angel-jd1

Smith-

Like others have said mexican food is relatively inexpensive. I find that ground turkey is less expensive than hamburger and is healthier anyways. With added seasoning I can't tell the difference.

Mission white corn tortillas are about 1.50 for 30 of them I believe. Very cheap. You can even do breakfast burritos with those. Eggs are very inexpensive.

I also cook quite a bit of stir fries. Inexpensive cuts of beef sliced thin, add sauces and veggies. It is quick and easy. Some of the Sunbird sauce packets are gluten free (under a dollar a packet), they are made by the company that makes Williams chili and taco seasoning (both gluten-free also).

Chili is a good easy thing to make. Bush's beans (NOT the chili magic line), williams chili seasoning, ground turkey, some onion and can of tomatoes. I can eat that for a whole week and still have some left to freeze. Make chili fries with the leftovers (ore-ida french fries)

Taco salad is a favorite of mine also. Make the taco meat, toss with lettuce, cheese, tortilla chips and some salad dressing.

I also find that cooking extra and freezing portions in gladware containers is a very great inexpensive way to have a "frozen dinner" for those nights I don't feel like cooking. Or on days I need to take a lunch with me. Pull it out of the freezer and go. Then I don't have to worry about contamination or spending extra money. I label them with the dinner title and date so they are easy to identify. (frozen things all look alike )

-Jessica

Yes, the school should have to provide her a lunch and breakfast that is glutenfree, but what else is there that the school should have to do about it?

Those EXACT things would be in the 504 plan. Without the plan, the child would have to eat what every other student eats. WITH the plan, special dietary guidelines are set up. It protects the child, the plan follows the child from grade K-12. It is updated as needed and is a great program.

-Jessica

Here is some information on 504 plans to help clarify what they are:

Q. What is a 504 plan?

A. A 504 plan is a legal document falling under the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is designed to plan a program of instructional services to assist students with special needs who are in a regular education setting. A 504 plan is not an Individualized Education Program (IEP) as is required for special education students. However, a student moving from a special education to a regular education placement could be placed under a 504 plan.

Q. How is a student considered for a 504 plan?

A. A student with a physical or emotional disability, or who is recovering from a chemical dependency, or who has an impairment (i.e. Attention Deficit Disorder) that restricts one or more major life activities.

Q. What are examples of "major life activities"?

A. Major life activities include caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, working, and learning.

Q. What is the process for placing a student on a 504 plan?

A. There are essentially four steps:

Student is referred by teacher, support staff, parent/legal guardian, physician, or

therapist. On occasion, a student may initiate a self-referral.

A 504 plan meeting is held.

A plan for the student is developed.

A review date is set.

Q. Who is involved in the process?

A. The student, parent/legal guardian, teachers, principals, Pupil Services administrators, support staff (i.e. nurse, counselor, psychologist, language/speech pathologist) as well as the student's physician or therapist may be involved in the placement process including the 504 meeting

Q. What is the teacher(s) role/responsibility in the 504 placement process?

A. If you have a concern regarding a child's performance and/or behavior that you believe is caused by a disabling condition, you should initiate a referral after consultation with support staff and/or building administrators.

Also, you should participate in any meetings where a 504 plan may be developed. Further, you should be ready to supply pertinent data and documentation such as test scores, discipline referrals, and anecdotal information to assist in the writing of the plan.

Q. What accommodations might be included in the 504 plan?

A. Attached is a sample list of accommodations taken from the Pupil Services Handbook. Additional examples are presented below:

A child's seat assignment accommodates a disability.

A diabetic child may be permitted to eat in the classroom.

A child may be permitted to go to the office for the administration of medication.

A student's assignments or testing conditions may be adjusted (i.e. extensions of time, modification of test questions).

Note: This is a team process where all members of the team, not just the teacher, may have responsibilities in fulfilling the requirements of the 504 plan.

Q. What if I disagree with the 504 plan or any of its components? What are my rights?

A. If you disagree with the 504 plan you can:

Express your views at the meeting and suggest alternatives.

Refuse to sign the plan.

Contact your building steward if you believe the plan alters your terms and conditions of employment.

Q. Once the plan is approved, what are my responsibilities?

A. You are expected to reasonably follow the strategies written to implement the plan and to participate in the review process.

Q. Can a 504 plan be altered and can I request changes in the plan?

A. Yes. Make a written request to your building principal for a Pupil Services Team meeting. Send a copy to all who attended the meeting where the original plan was approved. In addition, be sure that there is a planned review date on the original 504 document so that the effectiveness of the plan can be evaluated and adjustments made, if needed, at that time.

Q. If I sign off on a 504 plan, what is my accountability?

A. You are legally responsible to implement your designated accommodation/strategies on the plan. You are advised to maintain regular and consistent documentation to display that you have attempted to implement the plan. For example: You may keep a file of student, work or write special notations in your gradebook, or maintain personal notes. Keep copies of any adjusted tests, assignments, behavior plans, and all notes to and from parents/legal guardians.

Again, if the plan isn't working for the student, ask in writing for the assistance of support staff (counselors, nurses, psychologists, etc.). Also, some degree of accountability rests with the parents/legal guardians in following through. Do not accept the burden alone. Again, keep copies of all pertinent documents.

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Here is an example of a plan for a child who has diabetes: Open Original Shared Link

Wilson's Syndrome Symptom Checklist: Open Original Shared Link

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I have also found several articles calling Wilson's Syndrome "bogus" So not sure what to think now, but many still believe it is a genuine condition. I would just LOVE to ask a doctor about it. I'm curious now.............especially since so many symptoms are like ours.

-Jessica

Daisy brand is gluten-free.

-Jessica

I'm running this poll on my website also and so far have 100% for the "yes's". I sure wish I could ask a doctor about this!! haha That would mean I would have to go in and pay for a visit.........bleh.

-Jessica

Celiac is not a disability, she should never have been qualified as such to begin with.

Actually having the 504 plan is a blessing to most parents. It sets guidelines as to what needs to be done for the child. As a teacher I also find it to be a blessing. It sets up some guidelines for everyone involved in the child's life at school. It makes a plan for what needs to take place. In order to have a 504 a child needs to have the classification.

-Jessica

Chronic low body temperature, also known as Wilson's Syndrome, is related to many syndromes. It is found in many cases of allergies, apathy, chronic fatigue, "brain fog", "personal failure", depression, dizziness, hypoglycemia, lethargy, passive/aggressive syndromes, skin and joint conditions, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, past sexual abuse, yeast problems, porphyria, and many other poorly defined chronic low health states. Obviously, not all chronic problems are related to chronic low body temperature; but it may be prudent to measure one's body temperature on a routine basis to see if this is a possibility.

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I found it interesting because it says "allergies, skin and joint disorders, brain fog, lethargy" Which are just a few symptoms that align with Celiac.

The disorder that they mention with this condition is called Wilson's Syndrome. When I do a search for that I came up with this site that lists symptoms of wilson's : Open Original Shared Link Check out the list it is REALLY mindblowing how many symptoms are the same as celiac.

If you have a body temperature of less than 98.6 F. and some of the following symptoms you probably have Wilson's Syndrome. This condition involves a disorder where the cells of the body are unable to convert the inactive thyroid hormone, T4, into the more active hormone, T3. Wilson's Syndrome itself does not alter the thyroid hormone tests. It may exist in association with true hypothyroidism, however. In these cases, thyroid tests may be abnormal but the usually prescribed thyroid hormones may not entirely solve the problem.

I know I run a below normal temperature usually and when I get gluten I get a low grade fever.

I was just curious how many other folks out there run a below normal temp regularly.

-Jessica

I found an interesting site this evening that has to do with temp. It discusses low body temp. It says :

Chronic low body temperature, also known as Wilson's Syndrome, is related to many syndromes. It is found in many cases of allergies, apathy, chronic fatigue, "brain fog", "personal failure", depression, dizziness, hypoglycemia, lethargy, passive/aggressive syndromes, skin and joint conditions, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, past sexual abuse, yeast problems, porphyria, and many other poorly defined chronic low health states. Obviously, not all chronic problems are related to chronic low body temperature; but it may be prudent to measure one's body temperature on a routine basis to see if this is a possibility.

I found it interesting because it says "allergies, skin and joint disorders, brain fog, lethargy" Which are just a few symptoms that align with Celiac.

I know I run a below normal temperature usually and when I get gluten I get a low grade fever.

I was just curious how many other folks out there run a below normal temp regularly.

-Jessica

Bob's red mill has a dedicated facility for their gluten free products. On the package it is clearly listed gluten-free and is made in that facility, otherwise you run the risk of contamination if it is one of their other products.

-Jessica

I suppose if it is a gluten free cereal you could give it a try. Would also depend on what the other ingreidents of the cereal are, if it has tons of fruit and nuts etc.

-Jessica

The list is from the company Lame Advertisement. Open Original Shared Link

-Jessica

Prunes

Prune Juice

Fruit juice in large quantities

suppository laxatives (some you will need a Rx for)

Hope you get to feeling better.

-Jessica

I got my package yesterday and baked it all last night. I had fun. I'll send off my "results" tomorrow.

-Jessica

Is this the same pizza recipe as your mix that I was sent to try out? Just curious.

-Jessica

I thought that was odd also, but thought maybe she had some other "issues" they weren't talking about in the article.

-Jessica

Possibly the person on the other end of the phone just was wanting to know more about celiac disease and didn't mean it as an insult to you. I seriously doubt that the question is something they are required to ask!! ha They were probably just curious as to how you get a diagnosis for it. It could have been your opportunity to educate them about Celiac. Next time, take the challenge and educate!!

-Jessica

I found this article this morning. It is kind of upsetting. To me it sounds like this student is being denied a 504 plan for celiac disease!!!!!!! That is sooo awful.

-Jessica

Westport student files lawsuit

By JENNIFER CONNIC Hour Staff Writer WESTPORT -- One family has filed a federal suit against the Board of Education, schools Superintendent Elliott Landon and a variety of employees for violating a student's civil rights by revoking her physical disability status under federal law. The family also charges that school officials were acting against the student because one of her parents had spoken against Landon. The suit was filed in Hartford federal court last Thursday by Andrew Feinstein, the family's attorney, and was delivered to the town clerk's office on Monday. The student is listed as "J.A." in the court documents, and her parents are listed as Mr. and Mrs. A. The family is seeking compensatory and punitive damages against the school board and several individually named defendants. In addition to the school board and Landon, the family is also bringing charges against Cynthia Gilchrist, director of pupil services; Nadine Schwab, school nursing supervisor; Arlis Aron, Coleytown Middle School vice principal; and Elizabeth Russ, Coleytown nurse. Landon could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. Board of Education Chairwoman Mary Parmelee said she had no comment on the pending litigation. According to the court document, in April 2002, the student was diagnosed with celia disease, which is a digestive disorder that requires her not to eat gluten food products. Her mother reported the status to school officials in May 2002, and in November school officials determined that she "had a disability and that her impairment substantially limited a major life function," according to the court document. Under a plan, the student was allowed to store food at school and was given assurances she would be provided with gluten-free meals, the court document states. During the summer of 2003, the student's mother became concerned about the effects of stress and loss of sleep on her daughter because the middle school's start time was changed to one-half hour earlier, the court document says. In September 2003, school officials determined that the school nurse would help with a behavior management plan to help the student get more sleep, the court document states, and she would be allowed to be tardy for school without punishment. Russ, the nurse, however, did not help the student develop a plan, according to the court document. In October 2003, Schwab began to question the student's status under federal law, according to the court document, and school officials determined in November that she was not eligible for the services. The parents were not alerted of the decision, the document states, and were not properly alerted of a January hearing to review the plan. The parents, the document claims, were never told that school officials had reconsidered the student's status. A final determination was made in April 2004 to revoke the student's status, and the parents filed an appeal that was ruled on Jan. 25 this year, according to the document. The ruling states that the student was not eligible for the status under federal law, but the parents were not properly notified of the hearing, according to the document. The hearing officer also ruled that the hearing reflects "a profound breakdown in what had previously been a productive relationship between the parties in which school staff had been consistently responsive to requests by the parents concerning in-school management of the student's health needs," the court document states. "The relationship is now characterized by an atmosphere of distrust, which has shown no signs of abating over the course of this hearing." The court document also claims that Landon was seeking revenge by revoking the student's status because her father had questioned his budgeting practices in 2003. The father had been involved in reviewing the proposed 2003-04 school budget in order to save money and uncovering a number of policy problems with school purchases, including a new copier contract, according to the court document. The father was involved in writing a number of letters outlining better business practices for the school district, according to the court document. "Landon suffered considerable personal embarrassment and stress due to the financial scrutiny conducted by the father," the court document states. "Both in board meetings and in private, defendant Landon expressed his ire and indignation."

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Personally I have found that it takes some time to adjust to the differences in taste of things. I did the same sort of thing as you in the beginning. I thought OH GREAT I'll just use CORN!! They tasted like crud!! However, over time I have adjusted and I love using them when I make mexican food. I LOVE them now. I use the Mission brand white corn.

This seems to be true for many products for me. Just takes time for the taste buds to adjust.

-Jessica

I just used the recipe on the back of the tollhouse chocolate chip bag and added 1/2 cup of the quinoa flakes to the recipe.

As far as flour goes. I had a little of the Bob's Red Mill All purpose left in a bag and a little rice flour left in a bag so it ended up about 1/2 and 1/2 of those two flours.

They are good, not exactly like oatmeal, but I liked the texture and taste.

-Jessica

I attempted some cookies today with the quinoa flakes. They

are pretty tasty. They have a good texture and flavor. I added the

flakes last because they seem to be so fragile. They pretty much

stayed "in tact" though. I'm sure I'll make them again. They were

good.

Next experiment is some meatballs or meatloaf. HUmmmmmmmmm

-Jessica

There is an old time remedy of 1/2 glycerine and 1/2 green tincture soap. (so one part of each) Rub on area, which for me is usually feet then I put on socks. It seems to help. I wear the mixture overnight then just wash off in the morning.

-Jessica

Wendy-

You have a GREAT attitute about things and that is 95% of the battle right there. Keep up the good work.

-Jessica

Has anyone tried using quinoa flakes in place of oatmeal in recipes? I thought they might be a good replacement in things such as oatmeal cookies and meatloaf or meatballs. They look more brittle than oatmeal however, so not sure how it will/would work. I'm going to do some experimenting but let me know if you have tried it. I would love to hear experiences.

Thanks!!

-Jessica

I love Amy's rice crust pizza. I eat it with no troubles.

-Jessica

CSA offers some videos. I have never seen any of them, so can not offer any "reviews" on them.

-Jessica