Term papers!

It's almost the weekend and you know what means?  Pizza time! However, if you're on gluten free diet or suspect you have a wheat or gluten intolerance, you know that having even just one slice will result in some undesirable symptoms.  

Partaking in the family food fun is literally no fun when you're in this predicament.  "I'll have a salad" just doesn't cut it especially when it comes to your taste buds!  While there are a handful (or maybe more) of gluten free pizzas now available, it's not the same as going to your local pizza joint and having a hot slice right out of the brick oven.  

Look no further….

A few weekends ago, I was driving by Toozy Patza Pizza in Wilton, CT and saw their large sign outside for gluten free pizza.  This caught my attention so I decided to step inside and place my order.

In partnership with Still Riding Pizza, Toozy and many other pizza joints throughout the country offer a, "delicious, authentic, New York style par-baked crust that is entirely gluten free."  And, If you're neighborhood spot isn't listed, you can request them to be added.

I can attest.  This pizza tastes like the REAL deal but without the gluten or wheat!   Instead this pizza crust contains bean, rice and tapioca flours, starch, xanthum gum, salt, yeast, egg, cider vinegar, sugar, canola oil, and calcium propionate.  Be forewarned, you might eat 1/2 the pie in just one sitting!  Sure, it's not going to be identical to the regular pies that you might have grown up with but, it comes pretty darn close.

The best part is, you can order the crusts to have at home too.  This is perfect if you have kids that are gluten-free and want to get them involved in the kitchen by helping create their own pizza masterpiece.

Here's a great video on this fabulous pizza:

Give this pizza a try if you are gluten-free or just feel like being daring.  I'd love to hear how your taste buds react!

In Health,

Alison Held, M.S.
Clinical Nutritionist

Over the summer I attended a wonderful outdoor patio party overlooking the Long Island Sound.  It was hosted by my dear friend and business colleague, Dr. Brett Denkin.  He sure knows how to throw a fun party!  While there, I had the pleasure of running into my friend Jamie.  We caught up on work and then transitioned our conversation to the beautiful potluck food before us.  This is when the topic of cinnamon and honey took hold!

Being a life long foodie, I've always known that both cinnamon and honey have therapeutic properties.  In the nutrition world, cinnamon is a spice known for it's ability to help balance blood sugar.  While honey, especially if locally sourced, can help with anything from allergies to acne.  

As I was leaving the party, Jamie said, "I'll send you that email…"  Sure enough, when I checked my inbox the following morning an email about cinnamon and honey was right there waiting for me to read.  "Maybe cinnamon and honey will take care of everything!" was Jamie's perfect response to a health complaint I had shared with her the previous evening.  

Below I summarize some of the contents from her email.  While the email (which was not Jamie's but one that had been forwarded to her) seemed to promise to "cure" one's ailments, I take a different stance*.  Try the remedies only if they sound doable and see how you do.  Too much of anything is not always a good thing…. however, it doesn't hurt to experiment & report back to us on your learnings*.  Remember, your body knows best!

Honey Tips!

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot.  It will do what some call turning to sugar.  In reality honey is always honey.  However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will,l "crystallize."  When this happens loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in hot water, off the heat and let it liquefy.  It is then as good as it ever was.  Never boil honey or put it in the microwave.  To do so will kill the beneficial enzymes in the honey.

Possible Medicinal Uses for Cinnamon and Honey!*

Consider taking honey and cinnamon together to help relieve stomach upset & gas.

Sprinkle cinnamon powder on 2 TB of honey before food.  It may relieve acidity, helping you to better digest heavier meals.

Be youthful and try some tea with honey and cinnamon powder!  Some scientists claim that if one consumes 3-4 cups per day, your life span will increase!!!

Got pimples?  Try 3 TB of honey and one Tsp of cinnamon powder paste.  Apply the paste to your pimples before sleeping and wash upon rising with warm water.  It is suggested to use this remedy daily for two weeks to remove your pimples from the root.

Gargle your way to good breath.  Mix 1 tsp of honey and cinnamon powder with hot water and see if your breath stays fresh throughout the day.

Strengthen your immunity with daily consumption of small amounts of honey (make sure it's raw and unprocessed) and cinnamon as they could, according the email, help protect the body from bacteria and viral attacks.  

Experiment & Be Kind.

Remember, what is one person's healing agent could be another's poison.  Go slow and report back on your experimentation findings.  Be sure to buy your honey from a local farmer and make sure the honey has not been heated at high temperatures.  Next week I will be visiting Sherwood Farm in Easton, CT and picking up a jar of theirs (called Sal and Tom's Easton Honey).  One of my nutrition clients used their honey (along with love, good food, rest, etc) to help remedy her child's weakened immune system and she was floored by the positive results!

In Health, 

Alison Held, M.S.
Clinical Nutritionist