Correction: Fall Better Living Gluten Free

IT'S THE FALL EMPOWERMENT ISSUE

The air is crisp and the leaves have turned, autumn has arrived. It's time to cuddle up with a good book, take a walk on freshly fallen leaves and sit back with a cup of steaming hot tea. Welcome to the season of colours. Here at the CCA, autumn means a flurry of activity. Newsletters, magazines, conferences, webinars and so much more. We are here to provide you with the most up to date, evidence based information with the goal of empowering all of our members. Welcome to the empowerment issue.

Brought to you by Schar.

Click the image below for your chance to win some delicious Schar products!

Parent tips for a happier Halloween

Your child may be disappointed that they cannot eat all the candies they gather while trick or treating. Therefore, it is important to take some time to talk to your child and manage their expectations this Halloween. Below are some strategies and tips for a successful gluten-free Halloween:

Chat Before Halloween. Take time to communicate to your child that they may not be able to keep all the candy they receive. This conversation will help manage their expectations at Halloween. During this time, please go through our gluten-free Halloween candy list with your child, and find their favourite allowed candies.

Household or Neighbourhood Candy Trade. This strategy involves your children trading gluten-free candies for gluten-containing ones. This option is ideal for families with multiple children, some of whom have celiac disease (CD) and some who do not. For example, your daughter with CD could trade her Kit Kat bar (gluten-containing) to your son without CD in exchange for one of his gluten-free candies, such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Does your child want to trade candy, but there are not any children in your household without celiac disease? No problem – expand the candy trade. See if any neighbourhood children would like to participate or perhaps some of your child’s school friends are interested.

Donate. Donating gluten-containing candy to your local food bank is a wonderful opportunity to teach your child the importance of helping others. Remind your child that many Canadian children are not fortunate enough to go trick or treating, and their actions will bring joy to other children. Your child may feel inspired to donate some of their gluten-free candy as well for other children with CD who will not get to go trick or treating.

Find Support in the CCA Facebook Group. Our group has over 16,000 members, each with unique and helpful insight into living a gluten-free life. Connect with your peers by asking questions or by commenting on other’s posts. Check out the Facebook group here. You can also reach out to the Canadian Celiac Association with additional questions or concerns.

Keep Back-Ups. Before Halloween, take some time to bake some of your child’s favourite GF cookies, or get them something small to make up for some of their lost candy. Some ideas include a new pack of crayons, a book they would like, a world map, a skipping rope, or a new stuffed animal.

Check out our celiac safe candy list!

Enjoy a safe gluten-free Halloween this year, using the Canadian Celiac Association's Gluten-Free Halloween Candy List 2021. This list was created by the CCA on September 16, 2021. As always, please check the packages’ ingredient lists before consuming any candies.

Click on the image for your celiac friendly candy list!

History of the teal pumpkin

Where does inspiration come from? Often our own life experiences inspire new ideas that end up helping and supporting many people. This is the case of the Teal Pumpkin Project. Read more to find out who, why and what the Teal Pumpkin Project is all about!

Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep signals that, in addition to candy, you offer non-food trinkets and/or treats that are safe for all trick or treaters. But, where did this symbol originate? In the fall of 2012, Becky Basalone, the director of a local food allergy support group in Tennessee had the idea of painting a pumpkin teal. Teal is the colour of allergy awareness. Becky wanted Halloween to be inclusive for all children who struggled on Halloween because of various food allergies, intolerances and auto-immune diseases. Her inspiration came from her youngest son who has a history of anaphylaxis due to life-threatening food allergies. As we know, Halloween is a food-centric holiday and can feel scary, isolating or disappointing for some children. The goal of the 'Teal Pumpkin Project' is to encourage inclusion for children with dietary limitations and restrictions. It's not about removing candy, it's about allowing all kids to feel included and have fun this Halloween.

This Halloween, dust off your paint brushes, find some teal coloured paint and paint a pumpkin! Place it on your front step the night of Halloween so that kids with allergies, intolerances and celiac disease know that your home is inclusive and welcoming for all.

"Keep Halloween fun for all this year with a teal pumpkin!"

A delicious treat

Looking for a delicious and easy treat to make this fall? Well, look no further, this delicious Double Layer Pumpkin Pie recipe from Schar will dazzle your taste buds and bring a smile to everyone's face. Click on the image below for more details!

Knowledge is power

The more we learn, the better equipped we are to make informed choices. In turn, informed choices help us to ensure that we stay healthy and well while living with celiac disease. But, with so much information at our fingertips, how do we ensure that the information we are receiving is accurate, evidence-based and trustworthy?

Here at the CCA, we have you covered. The CCA has been striving to empower people with celiac disease since 1973. In fact, our mission statement says it all, "to have every Canadian diagnosed and empowered." We are here to support you every step of your journey. From how to get diagnosed to keeping up with the latest research for our long-standing members. Here is a list of resources that you can turn to when you are looking for information, that is CCA approved.

Canadian Celiac Association website:

Here you will find links to upcoming events, research, recipes, dining out, back to school, travel and so much more.
All information on this site is reviewed and supported by our team of experts.
Here you can also find out more about our Professional Advisory Council (PAC). The purpose of the PAC is to advise and assist the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) in its mandate of promoting the welfare of persons with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis, and to increase awareness among the public, governments, and health care professionals of these disorders.
Our CCA labelling document will help you navigate every label. Click HERE to learn more.
On our events page you will learn about upcoming learning opportunities.

Attend our next Canadian Celiac Virtual Conference:

Click HERE for registration.
The CCA Fall Conference 2021 is the national conference where Canadians with celiac disease and gluten-related disorders, health professionals, researchers, policy-makers, academics, food manufacturers and distributors, come together to strengthen efforts to improve celiac disease management and quality of life, to share the latest research and information, to promote best practices and to advocate for celiac disease issues and policies grounded in research.

Connect with our client support desk:

Our on-staff Registered Dietitian is always here to assist you with questions you may have. Connect with our RD or Masters of Nutrition staff member to get the support you need. Phone: Phone: 905.507.6208 or Toll Free: 1.800.363.7296 Ext. 224, or via email: info@celiac.ca

Canadian Celiac Association YouTube channel:

Discover informative videos, interviews and more on our YouTube channel. Click HERE to explore all our channel has to offer.

Health Canada:

The government of Canada has some resources that you may want to check out.
Celiac Disease - Canada.ca.
Gluten – A group of proteins that people with gluten-related disorders should avoid - Canada.ca
Want to read more about labelling laws in Canada? Click here.

Dietitians of Canada

Dietitian's of Canada is another excellent resource
Here you can find some excellent peer-reviewed articles that you may find helpful.
Want to connect with an RD in your area that specializes in celiac disease? Click here

Local pharmacist

If you have questions about your medications, vitamin or mineral supplements, you can always connect with a local pharmacist. They are an excellent, trusted source of information.

CFIA

Contact the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency for a variety of reasons. Here you can report items, ask questions or make a comment.

Easy and delicious!

NICOLE'S DELICOUS AUTUMN PUMPKIN SPICE LOAF

Ingredients:

2 cups mashed pumpkin

4 eggs

1 cup oil

3 1/4 cup GF flour

2 tsp baking soda

3 cups sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cloves

1 tsp ginger

1 1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 60minutes.

Beat eggs until frothy. Mix with pumpkin, water, oil and eggs. Sift together dry ingredients & add to wet mixture. Pour into greased loaf pans.

Keeps well in fridge or freezer.

Watch and bake along with Nicole!

Recommendations for spices

Do spices have to be labelled gluten-free?

Here at the CCA we are often asked about spices. The question "do my spices need to be labelled gluten-free?' is one that is asked frequently. Spices are derived from the dried part of plants such as the root, seed, bark, bud, berry or flower. Individual herbs and spices do not usually contain gluten, although in rare cases, wheat flour or wheat starch can be added to reduce cost.

Canada has some of the most robust labelling laws in the world. Here, all priority allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites when used as an ingredient or a component of a food product, MUST be declared by their common name on the food label of a product. Priority allergens include eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat and triticale; soy, fish, crustaceans and molluscs; sesame seeds and mustard. Gluten sources include barley, rye, wheat, triticale and regular oats. All priority allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites must be included in the list of ingredients or in a “contains” statement, which immediately follows the list of ingredients. This gives you, as the consumer peace of mind when shopping. Health Canada strongly recommends that individuals with wheat allergies or celiac disease avoid products with a “may contain wheat” statement due to the possible presence of unintended wheat or other gluten sources. Of note: if there is a gluten-free label and a may contains statement, then the gluten-free claim wins out, and the product is considered safe for consumption.

So, what does this mean for spices? Spices are no different from other food items. Read and trust the label, with the security of knowing that here in Canada all gluten sources must be declared.

Fall time-saving baking tips

We all love fall baking. The delicious fall spices and flavours make this season unique from any other. Here are some quick and easy tips to make your autumn baking a snap!

Purchase pre-made pie and tart shells for easy and delicious, pies, quiches and tarts.
Purchase a single flour blend for baking.
Use your own tried and true recipes! Do not be afraid to convert your favourite recipes with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Use pre-made spice mixes. Some spice companies have pre-mixed spices perfect for this time of year.
Double your recipes and put 1/2 in the freezer.

Chill out with some chicken wings

Time to put your feet up and enjoy a fall afternoon with some of our favourite chicken wings. These are spicy and delicious. Easy to make and perfect for an appetizer or just as is for a movie night or with your favourite book.

A FALL FAVOURITE! SPICY CHICKEN WINGS

Ingredients:

4 lbs wings/ drumettes

2 Tbsp Montreal steak spice

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 Tbsp Tobasco sauce

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

Directions:

Arrange oven racks in the top & bottom 1/3 of the oven. Preheat to 450 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with foil. For crisper wings place on wire rack. Place wings in bowl and coat with above ingredients. Place chicken on racks and roast for 40-50 minutes. no need to turn.

**Image shows wings that have been cooked on a wire rack. The crisper version.

Delicious Seafood Jambalaya

A delicious family favourite, bursting with flavour and just a little bit of heat! A perfect fall menu item that will satisfy everyone's palette.

Ingredients

2 Tbsp butter

1 pound andouille sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices

1 large bell pepper, diced

1 large onion, diced

3 ribs celery, cut into large dice

1 small head garlic cloves minced

1 28oz can diced tomatoes

2 large tomatoes, chopped

1 pound medium shrimp, peeled

1/2 pound white fish fillets

3 cups long-grain rice, rinsed

6 cups water

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

4 Tbsp Cajun spice.

Directions

Combine butter and sausage in a Dutch oven and saute for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the bell pepper, onion, celery, and garlic, and season with Cajun spice, salt and black pepper. Saute, still over high heat, for about 8 minutes, or until veggies have softened.

Add the tomatoes, shrimp, fish and and stir. Add the rice, stir gently, and add the water. Stir lightly. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the rice has absorbed most of the liquid.

Chef tips

Add extra water or stock to make jambalaya a little looser.

Add more Cajun spice and hot sauce if you like a kick!

Substitute fish for chicken if fish isn't to your taste.

This is a great dish to have as leftovers. One night of cooking for two nights of meals.

Substitute turkey sausage for andouille for a lower fat option.

We asked, you answered

QUESTION:

What is your favourite thing about the fall?