Chefs and “foodies” consider many factors when creating their culinary art. Making food look and taste fabulous does take some effort, after all. Well, individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance need to add another variable: keep all those delicacies gluten-free!

However, you’ll be rewarded for your diligent efforts, as a completely gluten-free diet usually results in a healed intestine and reversal of symptoms in a matter of months—an astounding relief that more than makes up for the inconvenience of changing your diet!

And gluten-free cooking is easier than you think. With a few minor adjustments, you’ll have a scrumptious portfolio of delicious, safe meals your whole family will love. Learn how to prepare your kitchen for safe and successful gluten-free cooking with these tips:

Get clear on safe grains and flours

A primary component of gluten-free cooking is learning how to substitute gluten-free grains for wheat, barley and rye, among others─in all of their various forms. This Gluten-Free Starch and Flour Glossary will help you determine which flours you can safely use in cooking and baking: http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/od/glutenfreeingredients/tp/20-Gluten-Free-Flours.htm

Collect some great recipes

Do you think you’re limited by eating gluten-free? Well, how do churros, humming bird cake with cream cheese icing, chocolate chip peanut butter cookies, and spaghetti carbonara sound? Or maybe buttermilk drop biscuits and crunchy pizza crust with all your favorite healthy toppings hit the mark? Get these recipes and many more here: http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=glutenfreecooking&cdn=food&tm=14&f=21&su=p284.13.342.ip_p830.11.342.ip_&tt=3&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.gluten.net/

Stock your pantry safely

When you’re working with fresh whole foods, like lean meats, poultry, seafood, fruit and non-starchy vegetables, it’s fairly simple. But most cooks rely on a few items in packages, cans, and jars, so reading labels is essential. Thanks to the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, the presence of gluten must now be itemized on American food labels. Labels must also indicate if the food is prepared on equipment that is used to process wheat.

Prevent cross-contamination

This may seem cumbersome, but it’s well worth the effort. Designate one area in your kitchen for storing your gluten-free cooking ingredients. Refrigerate or freeze whole grain gluten-free flours in labeled, sealed containers. Make sure your food prep surfaces, utensils, mixer and pans are free of gluten residue. Buy a new toaster and use it only for gluten-free toasting. For additional tips on preventing cross contamination, visit: http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/cookingglutenfree/a/crosscontaminat.htm

Obviously, cutting out gluten is a major lifestyle change, but once you get in the groove with a series of menus you like, you can rest easy─exploring further when you’re ready. As the French say, bon santé!

If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, you probably go to great lengths to avoid gluten in your diet. Should you also avoid personal care products that contain this ingredient? Maybe so, when you consider that up to 60% of what you apply to your skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

If you don’t eat gluten, why let it seep into your body topically? The cosmetic industry assumes the position that gluten molecules are too large to be absorbed through the skin, therefore people with celiac disease can safely use their gluten-containing products. However, many doctors disagree.

Kenneth Fine, M.D. of EnteroLab.com states that: “Gluten sensitivity is a systemic immune reaction to gluten anywhere in the body, not just that entering the body via the gut. Therefore, topically applied lotions, creams, shampoos, etc. containing gluten would indeed provide a source of gluten to the body, and we therefore recommend all such products be discontinued for optimal health.”

Personal care products pose a challenge, however, as most labels don’t include the term gluten in the ingredient list, though many ingredients are derived from wheat, including:

• Tocopherols and mixed tocopherols
• Fermented grain extract
• Amp-isostearoyl hydrolyzed wheat protein
• Hydrolyzed wheat gluten
• PG-Propyl Silanetriol
• Amino Acids Hydroxypropyltrimonium
• Steardimonium Hydroxypropyl Protein/PVP Crosspolymer
• Triticum Vulgare
• Bran Extract
• PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Triticum Lipids
• Germamidopropyldimonium Hydroxypropyl
• Cyclodextrin
• Dextrin Palmitate
• Stearyldimoniumhydroxypropyl

The following brands─available in high-end natural food stores and/or on-line─offer many gluten-free soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and cosmetics. They’re also free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, parabens, phthalates, and other unhealthy chemical additives:

• Joelle Cosmetics─These luscious products are gluten-free and very affordable
• Ecco-Bella Cosmetics─These cosmetics, hair and body care products are beautifully effective, well priced, vegan, and gluten-free
• Afterglow Cosmetics─All items are gluten free and high-quality, if a tad pricey
• Tropical Traditions─Soaps, lotions, and lip balms are all gluten-free, with many fragrance-free as well
• Aubrey Organics─You’ll find a long list of safe, effective, natural products here

How about sunscreens that contain neither gluten nor unhealthy chemicals? Your best bets─also available in high-end natural food stores or on-line─include these brands:

• Nature’s Gate
• Badger
• California Baby
• Lavera
• Desert Essence

These tips should help you navigate through your beauty routine happily gluten-free!

If you’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease─or have a sensitivity to gluten─you’re probably making a concerted effort to avoid this ingredient. The problem is, gluten often lurks where you least expect it! If you want to root it out for good, you need to look beyond the obvious suspects. You might be surprised to learn that the following 5 items often harbor gluten:

Food additives

Gluten is used as a thickener, emulsifier, and/or stabilizer in many snack foods, canned goods, frozen entrées, prepared meals, condiments, herb/spice mixes, and more. Carefully scan food labels for terms like starch, hydrolyzed plant protein, emulsifiers, and stabilizers. And beware of the phrase “natural flavors” which is a catch-all ingredient that may include gluten and other additives, even MSG.

Soy sauce

Did you know that almost all soy sauce contains wheat—often as the number one ingredient? Fortunately, you can still enjoy this fabulous seasoning by seeking out wheat-free versions, or even better, choosing tamari, which is traditionally brewed Japanese soy sauce without wheat. Play it safe with San-J tamari, which is delicious and gluten-free certified.

Gourmet meats

While meat, poultry and fish pre-prepared with flavorful sauces can be appealing, they may contain gluten among their spice-mix ingredients or other additives. Also, be careful with sausage products, in which meat is blended with seasonings—and other fillers, like starch—then stuffed into casings. Unless prepared meats are labeled gluten-free, it’s best to avoid them.

Soups of all types

Many prepared soups start with gluten-containing bouillon, though it may fall under the ingredient “natural flavors.” Cream-based canned soups can also trip you up, as they typically get their silky texture from wheat starch as opposed to actual cream. Fortunately, higher-end boxed soups are often labeled gluten-free. Better yet, why not make your own? http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/01/gluten-free-chili-soup-stew-recipes.html

Ice cream

Now, how could ice cream contain gluten? Well, most commercial ice cream and other frozen desserts are often highly processed, with gluten sneaking in as a thickening agent. And of course, certain brands offer flavors that involve cookies, brownies, or pie—all of which typically contain wheat. Learn about safe options here: http://www.livestrong.com/article/238063-what-brands-of-ice-cream-are-gluten-free/

While avoiding hidden gluten takes ongoing awareness, it’s worth it. Your vigilance will pay off with many happy—and safe—meals to come.

Be open to different results

The baked goods most of us have grown up with are typically made from wheat. Gluten acts as a leavening agent, creating a light structure in dough. Therefore, some gluten-free baked goods may have a slightly different texture than conventional versions, but they can still be terrific!

Embrace new flours

Once you delete the gluten, you enter a new world of flours. Gluten-free alternatives include tasty, nutrient-dense flours made from amaranth, beans, corn, millet, nuts, oats, potatoes, quinoa, rice and more. This comprehensive glossary may be useful: http://glutenfreecooking.about.com/od/glutenfreeingredients/tp/20-Gluten-Free-Flours.htm

Understand binding agents

Since gluten helps to hold baked goods together, incorporating an alternative binding agent can net you successful results. These include agar-agar, gelatin, ground flaxseeds, guar gum, and pectin, as well as eggs. Learn more about these and other binding agents, and how they work best in baking: http://www.myrealfoodlife.com/part-2-how-to-substitute-eggs-and-binding-agents/

Source some good gluten-free cookbooks

Gluten-free cookbooks are invaluable for this kind of baking. Start with your local library and review your options before you buy. Then, “go green” and purchase used from amazon.com─or your local used bookstore. Meanwhile, for great recipes, check out: http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/howtocook/primers/glutenfreerecipes_intro

Enjoy the ease of mixes

If you’re determined to bake from scratch, bravo. But in many cases, mixes are both easy and delicious. Great for busy families! Check out Bob’s Red Mill for healthy, gluten-free mixes for bread, biscuits, pancakes, muffins, cakes, and cookies. You’ll find these mixes in natural foods stores, or visit: http://www.bobsredmill.com/gluten-free/

Clearly, gluten-free baking is a manageable challenge and can even be a fun one. It’s also a great way to teach kids about healthy eating. Ideally, these tips will help you enjoy the foods you love, happily and safely.

While CD patients generally have control over their meals at home, dining out can pose a unique challenge, since restaurants don’t typically disclose all the ingredients they use. A Columbia University study noted that 86% of CD patients found dining out to be a negative experience. But it doesn’t have to be! These tips can help you enjoy restaurants safely:

Select strategically

Did you know there are free, CD-friendly restaurant directories? These include a national gluten free registry: http://www.glutenfreeregistry.com/ as well as one of the world’s largest on-line databases for CD-friendly restaurants, pizzerias, bakeries, hotels, and more─around the corner and across the globe: http://www.glutenfreeonthego.com/

Don’t arrive famished

Hunger is such a basic need that it can cloud our judgment. When you arrive at a new restaurant, it’s a good idea to start with a salad or veggie plate with a simple olive oil and lemon dressing to take the edge off your appetite while you get a sense of which entrées might work for you.

Be assertive

Once you let your server know about your dining needs, they can take care of you. Simply state that you have food allergies and need to know how your entrée is prepared. If staff is uncooperative, politely ask for the manager. They will typically do all they can to accommodate you.

Select with care

You can often spot “red-flag” fare right away, like dishes with batter, coatings or heavy sauces. Simply prepared foods are safest, though even seasonings should be questioned. Tell your server that due to a serious allergy, you need to avoid anything made with flour, bread crumbs, or soy sauce.

Never assume

Be careful about assuming a dish is gluten-free, as it’s a sneaky ingredient, often popping up where you least expect it. Omelets may contain pancake batter, baked potatoes can be coated with flour to make the skins crispy, etc. Ask whether salad dressings, soups, marinades and sauces are made on site, and what they consist of.

Be flexible

If you’re having any trouble, you can often play it safe with grilled meat, fish or poultry served with steamed veggies. While it may seem basic, this is a healthy, nourishing, safe meal, which beats potentially dangerous “gourmet” any day.

It may take some effort to dine out safely, but you deserve the option. Once you “train” a few establishments, your path will be much easier. Bon appétit!

CD is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages when they consume gluten─a protein found in grains like wheat, rye or barley, as well as many other foods and condiments.

When these individuals consume gluten, an immune reaction is triggered in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in the destruction of villi─tiny, finger-like projections found in the small intestine that absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat.

Along with impaired nutrient absorption, CD patients may experience vomiting, abdominal discomfort, stomach upset, weight loss or changes in bowel movements. Over time, more problems appear due to an ongoing loss of essential vitamins and minerals. Complications may also include lactose intolerance, changes in bone strength and density, and even an increased risk of cancer.

As we’ve learned, diagnosis can be difficult, as symptoms vary among sufferers. However, if CD is suspected, blood tests for specific antibodies can shed some light on the situation. If the tests are positive, a cell sample is taken from the small intestine, which may show impaired villi.

While there is presently no cure for CD, those afflicted can manage it with a gluten free diet. Many doctors are amazed to see how quickly patients improve once gluten is removed from their daily fare. In fact, a mere two to three days is enough to facilitate the healing of CD-related intestinal damage.

Nonetheless, CD is a lifelong condition, which can quickly reappear when triggered by gluten. On a positive note, a clear diagnosis is the hardest part. Once you “know the enemy,” you know what to do─avoid gluten wherever it lurks! Be prepared to be vigilant, however, as gluten is found in a host of foods, sauces, dressings, and condiments.

Fortunately, many companies offer gluten-free alternatives─from salad dressings, to waffles, to soy sauce, and much more. In fact, some natural food stores have entire gluten-free sections! Stay tuned for more information on living healthy with CD.

What many people don’t consider, however, is that green living is not just about helping the environment around us. While an eco-friendly lifestyle helps the planet at large, many of the green choices you make have a tremendous impact on your personal health as well. Check out these tips, which measurably benefit both you and the earth:

Get an organic strategy

By eating organic we help the earth, since chemical pesticides and insecticides damage ecosystems. Organic farms also remove more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than conventional farms, thereby reducing global warming. But closer to home, you and your family benefit too─especially when you go organic strategically by targeting the “Dirty Dozen”: the 12 most pesticide-laden produce items. This is crucial, as many of us consume these foods daily, such as apples, red bell peppers, grapes, and celery. Get the full list here.

Embrace healthy home cleaning

In a ground-breaking initiative to uncover the truth about toxic chemicals in common household products, the Environmental Working Group has unearthed compelling evidence that hundreds of cleaners─even some of those hyped as “green” or “natural”─can inflict serious harm on unwary users. Many present severe risks to children who may ingest or spill them, or breathe their fumes. Check out the worst offenders here. Fortunately, safe cleaning products abound, with brands like Method, Ecover, Seventh Generation, Meyers, Method, and more.

Re-think personal care

Contrary to popular belief, the multi-billion dollar beauty industry is largely unregulated, meaning that numerous chemicals in cosmetics and personal-care products are untested. Many brands contain potential carcinogens, as well as ingredients that can disrupt and mimic reproductive actions in both humans and animals. Play it safe with beautifully effective, natural options like Kiss My Face, Nature’s Gate, Aubrey Organics, Dr. Bronner’s, Weleda, Burt’s Bee’s, and Jason Naturals, among others.

Green your laundry

Did you know that most commercial laundry detergents contain toxic chemicals that eventually drain out into the ocean, endangering many forms of sea life? You are also affected, as these same toxins are absorbed into your body through the skin. One such chemical─a probable carcinogen according to the Environmental Protection Agency─is ‎1,4 dioxane, which is banned in many countries. Opt instead for green brands like Method, Ecos, and Seventh Generation, and skip those chemical-laden dryer sheets as well.
Each of these is a significant step in terms of the health benefits they yield, both for you and our irreplaceable environment. While we can’t eliminate all forms of pollution from our daily lives, why not take action where we can? Future generations may well thank you─including your own.

Trees clean our air

Trees are like the lungs of the planet. They breathe in carbon dioxide─one of the major contributors to global warming─and breathe out oxygen, improving the quality of our precious air. Mature trees can absorb roughly 48 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. According to ColoradoTree.org, about 800 million tons of carbon are stored in the trees that comprise the urban forests of the United States.

Trees reduce energy costs

If you have trees shading your home, you’ll enjoy cooler, more comfortable summers. The Arbor Day Foundation notes that the overall effect of the shade created by just one healthy tree is equivalent to multiple air conditioners running daily. In the winter, trees can act as windbreaks for your home, minimizing heating costs by up to 25%, according to the Journal of Horticulture. That’s easy on the planet and your wallet!

Trees improve urban areas

One study found that in New York City, a 10% increase in trees translated to a reduction of ozone levels by around 4 parts per billion. Trees also absorb sound and reduce noise pollution, which is especially important for people who live near freeways. According to the New Jersey Forest Service, trees can reduce noise pollution by up to 10 decibels. And because trees shade asphalt, they reduce the urban “Heat Island” effect.

Trees make us feel good

Just being around trees is uplifting. Can you imagine living without them? The addition of trees to communities does more than increase property values. They also improve the mental and physical health of residents and workers. For example, research from the University of Cambridge reveals that employees with a view of trees from their offices suffer from fewer diseases than workers who don’t see trees.

Trees are healthy for kids

Many children enjoy being in nature. Trees can even help children with learning disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). One study entitled “Coping with ADHD: The Surprising Connection to Green Play Settings, Environment, and Behavior” found that kids with ADHD are more calm, responsive, and better able to concentrate when they’re among trees, plants and flowers.

And these are only a few of the benefits our majestic trees provide! To learn more about celebrating Arbor Day, educating kids about trees, or having them planted in celebration or memory for loved ones, visit http://www.arborday.org

As you may know, the Rainforest Alliance is a non-profit organization that has long worked to prevent deforestation, conserve natural areas, and protect vital ecosystem services. They also provide communities and businesses with economically sustainable alternatives to forest destruction, which is where Rainforest Alliance certified products come in.

While many businesses claim their products are sustainable, how do consumers really know? Increasingly, they are demanding an independent, third-party seal of approval. The little green frog depicted on the Rainforest Alliance certification logo is recognizable by consumers around the world as the symbol of environmental, social and economic sustainability.

So how can you find Rainforest Alliance Certified™ products? Great question! Simply look for that little green frog on products such as:

• Banacol – bananas
• Bristot – coffee
• Chiquita – bananas
• Epicurean Cutting Surfaces – kitchenware
• Gloria Jean’s – coffee
• Lavazza Tierra – coffee
• Lipton – tea
• Tassimo – coffee
• Côte d’Or – chocolate
• The Republic of Tea – tea

The Rainforest Alliance is pleased to announce the launch of Shop the Frog, a new, easy-to-navigate, consumer directory of Rainforest Alliance Certified™ products available around the world. In addition to helping conscientious consumers locate sustainably produced goods that support a healthy environment and fair conditions for workers, families and communities, this new database will also increase exposure of the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal, enabling companies that offer certified products to expand their market reach.

Exclusively featuring Rainforest Alliance Certified products, Shop the Frog features more than 300 brand names, retail locations, and online stores. Consumers can search by country, product category, and product type. Search results link to individual company profile pages that feature the company’s logo, website, a list of their certified products, countries where the products are sold, and if available, a link to the company’s store locator page/online store.

We as consumers can use our dollars to advocate for nature simply by seeking out Rainforest Alliance certified products. By Shopping the Frog, you can help shape a more sustainable future in which workers are treated with respect, climate change is curbed, soils, waterways and wildlife are protected, and sustainability is the norm. What a vision! Learn more at the Rainforest Alliance website.

One of the great WWF concerns presently is the plight of tigers, which are highly endangered. Just how serious is the problem? Well, a century ago there were 100,000 tigers roaming the forests, swamps, and tundra of Asia. Today, there are as few as 3,200 left in the wild. In fact, only 7% of historic tiger habitat still contains tigers. If things continue at this rate, wild tigers will be extinct in just a few decades!

Sadly, consumer demand for tiger parts poses the largest threat to tiger survival. Tigers are being hunted to extinction by poachers for their skins, bones, teeth and claws, which have been highly valued for their use in traditional Asian medicine for more than 1000 years, as well as numerous folk remedies/products. In 1993 the Chinese government banned the trade and use of tiger parts, but cultural belief in the power of tiger parts remains.

Would you believe that parts from a single tiger can fetch as much as $50,000 on the black market? This makes the poaching of these magnificent creatures very alluring to criminal networks. So, who poses the greatest threat to the existence of this noble cat?

Sadly, it’s a question of multiple culprits, including:

Consumers of tiger products:

A growing, wealthy population, primarily Asian, that buys tiger products for their purported healing powers and as status symbols.

Poachers and Crime Syndicates:

The ruthless and well-organized crime syndicates that fuel the poaching of wild tigers and selling of their parts.

Tiger Farm Operators:

The commercial breeders of captive tigers who raise them for their parts and feed the demand for tiger products.

Governments:

Governments that fail to uphold laws against illegal trafficking of tigers and other species, as well as those that lack the resources/political will to create tiger sanctuaries or provide adequate protection of existing parklands.

Corporations:

Large corporations that are responsible for massive and indiscriminate deforestation of prime tiger habitat.

Consumers Worldwide:

Everyday citizens who unknowingly purchase a wide variety of paper, timber, palm oil and coffee products provided by corporations who refuse to use natural resources sustainably.

As bleak as all this sounds, we can save wild tigers. WWF has set a bold goal: to double the number of tigers in the wild by 2022, when the next Year of the Tiger is celebrated. A major step is to protect key landscapes where the big cats have the best chance of surviving and increasing over the long-term. Five decades of conservation experience has shown WWF that given enough space, prey and protection, tigers can recover.

By saving tigers, we also preserve the biologically rich, diverse landscapes where they roam—Asia’s last great rain forests, jungles and wild lands—which are home to thousands of other species, people, food and freshwater that local communities need to survive. The call to action is clear. Learn more at http://www.worldwildlife.org/home-full.html