Gluten-Free Food Detector

Science is really starting to help the way people are eating.

Between the nutritional information, the research behind diseases and what you eat, and now a food detector that can detect if gluten is in the food, technology is starting to make living a little easier.

A post that my brother shared with me is that a new device will be coming out hopefully within the next year that can read the food you are eating. For me, this could really be a life saver since a lot of food has hidden ingredients.

For example, just this past weekend I was eating a delicious gluten-free sandwich that was topped with pesto, chicken, and cheese, and my mouth started to tingle. I knew I was having an allergic to reaction to something, but what? Turns out that some pesto can be made with nuts, including walnuts… that I happen to be allergic to. Just my luck. Maybe one day there will be a food scanner, or menu at restaurants that labels every single thing made in each meal.

With all the different allergies that people have – soy, milk, gluten, nuts, etc. – it would make eating out a more enjoyable experience. For me, I know it will be much easier to make a decision about what to eat the next time I go out. I know it will be on my Christmas list the second it hits the market.

But don’t just hear it from me, read this article about this amazing new product. It will truly change the way celiac and gluten intolerant people will eat out!

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-15305/finally-a-gadget-that-tests-food-for-gluten.html 

Tea is the Bee’s Knees

With all the stress and lack of sleep I have been getting, I think my immune system is starting to crash on me. After leaving work a little early to come home and take a nap, I also made some of my favorite organic tea. It is especially made to soothe sore throats, so I have made one cup so far, but it says I can have up to 4-6 cups daily. Drinking tea daily is a must. 

Catching up on my sleep and taking care of my health are my priorities for the day.

As I was checking up on my other social media sites, I came across a link that says if you take out gluten from your diet (if a doctor recommends it) that there is also another list that may need to be checked twice to make sure there is not any cross-reactivity. The article basically says that when you digest this list of food, your body may think that it is a form of gluten, so it may cause you to feel sick. It recommends taking it out of your diet for two months! While I am sick, I am definitely going to take these in to consideration to make sure my body is functioning how it is suppose to.

Below is the link and list of foods to keep an eye out for if your body is not feeling 100%. If you have any stomach aches, headaches, etc. maybe consider eating one of these foods less often and see if it helps!

Amaranth, Buckwheat, Chocolate, Coffee, Corn, Dairy ie Milk and Cheese (Alpha-Casein, Beta-Casein, Casomorphin, Butyrophilin, Whey Protein) Egg, Hemp, Millet, Oats, Polish wheat, Potato, Rice, Sesame, Sorghum, Soy, Tapioca, Teff and Yeast. 

http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/11785-19-foods-that-cross-react-with-gluten.html

-the typical health nut

Stressed Spelled Backwards is Desserts!

Being in college is very time consuming.

For most, it does not just end with 5 classes a semester.. it goes above and beyond to include athletics, jobs, internships, clubs, organizations, greek life, etc.

For me, I have 6 classes this semester, work on campus 12 hours a week, have an internship 45 minutes away, 10 hours a week, vice president of public relations for my business fraternity, a member of COBE ambassadors, and try and stay sane by working out as much as I can.

If you could imagine, I get stressed on a daily basis trying to complete everything I have to do! I try and work out as much as possible and that keeps me going and puts me in a great mood. However, when you have events, tests, papers, and meetings for all of the above, it is very hard to fit in 8 hours of sleep at night, let alone 1 hour for working out. This week I was able to de-stress and go on a 6 mile walk with my best friend and her dog, and this was great exercise and therapy at the same time!

Unfortunately, I was only able to get a work out during 2 of the 5 busy days during the school week. When I am stressed AND cannot work out, I get even more stressed! The only thing I want at this point is something sweet. Chocolate is my weakness. So, luckily for my readers I have included a healthy, gluten free recipe that will satisfy that sweet tooth and keep your bikini body in check!

Homemade Cinnamon Raisin Granola Bars:

You will need –

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons corn syrup

2 1/3 cups quick-cooking oats

1 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and low sugar craisen/raisins

Directions: Grease an 8×8 pan. In the pan, combine the butter, brown sugar, honey and corn syrup. Stir constantly over medium heat until butter melts, sugar dissolves and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and add oats. Stir well until oats are well coated. Spread mixture into 8×8 pan. Bake at 350 for 22 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes and cut into bars. Cool for about 1 hour and then remove from pan.

This recipe is a little high in sugar, but if you watch the ingredients you add or find substitutes then it could be reduced. However, it is one of my favorite recipes and when warm, it hits the spot! Besides, everyone knows that stressed spelled backwards is desserts, so why not eat desserts to calm the stress?!

-the typical health nut

Getting Started

I have never written a blog before, so bare with me as I am forced to do this for a class. We were asked to choose a topic that is a passion of ours that we can blog about for about 14 weeks. I chose to blog about how to experience college the healthy and right way. 

Let’s start with the background about me. I am from Ohio and now attend college in Virginia. The mountains and water were so beautiful to me, and with all the trails that you can explore, it makes it 10x easier to want to be active outside. Running, lifting, bike riding, wake boarding, walking, snowboarding, yoga, you name it. I love being active and enjoying the sunshine outside.

Unfortunately, I have a very busy schedule since I am a full time student in college. I think I am finally mastering time management though and would love to share tips that have helped me out. I know even my mom and my teachers complain about not having time to be active with a full time job, so I know my tricks could help out all ages! 

I am also allergic to gluten. Woohoo, that means no cookies, cakes, bread, pizza, pasta, etc. Hardest lifestyle change I have had to experience in my entire life. Two years ago, I found this out and I am finally getting good at cooking new recipes and staying strong about not sneaking a cookie or anything. (I plan on including some recipes for my readers to try out that are simple and easy to make!)

Stay tuned for next week when I start sharing my knowledge and posting about new workouts, recipes, and advice on how to manage your crazy life but look great doing it!

 

-the typical college health nut