Friday Information Roundup

A&J Bakery in Cranston will be making boxes of party RI red pizza slices for the summer (10 long slices or 20 small squares) in nut and gluten free (all orders for party pizza need to be placed in advance). They will also be offering some of their pre-baked pizza shells in 10" rounds and  1/2-sheet size for you to take home and top with your favorite toppings. You can even cook them on the grill on days when you don't want to turn the oven on. They also have sandwich and hoagie buns.
NOTE: A&J Bakery will be closed July 4-5, 2012 and will reopen on the 6th at 10am.

Sugarbird Bakery in Johnston is partnering with Mel's Downtown Creamery in Pawcatuck, CT, to bring you gluten-free ICE CREAM COOKIE SANDWICHES and BROWNIE SUNDAES with Sugarbird's delicious, gluten free treats!!! PLUS, special orders of cakes, pies, cupcakes, and more!! Available any time after June 5th.

Also, Sugarbird is selling boxed lunches for the beach, and a new product – Focaccia!

On their FaceBook page, Sugarbird has announced that if you have an overflow of fruit or veggies from your garden or CSA, contact them and they will make goodies from it, discounted since the ingredients came from you! Remember, Sugarbird's next open house is June 30th. 

Blackie's Bulldog Tavern in Smithfield, RI, announced in the Providence Journal's "Food Notes" section that they are debuting new menu and GF menu. I couldn't find any info on their website, but I did email them for info.

Don't forget that Back to Basics Natural Foods Grocery has another class coming up this Monday at 6:30 p.m. "Simply Star Spangled" with Chef Chris Oliveri will get you ready for your July 4th celebrations. Each class includes items suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free. Cost: $25 per class. They ask that you pre-register either by phone or email.

There are two new gluten-free cereals on the block: Apple Cinnamon Chex and, not to be left behind, Kellog's Rice Krispies. GlutenFreely.com is offering 20% off Chex during the month of June.

Frito Lay has released an updated list of their products which are gluten-free. Click here for the complete listing.

Congratulations to Eva Ruth's Bakery in Middletown for their mention on Boston.com.

"Have food allergies? Grab a healthy lunch at Eva Ruth’s Specialty Bakery (796 Aquidneck Ave., Unit D, 401-619-1924, www.evaruths.com, sandwiches $7), with food that is gluten-, wheat-, and nut-free, including breads, muffins, quiches, cookies, pies, and pastas."

If you're in the vicinity of Braintree's South Shore Plaza, check out Doc Popcorn's. Doc Popcorn offers whole-grain popcorn cooked in corn oil. Flavors range from cheesy cheddar, to sweet
butter, to sinfully cinnamon and hoppin’ jalapeno, and are gluten free and nut-free, with soy-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free options available. 

Steadfast Beer in Albany, NY, is offering a new gluten-free beer, Steadfast Sorghum Pale Ale. 

It is described as a "golden-amber color with a frothy white head and brilliant clarity as well as an elegant lacing on your glass as you drink," with "pungent floral and citrus aromas from dry-hopping with Cascade hops," and "notes of burnt sugar, bread, and caramel followed by spicy alcohol flavors and a hint of molasses sweetness. Mid-sip, look for an explosion of hop bitterness and grapefruit-like hop flavor, and brace for a lingering dry finish."

So far, availability is limited to New York, but you can order online.

Gluten Free Dining Friends RI hosts monthly dine outs at area restaurants. For information, contact Ashley Marshall at glutenfreefriendssne@gmail.com.

I received a copy of the Triumph Dining "The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide" for review. I will be posting a review of this amazing dining resource soon. 

I also received product from Butterfly Bakery, and will be posting a review of their banana walnut mini muffins and plain vanilla creme cake.

For those of you who live in the Kent County area of Rhode Island, West Bay Community Action is rolling out its gluten-free pantry program very soon! Yours truly is volunteering there next week, helping inventory the stock, and talking about the procedure to qualify people. I'll have details as soon as they become available, but the WBCAP program covers residents of Warwick, West Warwick and East Greenwich.

 That's it for now...if you have any product news or announcements you would like included in my weekly roundup, please email it to celiacgirlri@gmail.com

Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a WINNER!

SlickKicker has picked ARRIANE's suggestion as the WINNER for the slow cooker giveaway. Her suggestion was:

"My challenge idea is: pick 1 guilty pleasure treat and vow to not eat it for 7 days, or 30 days if you're ambitious."

But Arriane, you didn't sign in with an email address, or leave one on your post. So – you'll have a week from today to email me at celiacgirlri@gmail.com and claim your prize. Congratulations, and I hope you claim it before it goes to someone else! SlimKicker has already posted your challenge on their site!

Crockpot Giveaway from "SlimKicker"

Having celiac disease often means that you had a low body weight before you went gluten-free, due  to the lack of absorption of nutrients by damaged villi. Since lots of the prepackaged gluten-free food tries to enhance flavor and texture with sugar and fat, sometimes eating GF can result in a weight gain, since your body is now absorbing the additional empty calories as well as the nutrients.

So when I was asked to check out SlimKicker.com, a website that helps motivate you to stay healthy by turning your diet and fitness goals into a game, I admit I was intrigued. The online game allows you to  track your food, log your exercise, and it motivates you with points, rewards, and challenges. SlimKicker also offers resources such as diet recipes and an iPhone app." You can join a group, or invite a friend to participate. I signed on as a guest, just to check it out.

While SlimKicker is not specifically for gluten-free individuals, it does award more points for eating healthy, unprocessed foods such as vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and unprocessed proteins, which are critical to any successful gluten-free nutrition plan. SlimKicker encourages healthy eating and exercising, while providing you with motivation and tips, and a way to track your progress.

The folks at SlimKicker need your help. They've asked you to provide suggestions on a fun and creative fitness or diet challenge. (Please summarize your idea in 1 or 2 sentences.) They will pick their favorite idea, and award the winner a Hamilton Beach Deluxe 6 qt. Stay or Go Slow Cooker, approx. retail value $39. Limited to U.S. residents. Leave your suggestions in the comment area below, and I'll announce the winners in a week or so. Good Luck!

More Cooking Classes from Back to Basics and Chef Chris Oliveri

"A Summer Cooking Class Experience"
with Chef Chris Oliveri

Chef Chris Oliveri will once again grace the palette of
Rhode Islanders as Back to Basics Natural Foods hosts
"A Summer Cooking Class Series" featuring Chef Chris
on Monday nights, June 11th, 18th, and 25th.

These classes will offer whole grain and bean summer salads, mouth-watering appetizers and scrumptious seasonal desserts. Most offerings will be suitable for vegetarians, vegans, gluten sensitive and celiacs, or for anyone who just loves delicious and nutritious all natural foods. 

CLASS I
Monday, June 11th  6:30 p.m.
PERFECT PICNIC PLEASERS
A delightful array of grain and bean salads, complemented by a non-traditional hummus!


CLASS II
Monday, June 18th  6:30 p.m.

SUMMER SOIREE

...All dressed up and SOMEWHERE to go!!!
Get dressed up for an evening out!  Enjoy black-tie Chef Chris as he excites the palette with appetizers, entree and desserts simple enough for family dining, classy enough for summer entertaining! ...complementary wine with your samplings!

CLASS III
Monday, June 25th   6:30 p.m.

SIMPLY STAR SPANGLED

You'll be standing to salute Chef Chris as he 'parades' some Back to Basics favorites and gets you ready for a happy, healthy4th of July celebration.
***Each class will include items suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free***

COST: $25/class
***Attend all 3 classes – receive a $10  Back to Basics gift certificate!!!
PLEASE PRE-REGISTER in-store at BACK to BASICS NATURAL FOODS or by:

401-885-2679 OR info@backtobasicsnaturalfoods.com