Friday Information Round-Up

Howdy, boys and girls. It's Friday, at least it was when I started this update. I'll apologize in advance for typos, 'cause I'm beyond tired and have taken allergy meds. (The freakin' ragweed is killing me!)

First, Sugarbird Bakery in Johnston will be open tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and she mentioned on FaceBook that she's going to have Caramel Autumn Spice Krispy Rice Treats, Toasted Coconut Cookies with Milk Chocolate, and White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies. Oh, and did I mention she's going to have my personal favorite -- French Toast cupcakes -- this weekend! Save one for me, Jill!

By the way, congratulations are in order. Sugarbird has received more recognition in the media. Check out the article on pages 28 and 30 of the Boston Phoenix. Here's the link.

The most recent sales flyer from Dave's Marketplace has some GF items on sale this week. They include: Enjoy LIfe GF Crunchy Cookies, Enjoy Life GF Breakfast Bars, A Taste of Thas GF Microwave Quick Meal Kits, A Taste of Thai GF Sauce Mixes and Natural Nectars GF Cracklebread Snack Crackers. Thanks again to Dave's for mentioning the CeliacGirlRI website as a resource. They've helped a lot of people discover the site.

Back to Basics in East Greenwich will hold a 30-year Anniversary Celebration, entitled "Nutritional Solutions" on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Food tastings, samples, gift bags, beauty products, supplement sapling, raffles, music and health professionals will be on hand. For more information, call 885-2679 or visit www.backtobasicsnaturalfoods.com.

ImmusanT, a privately-held biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Mass., has begun trials of a vaccine, Nexvax2, in the U.S., New Zealand and Australia.

Nexvax2 is designed to allow a person with celiac disease to return to a normal diet by re-establishing a patients’ tolerance to gluten. In order to participate in the study, patients must have a confirmed diagnosis of celiac disease, and carry the immune-recognition gene HLA-DQ2. Up to 90 per cent of people with celiac disease carry this gene. The company will also administer a blood test to measure gluten-reactive T-cells, which act as a potential marker for immune modulation with the vaccine.

The first study will be implemented in Australia and New Zealand, and is designed to evaluate the dosage needed for effectiveness, and to use this information in future studies.

The second study, being conducted in the U.S., is designed to evaluate the safety and viability of the vaccine in patients who are controlling their symptoms by maintaining a gluten-free diet. ImmusanT plans to enroll 30 adult subjects at approximately four trial sites.

According to ImmusanT, "Nexvax2 is a therapeutic vaccine that combines three proprietary peptides that elicit an immune response in patients with celiac disease who carry the immune recognition gene HLA-DQ2." The vaccines will be administered by an intradermal injection. Similar to the way in which people are treated for cat and dust allergies, the vaccine is designed to re-program specific T-cells, which are triggered by the patient's immune system in response to gluten.

The company's goal is to restore a celiac patients’ immune system to tolerate gluten, reduce inflammation in the nutrient-absorbing villi of the small intestine so that it may heal, , and allow patients to eat a diet which includes gluten. To read the full text of the asbtract, visit http://pharmabiz.com/PrintArticle.aspx?aid=71017&sid=2 (Information courtesy of from PharmaBiz.com)

The Triumph Dining website recently posted a recipe for GF Play-Doh. Check out their website for the recipe. Here's the link: http://www.triumphdining.com/blog/2012/09/19/keeping-play-dough-gluten-free.

According to online news source, Boston Business Journal, Bay State Milling, a Quincy, Mass., company which supplies specialty flours to bakeries and cafe chains, has purchased T.J. Harkins Basic Commodity Brokers Inc., an Illinois firm that imports grains such as amaranth, millet, buckwheat and quinoa. Bay State Milling's customers use its flours to make bread, pasta, tortillas and nutrition bars.

Healthy Haven in Tiverton recently held a five-year anniversary celebration. They also have a commercial running on Cox Cable television. Here are some pics. I'm going to try to post the commercial tomorrow when I can think straight!

That's it for now! I have to crash. Have a great week, and eat safe!

PS: feel free to comment on posts, email me with questions or comments. I love to hear from you. It lets me know I'm not just talking to myself here!

Friday Information Roundup

Yes, it's that time again...my weekly roundup of all things gluten free. Here's what's happening in the wacky world of celiac...

The Girls Scouts' motto: Be prepared. 

 

The Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, in Kalamazoo, have taken this sentiment to a whole new level – they have become the first Scout chapter nationwide to release a gluten-free cookie – Wholevine Chocolate Chip Snack Bites. They launched the new snack for $5 a package at a Jamboree and Pow Wow in Jackson, Mich., last weekend. By Tuesday, they were sold out. Currently, the product is only available in Michigan, and there are no plans as yet to market them nationally. The gluten-free snack was developed in partnership California-based WholeVine, a company whose owners have "developed a way to convert by-products from wine grapes into oils, gluten-free flour, food coloring, nutritional additives and gluten-free cookies. That way, grape skins, seeds, leaves, stems and shoots are recycled instead of discarded." A portion of the proceeds were donated to nonprofits, including the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan.
(based on an online report by MLive)

Today is Healthy Haven's Five-Year Anniversary Gala

To celebrate five years in business, Healthy Haven is hosting a Gala event on Sat., Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At least 10 vendors will be on hand with samples of everything from baked goods to gluten-free cosmetics – you can even enjoy a FREE facial! Enter the free raffle while you're there. Healthy Haven is located on 80 Main Road, Tiverton, RI 02878. For more information, call 401-816-5844.

Restaurant Hosting Gluten-Free Chinese Buffet

China Lake Restaurant will be hosting a gluten-free buffet dinner  on Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. at 2732 County St., Somerset, Mass. Buffet offerings include: fried chicken wings, teriyaki steaks, Young Chow fried rice, Bo Lo Gai Pan, Chow Har Kew, and house special rice noodle with beef. Cost is $15.50 per person, and includes hot tea, coffee or soda with refills. Meal tax and tip not included. Reservations and payment in advance are required by Sept. 22. For more information, call (508) 678-1888, or visit Healthy Haven for details. No walk-ins will be accepted.

 

Ghost Dinner and Exploration and Offers GF option

The Tavern on Main, 1157 Victory Highway, Chepachet, will host a Ghost Dinner and Exploration on Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. Paranormal experts Thomas D'Agostino and Arlene Nicholson will speak. Dinner choices include roast sirloin or crab-stuffed haddock, and they can accommodate vegeterian, gluten-free or allergy-free. Dinner and exploration costs $45 per person.

Natural Food Grocery Celebrates Thirty Years!

Back to Basics Natural Foods Grocery will celebrate 30 years in business on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 500 Main St., East Greenwich. An herbalist and a gluten-free specialist will be on hand to answer questions, and there will be food samples, samples and beauty tips from their top skin care lines, supplement samples music and gift bags. For more information, visit www.backtobasicsnaturalfoods.com.

Healthy Villi Hosts Gluten Free Expo in Norwood, Mass.

 

  

Healthy Villi, a celiac support group in Southeastern Massachusetts, will hold a Gluten Free Expo on Sunday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Norwood, Mass. OVer 85 vendors will be offering samples, and there will be workshops, including: Newly Diagnosed, Gluten-free Nutrition, Basic Gluten-free Baking Demo, Families Living Gluten-free, Eating Well Gluten-free Cooking Demo and a Traveling and Eating Out panel.

Each workshop will repeat at 10:30 a.m., noon & 2 p.m., with seating allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is required. Registration costs $20 for Healthy Villi members, $30 for non-members, and $5 for children age 12 and younger. For more information, cal (617) 262-5422, or visit www.healthyvilli.org/event-list. If anyone is interested in going, email me at celiacgirlri@gmail.com. Maybe we can get a group to carpool?

EvaRuth's Offers New Treats and Adds a New Market to Their Distributors

EvaRuth's Bakery, 796 Aquidneck Ave., Middletown is offering new selections for the fall. Curry carrot soup is one new offering. Also new are fig and honey muffins, apple cinnamon scones, pumkin whoopie pies with maple filling (I tried one...yum!), pesto turkey sandwiches, curry chicken salad, green apple cheddar grilled cheese sandwich, and – of course – their amazing bread and fresh-squeezed juice. You can also find their products at the Eastside Marketplace on Pitman Street in Providence. 

Follower question of the week:  

Where do you find Rudi's tortillas, or some type that doesn't crack when folded?

CeliacGirlRI follower Lauren has asked if anyone knows where to find Rudi's tortillas, or some type of tortilla that doesn't crack when folded. Please use the comment form, or e-mail me at celiacgirlri@gmail.com if you know of a good product, or if you are a manufacturer who makes this product.

Luane Kohnke, author of "Gluten Free Cookies" launches "Luane's Cookies" 

Luane Kohnke is the author of one of my favorite gluten-free cookbooks, "Gluten-Free Cookies." These recipes rock! The result is a cookie that tastes...normal and delicious. No cardboard cookies for Kohnke. Now she's launching a new venture..."Luane's Cookies," in New York. She's promised five gluten-free cookies, and she's got a soft launch planned for November. I'd love to get my paws on some product to sample and review. What do you say, Luane?

 

Large Variety of Gluten-Free Beer Found in the Most Unlikely Place...

My younger brother has been encouraging me to search out and try some gluten-free beers. Now, I've never been a beer drinkeI'r, but I thought I'd try some to see what all the hoopla is about. I found several varieties of GF beer in a country market in Westport, a town in southeastern Massachusetts. I love this town, with its lovely beaches, farms, horses and charm. But never in a million years did I expect them to have the large variety of GF beer and cider that they stock. During a recent trip to Perfect Smiles dentists in Westport, I crossed the street to Lee's Market, 796 Main Road. After dragging myself away from the considerable display of canning supplies that I spied when I first walked through the lobby, I made my way to the beer and wine aisle. What I found blew me away. Lees stocks Redbridge, Dogshead Tweason Ale, New Grist, and New Planet's Tread Lightly, 3R Raspberry Ale, and Off Gride Pale Ale, just to name a few. There were also ciders available that were gluten-free. I've heart that Green's is really good. Have any of you tried it?

All of this brings me to my question of the week:  

Is anyone out there interested in a gluten-free beer and wine tasting?

I'd love to be able to taste several varieties of beer and wine without having to purchase a four- or six-pack of beer or a large bottle of wine just to see if I like it. Wouldn't it be great to go to a tasting event, where you could sample a variety of gluten-free options, and be able to purchase what you liked – and only what you liked – and know where you could always find it?
Please let me know if you are interested in attending a gluten-free beer and wine tasting. I'd like to speak with some liquor stores and see if they would be willing to assist me in setting up a tasting, but I'm sure they will ask me how many people might be interested, so I need an idea of a head count.

 

GF Items On Sale This Week in Dave's Marketplace Circular

Dave's Marketplace is carrying more gluten-free items lately, and there are three on sale in this week's sales circular. Glutino Genius White Sandwich Bread or Multigrain is on sale for $4.99 each, Glutino New York Style Gluten Free Bagels are $5.99, and Gaga Gluten Free Frozen Dessert Bars.
Go to www.davesmarketplace.com, and download their flyer for details.

Just a bit of a warning from me to you...I recently had a bad reaction to some GF food. I got a slammin' headache of migraine proportions, felt like I'd been run over by a truck, and was extremely fatigued. The headache came on pretty quickly after eating, and although I don't think I was glutened, I do believe I was exposed to MSG. Although most MSG is not supposed to contain gluten, I still have an alarming reaction similar to gluten exposure when I ingest MSG. I believe that it is just another benefit to our overall wonderful celiac package. Have any of you had similar reactions to MSG?

That's all I've got for now. Have a great week, and eat safe!

Five-Year Anniversary Gala on Saturday at Healthy Haven in Tiverton!

Healthy Haven in Tiverton is a Godsend for people with food allergies. Owner Kathi Thiboutot is was diagnosed with celiac disease, and has years of experience and wisdom to share.

To celebrate five years in business, Healthy Haven is are hosting a Gala event this Sat., Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At least 10 vendors will be on hand with samples of everything from baked goods to gluten-free cosmetics – you can even enjoy a FREE facial! Enter the free raffle while you're there.

Healthy Haven is located on 80 Main Road, Tiverton, RI 02878. For more information, call 401-816-5844.

Another freebie on Amazon...

Just noticed another GF cookbook, free on Amazon. Here's the link: http://amzn.com/B003P9XDWA

It's

The Gluten-Free Good Health Cookbook: The Delicious Way to Strengthen Your Immune System and Neutralize Inflammation [Kindle Edition]

by Annalise G. Roberts (Author), Claudia Pillow (Author)

 

 

I don't know much about it yet, but it's free...so download it, and let me know what you think! 

Road Trippin'

It's easy to forget how much of a challenge a road trip can present. I got an opportunity recently to visit family in Georgia, and I got smart this time. I was prepared – or so I thought. My copy of the Triumph Dining Guide tucked securely in my carry-on, a loaf of gluten-free bread from Eva Ruth's Bakery, a bag of Sam Mills corn pasta and I was good to go. Right. On the plane, I had a GF pumpkin muffin from Eva Ruth's, and a cup of hot tea for breakfast. (Note to self: flying out at the butt crack of dawn...not a good idea.)
I went wheels down in Jacksonville a little after 10 in the morning, and my older sister and her husband were there to greet me. We decided to stop for lunch in Jacksonville, and I dragged out my dining guide. We decided on Tommy's Brick Oven Pizza, and I had a great GF cheese pizza, topped with sliced tomatoes and basil. When I approached the desk to order, I questioned them about the preparation of the pizza. I was told that the owner has celiac disease, and that they bake the pizza on parchment paper to avoid contamination. Once I hear that the owner has celiac disease, I feel more secure about their preparation and ability to avoid cross-contamination. After lunch, we headed to her hometown, Brunswick, GA.
Later that day, my sister got creative, and lined a frying pan with foil to make peppers and onions to put on turkey burgers. She was delighted to see that her frozen Jenny-O turkey burgers were GF. I'd never had one before, but they were good. She lined a roasting pan with foil and threw them in the oven. Some fresh green beans and a bag of steamed red bliss potatoes from the freezer, and we had ourselves a meal.
Making breakfast with my GF bread – sans toaster – required more creativity. We lined the roaster pan with foil, turned the oven on to broil (low), and made toast. She had an unopened jar of grape jelly that I commandeered, and I had breakfast covered.
We tried out a few more places to eat out while I was in town. Fox's Pizza made a great GF salad. It had spinach, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, bacon and grilled chicken. It was so tasty, I didn't even need to use any dressing. They have GF pizza on their menu as well.
My sister's son is the kitchen manager at Brogen's, a restaurant on St. Simon's Island. He wasn't working when we arrived at the restaurant, but we decided to give it a shot at getting GF food anyway. I decided on the Philly steak and cheese with onions. When the waiter delivered my plate, it looked...lacking. The food looked great, but there wasn't a lot of it on the plate, since there was no bun and no fries. Without even asking him, he brought out a bag of chips and asked me if I wanted to read the ingredients and see if I could eat them...which, Thank you, Jesus!...I could. This is the kind of person you want to get as a server in a restaurant – someone who doesn't act as if you are his own personal curse, someone willing to learn and who is proactive. Of course, the meal was followed by a phone call, telling me that my elderly father who was back East just went into the hospital. Nothing ends a nice dinner better than the sheer terror of knowing that you are over a thousand miles away when your father, who is alone up North except for you, goes into the E.R. But that's another story.
The rest of the visit to Georgia was filled with family and fun. I tried to plan around my "limitations" and find places where I could safely eat, and my family learned how to compensate. My adorable little nephew Zachary was quite protective of me, asking if I could safely eat certain things...and he's only in grade school. Some woman's going to be very blessed to get him as a husband some day. We also went to hear a few bands on the weekend, and I had a blast with my sisters and my brother-in-law. Speaking of my brother-in-law, he's my new hero. He worked several extra jobs on the weekends to earn the money to pay for a ticket for me to visit, since I had been unemployed until a few weeks ago. We were talking in a restaurant one evening, and I said that it's going to be hard on anyone who asks me to dinner or the movies and such once my divorce is final and I start a new life. He said that if it seems like a big deal the first time you go out with them, then just put a mental check in to "NO" column next to their name, that if they can't accept and adapt to your needs and be supportive and protective, then you don't need them. He is one smart cookie. So here's a great big Thank You to Billy Gibson and my sister Gayle, for financing my trip, and to my family for making my vacation a great and safe experience.
Anyway, my flight back was another ordeal, since there was a hurricane in the South that weekend (I swear, the crappy weather followed me). My 7:40 p.m. flight turned into a 10:45 flight, and my connecting flight – originally scheduled for 9:45 – turned into a 11:50 flight. I would have slept on the flight, except that the turbulence from the storm kept jogging me awake. Oh, and it didn't help that my carry-on bag tossed over when the plane hit an air pocket and bumped, and my pieces of my gluten-free pasta came out of the bag and rolled very merrily around the floor towards the back of the plane. Yup, I couldn't make this stuff up. Luckily, the people three rows behind me found my glasses case, which had also taken a trip with the pasta, and returned them. I'm blind without them! So by the time I went wheels down in R.I., it was after one in the a.m. Thank God my boss (whom I texted to let her know that I was coming in later than planned) said that it was okay to come in late and work later that day.
But what I want to stress from this story is this: be as prepared as you can when you travel. Bring some food in your carry-on luggage – not just snacks, but dried pasta and bread and things you can prepare at your hosts' home. Be informative and proactive: if people don't understand your dietary restrictions and disease, educate them. Don't be timid. Ask to speak with the manager in a restaurant if it becomes clear that your server has no idea what you are talking about. Educate the server and manager. You are not only protecting yourself, but also the next celiac who walks through that door. And if you have a copy of the Triumph dining guide, bring it with you. I cannot tell you how many times I used it! If you don't have one, get one! You may know your local area, but there will be times when you don't have the luxury of looking up the information for another state beforehand.
Be prepared, and travel safe!