I love sharing about Michigan made products. Frequently I am introduced to new businesses and owners who make gluten-free products. Many are driven with a deep passion for helping others. Clara Cookies definitely falls in that category. I met the owner, Rebecca Cruttenden, at MSU’s Making It In Michigan Conference. I was first drawn to her small business because their website states their cookies test to under 5 ppm of gluten!

Clara Cookies are a protein cookie made with verified gluten-free ingredients. Why cookies? Because as their tagline states, “cookies are more fun than bars.” Her cookies are made with Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Oat flour which adds a good source of fiber. Her cookies also contain stevia, which has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar. As I can’t tolerate either of those items personally, Rebecca whipped up a batch for me without them. They were delicious! You can learn more about Clara Cookies, in Rebecca’s own words, below.

1. ​What​ inspired you to become a ​gluten-free food producer​?

I needed easy to digest, high protein food to use while training for and participating in Ironman triathlons. I tried many bars on the market, but none of them worked. My husband encouraged me to create a gluten-free, high protein cookie. I chose to make them gluten-free as I find they’re easier to digest during races. In addition, I have several friends who must consume a gluten-free diet. I’ve experienced their frustration of trying to find great tasting gluten-free foods. It’s especially difficult to find portable snacks that can be easily carried while running, biking, skiing, or hiking.

The purpose of Clara Cookies is more than just making great tasting protein sources. I race in the Ironman each year, raising $15,000 – $20,000 each time for Team Orphans. I started this 6 years ago, in connection with my cookie business, to raise money to help in adoption of orphans. In that short time Team Orphans has raised over $170,000 and contributed to the adoption of 129 special needs children!

2. Are there other highlights of your products? Dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free etc?

Our peanut butter chocolate chip and coconut dark chocolate chip protein cookies also come in a vegan (egg-free & dairy -free) version. We bake our vegan cookies on request, which can be emailed through our website.

3. What steps do you take to insure that your products are truly gluten-free?

We have had Clara Cookies laboratory tested to meet the “under 20 ppm” definition of gluten-free. Actually, our cookies test for less than 5 ppm of gluten. We also test weekly in our bakery, which is at Camp Roger in Rockford, Michigan. (We have almost exclusive use of their commercial kitchen for 9 months of the year.)  Our batch testing shows that our cookies test for under 5 ppm of gluten. We begin each baking session with thorough sanitizing of all equipment and store all of our gluten-free utensils in sealed containers. We use parchment paper on all cookie sheets, to add extra protection.

4. Please share a story of a customer who’s been greatly impacted by Clara Cookies.

One of my regular customers is gluten-free and has Type 1 diabetes. She has struggled for years keeping her sugar levels regulated on long bike rides. She does 100 bike races to raise money for JDRF and diabetes research. Quite often she had to stop rides or drop out of races when her levels spiked or fell. Right away she notiecd that eating 1/3 of a Clara Cookie every 30 minutes during her bike rides keeps her levels consistent. She states that because our cookies are high in protein, good carbs, and good fat, they work as a stabilizing factor. My cookies help her unlike any other bars or gels on the market. She never goes biking without them!

5. What would you like consumers to know about Clara Cookies and your business philosophy?

We have great cookies for a GREAT cause. An estimated 153 million children live in orphanages in the world today. Every dollar of profit from our company goes to adoption grants for special needs orphans. We work with 6 different adoption agencies around the country, with Bethany in Grand Rapids as our largest. We are completely volunteer run. I take no salary and all of our baking and packaging is performed by volunteers.  We love it when groups of students volunteer with us. Their service allows other kids to come home to a family!

Eager to eat one yourself? Find them at 27 locations across Michigan – in coffee shops, grocery stores, athletic stores, and more! Each cookie sells for approximately $2 at places like Reverence Dance Academy, Gazelle Sports, Baker Book House and more. Visit them online to find a location near you or order directly from their site.

Clara Cookies
Rockford, MI
Ingredient Labels
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While this post has been sponsored by Clara Cookies, all of my personal thoughts are my own. I highly value this company and their mission!

The post Clara Cookies: Gluten-Free Fuel for a Cause appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.

Celiac Disease and the Military

I wrote this post in 2016 after Ted Cruz, senator from Texas and candidate for President, said the quote above. Here’s the thing though. Celiac Disease disqualifies serving in the military. As mentioned in Amy Leger‘s article for Gluten-Free Living magazine, “A person with celiac disease and/or a gluten intolerance or sensitivity would not be eligible for entry into the military,” says Department of Defense spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith. “While each branch of service has its own enlistment standards, they do need to follow medical policies dictated by the Department of Defense.”

There are cases of Celiac soldiers in the military. Some have kept it secret, as Leger discusses in her article mentioned above. Others, like Donald Andrasik, fully disclosed their autoimmune disease and “survived” deployment. (I highly suggest reading his book about his experiences.) Still others like Sgt. Kevin Mulloy served, even after getting named Soldier of the Year, was discharged after late realization of his Celiac Disease. This isn’t new. Over 40 years ago, the miliary discharged my father because of his Celiac Disease.

We’re Not Whiners

So if those with Celiac Disease aren’t supposed to be in the military, why did Cruz bring up “gluten-free MRE’s” at all? Because his comment doesn’t really have to do with Celiac Disease. It has everything to do with using the word as a derogatory term. A term to insinuate “weak” and “pain in the rear.” Our diet became the new “trendy” put down.

As I sat in my house the other night, the idea of gluten-free as an insult really struck me. It made me realize that “gluten-free” has now become a jab, a put-down, similar to the use of “retard” or “gay.”

An Education in Compassion

I used to take care of a young man. His name is Seth. He’s now in his 20’s, which is honestly a miracle. Seth can’t walk, talk, can’t swallow, or control his bodily functions.

I remember when I met him in college. I was in school to be an elementary school teacher, doing my observation hours in a kindergarten classroom. At the time, I felt anxious working with special needs kids. And here’s Seth, with an aide, making odd noises and being fed by a tube.

No One Quite Like Him

I’d never met a child like him before. I was definitely outside of my comfort zone. As weeks went by though, Seth grew on me. His classsmates adored him, he loved music, and always smiled. Although he couldn’t walk, he could stand if you held his hands, and he would dance with you forever. I still remember the deepness of his joy, the grandness of his smile. Such a blessing.

One day his mom, Laura, stopped in to help with a tube feeding. Here I was, dancing with her kid in the middle of the room. I mentioned that if she ever needed help with babysitting, that I’d be glad to help. Me, the girl who was unsure about dealing with special needs kids. She looked at me and said “really?”

Why I Never Use the “R” Word

From there I started visiting their house, providing respite care for Seth and his brother. I learned all about tube feedings, changed diapers, and helped his older brother with homework. I saw the struggles they endured every day, and watched as Laura volunteered for ARC. ARC previously stood for the “Association of Retarded Children.”

But once people started using the word “retard” to degrade those with development issues and use it as an every day word for slander, the group distanced itself from that word all together. I made sure that I personally stopped using that word. How could I not? A young child I loved had that word used against him in a negative way.

I found myself taking a stand against the word “retarded.”  I’ve been an advocate for deleting the word “retard” from the lexicon for the past 15+ years. No one should be mocked for their genetic makeup.

Our Medical Needs do not Deserve Ridicule

Fast forward to now. Now I’m the one that’s being mocked. My medical needs require special attention, albeit ones that I can manage myself. Society derides my fellow Celiac Disease sisters and brother, because of our dietary restrictions. However, we’re not a group of weak “sissies.”

On the contrary, what some of us have had to go through to get a proper diagnosis and live safely requires more determination and strength than most people deal with every day. I think of young people like Max Domi, who overcame not only Type 1 Diabetes but also Celiac Disease, to be one of the top 5 new scorers in the National Hockey League.

Dear Celebrities, Come Up With a Better Punch Line

We should change the way we talk to each other. Maybe we should speak less, and listen more. Instead of people speaking with such heated passion, maybe we should be people of compassion. Maybe we need to “dance” with those who are different to understand the steps that they have to take every day?

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” You don’t have to be a follower of Jesus to see the wisdom in that.

What are your thoughts on how “gluten-free” is used in a negative way? How have you handled it? For more on this issue, read my piece on dealing with food allergy / dietary intolerance bullying. For more graphics to share, visit my post of 15 Truths about Celiac Disease We Wish You Knew.

The post Gluten Free is the Trendy New Insult appeared first on MI Gluten Free Gal.