Pizza as a Vegetable
Backed by the American Frozen Food Institute and other food industries, US House of Reps decided this week that pizza, because it contains 2 tablespoons of tomato sauce, still constitutes a vegetable. This drastically undermines the efforts by Obama and other individuals to improve the quality of our school meals, something that is integral to our children’s health. The above link is a critique of the decision, which I personally think is a failure to our children, but if you search the internet you will find many thoughts on the subject. 


 As I’ve said before I am currently interning at an organization that helps schools meet federal and state health standards. That is why I find this decision by the House of Representatives astonishing. The main reasoning to turn down the proposals for school meal changes was cost, however if you to such things as Farm to School or other local produce shares with school districts prices don’t have to be that high! I feel that given that many of our youngsters are considered too fat to fight you would think that a government focused on security would take the health needs, and nutritional needs, of our children into consideration more. The more we could pizza as a vegetable, the less secure our nation will likelybe. 

Environmental Factors Examined in Celiac Disease
This extensive article complies many of the studies over the past few years regarding the environmental contributions to developing Celiac Disease, including many articles that I have posted here. Touching on studies about breastfeeding to when we introduce gluten to our infants, and the microbiotic contributions this article is clear and interesting if you want to know where the study of celiac disease environmental factors is going. A call form improved research is also made: Dr. Green said celiac research has a long way to go. “It’s important to highlight that we really don’t know very much. We’ve learned a lot but celiac disease is lagging behind [other disorders] in research and awareness.”


Long Island Celiac Disease Support Group Helps Educate Kids Through New Publication
I love a good kids story, especially one that helps children come to understand differences and compassion. The Long Island Chapter of the Celiac Spruce Association has published a story titled The Prince Who would Only Eat Lollipops about a prince in a mythical land who is sickly, and his quest to find a cure for his illness that fits right into this category. Here is a bit more about it:


Children will relate to the marvel of only being able to eat lollipops, and the story can create awareness as they grow up with classmates that have special diet needs or handicapping conditions. The story emphasizes kindness, compassion, and working together to help someone with a unique problem. The message is that no matter how much power, wealth, or position one may have, one cannot always have perfect health.


It sounds like a great story right? They are trying to network with local schools, PTAs etc. to get the book out to students, if you are interested in purchasing a copy you can call 877-272-4272 or visit their webstore at www.csaceliacs.org. All proceeds benefit CSA awareness efforts.


Study Shows that Vitamin A May Worsen Glutens Inflammatory Effect For Celiacs
This article suggests that Vitamin A works as an inflammatory agent for individuals with celiac disease, however as with most studies this needs to be taken with a grain of salt given the importance of Vitamin A to our health. I like the author’s suggestion that one may want to avoid Vitamin A foods if glutened and feel it is a good and healthy conclusion to come to given the research findings.

Although they are talking about gut inflammation it also ties into other inflammatory diseases, and as someone who also has fibromyalgia, I would be interested to see further research as to what it may be suggested we avoid. In looking at the list of high vitamin A foods I love half of them and hate the other, I wonder what that means…

Udi’s Lauches Gluten Free Online Community
This week Udi’s launched a new online community for us gluten free internet folks. Using BlogFrog, this community seeks to share information and friendship. As their website invites: Come discover and discuss the joys of gluten free living! Whether you’re already gluten free or simply curious, we invite you to sit down, savor and enjoy gluten free recipes, tips, stories and camaraderie. Seems promising and I absoultely love when  companies go above and beyond to help their customers.