Happy Halloween! The Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) is here to ensure you have a safe, fun and spooktacular season, all while following a gluten-free diet. Halloween isn't just for kids anymore! |
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Check out our annual candy list! |
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Enjoy a safe gluten-free Halloween this year, using the CCA's Gluten-Free Halloween Candy List 2022. This list was created by the CCA on September 9, 2022. As always, please check all package ingredient lists before consuming any candies.
Click on the image for your celiac friendly candy list!
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Show your support for children and young at heart adults with allergies, intolerances and autoimmune diseases by showcasing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep or party this year. |
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What does a teal pumpkin represent and how is it be helpful for someone with celiac disease?
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 or even party goers. This important symbol was created in the fall of 2012 by Becky Basalone, the director of a local food allergy support group in Tennessee. Teal is the colour of allergy awareness and Becky wanted Halloween to be inclusive for all children, including those with various food allergies, intolerances and autoimmune diseases. Becky's inspiration came from her youngest son who has a history of anaphylaxis due to life-threatening food allergies.
Halloween is a food-centric holiday and can be scary, isolating and feel disappointing for some children and even adults.
The goal of the 'Teal Pumpkin Project' is to encourage inclusion for people with dietary limitations and restrictions. For children especially, it's not about removing candy, it's about allowing everyone to feel included and have fun this Halloween.
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Heading out for some trick or treating? Check out these tips. |
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This strategy involves your children trading gluten-containing candies for gluten-free ones. (If you haven't already, check out our GF candy list!). This option is perfect for families with multiple children, where some have celiac disease (CD) and others do not. This option also works for trading with friends and neighbours. |
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People often allow kids to choose their treats from the candy bowl. However, if this is not the case, then as a parent you can advocate for a GF candy option for your child. Most bowls of candy have a variety, with at least one being GF. For older children, empower them to ask for a GF option because of the their medically required dietary restriction. |
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Before Halloween, take some time to stock on your child's favourite Halloween treat items. This way, on the day, you can swap out the gluten-containing items for GF options. Other ideas? Bake some of your child’s favourite GF cookies, or get them something small to make up for any lost candy that they cannot consume. |
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Classroom fun for everyone!
For kids of elementary school age, there may be a class party involving treats. For this, we suggest providing your child's teacher with a bag of gluten-free options earlier in the week. This way, your child can do a candy-swap with any items that may not be safe.
Remember that Halloween isn't just about the treats - it's also about the decorating, pumpkin carving and costumes!
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Grandma's veggie crock pot chile |
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No time to cook, but wanting to give your family a healthy meal before they eat all that candy? For an easy solution, try this delicious and healthy crock-pot chile. |
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Ingredients:
1 can black bean soup
1 can kidney beans
1 can chickpeas
1 can baked beans
1 can chopped tomatoes in liquid
1 can whole kernel corn
1 onion chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2-3 stalks of celery chopped
2 cloves of garlic
1 Tbsp each: chile powder, oregano, basil, parsley
In slow cooker combine all ingredients and cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-6 hours. May need extra liquid.
Sprinkle with cheese, sliced avocado and sour cream and enjoy!
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Sticky toffee pudding - by request! |
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Cake ingredients:
2 cups dates (chopped or minced)
2 cups milk (of milk alternative)
1/2 cup sugar
4 Tbsp butter (or marg)
2 level tsp of baking soda
2 cups GF flour + 4 Tbsp baking powder
Add dates, milk, sugar and butter into saucepan. Once boiling point is just about reached add baking soda and stir. Remove from heat and fold in flour. Transfer to a 22cm springform pan and bake at 320 degrees for 20 minutes.
Sauce ingredients:
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup cream
1 cup butter
Add all the ingredients into a saucepan and heat until dissolved. Stirring occasionally.
Pour sauce over pudding and enjoy!
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We asked our FB group: "What is your favourite gluten-free fall/autumn dessert?" Here are your top answers.
Pumpkin pie 34%
Apple crisp 23%
Sticky toffee pudding 12%
Pumpkin cheesecake 12%
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Not a member of the Facebook Group? Click HERE to join!
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GF 101: GETTING STARTED ON THE GLUTEN-FREE DIET
This free webinar has been developed for newly diagnosed Canadians with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity who want to build their confidence in managing their own disease or that of a family member or friend. It’s an interactive session so bring your questions! Sponsored by GoGoQuinoa!
When: November 17th 6pm ET
When: December 13th 7pm ET
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National Virtual Conference
Our annual National Conference is where Canadians with celiac disease and gluten related disorders, medical professionals and other stakeholders 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. Join us for this exciting event!
Saturday showcases the latest research news from the International Celiac Disease Symposium along with disease management from world-class speakers such as Dr. Joseph Murray and Ben Lebwohl.
Our Sunday, we are teaming up with McMaster University to offer an extensive day on celiac disease and nutrition management!
When: Saturday Nov 12, and Sunday, Nov 13, from 12pm to 4:30pm ET.
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10 Days of Instagram Giveaways!
Join us for 10 days of holiday giveaways on our Instagram channel @ccaceliac! Let’s celebrate the holiday season and kick-off the joyful season of giving. Every day for 10 days we’ll be giving away awesome, gluten-free prizes to our followers. Many thanks to our generous sponsors for making this possible.
When: December 1-10, 2022
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Better Living Gluten Free is a bi-monthly electronic publication of the
Canadian Celiac Association.
Copyright © Canadian Celiac Association
The contents of Better Living Gluten Free (BLGF) are provided in good faith, for information purposes only, and using the most current information available subject to amendment and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. The Professional Advisory Board of the Canadian Celiac Association (the “CCA”) has not reviewed the contents of BLGF. Use of the information is at your own risk. The CCA does not endorse any product referenced in BLGF. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the CCA, its local Chapters and all persons involved in compiling this publication disclaim any responsibility for, and make no representations or warranties regarding, the information provided. In no event will the CCA, its Chapters, or those persons involved in compiling this publication be liable for any damages of any kind resulting from the use of the information. Please review the CCA’s disclaimer policy on its website at https://www.celiac.ca/privacy-policy/
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