Are you aware that according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), celiac disease is defined as an actual disability and that the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Agriculture (USDA) has also adopted this definition as well.  What it means is that all children with CD are included under the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service Guidance on Children with Special Dietary Needs.  Did you know that the USDA oversees the school lunch programs and requires all participating school systems to provide substitutions for students with any food allergy and/or intolerances that qualify as a disability and as previous stated Celiac Disease is an eating disability.  Under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and American with Disabilities Act they define a disability as “any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities including EATING. 

First thing to do is to see if your child is qualified.  You will need a note from your child’s doctor indicating that they in fact have celiac disease and explaining which foods are to be avoided.  Your next step is to set up a 504 plan.  If you would like more information you can go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/AloutLunch/ProgramHistory_4.htm.  Start researching now so you can get ready for the next school year.

Published 26 February 2010 - 0 comments   

I feel so sorry for those people who had to suffer because of one man’s greed!  I couldn’t believe what I learned the other day about the owner from Great Specialty Products in Durham.  There are so many people misinformed of what exactly Celiac Disease is.  Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease.  People suffering from CD must follow a strict gluten free diet.  There is no cure for this disease and there are no medications that we can take.  The only way not to get sick is not to eat foods with gluten in them.  Gluten is position to a Celiacs system.  How dare anyone play with someone’s health.  Many people got sick when ingesting what they were told was gluten free bread was in fact not gluten free at all.  His argument was not everyone got sick. According to NBC local news in North Carolina  Seelig, the owner, defended himself in court Tuesday claiming that he has hundreds of other customers who have not gotten sick. Well, unfortunately many people do not have immediate reactions but no matter what, if you do have CD it is destroying your intestines and in the long run setting you up for other autoimmune diseases and even cancer.  I believe he should be punished or at the very least never be able to serve the public again.  What makes him any different than a person putting actual poison in a food and serving it?  I have CD and if I had his bread I know I would be sick and unable to move my limbs for weeks.  Ingesting gluten affects my nervous system and my stomach.  Besides pins and needles all over my body I also have extreme weakness to name just a few of the side effects.  Everyone has many different symptoms.  I hope one day there is enough awareness of CD so that people stop calling it a fad and start to realize that it is not a diet but an autoimmune disease. Eating gluten free is medically required for a celiac and not the newest diet trend!

Published 16 February 2010 - 0 comments   

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!
Now is a good time to put the past in the past and focus on a new year, a new beginning and to a new healthy YOU!  If there is one thing that I learned this past year, it's that if you do not take some time EVERYDAY to focus on YOU, the YOU will slowly fall apart, EMOTIONALLY and PHYSICALLY.  Since being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I have changed my way of eating for the better, and believe that my eating habits have improved greatly.  But what so many of us forget is that STRESS, no matter how well we eat, can be a silent killer!!!!  Personally, I have gone through a lot this past year, and sadly like so many of us, have forgotten to look at the positive things that have occurred.  I do not believe in New Year's resolutions, but I do intend to make some changes in my life.  The most important things in my life are my family.   I have been blessed with the most loving, beautiful and caring children.  Because of them I smile everyday!  
When things get tough, I hope you all can take a moment and think of something positive that has happened to you that day, no matter how small, and smile!  POSITIVE thinking will help us mentally and physically. 
I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year. Tomorrow is a new day!  Do us all a favor here at Sweet Christine's, and when you come in to order your healthy, gluten free lunch and dessert tell us one positive thing that has happened to you that day and we will share ours with you and we can all smile.  SMILING is contagious!!!!!   Thank you for a great 2009.  We truly have the BEST customers around!

Published 06 January 2010 - 0 comments   

Pre-prepared Gluten Free School Lunches - Perfect for Families on the Go!

With kids back to school it means you need to prepare the right kind of lunch.  Pre-prepared meals make it convenient and safe to eat a healthy meal at school. Why think about meals when you have to concentrate on school work and activities.

Save time. Eat Healthy! Gluten free lunches are the way to go for school lunches for kids with Celiac Disease or food allergies.

Following a Gluten free diet presents challanges for Celiacs and their caregivers. I know because I have CD and a couple of my children are gluten intolerant.  I am pleased to be able to meet Celiacs from all over and they are very happy when they find a reliable source of quality gluten free food and know that they do not have to worry because our facility is  completly gluten free!

According to Business Week, prepackaged lunches are a $750 million-a-year industry, and the category is dominated by Kraft's Oscar Mayer Lunchables, whose 44 varieties (at last count) command 85 percent of the "lunch kit" market. Despite some efforts to make them healthier, most of these meals are high in fat, sodium, and harmful additives.  That is a lot of unhealthy stuff being consumed by children.

The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids now considered overweight or obese. Any wonder why?

Healthy gluten free foods for lunch....fight fat too. How to get kids to embrace super-nutritious school lunches is a key to healthier diets that will combat the increase in obesity rates.    Even children without food allergies could benefit from healthy gluten free pre prepared lunches.

Sweet Christine’s offers store-made lunchboxes, featuring items like all-organic sandwiches, pizza, salads and much more!

Published 30 August 2009 - 0 comments   

Published 18 August 2009 - 1 comment