Monthly Archives: September 2010

Custom Choice Cereal & 2010 food trends

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Even though we’ve already pretty much reached the end of the third quarter, we at Custom Choice Cereal came across an interesting video about the food trends in 2010. We think that (at least) 9 of the 10 trends mentioned can be found in our little venture. But see for yourself.

Agree that this video comes late in the year and it’s more a retroactive view than a forecast.  Nonetheless, here is our take and how we think these top 10 food trends for 2010 are reflected in create-your-own-gluten-free-cereal concept.

  1. Keep it real: Just look at our ingredients
  2. Experimentation nation: 1.8 billion (!) combination possibilities
  3. More in store: Fair point…
  4. American, the new Ethnic: Cereal is an American staple
  5. You are what you eat: Hello! Absolutely :-)
  6. Mainstream meets sustainability: Organic ingredients, minimal packaging
  7. Food with benefits: Gluten-free, feeling great & symptom free
  8. I want my Umami: Not our favorite term but like the customization!
  9. Will trade for food: Nothing’s impossible. Be creative and we’ll talk ;-)
  10. I, Me, Mine: Individually hand-mixed cereal. Does it get any better?

Are we or the video missing any trend that you see happening?  Let us know!

Gluten-free shopping in Germany

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Over here in the United States I often hear that shopping for gluten-free food is much easier in Europe. Since I had the chance to travel to Germany for a couple of days I took the chance to scope out the gluten-free landscape there on behalf of Custom Choice Cereal.

Quite different to many stores in the US, “ze Germans” don’t have designated areas or little flags on the aisles for their gluten-free items. However, the good news are that most stores in Germany have quite a few gluten-free items that are specifically labeled as such.

Different from the US rule that only specifies the “Big 8″ allergens to be declared on the ingredient label, European law requires manufacturers since November 2005 to additionally list any gluten-containing grains, mustard, sesame, and a few other ingredients. While this is a big advantage in terms of food safety for celiacs, gluten-free items are literally hidden among the other food in Germany so you have to specifically look for them.

What struck me most was that gluten-free manufacturers over there as well as here mostly focus on bread products, i.e. toast, muffins, cakes, cookies, etc. and pasta. Gluten-free cereal is even more neglected in Germany as it is here but I assume that’s because they are simply less of a cereal-nation. Fortunately, Custom Choice Cereal brings variety to your gluten-free cereal bowl by offering you over 1.8 billion delicious gluten-free combination possibilities!

While some of the emails we get praise the gluten-free landscape in Europe in general, others specifically point to the Scandinavian countries and Italy as gluten-free paradises. So I am wondering: do you have any story or experience to share about eating gluten-free in these or other countries? Would be very interesting to hear about good examples so that maybe we can push for those changes to be made in the US as well.

Gluten-free dining options in Asheville

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We at Custom Choice Cereal are based in Durham, North Carolina, but have a special relationship to Asheville because Hajo went there for High School, still has a few very good friends there, and loves to go hiking in the mountains.

Asheville Mountain XPressThat’s why we were excited to see an article in yesterday’s Asheville Mountain XPress listing the over 25 restaurants with gluten-free dining options in the city and surrounding area. Asheville is always worth a trip but maybe now you are even more inclined to visit this beautiful place?

Here comes the best part: Melody Grace Miller refers to Hajo and Custom Choice Cereal in her article, describing our beloved little venture as a

“company that lets the customer create their own custom-blend of cereal by choosing from a selection of gluten-free ingredients.”

It is important to add that we aim to enable everyone a tasty and normal life regardless of dietary (gluten) restrictions. Your taste buds and safety are Custom Choice Cereal’s highest priorities; that’s why we only select the highest quality ingredients and maintain a dedicated gluten-free facility!

Craig Pinto kicks for celiac disease

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This is how a morning should start! I just got to my desk at Custom Choice Cereal and came across an absolutely great event that I am thrilled to share with you.

Craig Pinto Kicking4CeliacOn October 10th, arena football kicker Craig Pinto will kick field goals from 40 yards out for 12 hours straight to raise awareness for celiac disease. He also aims to set a new world record in his Kicking4Celiac event by making over 500 good kicks. Craig says on his website that

“Kicking footballs for this long seems physically challenging, but so is living with Celiac Disease everyday, and both can be done successfully.”

So true, and those of you who live gluten-free know all too well about this daily challenge! We at Custom Choice Cereal are super-excited to see Craig raise awareness for celiac disease and ask you to please support Craig and his great cause! Visit his facebook page and leave an encouraging comment, help spreading the word about Kicking4Celiac, and maybe even donate to this great cause. All proceeds will benefit the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University.

CBS article on the gluten-free diet

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We at Custom Choice Cereal are (almost) always happy to read about gluten-free foods and celiac disease just because it raises awareness. This is an essential part of our mission, and given the fact that 97% of celiacs remain undiagnosed and suffer unnecessarily, we think that any press is good press.

CBS News Health on the Gluten-free DietSome press articles are clearly better researched than others, and the recent article in the Wall Street Journal was a stellar example for good reporting. This weekend we came across an article on the eating gluten-free by CBS News. Author Caroline Black quotes former editor-in-chief of Every Day with Rachel Ray magazine Silvana Nardone saying about consuming gluten “I feel better when I don’t do it”.

Even though it remains to be proven scientifically, it is a statement that we’ve experienced ourselves and have heard countless times. And when it comes to dieting, I personally think that if your body tells you that it likes the diet change (i.e. you feel better), than it can’t be wrong to stick with it! It also reminds me to remind you to take our latest 3-second-poll on the left hand side of the blog how fast after going gluten-free you saw/felt improvements ;-)

Key is however that the article correctly point out that a gluten-free diet is without alternatives if you have celiac disease. Every once in a while I read about a new approach to develop a drug for the treatment of celiac patients. However, I must say that I am not a big fan of taking medicine in the first place, and especially not if a relatively simple diet change can help as well.
What are your thoughts on this?

Gluten-free diet and carbs for athletes

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Custom Choice Cereal’s favorite local athlete Type1Rider does not follow a strictly gluten-free diet, but he does fuel up on his personal gluten-free cereal before and during his races. We came across an interesting article about gluten-free athletes and wanted to clarify some of the things that author Chrissy Wellington writes.

Chrissy mentions that the Garmin-Transitions cycling team, golfer Sarah Jane Smith and Saints quarterback Drew Brees all follow a gluten-free diet during their athletic seasons. However, she does not specify the very different reasons:

The author also talks about why a gluten-free diet can actually be performance-enhancing and gives the following argument:

“The rationale behind why many athletes follow gluten-free diets is basically to ease unappealing digestive symptoms during competition. Improved digestion leads to improved absorption of nutrients, which can then translate into improved performance. “

Active.com Nutrition for The Gluten-free AthleteSince getting the much needed carbs to fuel the athlete can be a challenge, Chrissy recommends – and we at Custom Choice Cereal fully agree – to consume quinoa, tapioca, rice, organic corn, amaranth, flaxseeds, potato, tofu, nuts, and beans instead. It is important to note that a gluten-free diet also relaxes the body’s immune system, thus helping repair muscles more efficiently, and helps to maintain a stable blood sugar level during exercise. A great resource to follow in this context is Erin Elberson’s blog Gluten-free Fitness.

What’s your experience with sports on a gluten-free diet? Do you have any advice or tips? Please share your story or any recommendations you might have!

Gluten, celiac disease & wheat allergy

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We all know that things change, and the pace of these changes is constantly increasing. With awareness for celiac disease constantly on the rise – September 13th was Celiac Awareness Day – confusion about the various terms mentioned in the context of “gluten” also increases.

Pam Stuppy on celiac disease, wheat allergy, gluten sensitivityI understand my work at Custom Choice Cereal to quite a large degree as educating about celiac disease and making gluten-free life easier. That’s why I was very excited to see a detailed article by registered, licensed dietitian Pam Stuppy explaining the difference between celiac disease, a wheat allergy, and gluten intolerance. She gives the following – and I think outstanding – definitions:

  • Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease, which means that even a trace of gluten causes a flattening of the villi — little fingerlike projections in the intestinal lining that absorb nutrients and energy sources from the foods we eat. People with celiac disease are more likely to acquire one or more other autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.
  • A wheat allergy is an allergic response by the body that triggers symptoms such as rashes, asthma, or even anaphylactic shock but unlike celiac disease, it does not involve self-destruction of body tissues.
  • Recent studies suggest that there may be a third category of conditions related to gluten that is not specifically autoimmune or allergy-based. This gluten sensitivity may be because of changes in the lining of the intestinal tract and how it controls what gets into the blood stream. This may also be the connection with autism. More work needs to be done in this area.

These are the three basic cases that need to be distinguished. If you would like to know more you can read Pam’s entire article at Seacoastonline.com.

Customized gluten-free cereal frenzy

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Have you always wanted to try your personal gluten-free cereal but haven’t been able to attend a gluten-free food fair at which Custom Choice Cereal had a booth? Here is another chance for you!
Gluten Free Frenzy
Gluten-free blogger and founder of the Celiac Disease Foundation Arizona East Valley Celiac Support Group Chandice Probst had what she describes as “the fun and unique opportunity to mix and eat my own custom, gluten free cereal!” She reviewed the mix she created on her blog Gluten Free Frenzy and writes about its taste that “it was amazing!!!” and “delectable”.

It always feels to good to hear how much someone enjoyed their Custom Choice Cereal, especially if – like Chandice – they are “not a big cereal girl”.  Hajo always finds that hard to understand and is happy about every person he is able to “convert” to eating cereal again.  Chandice’s  final conclusion?

“The whole process was amazing. I would recommend it to anyone, especially because I have never had gluten free granola this good!”

Check our what else Gluten Free Frenzy has to say about her cerealization and don’t forget to participate in the giveaway!

Today is Celiac Disease Awareness day

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It is truly amazing how being involved in the gluten-free community teaches us at Custom Choice Cereal something new every day!
Awareness for Celiac Disease
While May was officially declared as Celiac Awareness month in North Carolina (and several other States, among them New York), we learned recently that today is Celiac Awareness Day! Custom Choice Cereal therefore decided to celebrate this special day with you by offering you a 15% discount on all orders with the coupon code CAD2010!

With the official designation of September 13 as National Celiac Awareness Day by the US Senate, awareness for celiac disease has come a long way. By the way, September 13th was chosen as the date in honor of the birthday of Dr. Samuel Gee who first identified the gluten-free diet the treatment for celiac disease and diet. Interesting facts about celiac disease mentioned in the resolution include

  • that the majority of celiacs (3 million in the US) remain undiagnosed
  • that celiac disease is easily overlooked by doctors and patients
  • that the average ‘wait time’ until a correct diagnosis (as recently as 2000) was 11 years
  • that the only treatment for celiac disease is a life-long gluten-free diet
  • that other autoimmune disease such as thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and others are linked to celiac disease

So join us in following the US Senate’s “call upon the people of the United States to observe National Celiac Disease Awareness Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities”! What are you doing today to help raise awareness?

Custom (gluten-free) foods in the press

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Just yesterday I posted about another blogger giving our gluten-free cereal a stellar review and how that made my day. Today is even better!

Southown StarAbout a month ago I talked to Carole Sharwarko from the Southtown Star in Tinley Park, IL, because she was interested in Custom Choice Cereal’s create-your-own gluten-free cereal concept. The result of this conversation has been published today in an article on custom food websites letting you have it your way. Carole writes that

“Though Custom Choice Cereal owner Hajo Engelke said anyone would enjoy a custom cereal, people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease make up his primary customer base. It’s what gave him the idea in the first place.”

I am pretty thrilled that Carole accurately described who needs a gluten-free diet though many others can benefit from it. Even a CNN health expert described celiac disease as a gluten allergy yesterday and provoked an outcry in the comment section. Being German I am particular when it comes to getting the facts right ;-)

Here is a shout-out to some other great make-your-own food websites that Carole mentions in her article besides our custom gluten-free cereal: Chocri (custom chocolate bars), Slant Shank Jerky (custom beef jerky), eCreamery (custom ice cream), and RedMoonPetFood (no explanation needed). Check them out!