Avoiding Health Problems with a Gluten-Free Diet

A gluten-free diet is not for everyone.  However, for someone with celiac disease or other form of gluten it may literally be a matter of life and death.

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Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts and Gluten Sensitivity

How do you know if you have celiac disease? The only way to be sure is to have a blood test done by a medical doctor.   According to this excerpt from WebMD: "Experts estimate that about 1% of Americans have celiac disease. The condition, caused by an abnormal immune response to gluten, can damage the lining of the small intestine. That, in turn, can prevent important nutrients from being absorbed. Symptoms of celiac disease include diarrhea, anemia, bone pain, and a severe skin rash called dermatitis herpetiformis. But celiac disease often has few or no symptoms. In part for that reason, only about 5% to 10% of cases are diagnosed in the U.S.[READ MORE]

That is a scary statistic.  You could have gluten-sensitivity ,even celiac disease, and not even know it.  Some symptoms of celiac disease such as anemia can just feel like fatigue.  When in doubt, however, do not try to diagnose yourself.  Consult a physician to see if you need to eat products such as gluten-free pizza crusts or not.

Why Should I Ask a Doctor About Being Gluten-Free

The danger of a lot of fad diets is that a lot of them are not prepared by anyone with a background in nutrition, health, or medicine.  For instance, a  popular diet that is around nowadays involves being gluten-free based on an incorrect assumption that early man did not eat gluten in his diet.  The only problem is that while gluten can pose a health problem for someone with sensitivity to gluten,  for someone who is not sensitive to gluten, they are most likely going to have problems relating to nutrition, as a great many grains in addition to containing gluten also contain various vitamins and minerals necessary for human health.  So some dieter could find himself or herself saving a few calories here and there but have a plethora of other health problems that could even endanger their lives.

A gluten free diet can lead to a healthy lifestyle, however, just because it can benefit some people doesn't mean that everyone will benefit.  Check with your physician to see if you should consider gluten-free products because of celiac disease or other form of gluten-sensitivity.

Read one of our earlier articles about being gluten-free.

Venice Bakery
134 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322–7357
http://www.venicebakery.com/

How Hard is It To Be Gluten-Free? Part Two

How hard is it to be gluten-free?  Part two of our series shows just how many foods as well as products gluten can be found in.

Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts are a Great Idea | 310-322-7357

Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts and What To Avoid

Gluten-free pizza crusts help to fill a gap.  There are a lot of foods as well as products that have gluten in them.  According to the CSA  Foundation website: "

Soy Sauce – Unless a soy sauce is labeled gluten free, wheat is typically the first ingredient.  Outside the US, some soy sauces even contain barley.  Make sure check the label before using soy sauce.

Barbeque Sauce – Distilled vinegar in BBQ can cause a reaction for some Celiacs if it is made from wheat. Check the ingredient label on your favorite brands to see if it is gluten free.  If it does contain distilled vinegar, take the extra step and call the company to see if it was made from gluten free ingredients.

Candy – Gluten ingredients are used to make many different types of candy.  Every year, the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness posts a list of gluten-free candy.  However, companies can change their recipes at any time.  Take a moment to confirm the candy is gluten free before purchasing.

Cosmetics – Gluten is commonly found in cosmetics.  It is often found in lipstick and mascara.  Several companies have recognized the importance of gluten free cosmetics like Afterglow and Red Apple Lipstick.

Hair Products – Shampoos, conditioners and other hair products often contain gluten.  Some common ingredients in hair products that contain gluten are: Triticum vulgare (wheat), Hordeum vulgare (barley), Secale cereale (rye), wheat germ oil, Hydrolyzed wheat protein and more.

Pet Food – If you’ve eliminated all gluten from your diet, but are still getting sick, then Fido may be to blame for your continued glutening.  Pet food is known to contain fillers like corn, gluten and other grains.  Whether you have a cat, dog or some fish, their food could be causing you pain.  First, check the ingredients on the label for gluten containing products. [READ SOURCE ARTICLE]

Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts and Enjoying Food Again

If you're gluten-sensitive, you probably feel like an outcast sometimes.  That's why you want to always find the products that can help you.  

So use gluten-free rice noodles in lieu of semolina pasta.  And use gluten-free pizza crusts in lieu of traditional crusts.   

For more information, be sure to read part one of this series on how hard is it to be gluten free.

Venice Bakery
134 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322–7357
http://www.venicebakery.com/

How Hard Is It to Be Gluten-Free?

How hard is it to be gluten-free? Isn't gluten just found in bread and wheat? This article will attempt to answer these questions.

How Hard is it To Be Gluten-Free?

How hard is it to be gluten-free? Well, it depends on your definition of the word hard. Isn't gluten found in bread and wheat? Unfortunately no, gluten is found in a lot of different foods from candy to soy sauce. While gluten is found in bread and wheat, there is such a thing as gluten-free bread. It is very serious to someone who has Celiac disease whether there is any gluten present. Unlike some other foods that may disagree with someone, being gluten-sensitive can literally put someone at risk of their own lives for something as simple as a pizza or a sandwich.

Gluten-free pizza crusts for example can be listed as gluten-free, but if they are made in a facility without proper control measures where cross-contamination is concerned, then the label is just a label. In the case of someone with a food allergy, even the smallest amount of contamination is serious to the point of being life-threatening. As for how hard it is to be gluten-free, one of the things that can be a problem is when you go somewhere like a party or an event that is hosted by someone without a food allergy.

Food Allergies and Social Events

People that have any sort of food allergy have to come prepared. Someone who has a peanut allergy can go into anaphylactic shock. The same problem can be even more pronounced with someone who is a celiac patient. That's why parties can be a bit frightening. Most people that are gluten-sensitive often bring their own food. The problem can be even more pronounced if someone is both gluten-sensitive and a vegan. Look at a pizza party for example. To someone who is not gluten-sensitive, it is something to look forward to. To someone who has a food sensitivity, it is up there with a sub party in terms of potential problems later. So what can you do? Give up eating at these things?

Not at all, just be prepared. Make sure that you bring something that you can share with others that you can also eat without any disastrous repercussions. So why not bring your own pizza. The only difference is yours will be on a vegan and gluten-free pizza crust.

Venice Bakery
134 Main Street
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 322–7357
http://www.venicebakery.com/

Creative Ways To Use Summer Fruits & Veggies

If you’ve been to your local farmer’s market or grocery store lately, you may have noticed the endless rows of beautiful, fresh produce bursting with color.

Summer is the perfect time to cook with a variety of fruits and vegetables because they are in peak season for variety and flavor.  And although we are lucky to have grocers that stock great options year-round, there’s no time better than now to get your fill of plump tomatoes, crunchy asparagus and juicy peaches.

Summer is Venice Bakery’s favorite season because we LOVE to play with our food and encourage you to do the same!

Whether you are grilling or preparing something healthy inside, Venice Bakery has recipe ideas to make your August the tastiest one yet!

Hummus and Grilled Veggie Wraps

This recipe screams yummo in every bite! These delicious wraps make a perfect afternoon lunch that can be enjoyed at a picnic, at work or packed in your kid’s lunchbox. Personalize them with different veggies and get creative!

Recipe serves 4 and is vegan and gluten-free

Ingredients:

4 Venice Bakery Gluten-Free Wraps
2 medium zucchini, cut lengthwise into ¼ inch slices
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1 cup store-bought or homemade hummus
¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 ounces baby spinach leaves
¼ cup fresh mint leaves

Directions:

Preheat the grill or grill pan over medium heat.
Brush both sides of the zucchini slices with the oil and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper to taste.
Grill until tender and slightly browned, about 4 minutes per side.
Spread 1/4 cup of the hummus over each wrap.
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of pine nuts on top.
Top with 3 slices of zucchini, 2 pieces of red pepper, a handful of the spinach, a few sliced onions, and 1 tablespoon of the mint.
Roll each of them up and cut in half on a diagonal.

Recipe Adapted from Ellie Krieger http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/

Greek Summer Pizza

One of the best complements to delicious summer vegetables is feta cheese!

Layer your Venice Bakery gluten-free crust with gorgeous slices of your favorite tomatoes, salty olives, drizzled olive oil, crumbled feta and voila! You have the best summer pizza in town.

Ingredients:

• 1 12-inch Venice Bakery Gluten-Free Pizza Crust.

• 4 plum tomatoes (or any preferred variety), sliced

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 4 ounces feta cheese

• 1 ounce pitted kalamata olives, halved (1/3 cup)

• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves

• Optional: ¼-1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Arrange sliced tomatoes on a board or baking sheet lined with paper towels and top with more paper towels. Allow to sit for about 30 minutes (this is to prevent soggy tomatoes).

2. Preheat oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. If you have on hand, lightly sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese on the crust.

4. Combine tomato, 2 tablespoons olive oil and garlic.

5. Spread the tomato mixture on pizza crust. Sprinkle with feta cheese and place in the oven for approximately 15-18 minutes or until the cheese is lightly browned.

6. Remove pie from the oven, drizzle with more olive oil and top with basil leaves.

7. Slice and serve!

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/fresh-tomato-feta-pizza-50400000121397/

Peach, Gorgonzola and Chicken Flatbreads

It’s pretty hard to beat a summer peach in its natural state. Juicy, sweet and satisfying, this summer treat is surprisingly amazing in a variety of grilled and baked recipes. For our flatbread, the balsamic vinegar plays amazingly against the sweetness of the peach. It’ll be fireworks for your palate!

Ingredients:

• 2 Venice Bakery Gluten-Free Flatbreads

•  Cooking Spray

• 11/2 teaspoon olive oil

• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1 cup cooked and shredded chicken breast

• 1/3 cup gorgonzola cheese

• 1 skin-on peach, thinly sliced

• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Place flatbreads on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

3. Brush the extra-virgin olive oil evenly over bread.

4. Top evenly with 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, chicken, gorgonzola cheese, and peach slices.

5. Top with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella.

6. Bake at 400° for 11 minutes, until flatbread is slightly browned.

7. Place vinegar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until reduced to 2 tablespoons (about 5 minutes).

8. Drizzle balsamic reduction evenly over flatbreads.

9. Like pizza, these flatbreads can be sliced and enjoyed!

10. Recipe Adapted from Cooking Light

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/peach-gorgonzola-chicken-pizza-50400000111971/

Stuffed Italian Veggies

A classic Italian dish you can make all your own! Go crazy at your local market purchasing stuff-able veggies. Our gluten-free bread crumbs make the perfect partner in crime for this vegetarian-friendly summer meal. Serve alone or with a side salad and herbed rice for a simple and delicious taste of Italy.

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet onion

• 6 miniature bell peppers

• 1 large zucchini

• 6 plum tomatoes

• 4 tablespoons olive oil + more for drizzling and brushing

• 1 large eggplant

• 1 cup Venice Bakery Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon chili flakes or ½ tablespoon chili paste

• ¼ cup chopped parsley

• ¼ cup chopped basil

• 2 tablespoon chopped mint

• 3 scallions, minced

• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

• Optional: 2 ounces pancetta, diced

• ½ lemon

• ¼ cup white wine

• Water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Grease a baking dish that will snugly hold all the vegetables with olive oil.

3. Hollow out peppers and tomatoes, thickly slice and score zucchini and eggplant and cut onion into wedges and core to make room for bread crumbs.

4. Arrange the vegetables inside dish, brushing them with more of the oil and seasoning with salt and pepper.

5. Heat 4 tablespoons olive oil in a pan.

6. Stir in garlic, chili paste and pancetta if desired to infuse the oil.

7. When pancetta is rendered, stir in bread crumbs to lightly toast.

8. Remove bread crumbs from heat and stir in chopped herbs, cheese and several squirts of lemon.

9. Stuffed vegetables with bread crumb mixture. It is completely okay if they overflow. Keep excess crumbs in airtight container for future meals.

10. Drizzle top with olive oil.

11. Fill baking dish with a splash of white wine and water to fill 1/3 way of vegetables.

12. Cover dish with foil and bake approximately 30 minutes.

13. Remove foil, add a bit more water and bake an additional 15 minutes, until veggies are tender and bread crumbs are toasted.

14. Bueno Appetito!

Recipe Adapted from Serious Eats

http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/07/seriously-italian-breadcrumb-stuffed-vegetables-recipe.html

Our gluten-free wraps, bread crumbs, pizza crusts and flatbreads are just as versatile as the delicious produce you can find this summer. Follow these recipes as is or use it as a springboard of inspiration for your unique summer meals!

Venice Bakery134 Main StreetEl Segundo, CA 90245(310) 322–7357http://www.venicebakery.com/