Safe Easter Candy for Gluten Free Folk-- In a LIST!!!

Thanks to myglutenfacts.com, you can look up your favorite Easter candy to see if it's on the 'safe' list, or, you can download the whole list as a PDF! There are technically two lists, one for candy and one for jelly beans (yummy!). This list is also available for both the U.S. and Canada (for products sold in that individual country). So go check it out!

And PLEASE remember that even with lists such as these, there is always a chance of change in ingredients, etc., so ALWAYS READ THE INGREDIENT LABELS, EVEN ON THE 'SAFE' PACKAGES! ALWAYS!!! JUST DO IT!!

Have a Happy Easter! <3

Gluten Free Diagnosis and Diet Change: Part Two: Learning Gluten’s Many Names

Gluten is sneaky. Really sneaky. It enjoys hiding in places you would never imagine it existed. To understand the many names of gluten, let us first take a quick lesson in gluten itself:

From Wikipedia: 

Gluten (from Latin gluten, "glue") is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat and related grain species, including barley and rye. It gives elasticity to dough, helping it to rise and to keep its shape, and often giving the final product a chewy texture. ... Worldwide, gluten is a source of protein, both in foods prepared directly from sources containing it, and as an additive to foods otherwise low in protein.

Below is a wonderfully detailed but long list of grains, flours, seeds, etc. that we absolutely, positively CANNOT have. I like to Google some of the listed items at various times to find out in more detail why they're on the list. Take meringue, for example: I missed it on the list the first time I read it, and only now noticed it!

Gluten Free Diagnosis and Diet Change: Part One: The Helpful Shopping List

For those recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease, removing all gluten from one’s daily diet without any notice is daunting. Perhaps even more daunting than the instant diet change is the first grocery shopping trip after the diagnosis. Suddenly, all of the food that was so easily thrown into the cart last week must now be carefully scrutinized for any trace of gluten; and to your horror, gluten is in all of it!

This is how I felt standing in the store with my husband, both of us looking from one end to the other, wondering if plain meat, vegetables, and nuts were all we would be bringing home that night. But of course that didn’t happen; within two months we were both shopping like gluten free pros.

This is the list to get you by as you learn and research more about gluten and how to avoid it:

Amy’s Free Small Butterfly Embellishment Pattern

It's taken me longer than I thought, but I finally finished designing a small butterfly embellishment! Here is the pattern. If you find any errors or need clarification, please let me know.

Materials Needed:

• Any yarn you want to use

• Any crochet needle that works with your yarn

• Gauge & finished size will change depending on yarn used

**Fine yarn was used for the butterfly in picture, measuring approximately 2 inches by 2 inches (not including antennae)**

Wings

Ch 7, sl st back into first ch.
Row 1: Sc 11 in loop, ch 1, turn.
Row 2: Dc 5, sl st in next st, dc 5, ch 1, turn.
Row 3 : Dc 2 in each of next 2 sts, in 3rd st [dc, sl st, dc], dc 2 in next st, dc 3 in next st, sl st in sl st from row 2 (left wings completed). Dc 3 in next st, dc 2 in next st, repeat [] in 3rd st, dc 2 in next sc, dc 4 and sc 1 in last st (right wings completed). Sc 1 around post of dc from row 3, sc in ring, sc 1 around post of dc from row 3, sl st in 1st st from top left wing (finishing on top wings). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Assembly

Cut 6 inches of yarn (or less if you plan to weave in) and use hook to wrap yarn around both sides of the center loop (on the wings). Tie a knot in back, securing the loop together. Leave the strands for attachment to an object or weave in if you want them hidden.

For the body, cut 7 ½ inches of yarn and fold in half. Holding the loop end behind the middle of the top wings, fold the yarn under the lower wings and bring up along the front to the loop. Pull the strands through the loop and arrange the antennae. **Starching the antennae helps maintain the shape and durability of the yarn**

You can download the PDF pattern by clicking on the image below.

If you don't have Adobe Reader, you can download it free.

Happy Crocheting!