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   

If you itemize your tax return and your total medical expenses for the year exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income, you can write off certain expenses associated with celiac disease. You can deduct the excess cost of a gluten-free product over a comparable gluten-containing product. NY Times

Ok that is good news - so here is an example of how it would work. Let’s say you spend $6.50 on a loaf of gluten-free bread, and a regular loaf costs $4; you can deduct $2.50. In addition, you can deduct the cost of products necessary to maintain a gluten-free diet, like xanthan gum for baking. If you mail order gluten-free products, the shipping costs may be deductible, too. If you have to travel extra miles to buy gluten-free goods, the mileage is also deductible. You’ll need a doctor’s letter to confirm your diagnosis and your need for a gluten-free diet, and you should save receipts in case of a tax audit. NY Times

Bad News - Insurance companies reluctant to offer coverage of gluten free diets.

Patients inclure an extra cost of a special diet and the cost is not usually reimbursed by health care plans.Trips to a dietitian to receive nutritional guidance are also rarely covered.

Ok that is good news - so here is an example of how it would work.

 Raising Celiac Awareness Online

 There are many online resources that provide current, comprehensive, science-based information about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of celiac disease. Please visit my site for helpful links and reources.

Published 18 August 2009 - 0 comments   

You’ve just been told that your child has a gluten intolerance. Don’t panic just sit back and relax, I am here to give you some ideas for every meal.

I was diagnosed five years ago and, thankfully, since then there are many more gluten free items on the market and, believe it or not, some of them actually taste good.

All fruits and veggies are gluten free and a great snack!  Now that it is summer it is the perfect time to get your child to enjoy fruits and veggies. Kids love to play with food.  Have them take turns washing them, help them cut them up and then they can make fruit kabobs. If you have a child who says no way to healthy fruits and veggies, try  putting out some dip for the veggies.  We love Annie’s Cowgirl Ranch Salad Dressing for veggie dipping, and we love melting chocolate chips for a great dip for most fruit.  Don’t forget peanut butter!  Banana and peanut butter  YUMMY!!!  These are all great snacks.  My kids will eat anything when watching their favorite TV program.  Cheese and crackers are a great snack.  Glutino has a great cracker.

I personally find breakfast the most challenging meal.  Eggs are gluten free which is a healthy quick meal.  Unfortunately, I have to stay away from eggs as well so I have found GF oatmeal as a very healthy alternative.  You could add a little brown sugar and some raisins.  We use oats from Gluten Free Oats.  We also sell them in our bakery!  My kids love Gorilla Munch cereal by Envirokidzl!!!!  There are many cereals now on the market even Chex is now gluten free!  You can also make gluten free pancakes.  My kids love making animal shapes out of them.  Make a lot they freeze well!  Oh yeah….add some banana or chocolate chips in the pancakes. BONUS!  Don’t forget  SWEET CHRISTINE’S muffins and our baked donuts!!!!

For me lunch and dinner is easy, but I know children love their fried foods and pizza.  This is the perfect time to try healthier items.  Take them to a salad bar and have them make their own salad!  My kids love a salad bar, and they always get a baked potato as well.  Potatoes are gluten free.  Try making homemade french fries.  Cut up a few potatoes and drizzle with olive oil and a little salt and maybe some rosemary and bake them in the oven for about 30 mins.  You can buy Bell & Evans chicken nuggets.  My kids love them!  Add Boar's Head cold cuts to SWEET CHRISTINE’S  bread and the kids will have no idea they are eating gluten free.  Many deli's offer Boar's Head!  My children also eat our pizza at least once a week. There are many gluten free hotdogs as well.  Boar's Head has a gluten free hotdog.

 Plain chicken, fish and meats are gluten free.  When out just ask that they hold the sauce and make sure they have not been marinated! Soy Sauce is gluten and it is in many condiments.  My kids love Bionaturae Pasta!!  I fooled my Italian relatives. Caesars has great raviolis and stuffed shells! 

Desserts....we all know where to get them!  In case you forgot SWEET CHRISTIN'S BAKERY.

When you go out to eat ask if they have a gluten free menu.  You will be surprised how many restaurants have one and if they don't I can almost guarantee that they can suggest something on the menu that is safe.  My kis and I eat out all of the time.  Believe me it gets easier.  Word is out about Celiac Disease, and the gluten free diet is spreading rapidly.  Every day it will get easier and easier.  Summer is the perfect time to experiement with gluten free foods.  Get your children involved.  They will love it and what better way to spend time as a family.  ENJOY!

Published 08 July 2009 - 1 comment