In Johnna's Kitchen

10/31/2026

I know it’s weird seeing turkey here because I’m not a turkey eater but stick with me here, it’s not about the turkey.

It’s about people constantly jumping in comments to correct (or shout at) trusted, known, valued gluten-free advocates. This is the second time this week I’ve seen this happen. Both times the shouty comments were incorrect.

Please know that the trusted voices in our community work so hard for all of us. The amount they earn is often a pittance for the hours they spend helping us all. Much research is done and if a product had changed and would no longer be safe, they would be running to every network they have to let you know. If you told them of a change they had not yet seen, same thing! And they’d give you credit for letting them know.

Instead? Ridiculous myths and untruths are pervasive. People who have not dedicated their professional careers to the gluten-free community show up in the comments to share their “knowledge” which isn’t accurate. It’s rude. And it’s dangerous.

If you think you can do a better job than those who have created groups, pages, and websites, please start your own. Do your own research and make darn sure it’s correct. Because you sure don’t want to be subjected to the vitriol too often spewed right now.

The holidays are approaching, friends. Could we try to be kind, supportive, helpful, to each other and definitely to those working hard to help us eat safely? Let’s try it…

To those who are late to the party-
Yes, the Butterball turkey is gluten free
It says so on the label. And has been for quite a few years.

I would never lie and tell you otherwise.
Why would you think that I wouldn't do my due diligence to research these things before sharing them.
Some of you haven't been following me long, I guess.

Also, there are a lot of people confidently wrong on these internet streets.

10/29/2026

Are you putting a teal pumpkin out this year for Halloween? Will you be offering non-food treats? You can add your address to Food Allergy Research & Education’s Teal Pumpkin map! You can also use their map to create your trick-or-treating route!

https://www.foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/teal-pumpkin-project/map

10/27/2026

I count on Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que for safe meals (and now Joe’s Next Door). Love seeing them take these steps and am excited for more establishments to get onboard in KC and beyond!

We are really proud today to post this sign up. Joe's is the first restaurant to be recognized as 15 & Fare approved. Over the past two years our managment staff in our restaurants have become certified in food allergy prep & handling. This initiative was started by Patrick Mahomes & Brittany Mahomes and their charity 15 and Mahomies. Now we want others to join us! We'll be sharing soon how other restaurants can join 15 & Fare!

10/27/2026

That we are even having this conversation perplexes me.

In reviewing the newest study and those prior, there is not only a risk but variables we have no control over. There are also testing limitations.

There is zero reason to risk your health OR the health of others who are implicated by the choices you make when you tell a restaurant you have celiac but shared fryers are okay. Yes, we have to make our own decisions. But those decisions inform how others walking the same path are treated.

At this time, NCA continues to recommend that individuals with celiac disease avoid eating foods prepared in fryers shared with gluten-containing items.

A recently published study evaluated gluten cross-contact in shared restaurant fryers and suggested that the risk may vary based on specific kitchen practices. We are always glad to see ongoing research into real-world dining scenarios, as rigorous science is essential for understanding gluten exposure.

However, because factors like oil temperature, food matrix, and operational variables can affect testing accuracy and cross-contact risk, our current guidance remains unchanged. Whenever possible, we advise choosing establishments that use dedicated gluten-free fryers.

Ultimately, everyone in our community must make their own informed decisions about what they feel comfortable eating. Before making a decision about shared fryers, we encourage you to review the full study, taking careful note of the limitations highlighted by the study authors.

Link to the full study: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/18/20/3433

Gluten Free Watchdog has also issued a position statement about this study: https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/gluten-cross-contact-in-shared-fryers-what-four-studies-two-fda-led-tell-us/

10/20/2026

Yesterday I attended this event and took supplies to make 12 gluten-free snack packs. The work the folks at this food pantry are doing always amazes me, but in short conversations yesterday, I was reminded of the impact we can each have.

If I still remembered how to fire up the ol’ blog, I’d tell you about the exact expense of buying gluten-free snacks versus regular, but you likely know this already. I was able to buy regular equivalents for 25% of the price on some items.

I couldn’t find anything like spaghettios in a gluten-free version, so it was canned soup instead. For a month, I watched sales and snagged mac & cheese cups priced the same as regular ones, likely an oversight by the grocery store. I fretted about which snacks would make a kiddo feel most like their friends who can eat gluten. I truly don’t know how busy parents juggling all that is life are managing this on a tight budget with rising food costs. I don’t know how they have the bandwidth to price compare constantly, to try to source most things at one store, to have foods handy for kiddos when you can’t always be there to feed them because you’re working two jobs to afford food. 😭

I’m going to keep showing up to help how I can and hope you’ll join me. I don’t have the answers to any of this but know that we can fill hungry bellies while we sort it out. ❤️

10/12/2026

“Stop talking about politics. Stick with FOOD. I came here to learn about gluten-free food.”

Well, politics is a big part of that. Want safe labeling? Want recalls to happen when that doesn’t work? Want funding for celiac disease research? That’s all politics. Plus the tax dollars you pay on the outrageous prices for gluten-free food pay politicians’ salaries so we might as well insist they do some work for us. 😉

89 million Americans, didn't vote in the 2024 general election.

That's approximately 33% of the US populatio. (U.S. News and World Report)

I know so many of us feel disenfranchised. Tired of ads and governmental nonsense.
We may think our voices don't count. But they do.

I think this analogy from Sharon McMahon is something people with Celiac Disease can identify with.

"If you don't vote, you are allowing complete strangers to choose for you. You’re saying, “It’s fine if Random Man Bob and Random Lady Pam choose who represents my district in the House. I’m sure their judgment is the same as mine.”

If you wouldn’t let Random Bob make your medical decisions, you shouldn’t let Random Bob make your voting decisions either."

I'm not telling you who to vote for.
And I'm not telling you how to cast a ballot.

I'm just asking, please, to be part of this democratic process.

Our country is a group project.
If we want to ace it, we need everyone to be involved.

If you'd like to read all of Sharon's article, I will drop the link in the comments. Each day she is answering questions submitted by followers. While one can subscribe to her newsletter, this series is free.

10/07/2026

Have you watched the season finale of Ted Lasso yet? Hurry up so we can talk about it! Here’s my recipe for gluten-free Biscuits with the Boss if you wanted to make a little snack for your watch party.

https://injohnnaskitchen.com/2023/05/official-ted-lasso-biscuits-gluten-free/

09/21/2026

First, you need this recipe in your life.

Second, I want to tell you about the post I am sharing. It's from my friend Shirley of gfe--gluten free easily, easily my biggest cheerleader when it comes to my gluten-free work. She is sharing my recipe. The photos are from my delightful friend Sarah of Celiac in the City. I'm telling you this because behind the recipes, behind the FB accounts, there are very real people working hard to create recipes and share reliable information for those who eat gluten-free. Many of us have known each other for years. In today's world where our attention span is ten seconds or less and flashy videos of AI generated recipes dominate our feed, I want to encourage you to seek out the people like Shirley and Sarah. And there are others like us worth following. I should make a list of the real deal folks! The work we do matters and it's such a bummer to see it lost in the shuffle of pure drivel, recipes that don't work and cost you $$ in lost ingredients, very misleading posts that aren't factual, accounts that only promote products and at the end of the day aren't building a community where helping you eat well is our very purpose.

Look for the good folks even when it isn't the easy path.

08/28/2026

Your input needed! If you have experience feeding gluten-free kiddos, I’d love you help.

I am working on a project with the food pantry where I volunteer to create gallon-sized bags filled with foods that are perfect for kids who need a snack or a meal simple enough to heat on their own. Here are the items that are included in the gluten-full bags:

Macaroni cups
Canned meals like raviolis, SpaghettiOs, things with the EASY OPEN POP TOP
Pop tarts
Granola bars
Fruit bars
Individual bags of crackers such as Goldfish and Cheez-Its
Peanut butter or cheese sandwiches or crackers

Do you have gluten-free recommendations for similar items?

08/25/2026

Fellow leguminati and Rancho Gordo Bean Club members, here’s a much-needed giggle. 😂

In celebration of Rancho Gordo's 20th Anniversary, we made a music ...