Amazon does it again...another free GF cookbook.

http://tiny.cc/7w41bw

"Low Carb and Gluten-Free Comfort Foods," by Kim Smith, free today on Amazon. Download your copy now!

New Gourmet Veggie Burger from Jens & Marie

Haven't had a chance to taste this yet, but the Providence Journal posted a press release in its "Food" section:

"JENS & MARIE, a food product development company, is "relaunching" its line of all natural gourmet veggie burgers which are now vegan and gluten free and will be sold in patties as well as the bulk burger mixes to the food service industry." (The company is based out of Providence, RI.)

One of our local health food stores expressed concern about this product, saying that the label listed unbleached wheat flour. I went right to the source, and emailed Jens to clarify. Here is their answer:

Thank You taking an interest in our Veggie Burger. I am forwarding our new ingredient panel for you to look at. I contacted the factory that makes the MALTODEXTRIN, they confirmed Corn starch as the ingredient used in the process. It is processed on machinery that processes Wheat product, but they assured me that they are cleaning and sterilizing the equipment according to strict guidelines set by the Company, before processing Gluten free Maltodextrin.
Best Regards,
Jens

Here is the link to their new sales sheet: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByxePbK9bdxnVm9aUDdRNUpRNnEwRVhOZmNtYkdIQQ


So, according to this, YES, it's safe!

Free GF cookbook on Amazon today!

Delicious and Nutritious Gluten-Free Recipes: Boxed Set Edition...Affordable, Easy and Tasty Meals You Will Love All Day (Bestselling Gluten-Free Recipes) [Kindle Edition]

Martha McBride (Author)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0072VFFEQ?tag=kiq-free-e-20

West Bay Community Action program is in the planning stages of creating a gluten-free program

I met with Joshua Michael Corrente today, of the West Bay Community Action program. West Bay CAP has allocated some grant money, earmarked for setting up a gluten-free food assistnce program. The details and qualifying processes are still being refined, but GF food assistance will be available to folks from the Warwick, West Warwick, and East Greenwich area. I'll keep you undated with details as they become available.

Don't forget...Sugarbird Bakery is open today from 10 till 2

And SUGARBIRD BAKERY is tweeting about some amazingly decadent cupcakes...chocolate chip cookie dough stuffed vanilla cupcakes with chocolate ganache, coconut macaroon stuffed chocolate cupcakes with coconut buttercream, sweet potato pecan muffins (I can attest that these muffins ROCK!), banana chocolate chip muffins, and strawberry muffins. Go support Sugarbird Bakery, and tell them that CeliacGirlRI says HI!

Cupcake Madness on Sun., March 25, has category for GF cupcake

CUPCAKE MADNESS is coming to Narragansett, RI, on Sun., March 25 from noon to 4 p.m. at The Village Inn, 1 Beach St. This year's theme is: It's Raining Cupcakes. (Cue the "It's Raining Men" disco music and wear your bell bottoms)

Judging "Best Cupcake in Rhode Island," the competition will also have several challenge winners, including "Bare Naked Cupcake" (Gluten-Free Cupcake), as well as "Naturally Wired," a vegan cupcake.

Admission is free, but guests buy tickets to taste cupcakes and be eligible to vote for their favorites.

Remember: It's Thursday...GF Day at the Green Grocer!

I hear that THE GREEN GROCER has their GF Lemon Poppy Seed muffins and Pumpkin Raisin mini-loaves on the shelves already, just waiting for you. They also have great sandwiches for all you GF-ers out there. Check out their FB page or website for deets.

Donations for Celiac Survival Kits...helping the newly-diagnosed celiac navigate their new reality

Remember when you were first diagnosed...the uncertainty, the fear, the sorrow? I remember hanging up the phone after hearing my diagnosis, and bursting into tears. No pizza and pasta? WTF? I lost 10 lbs. the first month I was diagnosed, and I only weighed 98 lbs. at the time!

Then I read an inspiring book by Shauna James Ahern, "The Gluten-Free Girl: How I Found the Food That Loves Me Back...And How You Can Too." This book was a life-changer. Ms. Ahern showed me that I could still eat well – still be a "foodie" – and enjoy food that wouldn't send me running for a bathroom and a bed, in that order.  She gave me hope – and hope is a beautiful thing. Now it's time for me to share as well.

Knowing that the newly-diagnosed celiac patient will likely have very little information and resources, I've started a project that I lovingly refer to as "Celiac Survival Kits." These kits will contain some GF staples such as cereal, pasta, baking mixes, a cookbook, and perhaps an informational book about CD. Already, three authors have pledged cookbook donations: Carol Kicinski from simplygluten-free.com and St. Martins Press; Elana Amsterdam from elanaspantry.com; and  Carol Fenster from savorypalate.com. I am beyond overjoyed that these amazing women have chosen to support Project Celiac Survival Kit.

Donations are most welcome, should any manufacturer, store, or author choose to support the project. I am hoping to get shelf-stable items such as cereal and cereal bars, pasta, baking mixes, GF flours, cookies, snacks, etc. Please email CeliacGirlRI@gmail.com with questions.

Scored some more treats from Sugarbird Bakery this morning...

You've gotta try this place! SUGARBIRD BAKERY is in Johnston,  2842 Hartford Ave.

German Chocolate Cookie

I walked in, and was greeted with "Hey, it's celiacgirl!" Then I got down to business...what do I want to take home today? My choices: A Boston Creme Pie cupcake, a German Chocolate cookie, and a Honey Vanilla Chamomile mini cupcake. Can't wait to sit down with a cup of tea and try them out!

So far, they're only open from 10 till 2 on Saturday mornings. Go down and check out their "gourmet" treats - they're worth the drive! (If you're lucky, they'll have their infamous French Toast cupcake with Maple Cream Cheese frosting...like a party in your mouth!)

French Toast Cupcake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

New GF menu item added to Ted's Montana Grill

Haven't had the chance to check out TED'S MONTANA GRILL (2 Chapel View Blvd., Cranston) yet, but the Food Notes by Gail Ciampa in the Providence Journal say that Ted's has added a new GF menu item: Salt-and-Pepper Trout.

"The trout is lightly seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper and freshly squeezed lemon juice, then seared in olive oil. It's then topped with house-made salsa and served with sides of oven-roasted asparagus and sliced tomatoes."

Sounds good to me! If you get a chance to check it out, let me know. (Chances are slim that I'll get to eat out any time soon; I'm still looking for work and don't have the funds)

Here's a link to their GF menu: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByxePbK9bdxnWVpEX3FkM0FRaXFDY2JpdXBiVFdqdw

China Lake Chinese Restaurant Gluten-Free Buffet on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 4 p.m.

The China Lake Restaurant, located at 2732 County St. (Rte. 138), Somerset, MA, will be holding a GLUTEN-FREE CHINESE BUFFET on Sunday, April 22 at 4 p.m. Cost is $14.50 a person, tax included (but not tip, so don't forget to tip your servers), and includes hot coffee, tea, or soda with refills. Registration and pre-payment is required, and is due by Sunday, April 8, 2012. The event is organized by Kathi Thiboutot of Healthy Havens in Tiverton, RI. No walk-ins will be accepted.

To register, fill out the entry form and a check made out to Kathi Thioutot, and mail to Healthy Haven, 80 Main Rd., Tiverton, RI 02878. Payment must be received by Sunday, April 8.

To access the buffet menu, paste this code into your browser:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByxePbK9bdxnaW11ZHZYWnVRSDZFcFo4Yl9iREhEUQ

To access the registration form, paste this code into your browser:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByxePbK9bdxnU2Vjc3p0R0hSWHFmZUNIdk1KYmVmZw

Buffet offerings include the following gluten-free items: Fried Chicken Wings, Teriyaki Steaks, Young Chow Fried Rice, Bo Lo Gai Pan, Chow Har Kew, and House Special Rice Noodle with Beef.

Goodies to "Test Drive" from Nana's Cookie Company!

Just in...three prototype GF cookies from Nana's Cookie Company: Lemon, Chocolate, and Snickerdoodle! BTW, who came up with the term "snickerdoodle" anyway? Keep an eye out for the review! I'm fair, but I'm brutally honest as well...

Remember: Tomorrow (Thursday) is Gluten-Free Day at the Green Grocer!

The Green Grocer, located at 934 East Main Rd. in Portsmouth, is the place for celiacs to have lunch on Thursdays. They have GF muffins, soup, salads and sandwiches made in-house from garden-fresh ingredients. And the soup smelled nice and spicy!

French Toast made from Eva Ruth's Sandwich Bread

This morning, I made French Toast from the sandwich bread I got from Eva Ruth's Bakery in Middletown. This is no dainty little loaf; it's a huge, honkin' 48 ounces of rustic delight. It has texture, nice crumb, and a sweet taste reminiscent of Portuguese sweet bread. I received the bread this Thursday, and it was still fresh as the first day when I opened it again this morning - and I haven't refrigerated it! It held up well to the egg mixture (I added cinnamon and a touch of vanilla to mine), and I actually had to find a larger bowl to fit the slice when I dredged it in the egg! And the result - a French toast you that never left me wishing I could eat "normal" bread. Kudos, Eva Ruth's!

Back to Basics is holding a Gluten-Free & Vegan cooking class featuring RI's Chef Chris Oliveri

"COOKING with CHEF CHRIS"A NATURAL FOOD COOKING CLASS SERIES
Featuring:
A BLEND OF THE BASICS...
A SPLASH OF THE GOURMET
------
-THE MENUS-
Thursday, March 15th 6:30 p.m. "Soups & Salads"
THE BASIC: Black Bean Chili
*Mixed Greens with Avocado-Lime Dressing
THE GOURMET: Tuscan Kale and Cannellini Soup
*Fennel & Orange Salad with Dried Cherries

Thursday, March 22nd 6:30 p.m. "Entrees"
THE BASIC: "Chicken" Piccata with Steel Cut Oats Risotto
THE GOURMET: "Steak" Tips & Collard Burritos, with fixins

Thursday, March 29th 6:30 p.m. "Desserts"
THE BASIC: Chocolate-Chili Flan
THE GOURMET: Chocolate Espresso Ganache Tart w/ Almonds...
----------------------------------------------------------
-ALL CLASSES ARE VEGETARIAN, VEGAN AND GLUTEN FREE
-ALL CLASSES INCLUDE INSTRUCTIONS, RECIPES & SAMPLING
COST:
"Soups & Salads" $25
"Entrees" $35
"Desserts" $25
*ATTEND ALL 3 CLASSES
AND RECEIVE A $10.00 BTB GIFT CARD
REGISTER BY CALLING: 401-885-2679 or
EMAIL: info@backtobasicsnaturalfoods.com
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED (10 person minimum to hold class)

*BTW, the classes are being held at Back to Basics, 500 Main St., E. Greenwich RI