Is Being Gluten Free Really All That Good? The Verdict is In..

So I admit it!

I am wheat eater (doesn't that just sound weird).

I EAT WHEAT!

 So technically does that make me Gluten Mama? Should I be stripping Gluten from all my cooking, diet, and what I feed my children? Is all of this "Gluten Free" movement just a fad like Miley Cyrus?

There has been many studies done on the affects of Gluten, but many have overlooked where the studies have been conducted from.

 Let's take a moment to really see the facts, and you can decide for yourself.

What is Gluten Really?

Gluten refers to the important proteins found in wheat endosperm (a type of tissue produced in seeds that's ground to make flour as we know it). Gluten is essential to nourish plant embryos during germination and later affects the elasticity of dough that affects dough consistency). Gluten is actually composed of two different proteins: gliadin (a prolamin protein) and glutenin (a glutelin protein).

Is Gluten Essentially Bad For You?

Natural Gluten oriented foods are not bad for you. Generally they contain necessary vitamins, minerals, and needed fiber to keep a healthy you in check!


                                                                

Healthy Wholewheat Breads

So Why All This Gluten Free Nonsense?

There are some people that are allergic to Gluten and have a disease called "celiac disease". condition in which the body can't digest gluten. You can be born with it or it can develop with age. Just like someone can be born allergic to milk, nuts, or anything else. 

What Are The Symptoms of "Celiac Disease"?

Celiac disease symptoms may include diarrhea , intestinal bloating and stomach cramping. Celiac Disease if left untreated  can lead to an inability to absorb nutrients, damage to the small intestine and other medical complications.


But is Gluten Really Bad for You?

If you really look at it as a whole (whole grain that is), it really isn't so bad. Just like anything in moderation you shouldn't be just eating grain based foods entirely.

And if you have Celiac Disease, then it;s best to stay away from Gluten-Based foods. But eliminating them entirely is very dangerous for no good apparent reason can be dangerous. Putting yourself on a  gluten-free diet means paying constant attention to what you eat for proper replacement of all the existing required nutrition that your body daily demands

There is no "kinda gluten free" for people with issues, because even trace amounts can cause issues with people with a true intolerance.

Oh Yay! Gluten-Free Modified Cakes and Cookies!

In my eyes "GLUTEN FREE IS A FAD". Many of the foods Man Made to be "Gluten Free" are just basically sweets, confections, and dessert foods that lack any real nutritional value.

So at this point, then why eat them to begin with?


They are more expensive, and eventually as more hornswagglers start to just label things as "Gluten Free", more of these foods will need to modified to keep them from looking something like a science project, but in turn will actually be more science than anything else.


And really, how healthy is that?




 

Brand Advocate? Yay, or Nay?!

So lately I have been a bit perplexed at some of the terms that everyone loves to use in the Blogging world.


When someone outright tells me that they are a "brand advocate" (especially a Mom blogger), it just sends a signal off that they are getting compensated with free stuff, whether they believe in the safety, the usefulness or even the value of the product.


                                                                       

You can be an Advocate of Canned Lunch Meat Too, Doesn't Mean It's Good For You!

Now don't get me wrong. It's not to say that I think that everyone that reviews a product or "advocates for a brand" is at one given time or another doing it to get free stuff, but really the people that are doing the real reviews aren't getting the items for free a good majority of the time.

They are paying for it.


Because if you pay for it, you can say anything you want about it all day long, and not worry about stopping the gravy train of free future items that would come your way if you "positively advocated" for a brand every single time.


                                                   

Make Sure Not to Be Force-Fed "Advocacy Reviews", But Do Extensive Research

That's why I urge every Mom to do a full extensive research on any given product, because more and more I see "brand advocates", just pushing products, and really that doesn't help anyone in situations that require an 100%  on point review as opposed to the "slightly askew brand advocates version",

Ultimately we are all "brand advocates", that's what consumerism is anyway right?


Just a heads up to the Moms to do their due diligence on all their products for their loved ones.


So what's your take on Brand Advocates? Have you been steered in the wrong direction, or have you been an advocate of the advocate?


Inquiring Moms want to know!

The Thanks-for-Giving Dilemma

Yay, the Holidays (In a totally sarcastic un-enthused tone similar to that of Eeyore.)

Ahhh, The Joys of The Holidays

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the holidays what they could represent.

Like "Good Tidings and Joy". Or, "Being Thankful of one's personal standing", and maybe even the fact that it's a time of year for "Family & Friends".

However, what really happens is a totally different story. As the old saying goes, "no good deed goes unpunished" and if you look at the previously mentioned good deeds, then you will see there is a slew of punishment to be received.


And with that in mind, this punishment comes in hidden forms. It's not the immediate "in your face" type of punishment perhaps similar to that  of a Budapest criminal, but it can be just as insidious and have a devastating lasting affect "all year long!". (Because you know Santa is watching!)


So when things kick off this "Thanks-For-Giving" extravaganza, I foresee this in my future.

( I will also supply a great "solution" to these dilemmas, to keep you sane into the New Year!)


- Increased Mental Chaos from Increased Holiday Shopper Madness

                                             

Time to start Holiday Shop Pooling!

It's inevitable that you will now, or right up until the end of the year, will meet with the lunacy that is the commercial shopping public in your travels. I have chosen to take a back seat to this (just don't tell everyone what you are going to do, because then everyone will do it!). 

If you absolutely have to head out to the stores, I suggest mid-week. Like Tues/Wed mid-afternoon. As this will always be the calm before the storm. If you wait until the weekends, you may need to take your prescription meds with you. Also, "become a shopping general". Since we are all on social media and can hit all of our friends at any time, why not just try to see when a friend is shopping and see if you can get them to get you those "key gifts" that they are already on the prowl for? Consider the concept like the "Car Pool Lane for Holiday Shoppers!"


- Someone In Your Family Will Be Angry with Your Thanks-For-Giving Plans

The Angry Thanksgivoner

This is what turns us spring chickens into old birds. We want to express our togetherness with our family and friends, but really my plans for Thanksgiving (usually my house with my TG cooking goodness) were made months in advance. And really, everyone is very last minute at times with this. I've had situations where people took it personal that I couldn't come to their humble abodes for this Pilgrimattic festival.  

So what do you do?

You sell, them on coming to your house. More times than not, just a few re-iterated "You Should Come to My House" will be a 1000X better than, "Sorry, I Wish I Could, But..."

Remember, it's better to give (It's better to "give the invitation") than to receive. 


- Increased Responsibilities From Work & Home


                                 

Don't Let The Holiday Stress You Out!

Some of us work the full time job, along the other full time job, next to the permanent full time job. So that gives us 3-4 full time jobs. So how in the world do you jump the space-time continuum?

As it turns out, as much as we'd like to think that we are the super computers that we use everyday, it's just not possible to effectively do everything a 100%, a 100 percent of the time.

When you come to the conclusion, that everything just won't be flawless, and you give yourself a "moment to reboot" by taking small periods to just close the eyes, take a few deep breaths, and make your "motherboard" reboot for that moment, you'll then notice that Zen you so desperately need returns for the greater good. And all the cataclysmic shifts in the universe go on hold, and you can better deal with all those that come into contact with your heavenly aura!



So those were some dilemmas, as I imagine there are many more that may not have crossed my furious holiday path, but since these small pieces of wisdom were bestowed upon me, I now give much Thanks for Giving me the patience to work through this oh-so-magical time of year.


Feel free to share your Holiday dilemma here, and let's see if we can share the holiday solution.

Nutrition Magic or Science, Zap your Food Truthful

So there is always a moment, in life where the unimaginable (or the previously imagined cartoon version) comes to life and we all sit there wondering how it was possible. I mean look at the evolution of phones, TVs and even transportation. It all has evolved at a alarming rate.

The Jetsons Predicted A Ton on the Interactive Future.

Now let's move onto the tasty part of this. Since this is involving food, it peaked my interest but not quite sure of what to make of it yet, since there seems to be alot of skepticism surrounding the device.

This is the TellSpec Spectrometer that will enlighten us to all that is food.

The Tellspec Spectrometer That Will Tell Us the Ingredients in Everyday Food!

This little wacky keychain sized device works with a paired application for your smartphone. Basically you waive your little magic wand and press a button and viola!

INSTANT INGREDIENTS FOR ALL YOUR FOOD!

Sounds great, right? Well, some may think that ignorance is bliss, but for this Magic Mommy, I would love to really see what's in my everyday prepared or unprepared foods.

I'd love to get my hands on this, and cook up a few dishes to see if this thing is science, or purely magic.

What's your thoughts?

Excited to Be Here!

Hey Everyone Laura here.

Mama Magic with Laura Wagner

I know, your probably thinking, "it's just another Mom blog". And yes, I am a Mom and it happens to be a blog, but one thing is for certain, I will try to make this that "sweet spot" on the net where you not only come for the entertainment, but you come for the food too.


Everyday is such a unique day to me, and literally there is always something that happens in my life everyday where it is just so unbelievable that it almost feels like magic.


With that in mind, I can also say those are the things that I can't control, and may they be positive or negative, they are still wondrous parts of my world, that really add to my persona.  Another magical gift we have is the art of culinary creations.

In life no matter how bad things may be, we always find a little bit of happiness and comfort in the foods we can call home.

The magical creations that come from those little magic pots and pans will always put a smile on our faces no matter where we are, or what we do.

So welcome all, to the love, inspiration and creativity that is "The Mama Magic" of great food, fun and family.