who was able to mentor us down this road. Deb and i were able to take this information and teach classes to our area Autistic society 15 years ago.
As we read more and more about celiac, i was positive, i too, had it. At this point i was 90% gluten free. I would eat it when there wasn't another option available, and at that time, people didn't know what it was and felt i was making it up, doctors included. I was scheduled for my third sinus surgery but didn't need it just be reducing my gluten intake, as a matter of fact, i haven't had a sinus infection since then. However, during those years i had my gall bladder and appendix removed. I had gone to a gastrologist for IBS. I asked to be tested for celiac. The antibody test was slightly elevated, but not elevated enough to be considered celiac. I was given a colonoscopy and polyps were found and a prescription for IBS. I never filled it.
Seven years ago, i began to become anemic with bruising (softball size bruises) on my joints. I was taking 2 hour naps and could hardly move one summer. After a couple of months of not being able to be my energetic self or donate blood even on iron pills, i went to the doctor. There i was diagnosed with lymphoma based on my total ferritin levels which had dropped to below 4. My liver wasn't able to store iron. Before going to an oncologist, i went to another gastrologist who believed celiac was a disease. He tested my antibodies, slightly elevated as before. He also ran the genetic marker test. I have two copies of the gene, meaning i received it from both my parents (who are in denial as are my siblings) and i had lesions but not dead cilia. At this time i also had a colonoscopy and had polyps removed.
This doctor told me 90% gluten free isn't good enough, not only did i need to be 100% gluten free, but also remove dairy and soy for 6 months. After six months i could try to add them back.
After 6 months i did try to add them back, neither are my digestive tract's friend but i can eat a limited amount occasionally.
My last colonoscopy, no polyps.
Looking back on my symptoms i was classic celiac. I had digestive issues (chronic diarrhea as an infant and constipation as an adult), failure to thrive, allergies, asthma, sinus infections, late starting of my menstruation (just shy of being 16 years old), endometriosis, fertility issues, miscarriages, twins pregnancies were the only way i could maintain a pregnancy, a ferocious appetite and slim, early menopause (mid forties), gall bladder and appendix removed... As you read this, not just digestive issues. Other non-digestive issues are cancer, mental health issues (depression, anxiety, bipolar, schizophrenia...), diabetes, ear infections, loss of tooth enamel. Did you know that most people with downs syndrome also have celiac?

This week i have been listening to the Gluten Free summit at http://theglutensummit.com . What a gift of confirmation for me and a blessing to those who are starting down this road.

Here are some other wonderful links:
This link is a wonderful resource for information from brands of foods, medications, general information, newsletter. The link is http://www.celiac.com/

This link offers monthly free webinars, newsletters, and information  to assist with living with Celiac. The link is  http://www.celiaccentral.org/

This is a wonderful resource for those who need help changing to the celiac lifestyle, including finding a support group near you. The link is  http://www.gluten.net/

Nutrient Dense food article

We have been on a nutrient dense diet for three years now. A year ago we were introduced to Dr. Joel Fuhrman and the term nutrient dense, as we stated in http://heal-thy-self-cb.blogspot.com/2013/09/where-is-our-canary-now.html . We were so excited that we were already doing this. It assists with alkalizing our body, keeping away illnesses, and maximizes our health.
This terminology has now become so common there is now an article in Mother Earth News.

http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/nutrient-dense-foods-zebz1309znsp.aspx?PageId=1#axzz2jtGiyy7g

Cauliflower hummus

Our son ate a gluten free brand hummus yesterday. Within an few minutes he had such a stomach ache. He cried for several hours and drank literally 2 quarts of ginger/peppermint tea. Our mission today was to find a bean free hummus.
We found this recipe http://www.dailybitesblog.com/2012/08/16/easy-no-bean-hummus/ . He had no reaction and LOVED it!!! We used ground sunflower seeds instead of ground almonds.

Christmas Cookie #2: Raw Peppermint Candy Canes Cookies

Here is our second Christmas cookie recipe: Raw Peppermint Candy Canes Cookies
http://www.spoonfulofsugarfree.com/2010/12/21/raw-christmas-cookies/

The dates were soaked in water for a couple of hours to soften them. After processing the mixture in the food processor, the dough was rolled between two sheets of parchment paper, cut with a candy cane cookie cutter, and dehydrated overnight at 105. The recipe made a dozen cookies.

raw walnut pie (pecan pie)

We love pecan pie, the creaminess, the sweetness, the crunch. Prior to being diagnosed with celiac, we would order, the chocolate bourbon pecan pie and request the WholeFoods bakery replace the pecans with walnuts.
This raw walnut pie was easy to make. We used walnuts and hazelnuts in the crust and walnuts in the filling and on top. The next time we make this, we may try adding the chocolate layer just for my husband.
 Here is the recipe link
http://food52.com/recipes/24716-raw-vegan-pecan-pie

A "regular" pecan pie has ~ 500 calories, 27 grams of total fat, 106 mg cholesterol, 64 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, and 6 grams of protein.
This walnut pie has 321 calories, 21.4 grams of total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 5.5 grams of dietary fiber, and 4.5 grams of protein.

Christmas Cookie #1: Rawgalong

Here is our first Christmas cookie recipe and my favorite: Rawgalongs
We make our almond butter (2 cups of almonds, 2 TBS honey, and a dash of salt, http://www.therawtarian.com/raw-almond-butter-recipe ) and raw tahini  (2 cups of sesame seeds in the blendtec, a couple of rounds at 1 and then a round at 3). We used deglet noor dates. They are smaller than Medjool dates so we added twice the amount. One can use maple syrup or honey instead of agave. Honey is a 1:1 ratio.When using maple syrup add a little less, it is sweeter and a thinner liquid.
http://rawdorable.blogspot.com/2008/01/chocotastrophy-do-try-this-at-home.html
This recipe make about 1.5 dozen cookies. These were so worth the time. When we made them again, we tripled the recipe, made the cookie portion and froze them to assemble as "needed".

12 raw Christmas cookies

For years our family would make 2 recipes of cookies each week for 6 weeks prior to Christmas and save 2 dozen of each to give away sampler plates as Christmas gifts. In this manner, we will be posting two recipes a week.
Due to Celiac in our home, the cookies were all gluten free. Our older children have moved out and our youngest has a  metabolic disorder limiting his diet even more, raw works best for him, and not surprising, for me as well.
These are the dozen recipes we selected to make this year: Rawgalongs, Peppermint Candy Canes, Oatmeal Cookies, Wedding Cookies, Pistachio Cherry Macaroons, Almond Cranberry Cookie, Gingerbread Men, Thin Mints,  Thumbprint Cookies, Cinnamon Walnut Cookies, Almond Cookies with Jam, and Key Lime Truffles.