SANS - gluten free grocery store in San Rafael

The twins were so excited when I told them we were going to Sans grocery store which was created just for them. They could pick anything out in the store and I would buy it for them to try. They relished in this thought and were anxious to see what this store had to offer. Sam was a little monkey and immediately climbed up the shelves to reach some candy he had his eye on. Perhaps they could have a small step for their shorter customers. Sam and Audrey were both were excited that I wasn't laying out a few cereal boxes on the floor and telling them to pick one option. 

Marissa and her brother are so kind and genuine.  They told me about their vision to open a GF cafe as well as a resource center in the back of their store for patrons to peruse and educate themselves. I was lucky enough to have help with my groceries to the car and I felt taken care of. They seemed to be a one stop shop with connection to Upper Crust Bakery where I ordered my Thanksgiving pie for next week. Sans is a one stop store for people with gluten intollerance.

 

Natural Food Works had their cookies available at Sans and they were delightful. Crisp and delicious for all our palettes. Another close contender for absolutely great flavor and an incredible product is the brand King Arthur which is amazing.

Snacks and Treats

The kids indulged in these treats.. The hit was the buffalo cranberry Tanka Bar. Also you can never get enough of Annies and Froose fruit snacks. Some of the bag of chips were too spicy for the twins so beware of too much flavor for young appetites.

Dinner Options

When I travel with the twins, finding choices they will like on the road is a daunting task. I have found Annies Macaroni and Cheese to always be a safe bet. Sans has a Deluxe family version of this mac and cheese which was a great buy. I also liked trying the bean soup can of Gluten Free Cafe only offered at Sans (Sam dipped his chips in it) and Shelton's Turkey Chili which were perfect for the twins. I could pour and microwave this yummy dinner option easily. These links allow you to order in bulk from Amazon, however, I enjoyed shopping for a little bit of variety from Sans in San Rafael.

New for my kiddos

Understanding Celiac Disease

Health 101: Celiac Disease

By Sharlene K. Johnson
Originally published in the December 2008 issue of Parents magazine

Most kids with celiac disease -- a serious digestive disorder -- have never been diagnosed. Although the condition was once considered rare in this country, improved diagnostic tests have shown that it actually affects about one in 130 people -- including toddlers. Unfortunately, both doctors and parents often overlook celiac disease because they don't realize how common it is, and the symptoms are easily mistaken for other problems. Here, we've got common questions about this often confusing condition.

What is celiac disease?

A. It's a genetic disease of the digestive system that's triggered by gluten, a protein found in wheat, as well as rye and barley. "Parents sometimes use the words allergy or intolerance to help other people understand celiac disease, but it's actually an autoimmune disease and not an allergy," says Nanci Pittman, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New York City. When a child with celiac disease eats foods containing gluten, her immune system attacks the lining of her small intestine so that she's unable to absorb all the nutrients in food. As a result, she may stop growing, become malnourished, and develop a variety of serious consequences such as anemia, chronic diarrhea, and osteoporosis.

How young does celiac start?

A. Kids may develop symptoms a few weeks after they begin eating food that contains gluten but often don't show signs of the disease for years. No one knows why symptoms are often delayed. Some experts believe they may be triggered by a stressor, such as an infection.

Do all children have the same symptoms?

A. No -- and that's why doctors often miss the diagnosis, particularly in older kids. Toddlers and young children are more likely to show classic signs of celiac, such as chronic diarrhea, vomiting, failure to thrive, weight loss, gas, abdominal pain, and bloating. They're often clingy and irritable. "As children get older, the symptoms become more varied and difficult to diagnose," says Dr. Pittman. Those signs might include anemia, a skin rash, defects in tooth enamel, joint pain, delayed puberty, short stature, or less typical gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation rather than diarrhea.