Please check this out, contest open til midnight tonight!
http://glutenfreegreenie.blogspot.com/2010/01/rachel-ray-cookie-sheet-give-away-and.html
Wendy has a great gluten-free blog and has this fantastic giveaway contest going on today!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
Logging Gluten Reactions?
Does anyone do this? Write down when you were glutened, how you think, how much it was, and then track how long the reaction lasts?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
End of the year
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I was busy trekking all over the state for gigs, so I didn't get a chance to write anything here. But I ate a lot of individually wrapped cheese and other snack-type gluten free foods during that time! (Also ate at Posana Cafe in Asheville, NC--which was AMAZING!--review to come).
Anyway, the end of the year is a good time to think back and remember the positive things, as well as the things we'd like to improve upon in the upcoming year.
I've been thinking a great deal lately about my approach to eating out vs. at home. I mean, how much of each should I do? How can I make my life easier, as well as safer?
The bottom line, unfortunately, is that you can't really guarantee yourself that you won't be glutened by outside foods unless they are prepared in a true, exclusive, gluten-free facility. And even then...
That reminds me of a story. When I had the opportunity to tour the Whole Foods Gluten Free Bakehouse, they were telling our group that they test every single ingredient that comes into the facility. It has happened that they have received gluten-containing ingredients. Some companies won't admit if a cross-contamination has occurred, or sometimes god forbid, they aren't aware of exactly what gluten-free means. Yikes. Anyway, it's nice those guys are looking out for us with their testing.
What you can guarantee yourself is that non-gluten containing foods, such as vegetables, fruits, beans, etc. are still great, healthy, options. I have started to take tons of celery, carrots, and apples to work every day to munch on at my desk. Totally normal food, no one will suspect you're different. They'll just think you're healthy and smart. I can live with that!
Happy New Year! Best wishes for a great start to your year.
Anyway, the end of the year is a good time to think back and remember the positive things, as well as the things we'd like to improve upon in the upcoming year.
I've been thinking a great deal lately about my approach to eating out vs. at home. I mean, how much of each should I do? How can I make my life easier, as well as safer?
The bottom line, unfortunately, is that you can't really guarantee yourself that you won't be glutened by outside foods unless they are prepared in a true, exclusive, gluten-free facility. And even then...
That reminds me of a story. When I had the opportunity to tour the Whole Foods Gluten Free Bakehouse, they were telling our group that they test every single ingredient that comes into the facility. It has happened that they have received gluten-containing ingredients. Some companies won't admit if a cross-contamination has occurred, or sometimes god forbid, they aren't aware of exactly what gluten-free means. Yikes. Anyway, it's nice those guys are looking out for us with their testing.
What you can guarantee yourself is that non-gluten containing foods, such as vegetables, fruits, beans, etc. are still great, healthy, options. I have started to take tons of celery, carrots, and apples to work every day to munch on at my desk. Totally normal food, no one will suspect you're different. They'll just think you're healthy and smart. I can live with that!
Happy New Year! Best wishes for a great start to your year.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Keep lookin for that Gluten!
I really enjoyed the North Raleigh Celiac Support Group (CSA Chapter 108) meeting we had last night. It was fun to see everyone (I had to miss last month), and Moonlight Bakery had some great samples for us to try.
We were talking about recipes, and some ideas about how to eat for the holidays.
Most of us have figured out how to avoid cross-contamination in our own kitchens, but it was a good reminder for all of us about eating with family and friends--to watch out for shared or swapped spoons on the buffet, turkeys that have been cooked with stuffing inside, etc.
What was news to me was that we cannot always trust "tuna fish in water" products. Apparently, a food label that says "in water" doesn't always literally mean "water." So there are tuna fish products that are not Gluten-Free. The culprit, apparently, is "vegetable broth". Can't trust broth in anything, it might contain gluten.
Turkeys. Many contain "natural flavoring," which may contain gluten. Best to get a fresh turkey with no additives.
Why are so many things added to our foods? Whose great idea was that? Has our health improved or worsened since food production has changed in this way?
We were talking about recipes, and some ideas about how to eat for the holidays.
Most of us have figured out how to avoid cross-contamination in our own kitchens, but it was a good reminder for all of us about eating with family and friends--to watch out for shared or swapped spoons on the buffet, turkeys that have been cooked with stuffing inside, etc.
What was news to me was that we cannot always trust "tuna fish in water" products. Apparently, a food label that says "in water" doesn't always literally mean "water." So there are tuna fish products that are not Gluten-Free. The culprit, apparently, is "vegetable broth". Can't trust broth in anything, it might contain gluten.
Turkeys. Many contain "natural flavoring," which may contain gluten. Best to get a fresh turkey with no additives.
Why are so many things added to our foods? Whose great idea was that? Has our health improved or worsened since food production has changed in this way?
Sunday, November 8, 2009
What's for Breakfast?
I am not a cold cereal lover, never have been. Sometimes I do enjoy hot cereal, but not that often.
So what can I eat that's gluten free and a great way to start my day?
One of my favorite breakfasts is fresh fruit with greek yogurt. My cousin taught me this. Put your fruit in a bowl, and then dollop a few spoonfuls of the yogurt on top, mix and enjoy.
What's great about greek yogurt is that it does not contain sugar, and especially doesn't contain HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, which I try to avoid like the plague. So it's easy. The ingredients are usually just milk and cultures.
If I feel like I need a bigger breakfast, then I might add a piece of gluten free toast. Keep it simple.
So what can I eat that's gluten free and a great way to start my day?
One of my favorite breakfasts is fresh fruit with greek yogurt. My cousin taught me this. Put your fruit in a bowl, and then dollop a few spoonfuls of the yogurt on top, mix and enjoy.
What's great about greek yogurt is that it does not contain sugar, and especially doesn't contain HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, which I try to avoid like the plague. So it's easy. The ingredients are usually just milk and cultures.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Hash Browns (scattered, smothered, covered, etc)
The other day I found myself at Waffle House with some friends, and I got really hungry for some hash browns.
We gluten free folks can't opt for the waffles, or toast or anything like that, but hash browns are made of what--potatoes, grease, salt. Right?
I was all ready to order up one of these heart attack-size platters of hash browns, when what did I see? I saw them slice up two sandwiches diagonally, push the currently cooking hash browns off to the side, and slap down those sandwiches, crusts to the sky, right in the middle of all the cooking hash browns. Aaack, the Celiac Nightmare.
No way, Waffle House! With your poisoned grill!
So, what next?
Can't live without hash browns. Here's how to make your own, which are probably less likely to kill you (though I can't guarantee it of course!):
I'd rather sit at home and grate a couple potatoes than sit at home in agony from being glutened. How 'bout you?
We gluten free folks can't opt for the waffles, or toast or anything like that, but hash browns are made of what--potatoes, grease, salt. Right?
I was all ready to order up one of these heart attack-size platters of hash browns, when what did I see? I saw them slice up two sandwiches diagonally, push the currently cooking hash browns off to the side, and slap down those sandwiches, crusts to the sky, right in the middle of all the cooking hash browns. Aaack, the Celiac Nightmare.
No way, Waffle House! With your poisoned grill!
So, what next?
Can't live without hash browns. Here's how to make your own, which are probably less likely to kill you (though I can't guarantee it of course!):
- Get 1 or 2 small to medium potatoes (per serving). I like red potatoes.
- Grate the potatoes. Stop grating when you feel like you have as much as you want to eat.
- Spray skillet with Pam, or lightly butter or grease. Heat skillet (medium heat).
- Add potato shreds. Salt lightly, if desired. Cover.
- Flip over when they start to brown.
- Remove from pan and eat when 2nd side is brown.
I'd rather sit at home and grate a couple potatoes than sit at home in agony from being glutened. How 'bout you?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Uno's Pizza
Where does the time go? I'm sorry I haven't posted on here in a while. Fall is in full swing!
A little while back, it was my birthday, and I celebrated with friends at Uno's in Raleigh. I ordered a gluten free veggie pizza, and it was alright.
The toppings tasted great, but the gluten free crust was just a little bit like pizza-crust-shaped bread. Like I said though, it was alright. I would definitely go there and hang out with friends and order it again. I enjoyed a Redbridge beer with it as well.
My gluten free friend Wendy (from the Gluten Free Greenie Blog) ordered from the menu to try something different. She got a grilled chicken breast, which I think was also good.
Here's a picture of that too.
I am really glad that Uno's has decided to offer Gluten Free choices on their menu. Now I know wherever I find one, I can get something there. That is especially helpful when traveling.
Add it to the list of hangouts we can go to without having to eat beforehand, hooray!
A little while back, it was my birthday, and I celebrated with friends at Uno's in Raleigh. I ordered a gluten free veggie pizza, and it was alright.
My gluten free friend Wendy (from the Gluten Free Greenie Blog) ordered from the menu to try something different. She got a grilled chicken breast, which I think was also good.
I am really glad that Uno's has decided to offer Gluten Free choices on their menu. Now I know wherever I find one, I can get something there. That is especially helpful when traveling.
Add it to the list of hangouts we can go to without having to eat beforehand, hooray!
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