Author Archives: Jennifer Harris

Reporting Cross Contact Can Turn Into a Win-win for Restaurant and Consumer

Gluten pasta at the bottom of sauteed cabbage - Credits: Jennifer Harris

Gluten pasta at the bottom of sauteed cabbage – Credits: Jennifer Harris

It has happened to most all of us at one time or another. You have just finished a meal at a restaurant when you notice you aren’t quite feeling right. For me, that starts with a stabbing headache and a hot flash. Immediately you know your meal has come into contact with gluten. Now what do you do? How can you turn your negative experience into a positive one? Read More »

Recipe: Gluten-free Brookies from McCormick

brookies

 

Do you know what a brookie is? I didn’t before I received a recipe from McCormick. A brookie is a combination of brownie batter and cookie dough, which creates a half chocolate chip and half brownie cookie, or the best of both worlds. I don’t usually post recipes, but when I find one that ‘speaks’ to me like this one, then I feel compelled to share it.

After getting permission from the lovely folks at McCormick, I give you the recipe (makes five dozen) for the brookie: Read More »

Gluten-Free Round Up…Seasonal Pumpkin Recipes

gluten-free-pumpkin-recipesFall is here and that means pumpkins are starting to appear on your neighbor’s door step and in grocery stores, which is the universal signal to start carving and cooking pumpkin. Why is it most of us tend to cook with pumpkin only around Halloween and Thanksgiving?  Pumpkin is loaded with vitamin A, fiber and it is low in calories, so we should find ways to work it into our diet throughout the year.

Pumpkin is very versatile to cook with, so it can be used in both sweet and savory recipes.  This Examiner did a little research for gluten-free pumpkin recipes and was amazed at all of the drool-worthy recipes we found.  Listed below are just a fraction of the gluten-free pumpkin recipes available online.

What is your favorite way to cook with pumpkin?


Pumpkin – General Recipes

Shocking Facts About Celiac Disease

celiac awareness month

Photo credit: Celiac Disease Awareness Month

May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month, so it seems appropriate to share some medical facts about this autoimmune disease that just might shock you.

These facts come from Dr. Tom O’Bryan who is is a nationally recognized speaker and workshop leader specializing in gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.  Dr. O’Bryan’s specialty is in teaching the many manifestations of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease as they occur inside and outside of the Read More »

Top 20: Gluten-free and Dairy-free Products Finds at Expo West 2015

Coconut cream pops Expo West

Coconut cream pops Expo West

Expo West is simply the best and the largest natural foods event in the United States. Each year the event grows in exhibitors and attendees and shows no signs of slowing down. One of the trends noted this year was the surge of vegan/gluten-free products, like bread, cheese, cheesecake, cookies, frozen desserts, macaroni and cheese, salad dressings, yogurt, etc.

Here are this Examiner’s top 20 gluten, dairy, and vegan product finds:

  • CoYo’s coconut milk yogurt hails from Australia and is made from coconut cream and natural flavors in four varieties: Natural, Mango, Mixed Berry, and Raw Chocolate. The berry and mango are incredibly creamy without a funny taste or texture and taste fantastic. This product debuted at Expo West 2014, but this was my first time trying it and color me impressed. Availability: In stores
  • Cosmo’s Dairy-Free Spicy Ranch is thick, rich, and mildly spicy. Made from coconuts, it works as a salad dressing, dip, and sandwich spread adding a nice kick to what would be ordinary. It does contain eggs, but is soy and nut free. Availability: Online for now
  • Daiya Foods, Inc. gets a nod for their new Cheezecakes and Cheezy Mac kits that are soy free and vegan. Available in three flavors, Deluxe Alfredo, Deluxe Cheddar, and Deluxe White Cheddar Veggie Medley, each kit comes with a bag of liquid cheezy sauce ready to be combined with cooked brown rice pasta.Their cheezecakes are also available in four flavors: New York, Chocolate, Key Lime, and Strawberry. Availability: Rolling into stores now

Read More »

Tips for Navigating and Getting the Most Out of Natural Products Expo West

natural-products-westThis will be the fifth year this Examiner is attending Expo West in Anaheim, California and each year is more productive, fun, and exciting than the last. Attending as a media representative for Examiner.com means that public relations firms send information on their client’s new gluten-free products in advance. It tends to make one a little giddy, to say the least, when learning about so many new and innovative gluten-free products.

Expo West is the largest natural products expos in the United States and one of the best places to launch a natural product. Last year it saw 2,568 vendors from 102 countries and more than 65,000 attendees. That represents a lot of square footage to walk, which is how the event can be overwhelming and utterly exciting at the same time.

Here are some great tips compiled over the years to make Expo West an enjoyable experience and a productive event: Read More »

Product Review: So Delicious Dairy Free CocoWhip Is the Tops

So Delicious Dairy Free Coco WhipBack in the day it was impossible to keep a tub of Cool Whip in the house because it was irresistible to me plain (on the end of my finger) or on top of pudding, cake, pie, and ice cream. It wasn’t until later in life that ingredient choices became an issue and my beloved Cool Whip was deemed unsuitable. Tears were shed as a chapter of my life came to a close and desserts were no longer topped until So Delicious Dairy Free introduced CocoWhip.

CocoWhip, available in Original and Light, is made from organic coconut milk, it is naturally sweetened, and contains no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or colors. It is certified gluten free, vegan, and kosher parve, and Non-GMO Verified. CocoWhip ingredients are: Read More »

Gluten-free Recipe: Dairy-free Chocolate Cashew Cake (No Bake)

chocolate cashew cake

Dairy used to be my friend, but then we had to break up and it is the most difficult breakup I have ever had. Eliminating dairy/casein from a diet is more difficult than removing gluten because it is everywhere and it tastes really good.

Of course the best way to go about eliminating dairy is to look for substitutes and for me that made chocolate and cream cheese a priority. I never thought I would be able to like dark chocolate and now I love it. Cream cheese substitutes can be made from soy, which is also a no-no for me, but then came luscious cashew cream to save the day. Read More »

The Fresh Market Introduces Private Label Gluten-free Products

the fresh market gluten free

The Fresh Market has embraced the growing gluten-free products category by introducing a private label gluten-free line and by adding shelf tags for all of the gluten-free products in the store. Additionally, they have added new gluten-free items to its selection of private brand products. From baking mixes to bread crumbs, all of their gluten-free private label products are certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization.

They currently offer 25 private label gluten-free items and are working on expanding the selection: Read More »

Gluten-Free Grilling Tips

gluten free grilling tipsTime to fire up the grill and start barbecuing because summer is here. It seems not a day goes by when the aroma of grilled meat doesn’t fill the air. If you are cooking for someone who is gluten intolerant, just a few simple steps will ensure a safe and tasty meal. Eating a burger with a knife and fork works in a pinch, but it just isn’t the same experience, or very filling.

I love attending barbecues, but there are a number of sources of gluten that needs to be considered, such as: condiments, toasting buns on the grill surface, seasonings, marinades, and utensils. I like to come prepared with my own gluten-free bun. I don’t expect the host to provide a gluten-free bun because a) how would they know what to get, b) what if the gluten-free bun contains additional allergens I avoid, and c) I don’t want the host to fuss over me, or exclude me because they don’t think they can feed me safely.

Here are some great tips for successful gluten-free grilling whether you are the host, or the attendee: Read More »