Where Can I Get Tested Again?

Well we are well on our way to a gorgeous Colorado summer. One thing that I love about summer is going to the pool, laying out all day, and barbecuing a nice easy dinner of protein and veggies. It is quick and easy, whether we are having guests or it’s just the four of us. However, in my “pre-gluten-free days” one of the problems with this sunny picture is that I always had a bloated stomach. Not only did I feel uncomfortable laying out by the pool in my bathing suit, but I really never felt like eating dinner, because as little as I might have eaten that day, I still would feel like I had eaten the entire contents of the refrigerator.

Thank god for my daughter, who convinced me that if she is intolerant to gluten, I may be intolerant too. And I am also grateful for Enterolab, the on-line laboratory who processed my results and forced me to put down ‘the gluten’ for life. I will never have another miserable summer again! Even at five months pregnant, I still feel comfortable and healthy! EnteroLab is a registered and fully accredited clinical laboratory specializing in the analysis of intestinal specimens for food sensitivities (reactions by the immune system to common proteins in the diet) that cause a variety of symptoms and diseases.

Since I wrote about this lab in an article in January, I have gained many more readers and supporters and I have even had people inquiring about getting the tests done on themselves or their loved ones. And while I am “recapping” midyear, I would like to publish the information about symptoms that may be associated with gluten sensitivities or Celiac disease.

However, some patients, like my older daughter remain asymptomatic for years, which explains the fact that, as I said earlier, only 3% of the population of celiacs are diagnosed. Here is a list of symptoms from “The G Free Diet: A Gluten Free Survival Guide” by Elisabeth Hasselbeck that I would highly recommend purchasing if you are interested in a Gluten-Free Lifestyle. Although the presence of any of these symptoms could have multiple implications, it is easy enough to check out with your doctor.

*Abdominal pain and discomfort
*Anemia and Vitamin K deficiencies
*Constipation or Diarrhea
*Delayed puberty
*Loss of menstrual periods
*Reproductive problems, including infertility or multiple miscarriages
*Discolored teeth or loss of dental enamel
*Distension or Gas
*Excessive weight loss or weight gain
*Muscle cramps or fatigue
*Headaches or Migraines
*Joint or bone pain
*Skin rashes and itchiness
*Sores inside the mouth
*Stunted growth in children
*Tingling or numbness in legs

This week’s recipe.

When I was a kid, I have vivid memories of making s’mores with my neighbors. We had these metal utensils with a fork on the end where the marshmallow would go and we would take our marshmallows and put them right up against those hot charcoals. Slip the marshmallow between two graham crackers and a half a chocolate bar and you might as well just be in heaven. Well, clearly we needed to be very creative in our house to make a “Velick-friendly” s’more. But between camp and barbecues and late night fire pits in the cul de sac, we were desperate. Luckily, Outside of the Breadbox, a company that I have mentioned previously, based outside of Colorado Springs, makes an amazing gluten-free graham cracker. In fact, I just used them last month to make my Shavuot Cheese cake recipe (May 12, 2010). And since we cannot eat chocolate, we choose to spread some peanut butter or caramel on thick and then add the toasted marshmallow… gluten-free, thank g-d, on top! Well, there you have it! There are obviously many combinations and variations of this recipe that will work with your family, and their allergies and taste buds. Good luck and Happy BBQing!

Velick S’mores

2 Gluten Free Outside of the Breadbox Graham Crackers
2 T Organic Natural Peanut Butter or Caramel
1 toasted Kraft Marshmallow
Put together and indulge 