Monthly Archives: July 2011

Probiotics and a Gluten-Free Diet

Ever wonder why all of these digestive problems, food allergies and intolerances were rarely heard of up until the past 10 years or so? It seems that many problems like Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue, Gluten-Intolerance, Candida, Celiac Disease, and food allergies, are a relatively “new thing”, and that more and more people are being diagnosed each day. Many of the symptoms of these problems are similar… digestive upsets, fatigue, chronic pain, vitamin deficiencies, bloating, etc etc etc. So…what is causing all this stuff??

In my opinion ANTIBIOTICS are to blame. Most people are unaware that antibiotics have only been prescribed by doctors since the 1940s or so. Antibiotics do not make the immune system stronger, they just temporarily replace one of its functions: killing harmful bacteria. The immune system functions like an organ or muscle. When it is not put to use, it atrophies. So when an antibiotic does one its jobs, the immune system performs that job poorly once the antibiotic leaves the body. Because of this, someone who takes antibiotics to cure a bacterial based illness may end up catching the same illness, only with more Read More »

Namaste Foods Gluten Free Bread Mix Review

Recently I made a loaf of bread using a bag of Namaste Foods Gluten Free Bread Mix. I bought this on sale at some point, and it subsequently sat in the pantry for a while. I’m not sure how long, but there’s another 8 months to go until the use-by date, so I’m not worried. I like to have stuff like this on hand because sometimes I get in the mood to eat bread, and that usually means I have to make it myself. This time, I was also in desperate need of clearing out some pantry space, so making this mix was the easy answer.

This is the third loaf of gluten free bread I’ve made from a mix (Pamela’s and Bob’s Red Mill were the other ones I tried), and it did fairly well. It rose way more than I thought it would, but it was still heavy and moist the first day, only to very quickly dry out by the third day after baking.

The bread mix consists of a flour blend made from brown rice flour, Read More »

Panera Bread – Gluten Free Options

Jenny Manseau Gluten Free Works

I love Panera Bread and that we have one not too far from us! Even if we forget that it is there half the time, it is nice when we remember it.  Gluten free panera breadBryan loves their bread and their creamy tomato soup and I truly miss their bread but love their salads and their creamy tomato soup also.  We went to lunch there last week, and like I always do before going somewhere to eat (even if we’ve been there a million times) I went Read More »

King Arthur Flour, America’s Oldest Flour Manufacturer, Goes Gluten-free With 8 New Mixes!

 

For over 200 years, King Arthur Flour has built an impressive reputation for its consistent, high-quality, all natural baking flours.

Now the company has entered the gluten-free market with eight new gluten-free mixes: Pizza Crust Mix, Cookies Mix, Bread Mix, Brownie Mix, Multi-Purpose Flour Mix, Pancake Mix, Muffin Mix and Chocolate Cake Mix.

King Arthur Flour boldly states the following message on their website, “Our award-winning gluten-free mixes are the best you’ll ever taste.”  Their tagline is “King Arthur Flour gluten-free mixes – a taste the whole family will enjoy!”

We tested them.  The verdict?

These gluten-free mixes are as good as advertised. Both children and adult tasters agreed they are spectacular.

The Mixes

Gluten Free King ArthurWe received two boxes each of the eight different varieties. (Hint to all you gluten-free bloggers and support group leaders out there – request yours now!)

The mixes are packaged in attractively designed boxes, incorporating blue, tan and pumpkin colors in an appealing design supported by scrumptious-looking pictures.  The boxes are clearly labeled gluten-free in multiple locations and Read More »

Gluten Free Recipe: Wild Rice and Blueberry Salad

It’s blueberry season!!!  Blueberries always make me think of my Aunt Pat, and I just returned from California where she and I enjoyed several fistfuls of blueberries together.  I was jumping for joy when I found out that the key ingredient for this month’s SOS Kitchen Challenge was blueberries!  If you haven’t heard of this event, it’s a monthly challenge hosted by Ricki of Diet, Dessert and Dogs and Kim of Affairs of Living.

But back to this SOS Kitchen Challenge. Blueberries!! Read More »

Udi’s Gluten Free Buns and Ancient Grain Breads

Udi’s Gluten Free is launching their NEW line of Hamburger Buns, Hot Dog Buns and two varieties of Ancient Grains Breads this month… just in time for your summer BBQs!  I have been waiting for what seems like a very long time for Udi’s Gluten Free to make buns; I figured that since their bread is soft, delicious and doesn’t need toasting that their buns would be superior to others on the market.  I was right.

My family sampled Udi’s new gluten free buns and Udi’s new gluten free Ancient Grain Breads and they were a hit!  My daughter enthusiastically announced “I love Udi’s Hamburger Buns” at the dinner table; I especially liked them toasted on the grill.  I was impressed by how Read More »

P.F. Chang’s Offering Free Lettuce Wraps in July

Kim Bouldin Gluten Free Works

Pf Changs Lettuce Wraps Gluten Free WorksP.F. Chang’s has one of the largest gluten-free menu around and is constantly offering fun reasons to dine in their restaurants.  July is no different.  During the month of July, they are offering free lettuce wraps and special prices on bottles of wine on Mondays & Tuesdays.  Both of these specials are being offered to help celebrate 18 years!!  

P.F. Chang’s has something for everyone. In addition to various gluten-free menu choices, they also offer Read More »

Crunchmaster Announces Nationwide Launch of 7 Ancient Grains Gluten Free Crackers

John Libonati Gluten Free Works

Crunchmaster Gluten Free

Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com

LOVES PARK, Ill., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Crunchmaster®, the fastest growing brand of certified gluten free crackers in the U.S., has announced its new 7 Ancient Grains product line is now available in supermarkets nationwide. The crackers are available in two flavors – Hint of Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper & Herb – and will be showcased at the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) Fancy Food Show July 10-12 in Washington, DC.

Crunchmaster 7 Ancient Grains crackers are made with 100% whole grains including brown rice, sorghum, quinoa, sesame, millet, flax and amaranth. The crackers are also oven-baked and contain low sodium, making them an ideal snack option for Read More »

Joan’s GF Great Bakes New Product! Multi-Grain Gluten-Free English Muffins

Ilise Ratner Gluten Free Works

I love to do research!  And in the gluten free industry that means sampling gluten free food.  

Today I am particularly happy to be sampling Joan’s GF Great Bakes products recently introduced to the market; specifically the multi-grain English muffins.  She is updating her delicious line, which includes bialy’s, Italian bread, bagels, English muffins, Scicilian pizza, corn toaster muffins, chocolate chip cookies and calzone, by adding double chocolate muffins, crumb cake, and multi-grain English muffins.

And Joan has really has done it again.  I am a proponent of healthy gluten free living and in large part those of us that are gluten intolerant (Celiac Disease, gluten sensitivity) have taken whole wheat out of our diets and are left with low-fiber, low-nutrient, dense food.  Joan’s multi-grain English muffins are made with 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber (amaranth, flax seed meal, organic buckwheat, and fortified with iron, vitamins A, B2, B6, B12, and D3, Calcium, Folic Acid) and Read More »

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) Offers Gluten Free Menu Items

Jenny Manseau Gluten Free Works

[Editor’s Note: September 26, 2011. California Pizza Kitchen has suspended its gluten-free pizza crusts.]

Hello All,

I wanted to share with you a press release that I received today about California Pizza Kitchen:

Hi!

California Pizza Kitchen Gluten-freeThe wait is over! Today California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) has launched gluten free pizza crust, making 29 of their original pizzas available gluten free.

CPK has taken notice of the increased demand with more than 3 million Americans affected by Celiac Disease and created a specialty menu with various gluten free items. Among the 29 different gluten free pizzas available is America’s favorite, The Original BBQ Chicken pizza, the Pear & Gorgonzola pizza and the Wild Mushroom pizza. CPK also offers other gluten free appetizers, soups, salads, specialties, kids items and desserts to choose from on their current menu.

CPK is thrilled to offer those that require gluten free items a menu with the same delicious offering that they’ve always had, now gluten free.

I also saw this on their website: Read More »