Archive for the ‘Eating Out’ Category

 

Become a Gluten-free Activist

January 20th, 2012 by Claire Harrison


gluten-free-claire-harrison

gluten free activismOn a recent visit to a museum, my husband and I stopped at its cafeteria for a snack. The choices were cookies and cupcakes, pretzels and potato chips, and assorted drinks.  Clearly, the cafeteria didn’t cater to those of us who are gluten-sensitive, lactose-intolerant, and/or weight watchers.

Much against my will, I bought the only snack I could tolerate although it meant throwing my diet out the window: potato chips.  And much against my dislike of being labeled a complainer, I decided to speak up.  “Would you consider carrying gluten-free products?” I asked. “I can’t eat most of what (more…)


Alicia Woodward: Holiday and Social Event Tips

December 22nd, 2011 by Jennifer Slack

Gluten Free Works Author Jennifer Leeson

alicia woodward

Alicia Woodward, Editor Living Without Magazine

After getting the opportunity to interview Living Without’s Editor, Alicia Woodward, and learning more about her and the magazine, we went on to discuss Holiday and Social Event tip ideas.  The following is a compilation of Alicia’s tips along with some of my own tips on the how to effectively work through the barriers that might interfere with following through on these suggestions. Enjoy!

Holiday Tips for Social Events

1. A- Communicate.  Call well before the party to alert your host to your food sensitivities.  Be specific about your food “triggers,” clearly explaining what you can (and can’t) eat.

J- Take a deep breath and think about what you would do if you were the host of the situation.  My guess is you would try and do something to accommodate.  Most people, especially people that care about you, don’t want you to get sick and will try their best to help out…or at least let you know ahead of time if there won’t be something safe, so you can eat ahead of time.  If it’s a work event, you might want to talk to the organizer about the (more…)

Surviving the Holidays Gluten-Free

December 15th, 2011 by Kim Wilson

Kim Wilson Gluten Free Works

It’s a season of love, joy, peace. . . and stress? For those us with restricted diets, the holidays can be a struggle, especially when we are sharing meals with those who don’t adhere to the same eating style as we do.    So how do we survive the holidays without sacrificing good times or our well-being?

It’s sad, but true, that many people who follow a specific diet (out of need or choice) opt to “check out” of holiday gatherings. Relationships are of such central importance in our lives, however, that we really shouldn’t let our dietary choices limit our interactions with others.  I’m happy to share that our family has successfully hosted holiday meals in our home for years and we’ve attended family gatherings and (more…)

Petra Aitken

Gluten Free Options at Syndey International Airport

October 11th, 2011 by Petra Aitken

Gluten free works author Petra Aitken

I was traveling to NZ earlier in the year and because I had chosen Air New Zealand’s seat + bag option I wasn’t going to get any food on the plane. I therefore searched the airport for morning tea (to have at the airport) and lunch (to take on the plane). I noticed that Black Tonic Espresso Bar had a selection of gluten free muffins and therefore decided on the raspberry one for morning tea. I was pleasantly surprised, it was moist and actually tasted pretty good!
Gluten free raspberry muffin

Gluten free raspberry muffin

I felt in safe hands when seeing this sign… (more…)

Gluten Free Works Author Jennifer Leeson


Working with people diagnosed with food allergies and Celiac disease has opened my eyes to the world around me.
Prior to this, the only person I knew with severe food allergies was a younger cousin of mine whom I spend very little time with.  But, when you start paying attention, you figure out there are many people living with food allergies, Celiac disease or other food related intolerances or restrictions.

Peanut Allergy GenevieveOne day, I came into work and a co-worker, Genevieve  Fraser, asked if I was the one with the food allergy therapist magnet on my car. When I said yes, she informed me that she has an anaphylactic allergy to peanuts, and has since she was very young.  Suddenly, it was in my awareness that I had been bringing peanut butter to work almost every day that I am in that office, not even realizing my office neighbor, just across the hall, has to carry an Epipen everywhere she goes because of peanuts!  Boy did that get my attention!

I didn’t stop bringing peanut butter to work at first, but I noticed I felt nervous and worried every time I did, so I finally stopped bringing it.  However, I noticed being concerned about others using her office when she was not around, and wondering if people were taking peanuts in there.  I finally decided that I should learn more about what it is like living as an adult with a severe anaphylactic food allergy, rather than just going off what I read and my own assumptions.

When I asked Genevieve if I could do a feature interview on her, she was so great and willing to share her story. I have to say, this interview was so informative, empowering, emotional, and motivating, that it really helped put some aspects of living with life threatening food allergies into perspective.  Genevieve not only survived her childhood, despite bullying and being different, but has gone on to complete her college degree and is working on her master’s.  She has dedicated herself to helping others overcome challenging obstacles in their lives so that they can live a full life, despite whatever challenges they might be facing.  I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did! (more…)

Jennifer Harris

Omni Hotels Introduce Gluten-free Breakfast Buffets Companywide

September 11th, 2011 by Jennifer Harris

Gluten Free Works Jennifer Harris

Then check out Omni Hotels because they have introduced a gluten-free breakfast buffet station companywide.  The station will include gluten-free cereals, granola and a variety of breads and muffins.  The gluten-free items will be on a separate table with a dedicated toaster to avoid cross-contamination.

omni hotel gluten free

Source: Omnihotels.com

Are you on the gluten-free diet and looking for hotel accommodations?  

This Examiner always travels with gluten-free breakfast items because a lot of times the breakfast items are slim pickings at hotels and we don’t want to be caught off (more…)

California Pizza Kitchen Pulls Gluten-free Pizza Crusts

September 2nd, 2011 by Kimberly Bouldin

Kim Bouldin Gluten Free Works

gluten free california pizza kitchenEarlier this summer California Pizza Kitchen debuted gluten-free pizza on their menu. I was giddy. I loved CPK pre-gluten-free and couldn’t wait to go back and try their new pizza. Well,we did,and it was great,but our spirits were quickly dampened by the news that there could be major cross contamination issues going on in the kitchen.

I decided to go back and investigate to see what was going on and whether what I had heard about their procedures was indeed true. I was saddened by what I found out. While it had appeared that CPK went to great lengths to add the gluten-free pizza to their menu,they didn’t consider some of the most important issues. Cross contamination is real and can be very serious. Sure,some of those with Celiac Disease don’t react right away (or even at all),but some do and it isn’t pretty. This doesn’t even take into consideration those (more…)

Gluten Free Review: Mix1 Strawberry Banana Protein Shake

August 4th, 2011 by Kimberly Bouldin

Kim Bouldin Gluten Free Works

Mix1 Strawberry Vanilla Gluten Free

As a runner I have learned the importance of properly fueling my body.

Skimping on calories & nutrients hurts performance and can hurt your body, too. Carbohydrates are important to supply muscles with glycogen for exercise and a snack of protein & carbs is important after running to help refuel & repair muscles. It imperative to begin this process as soon as possible after a run, but absolutely within 30 minutes.

I have been a little lax on refueling recently,but that has to stop. My current,soon-to-be history, routine for my long runs involved meeting up with my MIT group, running, socializing, driving home (with a coffee detour) and then eating breakfast. By the time I was actually sitting down to eat it was easily 1+ hours later. Not good.

Last week I shared my plan of action for better training with you guys. I am taking it seriously and am now going to include these Mix 1 Protein Shakes in the Saturday routine to see how they work for me. (more…)

Gluten Free Works Jennifer Harris

Chick-fil-A-sweet-potato-fries

Crunchy on the outside! Creamy on the inside!

Back in May Chick-fil-A added sweet potato waffle fries to their menu. The sweet potato fries are still in development, so they are just gathering feedback at this time, which also means they are only available in select locations.

Unfortunately, they were not available anywhere in Atlanta, but you can get them until August 31st at Chick-fil-A in Athens, GA.

Chick-fil-A is a great place to get fast food if you are on the gluten-free diet because (more…)

Panera Bread – Gluten Free Options

July 22nd, 2011 by Jenny Manseau

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 (more…)

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