Excuse my absence..

Sorry I haven't updated much! I was out of town from Oct. 2-11th and have been busy reorganizing life since then!
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Our next meeting will be November 9th, 2009 @ 7pm at PJ's Coffee Shop, 2040 Gause Blvd.

We have a trip to Whole Foods and to get Gluten Free Pizza is tenatively planned for Nov. 15. We will discuss at that meeting a possible date change, I may have a conflict.

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Now some news I am personally vested in. I JUST read this in the November issue of Parents magazine.

"A child whose mother has celiac disease may have a three-times-greater risk of autism, finds a new study in Pediatrics. People with celiac disease have an abnormal immune response to a protein in wheat and other grains. It may be most dangerous in pregnancy when it's untreated because it blocks absorption of nutrients and can cause premature delivery and low birthweight--known autism risk factors."

This finding is outstanding. Personally, for me, I am intensely relieved it's actually be published. My youngest child is newly diagnosed with autism and my older son is suspected of having Sensory Processing Disorder. I fully suspect undiagnosed Celiac/Gluten Sensitivity in Eli is what has triggered the autism. He showed NO signs until about 4 mos after he started eating gluten. I have wondered for YEARS how many children don't actually have 'true' autism but have some form of "Celiac Induced Autism" (Not a medical term, I've made it up). Why do SO many children with autism benefit from the Gluten Free/Caesin Free Diet if there is NO connection?

What IF, we could get more people diagnosed with Celiac (because there are SO many people who have it and don't know it!)...What IF every pregnant woman was tested for Celiac Disease and if found positive she was able to go Gluten Free and she'd KNOW to keep an eye on her child for autism and start that child on the Gluten Free diet immediately? What IF prior to conception, women were tested for Celiac Disease and went Gluten Free JUST in case? What would it hurt?? NOTHING! There is a connection between gluten and so many people's health....why can't mainstream medicine do something about this? (I"ll not rant politics here, it is not the place....feel free to ask me privately!! LOL)

I am absolutely thrilled this study has been found and will happily help is spread and cannot wait for more research. FINALLY!!! Perhaps if they do find a Celiac/Autism connection BOTH populations can get more research, media coverage, etc. We need to work together!

So if you know anyone who is a family eating gluten free for WHATEVER REASON, please remind them they are welcome to attend our meetings!!! We are all in the same food boat, no matter the reason! :)

See ya'll at the meeting!
~~Amy

Monthly Meeting, Mon, April 13th

Join us for our monthly meeting, Monday, April 13th at 6:30 pm at the NEW PJ's Coffee Shop in Slidell.

We'll chat about Gluten Free foods, news, and group goals! Big news is out from General Mills (see previous posts) and we'll definately be talking about!!

Comment here if you have any questions!

or find my contact info at:

www.csaceliacs.org
Local Support, Louisiana North Shore Group

General Mills..GLUTEN FREE! HUGE NEWS!

General Mills Announcement
3/31/09

"Thank you for contacting General Mills regarding gluten in Corn Chex cereal.
General Mills is reformulating the following Big G Cereals to gluten free
status:

· Corn Chex
· Honey Nut Chex
· Strawberry Chex
· Chocolate Chex
· Cinnamon Chex

As was the case with Gluten Free Rice Chex, the barley malt ingredient was
removed and replaced with another ingredient. Production has begun, so you may
start seeing the gluten free formulas on store shelves now. All 5 products
should be widely available across the U.S. by June 1, 2009. As with all
reformulated products, both products may be on store shelves at the same time so
please read labels/packaging carefully, examining the product packaging to
ensure that the cereal inside the box is in fact the new, gluten free product.
Look for "NOW GLUTEN FREE" or "GLUTEN FREE" on the front/side/back panels.

In addition, the following Betty Crocker Gluten Free mixes will be available at
approximately the same time:

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie Mix
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devils Food Cake Mix
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix

It is our goal to help our consumers determine whether or not they can include
our products in their diet when they are not labeled Gluten Free. To accurately
accomplish this, we believe it is best to refer to the specific ingredients
listed on each product package; and for this reason, we do not offer a
gluten-free product list.

However, we do understand that ingredients can be confusing. We want you to be
assured that if the ingredient label does not list wheat, barley, rye, oats or
gluten containing ingredients sourced from these grains, then the product would
be gluten-free. Sources of gluten are listed on the label even if the source of
gluten is part of another ingredient (such as flavoring or spice). Because
ingredients may vary from one package to another due to product reformulation,
you should use the products ingredient label to provide you with current and
accurate information."

Amy Peters, Consumer Services