Is Starbucks Gluten Free?

There is just something about warmer weather that makes me want Starbucks Frappes. They are once again loaded with sugar and soy(for me) but I can’t seem to stay away!! I know the dangers of soy…but Starbucks recently had their Half Price Happy Hour this past week. And I gave in. I’ll be very honest, my drink was pure amazing goodness. Do I regret giving in? No. Okay, maybe just a little. I recently posted a healthier version of a Starbucks Chai Tea Latte. I have gotten questions asking if I know if Starbucks has anything gluten free. To answer these questions, I had to dig deep because there isn’t much real info right from Starbucks.
So I emailed Starbucks asking them what coffee, syrups, and their soy milk contain gluten. Their response back was very vague and they said they cannot say anything is completely 100% gluten free. This is because of cross contamination can be very likely.

Well that wasn’t much of answer for me. So I dug deeper….

Some people have been having reactions even when they choose soy over dairy milk. I myself, *knock on wood* haven’t had any reaction to any Starbucks drinks. I do know that anything labeled “sauce” has dairy in it. Yes, I discovered that the hard way too. Thank you Starbucks for not informing people that they contain dairy! As for the soy milk containing gluten, this isn’t very clear. Some say there is, some say there isn’t. Most Starbucks use Silk Soy milk, which doesn’t contain any gluten. But some Starbucks locations do use their “brand” of soy milk. So if you are unsure. Just ask to see the label….they can’t say no if you ask.

For their syrups. I have read the ingredients and nothing leads to the fact that they have any gluten in them. Some have said that they have gotten sick from having the syrups and say there is gluten. But I have to disagree with that one. They are made of pure sugar, water, and flavoring. Yes, very unhealthy. But no gluten containing ingredients.

I believe that Starbucks is an okay place if you aren’t extremely sensitive to gluten. This is because there could be cross contamination. Starbucks Chips used in their java chip drinks could have trace amounts of gluten, and if the blenders weren’t properly cleaned, they could effect someone who is more sensitive.

Of course all of their baked goods have gluten. There’s no doubt about it. So don’t go into Starbucks looking for a gluten free baked good. You won’t find one there.

If you find yourself getting sick after having Starbucks, then check to see what your drink contains and go from there. Maybe some people get sick from the syrup, soy, or dairy and just don’t know it.
My advice would be if you do have Celiac Disease, then it’s best to avoid Starbucks for your own health.
Since Starbucks can’t promise that they are a gluten free facility, it’s unsafe for people who have Celiac, or are extremely sensitive to gluten.
I try my best to not get Starbucks, and create my own drinks at home. I’m thankful I haven’t had a reaction to anything yet. But I am only gluten intolerant which means small amounts don’t effect me. But if you want gluten out of your system. Drinking Starbucks isn’t the wisest choice.

If you have any more info or thoughts. Please share! I’m still doing my research and trying to find answers. I hope this helps for now! 

Perdue Gluten Free Chicken Tenders Review

 These were a total surprise! While browsing the target grocery center, thinking of what to have for dinner. I spotted these! My before gluten free days. I loved eating chicken fingers. I don’t care how childish is sounds. I think every adult loves chicken fingers. They are just fun to eat.

Read my review here!! 

Copycat Starbucks Iced Chai Tea

Oh SpringTime. You make me crave iced and frozen drinks so much.
When the weather is warmer, I find myself wanting to go out and grab an iced drink or frozen.

I LOVE Starbucks Chai. Well I should say LOVED because I’m trying to cut out soymilk and they only offer soy as a dairy alternative. Actually, I am addicted to Chai Tea. I will try a new kind of Chai tea at the store. I have found a lot that I don’t like…I’m a picky Chai Tea drinker. But hey, once you have good chai it’s hard to find ones that are just as good. Starbucks actually uses Tazo Chai Tea Concentrate. I don’t think that’s much of a secret because any type of tea Starbucks uses is the Tazo brand. Panera makes a really good chai tea. But I’ll let you in on a little secret. Have you heard of The Republic Of Tea? Well they make a chai concentrate….and guess what..Panera uses that SAME concentrate! I found that out one day because I asked the ingredients of it, and the employee kind of let it slip. Oops on their part. So one of these days when I feel like spending a lot, I’ll buy that.

I also know that most chai you get out, there is always going to be a sugar content in them. That’s just how they make their concentrates. So I really wanted to enjoy an Iced Chai Tea at home, but a much healthier version.

I really like this Chai a lot. It’s a spicier chai which I really like. I honestly hate when my chai is sweet. Chai tea is made with spices and that’s how it should be. You can find this tea at any grocery store.

Click here to view the recipe

Just Go

Happy May!! It’s a brand new month which means it’s a fresh new start to work even harder to your goals and dreams!
It’s also another month closer to Summer. Where are you planning on going this Summer? Or where would you like to go?  I can name SO many places I would like to go. I have big plans to travel in my life and experience new things. Especially tropical islands. Who wouldn’t want to spend a week away on a private island?! I know this isn’t health related per say. But it’s encouragement to help motivate you that YOU and only YOU are in control of where your life goes. Have dreams? Chase them. Have goals? Start checking them off your list. Just Go, and never look back. If you do what you want in life, you’ll never look back and regret doing them. You’ll regret that you never took the chance and made it happen.
Make this month a fresh new start to work towards whatever dreams and goals that motivate you.

Cheers! 

Soy: Is It The Healthier Option?

Soy has become very popular. Especially to people who are/or have to eliminate dairy from their diet. Soy comes in many forms, from soy milk all the way to “meat” options. Even to people on a diet, soy seems like it is a healthier option. I’ll admit, I have used a lot of soy based products, just because soy is in A LOT of health foods. Many vegetarians and Vegans rely on soy because it’s a big source of protein. But the real question is, is it really healthy for you?

Lately, I’ve been trying to avoid soy just because I’ve been hearing and reading many things about it and the effects it can have. I’ve been confused because I was drawn into believing soy IS a much better alternative. And since there is organic and all natural foods that contain it, how bad can it be? Well, the effects of soy aren’t to pretty by any means.

Unless the soy you are consuming is fermented, you’re putting your health at risk. Fermented soy is the ONLY soy that is considered to be a real health food. But how can you tell the difference? Soys labeled, Miso, Tempeh, and Natto are considered to be fermented.

Natto is a fermented soy product which is high in Vitamin K2 and Vitamin D, which together provide health benefits, such as improving bone density, reducing the risk of heart disease, and cancer.

Miso and Tempeh don’t contain those vitamins, but they are excellent forms of health promoting natural probiotics.

It’s important to understand that the fermentation process of soy is what makes it a healthy addition. The fermentation breaks down the goitrogens, isoflavones and other harmful elements in the soy. Tofu is not fermented, therefore it should be avoided.

What does this all mean? 

It means that most of the soy found in the US is NOT fermented. It is genetically modified soy. Ew? Genetically modified anything should be avoided at all costs! It’s no where near natural…
About 91% of all soy made in the US is doused with lethal amounts of  Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide. Why would you want to consume something that is genetically modified, and on top of that sprayed with a lethal herbicide?!? Well if you’re like me, you have probably been misinformed and didn’t know that, until now.

Other names that soy can be hidden in:

• Mono-diglyceride
• Soya, Soja or Yuba
• TSF (textured soy flour) or TSP (textured soy protein)
• TVP (textured vegetable protein)
• Lecithin
• MSG (monosodium glutamate)

Going with Organic soy isn’t an option either. It still contains everything that non-fermented soy contains. Therefore putting yourself at risk for health issues.

Consuming 2 glasses of soy milk a day for a month can contribute to health issues. And that is a scary number…considering when I went dairy free, I first turned to soy milk…

Here are some health issues from consuming any non-fermented soy product:

• Soy milk is a significant contributor to thyroid dysfunction or hypothyroidism in women in the US.
• There’s evidence it may disturb endocrine function, cause infertility, and promote breast cancer, which is definitely a significant concern.  These compounds can alter your menstrual cycle. Although the FDA regulates estrogen-containing products, no warnings exist on soy.
• Contributes to food allergies and intolerances
• Weakens the immune system
• Soy foods contain high levels of aluminum which is toxic to the nervous system and the kidneys.

Also, some research has shown that soy doesn’t directly effect the person who consumes the genetically modified soy, it’s the second and third generations that can deal with the effects. 

Soy products to avoid:

• Soy cheese
• Soy ice cream
• Soy yogurt
• Soy “meat” (meatless products made of TVP)
• Soy lecithin
• Tofu
• Soy Protein
• Isolated Soy Protein Powder
• Protein Bars made with soy
• Protein Shakes made with soy
• Infant Soy Formula- Which is said to be the most dangerous soy product out there.

Infant Soy Formula-  Many children are allergic to conventional formula, and these parents can easily be convinced that soy formula is the solution. Sadly, soy formula is far worse than conventional formula. It’s due to its excessive levels of phytoestrogens. The estrogens in soy can irreversibly harm your baby’s sexual development and reproductive health. Infants fed soy formula receive a level of estrogen equivalent to five birth control pills every day! Infants fed soy formula have up to 20,000 times the amount of estrogen in circulation as those fed conventional formulas! In addition, soy formula has up to 80 times higher manganese than is found in human breast milk, which can lead to brain damage in infants, and altered behaviors in adolescence.

So when trying to avoid dairy, and need an alternative. Choose oat milk, rice milk, almond milk, and for some who aren’t lactose intolerant, goat’s milk. All of these are better options. What about when getting a beverage out and I can’t have milk, and the only option is soy milk? Well that’s the problem I am faced with right now. I enjoy a trip out and getting a Chai with soy milk lately. But now, I’m just going to have to make mine at home. I have used rice milk and almond milk as alternatives. Since most places don’t have any other dairy free options besides soy. It’s best to avoid the drinks.

I always am saying STAY AWAY from processed foods. Soy is HIGHLY processed, therefore should be avoided. Unless it is the fermented kind. So soy is NOT a healthier option.

Cheers to health! 

Healthy Sesame Chicken And Brown Rice

Life has been really busy for me lately and I haven’t been able to blog and update as much as I would like to. Between working and just getting caught up in life, I have pushed this to the side. Which I shouldn’t have because I have had people tell me they look forward to my updates and tips. So I really apologize! I’m going to try to do more posts 

So an update on my health here

I always bake and cook very little. I’ve had a dinner recipe that I have just never posted. Why? No clue. I think I forget about it because I focus on my baking a lot more. Anyways, I give Caleb credit for this recipe because he was the one who put it all together. We were both craving chinese. Side note..I’m so picky about chinese food. I refuse to eat it anywhere but where I’ve grown up going. To me, it’s what I like and I think it is the best. Plus, since the owners know my family, they always give us extra stuff. And it’s really cool. We don’t live in a small town by any means, so it’s really cool that the owners know my family. I know chinese food isn’t the healthiest thing, unless you eat just plain white rice with steamed veggies. My favorite meal, hands down, is Sesame Chicken. Always have loved it. But what goes into their sauce is beyond me. Most likely it’s sugar filled…..goodness 

Anyways, how does a healthy spin on Sesame Chicken sound? Amazing right? Well of course! Making “take-out” at home doesn’t taste the same as when you actually order it. But with it being healthy, and you know all the ingredients, it tastes pretty darn good. Once we decided we were going to make this for dinner. I browsed the web for recipe ideas, but literally all of them had TONS of ingredients and also ingredients I didn’t want to add. A little fact about me, if a recipe has over 20 ingredients…I won’t make it. Or I won’t add things. I’m a simple person. I love big flavors, but it doesn’t take much to make things taste good. ANYWAYS, after searching, we decided to just wing it and follow a bunch of different recipes and make our own.  And this is what we came up with:

I apologize for the crappy images, we made this before I started blogging and taking good quality pictures.

Yes, it is sesame chicken without that deep red color glaze that most sesame chicken has.

Healthy Sesame Chicken

Ingredients

1lb Organic Chicken, chopped into pieces
3 Tbsp Raw Honey, heat to melt it
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce (Use Bragg Liquid Aminos, no wheat)
2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
Pinch of Garlic flakes
1/4 Cup Diced Onion (optional)
4 Large Egg Whites
1/3 Cup Tapioca Starch (Like cornstarch)
2 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1 lb Fresh Broccoli, cut thin.
1 Cup Organic Brown Rice

Directions:

Place a steamer basket in a large saucepan, and fill with 1 inch water; set aside for broccoli.

Prepare the rice according to the package directions. Be sure to follow them carefully!
To make sauce: In a small bowl, combine honey, sesame seeds, soy sauce, and garlic; set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites and cornstarch. Add chicken; season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat sauce evenly over all chicken.
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Add half the chicken; cook, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked all the way through. No pink! 6 to 8 minutes is the recommended time. But I like to cook it longer, just to be sure. Transfer to a plate; repeat with remaining tablespoon oil and chicken. Return all the chicken to skillet; add reserved sauce and onions, and toss to coat.

Place saucepan with steamer basket over high heat; bring water to a boil. Add broccoli, and cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Now it’s time to serve!

So whenever you have the craving for take-out, try this healthier version instead!

Enjoy 

Chebe Gluten Free Cinnamon Roll Mix Review

I decided that reviewing new products that I have tried would be really helpful. So whether they were good or not. I’ll review them!

I’ll start with this cinnamon roll mix. Most prepackaged mixes can contain a lot of ingredients that I can’t even pronounce, mainly they add those ingredients to keep the mix fresh. But this brand is different. They are very food allergy friendly, and keep their ingredients as natural as possible.

Here is the nutrition label.

Here is what the mix is free of:

I used this mix and made cinnamon rolls according to the box. Find it here.

I have to say that if you are used to gluten free foods. This will taste like a normal cinnamon roll. The only thing is, is that they tend to be a bit crunchy. But I think with a few adjustments and making bigger rolls can fix that.

Overall I’d give this a score a 10/10 for focusing on the health side and keeping their mix as close to natural as possible.

I’d give it a 8/10 for flavor and texture. Maybe doubling up on everything and making bigger rolls could help this.

Would I recommend this product to anyone? Yes. Especially if someone is allergic to a lot of foods.

This entry was posted in Empower Network