10 Gluten-Free Facts

by Jenny Irvine // April 7, 2014 // 1 Comment

10 Gluten-Free Facts

You have probably consumed a few gluten-free products and if not you have certainly seen a label or two in this day in age. For some like myself and my family it is a way of life. There is no “maybe I will try this” or “hmmmm, this doesn’t taste so great“-gluten-free is the only option.

Find out why-and, who is affected.

Did you know?

1) 1 in every 133 Americans has Celiac Disease. That is approximately 1% of the population, with an expected 50-60% to be diagnosed by the year 2019*.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disorder in which the villi of the small intestine have been damaged, causing a direct interference with the proper absorption of the nutrients.

2) Celiac can affect men and women of all ages and races.

3) It is estimated that as much as 95% of the population is not yet diagnosed as having a gluten intolerance/sensitivity, Celiac, or other potential gluten related disorder. So if you think you are “not affected” by gluten, yeah, sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you just don’t know it yet.

4) A 100% Gluten free diet is the only existing treatment. (I know bad news for the poor pharmaceutical companies).

5) Other gluten linked or related issues (including but limited to); Infertility, Thyroid disease, Diabetes, Intestinal Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Osteoporosis, Anxiety, Depression, ADD/ADHD, Liver Disease, Migraines and other Neuropathic conditions.

Why you ask? Because gluten has destroyed the interior wall of the small intestine, allowing toxins to leak into the blood stream, and be carried throughout your body to reside in places it never should have been (your brain, thyroid, reproductive glands, etc.) So, what once was thought to be solely an intestinal issue is in fact so much more; it’s an inflammation issue too.

6) As of August 2014 new FDA Gluten-Free food labeling regulations will take place. “Gluten free is a voluntary claim manufacturers may elect to use when labeling their food.” However, as of August 2014 manufacturers will be required to meet the minimum 20 PPM (parts per million) for all foods labeled “gluten free“, “without gluten“, “no gluten“, and “free of gluten“. Most people with Celiac or gluten sensitivity can in fact safely consume and tolerate food containing this tiny amount. *

**This “INCLUDES” restaurants and other food serves. Did you know 96% of gluten-free individuals are brand loyal.

7) Gluten-free does not necessarily mean “better for you“.

8) Gluten-free sales reached $4.2 billion in 2012 and are expected to increase to $6.6 billion by 2017*. Gluten-free food production is a booming business and since it’s the only known “cure” for Celiac those statistics are not going to be changing anytime soon.

9) 50% of ones’ success is taking action; the other 50% is our attitude.

10) Antibiotics, pain killers, and preservatives which all affect the natural gut flora have also been to blame for the increased number of gluten sensitive people.

Without a sufficient amount of good bacteria in our body we become unable to produce enough enzymes to aid in the break-down of the gluten protein. Our increased/overuse of pain killers over the years has also aided in the loss of good bacteria. According to Dr.Brogan, use of these drugs “increases intestinal permeability allowing for [food particles] to access the immune system; setting off autoimmune and inflammatory processes.” [A.k.a. a gluten sensitive/celiac type response]

Resources;

FDA.gov

Datamonitor Group, 2009

Packaged Facts “Gluten-Free Foods and Beverages in the US”

Plan, Persevere, and Pursue Your Passion

by Jenny Irvine // April 4, 2014 // No Comments

This week I shared our family’s complete “No Gluten, No Dairy, No Corn, Nightshade Intolerance, Dye Free” story with allof you. I also shared my dream of welding our two stories together, and my passion to make a difference- through education, life experiences, leadership, perseverance, hard work, and plenty of prayer. We truly are only limited by the the things we fail to pursue ourselves.

Plan, Persevere, and Pursue Your Passion

A while back I also discussed the importance of having a schedule. Not the kind of schedule that you plan every minute of your day, but rather a basic outline of– 24 hours “living in the life of ______”.

My days are typically filled with screaming kids, school, snacks, more snacks, a barking dog, plenty of noiseand yet more snacks! Ironically, it is not out of the ordinary that I might receive the following statement –“I don’t know how you do it”. Ha, ear plugs [I’m kiddingalthough, not a bad idea]. The truth is, whether it’s cooking for my small army of food intolerant children, my lack of sleep, homeschooling, or blogging– I think deep down what we all want to know is how everyone makes things work. We are curious as to how someone does something so we ourselves can in turn do the same or do better– who doesn’t want to be more productive, be healthier, make more money and just “do” better over all.

How to Persevere and not measure up.

The part of the story everyone struggles to tell is – the part where they experience failure and struggle. Funny, how we do that. We quickly embrace the compliments ignoring that we fell down the mountain 100xto get where we are today. We all want to know what someone’s day looks like to see if we are “doing it right“.

Here’s the thing although I wear many “hats” as a mother [and I know you do too], never be intimidated by someone who appears to “have it all together” because chances are pretty, good they are just climbing a different mountain than yourself. They are falling, seeking strength and persevering just the same as you and I. There is no “right” way.

When I homeschool my kids I get flustered, aggravated and short tempered just the same as you do –your day might just look like 2 hours of homework at the end of the day. When I plan meals, cook and clean, there are days quite frankly I don’t want to do it– and I wish ordering out was an option.

We all want the picket fence with the kids that play hard for hours but don’t track a small mud pie in behind them. We all set out for that perfect marriage– and no sooner do we realize “whew, this is work“.

Pursue Your Passion

All things that take hard work are worth fighting for. Having a plan will only take us so far it’s putting one foot in front of the other that creates the path to achieving greatness. That same greatness shouldn’t be measured by dollar signs, rubies, or diamonds – but rather, at the end of your day knowing your purpose has been fulfilled. One unique step in front of the other.

Big Changes, Big Dreams, Big Challenges

by Jenny Irvine // April 1, 2014 // No Comments

This space I pour my heart and soul into weekly is the same space I dream of making the world a healthier place one reader at a time. I share the stories of my life experiences and offer up encouragement to see you through your days.

My homestead is yours. If you lived next door to me my kids would scream your name with joy, color you countless pictures, and my family would undoubtedly greet you with a smile. That is what I want you to feel when you come to this space; a warm welcome shared over coffee or tea. If we were sitting face to face chances are there would be days we laugh, dream, make plans to achieve the unthinkable, and sometimes we may even shed a tear or two together along the way.

I love to laugh and there truly isn’t much I don’t say without smiling. I had a good friend once say to me “Jen, I’m pretty sure you could tell me the saddest story, but with a smile all the while“. I’m not so sure this is a good thing as I’ve become quite good at hiding behind that genuine smile over the years. The truth is we all break sometimes and experience pain- that’s life, right?

I’m learning to accept help when needed and give what I can’t control up in prayer. It’s a process- a long one at that. If you were sitting across from me chances are pretty good now days that we would laugh until are belly’s hurt and sometimes we might let out a good cry. You know that cry of complete frustration, anger, confusion, and lack of control. That ugly cry, we all hold back to only share with those closest to us.

Sharing my story here, in this place, isn’t always easy but I think it’s important; it’s the place I get to show my kids the only thing scary is not taking action, and the only thing to be ashamed of is the failure from not trying. It is this same place I get to encourage you to do great things and raise great leaders for tomorrows future.

I am seeking;

Big Changes, Big Dreams, and Big Challenges

If you missed my post yesterday “Learn How to Read a Label” , the piece of my homestead you would be missing is my love hate relationship with food. I love to eat it. I hate how it has literally controlled controlled my life at times.

The part of the story I have never told until this week is 3/4 th’s of my children have varying degrees of food intolerance’s. I share this with you not as a desperate mom looking for pity upon her situation, but rather as a mom determined to make this world a healthier place for her her kids. We all have been given a passion, purpose, or calling; what is yours? What makes you tick? What is the story that you are suppose to share?

What if in an instant you couldn’t buy your child a doughnut at the nearest drive thru?

What if your preschooler couldn’t use the sensory bin at school because the play-doh contained gluten.

What if holidays became more of a stress than a joy?

What if your child were to wake you out of a dead sleep crying that her feet were burning from a food she ate hours before; a food which was clearly handled improperly, yet, promised to be gluten free.

What if your family could never go out to eat together?

What if you had to bring your children’s food to every birthday party, graduation, and public gathering?

You would be desperate too, right? Desperate for change? Desperate to educate others on the importance of reading labels, food handling, and the seriousness of food reactions. That is my passion; now, what is yours? Leave me a comment or drop me an email I love hearing from you.

This space I’ve encouraged you to write, share, and tell your story is the same space I dream of welding our stories together. Lets learn together, live life to its fullest, and lead others to do the same.

I’m super excited and have a number of projects going on behind the scenes. If you haven’t already signed up for my email list do so now; for discounts on upcoming offers and all the latest behind the scenes information.