Esther Sparhawk

Check EVERYTHING!

You guys on this website are so awesome! Glad to hear Yoplait Kids isn't the guilty party, because she was really enjoying them in her lunches!

Before I even checked your responses on this website, I had also come up with a possible art supply source in my mind. Yesterday, for example, they used paint. I gave the preschool teacher some paints (Crayola) which I had researched and believed to be gluten free. I wonder if the preschool teacher forgot to use the gluten-free paints. I'll enquire about this today.

I hadn't thought about the soap at the preschool. I'll check that too. This preschool is run through a home, so the lady in charge hates it when I nit-pick about stuff like that, but maybe it will lessen the blow if I suggest bringing Annie a little soap in a portable soap box, for times when they get really messy, and the rest of the time, she can just wash with water.

I was the one who posted complications with Colorations gluten-free playdough last summer. I've since gotten the right gluten-free Colorations playdough in the mail, and she uses that at preschool.

Thanks again for all your ideas.

Now that school is back in session, Annie has been back at preschool. While she was home with me -- the gluten-free-freak-mom -- her diet was going pretty well. Now that she's back at preschool, I've seen some occassionally looser stools.

Of course there's going to be cross-contamination at a preschool: other kids' fingers, table crumbs, spills on the floor. Gluten happens.

But I'm also concerned about an item that I recently added to her diet. I emailed Yoplait about the gluten-free status of their products. Their response email said, "All of our products are gluten-free, but you should read labels just to be sure" -- that handy catch-all phrase that companies like to use these days.

Has anyone else tried Yoplait Kids yogurts? Their ingredients list modified corn starch and natural flavors, two items we can never be sure about.

I know this could be posted under "foods", but since it's a kids' food, I'm thinking other moms will know better than the general public. That's why I posted under "parents".

What is it with family members who take it personally? I realize everyone has their recipes that they love to make for everyone -- Aunt Ruth's blackberry cobbler, Grandma's oyster casserole, cousin Beth's world famous turkey gravy or whatever -- and nobody wants to alter their favorite recipes, but why do they have to be so offended when I alter their favorite recipes? What difference does it make whether I use rice crackers or Saltines in Grandma's oyster casserole?

One of my aunts went as far as to say, "I refuse to make two seperate meals while you stay with us, so just tell me what Annie can eat, and I'll make that." Then she proceded to make food Annie couldn't eat, because what I suggested sounded too absurd to her. This aunt, in particular, has really hurt my feelings about Annie's diet. In fact, I hope we never have to eat at her house again.

When I think about how hard I've worked to get Annie on a healthy, comfortable diet, and how little respect anyone has for my efforts and achievements, I just want to cry. Annie is three years old, and by keeping her on this diet, I'm hoping to give her the chance to outlive me. I have to remind myself of this fact every day. I just want Annie to be able to live longer than I do, and this goal is important enough to put up with all the crap from insensitive family members.

Mechelle

Northland Cranberries are labeled gluten-free. I drink them all the time.

Be wary of cranberry juice with kids though. Cranberries are a natural laxative. I love the stuff, but it has the same effect on me that a half a cup of coffee has.

My daughter is a celiac, and I've recently been tested, but results aren't in yet.

Pistachios give me blood blisters inside my mouth.

Most other nuts just give me canker sores.

Does anybody know of a safe gluten-free bath bubbles? That's a good question. I know kids get water in their mouths while bathing, and those bubbles make great Santa beards!

Mechelle

If I had the past three and a half years to do over, I would have had Annie tested at birth. Once we quit breast feeding, our problems began. One of the earliest indications was a poor reaction to immunizations. After having her immunized at six months, she came home, had a thrashing fit, and banged her head on the wooden part of her bed for a long time. It scared me to death!

She learned to walk late, because she had DH under her feet. She's still behind her peers in terms of physical dexterity, because of this.

She was a classic celiac, with all the symptoms, but none of the doctors in our rural part of the country put two and two together. It was I who discovered celiac disease on the web and took her to a doctor with a two-year-long journal record of her symptoms.

So keep a journal! It was our saving grace! I don't mean to scare you, but if you can test your child, and there's reason to believe she might be a celiac, why wouldn't you test her?

What a neat web site! I work with children in my career, and I know of a number of kids who can benefit by this web site. Thanks for sharing.

Whole Soy & Co. makes a yogurt that's vegan, casein, whey, and gluten free. It looks funny, but tastes as good as the real thing.

In the fall, I make my whole family split pea soup, but I never call it split pea, because that sounds nasty. Instead, we call it Fairy Flower Soup. The rumor around our house is "If you eat enough fairy flower soup, you may start to grow fairy wings out your back!" Girls love that sort of thing. With boys, you might have to disguise it with another name like "Nascar Motor Power Soup" or something...

Mechelle

Any one know if their ink stamp stuff is gluten-free? My mom order a ink set for my son.. its not arrived yet thoguh.

Can you send me an good email address for them?

The individual who sent me the warning email can be reached at ACraig@Excelligence.com and I would trust her word over the people on the phone. Like Nini, I was told over the phone that the glitter dough was gluten-free. The rep on the phone is the person who needs better training, so be careful about calling their 800 number. Ms. Craig, who sent the email, appears to be more trustworthy with her information.

And hey Nini, don't sweat it. I totally understand. You expect their phone reps to give trustworthy info, as did I. Perhaps because this isn't a food item we're talking about, the people at the top of the company aren't placing celiacs in their "top ten" for safety issues... though from our perspective, they certainly should be!

I just got the following email from Colorations:

Dear Michelle,

I received an email message from my customer service dept regarding a reaction your daughter has had with the Glitter Dough, our item# GLITTDO. This product is made with a wheat flour. If your child is having a serious reaction please take her to the Emergency Room and they will contact Poison Control who has the ingredients in their database. This product is non toxic and has been tested by Duke University to carry the non-toxic seal however I am unable to release the ingredients to anyone other than an Emergency Room or your child’s physician. Please phone me at 800-933-4278.

Aha. Now I know why Annie got sick today! I emailed the same person with a question regarding the other Colorations dough products. Perhaps they've just recently changed their formula? Maybe that's why the lady on the phone said that the product was definitely gluten-free. Beware everyone!

I'll let you know, if I get another email response, as to whether or not any of the Colorations dough products are gluten-free anymore.

Mechelle

They checked for a milk allergy and she was neg. Also I called the pediasure company a while ago and it is safe for celiacs. But carnation instant breakfast is not. I do have that book. It is good. The reason I am worried is because she was starting to gain,But now she is losing.

The GI wants me to make an appt with the ped.

Thanks

Be sure to bring up your suspicions about Lupus, when you visit the pediatrician. Best wishes and God bless.

Is it the one that says wheat free/ gluten free? If not then it's prob. not safe. I don't believe that the gluten free dough comes in a glittery variety.

-Jessica

Well, I just called them. They say that the glitter form of Colorations dough is gluten-free (and dairy free and nut free and yadda yadda yadda). I asked them to please email me a list of ingredients. I'm not going to let her play with it again until I get that email. It will probably be next week sometime before I hear from them again, since the weekend is approaching.

Mechelle

Okay, now I have to retract what I wrote earlier. Annie played with the glitter dough this morning, and had three episodes of diarrhea this afternoon. They could be related.

Does anybody know if the glitter dough formula from Colorations is perhaps NOT gluten-free? It was on this forum that I first heard of Colorations as a gluten-free dough, but I chose the glitter dough, not the regular, when I ordered it.

Mechelle

When Annie was really little, and we didn't know she had celiac disease, I fed her Pediasure all the time. That stuff caused her to throw up even more. It may have milk in it, I can't remember. Like many celiacs, Annie was lactose intolerant at the beginning. Is Nicole lactose intolerant? You might want to check what's in Pediasure and make sure there isn't something in it causing problems. That was the case with my daughter, anyway.

Vitamins can do a world of good, too. Don't give her Flintstone, because they are not gluten-free. We use Yummi Bears vitamins.

Even after being on the diet for a whole year now, Annie has only gained about two pounds. It takes time. Hang in there.

Have you bought Danna Korn's book, Kids With Celiac Disease? It was the best thing I did for my daughter's diet. Best of luck to you.

Mechelle

My 7 year old daughter might have celiac disease. We wont find out for sure until the endoscopy. As far as symptoms are concern, she does not pass her bowels right after eating. It usually takes 2 or 3 hours after and it is loose. She will usually go in the morning when she gets up and then again at night before bed.

Are these symptoms for celiac? I was told that when one has celiac, he/she will pass their bowel right after eating non-glutten free food.

Also, we are going on vacation to ocean city maryland. Does anyone know of any restaurants or food stores in that area that sells glutten-free foods?

If you discover that your child is a celiac, I recommend you go out and immediately buy Danna Korn's book, Kids With Celiac Disease. It really helped me a lot. I wish someone had told me about it immediately, but we were several months into our diet before I discovered this fantastic book. It helps you understand the disease, testing, kids' perspectives, and it even gives a suggested list of treats and candies.

I'm not from Maryland, but you'll find most celiacs feel safest at McDonald's. Kids love McD's anyway. Just tell them your child has a "wheat allergy" (even though that's not exactly correct) and cannot have the bun on their hamburger. They'll give you the happy meal toy and charge for the happy meal. Fries are said to have some cross-contamination problems by the official McDonald's press releases, but I believe they just say this to prevent law suits. We've never gotten a reaction at McDonalds, from fries, burgers, the apple juice, or the bag-o-apples. (We don't use the caramel dippy stuff though, but I choose not to for nutritional reasons. I don't know if it's gluten-free or not.)

A lot of celiacs eat at Wendy's too. The baked potato is safe, and they say the fries, burgers (minus the bun of course) and the chili are safe. I don't trust Wendy's as much as McD's, but that could be due to local management.

Good luck to you on this adventure called life! And don't dispair. When you first start the diet, it seems very difficult, but after a while, it gets easier.

Mechelle

p.s. As far as your daughter's symptoms go, there's no way to tell. Every celiac has different symptoms, and some celiacs have no symptoms at all.

My daughter's one-year gluten-free anniversary is this month too. We've come a long way! Congrats to you and Ty!

I made a yummy gluten-free zucchini bread for Annie recently, and I both greased and floured the pan (with rice flour), which kept the zucchini bread from sticking nicely. I'm going to try that on our next Ener-G corn muffins, to see if that won't help keep them from sticking.

Who is the Incredible Edible cookbook by? What's its entire name? I'm looking for a good sugar cookie recipe that's gluten-free.

Mechelle

I tried making my own playdough too, and yechhh! What a mess! Some people just aren't gifted with cooking, and I admit, I'm one of those people.

My Colorations glitter dough from Discount School Supply just arrived yesterday, and my kids LOVE it. It was worth every penny. Their first comment was, "Wow, Mom, this stuff even smells like real playdough!" The tubs it comes in are twice the size of regular playdough tubs, so it may even be enough for the whole preschool, in just the one package. And surprizingly, it only took about three or four days to arrive.

I wish you luck, honestly, but sometimes the money is worth your sanity.

Mechelle

p.s. Don't take this post as words of wisdom. Read my next post!

We all know where we eat, right? Let's draw local businesses' attention to this web site! I wasn't at all surprised that none of the gluten-free-aware restaurants in my rural part of the country were mentioned on that web site, but I'm going to write that web site down and present it to the managers of the restaurants where we do eat. That way, when some of you want to come out west for a visit, you'll know where to stop safely for a bite to eat!

This may or may not be helpful information for you, but here goes. I had a blood clot in my leg during my pregnancy with Annie, and Annie is a celiac. Due to my genetic link to her and my own lactose intolerance, I've recently taken a blood test to see if I test positive for celiac disease, but I've never been tested for the other diseases you've mentioned. I won't find out about my bloodwork (celiac or not) until later.

I was an older mother with a tendancy toward high blood pressure, so they (doctors) weren't surprised about my blood clot during pregnancy. Maybe I should be concerned, though?

Mechelle

I love Sculpey & I use it a lot in my work, but while it should be completely safe in a gluten sense, it still requires caution because the plasticizers in the clay are really not good for you. Something that is not well understood in art supplies-- things can be marked non-toxic (meaning you don't keel over instantly if you taste it) but repeated exposure can still cause harm over time. If I were you I'd make one of the food-safe, gluten-free playdoughs for any child who is young enough to put fingers in mouth. Also please use care when baking Sculpey (if you do) & if you bake it often, cover the baking dish to prevent plasticizers from building up in your oven. Wouldn't want to trade gluten for dioxins!

Leah

Holy moses! Thanks for the advice! We'll wait a few years to use Sculpey again!

My three year old got badly glutened from play dough, right after we started the diet, last fall. It was under her fingernails, and she stuck her fingers in her mouth all the time.

Now we use polymer clay. The product we're using is called Sculpey, and it comes in lots of different colors. You can find out more about it at www.sculpey.com and we've actually emailed them. They claim to be made of actual earth clay products. I didn't see any hidden sources of gluten in the ingredients list that they emailed me, and my daughter hasn't had a reaction to Sculpey. If you keep it in a plastic bag, it lasts pretty long, but keep it outdoors... It can stick to floors worse than play dough does.

If anyone has found Sculpey to cause a reaction, please let me know.

Mechelle

I would highly recommend ordering the mixes from the Gluten Free Pantry, they are awesome! I haven't had a single mix of theirs not turn out. I also love 1-2-3 Gluten Free mixes... Kinnickinick also has some good mixes, and I LOVE Namaste's spice cake mix (with the optional carrot cake recipe!)

Okay, thanks a lot for the advice!

Mechelle

did you make a big deal about the sugar cookies being gluten-free?

My point is, most times kids will say "ooooh yuck" if something is perceived different, not because it's really yucky. So don't give up based on that one experience!

Like you, I only told the teacher. But these cookies were made from scratch, not a mix. That was my mistake. My adaptation to my grandma's cookie recipe probably used too much rice flour, because the cookies turned out tasting a lot like a fortune cookie -- and they were crunchy like that too.

Where I live, in the rural west, we have one small health food store 30 miles away. They have a few of the gluten-free bread mixes, but they don't carry the cookie mixes. The next closest health food store is more than a hundred miles away, so we only go there once every four months or so.

When the holidays get closer, maybe I'll either travel afar (like the wise men) or order a mix online. That way I won't have to give up on the gluten-free cookies for Annie's whole class. I love the idea of providing the preschoolers with a whole batch of gluten-free dough, decorations and frosting! Our preschool also decorates holiday sugar cookies, and last time, even though I attended the event and kept Annie out of the wheat flour and wheat cookies (providing gluten-free cookies and flour for her alone), there was enough residual wheat flour everywhere to make her sick. Thanks for the tip on that!

Mechelle

Thanks everyone.

Ruth52, can you tell me which brand made you sick? I keep a list of "What Annie Can Eat" and a "What Annie Can't Eat" on my fridge. I'd like to add the brand you experienced problems with to our "Can't Eat" list, if that's not too much trouble.

Sorry you got sick. I hate to take advantage of that, but I drop all social restrictions when it comes to my child!

Thanks again to everyone who replied.