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Re: my posting - dated Aug 26th, but posted in CELIAC Digest - 1 Sep  
2009 - Special issue (#2009-359)

Asking:  "I wondering if anyone else seems to have problems with  
Namaste mixes?" -  (especially the Blondie Mix):
Here's the summary for the 7 responses to date:

** Problems with Namaste mixes: 2 people
- One said
> My son can't tolerate any of the Namaste mixes.  We tried them a  
> couple of times with the same result.  So they are no longer  
> welcome in our home.

- The other said:
> I had decided it was only me.  I don't use the mixes any more  
> because they effect me.

Neither one reported trying to find out what was causing their problems.


** No problems with Namaste mixes (and love them):  4 people
Theses 3 people were all enthusiastic about Namaste mixes, especially  
the Spice Cake mix used to make carrot cake, although one did mention  
that she is "not fond of the Blondies mix." --- Connie Maltin said:
> I love Namaste mixes - the Spice Cake is my favorite.  I make a  
> coffee cake out of it and also a carrot cake.  I also love the  
> Blondies.

** Suggested cause of adverse reactions:  1 person
- No one suggested any issues of gluten contamination with Namaste  
mixes.
  --- One person did not say anything about her experience with  
Namaste, but suggested
> It's possible to have an adverse reaction to tapioca...Not common  
> but possible.

Comment:
Namaste Blondie Mix does list "tapioca flour" as an ingredient.  But  
this doesn't account for my problems:  I frequently use Pamela's  
Baking and Pancake Mix for pancakes, waffles and other things --  
(most recently after my reaction to the Blondies) and don't have any  
problems with the "tapioca starch" in Pamela's.
NOTE: The terms  "tapioca starch" and "tapioca flour" refer to the  
exact same thing.  (Whereas "potato starch" and "potato flour" and  
"corn starch" and "corn flour" most definitely are different things.

** Other Responses about Namaste:
One of the people who reported no problems with adverse reaction to  
Namaste, BUT - was upset & won't buy again, because"
> I made the Blondies for the first time ...  cooked them at  
> temperature and ... time listed on the bag (actually ... 5 to 6  
> minutes longer).  A toothpick came out clean at the center so ...  
> cooled them for an hour.  [but]  they were so gooey and appeared to  
> not be done. ... We ate some of them around the edges and I didn't  
> suffer any problems but I plan to throw the rest out.  Probably  
> won't buy this expensive item again.

Comment: I've had the same problem with Namaste Blondies coming out  
gooey in the center when using a pyrex baking dish..  I have dealt  
with it by raising the oven temp 25 F and cooking them @ 6-10 minutes  
longer.  (My wife, who is not celiac, actually likes them somewhat  
gooey.)

Marshall

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