Though you may not have really given it any thought before, if you have a child with Celiac Disease one thing doctors feel you should be looking out for are the symptoms of Depression.  This is because according to About.com, children with Celiac Disease are more vulnerable to depression.

I suppose if you step back and think about it, this totally makes sense. Growing up is difficult enough as it is, but not being able to eat with your friends would certainly make things worse. The important thing is that the depression gets diagnosed and the proper treatment is given to your child.

Here is today’s batch of Celiac news and notes:

• The Gluten Free RN has listed the questions that need answers regarding Celiac Disease. There are definitely some questions here that need answered. Hopefully as more people are diagnosed, these questions will finally get answered.
• Global Healing examines food intolerance vs. food allergies.  As a father of two young children, I found this to be a particularly interesting post.

Looking for a gluten free restaurant chain in your state?  Or maybe you are going to be traveling and you want to know where you can eat?  A lot of Celiacs find themeselves in one of these situations, and Gluten Free Resource is here to help!   This is one of 51 total posts that will be breaking down the gluten free chains found in each of the individual states within the United States.  

Each state will be released in alphabetical order, but if you can’t wait for us to get to your state, feel free to check out our Gluten Free Restaurant Menus page for a complete list of restaurants in your state that offer a gluten free menu.  We have provided a link to the gluten free menu of each restaurant within that state (based upon our research) and a link to their locations page.   The locations page can be used to find the restaurant closest to your area.

If you have any questions or would like to report a restaurant that has a gluten free menu within this state, please let us know!

Alabama Gluten Free Restaurant Menus

• Bonefish Grill (Locations)
• Carrabba’s Grill (Locations)
• Chili’s (Locations)
• On The Border (Locations)
• Outback (Locations)
• PF Changs (Locations)
• Ted’s Montana Grill (Locations)

Looking for a good gluten free cupcake recipe?  

Gluten Free Yellow Cupcakes with Frosting

Cupcake Ingredients:

• 1 package Gluten Free Pantry Old Fashioned cake mix (can purchase here)
• 1 package Jello vanilla instant pudding
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 extra large eggs room temperature
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 3/4 C orange juice
• 1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons good vanilla extract

Note: Do not use the instructions on the side of the box

Baking Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix the wet ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Add the dry ingredients and beat on high speed for two minutes.
4. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. Fill liners 2/3 to ¾ of the way full.
5. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the cupcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. If making a cake, grease the pan first, pour in the mix and bake for 40-45 minutes.

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 pound confectioner’s sugar
• 1 stick (8T) of good unsalted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons good vanilla extract
• ¼ cup of milk

Instructions:

1. Combine half of the sugar with the butter and beat on low speed.
2. Add the wet ingredients and beat.
3. Slowly add the rest of the sugar while mixing until combined.
4. Beat on medium-high speed for at least two minutes until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
5. If you want the frosting to be a little bit stiffer (better for decorating) add powdered sugar a couple of tablespoons at a time.
6. Frost cupcakes with icing at room temperature.

[Recipe Courtesy of A Gluten Free Guide]

This is a simple, low-fat, low-sugar recipe contributed by my mother. It is a “very good for you” snack anytime. If you’d like to contribute a recipe for publishing, please contact us.

Gluten Free Crust-Free Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients:

• ¾ C Splenda™ (granulated for baking)
• 2 Eggs
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 - 12 oz fat-free evaporated milk
• 1 – 15 oz can pumpkin
• 2 tsp GF Vanilla
• 2 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp ginger, ¼ tsp ginger, ¼ tsp nutmeg, ½ tsp salt)

Baking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Place Splenda™, eggs, baking powder, evaporated milk, pumpkin, vanilla and spices in a blender.
3. Beat until smooth – for approx 1 minute
4. Pour into a lightly greased pie plate ( 9 or 10 inch)
5. Bake at 375 degrees until a knife inserted in center comes out clean, approx 45 minutes.

Keep Refrigerated. Enjoy!