Gluten free

After doing some behind-the-scenes work on my blog last week, I noticed that many people find my blog by searching for gluten-free Panera Bread information.  Panera Bread has offered gluten-free choices for years, but they have never had any gluten-free baked goods on the menu.  I emailed them last week to get the current list of their menu items that are free of gluten and will be sharing them below.  Since Panera Bread has predominantly bread items, there is a risk of cross-contamination.

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This is the response I received from Panera: Read More »

I was recently connected with Ciara Gavin of Allergen Detection Service Dogs in a joint effort to work together to increase Food Allergy Awareness by holding a conference in Colorado Springs.  While that whole idea is still in the works, I was immediately intrigued by the work being done by Ciara and her team.  I needed to know more!  Lucky for me, she agreed to come to Denver and meet over lunch to discuss the work we both do.  I am honored to share with all of you the amazing services being provided through Allergen Detection Service Dogs!

Allergendetectionservicedogs.com

First, I have to say that I was lucky enough to meet one of these amazing dogs named Tucker, who is actually a mobility dog, and has a unique set of skills outside of allergen detection.  However, he was in the restaurant with us and was well received, well behaved, and an all around incredible animal.  I was hooked from Read More »

You’ve just been diagnosed with celiac disease or told you need to be on a gluten-free diet. What do you eat? Where do you get it?? What do you do???

Trish Deitemeyer, from Kinda Real Gluten Free, gives you a quick overview of gluten-free foods, tells you where to get them and how to get more gluten-free products into your stores.

Read More »

Gluten-Free Foods Delivered to Your Door! Photo: FreshDirect

FreshDirect has gone the extra mile and created a gluten-free store filled with more than 500 items for those who need to follow a gluten-free diet.  The store was launched during National Celiac Disease Awareness Month and its goal is to make it easier to find gluten-free foods by putting them under one department.

Brownies, no doubt due to their high chocolate content, are generally loved by everyone. What is it about chocolate? Is it the ensuing relaxation from its high magnesium content, or just the mere addictive qualities attributed to chocolate? Probably, all of the above. The creative ways of using chocolate are endless.

There are also a hundred different ways of making brownies, gluten free or otherwise  – and we have a few options up our sleeves! Read More »

Photo: Amy Fothergill

Running out of gluten-free and dairy-free lunch ideas for your kids lunchboxes for school or summer camp? This can be a particular challenge when most traditional options revolve around bread and cheese. Of course you can always use gluten-free bread to make the traditional turkey or peanut butter and jelly, but why not think outside the standard lunch box fare and prepare a fresh salad? Children are often big fans of Caesar salad for the creamy dressing, pleasantly non-bitter romaine lettuce and the crunchy croutons. I love to use Easy Lunchboxes since it’s easy to keep everything separated; the croutons would be a bit mushy if I put them on in the morning!

I usually make this dressing with Parmesan cheese but have had a few people request a dairy-free version. I adapted this recipe, which is a fan favorite, by eliminating the cheese and adding Read More »

Who doesn’t dream of a really good old-fashioned chocolate chip cookie? The kind you used to make when you were a kid? This is a very easy and quite tasty recipe from Chef Sunshine Best of Your Safe Kitchen in Chicago, IL. Chef Sunshine presented this recipe at the 2008 Gluten Free Cooking Expo and it was loved by all.

Ingredients for Flour Blend:
3/4 cup white bean flour
3/4 cup tapioca flour
3/4 cup arrowroot flour

Ingredients for Cookies:
2 1/4 cups Flour Blend (above)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup shortening, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar Read More »

Photo Courtesy Linda Pickett

Seashore Celiac Support Group CSA #96 is pleased to announce its 11^th annual 100% Gluten Free Picnic in conjunction with Central Jersey Celiac/DH Support Group and Cel-Kids Network CSA#58.

Now bigger and better than ever!!

When: Sunday June 24, 2012 (Rain or Shine), 1 to 5 pm

Where: SharkRiverPark–Neptune,NJ

Directions: http://seashoreceliacs.org/SharkRiver.htm

All family & friends of celiacs welcome!

Please RSVP by June 18 with the gluten–free dish you’ll Read More »

New Apple Cinnamon Chex Photo credit: General Mills

General Mills has added another flavor of gluten-free Chex to its lineup: Apple Cinnamon.  This addition makes six flavors (Honey Nut, Rice, Corn, Chocolate, and Cinnamon) that are gluten free and on supermarket shelves around the country.

Apple Cinnamon Chex Has:

• No artificial colors or flavors
• Sprinkled with real apple and cinnamon
• 8 grams of sugar per serving
• 9 grams of whole grain (at least 48 grams recommended daily)

When the first batch of gluten-free Chex cereals were released I had more luck finding them at Walmart than at the grocery store, but if you just can’t wait to find them locally you can order them at Amazon.com and at GlutenFreely.com online where they are on sale now.  Read More »

The gluten-free food industry is exploding due to increased diagnosis of celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Celiac disease is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people, while gluten sensitivity is believed to affect up to 10% of the population. The gluten-free market is one of the fastest growing industries, with 20%+ growth per year with US sales increasing from under $1 billion in 2006 to over $2.5 billion in 2011. With the potential market so large, more and more major corporations are getting into the act.

Smart Balance recently acquired Udi’s Healthy Foods, the industry leader in the gluten-free breads and baked goods category, for $125 million.  This follows Smart Balance’s 2011 acquisition of Glutino Foods, which was at the top of the gluten-free snack industry when purchased. With this recent buy, Smart Balance is fast becoming Read More »