CeliacChicks

Gluten-Free Giveaway: Molasses Bakery Winners!

Wow! I really wish I could give all 180 of you gluten-free gift boxes from Molasses Bakery! I really do.

Here are the winners:

chapman.hm@gmail.com
elliotanders+gf@gmail.com
enbeck@verizon.net

Enjoy!

Thank you all for your comments. It was interesting to read about all of the glutenous things that you miss. If you didn't read through the comments its worth a look. I actually learned a few things. For example, I never knew what a Parker House Roll was. [Shame on me and a quick moment of silence for my taste buds.] There were also very sweet short stories about past traditions centered around foods, and there even was one confession from an annual cheater! [Gasp!- No, really, thanks for your honesty.] Another person hasn't eaten a cookie in over two years, and another person has been gluten-free his whole life!

Now here is a question for you: Which is better? To be diagnosed as a baby, or to have eaten some gluten and then to be diagnosed later in life? What do you think?

Yes, I have been unexpectedly enlightened. I'm going to make a list of the foods that you people miss, and in the near future try to compile some of the best recipes for them.  And remember, the next time you have a little tizzy fit because you can't just grab something and go, I understand. It happens once and awhile, but the good news is that they happen less and less frequently the longer you are on the gluten-free diet.

Now go and savor one of your favorite foods that is naturally gluten-free!

Ciao!

 

*************************************************************************************************

Sign up for our Email Newsletter. We promise that spam is not on our diet!

Gluten-Free Giveaway: Molasses Bakery

Let's start the weekend early with a fun giveaway!

Three people will receive a sample box from the gluten-free Molasses Bakery that will contain: one cherry walnut brownie, one chocolate chunk brownie, two peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, two peanut butter nut cookies, one quinoa oat chocolate chip cookie, and one white chocolate walnut bar.

Can you believe it? That will be quite a fun little package to get in the mail!

Kim and I loved the Molasses Bakery packaging and most importantly thought that these products were dee-licious!  In fact, I want to quote Kim. She initially was like, "Yeah, I'm kind of tired of ordering things online...", after commenting on the cute packaging. She took a cookie and then called me from her desk, " Uh, I would totally order these online!", and then went on about how no one would even suspect that they were different.

Sarah, the baker behind Molasses Bakery, told me,"The things I want people to know about our products are first that our ingredients are the absolute premium best ingredients we can find.  I know eating gluten-free often means missing out on eating amazing desserts, since both my husband and his sister have celiac disease, and I wanted people with dairy and gluten allergies and intolerances to be able to experience truly great desserts.  We've struck a good balance between flavor and sweetness, with many people telling me that they don't usually eat sweets, but that they really love our products.  We also have found that gluten-free and organic can be a difficult combination to find and we're excited to put it out for others who are interested in eating fair trade, organic products."

So there you have it, what more could you want? They come in cute packages, gluten-free, casein-free (except the white chocolate bar) and are sincerely made with wholesome ingredients.

Here's the deal: Post a comment below, before Monday the 21st of July, and tell me what baked treat you miss the most from your pre-celiac diagnosis days. There is no right or wrong answer. I'll pick the random three winners from your comments. I'll publish the winners on Monday in order for them to claim their prizes.

Oh, and Molasses Bakery items are available at these retail locations:

PENNSYLVANIA
Tait Farm in State College
Cool Beans in Bellefone
Everything Natural Under the Sun in Altoona
Everything Natural in Clark's Summit
Martindales in Springfield

TEXAS
Greenling in Austin

ARIZONA
New Frontiers in Flagstaff

Have a great weekend and I'll have some news on Monday about the partay!

*************************************************************************************************

Sign up for our Email Newsletter. We promise that spam is not on our diet!

Gluten-Free Giveaway: Super Suppers Of Ardmore

Coconut chicken with red pepper dipping sauce

Super Suppers Of Ardmore
Gluten-Free Entrees, Sides, and Desserts
16 W. Lancaster Ave.
Ardmore, PA 19003
610.642.3980
Now shipping nationwide

Imagine coming home after a long day and not having to worry about getting a dinner on the table.  Even when you are away from home for business or leisure, you need to know where you can get delicious gluten-free meals that you can trust--- without the label reading or interrogating your waiter.  Super Suppers will ship to your home, business, or vacation destination.

From Coconut Chicken with Dipping Sauce to Meaty Cheesy Lasagna, Super Suppers of the Philadelphia Main Line has answered the question, "What's gluten-free for dinner?"  The studio kitchen's chef-designed entrees are tried and true Take n' Bake meals, made gluten-free with the help of The Greater Philadelphia Celiac Association and a staff dietitian.  All meals are made in house, and when any ingredient is questioned, the manufacturer is always contacted. The store has been providing gluten-free food locally for two months, and has received rave reviews from even the pickiest eaters in the household.

Meal packages are designed to feed 2-3 people (a regular entrée), or 4-6 people (a full entrée).  Simply email the store at
glutenfreemeals@yahoo.com with the title "Gluten Free Nationwide" for the Gluten Free Menu and any questions you may have. You will receive a response with the current month's menu, pricing, and shipping times.

The first order placed will receive a free full entree!
The next ten orders will receive 50% off the six or twelve entrée package (discount includes sides, appetizers, and desserts).

*Some products used may be manufactured on shared equipment that also processes wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts, tree nuts and soy.  Our food distributor has assured us that all manufacturers they use sanitize their equipment between runs.

Meaty, cheesy lasagna

Gluten-Free Portland, Oregon: New Cascadia Traditional Bakery

Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and very tasty chocolate cupcake

New Cascadia Traditional
~the gluten-free artisans~
NW Glisan St. between NW 21st and NW 22nd Ave.
(next to Trader Joe’s and in front of Sammy’s Flowers)
Portland, Oregon

New Hours (effective July 1st, 2008)
Tuesday - Friday 11:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.
Saturday 11:00a.m. to 5:30p.m.
Phone 503.887.4392

Teresa Atkins & Chris Gumke, owners of New Cascadia Traditional

When I found out that Portlandia recently gave birth to a dedicated gluten-free bakery, which just happens to be right down the street from where my good friend lives, I put it at the top of my list of things to check out as soon as I stepped off the tarmac.

Well, I wasn't disappointed! (C'mon New York City- Where is your dedicated gluten-free bakery?!)

It turns out that three years ago Chris Gumke, an artisan bread lover, got very sick until he realized he was severely gluten-intolerant. Living without bread was not an option for him, so he started baking his own gluten-free breads at home. Soon he realized that his own gluten-free recipes were much better than most gluten-free items commercially available. Thus  the idea to open a dedicated gluten-free bakery, New Cascadia Traditional, with partner Teresa Atkins was born.

Last year they started selling their gluten-free baked goods at select farmers markets and now they have their own retail outlet in NW Portland. The couple figures that if 1 out of 100 people can't eat gluten due to celiac disease, and that doesn't account for all of the other people that have chosen a gluten-free diet without a celiac disease diagnosis, then the market for gluten-free foods is wide open for a gluten-free retail bakery.

These gluten-free chocolate chip cookies not only look delicious, but they taste amazing! AND they just happen to be vegan too!

Clockwise: Cinnamon roll, apple tart, and bread pudding

If you have additional food allergies there is a small amount of corn in the powdered sugar items along with corn starch based baking powder in some items. There are no bean or soy flours used and the only soy to be found is soy lecithin used in the chocolate items.

Uh, have you ever seen such a gorgeous looking gluten-free baguette? [drool]

It was a typical drab Oregon day, so I apologize for the dim lighting. I still think the gluten-free bread basket looks fetching!

Gluten-free pretzels anyone? YES!!!

These handsome dinner rolls were being shy at the bottom of the gluten-free bread basket.

Gluten-free seeded bread, the favorite at New Cascadia Traditional. Trust me, this made amazing sandwiches!

Chris Gumke takes his bread baking very seriously. He uses traditional bread baking techniques to make the best artisan bread possible. Soon the bakery will be using a new oven, a deck oven, which is most proper for bread baking. Now this type of oven is mimicked by baking stones. Even the bakery name describes the joining of new gluten-free baking techniques with old traditional bread baking practices along with the term Cascadia, which is just another interchangeable name for the Pacific Northwest.

You can also buy New Cascadia Traditional products at various farmer's markets around Portland.

So, if you are ever in Portland, Oregon you must stop by and check out what feels like your very own artisan style gluten-free bakery!

You won't be disappointed!

*************************************************************************************************

Sign up for our Email Newsletter. We promise that spam is not on our diet!

FREE Gluten-Free Cookies In NYC

Anyone in the mood for gluten-free cookies? 

I have fifteen tubs (four cases) left of Dr. Laura's Wholesome Junk Food Cookies to finish off!  I'm leaving for Portland, Oregon Thursday night and won't be back for two weeks, so please don't let these cookies go to waste! If you can get to midtown (51st & Park Ave.) either today or tomorrow, let me know in the comments section below and I'll email you the details on how to pick them up.

Thanks!

Gluten-Free Giveaway: Mary's Gone Crackers!

May is National Celiac Disease Awareness Month and we have a few days left to celebrate! Mary's Gone Crackers would like to add to the occasion by giving you a FREE sample of their gourmet gluten-free crunchy snacks!

The first 100 people to email info@marysgonecrackers.com will get a free sample of the new Sticks & Twigs snacks AND a coupon for a free box of Mary's Gone Crackers regular crackers. You must enter "CeliacChicks" in your email subject line and the email must be sent before June 6th.

In case you haven't heard, Mary's Gone Crackers partnered with The Celiac Disease Foundation and released a checklist of symptoms related to celiac disease, which affects one in 133 adults and children. This means that more than three million Americans are estimated to have celiac disease! Unfortunately, only 3% of these have been properly diagnosed.

SYMPTOMS
Some common symptoms of celiac disease include:

* Recurring bloating, gas, or abdominal pain
* Chronic diarrhea or constipation or both
* Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
* Pale, foul-smelling stool
* Unexplained anemia
* Bone or joint pain
* Migraine headaches
* Behavior changes/depression/irritability
* Vitamin K Deficiency
* Fatigue, weakness or lack of energy
* Delayed growth or onset of puberty
* Failure to thrive (in infants)
* Missed menstrual periods
* Infertility – Male/Female
* Spontaneous miscarriages
* Canker sores inside the mouth
* Tooth discoloration or loss of enamel

Anyone who can identify with one of more of the symptoms listed may have celiac disease and should consult a doctor for more thorough testing, which typically starts with a blood test. In addition, anyone who has been diagnosed or has a family member who has been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome,eczema, Sjögren's syndrome, Peripheral neuropathy, thyroid disease or osteoporosis may also be at risk.

The number of Celiacs is in fact greater than those with Crohn's Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease combined.

Celiac Disease is one of the most common genetic conditions in the world that often goes undiagnosed because it is a multi-symptom, multi-system disorder. Symptoms vary and are not always gastrointestinal.

ABOUT MARY'S GONE CRACKERS

Mary's Gone Crackers was founded in 1999 by Mary Waldner and Dale Rodrigues. Waldner was inspired to create Mary's Gone Crackers after she was finally diagnosed with Celiac Disease and had scoured store shelves for tasty foods that she and her son could enjoy. Mary's Gone Crackers is a line of delicious, gluten-free gourmet snacks that unite great taste with satisfying nutrition. Loaded with a variety of exotic whole grains and nutritious ingredients, Mary's Gone Crackers are organic, Kosher and gluten-free and contain no added oils, trans-fats, sugar or dairy. Current products include the original snack crackers in five delectable flavors as well as the new Sticks & Twigs, delicious stick-snacks that will be available this summer. Mary's Gone Crackers are available in natural and grocery stores nationwide. Mary's Gone Crackers are also available at Costco stores within the Pacific Northwest. For more information, please visit www.marysgonecrackers.com.

Celiac Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to shed some light on this widespread condition, and we are pleased to help educate people that there may be a name for the symptoms they thought they had to live with. I spent years trying to find the source of my digestive pain and fatigue and my son's migraines. I want others to know that they can achieve real health when
they avoid gluten containing foods. - Mary Waldner

Mary's Gone Crackers is a proud sponsor of the Celiac Disease Foundation.

THANK YOU, MARY!

***If you'd like to meet Mary, she'll be at the NYC Fancy Food Show June 29th. She invites you to stop by and say, "Hi!"***

Gluten-Free News

NEW YORK
Joans GF Great Bakes products are now being sold at The Health Nuts chain stores. They will be in Great Neck, Bayside, Westbury and the Manhattan store at 1208 2nd Ave. (btw 63 &64 street) Be sure to ask for them at your local health food store so that they will contact Joan and stock them. (If someone can find a link to the other Health Nuts locations, please post it in a comment below.)

Don't forget that the L. Lodico walk for celiac disease is coming up on Sunday, June 1st.

INDIANA
Holiday World and Splashin' Safari amusement parks, located in the town of Santa Claus, Indiana, are now serving gluten-free foods!

EVERYWHERE
Over 7000 of us have voted for gluten-free goodies at Starbucks! The Starbucks idea website now says that this is "Under Review". Yay!

The summer barbecue season is upon us and thank goodness that most barbecued foods are gluten-free. (Minus the buns, of course.)  I just learned something that I thought was worth sharing. Here is a quote from Wikipedia about how using a marinade may reduce carcinogens:

"Some studies have shown that a reaction between creatine in muscle meats and amino acids caused by flame-cooking at high temperatures produces cancer-causing agents known as heterocyclic amines (HCA). New research seems to indicate that marinades may discourage formation of certain HCAs in char-grilled meat.

Immersion in an acid-based marinade for as little as forty minutes resulted in a decrease of 92-99% of heterocyclic amines in recent tests by the American Institute for Cancer Research. More studies are being conducted, but the acidic component in marinades seems to be very effective. Marinating is currently the best known method of discouraging the formation of HCAs."

Anyhow, for what it's worth, enjoy your healthy BBQ!

DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS
We have some more fun gluten-free giveaways coming up. I also wanted to mention that I'm going to start putting in your email subject line what geographic area the latest info is for. I know a lot of you don't live in or near New York, so I don't want you to get frustrated due to information that is not relevant to you. At the same time I know there are people that like to read about what is going on in other areas. So, hopefully, if you see in the subject line of your email a state other than your own, you can just delete the email if you aren't interested. I'm getting more and more information all the time for gluten-free happenings all over the place and I'd like to keep you as a subscriber, but at the same time not annoy you. I hope this helps!

Dr. Laura's Wholesome Junk Food Cookies

Like moist, soft cookies? Send Dr. Laura an email (info@lauraswholesomejunkfood.com) with your name, mailing address and "CeliacChicks Cookie Giveaway" as the subject line. The first ten households to respond will be chosen to receive a free case of gluten-free cookies (six 6.5-7oz tubs) from Laura's Wholesome Junk Food! Deadline to respond is May 10th. Please tell them in the body of your email what flavor you would like.

Laura's Wholesome Junk food was started by Laura Trice, M.D. because of her passion for great tasting food that was also healthy. Four of the ten Bite-lette flavors are gluten-free: Sally's Raisin, Charlotte's Chocolate Chip, Better Brownie, and the newest gluten-free Bite-lette, Cole's Cashew Chocolate Chip. Cole's has a rich cashew and chocolaty taste with a smooth texture that is less sweet than the other flavors, and has been described as, "totally yummy"! Independent laboratory tests on these gluten-free products show less than 5.0 ppm gluten. Products are manufactured on shared equipment that also processes wheat, dairy, eggs, nuts, tree nuts and soy.

Dr. Laura's goodies are:

-Vegan, no animal products

-Kosher Dairy-Moist & Chewy

-Dates are #1 Sweetener

-Have no trans-fats, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives

-Cholesterol free

-Have a 6 month shelf life

-Packaged in six 7 oz. tubs (Cole's Cashew 6.5 oz.) per case

Products retail for $4.99 to $6.99 and are sold in over 500 stores nationwide, including Whole Foods Markets, Gourmet Garage, Food Emporium, Roots, Earth Fare, Harris Teeter as well as numerous other independent stores. For more information or to order directly, visit our website at www.lwjf.net.

Disturbing Gluten Digest Enzyme Ad

Click here to view a large print version of this.

Kim found this ad in the March issue of Vegetarian Times. You know it's not our style to rain on anyone's parade, but we were concerned that this information might mislead someone. I didn't know whether to just ignore it, or to bring it to your attention, so I ran it by Dr. Peter Green at the Columbia University Celiac Disease Center and these were his comments:

"This advertisement is misleading. There are currently no rigorously tested enzymes on the market that digest all ingested gluten. There is currently considerable expenditure on the development of enzymes that digest the usually very resistant gluten molecules. Unlike lactose that requires just enough lactase to eliminate enough lactose to let people be comfortable, gluten needs to be fully digested. The enzymes need to be tested in the test tube, on animal models, and in humans. The enzymes have to be proven safe and very effective. This drug development is very expensive. The investors in the development of these drugs will need to recoup their investments so the drugs will not be available OTC. They will be prescription drugs. In addition, the ad states that there is amylase activity. That is irrelevant because amylase is a carbohydrate with nothing to do with gluten. This ad is misleading and should be challenged."

What do you think about this?

Gluten-Free Starbucks, Rice Chex and More...

Vote for gluten-free treats at Starbucks!! While you are at it, post a comment recommending which gluten-free food you would like to enjoy with your coffee! Maybe dreams do come true!

In case you haven't heard yet, the latest buzz is that new boxes of gluten-free Rice Chex will be appearing on your grocery store shelves soon!

******
In New York City...

Don't miss the Italian feast being served at the Pizzabolla meetup this coming Saturday, April 5th.

Food Matters prepared foods are now available at the Natural Gourmet Market located at 325 Third Avenue. (212) 228-9133

Monday, April 7th (6:30-9:30) will be another special hands on evening at Cooking By The Book in Tribeca. Enjoy good wine and company as a chef instructs your intimate group on how to create an impressive gluten-free meal. The cost is $220 per person and benefits the Celiac Disease Center At Columbia University. There are only a few spots left so contact Cynthia Beckman for more details.   

Be sure to sign up for our free email alerts. I have some really fun food giveaways coming up that you won't want to miss!

Nueva Cocina Foods

If you have ever checked out Spanish style food mixes and foodstuffs, they are usually full of not only gluten, but msg, dyes, and other unhealthy ingredients. Nueva Cocina has created something new that is healthy, convenient and tasty.

Nueva Cocina Foods will be giving away samples of their all natural, no preservatives gluten-free seasonings (Chipotle Taco, Taco Fresco, and Cuban Picadillo) to 100 people during the week of March 12th through March 19th, 2008. Send your name, email address and mailing address to info@nuevacocinafoods.com with "celiac chicks giveaway" in the subject.

Nueva Cocina is dedicated to bringing the exciting and flavorful foods of Latin America to American consumers.  These products reflect the authentic cuisine of the region as well as the contemporary “Nuevo Latino” recipes that are convenient and easy to prepare. They offer, all natural, gourmet quality products, nine of which are gluten free out of a total 14 items*. You can find their items to buy either online or in grocery stores nationwide.

*The only items that are not gluten-free are:
black beans & rice, red beans & rice
and
pumpkin soup, sweet corn soup with chiles

Also, the gluten-free items are made in the same facility that the gluten containing items are made, but great care is taken to clean the machines properly between each batch.

******

Be sure to sign up for our email updates- they're FREE!

Oh, What A Gluten-Free Night!

left to right: Paul Taylor, Dr. Peter Green, and Paul Taylor 2 dancer, Nicholas Ceynowa.

This year we sold 80 tickets for the Paul Taylor dance event, which raised around $2500 for the Columbia University Celiac Disease Center. We actually doubled our attendance from last year! It was a really fun crowd with several guests visiting from out of state! I'd like to thank each and every one of you, the familiar faces and the new, for attending!

Thanks again to Foods By George for their time, effort, savory snacks and tasty desserts. Rosetta Wines also generously donated some lovely wine from Argentina. Be sure to check out their lovely store in the Atlas Park Mall.

Finlay and her mom came all the way from Washington, D.C.

Melissa and Bill represented Rye, New York.

The regular New York City gang (left to right: Dan, Hilary, Me, Amy, Dr. Doug, and Sarah)

By the way, Dan actually works across the hall from me and recognized me from the Newsweek article! Crazy, eh?! It turned out his wife, Hilary, is gluten-free! Also, Sarah and I met at Intl. Celiac Disease Symposium and have literally bumped into each other on Park Avenue!

******

You can now save yourself a delivery charge and pick up Food Matters freshly prepared meals at each PizzaBolla location:

102 North End Ave. Battery Park

654 Amsterdam Ave. at 92nd Street
(No regular gf menu available yet at this location, just the Food Matters meals for pick up.)

Also, there are now smaller sizes available for $10.00 each.  If you live out of state, no worries, they deliver nationwide now!

 

Gluten-Free & Fabulous!

Five people will be selected to have two Gluten-Free & Fabulous Products sent to them for FREE! I couldn't taste these products, due to my corn and dairy allergies, but my taste testers remarked that the chocolate chip cookies reminded them of the glutenous Chips Ahoy cookies. If you would like to be eligible to receive these email GF&Fab with "CeliacChicks Giveaway" in your email heading by Friday, February 15th.

Gluten Free and Fabulous Products are the creation of Larry Schneider, Shari Cole, and Karen Davidson. Karen Davidson, a Food Scientist, had numerous requests for information about gluten-free products. Larry Schneider has 50 years of business experience in insurance, publishing, oil and gas exploration, and is a member of the Celiac Sprue Association, as well as a Celiac patient. Shari Cole has experience in the Hollywood film industry and is also an advocate for her gluten-free daughter.

   Macaroni &   Cheese
  This macaroni and cheese was developed with Quinoa and Rice Flour as a gluten free noodle. Quinoa is actually a fruit that was grown by the Incan empire as an excellent source of protein, similar to milk protein, but easy to digest. Our unique cheddar blend combined with the quinoa/rice pasta provides a balanced meal to gluten intolerant individuals without additives and preservatives. Can be made with milk or soy milk. 6.5 oz

Ingredients:   Quinoa pasta noodles (Quinoa, brown rice, water), cheese powder (cheddar   cheese, cornstarch, salt, beta carotene (for color).

 

                                                 Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites

 Ingredients:   Gluten Free Flour (blend of gluten free flours from potatoes, tapioca, sorghum,   garbanzo and fava beans), sugar, semi-sweet chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, lecithin, vanilla), brown sugar, blend of natural oils ({palm oil, soybean oil, canola oil, olive oil}, water, salt, natural flavor, lactic acid, Vitamin A palmitate, and beta-carotene color), eggs,   maltodextrin (derived from dent corn), canola oil, coconut flour (organic   coconut), corn starch modified, vanilla extract, invert sugar, salt, baking soda, cinnamon.  

Click here for stores that carry Gluten-Free & Fabulous.

Gluten Free & Fabulous Products are available online at Amazon.

*not all items are casein-free

Rediscover Gluten-Free Downtown Manhattan

Gluten-free lasagna with Everybody Eats garlic bread at PizzaBolla.

PizzaBolla
102 North End Ave.
New York, NY 10281
212.786.3300
(downtown location only)

I’m wondering how many of you work downtown? I mean w-a-y downtown, as in near the World Trade Center area downtown. Now whether you work or play downtown you’ll have a tasty alternative to brown bagging it. Vanessa Phillips, through her consulting company, Food Matters, has done it again by creating a gluten free menu for  Pizzabolla’s Italian restaurant. This menu includes gluten-free lasagna, chicken parmesan, gluten-free garlic bread, gluten-free Redbridge beer and more!  You can even pick up a gluten-free lasagna to go! Over the next few months more gluten-free items will be developed, such as eggplant parm, baked ziti, ravioli, etc.

You can dine at ease here because Vanessa's brother, Jonah, is the manager. He understands how difficult it is to follow a gluten-free diet due to growing up with a sister who has celiac disease. He welcomed Vanessa's efforts through Food Matters to create a gluten-free menu for all of us. Even special dietary requests are welcome and Vanessa took extra steps to make sure almost anyone can eat at Pizzabolla. For example, since a lot of us with gluten issues also have dairy issues, she removed the butter from the restaurants original sauce recipe. She also has Follow Your Heart soy cheese available, so dairy-free people can still enjoy the Chicken Parm!!

They decided to name this dish after the CeliacChicks!!  It's named Chicks N' Parm! [blush]

Here is the melenzane: a tomato sauce with eggplant that usually comes with mozzarella.

Spaghetti with a classic meat sauce.

Slowly, but surely, gluten-free foods are popping up all over Manhattan. Just writing this I’m wide eyed and grinning like one of the skeletons down at the Bodies exhibit! So, if you need some extra incentive to make a trip downtown, I’ve made a list to remind you of the local attractions.

Wall St./Stock Exchange
Watch the market tank in person and, depending on your disposition, either get excited at the opportunity to buy stocks for cheap or get depressed watching your stocks go down.

The NY Federal Reserve
A conspiracy theorists nightmare! "I told you to buy gold and bury it in your back yard!"

Ferries to Staten Island, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island
Evidently there is a restaurant named Tuttoriso that has a gluten-free menu in Staten Island. It is supposedly located just across from the ferry terminal! You could go to one restaurant for lunch and the other restaurant for dinner!

Free Historic Walking Tour

National Museum of The American Indian
I'm not sure why, but the admission is free here.

World Trade Center Memorial

Trinity Church/St. Paul's Church
Great architecture! I got excited about the tetragrammaton inside. (see photos)

South Street Seaport
Battery Park
The beginning of the West Side Promenade bike and walking path.

Federal Hall Memorial

Bodies Exhibit
If you haven't seen this yet...go now!

Century  21
Enjoy shopping at one of the city's best bargain stores for designer fashions.

What is your favorite thing to do downtown?

Because [Gluten-Free] Food Matters

Grab a bottle of wine, gluten-free lasagna, a movie, and your night is set!

Food Matters
New York, NY
email: v.tayler@gmail.com

Remember when I teased you with the promise of Vanessa Phillips, the main force behind Lilli & Loo’s gluten-free menu, having some gluten-free surprises for us? Well...[trumpet blast]...I’m excited to announce the birth of her fabulous new company aptly named Food Matters. With a lifetime of experience in the restaurant business combined with the diagnosis of celiac disease, she has used her extensive knowledge of gluten-free foods to consult with and design gluten-free menus for several NYC restaurants. This has included training the staff, re-organizing kitchens, enlisting them in GFRAP, and researching ingredients.

But that’s not all…
One thing Vanessa missed after going gluten-free was lasagna. And, being a child of NYC, she was raised thinking it was her unalienable right  to breeze into a Citarella’s, Whole Foods, or Balducci’s with the freedom to  pick up already prepared gourmet foods- you know, the kind that are not frozen, are made with high quality ingredients that quickly answer the age old question, “ What should we have for dinner tonight?” that is usually followed by, “I don’t feel like cooking.”  Thus, the creation of Food Matters first gluten-free, highly addictive, delivered-to-your-doorstep, heat and serve, gluten-free lasagna made in her professional kitchen.

Here is a description in Vanessa’s own words, “The lasagna, as of now, is made with both meat and vegetables. My ingredients are all from top notch purveyors. I am using spicy ground pork to add flavor to the tomato sauce, as I think pork is the most flavorful meat. The vegetables being used are eggplant and zucchini. The eggplant gives the lasagna a sweeter flavor which I am sure will suit most people’s palates. “

“This is just the beginning of what gluten-free foods we hope to offer. We are starting out small but hopefully over the next few months we will develop more dishes and we already have gluten-free meatballs available upon request. If this first launch is successful, then I will develop the line further and have more items to choose from.”

The cost of a tray of lasagna that feeds four people is $24.00. At first I thought this was a bit expensive, but when I figured it out (uh, obviously math was not my best subject) at $6.00 a piece then it seemed more reasonable. Remember, this is not Stouffer’s! Also, Vanessa told me that in order to make this yourself with the cost of high quality mozzarella, ricotta, meat and gluten-free pasta it easily cost her nearly that much shopping at Whole Foods. You also have to figure in the labor behind making lasagna. I know I’m guilty of buying gluten-free lasagna noodles about 2+ years ago, just because I was so excited to find them, and they are still sitting gathering dust in my cupboard. Oh, and before I forget, special dietary needs are welcome! Yes, you can order this vegetarian, dairy-free, corn-free, etc.

Perfect for dinner and a movie on a cold Friday night! For now this is available citywide by delivery, but stay tuned and we’ll let you know where you can pick it up at one of your soon-to-be-favorite new gluten-free restaurants.

******

It was fun, as usual, to see all of you in person this last Sunday at the gluten-free vendor fair in The Gluten-Free Market. This is the place to go if you are ever in New Jersey and want to shop in a completely gluten-free market. One more big “Thank You” to Ben for his help with organizing this, and of course, to the ladies behind the market for being such gracious hosts!

BTW, the girl at the table next to me was Vanessa Phillips. I tasted her lasagna a couple of weeks ago and invited her to the fair. She sold out and received rave reviews!

***

Ronnie from Mozzarelli's called me to let me know that this coming Superbowl Sunday they are turning the entire store into a gluten-free football munchie-fest. They will be open from 12-6pm so you can stop by and pick some grub up on the way to your party. They have some fantastic desserts available now too: carrot cake, cheesecake, and chocolate cake. Be sure to call ahead to order your pies.

Gluten-Free Happenings In NYC, New Jersey And Long Island

NYC
Cooking Class
Tonight: Friday January 18th
Whole Foods
95 East Houston Street
Between Bowery and Chrystie Streets
Gluten-free with Flair (Hands On)
6:30–9:00 p.m.    $55
Join Chef Karen Morgan, Whole Foods Market bakery guru, as she creates sweet masterpieces minus the gluten. This class is perfect for those looking to embellish their gluten-free repertoire or home bakers wanting to add to their dessert portfolio.
Instructor: Karen Morgan
On the menu: Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie, Fruit Crisp, Anti-Bread Pudding
Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Check out the Whole Foods website for more information about attending. Sorry about the short notice, but I just found out about this.

New NYC Gluten-Free Menu
Gourmet Land
1588 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10028
212-772-8700
Gourmet Land is back with a new gluten-free menu. I’ve been told that their chef, Chef Ding, was formerly an executive chef at P.F. Changs.

If you’d like to celebrate the new menu and enjoy a 20 item prix fix meal, check out the Meetup Saturday, February 2nd from 3pm-6pm.  Snaps to the NYC Meetups leaders for the time and energy invested in order to make this possible.

It’s Official
Babycakes is now certified gluten-free! Their lab tests came out below 5ppm! Congrats to Babycakes! BTW, 5ppm is the lowest amount of gluten detectable by tests.

NEW JERSEY
New Jersey Gluten-Free Food Fair
Sunday, January 27, 2008 at 12:00 PM
The Gluten Free Market Vendor Fair
7-09 Fair Lawn Ave
Fair Lawn , NJ 07410
201-703-5500
This is just a hop, skip and a jump over the river and is easily accessible by public transportation. Check out the Jersey City Meetups Group for more information.

LONG ISLAND
Bowling For Columbia
This will be the first annual Bowling Bash to benefit the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University. 
Date:  Sunday, March 9, 2008
Time:  1:00 – 4:00 pm
Location:  AMF Syosset Lanes
111 Eileen Way, Syosset, NY  11791
Unlimited bowling, gluten-free refreshments and silent auction.
Adults $40
Children $25 (12 & under)
See this Download bowling_bainvitation and registration form for more details.
For additional information, please contact hosts Rob & Randi Albertelli.

Amy’s Great Gluten-Free Giveaway On Celiac Chicks

I get offered samples all the time by companies hoping for a mention on CeliacChicks. I've decided recently that I'd rather get samples for my readers. Amy's loved this idea and below is their generous offer.

Two new gluten-free products are here—Cream of Rice Hot Cereal and Non-Dairy Cheeze Rice Crust Pizza in a single-serve size. Amy's is delighted to offer these new items to ten lucky Celiac Chicks readers: The first ten folks to respond will win a set of these new Amy’s items delivered to their door (along with a Baked Ziti Bowl and Black Bean Enchiladas), and just to sweeten the pot, Amy’s will also be giving away 100 Free product coupons: bring them to your local store for any Amy’s product of your choice – FREE!

These new items are part of Amy’s list of over 70 products that are made without gluten ingredients, and contain no wheat, oats, barley or rye.  All are available in the frozen foods and grocery sections of natural and major grocery stores throughout the US.

The rules: email your name and address to debbyfortune@amyskitchen.net by January 28th, 2008. While you're at it, please let us know if you've tried any of Amy's gluten-free products and which ones are your favorites.

I must say that I'm super excited about the agave sweetened rice cereal and the casein-free soy cheese on the rice crust pizza! I know I'm a minority with my dairy and corn issues along with trying to stay away from sugar, so this is so nice for everyone in so many ways!

 I'd also like to remind you that our content is never paid for. You may have noticed some more ads on our site recently, (which are paid advertising) but when it comes to content, we are all about finding great gluten-free foods for you in an unbiased way. This is another reason why I've started offering to companies that want to reach our niche market the opportunity to reach you by giving samples away. I think it is fun, and I hope you do too! Please tell us what you think!  ...AND SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR EMAIL UPDATES SO YOU DON'T MISS OUT ON MORE FUN GIVEAWAYS COMING SOON!

FREE Nana's Gluten-Free Cookies!

Want a gluten-free cookie?!  Send Nana an email with your contact information and "CELIACCHICKS" as the subject in your email. Fifty people will be chosen to receive free cookie samples! Enjoy!

Stay tuned, because we have more FREE gluten-free stuff coming your way!

Gluten-Free Drug Deal

Yesterday Kim emailed me this article about Dr. Fasano's pharmaceutical drug deal.

I wonder what most of you think about this. I immediately joked with Kim, "We should have flirted more with Dr. Fasano!"

When the day comes to start advertising this wonder drug, I think they should definitely leave the part about cholera out of the ads, otherwise people might think, "Didn't they see I Am Legend?!?! [btw, this movie will scare the jeepers out of you, but I still prefer the 70's version, Omega Man, starring Charlton Heston. The modern one has all the special effects and Will Smith's abs. The older version has more of a story, talking, organized zombies, and an overall campy feel with a groovy soundtrack, but I digress.]

I have to admit that I'm probably not going to be taking a pill until it's been out on the market for several years, but I'm one of those people that still hasn't had LASIK surgery. Don't get me wrong though, I understand this (if it works) might be a very good thing for many people. Well, maybe not for the owners of gluten-free businesses.

What do you think?

Free Gluten-Free Pizza & Beer Tasting Update

Wow! What an overwhelming response we received from so many self-sacrificing individuals out there who are willing to give up a weeknight to come and taste gluten-free pizza and beer! Homey would be proud!  Seriously, the marketing company involved was touched by your sincere comments, gluten-free backgrounds, and willingness to join together in order to help them to better help us.

Just for the record, I had nothing to do with who was chosen, the company involved did that. If you were chosen you should be receiving an email shortly with details about the event. If you weren't chosen this time, hang tight because they are more than likely going to do more tastings like this in the future. Also, if you are just finding out about this and would be interested in participating, please feel free to post a comment on the previous post with the appropriate info and you will also be added to the list for future tastings.

Cheers!

FREE Gluten-Free Pizza & Beer Tasting

This is my Simpson's avatar I've been meaning to share with you. I'm walking to meet Homey for some gluten-free beer!

A marketing firm that represents a company in the gluten-free category has asked me to round up some willing volunteers to join them as their guests next Monday or Tuesday night in NYC for gluten-free pizza and beer. I know the skeptical New Yorker inside of you is thinking, "What's the catch, nothing is ever free?!" Well, all they want is our input on gluten-free beer. That's it. You might call it a focus group, but I'm calling it a fun free dinner!

If you are interested, please post a comment below with your email address, age, and whether you have tried gluten-free beer before. If you are chosen you will be notified by email. There is room for twenty people. The location will be revealed to you once you are notified that you are officially invited. Oh, and don't worry, you don't have to use your real name in your comment with all of those juicy details about yourself!

Queens Redeemed

The new Trader Joe's in Rego Park, Queens.

As our long time readers know, the concept of CeliacChicks came to fruition in the hip borough of Brooklyn.  Since then, in pursuit of a bigger kitchen, I have moved on and settled in Queens. Let's just say that it's been a rough transition for me here in Glendale.  At times the half dead produce at the local grocery store gave me short lived ideas about starting another blog titled "Queens- Borough Of Bad Taste" or "Honk If You're From Queens".  Well, I'm happy to report that this last year things have been changing for the better in Archie Bunker's old hood.

When I first moved here I discovered this tiny health food store near my apartment.  I know there are gluten-free friends nearby since the owner has a well stocked section of gluten-free foods. The store is located on Myrtle Avenue near Fresh Pond Road.  Just be sure to slip into your thick skin before you go there. Last time I went there the lady behind the counter asked me about my broken nose and then argued with me when I told her it has never been broken. I think she's sorta funny, but you have to be in the right mood to fully appreciate her perspective on things.

I finally discovered that there is also a very nice, big, suburban style Stop N Shop on Union Turnpike with a whole aisle of gluten-free specialty foods.

Conveniently located near the (E,R,V,F) Forest Hills train station is S.S. Natural on Austin Street between Ascan and 71st. This store is pretty big with gluten-free flours, pastas, crackers, etc. (A bit of Queens movie trivia for you: This, my friends, is where Spider Man first tried out his new powers! Seriously! Rent the first Spider Man movie and you'll see S.S. Natural in it!)

So, I was surviving, but the summer of 2006 Atlas Park Mall opened and it has within it a beautiful Amish Market which made me very happy. This place is a bit spendy, but if you are into the whole "experience" of shopping then you'll love it. Another reason to love it is for the circular aisle with a wide range of gluten-free products on it. If you go there check out by the registers the imported and ironically named Seitenbacher gluten-free snack bars.

Now I really can't bash Queens anymore, because Trader Joe's (90-30 Metropolitan Ave Rego Park, NY) has opened. Yay! It's not only full of good tasting gluten-free foods, but they are affordable. If you ever go there be sure to pick up their list (seven pages full) of all the gluten-free foods they carry. Check it out (above) how the chicken broth and pancakes are labeled "gluten-free". How cool is that? They also have gluten-free english muffins and a gluten-free frozen tiramisu dessert! I might just decide to stay here in Queens after all!

I know this may have been a tad boring for those of you who don't live around here, but since it took me awhile to find some of these places to shop I figured my fellow gluten-free neighbors might find this information helpful. Does anyone else out there have any gluten-free related Queens info they'd like to share?

*******

Unrelated Chick Tip:  Tired of $25 eyebrow waxing in the city? I just discovered an eyebrow threading salon at 5915 71st Avenue on the corner of Myrtle Avenue where threading is only $5.00! Now that's a bargain!  This is just a short walk from the Fresh Pond station on the M train line.   718.821.2782

*******

Don't forget:

Mozzarelli's will be having a gluten-free feast this coming Sunday.

Sunday November 18th Dr. Green and friends will be speaking at the 92nd Street Y about "Sorting Through Celiac Disease And Food Allergies".

Look What Came In The Mail!

Look what my fellow gluten-free blogger friend, Karina, sent me! It's cute and funny - the best combination!  As you may have heard, Karina had a bad fall, but is on the mend now.

Thanks, Karina! Get well soon!

More fun stuff...

Get A Little Nutty with Nut Tea Cookies! These were at the Fancy Food Show this year and they are crazy good! Although these fine cookies are a bit crumbly they are wheat and gluten free; they are kind to the carb conscious; they contain no refined sugars and they are completely free of trans-fats. Nut-Teas contain healthy walnuts and almonds, and provide 15% of the RDA for Vitamin E and 430 mcg of Omega-3 fatty acids! (These do contain butter.)

Since these are only available in a few specialty shops nationwide, the easiest way to get some is to order online. It would be smart to squirrel a few boxes of these kooky treats away for a rainy day, or as a fun, not so easy to come by, gift for someone special.

Cameo the baker at Crave Bakery in San Francisco, has come up with the perfect little lemon tart! These are gluten-, dairy-, soy- and corn-free! Mmmmm. While I was munching on one of these I had a pre-gluten-free flashback of a formal tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C. My dream is that eventually every tea salon ends up serving these lovely little tarts to gluten-free visitors. No one else will ever have to know that they are gluten-free.

These are only available at stores in certain areas.

The Chebe Galette Experiment

Gluten-free galette with carmelized onions, mushrooms, garlic and fresh sage.

Every time I see a picture of a galette I want to try to make a gluten-free version. The first time I saw a photo of one of these rustic tarts, or even had heard of one, was in a Martha Stewart magazine.  I've never really attempted to make gluten-free pie or tart crust because it just seems too laborious along with the problem of not being able to use butter due to my dairy allergy. I usually opt for the easy way out and just make crisps or crumbles, but when I saw Smitten Kitchen's savory galette photo last week I had an idea. Since Book Of Yum and Gluten-Free By The Bay have had great success making Chebe bread turnovers and knishes, why not try to make a galette with a Chebe crust?  Well,  as you can see, I didn't roll the crust out thin enough. I swear I rolled it out as thin as I could and even then it started sticking to the parchment paper I was using.

I thought it was okay, but not what I was really looking for. My boyfriend thought it was only "okay", but my friend Diane thought it was "good". I'm going to try to make a galette again, but with a real (but gluten-free and dairy-free) pie crust recipe.  I'll keep you posted.

Krabby Patties For Everyone!

Here is a peek inside one of The Crab Ladies delectable gluten-free crab cakes pictured with baked sweet potato fries and my homemade garlic mayo with dill. Mmmm.

The Crab Ladies, Inc.
Frederick, MD 21702
301.682.8080

If you've ever watched SpongeBob SquarePants, you know about the coveted secret recipe for Krabby Patties. It seems The Crab Ladies have brought them to real life with their gluten-free jumbo lump crab cakes.  Roma Campanaro and Jill Rabin's catering company grew famous for their crab cakes and this prompted them to start The Crab Ladies crab cake company.

If you love crab, then you'll love these crab cakes. After eating one of these you'll better understand the silly antics of the SpongeBob characters. Of course, these might only be everyday fare for the financially independent, but they would make a lovely gift for anyone, especially a gluten-free friend.  No one will ever be able to say you are a cheapskate after receiving these delicious treats. And don't forget- it's good to indulge yourself once and awhile!

Homemade Garlic Mayo

This recipe is adapted from The Mood Cure by Julia Ross.  (I absolutely love, love, love this book and will write about it at length another time.)

In a blender put:

1 egg
1/2 cup of olive oil
1/8 tsp. of mustard powder
1/2 tsp. of sea salt.
1 tsp. of apple cider vinegar
Juice of half a lemon

Blend until creamy, about 20 seconds. After mixture is blended, slowly add another 1/2 cup of olive oil to the mixture. You may need to stop blending and stir in order to get it moving again. When finished serve topped with dill and/or chopped garlic mixed in.