Gluten-Free Optimist

Review: Feel Good Foods Gluten-Free Egg Rolls

2012-01-20T18:32:00.002-05:00

I was so excited when I found the new Feel Good Foods gluten-free egg rolls at Whole Foods. Trying them is a great way to celebrate five years of living gluten-free and three years of blogging. As many of my blog readers and Twitter followers know, gluten-free egg rolls are the one food that I have been craving for years.

When I picked up the egg roll box, I was immediately impressed with the nutritional information: low fat and approximately 100 calories! One box of egg rolls is $4.99 and contains three egg rolls. They are available in three varieties: chicken, shrimp, and vegetable. They are dairy-free and contain eggs and soy. I purchased chicken and shrimp.

As soon as I got home, I popped one in the microwave and one in the oven. No matter how eager you are to try them, I don’t recommend microwaving them. Seriously, I waited five years for a gluten-free egg roll, so you would think I could wait an extra 15 minutes for them to cook in the oven before trying them, but I couldn’t. The box offers three cooking options: microwave, quick oven, and conventional method.

The egg rolls are long and thin and look more like a spring roll than an egg roll. If you are expecting a spring roll, then you will enjoy them. However, if like me, you are expecting a traditional egg roll, then you will be disappointed. They have a nice plump filling, but are missing the egg pieces, taste, and texture normally found in egg rolls. The chicken ones have too much black pepper, so I like the shrimp egg rolls best. I greatly appreciate that new gluten-free products like this exist, but unfortunately, they did not satisfy my egg roll craving.

Help Send Children to a Gluten-Free Summer Camp

2011-12-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

Here is a special holiday fundraiser to benefit the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) gluten-free summer camp in Southern California. Simply donate $2, and your donation will be matched this week only! All donations go directly to the CDF for camp scholarships. The camp is for any child age 7 to 15, who follows a gluten-free diet. It will be held in San Bernardino, California from July 30 to August 3, 2012.

“This week only, giving just $2 of your hard-earned money will go toward providing scholarships for children to attend a gluten-free summer camp hosted by the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF) next summer in Southern California.

But this week, donating $2 doesn’t mean you’re just donating $2…

This week through Sunday, December 25, Gluten-Free Saver has partnered with Van’s Natural Foods to raise money to send children to next summer’s CDF-sponsored summer camp, and Van’s is matching all donations up to $1,000!

The goal is to raise $2,000 – and when you donate $2, you’re really contributing $4.”

You can read more about the fundraiser and make a $2 donation now on the Gluten-Free Saver website. Visit the Celiac Disease Foundation website to register for the camp or to make a future donation. Gluten-Free Saver is a great new gluten-free deal site, offering "limited-time promotions on your favorite gluten-free products at 37-80% off retail price." Happy Holidays!

Gluten-Free Cupcakes Finally Win Cupcake Wars!

2011-12-18T21:34:00.000-05:00

Kyra Bussanich of Crave Bake Shop returned to Cupcake Wars and this time, her gluten-free cupcakes won! In December 2010, Kyra first appeared on Cupcake Wars and her gluten-free cupcakes almost won.

On tonight's episode, The Closer 100th Episode, Kyra said that this is a "win for the entire gluten-free community." I couldn't agree more! After watching three seasons of Cupcake Wars, it is fantastic to finally see a gluten-free winner on the Food Network. Cast members of The Closer loved the cupcakes and said "we are all going to gluten-free."

Season four of Cupcake Wars airs Sundays at 8 pm ET/PT. This episode reairs on Tuesday, December 20 at 8 pm ET/PT. If you missed the episode, watch this clip of the ending to see the first gluten-free champion.

Limited Edition Pumpkin Cream Cheese

2011-10-29T19:46:00.000-04:00

I was so excited to find two brands of gluten-free pumpkin cream cheese. Both Trader Joe’s and Philadelphia (Kraft) make delicious limited edition pumpkin cream cheese. The Trader Joe’s pumpkin cream cheese has a lighter whipped texture, but it tastes similar to the Philadelphia one. Both are perfect to spread on an English muffin, bagel, or toast. While you are stocking up on gluten-free limited edition pumpkin products, don’t miss Silk Pumpkin Spice and Edy’s pumpkin ice cream!

Frozen Gluten-Free Egg Rolls: No Longer a Dream

2011-09-23T17:02:00.001-04:00

By the end of this year, you will be able to buy frozen gluten-free egg rolls made by Feel Good Foods. For years, I have been wishing for a gluten-free egg roll, so I am extremely excited to hear this news!

Today @gfliving tweeted about the egg rolls at Expo East. I immediately called the company and learned that they will be available in three flavors: chicken, shrimp, and vegetable. They can be heated in a microwave or oven.

Feel Good Foods also makes gluten-free Asian style dumplings, which are currently sold in many stores. The company said that soon Whole Foods may carry their products. Now, there truly is a gluten-free version of almost everything!

Gluten-Free News: New Magazine, Protein Bars, Omni Hotels, and Much More

2011-09-05T13:57:00.000-04:00

My gluten-free Google Alerts have been filled with positive gluten-free news over the last two weeks. From gluten-free menus at hotels to an Olympic pole vaulter with celiac disease, celiac awareness is increasing.

Silvana Nardone, the founding editor-in-chief of Every Day with Rachael Ray, is now the editor-in-chief of the brand new Easy Eats digital magazine. The first issue of the beautiful magazine is completely free. Simply click on subscribe at the bottom of the page and choose special introductory deal. A one year subscription (6 issues) is $16. You can also sign up to be an Easy Eats recipe tester. The premiere issue has many recipes and a great article listing the Best Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread in a variety of categories.

Speaking of magazines, Gorton’s is giving away 100 subscriptions to Living Without to celebrate their line of grilled fish fillets that are now gluten-free.

NuGo Nutrition Debuts the First Almost Sugar-Free Protein Bar Without Maltitol or Artificial Sweeteners at Expo East. The new certified gluten-free bars have 15 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of sugar from real dark chocolate and chicory root. Since I work for the company, I already sampled the new NuGO Slim bars. My daughter and I loved them!

Omni Hotels will be offering gluten-free breakfast buffet stations at all of their locations. Read about other hotels with gluten-free items in Hotels Go Gluten-Free.

“Omni Hotels is rolling out a gluten-free breakfast buffet station companywide. The station will include gluten-free cereals, granola and a variety of breads and muffins. It has its own table—and toaster—to avoid cross-contamination with products containing wheat.

“We’re getting great positive feedback from our hotel guests on recognizing the importance of people with celiac disease,” says Rosenstock, who, personally, keeps gluten-free by choice and claims improved health as a result. “We’re getting letters from people who say they’ll always stay at Omni.”

Rosenstock points out the gluten-free options don’t cost a hotel more money. It’s all about sourcing differently and planning for it.”

A British home baker, Jennifer Buls of Absolute Treats, won the title of UK National Cupcake Champion with a lime and coconut cupcake. She bakes gluten-free, dairy-free, diabetic-friendly, and vegan cupcakes and has secured a permanent location for a tearoom in West Wales.

There has been lots of coverage of the FDA’s proposed gluten-free labeling standards. A story was even featured on CBS News. For more information about submitting your comments to the FDA and to read what others are saying, visit Gluten-Free Living.

Jenn Suhr, an Olympic pole vaulter, was diagnosed with celiac disease this summer after “suffering leg cramps, dehydration and general weakness for months.” She competed last week at the World Athletics Championships in South Korea and finished fourth. Jenn is hoping to win Gold at the 2012 Olympics.

Olympic runner Amy Yoder-Begley also has celiac disease and packed gluten-free food for the 2008 Olympics. She suffered for 10 years before being diagnosed with celiac disease. She is currently recovering from an injury and hopes to make it to London in 2012. It is so exciting to imagine celiac disease being mentioned during the 2012 Olympic broadcasts!

Big Gluten-Free News: Glutino Acquisition, FDA Gluten-Free Labeling Proposal, and Schwan’s Pizza

2011-08-04T21:15:00.000-04:00

In a shocking announcement yesterday, it was revealed that Smart Balance paid $66.3 million in cash to acquire Glutino Foods!

"We are very impressed with the Glutino management team, led by Terence Dalton, and believe the skill sets of both the Glutino and Smart Balance teams will contribute to improving the performance of both companies. Both companies have similar missions and values. Through this combination, we believe Smart Balance's core competencies in sales, marketing and product development will help Glutino realize its growth potential, ultimately creating long-term value for our shareholders, and exciting opportunities for our new and existing employees.”

Earlier this week, the FDA held a teleconference about gluten-free labeling, and said that gluten-free labeling rules are expected to be finalized in the third quarter of 2012. Read this great recap of the teleconference from The Savvy Celiac. To submit your comments electronically to the FDA about the gluten-free labeling proposal, follow these steps. Comments are due by October 3, 2011.

1. Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
2. Select submit a comment from the task bar.
3. Enter FDA-2005-N-0404 in the keyword box and click search.
4. Go to the actions column and select submit a comment.
5. You have 20 minutes to complete your form before the session will timeout.

As kids are getting ready to head back to school soon, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has exciting news about school pizza.

“Schwan’s Food Service, Inc., a leading provider of pizza to K-12 schools, colleges and universities, healthcare facilities and other foodservice venues, has introduced two new gluten-free pizza products to the market. With nearly 40 years’ experience bringing pizza to 75% of the nation’s schools, Schwan’s is committed to ensuring their products are nutritious and delicious. The two new gluten-free pizzas – one for the K-12 market and one for colleges and other operations – are the latest examples of this commitment. Schwan’s Food Service teamed up with the NFCA to better understand the challenges of gluten intolerance and celiac disease, provide training for their sales force, and offer training to their customers.”

The pizza is certified gluten-free and individually wrapped on a baking tray. Many children will be able to enjoy purchasing gluten-free pizza in their school cafeteria this year!

The Goal to Cure Celiac Disease in 10 to 15 Years

2011-07-20T17:25:00.000-04:00

According to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, the goal is to cure celiac disease in 10 to 15 years! They will be hosting the 15th International Celiac Disease Symposium in September 2013, and have made this fantastic video to promote it.

While the first two minutes of the video are about the city of Chicago, the remainder of the video sends a powerful message about celiac disease. “It would take 936 cruise ships to hold every American with celiac disease.” This is one of several statistics mentioned in the video.

New Gluten-Free Books to Pre-Order on Amazon

2011-06-27T19:00:00.001-04:00

What are the trends in new gluten-free books? From browsing on Amazon, it looks like gluten-free vegan cookbooks and quick recipes are hot. New books will be released from popular gluten-free authors, including Beth Hillson, Carol Fenster, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Robert Landolphi.

Below is a sampling of gluten-free books scheduled to be released in 2011 and 2012. Some are also available as Kindle eBooks. When you pre-order books on Amazon, you are guaranteed to receive the lowest price.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Gluten-Free Vegan Cooking

Deliciously G-Free: Gluten-Free, Flavor-Packed Cooking for Everyone by Elisabeth Hasselbeck

Book Review: What’s Eating Your Child?

2011-05-23T17:25:00.001-04:00

If you are searching for the cause of your child’s health or behavioral problems, the answer may be a food intolerance or dietary supplement. In the new book, What’s Eating Your Child? The Hidden Connections Between Food and Childhood Ailments, Kelly Dorfman, a leading children’s nutritionist, shares practical solutions based on fascinating stories from her clients. Common food intolerances are discussed, including gluten, dairy, and sugar, as well as dietary supplements, such as zinc, probiotics, and fish oil.

Dorfman explains the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance, however, some of the information needs clarification, especially about celiac testing and oats. She recommends two gluten-free breads, Deland’s millet bread and Udi’s. Since I never heard of Deland’s, I called the bakery to inquire about the bread, and discovered that it is not gluten-free because of significant cross-contamination.

Dorfman offers a surprisingly simple plan for picky eaters. She also includes a chapter on Sensory Processing Disorder. Nutritional disorders may be the cause of a variety of ailments, from anxiety and ADHD to ear infections. In some cases, her clients were able to stop taking prescription medications after following her recommendations. After reading the book, you will learn how to be a nutrition detective.

I received a complimentary copy of the book to review. Although it turns out that we live less than 10 minutes from Kelly Dorfman’s office, we have never spoken to her. I certainly learned some things that we may try, and I do recommend this interesting book. Purchase it on Amazon or look for it at your local book store. If you are interested in learning more, attend one of her upcoming book signings throughout the country and read her blog. Should my daughter need a nutritionist, we would definitely go to Kelly Dorfman.

Gluten-Free News: Hamburger Helper, Frito Lay, California Pizza Kitchen, Celiac Vaccine, Petitions, and a Twitter Party

2011-05-13T18:39:00.000-04:00

If you like gluten-free Hamburger Helper, stock up before it is gone. In an email posted on Celiac-Disease.com, General Mills states that it will no longer be gluten-free.

"Essentially, our three Helpers items, Hamburger Helper Cheesy Hashbrown, Asian Helper Chicken Fried Rice and Asian Helper Beef Fried Rice will soon no longer be gluten free. This is due to a change in manufacturing facilities, and although gluten will not be used as an ingredient in any of the three products, we will no longer be able to guarantee that they will be free from cross-contamination."

Also on Celiac-Disease.com, you can find the new Frito Lay gluten-free list. It appears that they now have a larger list of products that they test for gluten.

At the end of June, California Pizza Kitchen will be adding a gluten-free pizza crust. For more information, read this Gluten-Free Philly blog post.

There are promising results for a celiac vaccine as explained in ScienceDaily this week. The Phase I trial of Nexvax2 was conducted in Australia. The Phase II trial is expected to begin in 10 months.

Please take a few minutes to sign these two important gluten-free petitions.

Encourage the Girl Scouts to sell an allergen-free cookie

Encourage the FDA to finalize gluten-free labeling rules
For a detailed recap of the 1in133 event and how they built the world's largest gluten-free cake, read Jules Shepard's new blog post.

On Wednesday, May 25 at 8 pm ET, the US Potato Board will host a gluten-free twitter party and will offer five prizes. The US Potato Board created a new gluten-free recipe collection, which includes 80 recipes, such as gluten-free potato lasagna.

Celebrate Celiac Awareness Month with NFCA

2011-05-05T10:26:00.000-04:00

The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) is celebrating Celiac Awareness Month with several social media activities. In April, they collected approximately 500 photos of people with celiac disease and compiled them in this amazing mosaic. If you are in the Facebook photo, make sure you tag yourself. Also on Facebook, answer the weekly question. "What's one thing you can do now that you couldn't do before going gluten-free?"

On Twitter, NFCA is sharing signs of celiac disease in their #youmighthaveceliac tweets. Join the #gfchats about gluten-free nutrition every Tuesday night in May at 8 pm ET, beginning on May 10. The chats will be led by the Ask the Dietitian Experts.

Each day in May, NFCA will profile a blogger in “A Blogger a Day, the Gluten-Free Way”. I will be profiled on May 6. For a great list of gluten-free blogs, visit NFCA’s celiac bloggers list. Many of these bloggers will be profiled during May. Happy Celiac Awareness Month!

For more NFCA news, visit these links:

NFCA’s Kids Central

What We’ve Been Up To

Where We’re Headed

Gluten-Free Chex Launching in Canada

2011-04-29T14:34:00.002-04:00

Here is some great news for gluten-free Canadians. Two varieties of gluten-free Chex will be coming to Canada in summer 2011. Below is the message that was shared on the Gluten Freely Facebook page.

"General Mills is excited to announce that we are bringing two varieties of gluten free CHEX cereal to Canada! Great tasting Honey Nut Chex and Rice Chex will be available in the cereal aisle at national retailers across the country by the end of June."

Review: New Rice Krispies Gluten-Free

2011-04-26T16:56:00.006-04:00

Today, two complimentary pre-launch samples of the new Rice Krispies Gluten-Free cereal arrived at my door! The two 12 ounce boxes are samples not intended for sale. The front and back of the boxes are the same image and both side panels are the same nutrition facts with no information about manufacturing. For information about manufacturing and testing, read my previous blog post.

Rice Krispies Gluten-Free is made from brown rice and contains 50% of the daily value of iron. The cereal looks like original Rice Krispies, except for some brown edges on many pieces. As soon as I poured the milk, I heard a loud "Snap, Crackle, and Pop." The taste and texture of the new Rice Krispies Gluten-Free are very similar to the Rice Krispies I remember eating four years ago, but slightly different. My daughter loved them.

I also received a recipe to make Rice Krispies treats. While I am sure they will make excellent Rice Krispies treats, I am going to savor every last bowl of Rice Krispies until they hit store shelves in June and I can buy them. The MSRP is $3.99, which is the same as original Rice Krispies.

Rice Krispies Gluten-Free: Manufacturing Information

2011-04-19T18:08:00.001-04:00

I just received an email from a member of the Kellogg's Rice Krispies Brand Team, who is sending me a pre-launch sample of the new Rice Krispies Gluten-Free. I immediately inquired about manufacturing and received the following response.

"And as for testing it for gluten, to ensure the gluten-free status, the product is made in a separate production facility that has been making gluten-free items for nearly a decade. Every batch of product is tested for gluten, as is the production line."

I am so happy to hear it is tested for gluten. I look forward to trying it and blogging about it! Look for Rice Krispies Gluten-Free to hit select U.S. store shelves in early June 2011. Currently, the product is only being launched in the U.S., not Canada.

Video: Kumquats Educational Puppets Explain Celiac Disease to Kids

2011-04-15T19:35:00.000-04:00

Kumquats are adorable educational puppets. There is something very comforting about seeing puppets talking about celiac disease. While the video is very simple and short, it is a good starting point for talking to kids about celiac disease. The ending was my favorite part and made me smile!

New SimpleNutrition Tags at Safeway

2011-03-26T17:36:00.000-04:00

Locating gluten-free products at Safeway is now even easier with the introduction of SimpleNutrition. Green shelf tags, with two nutrition and ingredient benefits listed in different colors, can be found throughout the store. The color of the gluten-free tag is orange brown. Only products that have been identified as gluten-free by the manufacturer can receive the gluten-free tag.

"The 22 benefits included in the program encompass two groups of messages: those that meet lifestyle or dietary needs, and those that meet specific nutrition or ingredient criteria:

• 4 benefit messages for lifestyle/dietary needs: Gluten Free, Organic, Natural, and also Calorie Smart

• 18 benefits with specific nutrition criteria: Made with Whole Grains, Good Source of Fiber, Fat Free, Sodium Smart, Low Saturated Fat, Low Fat, Sugar Free, Good Source of Calcium, Good Source of Vitamin A, Good Source of Vitamin C, Good Source of Iron, 0g Trans Fat, 100% Juice, Low Cholesterol, Good Source of Antioxidants, Good Source of Potassium, Good Source of Folate, Lean Protein"

"Although a product may have more than one or two key nutrients or ingredient benefits, the green SimpleNutrition tag displays the benefits that are most relevant for that particular product."

Safeway sent me gift cards as a thank you for writing about SimpleNutrition. I found many gluten-free tags throughout the store, but there are also many gluten-free products that aren’t labeled. The tags would be especially useful to someone new to eating gluten-free. The number of gluten-free products at Safeway has also increased recently. From French Meadow Bakery to Waterfront Bistro Panko Breaded Butterfly Shrimp, there are many gluten-free options.

Book Review: Nick and the Shrinking Inner Spaceship

2011-03-23T18:21:00.000-04:00

Nick and the Shrinking Inner Spaceship is a fiction picture book that only focuses on the villi. There is a picture in the book of healthy villi, and an explanation about what happens to the villi when someone has celiac disease. In the book, Nick is a kid scientist who invented a shrinking spaceship and uses it to go in his little brother’s body to find out if he has celiac disease. This would not be the book to read to learn all about celiac disease and eating gluten-free. Some people may not like the end of the book, while others might think it is cool.

The book is written by Nick, a boy who has celiac disease, and his mom. You might want to read the note from the authors before you read the book to give you more knowledge. In the back, there are recipes for ribs, pancakes, cookies, and pumpkin loaf cake. That is a useful tool. For a good book that explains about celiac disease, read Mommy, What is Celiac Disease? or Cilie Yack is Under Attack.

This review was written by my daughter, who is 9-years-old. She does not have celiac disease, but knows a lot about it. The author sent us this book for free to review. You can buy the book on the website.

Book Review: The Celiac Kid

2011-03-21T18:20:00.002-04:00

The Celiac Kid is a new book that would help young kids understand celiac disease. The book is written for kids around preschool to first grade. Since the book is for young kids, it does not mention cross-contamination or eating out. Unfortunately, The Celiac Kid does not mention barley, rye, or oats. It says that “gluten is in wheat, but it also hides in a lot of other foods.”

I like that The Celiac Kid says that “most of the time I am a regular kid.” It is important to know that you are just like other kids, except for how you eat. I also liked that the book makes it sound like eating gluten-free is easy, and that is how you should feel. It talks about how you might think that it is hard, but that it is not that bad. It is good to have a positive attitude. I think they did not need to mention birthday parties, but that may be helpful for some people. Overall, this book is a good one.

This review was written by my daughter, who is 9-years-old. She does not have celiac disease, but knows a lot about it. The author sent us this book for free to review. You can buy the book on the website or Amazon.

Free From Gluten: Store Review and Discount Code

2011-03-20T17:42:00.003-04:00

Free From Gluten is a new online store that carries over 2,000 gluten-free products. In order to review the store, they paid for my order ($56 plus free shipping). Most of the items are sold as a bulk pack of six, but there are several items sold in packs of two. Free From Gluten has large icons on the side of each product page: Kosher, dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, trans fat free, cholesterol-free, egg-free, lactose-free, yeast-free, and salt-free.

I ordered several items sold in packs of two and a bulk pack of six boxes of Kinnikinnick Animal Cookies at a good price of $21.03. The box containing the two-pack items arrived very fast from Pennsylvania, but the bulk pack of Kinnikinnick Animal Crackers took about 10 days to arrive from Texas. All items had good dates and nothing was broken. Free From Gluten has a nice selection of products, and some items are priced better than others.

I used this as an opportunity to try some new products. I was eager to try the new Grainless Baker Cheddar Snacks, but unfortunately they have too much pepper, so we couldn’t even finish one serving. We loved the Schar Sub Sandwich Rolls, but they aren't showing on the site now because they are temporarily out of stock. The Schar Sub Rolls were perfect for our meatball subs. I was impressed to see Sunstart Caramel and Chocolate Dessert Delights, which are made in Ireland. These very unique cookie bars were enjoyable. My daughter liked the Orgran Itsy Bitsy Bears with Chocolate Bits, but I didn’t like them.

The site offers free UPS shipping on orders over $50. For frozen items, there is an additional $20 charge per cooler, and each cooler holds up to ten frozen items. Use code GFOPTIMIST to receive 10% off your order. The coupon code is valid until April 30, 2011. I would order from Free From Gluten again, especially since they are always adding new products.

New Gluten-Free Products Debuting at Expo West 2011: Part 2

2011-03-12T16:26:00.002-05:00

There are so many tweets about new gluten-free products at Expo West that it sounds like gluten-free paradise. Hopefully, we will see most of them in stores in the near future. I am very excited about the bagel chips and ice cream sandwiches.

Pur Gum chewing gum
Chocolate Pirate’s Booty
Sahale Snacks: On April 1, they will be certified gluten-free.
Dr. Praeger’s Veggie Littles
Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss Ginger Cookie Caramel Ice Cream
Glutino Bagel Chips: Regular and Parmesan Garlic
Kinninnick Mixes: Pancake and Waffle, All Purpose Flour Blend, Just Add Water Kinni-Kwik Bread and Bun, and Cake (Angel Food, Chocolate, and White)
The Simply Bar
Julie’s Ice Cream Sandwiches: Carrot Cake with Ginger Cookies and Cherry with Chocolate Cookies
Starfish Italian Breaded Sole and Breaded Shrimp
Sushi Party Sushi Wraps
Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Granola Cereal
Schar Frozen Bread: Hearty White and Hearty Grain
Ener-G Biscotti

Special thanks to Jennifer Harris @jenniferGFinGA, Cassandra Gee @delightfullygf, and Kendall Egan @gfliving for great Expo West tweets. For more Expo West gluten-free news, read New Gluten-Free Products Debuting at Expo West 2011: Udi’s, Rudi’s, Enjoy Life Foods, and More.

New Gluten-Free Products Debuting at Expo West 2011: Udi’s, Rudi’s, Enjoy Life Foods, and More

2011-03-11T11:34:00.007-05:00

Many gluten-free products will be debuting at Natural Products Expo West 2011 in Anaheim. The trade show opens today, but several companies have already announced new products.

Rudi’s Gluten-Free is rolling out multigrain hamburger buns and hot dogs rolls in May, just in time for summer grilling. Additionally, Rudi’s has a new gluten-free pizza crust. Udi’s Gluten-Free just announced on Facebook that they are debuting hamburger buns, hot dog buns, and two new breads (Millet-Chia and Omega-Salba) at Expo West.

Enjoy Life Foods posted these photos on Facebook of their six new products. Enjoy Life has four new Crunchy handcrafted cookies, Double Chocolate Crunch Granola, and Mega Chunks semi-sweet chocolate. The Enjoy Life Crunchy Cookies must be the mystery product the company mentioned one year ago and delayed releasing.

The MSRP for all three Rudi’s products is only $4.49. Here are the Rudi’s product descriptions from their press release.

"Gluten-Free Multigrain Hamburger Buns (MSRP - $4.49) – This soft textured bun made with wholesome, all-natural ingredients and a hint of molasses and honey is the perfect complement to a hamburger or veggie burger.
Gluten-Free Multigrain Hot Dog Rolls (MSRP - $4.49) – A tasty combination of flaxseed, sunflower seeds and cornmeal provides a flavor the whole family will love and a texture that can withstand a loaded up chili dog just as well as a plain hot dog.
Original Pizza Crusts (MSRP - $4.49) – Made with all natural ingredients you can pronounce, these gluten-free pizza crusts have a thin, crispy crust that’s perfect for that family pizza night."

Below are some other new gluten-free products that will be at Expo West.

Daiya Pepperjack Style Shreds (dairy-free cheese)
Xo Baking Company Gluten-Free Baking Mix
Crunchmaster New Product Line
Pure Naturals Bars
Kinnikinnick: New packaging, thin crust pizza, frozen pie crust, new pricing, a mascot, and a partnership with Levy Restaurants to "help bring gluten free to over 170 stadiums, parks, zoos and other public facilities in the U.S. starting immediately."
Glutenfreeda Pizza Wraps
Annie’s Bunny Cookies: Two new flavors
Amy’s: Sonoma Veggie Burger, Shortbread Cookies, and Sandwich Rounds
Kettle Cuisine Thai Curry Chicken Soup
Marion’s Smart Delights: The first gluten-free lemon bar mix.

I look forward to following all the gluten-free tweets and Facebook updates about Expo West this weekend.

New Gluten-Free Rice Krispies Confirmed by Kellogg's

2011-02-26T16:07:00.002-05:00

After reading an unofficial report on Gluten-Free Appetite that Kellogg's will be releasing gluten-free Rice Krispies, I contacted Kellogg's for more information. Here is the email reply I received last night.

"Thank you for contacting us regarding our cereal products.

We are excited to tell you that we will have a Rice Krispies Gluten Free cereal launching late May 2011. Although we do not have a lot of information to share with you at this time, we encourage you to look for this product on your stores shelves in a few months.

We appreciate your interest in our company and products.

Sincerely,

Natalie Felix
Consumer Specialist
Consumer Affairs
TLXNXF01/cl
021586750AA"

This is very exciting news! Snap, Crackle, and Pop for everyone!

Headaches, Insomnia, or Joint Pain: Get Tested for Celiac Disease

2011-02-19T14:52:00.001-05:00

Headaches, insomnia, and joint pain are three of the over 300 symptoms of celiac disease. If you are experiencing any of the 300 symptoms, get tested for celiac disease!

The good news is that if you have celiac disease, a 100% gluten-free diet will greatly improve your health and decrease the likelihood of additional complications. It is important to keep eating gluten until you have completed all testing for celiac disease (blood tests and possibly an endoscopy).

Before I was diagnosed with celiac disease in January 2007, I spent five years searching for the cause of my headaches, migraines, insomnia, and severe knee pain. Today, if you google headaches, insomnia, and joint pain, either individually or as a phrase, it is still unlikely that you will find information about celiac disease. I hope this blog post will change that!

Video: New Gluten-Free School Lunches

2011-02-04T19:46:00.001-05:00

Skaneateles Schools in New York will begin offering gluten-free pizza and deli sandwiches in March. Watch this news video, which does a great job explaining the necessary measures to prevent cross-contamination. This quote about prices raises an interesting point.

"Skaneateles has been trying to get gluten-free foods through the door for a couple years now. Crysler says those foods were more expensive and the cost just wasn't in the small district's budget, but I see as there's more diagnoses and more people that are in need, the prices have come down."

Gluten-free options are already offered in three other central New York school districts: North Syracuse, Liverpool, and Baldwinsville.

Imagine how thrilling it will be for kids with celiac disease to be able to go through the lunch line. If you are trying to get gluten-free options in your school district, share this video. Hopefully, gluten-free school lunches will become a nationwide trend!

Celiac Disease and Gluten-Free Foods: 10 Great Websites with Accurate Information

2011-01-22T15:40:00.000-05:00

When searching for an answer to a question about celiac disease or a gluten-free diet, these websites provide reliable and updated information. In addition to this alphabetical list, many celiac centers have websites with accurate information.

Celiac.com was excluded from this list because of their forums. While forums are good for connecting with other people, most contain a plethora of misinformation. The web is flooded with outdated information about celiac disease and gluten-free foods, so this list will help you find accurate information.

Gluten-Free News: Dumplings, Hotels, Vending Machines, a Dog, and More

2011-01-12T19:28:00.001-05:00

It is only the second week of the New Year, and there is already lots of gluten-free news. The most exciting news is about the first gluten-free Asian dumplings. A luxury hotel chain, Fairmont, introduced gluten-free options at all of its locations. Organic vending machines with gluten-free snacks are making their way across the country. For a truly fascinating story, read this article about a woman who trained her dog to sniff her food for gluten.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck launched a new line of high protein bars made in a shared facility with wheat, and there is no information about testing for gluten. She has several upcoming television appearances promoting her book, now available in paperback. While I do not recommend her book and am concerned about the spreading of inaccurate gluten-free information, I hope the appearances will encourage viewers to Google gluten-free and get tested for celiac disease.

In addition to two certified gluten-free cereals, Pebbles now makes two gluten-free treat bars. The Gluten-Free Travel Site launched a new mobile version and named the DC area as the winner of their annual contest to choose the “World’s Most Celiac-Friendly Destination.” It has certainly been a great week for gluten-free news!

2011: Gluten-Free In and Out List

2011-01-02T17:12:00.001-05:00

What’s hot in gluten-free in 2011 and what's not? Take a look at this list I created. What do you think? I welcome all comments - disagree, agree, or add your own! Happy New Year!

Out In

Bunless Burgers....Flavorful Cuisine

GF Desserts....GF Appetizers (eggrolls, please)

Casein-Free....Allergen-Free

Rice Flour....Healthier GF Grains

Nuking/Toasting Bread....Udi’s

Processed GF Food....Naturally GF

Digestive Celiac Symptoms....300 Celiac Symptoms

Biopsies....Blood Tests

Confusing Labels....Certified Gluten-Free

Yahoo Groups....Twitter

Salad....Gourmet Vegan Food

Paying Full Price....Promotions, Sales, and Coupons

Outback (except Roswell, GA)....The Melting Pot

Wendy’s.....Chipotle

Menu Disclaimers....GREAT Kitchens (NFCA Training)

Shared Fryers....Dedicated GF Fryers

Sugar....Natural Sweeteners

Pizza....Chinese Food

Two Post Cereals Labeled Gluten-Free

2010-12-23T13:17:00.003-05:00

Another mainstream cereal giant, Post Foods, is officially entering the gluten-free market. Perhaps Post is following the excellent example from General Mills. Soon, Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles will be labeled gluten-free and have less sugar. Previously, the ingredients did not contain gluten. Read the entire press release about gluten-free Pebbles.

"Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles, rice-based cereals, will also be certified as Gluten Free, a relatively unique distinction in the cereal category. In response to increased concerns over celiac disease and products containing wheat gluten, the brand went through a rigorous process to achieve Gluten Free status on both Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles products."

As always, check the box and make sure you are buying the new gluten-free one. I hope Kellogg's is paying attention. Remove the barley malt from Rice Krispies, please!

Update - February 2011: These cereals will not be certified gluten-free. For more information, read this blog post by Jules Shepard.

Finding Gluten-Free Support on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Ning, and Forums

2010-12-15T11:25:00.001-05:00

Whether you or a family member are new to gluten-free life or have been gluten-free for years, social networking sites offer invaluable gluten-free support. You likely already discovered the plethora of gluten-free blogs and websites and may be overwhelmed by too much information.

With gluten-free social networking, it is easiest to start with what you know. For example, if you are on Facebook and using it to connect with former classmates, it will be easy for you to like some gluten-free Facebook pages and add gluten-free friends. If you are already using LinkedIn for professional reasons, you can join gluten-free groups there.

My recommendation is to join at least one national/international celiac forum, a local celiac support group, and Twitter. If you are only joining one forum, I suggest the Celiac Listserv. I belong to the DC Celiac Yahoo group, which is a fantastic local resource that even has an extensive restaurant database.

These articles from my Gluten-Free Social Media Tips blog provide information on social networking as well as many links to help you get started.

10 Reasons to Tweet Gluten-Free

Gluten-Free Tweeting 101: Follow These Easy Steps

Top 10 Gluten-Free Facebook Fan Pages

Discover LinkedIn Groups

Ning Makes Gluten-Free Social Networking Easy

Popular Gluten-Free Forums

Unless you are a blogger, gluten-free professional, or social media specialist, don’t go overboard joining everything here. Each one requires time and effort to get the most out of it. No matter how many Facebook pages I like and create, I still find myself on Twitter daily, spending less time on Facebook. If you have a question or need assistance, post a comment below or tweet me @MarylandCeliac.

Crave Bake Shop Baked Gluten-Free Cupcakes on Cupcake Wars

2010-12-07T22:05:00.007-05:00

Tonight, Kyra Bussanich of Crave Bake Shop baked gluten-free cupcakes on Cupcake Wars on Food Network. The beginning of the episode had some terrific information about gluten-free. Crave Bake Shop is a 100% gluten-free bakery located near Portland, Oregon.

The judges loved the gluten-free cupcake in the first round, which was a holiday cupcake made with cranberries and apple cider. In the second round, the three gluten-free cupcakes were inspired by holiday drinks. The flavors were egg nog, chai spice, and chocolate peppermint. They had beautiful decorations that impressed the judges. This quote from judge Candance Nelson from Sprinkles Cupcakes was amazing.

"I think you guys are like magical gluten-free elves that are working over there in that kitchen because I cannot tell that these are gluten-free cupcakes."

In the third round, Kyra had a display of Christmas trees on a table to hold the cupcakes, while the other finalist had an elegant sleigh display. Kyra added more ginger to the egg nog cupcakes at the request of the judges, but unfortunately she added too much.

While Kyra did not win Cupcake Wars, this was still a huge victory for gluten-free awareness. This episode called Tree Lighting, the second season premiere, reairs several times this week.

Video: Celiac PSA on CBS

2010-12-07T15:33:00.004-05:00

Thanks to a tip from Amy Ratner at Gluten-Free Living, I discovered this good celiac disease PSA that aired on CBS last night as part of CBS Cares. Pauley Perrette from NCIS is in the PSA. For more information, the PSA mentions celiac.org, which is the website for the Celiac Disease Foundation. Watch the video here or click below.

Is It Just Stress?

2010-12-06T10:45:00.000-05:00

How are you? It is a simple question with a common answer – “I am stressed.” Whether you admit it to others or silently think it, you likely experience some degree of stress. Feeling stressed seems to be the norm in our hectic lives, where we struggle for balance in a constant race against time. Potential stressors include work, family, school, finances, health, relationships, housing, and parenting.

When doctors can’t find an answer for something, the catch all answer is “it is just stress.” Like many people, I was told this several times. Each time, I felt angry and determined to find the answer. I found new doctors and searched the Internet endlessly.

I did not find another answer. Doctors continued to think it was stress. Eventually, I started to believe them. I could no longer remember what came first: marital problems, daily headaches, migraines, insomnia, or fatigue. Luckily, I developed new symptoms and found another doctor. This time, the answer was not stress!

We blame stress for many symptoms, including digestive problems, anxiety, depression, pain, migraines, fatigue, and insomnia. Ask yourself how long you have been feeling like this?

If you accept stress as the answer, you may still be experiencing the same problems five years from now. As you stress yourself shopping for that perfect holiday gift, take a break to visit a doctor and demand to be tested for celiac disease. It is the best gift you can give yourself and your family!

Pre-Order 2011 Gluten-Free Books

2010-12-01T12:38:00.002-05:00

Many gluten-free books will be released in 2011 and several are already available for pre-order on Amazon with a price guarantee. From gluten-free cookbooks about cupcakes to vegan and sugar-free, gluten-free consumers have many choices. Here is a sampling of some of the interesting new books. You can also view all the gluten-free books available for pre-order by clicking this link and sorting by publication date.

• The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen: Recipes for Noodles, Dumplings, Sauces, and More [Kindle Edition] by Laura B. Russell

• Cooking Light The Gluten-Free Cookbook: Simple Food Solutions for Everyday Meals by Editors of Cooking Light Magazine

• Gluten-Free in Five Minutes: 100 Rapid Recipes for Breads, Rolls, Cakes, Muffins, and More by Roben Ryberg

• BabyCakes Covers the Classics: Gluten-Free Vegan Recipes from Donuts to Snickerdoodles by Erin McKenna

• Bisquick to the Rescue: More than 100 Emergency Meals to save the day! – gluten and gluten-free recipes

New from bloggers:

Gluten-Free on a Shoestring: 125 Easy Recipes for Eating Well on the Cheap by Nicole Hunn

Simply Sugar- and Gluten-Free Meals in 20 Minutes: 120 Easy and Delicious Recipes by Amy Green

Gluten-Free Cupcakes: 50 Irresistible Recipes Made with Almond and Coconut Flour by Elana Amsterdam

You may also be interested in these books that will be released on December 8, 2010. Books make a great gift for yourself, friends, and family.

The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free

Gluten Free Food Storage, It's in the Bag

Allergy Free Cookbook for the Family

Special Diets for Special Kids, Volumes 1 and 2 Combined: Over 200 revised gluten-free casein-free recipes, plus research on the positive effects for children ... ADHD, allergies, celiac disease, and more! by Lisa Lewis (This book is still available for pre-order. It was scheduled to release last week, but didn't.)

Gluten-Free Cake Mix Doctor on QVC

2010-11-18T14:04:00.000-05:00

Last night, Anne Byrn was on QVC showing many desserts from her brand new cookbook, The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free. You can watch the entire video on the QVC website and preorder the book at a low price of $11.89. The books will ship on November 29.

The 80 recipes use a store-bought gluten-free yellow or chocolate cake mix, like Betty Crocker. Every recipe also has a dairy-free option. Anne was inspired to write the book after many requests from her readers. Her gluten Cake Mix Doctor books have been extremely popular. Over 3,000 autographed books were sold during this QVC segment!

Review: Sensible Foods Crunch Dried Snacks

2010-11-13T18:16:00.000-05:00

Sensible Foods crunch dried fruit and vegetable snacks are gluten-free, fat-free, and 100% natural. The company sent me their 14 bag combination box for free to review. The box contained two bags of each of the following flavors: Cherry Berry, Tropical, Orchard, Organic Cherry Berry, Organic Apple Harvest, Organic Sweet Corn, and Organic Roasted Soy Nuts.

All flavors were very good and satisfying, but my favorites were tropical, orchard, corn, and soy nuts. Most of the blends, including Cherry Berry and Organic Cherry Berry, contain a large amount of apple, which is good, but may be different than what you would expect.

The soy nuts have a great roasted flavor. They have 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per serving! One bag of the excellent sweet corn only has 70 calories and is equivalent to eating a ½ cup of fresh corn.

Order online or use the store locator to find a store near you. Some of the many retailers are The Vitamin Shoppe, Weis, Whole Foods, Ralphs, health food stores, and even airports.

Soon Sensible Foods will be introducing new lunch box sized bags in five flavors, including the new strawberry banana. These healthy crunch snacks will likely appeal to everyone in your family, so stock up!

Video: Kids Making Gluten-Free Granola Bars

2010-11-12T19:12:00.001-05:00

I stumbled across the cutest video of two kids making gluten-free granola bars. The video is from the My Kids Make blog. The recipe looks very easy and delicious.

If you have a gluten-free blog, consider letting your kids do a blog post. They will be so proud to see their work published on your blog! Read my daughter's blog posts and reviews. Leave a comment sharing blog posts from gluten-free kids.

Frozen Gluten-Free Onion Rings

2010-11-05T10:30:00.001-04:00

I just read on the Gluten-Free Philly blog that Ian's is launching gluten-free onion rings, and they will be available at Whole Foods, starting in January! They are also free of casein, eggs, soy, and nuts.

As far as I am aware, these are the first gluten-free onion rings to be sold in stores. The only thing that could make me more excited right now would be frozen gluten-free egg rolls. Perhaps Ian's will consider making egg rolls too!

Important Update: Are Blistex Products Gluten-Free?

2010-11-03T20:28:00.000-04:00

In February 2010, I posted an email I received from Blistex stating that all of their products are gluten-free. Today, I almost purchased the new Blistex Five Star Lip Protection, but fortunately I read the label and discovered it contains wheat germ oil! So, clearly all Blistex products are not gluten-free. It is frustrating to see companies adding gluten to products, especially when all of their products used to be gluten-free!

Video: Dr. Fasano Receives $45 Million

2010-10-28T20:00:00.002-04:00

The University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research received an astonishing $45 million donation to create a special institute! The detailed EurekAlert provided information about the donation from "a grateful patient," her husband, and their foundation.

"Forty million dollars of the donation is coming from a private foundation in which the Caffertys are key stakeholders. The remaining $5 million comes to the School of Medicine directly from the Caffertys, and will fund an endowed distinguished professorship that supports a director position in perpetuity for the research enterprise."

Watch this video to hear Dr. Fasano's comments about the donation. For more details, read this article in The Baltimore Sun.

"Fasano said the money will be used to create a first-of-its-kind institute that could eventually employ up to 200 doctors and researchers. They will not only study the often-misdiagnosed celiac disease but use it as a model to study other related diseases, including diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis."

My 200th Blog Post: Looking Back, New Favorite Foods, and an Important Jennie-O Alert

2010-10-27T13:27:00.000-04:00

I can’t believe this is my 200th blog post, and it has been almost 2 years since I started blogging in December 2008! It is amazing how much has changed in the gluten-free world in the past two years. If you also count my DC Gluten-Free Examiner articles and my Gluten-Free Social Media Tips blog posts, that adds up to over 360 gluten-free articles! So, what gluten-free news did I blog about in December 2008?

• Chicago Tribune investigation found high amounts of gluten in "gluten-free" Wellshire Farms chicken bites & corn dogs.

• Emeril Green aired three gluten-free episodes in Fall 2008 on Planet Green.

• The regular price of Rice Chex at Target was only $1.67.

• Gluten-Free Fox, the first gluten-free search engine, was launched.

One of my first blog posts was a funny one: My own “You know you have celiac disease if…” list. Some of the items are a little outdated now, but I hope some of them are still funny.

In January 2011, it will be four years since I was diagnosed with celiac disease. I definitely have a more positive outlook about gluten-free and life in general than when I first started blogging and a big part of that is the amazing online gluten-free community!

My list of favorite foods that I first posted in December 2008 and last updated in October 2009 is also outdated. Here are some of my new favorite foods.

• Udi’s Gluten-Free whole grain bread

• Udi’s granola

• Deboles corn pasta

• Nature’s Path Sunrise Cereals

• Chobani Greek Yogurt

• Larabar Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

• KIND Pomegranate Blueberry Pistachio plus Antioxidants

• Gluten-Free Café Pasta Primavera

• Food Should Taste Good Cheddar Chips

Sadly, one item that I intended to include on this list was Jennie-O Turkey Meatballs Italian Style, which used be clearly marked on the website with the no gluten icon. When I went to the website today to link to it, I discovered the new red packaging and that the no gluten icon had been removed. I called and it turns out that the new bags have new ingredients that now include oat bran. They aren’t gluten-free and have been removed from the Hormel gluten-free list. I really hope I can still find some of the old bags that are gluten-free.

As some things change over the years in the gluten-free world, some things remain the same. It is essential to always keep reading labels each time you purchase a product!

Video from Lifetime: Celiac Disease on The Balancing Act

2010-10-26T10:40:00.001-04:00

If you missed the celiac disease segment on The Balancing Act yesterday on Lifetime Television, watch this great video. It is almost five minutes long and packed full of good information! I loved this part. "If you have symptoms you can't explain...ask your doctor about it."

Watch the Celiac Disease Foundation on Lifetime Television

2010-10-22T19:39:00.001-04:00

On Monday, October 25 at 7 am ET/PT (6 am CT/MT), watch The Balancing Act on Lifetime. The show will feature Phyllis Kessler, President of the Celiac Disease Foundation South Florida Chapter and a doctor. They will discuss awareness efforts and celiac resources.

Read the press release and watch the preview video. If you miss the celiac segment, it will probably be added to their YouTube channel next week.

Top 10 Gluten-Free Blogs for News

2010-10-15T17:41:00.001-04:00

There is so much gluten-free and celiac disease news each week that it is hard for any one blogger to keep up with it all. While I hope you will continue to rely on the Gluten-Free Optimist for gluten-free news as well as my tweets, these blogs do a fantastic job of covering news, including information about new products.

1. The Savvy Celiac

2. Celiac-Disease.com

3. Gluten-Free Living blog

4. About.com Celiac Disease

5. Celiac Princess

6. Gluten-Free Is Life

7. Gluten-Free Works

8. Gluten-Free Fun

9. Sure Foods Living

10. Gluten-Free Philly

With hundreds of gluten-free blogs, I am sure there are some blogs that I missed that do a great job blogging about news. Thanks to the above blogs, gluten-free Examiners, and the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness for keeping us informed of the latest gluten-free news.

View the Transcript for the Celiac Episode to Air on Second Opinion

2010-10-06T11:53:00.000-04:00

Recently, I blogged about the Celiac Disease Episode to Air on Public Television on October 15 or 16. The transcript can now be viewed online. This great episode includes Alice Bast from NFCA and Dr. Daniel Leffler. The patient, a 42-year-old man, presents with swelling in his hands, joint pain, and lactose intolerance. Later, he develops GI symptoms.

This episode is truly amazing awareness! One of my favorite parts is this quote from Alice.

"Yeah, malignancies, and I ended up seeing twenty-two doctors before I was diagnosed, but in my case I also had reproductive health issues. So when you say how can it affect you, I had a full-term stillborn child, I had three miscarriages, and my youngest daughter was two pounds when she was born. So she fit into the palm of my hand. I’m five foot nine and I weighed a hundred and thirty pounds now. I was down to about a hundred pounds. My hair was falling out, my teeth were breaking, and the doctors were telling me that I had postpartum depression and telling me I had psychiatric problems, you name it, anemia, so a lot of this — I had, you know, swelling in my joints. I had such diarrhea that I couldn’t even go to work."

All aspects of celiac disease are discussed, including testing, related conditions, complications, and the gluten-free diet. Celiac is even referred to as "a multi-symptom chameleon disease."

A Great Katz Gluten-Free Coupon

2010-10-01T19:14:00.003-04:00

Visit healthesavers.com to print this great Katz coupon. The coupon expires on December 30, 2010, and you save $2 on any one item! Check the box next to the coupon, enter your email address, and the coupon will be sent to you to print. Read my review of two Katz Gluten-Free products.

For more gluten-free coupons, register for Mambo Sprouts, the Live Gluten Freely newsletter, and BeFreeforMe. Also, read Money Saving Tip: Coupons at Whole Foods. Visit my Gluten-Free Social Media Tips blog to read Locate Discount Codes in Two Clicks.

Celiac Disease Symptoms and Treatment: An Excellent Video

2010-09-30T18:06:00.000-04:00

Watch this excellent video of Dr. Daniel Leffler, Director of Clinical Research at the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Melinda Dennis, a registered dietician, discussing celiac disease and their new book. The video aired this week on the Fox morning news in Boston. Visit their website for more information about their new book, Real Life with Celiac Disease.

Money Saving Tip: Coupons at Whole Foods

2010-09-30T12:02:00.000-04:00

The coupon book at the Whole Foods always has many gluten-free coupons. Print out several copies of the coupons online or pick up The Whole Deal at the store. While there is a limit of “one coupon per purchase of specified product,” the coupons are usually good for three months. In the August/September issue which may still be available in stores, there is a fantastic Larabar coupon for a $1.25 off two, which basically means one free Larabar! I have used this coupon at least four times already and it expires the end of October.

The October/November issue of The Whole Deal is now available. Most of the coupons can be printed online and they expire December 31, 2010. Some of the new gluten-free coupons are:

• $1 off one Lundberg 2 lb. bag rice

• 75 cents off one Siggi’s yogurt

• 75 cents off one Thai Kitchen product

• 50 cents off one ThinkThin Bar

• $1 off one half gallon or quart of So Delicious Coconut Milk vanilla, original, or unsweetened beverage

• $1 off one Earth Balance Organic Soy Milk

• $1 off two Deboles pastas

• $1 off two Imagine soups or broths

• $1 off two Gluten Free Café frozen entrees

Be sure to also pickup The Whole Deal book in stores for this great coupon: $1 off one Gluten-Free Bakehouse Pumpkin Pie. Even without coupons or sales, there are some good prices that can be found at Whole Foods, including 365 milk and water and EnviroKidz cereal. Some 365 Every Day Value products are gluten-free and are listed on the Whole Foods' gluten-free list.

Book Review: Mommy, What is Celiac Disease?

2010-09-28T10:23:00.001-04:00

Mommy, What is Celiac Disease? A look at the sunny side of being gluten-free is a new picture book for kids. Katie Chalmers sent me the book for free for me to review. I am 9-years-old, and I feel a bit too old for this book partly because they say Mommy instead of Mom. Mommy, What is Celiac Disease? is a conversation, not really a story. The mom and the child take turns speaking about the child’s new diet and celiac disease. The book is all facts about celiac, but does not talk about getting diagnosed or cross-contamination, which is an issue.

I would recommend the book for ages 4-8. You can read the book to your child, and they will probably know about celiac disease. The book’s setting is in the park. To explain what they are going to do when they go home, they make connections about what she is doing at the park like “we can spread the word just like you are blowing that dandelion fluff around.” I think that your child will love the book, and have a positive attitude about eating gluten-free.

Comment from the author, Katie Chalmers:

"This is really meant to introduce the child to celiac disease and get them thinking positively about it from the get-go. The book's website does talk a lot about cross-contamination issues, so hopefully when both resources are put together, everything is covered."

Celiac Disease Episode to Air on Public Television

2010-09-26T15:27:00.003-04:00

The seventh season of Second Opinion will feature an episode about celiac disease. Episode 702 is called celiac disease, and will air on October 15 or 16, depending on the public television stations in your viewing area. In the DC area, Second Opinion airs on Saturdays at 9:30 am on WHUT channel 32.

Here is the description of this episode, which will likely include Dr. Daniel Leffler, Director of Clinical Research at the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

"Nearly three million Americans suffer from Celiac Disease, a hereditary, autoimmune digestive disorder which is difficult to diagnose. Discover how a gluten-free diet (no wheat, rye, or barley) results in greatly improved health for those suffering from this disease."

If you aren’t familiar with Second Opinion, read the description of this unique series.

"The long-running, Telly award-winning series engages a panel of medical professionals and lay people in honest, in-depth discussions about complex medical issues. Host Dr. Peter Salgo presents intriguing, real-life medical cases to professionals representing a variety of specialties. As the experts grapple with the diagnosis and treatment options, viewers gain an understanding of doctors' decision-making process."

In episode 413 called inflammation, there was information about celiac disease and eating gluten-free. Joseph Mercogliano, a plumber in Long Island, shared his celiac diagnosis story on the show. It took two years for doctors to diagnose his weight gain, swollen lymph nodes, and chest pain as celiac disease.

Additionally, you may be interested in watching episode 701 about Vitamin D. Watch this new Second Opinion Stat! podcast featuring Alice Bast explaining celiac disease.

Book Review: Cilie Yack is Under Attack

2010-09-24T16:58:00.000-04:00

Cilie Yack is Under Attack is a new fiction chapter book for kids ages 5-11. I am 9-years-old and do not have celiac disease, but I know a lot about it because my mom does. Caryn Talty sent me the book for free to review. It is a very funny book about a 9-year-old boy named Cilie Yack who gets diagnosed with celiac disease and does not want to give up cake and other foods. He is worried about not being able to eat some foods he loves. Cilie comes up with a way to be able to eat what he wants.

The book’s narrator is Cilie. He is a troublemaker in some of the book. It does have some Irish words in it because the setting is in Ireland. The Irish words make it a bit harder to understand, but the author does try to explain what they mean. Cilie Yack is Under Attack has some true facts about celiac disease. It is fun to have a book that has both fiction and facts. I think that you don’t have to have celiac disease to love the book like I did! Be careful - you won't be able to put the book down once you start it!

Review: New Biochem 100 Calorie Protein Bars

2010-09-24T14:46:00.000-04:00

Biochem, the well known maker of whey protein, has new protein bars that are 100 calories and certified gluten-free. They are available in three flavors: berry yogurt, caramel nougat, and chocolate truffle. I purchased the caramel nougat and chocolate truffle flavors at Whole Foods today for $1.29 each. The caramel nougat truly tastes like a Milky Way candy bar! This great chewy bar is small (.88 ounces), but satisfying.

You can view the ingredients and allergens at VitaCost. They contain milk, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts. With 6 grams of protein, 7 grams of sugar, 13 grams of carbs, and only 3 grams of fat, the Biochem caramel nougat bar is a fantastic quick and healthy snack option!

Buy Unique Celiac Awareness Items at CafePress and Support Celiac Research

2010-09-21T12:37:00.006-04:00

I am pleased to introduce the new Gluten-Free Optimist CafePress Shop. Keep reading because you won’t find any items in the shop that promote my blog. The goal is to increase celiac disease awareness and promote positive gluten-free thoughts with fun and unique items. For all purchases made in my shop between now and October 31, 2010, a minimum of $2 per item, except individual buttons and cards, will be donated to the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research.

The donation for an individual button or card will be 50 cents. The highest donation is for this awesome 10 pack of mini buttons, which are perfect for both kids and adults to wear in October. For each pack of mini buttons purchased, $5 will be donated!

This tote bag is my favorite item. This design is also available on shirts and as an individual greeting card, which would be perfect to send to a friend or family member who resists being tested for celiac disease.

My daughter designed this awesome T-shirt. Also, look at the gluten-free tastes so good design, which is available on many items, including aprons, postcards, and shirts.

Looking for an item without any cute graphics? Then, there is this T-shirt and button. Want to give a gluten-free kid a special reward for a job well-done? This bear would be perfect!

Here is some information about shipping, returns, and discount codes.

• Use coupon code 15OFFTEES through September 23, 2010, to receive 15% off the T-shirts. Great new discount codes will appear in a banner at the top of the shop page.

• Economy shipping is $5.25 for any item, and 50 cents extra for each additional item. One exception to this is if you are buying only one button or greeting card, then shipping is only $1.25, and 30 cents extra for each additional.

• "No sales tax when shipping outside CA, KY, NV, NC or WA."

• "100% satisfaction guaranteed. Rest assured, we'll take it back (no questions asked). With our money-back guarantee, whether it's too small, too big, too orange or too (fill in the blank), simply contact Customer Support within 30 days for a full refund or exchange."

Check back often for new products. Leave a comment with any product requests. Wearing a celiac awareness button, shirt, or tote bag is a fantastic way to spread awareness and get people talking about celiac disease!

Kicking for Celiac and a Guinness Record

2010-09-20T10:17:00.001-04:00

Craig Pinto will hold a unique fundraiser for celiac disease while attempting to break the Guinness record. The professional arena football player will kick field goals for 12 straight hours. To break the worldwide record, he will need to make 500 field goals! The event will take place on October 10, 2010, at Bethpage High School in Long Island, New York. Here is a quote from Craig, who is passionate about raising celiac awareness.

"Kicking footballs for this long seems physically challenging, but so is living with Celiac Disease everyday, and both can be done successfully."

To make a donation, visit the Kicking 4 Celiac website. All proceeds will go to the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University.

Ibuprofen: Cheap, Generic, and Gluten-Free

2010-09-13T15:42:00.002-04:00

Look what I found today! The regular price is only $1.77 for 50 tablets, and it is now labeled gluten-free!

After making this discovery at Target, I quickly checked other up & up (Target brand) over-the-counter products for gluten-free labels. While I couldn’t find any other products for adults labeled gluten-free, not even the up & up ibuprofen soft gels, I did find children’s oral suspensions in both ibuprofen and acetaminophen that were clearly labeled gluten-free in large letters on the side that match the colors on the packaging.

Keep checking over-the-counter generic drugs for gluten-free labels. Soon more will be labeled gluten-free, thanks to Perrigo. I am so happy that I never again need to pay substantially more to buy Advil! This is a great discovery to make today on National Celiac Awareness Day.

Who Do You Want to See Oprah Interview?

2010-09-10T11:05:00.000-04:00

Since it is the farewell season of The Oprah Show, the show is asking for viewer ideas on who Oprah should interview. Submit your request to The Oprah Show for a show about celiac disease. Here is my submission to give you some ideas. There is a limit of 2,000 characters. Now is our chance to finally see celiac disease on The Oprah Show!

My Oprah Submission:

Over the years, the show has covered many health topics, but one that has never been discussed is celiac disease. Heidi Collins, former CNN news anchor, has celiac disease and would be a fantastic guest to have along with Dr. Alessio Fasano of the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Disease Research. Alice Bast, founder of the National Foundation for Celiac Disease Awareness (NFCA), would also be an excellent guest to have on this celiac disease show. Both Alice and Heidi suffered through devastating miscarriages and other health problems for years before finally being diagnosed with celiac disease. In fact, it took 22 doctors to diagnose Alice!

As a gluten-free blogger and freelance writer living with celiac disease, I am passionate about increasing celiac disease awareness and spreading accurate information. Unfortunately, there is so much inaccurate information about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet, making it difficult to even get a safe meal in some restaurants.

Oprah, you have the unique power and ability to help the millions of Americans living undiagnosed with celiac disease and prevent them from experiencing the dangerous complications of untreated celiac disease. Please take a moment to read these startling stats about celiac disease. A show about celiac disease could save lives!

When a Family Member Refuses to be Tested for Celiac Disease

2010-09-01T18:57:00.001-04:00

It is frustrating to hear about people who refuse to be tested for celiac disease. Fortunately, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2007, all of my family members were willing to be tested.

I often hear on Twitter and in celiac groups about family members who refuse to be tested for celiac disease. Perhaps their refusal is based on fear, denial, or inaccurate information. Here are some of my thoughts on how to help them.

Share the facts.

While there are many good gluten-free blogs and YouTube videos, sharing information directly from a medical source is important. This information from the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center is excellent in concisely explaining the symptoms of celiac disease and who needs to be tested. Complications of untreated celiac disease are described at the end of this fact sheet from the American College of Gastroenterology.

Focus on the positive.

Many people mistakenly think that gluten-free food doesn’t taste as good as gluten. While that was the case in the past, there are now so many great tasting gluten-free products, including Udi’s gluten-free bread. In fact, the Betty Crocker gluten-free brownies were rated number one in the Epicurious blind taste test of 21 gluten and gluten-free brownies.

Gluten-free products are also more readily available to consumers, and many mainstream products are very affordable. General Mills and Hain Celestial each make over 200 gluten-free products. Purchasing a gluten-free grocery guide, which lists thousands of gluten-free products available in many regular grocery stores, can be useful in locating products.

For eating out, there are numerous options, including chains like PF Chang’s, Bonefish Grill, Outback, ZPizza, and Uno Chicago Grill. For those who enjoy baking, there are terrific gluten-free all purpose flours as well as the new gluten-free Bisquick.

Explain that planning makes it possible.

With some extra planning, anything is possible while eating gluten-free. The Gluten-Free Travel Site has reviews of restaurants, grocery stores, and hotels throughout the world. Many people with celiac disease are successfully traveling internationally, enjoying cruises, and camping.

If you were diagnosed with celiac disease years ago and family members are still refusing to be tested, be sure to share with them what gluten-free life is like today and how much it has improved. They may be remembering your bread that tasted like cardboard or your difficulty finding a restaurant. With your continued efforts, a family member may eventually surprise you and decide to be tested!

Gluten-Free Bisquick: Reviews and Tips

2010-08-22T15:29:00.003-04:00

The new gluten-free Bisquick is showing up in stores and several bloggers have posted reviews. Surprisingly, the box is very small and only contains 16 ounces.

According to some reviews, making pancakes following the recipe on the box does not yield good pancakes. Read this review from Jennifer Harris, the Gwinnett Gluten-Free Food Examiner, who prefers Pamela’s Pancake and Baking Mix.

Heidi Kelly posted wonderful recipe tips for gluten-free Bisquick on her blog, Adventures of a Gluten-Free Mom. She discovered that the secret is not to use the recipe on the box. Kim Bouldin, Gluten-Free is Life, enjoyed blueberry scones she made with gluten-free Bisquick. For tips on making pancakes, waffles, and biscuits, read these FAQs from Bisquick.

New Gluten-Free Mini Dessert at P.F. Chang’s

2010-08-17T21:52:00.007-04:00

When I ordered the irresistible gluten-free Chocolate Dome at P.F. Chang’s tonight, the waiter informed me that they now have another gluten-free dessert. It is a mini Triple Chocolate Mousse served in a shotglass and the bottom layer is a flourless cake. The price is only $2.00. I didn’t try it, but it looked delicious.

I spoke with the manager for more details and to confirm that it is gluten-free. She said it took them many tries to perfect this dessert, and they wanted to add another gluten-free dessert for a long time. She said it may not be available nationwide yet. The best part is that now people who order P.F. Chang’s For Two, a four-course menu which has some gluten-free items, can have a gluten-free dessert, since it includes two mini desserts.

Looking to reduce your sodium intake at P.F. Chang’s? I recently began requesting that they cook my Moo Goo Gai Pan in less sauce than usual because I want reduced sodium. The result is still an awesome taste, but very little sauce, and I no longer find myself thirsty all evening after eating it!

Don’t forget to register for a Warrior card to save 10% each time you go to P.F. Chang’s. View the gluten-free menu here.

Update: August 26, 2010 - I tried the new gluten-free mini dessert. Yes, I ate at P.F. Chang's two weeks in a row after not going all summer. Shockingly, before my daughter and I ordered, the waiter correctly recited our orders from last week. That is an impressive memory!

The top layer is like the Chocolate Dome, the middle is mousse, and the bottom is a thin cake. The top two layers are great, but the bottom layer wasn't as good. With the small spoon provided, it took several bites to finish and it was satisfying. However, I prefer the Chocolate Dome.

A note of caution: P.F. Chang's has two mini chocolate desserts that look very similar on the top, but only one is gluten-free. The Great Wall cake mini dessert is not gluten-free and it has chocolate chips on top. The gluten-free mini has chocolate shavings on top, but not chocolate chips.

Dr. Vikki Petersen Responds to the Today Show Gluten-Free Segment

2010-08-16T22:00:00.001-04:00

A recent segment on the Today Show called, “Gluten-free: Diet fad or healthy option?” stirred up a lot of emotions in the gluten-free community. You can watch the segment here, but the better and more informative video to watch is this one from Dr. Vikki. Does a gluten-free diet cause weight loss or weight gain? Dr. Vikki has the answer.

Bill Clinton is Allergic to Wheat and Dairy

2010-08-07T15:03:00.002-04:00

Apparently, back in 2007, Bill Clinton's allergies were discussed on some television shows, including the Rachael Ray Show and The Today Show. After a lot of Googling, I found an article in the USA Today from 2007 which confirms his allergies.

"Cooking for Clinton was often a challenge because he had allergies to chocolate, dairy and wheat flour, the chef says. But Clinton could be voracious when it came to desserts."

Chelsea's wedding cake contained both butter and chocolate, so it is unlikely that Bill Clinton was able to enjoy a slice. For more details about Chelsea's gluten-free wedding cake, view the cake photos, and watch these Access Hollywood videos.

View Photos of Chelsea Clinton's Wedding Cake

2010-08-06T16:39:00.001-04:00

Entertainment Tonight has several photos of Chelsea's enormous and elegant wedding cake. The cake was indeed gluten-free, but it was not vegan! That is very unfortunate considering that there are bakeries in New York, like Babycakes, that can make a yummy cake that is both gluten-free and vegan. Is it a new wedding trend to match the cake to the dress?

"The sweet treat was reported to have sat four feet tall and was made with 360 organic eggs, 50 pounds of sugar, 45 pounds of gluten-free flour, 30 pounds of butter and bittersweet chocolate, and was decorated with about 1000 sugar flowers!"

Gluten-Free Junior Olympian Wins Gold Medals

2010-08-05T18:27:00.001-04:00

You may remember my blog post several months ago called, “Fourth Grader with Diabetes and Celiac Disease Qualifies for the Junior Olympics.” Well, this amazing young athlete, Sage Donnelly, won five gold medals in kayaking in the Junior Olympics recently held in North Carolina. She lives in Carson City, Nevada. Read all the details here.

“For the past two months, Sage and her parents have been on the road, living with their four dogs and a cat in the family van to compete in kayak competitions throughout the West. This was the first year they traveled back East to compete.”

Sage is only ten-years-old, but she has already accomplished a lot. Hopefully, we will see her in the Olympics when she is older! Here is some advice from Sage.

“If you have a disease or anything, you should not give up your dreams.”

This is an impressive video from May 2010 of Sage practicing.

Access Hollywood Videos: Bill Clinton’s Gluten-Free Lunch and Inside La Tulipe Desserts

2010-08-03T22:10:00.004-04:00

Bill Clinton had lunch on Friday, July 30 at Gigi Trattoria, where he enjoyed a flavorful gluten-free buckwheat gnocchetti pasta. The pasta dish is shown at the end of this Access Hollywood video.

Bill Clinton reportedly lost 30 pounds and it is not clear whether his diet included gluten-free items. However, a gluten-free diet is not a weight loss diet or a trend. It is the only treatment for celiac disease, an autoimmune disease.

Watch this video about the making of Chelsea Clinton’s wedding cake. Although a photo of the cake isn’t in the video, La Tulipe Desserts shares more details about the all-natural gluten-free cake that was nine tiers and four feet tall! In an article in The New York Times, the wedding planner talked about the other gluten-free items, but didn't mention who made them.

"The wedding cake was gluten-free, as was the bread. So were the chocolate-chip cookies in the straw welcome bags in the guests’ hotel rooms."

Update from People on August 4, 2010:

"As for the food, the cake was a four-foot, nine-tier masterpiece of vanilla sponge cake, layered with dark chocolate mousse. It was gluten free, and the chefs Maarten and Frances Steenman, owners of La Tulipe Desserts, gave PEOPLE an exclusive look of their creation.

For many more inside details of Chelsea Clinton's lavish wedding, pick up this week's issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday"

Who Made Chelsea Clinton's Gluten-Free Wedding Cake?

2010-08-01T16:34:00.004-04:00

The media has been buzzing about Chelsea Clinton's vegan gluten-free wedding cake, which is estimated to be $11,000. She has a "gluten allergy" and has been vegan since she was a teen. According to The New York Times, La Tulipe Desserts in Mount Kisco, New York, made Chelsea's gluten-free wedding cake. The reception was catered by St. Regis Hotel and included vegan and gluten-free items.

La Tulipe Desserts, a European patisserie, is not a dedicated gluten-free bakery, but they do sell some gluten-free products, including award-winning macaroons. Here is some information from their website.

"We can create any custom size, flavors, and style for your special day. Anything is possible. Imagine it and it is yours..."

"Our flavorful ingredients are almost all organic and come directly from original sources around the world — vanilla beans from Haiti, pure lemon and orange essences from Italy, Marcona almonds from Spain, chocolate from France, Lubecker marzipan from Germany.

And that’s just what we import. We buy fresh, seasonal organic produce and honey from local farmers, and we choose it ourselves. Those fruits in your dessert taste fresh – picked because they are fresh – picked.

From start to finish, every creation at La Tulipe Desserts is an individual work of art. No mass production, no prepackaging, no artificial anything. Just premium, hand-selected ingredients prepared by artisans. We invite you to taste the difference."

A photo of Chelsea's cake hasn't been released yet, but some photos from the wedding can be viewed here and in this AP video, which mentions the vegan gluten-free wedding cake. She was a beautiful bride in her Vera Wang dress!

Recall: Deboles Kids Only Gluten-Free Pasta

2010-07-22T21:31:00.000-04:00

This recall is for a new gluten-free pasta, DeBoles Kids Only! Gluten Free Tubettini Corn Pasta, which I just purchased at Whole Foods this week. The box I purchased is not part of the recall.

The recalled lot code is 30JUN11D1 and was sold in stores nationwide and online. It may have undeclared whole wheat alphabet pasta, which is noticeably different from the yellow tube shaped pasta. No other lots are affected. For more information, read this press release.

Scientists Discover Molecular Triggers of Celiac Disease

2010-07-21T21:35:00.001-04:00

The results of a celiac disease study conducted in Australia are published in Science Translational Medicine (July 21, 2010 issue). The researchers collected blood samples from over 200 celiac patients after they ate gluten. They found three peptides, protein fragments, that appear to be causing the immune response to gluten in people with a genetic predisposition to celiac disease. The T cell was also found to be the primary cell involved in the immune response.

Here is a quote from Dr. Fasano, which was found in the U.S. News and World Report article about this study.

"According to Dr. Alessio Fasano of the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, the evidence is indeed strong that these three protein fragments trigger the celiac immune response, but 'I'm not sure that it's the end of the story,' he added. It remains possible that the screen didn't catch all the gluten components involved in the immune response, Fasano said."

In a few months, the Australian scientists expect to have results of the "phase I clinical trials on a drug based on the three gluten protein fragments they identified. The aim of the drug is to desensitize celiac patients to the offending proteins by presenting them in very controlled amounts."

Gluten-Free Videos: Fox News Strategy Room

2010-07-14T19:21:00.009-04:00

Here are some good gluten-free video segments that recently aired on FoxNews.com on The Strategy Room, "the web's most talked about live show." Marlisa Brown, author of Gluten-Free, Hassle Free, is one of the panelists in the videos.

If all the videos do not properly load on this page, click refresh or the play buttons at the bottom to watch them.

Click here to watch the fourth video segment, Gluten Alternatives.

Below is one more video I found on YouTube, which looks like it aired recently on the Fox News television channel.

Gluten-Free Baker Wins Cupcake Wars on the Food Network

2010-07-10T12:54:00.009-04:00

Lisa Cowden, a baker at Gluten-Free Creations (GFC) bakery and LuLu's Cupcakes in Scottsdale, Arizona, won Cupcake Wars on the Food Network. The episode called "Survival of the Fittest" airs on Sunday, July 11 at 5 pm and 11 pm ET/PT. Here is a quote from Lisa.

"They're very natural, very good for you and I think that's one of the things that really came across with the judging. Our competitors are really tending to go less natural, a lot of artificial ingredients, and I think it counted against them in the end."

For more details, watch this video and read this article.

Update: The show did not mention gluten-free, so I contacted Gluten-Free Creations to find out if the cupcakes on the show were gluten-free. Here is their response.

"The cupcakes on the show were not made gluten-free. However, the same recipe works using our Gluten-free sweet Baking Mix."

Update December 2010: Read about gluten-free Crave Bake Shop on Cupcake Wars and gluten-free and vegan Sweet Freedom Bakery.

Update December 2011: Gluten-free cupcakes finally won Cupcake Wars when Crave Bake Shop returned to the show.

The Gluten-Free Guide to College

2010-07-09T21:13:00.003-04:00

The Gluten-Free Guide to College is the result of a nationwide research study. It is based on responses from over 70 gluten-free college students and ten anonymous interviews with dining services directors. Rebecca Panzer, a registered dietitian, shares professional advice in three areas: First Steps, Living On and Off Campus, and New Friends. Click here to download the 12-page guide.

"The research projected was conducted as the capstone to Rebecca Panzer, Ma, RD, LD’s master’s degree in Health Communication from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. It was completed in educational collaboration with the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The survey component of the study will be started again in late July through the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medication Center. Interested participants should contact celiac@bidmc.harvard.edu for more information."

Review: New Rudi's Gluten-Free Breads

2010-06-27T17:21:00.003-04:00

Rudi's sent me free loaves of their new gluten-free breads. In July or August, the frozen loaves will be available for purchase in many stores. If you recognize the name Rudi's, that is because Rudi's has been baking organic gluten breads since 1976.

Rudi's gluten-free breads are certified gluten-free and made with all natural ingredients, including some organic ingredients. The breads thaw during shipping. They should be stored in the freezer for up to six months or kept at room temperature for up to four days. The breads contain eggs and are free of dairy, soy, and tree nuts. All three breads are made from a blend of rice, potato, and sorghum.

Multigrain Sandwich

The multigrain bread was very soft and the softness remained the same after three days on the counter in a Ziploc bag. I froze most of the loaf when it arrived. When I thawed some later, it was just as soft as when the bread arrived. The multigrain tasted good, but sandwiches fell apart slightly while eating it.

The seeds create an occasional crunch, which may not appeal to everyone. If you look closely at the photo, you can see the little yellow pieces, which are millet. Unfortunately, they made a crunch that was a bit gritty. The other seeds are flaxseeds and sunflower seeds.

Cinnamon Raisin

When I opened my UPS package, this was the bread that I smelled. It had a wonderful aroma. It was great toasted and had lots of plump raisins with a hint of cinnamon. You can also eat it without toasting, but isn't all cinnamon raisin bread best enjoyed warm?

Original Sandwich

The original sandwich bread is very dry and the taste is a bit off. I think it needs a touch of sweetness to improve the taste and definitely moisture. It was difficult to finish a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on it. However, it did toast well, and I enjoyed it with butter and cinnamon sugar.

Udi's vs. Rudi's

Both Udi's and Rudi's are located in Colorado. Udi's gluten-free breads are slightly cheaper than Rudi's (MSRP $5.99). You can order individual loaves of Udi's bread, but Rudi's only sells their gluten-free breads online in a case of 8 loaves.

A slice of Rudi's bread is a little larger than Udi's and is a bit denser and thicker. Rudi's slices are larger than other gluten-free breads, but still smaller than gluten bread. Rudi's multigrain is as soft as Udi's, but the other two Rudi's varieties aren't as soft. Udi's does stay fresh for a longer period at room temperature - five to seven days. Of course, that is to be expected given that Rudi's is made from all natural ingredients.

So, what is the verdict? My daughter and I prefer Udi's over Rudi's for sandwich bread. Rudi's multigrain is a close second for me, but not my daughter. Rudi's original sandwich bread needs improvement. Udi's white is much better. We will definitely be purchasing Rudi's cinnamon raisin bread regularly!

Discover New Products in Gluten-Free Living

2010-06-18T20:59:00.018-04:00

I am now writing New for You in every issue of Gluten-Free Living. In this issue, there are ten companies with new gluten-free foods and a new gluten-free App. Read a detailed description about each new product, including interesting information about the company. Ann Whelan, Gluten-Free Living Editor, will continue to write about new gluten-free books. There are so many new gluten-free products for each issue that you will find several that are not mentioned on this blog. If you are trying to support someone who is new to gluten-free life, be sure to read my article on page 53.

As usual, this issue is packed with great information. I am amazed that I always learn several things from each issue. The article, “Should you worry about gluten in drugs?”, was very educational. Pick up a copy of Gluten-Free Living at select Borders, Barnes and Nobles, Wegman’s, Whole Foods, and health food stores, or subscribe so you never miss any new gluten-free information!

Vote for Gluten-Free Girl to Have Her Own Show on Oprah's New Network

2010-06-17T20:42:00.021-04:00

Oprah is accepting auditions online for a chance to have Your OWN Show on Oprah's new network. On Twitter, I saw a few gluten-free auditions this week, but this audition from Shauna Ahern aka Gluten-Free Girl is the one that I hope the gluten-free community will unite behind.

Watch the audition video and vote now for Shauna! Ask everyone you know to do the same! The angle of her show, joyous cooking and naturally gluten-free, will appeal to many outside of the gluten-free community. Shauna needs your votes since only the five auditions with the highest votes will become finalists. Voting ends on July 3, 2010, and "you can vote as often as you like."

Young Camp Counselor Opens Gluten-Free Bakery

2010-06-12T22:04:00.010-04:00

A new dedicated gluten-free bakery just opened in Danville, California. The owner, Katie Alin, is 22-years-old! Her mother has celiac disease. After being a camp counselor at the celiac camp run by her family's foundation (Taylor Family Foundation), she was inspired to open her own bakery called Miglet's Cupcake Shop.

Choosing a College Based on Gluten-Free Accommodations

2010-06-09T17:58:00.012-04:00

An article in Food Management Magazine called Thinking Outside the Bread Box begins with a statement that unfortunately is a reality for some high school students. "High-school seniors are choosing colleges based on whether or not they can safely eat there."

The article talks about positive gluten-free accommodations at the University of Nebraska and the University of California Berkeley. It also explains that it may be easier to provide foods that are naturally gluten-free, like a quick stir fry or serving eggs for dinner. Cross-contamination is described and how purchasing pre-made gluten-free breads and pizza crusts can be helpful.

The article also mentions gluten-free menus at the Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, PA, and the Cancer Treatment Centers in Philadelphia, PA. Most importantly, the GREAT (Gluten-free Resource Education Awareness Training) program from NFCA is mentioned.

With informative articles like this one, we can look forward to the day when students with celiac disease can choose a college based on its academic merits, not a dietary restriction!

New Gluten-Free Asian Helper Chicken Fried Rice: Box Photos and Ingredients

2010-06-01T15:06:00.022-04:00

I found the new gluten-free Asian Helper Chicken Fried Rice at Safeway today for $2. One box makes five servings, and one serving has 520 mg of sodium. Here are the ingredients, allergens, and directions. Click on the photo of the directions to read it. The other two gluten-free Hamburger Helper varieties will be in stores later this summer.

Video: Vendor Fair at the Celiac Disease Foundation Conference

2010-05-28T12:33:00.008-04:00

Mondays Celiac just posted a terrific video of the many vendors at the 2010 Celiac Disease Foundation Conference. When you watch the video, you will certainly discover some new gluten-free products you haven't seen before. To view a video of the new gluten-free Bisquick, visit my Gluten-Free Social Media Tips blog.

The new gluten-free Asian Chicken Helper chicken fried rice is starting to pop up in stores, while the other two varieties of Hamburger Helper and gluten-free Bisquick will be available later this summer. Visit my DC Gluten-Free Examiner page for a review of Udi's Gluten Free cinnamon rolls.

New Gluten-Free Products from Hain Celestial and a Coupon

2010-05-23T16:11:00.020-04:00

Hain Celestial makes over 200 gluten-free products, which are listed on their website called Gluten-Free Choices. They make my favorite gluten-free pasta - Deboles corn pasta.

I just received this email from Mambo Sprouts announcing their new products and offering a $1 printable coupon good on any gluten-free Hain Celestial product. All Hain Celestial products that are labeled gluten-free are tested to ensure they contain 10 ppm of gluten or less. Here is a list of the new products.

Almond Dream Non-Dairy Beverage

Arrowhead Mills Bake with Me Gluten-Free Cupcake Mixes for kids - chocolate and vanilla

Chocolate Dream Baking Chips - Dairy-Free

Deboles Gluten-Free Multi-Grain Spaghetti and Penne

Gluten-Free Cafe Canned Soup - Chicken Noodle, Veggie Noodle, Black Bean, and Cream of Mushroom

Gluten-Free Cafe Homestyle Chicken and Vegetables and Savory Chicken Pilaf

For an updated list of more new gluten-free products, checkout the gluten-free news page now found at the top of my blog. For more gluten-free coupons, register for Mambo Sprouts, which is partnering with NFCA to support Celiac Awareness Month.

How to Talk to Strangers to Increase Celiac Disease Awareness

2010-05-20T17:23:00.020-04:00

One of the best ways to increase celiac disease awareness is simply by talking to other people. However, for some people, having a conversation with a stranger is not simple. First, we need to let go of what we were taught as children – do not talk to strangers. Furthermore, we need to explain to our children who will see us talking to strangers why it is okay for an adult to do so. I forgot to do this and my daughter said, “Mommy, you shouldn’t talk to strangers!” She also said, “Mommy, mind your own business. You are being rude!” (Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have gotten up to talk to someone at Bonefish when I heard him ordering off the gluten-free menu.)

Next, free yourself from worrying about how others will perceive you. Yes, people might think you are silly to be so excited about a new gluten-free product being carried in a store or they might not be interested in what you have to say, but who cares. Finally, keep the following tips in mind as you engage in conversations with strangers. Whether you are making small talk at a party or in the grocery store, remember you can possibly change a person’s life.

1. Keep it positive. The goal is to motivate someone to learn more about celiac disease, be tested, and for them to share it with others. This is not the time to complain about gluten-free life. Here are some options for what to say.
-“The gluten-free brownie mix from Betty Crocker is great, and people with celiac disease are very happy that soon gluten-free Bisquick will be in stores.”
-“I am excited to try the new gluten-free menu at the Melting Pot.”
-“My health is so much better after finally being diagnosed with celiac disease.”
-When the cashier asks, “Did you find everything you were looking for today?”, you could say the following. “Yes, since I have to eat gluten-free, I am always happy when this bread is in stock.”
2. Hang out in the over-the-counter medicine aisle. Don’t ask people why they are buying medicine, but you could say something like “Since I found out I have celiac disease and have been eating totally gluten-free, my migraines are gone.”
3. Talk to strangers when standing in a line or in a waiting room. Not only will the person who you are talking to learn about celiac disease, but other people will overhear. This is easiest at the grocery store where you can start by talking about an item in your cart.
4. Provide a source for getting more information. If they seem interested, give them your email or refer them to a blog or website, like www.celiaccentral.org.
5. Be appreciative. Thank customer service departments for carrying a certain product or speak to the manager about a great waiter. They interact with many people in a day, but may not understand about celiac disease.
6. Talk to others in the gluten-free section. Don’t assume because someone is debating about buying a gluten-free product that he or she eats gluten-free or is informed about celiac. I always ask, “Do you or a family member eat gluten-free?” If the response is yes, then I proceed to find out if the person is newly diagnosed and needs any assistance. Often, they aren’t gluten-free and are just trying a product.
7. Use a friendly and humorous tone when appropriate. This may be a challenge for some people, and the tone is the key to not sounding rude and making your statement memorable. When the waiter brings me a fortune cookie at P.F. Chang’s, I say, “Fortune cookies aren’t gluten-free (chuckle), and I do tip higher when I’m not given one.”

A New Gluten-Free Support Group for Teens

2010-05-12T11:05:00.012-04:00

Teen Advocates with Gluten Sensitivities (TAGS) is a new support group, which is part of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG). The president of the group is 16-year-old Mari Cleven, who was diagnosed with celiac disease last year. She lives in Kitsap County in Washington and is looking to connect with other gluten-free teens, both locally and nationally. Here is more information about TAGS.

"Our Mission:
Gluten Sensitive Teens advocating for support and awareness for themselves and others.

Our Goals:
1. Provide teen support through the internet
2. Provide a model for local support groups, event planning and Gluten Free Awareness activities
3. Tags helps to fulfill GIG's mission on a local and national level through programs tailored towards teens.

Our Local Goals:
1. Provide a social outlet for teens dealing with gluten sensitivities
2. Provide safe gluten free activities for gluten sensitive teens.
3. Provide positive support for teens to advocate for themselves.
4. Share stories"

Support TAGS by buying a cool glow in the dark teen awareness bracelet for $2 from GIG. If you are interested in joining TAGS, complete this contact form. Share this article with others and help what may become the "teen version of ROCK" grow!

View the New Gluten-Free Menu at the Melting Pot

2010-05-11T09:20:00.007-04:00

The new gluten-free menu at The Melting Pot is now available nationwide. Use the link above and select a location to view the menu. After working with the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), the regular menu includes GF labels and notes. The Melting Pot has 145 locations in North America and 13 new locations coming soon. According to the press release, here are some changes that were made to create the gluten-free items.

"Cheese course – Considering The Melting Pot cheese is normally floured, guests requesting the gluten-free option must request for the cheese to be made with cornstarch. Also, instead of the guest receiving bread, cauliflower, carrots and celery, he/she will receive more veggies and broccoli.

Salad course – All salads are gluten free. The only items that need to be removed are croutons.

Entrée course – Most of the items on the entrée list are gluten free. Items that need to be substituted out include the teriyaki sirloin and spring vegetable dumplings.

Dessert course – Two of the chocolate fondues contain gluten: Cookies n' Cream Marshmallow Dream and the Chocolate S'mores because of the Oreo cookies and graham crackers. A specialized dessert plate is also prepared to include strawberries, bananas, plain marshmallows and pineapple. Cheesecake, pound cake, Rice Krispie treats and brownies all contain flour and are not included on the GF menu.

Beverages – All wines and mandatory specialty drinks are gluten free. Red Bridge, a gluten-free beer by Anheuser Busch, is used as a substitution base for some of the cheeses."

Another Celiac Insert in the USA Today

2010-05-05T18:06:00.009-04:00

This Friday, May 7, the USA Today will have a special celiac insert. Do you remember the fantastic insert published by Media Planet in November 2009? Well, this will certainly be another great one, and it might have gluten-free coupons too. This is a perfect way to celebrate Celiac Awareness Month. Unfortunately, the insert is only available in certain states and Maryland isn't one of them. Here are the details from Whitney Ehret, NFCA Director of Communications.

"Media Planet publishing Inc. will release a special celiac disease report this Friday May 7, 2010 in USA TODAY.

This comprehensive supplement seeks to raise awareness of the disease and the gluten-free diet, promoting resources available to help the suffering gain a diagnosis, and patients and families with celiac restore their health and reclaim their life!

Sarah Jane Smith, LPGA star and NFCA Athletes for Awareness spokeswoman, graces the cover of this special magazine insert. Smith, along with fellow NFCA Athlete for Awareness AJ Clemens, are profiled in the ‘stories of inspiration’ section which can be seen on pages 4 and 5. In addition, NFCA founder and president Alice Bast is a featured expert on the subject of celiac disease and infertility.

The latest celiac disease report published by Media Planet for USA TODAY will reach over one million readers nationwide, distributing over 442,000 printed copies nationwide.

Find out where you can pick up a copy of this special insert here:

http://www.celiaccentral.org/News/Celiac-in-the-News/161/vobId__2617/

Can’t get the insert in print? NFCA will post the 2010 USA TODAY celiac disease report online this Friday, May 7th."

Hot New Gluten-Free Cookbooks Available for Preorder on Amazon

2010-05-01T18:05:00.006-04:00

Preorder these new gluten-free cookbooks now on Amazon to guarantee the best price. Release dates range from June to November, with several being released in September.

American Dietetic Association Easy Gluten-Free: Expert Nutrition Advice With More Than 100 Recipes by Tricia Thompson and Marlisa Brown

Free for All Cooking: 125 Easy Gluten-Free, Allergen-Free Recipes the Whole Family Can Enjoy by Jules Shepard

Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef by Shauna James Ahern and Daniel Ahern

Cooking for Isaiah: A Mother's Recipe for Delicious Gluten- and Dairy-Free Meals by Nardone Silvana with Foreword by Rachael Ray

100 Best Gluten-Free Recipes by Carol Fenster

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Gluten-Free Cooking by Jean Duane

Living Gluten-Free For Dummies, second edition by Danna Korn

Recently, Vanessa Maltin’s new cookbook was released and can still be ordered at a discounted price.

New McNeil Recall: Many Products for Infants and Children

2010-05-01T14:49:00.005-04:00

McNeil is recalling all unexpired lots of certain Tylenol drops and suspensions, Motrin drops and suspensions, Zyrtec liquids, and Benadryl liquids. It appears that chewable forms of these products are not affected by the recall. For a complete list of the recalled products, view the FDA press release. Below is the reason for this large recall. Contact McNeil at 1-888-222-6036 or visit the McNeil recall website.

“McNeil Consumer Healthcare is initiating this voluntary recall because some of these products may not meet required quality standards. This recall is not being undertaken on the basis of adverse medical events. However, as a precautionary measure, parents and caregivers should not administer these products to their children. Some of the products included in the recall may contain a higher concentration of active ingredient than is specified; others may contain inactive ingredients that may not meet internal testing requirements; and others may contain tiny particles. While the potential for serious medical events is remote, the company advises consumers who have purchased these recalled products to discontinue use.”

New Gluten-Free Bisquick, Hamburger Helper, and Nature Valley Bars

2010-04-24T16:51:00.014-04:00

Anne Steib just posted an exciting article on Celiac-Disease.com, "General Mills to debut gluten-free Bisquick at Annual Celiac Disease Foundation Conference". The new gluten-free Bisquick will be in stores later this summer along with three gluten-free varieties of Hamburger Helper: Chicken Fried Rice, Cheesy Hashbrowns and Beef Fried Rice. Recently, General Mills posted the following on their Live Gluten Freely Facebook page.

"Searching for a gluten free on-the-go snack that’s crunchy, wholesome and delicious? The search is over! Nature Valley Roasted Nut Crunch Bars (Almond) are now labeled gluten free! They started shipping March 31st and will be available in stores soon. Be sure to look for them at your local grocer! As always, a friendly reminder to look for the gluten free label on the pack to confirm that the product is GF."

General Mills is certainly committed to expanding their gluten-free offerings and listening to consumers! Visit the newly expanded Live Gluten Freely website, which now includes blog posts from Kimberly Bouldin and Vanessa Maltin, over 250 gluten-free products, and many recipes.

Review: Udi’s Gluten Free Granola

2010-04-21T17:59:00.007-04:00

I found four varieties of Udi’s Gluten Free granola at Whole Foods. I purchased the Original granola and Cranberry granola on sale for $4.99 each, regularly $5.99. The granola is also available in Au Natural and Vanilla. The granola is free of dairy, soy, and eggs.

All the granolas are made from certified gluten-free oats in a dedicated gluten-free facility and contain Wildflower honey and Canola oil. Those are the only three ingredients in the Au Natural granola. The Original granola is a unique granola flavor in that it contains banana chips, raisins, cashews, pistachios, almonds, and walnuts. The only nut in the Cranberry granola is walnuts. There are 11 servings in a bag, so carefully measure out a ¼ cup serving to avoid eating too much.

Both flavors have a good taste and crunch, with the Original granola being crunchier. The granola is flakes, not clusters. The Cranberry granola is similar in texture to the Glutenfreeda granola. The dried fruit needs improvement to be softer and more flavorful, but overall Udi’s granola is enjoyable. If you are looking for crunchy granola with clusters and great dried fruit, try Jessica’s Almond Cherry granola.

Udi’s Gluten Free makes the best gluten-free bread and muffins. Their bagels are impressive, and they also sell pizza crust and cinnamon rolls. On May 5, their new double chocolate muffins will be available for purchase online. To find Udi's Gluten Free in a store near you, use their store locator.

A Fantastic Article about Celiac Disease

2010-04-16T10:28:00.015-04:00

Every week, I read several articles about celiac disease and the gluten-free diet that show up in Google Alerts and various news feeds. Many of the articles appearing in newspapers and other sources have inaccurate information about celiac disease, referring to it as an allergy and only focusing on digestive symptoms.

When I encountered this article, "Gluten Free: Millions Have Celiac, Few Diagnosed", written by Jaclyn Gallucci and published yesterday in the Long Island Press, I was impressed with the title and photo. As I read the article, I was amazed by how detailed it was and how many facets of gluten-free life were accurately explained through interviews with several people. It is a well-written and intriguing article, which would be great to share with friends, coworkers, and family members. Here are some of my favorite parts.

"She had celiac disease, a potentially fatal, but treatable, disease that is almost never diagnosed properly, if at all. Even when it is, parents and children struggle to get others—including doctors and school administrators—to take them seriously."

"Over time, celiac can lead to cancer, malnutrition and other disorders. But because many people think of gluten-free as a diet or fad, the fact that the disease is a serious, chronic, lifelong problem, is often overlooked."

"Since celiac, a multi-symptom and multi-system disease, doesn’t always involve a stomachache, produces strikingly different symptoms in different individuals, and often mimics other disorders, it is commonly misdiagnosed. Celiac could manifest as an intestinal infection in one patient, a rash or growth problems in another and neurological problems or even dementia in a third."

"Amanda, 9, was diagnosed with celiac when she was 5 years old. She had leg cramps, headaches and a distended belly. At her yearly checkup, the doctor found she was anemic."

"As a rule, every first-degree relative is supposed to be tested when a child is diagnosed with celiac. Albertelli tested positive for the disease. Even more shocking, her husband, who didn’t seem to have any telltale symptoms, was diagnosed as well."

"But avoiding gluten can be challenging, and cross-contamination is a serious possibility. If a piece of bread is only dunked in a pot of sauce that a celiac will eat or if a knife used to cut a doughnut is then used to slice gluten-free bread, there is enough gluten transferred in each instance to cause damage"

"After months of jumping through hoops, Amanda can now use a separate microwave." (referring to lunch at school)

The entire article is fantastic, so please take the time to read it. It left me feeling that the author, a complete stranger, has true empathy for people like myself with celiac disease. I wonder if she has a personal connection to someone with celiac disease. Thank you Jaclyn for this informative and refreshing article, which will help to increase awareness of celiac disease!

New Gluten-Free and Healthy, Please!

2010-04-15T13:24:00.006-04:00

I like seeing so many new gluten-free products being carried in stores. The breads, desserts, and snack foods look appealing, but we need more healthy choices. I think I speak for many gluten-free consumers when I say we don’t just want great tasting gluten-free products, we want them to be nutritious too!

I reviewed my share of brownies, cookies, and other not so healthy products to the point that I am truly not interested in reviewing another dessert item right now. Why did I stock up on gluten-free Passover desserts? Honestly, they were cheap and readily available, but I don’t need them!

Now, when companies go that extra mile to make their products also free of multiple allergens or when it is a unique gluten-free product, whether it is healthy or not, many consumers appreciate that. However, for the average gluten-free consumer, do we really need another gluten-free cookie?

Fortunately, some companies are listening and making healthy gluten-free products, but are those the ones we are seeing on store shelves and at affordable prices? For those companies considering new gluten-free products, please make them healthy. Make a product that is great, nutritious, and gluten-free, and then reach out to the gluten-free community to help convince stores to carry it. We have finally reached a time when gluten-free consumers can have high standards!

Recall: McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix

2010-04-07T18:44:00.004-04:00

If you purchased McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix since mid-February 2010, your package may be part of the recall. The item was mispackaged and contains undeclared wheat and milk. Here are the recall details.

"McCormick & Company, Incorporated has announced a voluntary recall of McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix, with UPC Code 5210002121 and 'BEST BY' dates of JAN 16 12 AH and JAN 16 12 CH."

"Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to contact McCormick's Consumer Affairs team at 1-800-632-5847, weekdays from 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM, or weekends from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Eastern Time), for a replacement or full refund, as well as instructions on what to do with the product."

New Snyder's of Hanover Gluten-Free Pretzel Sticks

2010-04-03T19:09:00.008-04:00

It is huge news when a major mainstream pretzel manufacturer announces a gluten-free pretzel and takes the necessary steps to prevent cross-contamination. Here are some details that were posted on April 1 on the Snyder's of Hanover Facebook page. Yes, this is real, not an April Fool's joke. Look for them in stores soon.

"Snyder’s of Hanover has been working with the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO), a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), since September 2009."

"Our Hanover, PA baking facility was originally inspected and approved for gluten sanitation on July 16, 2009. Guidelines of the GF certification subject our Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks to ongoing gluten testing using GFCO-approved testing methods to meet the minimum GFCO standard of less than 10 ppm gluten in finished product. We also will undergo random manufacturing inspections to uphold the integrity of our gluten free certification. This testing protocol was developed by GFCO and Snyder’s will fully comply with this industry leading standard in all aspects of production."

Thanks to Gluten-Free Philly for sharing this news!

Review: Chobani Champions

2010-03-27T22:46:00.013-04:00

Chobani Champions is a line of Greek yogurt for kids that is sold in a package of four, which contains two flavors. I purchased the Chocolate and Honeynana. There is also a Veryberry and Strawnana pack. I am big fan of Chobani Greek yogurt, so I was eager to try the Chobani Champions. All Chobani is certified gluten-free.

The cups are smaller than a regular Chobani cup – only 4 ounces. Each small cup contains 9 grams of protein. For kids who find the texture of regular Chobani too thick, the Champions line would be perfect. Not only is the yogurt thinner, but it is also creamier.

The Chocolate Chobani isn’t rich and there is a bit of a tangy taste. Kids would probably want a stronger chocolate taste. I don’t normally eat chocolate yogurt, but I would eat it again.

The Honeynana is fantastic and is now my favorite Chobani flavor! I quickly finished the small cup and scraped every last bit of yogurt out of it. I felt like Heidi Klum in the Dannon Light & Fit yogurt commercial!

A Money Saving Tip

2010-03-26T10:18:00.006-04:00

A great perk of contacting companies by phone or on the Web to inquire about products is the coupons they often mail. Earlier this week I signed up for the Lundberg mailing list. Yesterday, I received three $1 Lundberg coupons in the mail (thanks Mom for the tip).

Here are some other companies I remember receiving coupons from: Colgate-Palmolive, Citracal (Bayer), Caesar’s pasta, Amy’s Kitchen, and Edy’s. Both Colgate and Bayer sent many good coupons for their various products. Caesar’s sent many $0.25 coupons, but now that Giant is selling their products, the coupons can be doubled. Please share the companies that sent you coupons to help us all save money!

My New Gluten-Free Blog and Lessons Learned

2010-03-21T17:33:00.006-04:00

Back in November, I had the idea to start a new gluten-free blog to help build my career in freelance writing and social media as well as to share my knowledge. Instead of linking it to this blog and using my name, I thought it would be interesting to do it anonymously for a few months to see how easy or difficult it is now to start a new gluten-free blog and get blog traffic.

On my new blog I identified myself as being from the Mid-Atlantic and provided a description of myself.

“I am a freelance writer, Examiner, and a gluten-free product reviewer, who uses social media daily. I blog frequently at a popular gluten-free blog I started one year ago.”

I chose a blog template that looks completely different than the Gluten Free Optimist. I used a dark background and header tabs. I quickly learned that header tabs are much easier in Wordpress.

Perhaps you followed gfsocialmedia on Twitter or Facebook, became a fan on my Facebook page, or joined the bloggers group I started on Gluten-Free Faces. Are you surprised?

I quickly got many Twitter followers and 34 fans on my Facebook page, but sadly, no followers on my blog and still not much traffic. The biggest obstacle I ran into was that despite several emails I was not added to the Gluten-Free Aggregrator. Mike assures me I will be eventually added, however he is so busy with life changes, that he simply can’t keep up. So, for people starting a new gluten-free blog in a time when the web is already flooded with gluten-free, patience, persistence, and connections are essential.

Visit my new blog, Gluten-Free Social Media Tips. Please become a follower, subscribe via email, become a fan on Facebook, and share your comments!

Review: Lundberg Couscous

2010-03-19T10:03:00.004-04:00

Lundberg’s new gluten-free Roasted Brown Rice Couscous is made from organic brown rice that has been gently crushed and fire roasted to produce a nutty flavor. I purchased two of the four varieties at MOM’s: Plain Original and Savory Herb. The other two flavors are Mediterranean Curry and Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil.

After cooking it on low heat for the maximum time of 15 minutes without removing the lid, letting it stand for five minutes, and fluffing with a fork, the couscous had a terrific fluffy texture. Cooking it for the minimum time of 13 minutes produced a less fluffy couscous.

The Plain Original is a nice change from having regular brown rice. The Savory Herb Couscous had a wonderful mild flavor that reminded me of stuffing. I highly enjoyed it! While the Plain Original has instructions for cooking only a portion of the box, the flavored varieties are designed to cook the entire box at one time (four servings). Surprisingly, the Savory Herb yielded four substantial servings, larger in size than the Lundberg Risottos. The leftover Savory Herb Couscous still tasted great after heating it up in the microwave. I will definitely be buying more!

Recall: Gluten-Free Naturals

2010-03-16T10:48:00.005-04:00

GFN Foods, the maker or Gluten-Free Naturals, is recalling several products because the soy flour used in the products may contain traces of salmonella. The products were sold online and in stores in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Below are the three recalled products.

Gluten-Free Naturals Pancake Mix – UPC 187058 000043
Lots 09159 (exp 12/8/2010), 09320 (exp 5/16/12) 09322 (exp 5/18/12)

Gluten-Free Naturals Light & Moist Yellow Cake Mix – UPC 187058 000067
Lots 09083 (exp 9/24/10) and 09322 (exp 5/18/12)

Gluten-Free Naturals Cookie Blend Flour – UPC 187058 000029
Lots 09086 (exp 6/24/10), 09219 (exp 11/7/10) and 10035 (exp 5/4/11)

However, the company explains that if the mixes are prepared in accordance with the directions and you do not eat any of the raw batter or mix before cooking, then there "is essentially no risk" of getting sick. If you would still like to return the products, then contact GFN Foods via email: pgraven@gfnfoods.com or call 866-761-6147.

New Mystery Product from Enjoy Life Foods

2010-03-15T16:45:00.002-04:00

On June 1, the new mystery product from Enjoy Life Foods will be on shelves. The company is keeping the product top secret, but has dropped some hints on their Facebook page. Here are the four hints.

1. “Crunchtime” is currently the name for the mystery product.
2. “But we can share with you that the new product is a great tasting, healthy alternative, uniquely developed, explosively flavorful, and it takes Enjoy Life into a totally new food category for the company.”
3. Enjoy Life posted a photo of the mysterious silver bags on their Facebook page.
4. In the Facebook comments, they said it is for humans. There were guesses that it was dog food.

At first, based on the hints above, I was thinking it would be some kind of baked chip, cracker, or pretzel. However, Enjoy Life already makes several foods that are snacks, so that doesn’t fit the criteria for “a totally new food category”. Any guesses? My guess is individual packages of croutons, which would certainly be handy for eating out.

Fourth-Grader with Diabetes and Celiac Disease Qualifies for the Junior Olympics

2010-03-15T10:30:00.006-04:00

Sage Donnelly, a 9-year-old who lives in Nevada, will be competing in the Junior Olympics this summer in kayaking. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 3-years-old and celiac disease in 2008. She is also a vegetarian.

Like her parents, Sage is skilled at outdoor activities, including skiing and rock climbing. She hasn’t let her medical conditions slow her down. Sage is homeschooled and spends about half the year traveling to different rivers for kayaking competitions and practice. She is looking forward to kayaking in Mexico and hopes one day to win a gold medal in the Olympics.

Visit Sage’s terrific website, view her two recipes for gluten-free and diabetic friendly cookies, and become a fan on Facebook.

Kate Gosselin Introduces Award Winner for Celiac Disease Awareness

2010-03-13T20:22:00.001-05:00

Today at the Women’s Expo in Indiana sponsored by the Memorial Hospital of South Bend, guest speaker Kate Gosselin introduced Memorial’s three Spirit of Women award winners. Now, when an article about a celebrity shows up on a Google alert about celiac disease, it certainly interests me, even if it is only about a small event. The event had feminist protesters, thus increasing the media coverage.

“Elayne Swafford, 11, won the Young Person Role Model award for her efforts to raise more than $1,800 for the American Heart Association's Healthy Heart campaign.

Judith Rubleske was designated the ‘Community Hero’ for her initiation of the Earth Friendly Eating Event and a unity garden.

And Jeannie Derrow, a registered nurse, was awarded for her efforts to raise awareness of celiac disease and the start up of a support network for those who suffer from it.”

You can read more about the award winners on the Memorial Hospital website.

Video: High School Tennis Star with Celiac Disease

2010-03-12T12:23:00.002-05:00

Watch this video of an award winning high school tennis star recently diagnosed with celiac disease. Brooke Ferslov-Jensen is a freshman who is the top player on the varsity tennis team at Sultana High School in California. She was diagnosed with celiac disease when she was in 8th grade.

Large Recall of Many Products Made with Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

2010-03-11T14:05:00.002-05:00

Check this FDA list daily for the latest products added to the hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) recall. Some of the recalled products may be gluten-free. On March 10, there were 149 products listed.

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is actively investigating findings of Salmonella Tennessee in hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors, Inc., in Las Vegas, NV. HVP is a flavor enhancer used in a wide variety of processed food products, such as soups, sauces, chilis, stews, hot dogs, gravies, seasoned snack foods, dips, and dressings. It is often blended with other spices to make seasonings that are used in or on foods.

At this time, no illnesses associated with this contamination have been reported to the FDA."