FDA GF Labeling Laws

The FDA is expected to announce on Tuesday that it has modified its plan to conduct an experimental study about gluten-free labeling of food products.

The Gluten-Free Labeling of Food Products Experimental Study will collect information from consumers who have celiac disease or gluten intolerance and individuals who do not have either condition.

According to the FDA:

"The purpose of the study is to gauge perceptions of characteristics related to claims of gluten-free and allowed variants (e.g., free of gluten, without gluten, no gluten), in addition to other types of statements (e.g., made in a gluten-free facility or not made in a facility that processes gluten containing foods) on the food label. The study will also assess consumer understanding of gluten-free claims on foods that are naturally free of gluten, and gauge consumer reaction to a product carrying a gluten claim concurrently with a statement about the amount of gluten the product contains."

You may recall that in March, the agency published a notice announcing its intent to conduct a study of significant interest to those with celiac disease. The notice, which is required when the federal government wants to collect information for research purposes, stated that the FDA is "planning to conduct an experimental study about gluten-free labeling of food products." (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-4766.pdf)

Based on the comments received in March the FDA revised how it would gather the data for the experimental study. The new approach will ensure that a much larger and more diverse group of individuals with and without celiac disease will have the opportunity to share their views about gluten-free labeling on food products.

Without question this information will be helpful to the FDA. However, with the final GF labeling rule now over a year past due, let's hope this does not cause even further delay.

The Question of the Year!

I received an email from Emily that asked me, "If you could only view one raw food website for the rest of your life, be it blog or not, which would you choose?"

That's SO EASY.....it would be Julies Raw Ambition. It is one of the first sites I found when I was searching raw foods and even though some of her recipes are challenging for newcomers, if you take you time and just follow it, everything always turns out fabulous....so fabulous you could serve these dishes to friends and they would be SO SURPRISED that they are raw AND by your culinary talents!!!

I found her site when searching autoimmune diseases and raw foods (she has healed her Crones Disease with Raw Foods) and to say I as inspired is an understatement.

My most favorite dish of her is the Zucchini Cannelloni with Marsala Mushrooms, Leeks, Rawcotta & Tarragon Marinara. OUTSTANDING! I removed the wine and used water with a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar for the marinade because I do not cook with or drink alcohol. Believe me, you'll never miss it.....

Hippocrates Institute

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

STRAWBERRY BANANA SMOOTHIE

5 frozen strawberries
1 banana
1 scoop Amazing Grass SuperFoods (berry flavor)
1 squirt of agave
1 cup almond milk or water (depending on the texture you want)

Blend and enjoy! This my afternoon pick me up (instead of the espresso I use to have).

RAW Vegan Fudge

So the one thing I truly miss at the holiday's is my cousins fudge. She makes peanut butter and chocolate and since my dairy allergy I can no longer have any. Bummer....

SO I decided that this year would be different and I would have my own tradition with my own chocolate fudge. I browsed the Internet for recipes and came up with my own concoction that turned out to be more fabulous than I imagined!

RAW VEGAN FUDGE

1 cup walnuts (not soaked)
1 cup medjool dates (pitted, not soaked)
1/4 cup cacao powder (fine)
1/4 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp blue agave

Put everything but the agave in your food processor and process until it starts to look like a big ball of dough. Taste and see if it needs to be sweeter, if so add the agave and pulse a few more times until it looks like fudge!

Spread out in a small pan (or plastic container) and put in fridge for 30 minutes (so its not so sticky and easier to cut), take out and cut up in squares to serve!

Unfortunately it was SO good I didn't think to take a picture before I ate it all!! The recipe is a small amount (for my testing purposes) but I plan to multiply it by 4 and put in a large pan to have on hand for the holidays!

Sweet Dark Cherry Sorbet

1/2 cup water
2 cups frozen black cherries
1 tbsp blue agave

Blend together and pour into a container. Freeze for 1 hour (will be soft serve).

This was FABULOUS! Sweet and luscious......

Are you a VEGAN?

Funny you should ask that. I turned vegetarian in June 2001 and in 2004 went vegan (not just a vegan diet, but a vegan lifestyle). However not long after that I was diagnosed with CD/DH and my world went into a tail spin and I went back to being vegetarian and then slid back into eating meat and well.........that's when LUPUS found me. Unable to think straight I tried my best to eat a Gluten Free Vegetarian Diet (sans the dairy because of a lifelong allergy to it so that would mean I was eating eggs and goat milk products and honey).

Actually I was feeling quite sorry of myself and that is what caused the down word spiral in my life. But since finding Raw Foods I have found a new appreciation for the old me and my old lifestyle (as short as it was). So YES as of last week when I finally decided it was time, I am a VEGAN.

But being a VEGAN is a lifestyle, not a diet. While, the term vegetarian generally refers only to what one eats and does not pertain to any other aspect of one's life. The impetus for becoming a vegetarian may be based on ethical, religious, health, environmental, or economic concerns, or any combination of these. The motivation for becoming VEGAN however, is fundamentally rooted in a compelling set of ethical values and beliefs.

Vegans make a conscious effort to avoid all forms of animal exploitation, harm, and cruelty to animals regardless of any perceived "value" to society. This includes abstinence from all animal based food products including, but not limited to: animal and fish flesh, all dairy products including milk, yogurt, cheese, butter & ghee, gelatin, honey and hundreds of others. This also includes abstinence from apparels containing animal-derived ingredients like leather, silk, and furs and/or consumer and household products (matches, photographs) including those that have been tested on animals like : soaps, shampoos, cosmetics.

Truly we have been sold a bill of goods by the cattle, chicken, dairy and pig farmers telling use we NEED meat for protein when in fact it has been proven time and again that we need COMPLETE PROTEIN, not that form animals (which, by the way, doesn't break down in our intestinal tract and ferment like we need our food to in order to break down the amino acids and turn our food into complete proteins).

Still not convinced? You can also test yourself to see if you could BENEFIT from being a Vegan (click here). And check back in a few days to browse my side bar where you will find All Things Vegan added to it! I will try my best to provide great resources for you to educate yourself and post a few articles here in the days to come to as well.

Swine Flu Advisory for People with Lupus

The Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) is aware of the concern that people with lupus may have about the recent outbreak of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu. Please know the LFA is monitoring the situation and consulting with our National Medical-Scientific Advisory Council on the possible impact of this virus on people with lupus.

H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Vaccine Update

Vaccinations are a very important part of staying healthy with lupus. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (“swine flu”). One vaccine will be available as a mist, and the remaining three will be administered by injection. These vaccines are currently being distributed throughout the nation. Please talk to your doctor about the vaccines availability in your area.

What do I need to know about the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines?

• The H1N1 vaccine administered as a mist (by breathing through the nose, similar to FluMist) is a “live-attenuated” vaccine. Neither product is safe for people who are immune compromised or taking medications that suppress the immune system.
  
  
• People with lupus, in particular anyone who takes any immunosuppressive medications, (including prednisone and other steroids) should not get any live intranasal (meaning in-the-nose) mist preparation nor should anyone in their household (for example, their kids). Hydroxychloroquine (plaquenil) alone is not immunosuppressive. The H1N1 vaccine injection should be given to immunosuppressed individuals and their family members.
  
  
• The three H1N1 vaccines administered by injection are created from inactivated influenza viruses. These are considered safe for people with lupus.
  
  
• People with lupus should receive their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. While you should always consult with your doctor, you should not delay receiving the seasonal flu vaccine in anticipation of the H1N1 vaccine. The seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines appear to provide protection within two weeks of receiving the immunization and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may be administered on the same day.
  
  
• According to the FDA, the seasonal influenza vaccines and the 2009 H1N1 vaccines are being produced in two injectable formulations. You should consult with your doctor which formulation is recommended for you. The two formulations include:
  • a multi-dose vial with thimerosal (a mercury derivative added as a preservative)
  • a preservative-free, single-dose, pre-filled syringe without thimerosal

While the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines appear to provide adequate coverage for immunocompromised people, simple precautions such as avoidance of those individuals who are ill, good hygiene, adequate sleep, and a healthy diet are also recommended. You can learn more about protecting yourself during the flu season on the LFA web site: “Get the Facts about Flu.”

As with any vaccine, you should discuss with your doctor if you should receive the H1N1 vaccine, and which formulation is best for you. To receive the latest information and guidelines on the H1N1Flu, go to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/, or visit the American College of Rheumatology's website.

At this time, the precautionary recommendations for people with lupus are no different than for the general public. However, it is important to note that people with lupus are typically at increased risk for infections, particularly if they are taking medicines that suppress the immune system. Therefore, it is important to be vigilant about following the general precautions.

* Please remember that you should never discontinue medications used to treat your lupus without first consulting with your doctor.