Product Review - Mad Mexican

Last post I talked about the Sol Cuisine burgers and the O'Doughs buns - both of which I've been eating all week, so they were definitely a huge hit!

Another company we learned about at the Gluten-Free Garage is one called Mad Mexican. They make tortilla chips and a variety of dips, such as salsa and guacamole.

Mr. Cee is a huge guacamole fan, so we bought a bag of tortilla chips and a tub of guac. I was impressed with how few ingredients each product had; it was all real food that was easily recognizable and also pronouncable. Always a good sign!

The tortilla chips had a very satisfying crunch to them. They were crispy, not overly salty (just enough to add a nice flavour) and though there were a bit thin, they were sturdy enough to survive dipping in the guac.

The guacamole was a fabulous colour - it looked really fresh, and I loved the consistency of it. Not too lumpy, not too runny; perfect for dipping and scooping. Usually my pet peeve about guac is that folks tend to go overboard with the cilantro, but I found Mad Mexican's guac to have a great balance to it. The cilantro flavour was there, but it wasn't overpowering; it blended very well with the other flavours. Again, with just a few natural ingredients, a fabulous flavour was produced. (Why do other companies need to put so much crap in their food? Is it really better to have 15 ingredients people can't pronounce?)

I wish we had've bought more bags of the tortilla chips, as we still have some guac left but nothing to dip. We've had to open a bag of "other" tortilla chips (which used to be my fave but I think just got bumped!) and it's just not the same.

Two big, gluten-free thumbs up to Mad Mexican!

As an aside: I got asked the other day why I'm focusing so much on gluten-free food, if this blog is supposed to be about Endo and endo-wellness. Aside from the fact that my endo has made gluten-free (and now dairy-free, and a few other things) living a necessity, I believe in the link between wellness and food. Didn't your mother tell you, "You are what you eat"? Following the Endo Diet and eating as cleanly as possible has helped me achieve better overall health, and has helped improved my Endo symptoms.

Additionally: Going gluten-free and/or following the Endo Diet can be really, really daunting. "What do you eat?" is something I get asked all the time. I've been there; it's not easy to get started. I focus so much on food because it's a huge part of our lives, it can play a huge role in our wellness, and it can be really intimidating to try to find products that taste good, meet the dietary requirements, and hopefully won't be too hard to find.

I won't always focus this much on food, but it's something I can't ever ignore. I hope at least some of you are finding the information useful. If not, keep checking back - eventually I'll get to other topics. ;)


With peace & joy,
Cher

Gluten-Free Garage, Plus 1 Review

I've been gluten-free for nearly 3 years now, and while I feel like I generally know what's what in the world of GF, I love learning about new products and new companies. This weekend, DF and I went to the Gluten Free Garage, which was a sort of food/product expo for gluten-free companies. I wish I had some pictures to post, but I was so busy talking to people and taking business cards that I forgot all about photos.

The Gluten-Free Garage was a whirlwind of activity. There were restaurants, bakeries, personal product companies, delivery companies...pretty much everything a person could think of, plus a few more.

We spent our time sampling items, talking with business owners, and yes, loading up on delicious products on our way out. We could have easily bought one of everything there - fortunately for our bank accounts, we didn't!

Over the next few days, I'm going to reviewing the products we bought this weekend. (We also bought some new products at a store this weekend, but that's another story for another day. It was quite the GF weekend!) Let's get the reviewing started! Today I will review the burgers we had for dinner last night, from a company called Sol Cuisine.

SOL CUISINE

Sol Cuisine makes vegan burgers and other meat-substitute products. Unfortunately, my attempts to get additional info from their website has failed spectacularly (it won't load at all), so I have to go by what I remember. Their products are free of gluten, and are also vegan - I'm 99% sure all their products are vegan, not just vegetarian, but if that's wrong, please leave a note in the comments! We bought their Chia Seed vegan burgers, and had them for dinner last night. I should note, these burgers are also free of soy, which fits beautifully with the rules of the Endo Diet. Score!

I will admit they looked a little funny - real meat burgers never have the perfect circle look to them, but meatless burgers always seem to. Since there's no meat, they cooked really quickly; we cooked them on the stove for about 4 minutes per side.

I topped my burger with spinach leaves, honey mustard, pickle slices and tomato slices. I wasn't sure what to expect from this fast-cooking, perfect-circle burger...but I was pleasantly, deliciously surprised.

This burger was fantastic! I really enjoyed the texture of the patty, and the chia seeds made me feel comfortably full. (I only ate half of it - the other half is waiting in the fridge for lunch time!)

If you're wondering about the bun - we bought O'Dough's seed buns yesterday too, which we've had before and really enjoyed. Like all GF bread, they can be a bit heavy - however, they  have a nice texture, similar to egg bread.

These made for a really nice dinner; I got to enjoy a burger without suffering afterwards AND it was really, really good. Everyone wins!

Sol Cuisine makes other products, including Black Bean burgers and also Falafels. I will definitely buy these again, if I can find them! (Too bad about their website though....)

Going Gluten-Free Part Three: Your GF Grocery List

Your first trip to the grocery store as a gluten-free person might seem a little daunting. So many items are labeled “gluten-free” these days; do you need them all? Do you need any of them?

One thing people complain about is the price of gluten-free food. Granola bars, for example, are (in my opinion) ridiculously priced. Bread and cereal also tend to cost a lot. Don’t bankrupt yourself to buy products that you really don’t necessarily need.

The other thing to consider is that gluten-free baked goods tend to be higher in fat, sugar, salt, and other bad stuff. This is because the companies still want their food to taste good, and most of us are used to things tasting a “certain way.” Because the flavour changes when the grain changes, they make up for it by slathering it in a bunch of bad-for-you ingredients.

So what do you buy? It depends on your eating habits, and it depends also on your budget. Here are some of my favourite grocery items. Yes, I will also be posting some of my favourite recipes. Cooking from scratch is the best, safest way to eat gluten-free. It’s also kinder to your wallet!  

Fresh fruit and vegetable produce is already good to go. Don’t get sucked into buying “gluten free apples” or “celiac-friendly potatoes.” (This is actually an illegal process, but I’ve seen it happen.) Grab all the fresh stuff you want, from avacados to zucchinis. Have at it.

Rice is safe, as long as it’s “regular” rice. Specialty side-kick products that come with flavourings/seasonings are probably not safe for you. White, brown, black, jasmine, basmati, etc – these are safe, and allow you to be creative.

Quinoa! I can’t say enough good things about quinoa. It’s easy to cook, it’s versatile, and though it’s a bit pricey, a little goes a LONG way. **Important** Not all quinoa is gluten-free. Quinoa itself does not contain gluten, but it can be cross-contaminated through processing and packaging. Not everyone bothers to buy the specifically gluten-free quinoa, but I do.

Raw, butchered meat is safe as long as it is plain – not seasoned, not processed. Because I’m currently not eating red meat and my fiance is cutting back on pork, my meat purchases are basically chicken and turkey, in many forms. (I LOVE to make shepherd’s pie with ground turkey. OMG!) Some deli meat companies have gluten-free products available, so if this appeals to you, check out both Piller’s and Maple Leaf Naturals. Piller’s dinner hams are also gluten-free.

There are lots of safe condiments you can buy; just read the labels first. Kraft salad dressings have everything labeled clearly, so you have a lot of options there. Kraft peanut butter is also safe. Billy Bee honey and honey mustard are safe. Regular yellow mustard is also usually safe, unless you’re buying a gourmet style. Bick’s relish and pickle products are safe, as are Unico olives.

Cooking oils (canola, vegetable, coconut, olive, balsamic, etc) are safe. Vinegar is safe EXCEPT FOR MALT VINEGAR. Pam cooking spray is safe if you stick to the regular; there are some flavoured ones that aren’t safe. Check the label first.

Que Pasa is my favourite brand of nacho chips. Regular ones are available at Metro, and Costco carries ones by the same company that are a bit thinner, lighter, and have even less salt. I like the Costco ones the best, but the regular ones are good too.

SummerFresh is a company that makes hummus and other types of dips. They will state on the lid if a product is gluten-free. They will also state if it’s vegetarian and/or lactose-free. (And they are super-delicious!)

Some of Chapman’s ice cream is gluten-free. Check the container for the label. A lot of their products are also peanut-free, if that’s a concern for you.

Udi’s gluten-free bread products are a nice treat. I don’t buy them all the time, because they’re not cheap. However, if you’re not ready to start baking your own bread, try some Udi’s. I heartily endorse their cinnamon raisin bread!

Canned fish can be a good option, as long as you’re careful about what you buy. Regular tuna and salmon is typically safe; however, some companies also offer flavour versions, which are sometimes not gluten-free.

Speaking of canned goods, I’m particularly fond of lentil/bean mixes. The 6-bean mix is my favourite, though red kidney beans come in a close second. Drain them and get creative! I like to add them salad, but they’re also great in soup, stews, or as a side dish on their own.

Going to the grocery store should be fun, not scary. You have a lot of homework to do, but try to find the fun instead of the stress. I will continue to post about gluten-free eating, so if you’d like me to address something specific, either email me (myendowellness@yahoo.ca) or post a comment below.

NEXT: Why you should make friends with your local bulk store!


With peace & joy,
Cher <3

Going Gluten-Free Part One: An Introduction

Introduction to Going Gluten-Free

Some Endo sufferers have found that removing gluten from their diets can help ease some of their symptoms. Other suffers have found that they have developed a serious intolerance to gluten, and therefore must go entirely gluten-free. While this isn’t a solution for everyone, depending on your symptoms and lifestyle, it might be worth your consideration.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and (due to issues of cross-production/contamination), often oats. It’s what gives bread, cakes, and other tasty baked goods that soft, chewy texture.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder; this is not the same thing as having a gluten intolerance, though many people who are gluten intolerant must be gluten-free to the same extent as someone with celiac disease.

Reasons to go gluten-free

You might find that avoiding gluten makes your day-to-day Endo symptoms more manageable. This may be because grains with gluten tend to be bloating; if you are already suffering with Endo symptoms, you don’t need to add to your troubles with extra bloating. Removing gluten may help ease the bloating sensation in your body.

You might be experiencing some intestinal issues. This is really common with Endo sufferers. I had to go entirely gluten-free because my Endo has disrupted my digestive system. After nearly 2 years of nausea, bloating, diarrhea, indigestion, and general overall malaise, cutting gluten from my diet (completely, 100%) was the first step toward feeling better. In as little as a week going gluten-free, I felt so much better. I couldn’t believe it!

Where is gluten found?

The short answer to this question is, “Everywhere!” When you have to avoid gluten, it seems like it’s everywhere you look. It’s hard to avoid, and reading labels can be really confusing. Let’s get started with the basics:

·         bread products (cereal, bread, cakes, pastries, muffins, etc)

·         seasonings (“spices” can only contain actual spices; “seasonings” can have all kinds of things)

·         chocolate (some companies put barley in their mixes; other chocolate may have wheat for filler and/or rye in additives)

·         meat (watch out for fillers!)

·         salad dressings

·         dairy products (yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese – be especially carefully with anything less than full fat)

·         snack food (ice cream, chips, pre-made popcorn, etc)

·         specialty rice (regular rice is naturally gluten-free, but anything with fancy seasonings, flavourings is definitely suspect)

These are just a few areas to watch out for.  Read the labels, every time. If the labels aren’t clear enough, check online and/or call the product customer service line.

What can I eat?

When you start living a gluten-free life, it can feel like there’s nothing you can eat. Don’t get depressed; it’s not as bad as it seems. Really, by removing gluten-free food from your diet, you’re automatically cutting out a lot of junk food – that’s a totally silver lining! (Note: it doesn’t count as a silver lining if you just start eating GF junk food!)

Here are some things that are already gluten-free, to get you started. I will be posting later in more detail, but to get started:

·         fruit

·         vegetables

·         regular rice (white, brown, long-grain, short-grain, jasmin, basmati, etc)

·         meat (unseasoned/unbreaded/unprocessed)

·         cheese (fancy gourmet cheese might be an exception, so read carefully. Bleu cheese is a bit controversial – I stay away from it, personally)

·         condiments (malt vinegar, worchestershire sauce, soy sauce, bbq sauce, marinades)

Here are some brands that are either gluten-free, or have excellent, clear label policies (*note: this is for Canada only! If you’re not in Canada, make sure you get valid information for your region):

·         Kraft (If it’s not on the label, it’s not in the product)

·         Club House (If it’s not on the label, it’s not in the product)

·         Unilever (If it’s not on the label, it’s not in the product)

·         El Paso (part of the Unilever corporation)

·         Kettle Brand chips (check for “gluten-free” on the back of the bag)

·         Chapman’s ice cream (check for “gluten-free” on the package/tub)

·         Udi’s (gluten-free products)

·         Kinnickinnick (gluten-free products)

·         Que Pasa (gluten-free products)

Products are always changing, so check EVERY time.

Next: Overhauling your kitchen & cupboards!

With peace & joy,
Cher

The Endo Diet

I’ve been following the Endo Diet for about a month now. Truthfully, I was following it “sort of” for a while before that, but now I have committed to it seriously. Should you try the Endo Diet? There are issues to consider before making this decision. First, let’s take a look at what the Endo Diet is.

There are some different versions floating around out there, but this is what is working for me:

·         No gluten (I’ve been gluten-free nearly 3 years, due to a severe intolerance)

·         No dairy

·         No red meat

·         No soy

·         No caffeine

·         Reduced refined sugar

·         Reduced alcohol

·         Reduced poultry/pork

·         Reduced heavy carbs

·         Increased protein (eggs, nuts, fish)

·         Increased fiber (flax seeds, hemp hearts – more on that later)

·         Increased water

Personally, I have found this to be very helpful so far. It’s too soon to say if it’s “working” or not, but I do feel a lot better. Before following this diet, I was having a lot of upper GI and uppper left rib pain. Often, after eating, I would have pain, nausea, vomiting, and bowel pain. It got so bad that I ended up in the ER, thinking my organs were exploding. That experience scared me into re-evaluating the connection between what I eat and how I feel.

For the last week, I’ve been on really aggressive twice-daily antibiotics. They have been very hard on my stomach, and I haven’t been able to follow the diet as closely as I should. I’ve had to carb load, and haven’t been able to stomach some of my usual fruit and veg. As a result, this morning I noticed the upper GI pain and rib cage pain starting to creep back. It could be coincidence, given how random Endo pain can be, but I think there’s more to it than that.

So should you try the Endo Diet? I can’t answer that for you, but if you’re having digestive issues, it may be something to consider. As always, be sure to carefully document changes you’re making in your treatment so you can track your results effectively.


With peace & joy,
Cher