Friday Information Round-Up

Joe Hitzemann of A&J Bakery in Cranston emailed today, asking me to spread the word that the bakery will be closed for vacation from Saturday, Aug. 18 through Monday, Aug. 27. They reopen Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 10 a.m. FYI: they are also carrying GF candy, including jelly beans and hard candy.
Since the expansion of the store, they are also offering pizza shells – topped pizzas that can be grilled or baked (cheese, cheese and pepperoni and cheese with onions and red and green peppers), hot dog and hamburger buns, nut and gluten free buttermilk biscuits and pound cake. A&J has baked you some prepared foods that just need to be warmed and served, including baked  breaded eggplant, breaded chicken cutlets, eggplant Parmesan, chicken parmesan, and a four pack of meatballs.

EvaRuth's Bakery in Middletown is now offering Peach Cobbler Muffins, Peach Pandowdy, Vegan Donuts (including peach, chocolate glazed, vanilla glazed, or blueberry), Kale and Chickpea Salad, and an Italian grinder.
Here's their new schedule for bread and muffins. Here's the down-low on what's available and when...
Tuesday: Yeast-free multigrain, white and whole grain bread, and lemon poppy muffins.
Wednesday: Dairy-free white, vegan, white, and whole grain bread, and the "muffin of the month."
Thursday: Garlic Italian, cinnamon raisin, and whole grain bread, and sweet corn mussins.
Friday: Onion dill, French, white, and whole grain bread, and banana and blueberry (corn or regular) muffins.
Saturday: White and whole grain bread, and sour cream coffee cake muffins.
NOTE: Pumpkin muffins are available every day. Tuesdays and Saturdays will still have fluctuating herb breads. Buns and rolls will be available periodically as well by request.

Omega Medical Research of Warwick is still looking for participants for a study on an investigational drug for Celiac disease. Keep an eye out for their commercial on television. For more information, visit www.celiactrial.com.

Healthy Haven in Tiverton is stocking some new items including Rudi's Spinach Tortilla wraps, Simply 7 Creamy Dill Lentil Chips, Bakery On Main Triple Berry Fiber Power Granola, Canyon Bakehouse San Juan 7 Grain Sandwich Bread, Ener-G Yeast-Free White Rice Sandwich Bread, Hail Merry Persian Lime Miracle Tarts, Hail Merry Almond Butter Chocolate Miracle Tarts, Hail Merry Blonde Macaroons, CookSimple Cowboy Quinoa Chili, Drew's Chunky Medium Salsa, Drew's Double Roasted Salsa, Bakery On Main True Bars, Rudi's Spinach Tortilla Wraps, and Rudi's Original and Sun-Dried Tomato Tortilla wraps.

Back to Basics Natural Foods Grocery in East Greenwich is now carrying Julian Bakery's Paleo Bread in Almond and Coconut variety. These breads are high fiber, low calorie and low fat. For more information, visit www.backtobasicsnaturalfoods.com.

Sugarbird Bakery in Johnston is open tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cupcake menu for tomorrow includes Chocolate Fauxtess Cupcakes, Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes, and Coconut Cupcakes!! Don't forget those Nutella Swirl Poundcakes, Toasted Walnut Poundcakes, Blueberry Muffins, Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Cookies, White and Dark Chocolate Blast Cookies and Paleo Cherry Vanilla Bean Cookies.
Remember to say congrats to owner Jill Puleo for being voted "Best Gluten Free Bakery in Rhode Island," a reward well-deserved. Kudos!

Just a heads up...on Amazon.com, you can search for "gluten-free cookbooks" and "free," and you can download cookbooks for free! Yup, for the bubble! I recently downloaded a couple, including "Quinoa Salads and Side Deserts" and "My Favorite Gluten Free Cake Recipes."

Well, that's all for now, boys and girls...I'm fried! Some things in the works: an interview with a gluten-free cookbook author, and a giveaway; an interview with an author whose main character has Celiac disease; and I'm working on a list of gluten-free lipstick manufacturers. If you have a request or suggestion for a post, please feel free to email me at celiacgirlri@gmail.com.

New Gluten-Free magazine from Carol Kicinski!

Gluten-free cookbook author and blogger Carol Kicinski has a new title to add to her resume: magazine editor!

Her new venture, "Simply Gluten Free" magazine, was announced this week. According to Kicinski, the publication, also available in digital format online, will "be loaded with great tasting and easy-to-prepare recipes brought to life with page-after-page of gorgeous food photography."

Readers can look forward to articles on allergy-free living, recipes, crafts, and allergen-free "Homekeeping," as well as a section which discusses beauty products and dietary advice. A section of the magazine will also feature advice from various experts in the fields of health and medicine. Also included are columns on nutrition, traveling, special needs children, new products, book reviews entertainment ideas and dining out.

I'd like to personally wish Ms. Kicinski the best of success...and say a big Thank You from all of us celiacs out there who benefit from her knowledge and experience. Good Luck!

Friday Information Round-Up

News of note: 

In addition to their gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free and soy-free bread offerings, EvaRuth's Bakery in Middletown is now offering YEAST-FREE BREAD! Here's a link to the ingredients label: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByxePbK9bdxnaG9NX2NBRnR1SzA Don't forget: you can check out EvaRuth's on FaceBook or Twitter!

Blackie's Bulldog Tavern, in Smithfield, is now offering a gluten-free menu, and I have a copy of it available at this link: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByxePbK9bdxnRW8wSjg2U2VoSTA

Happy 5th Birthday to A&J Bakery! This Friday, July 20, A&J will be hosting a two-hour party from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., in celebration of their expansion and birthday. They will be having give-aways throughout the night. Rumor has it that they'll be offering samples of new products.

 The Wall Street Journal posted an interesting article online about the Melting Pot restaurants, and their approach to handling gluten-free customers and orders. If they are as serious and effective as this article is describing, I would commend them! Here's the link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303768104577460464180837748.html

Usually when I'm in the supermarkets, unless it's Whole Foods, I don't really pay attention to the people handing out free samples of food, because  – let's face it – nine times out of ten, it's not going to be gluten-free. But last week in Stop & Shop, I overheard one of these demonstrators telling someone that some of their products were gluten-free, and my ears perked right up. Aidells, advertises an all natural, no MSG, no nitrates, product with no added hormones. Not all of their products are gluten-free, but I bought a package of pre-made meatballs to try. Now anyone who knows me, knows that I prefer to cook/bake my own food from scratch, as close to organic as I can get. But there are those nights, when you've been on turbo speed all day, and all you want to do is eat and crash – in that order. That's why I'm trying this product – for those times. If you click on the above link for Aidells.com, you can scroll down to the bottom of the website and select "allergen info" to access their nutritional chart specifying which products are gluten-free.

From the "Food Notes" in the Providence Journal: Pane e Vino Ristorante in Providence offers a gluten-free menu, as well as a fixed price, gluten-free Trattoria menu with a dessert. Here's a link to their GF menu: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByxePbK9bdxnaWJaT2hOY3NOclE

Not to be outdone, Potenza Ristorante/Bar in Providence has added three pizzas to its GF menu: Chef's Favorite (topped with tomato, prosiutto, Asiago cheese, artichokes and spinach); Central Italy (tomato, Gorgonzola cheese, mushrooms and arugula); and Traditional Margherita (with tomato, basil, Mozzarella and fresh herbs). Okay, now I'm officially hungry! Click the restaurant name above to access their GF menu.

Email me your questions, topics you would like to see discussed, and input at celiacgirlri@gmail.com. Don't forget to leave your email address, and I'll take the best suggestion or question and feature it here on CGRI, and the winning suggestion, question, etc. will receive a copy of the amazing Elana Amsterdam's "Gluten-Free Cupcakes" cookbook.

Sampling Event at Healthy Haven in Tiverton this Saturday

Healthy Haven is hosting a

"SAMPLING EVENT" 

of baked goods by Shabtai Gourmet

           on Saturday, July 14, 2012 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Come sample a variety of decadent pastries: Ring Tings, Dessert Rolls (Chocolate, Raspberry, Apricot and Baby Swiss) and a 7-Layer Chocolate Cake.

Healthy Haven now has Birthday/Special Occasion cakes by Shabtai Gourmet. All of these baked goods are dairy, soy and lactose free. Some are free of corn.

Triumph Dining Guide review

Okay, I'm hooked. When TRIUMPH DINING asked me if I wanted to look over their dining guide, my first thought was: "With a state as small as Rhode Island, is it really necessary?" And the answer is, "Hell, yeah!"

This guide lists name, location and phone number, types of food available, websites...everything you need to check out a new place before you go.

Next to the restaurant description, there are icons, telling you if a GF menu is available on-sire, if GF specialty items are offered (such as bread, beer, pasts, etc.), if it is a 100% Gf establishment, and if it is a chain restaurant. They also note the type of menu (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack), and give an idea of price range.

The beginning chapters of the guide advise you on "How to get a GF meal anywhere," explaning how to build short- and long-term relationships with restaurants, and they also offer a "Dining Out Checklist"  in the back of the guide. They also mention "dining cards," and explain how they can help.

 The major portion of the guide is the listings of restaurants by state. After listing restaurants by state, the last sections of the guide deals with gluten-free "lists" and menus available at chain restaurants. For those of you who haven't experienced it, some restaurants don't have a GF menu specifically, they have an "allergy book" or "allergy list," which tells you which of the major allergens (including wheat) that are in their products. Some lists are well-organized enough to tell you what you can eat for specific allergens, but other list just show a chart, specifying which of the allergens are in each menu item (which can be confusing as hell!)

As tempting as it is to just go directly to your state listings in the restaurant guide, don't forget to go back and read the first chapters. They are a valuable resource. and can help you understand how to interact with the staff and servers at a restaurant to get what you need, without being rude or unclear.

My only disappointment with this guide: The listings are set up by state, then the major cities, then all other cities. When you get to the "all other cities" part, the restaurants are listed in alphabetical order by name, which is great. But what if you just want to know what restaurants are available in a specific city, one that isn't a major city? I would have loved to see an index in the back, which listed the states, then the cities in alpha order, then the restaurants in alpha order, along with page number. So if I want to find a restaurant in Warwick, Rhode Island, I don't have to look through the entire listing of "other cities" to find it, I can go to the index, look up Rhode Island: Warwick, and then see just the names of restaurants by alpha order, with a page number. Then I go to that page number, and look up the Warwick restaurants I want and not have to search the whole "other cities" list trying to pick out the Warwick ones.

For your convenience, I've provided a click-through ad on my page for the Triumph Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide, in case anyone wants to check it out. They also have a Triumph Dining Gluten-Free Grocery Guide, and I've provided you a click-through for that as well. On their website, they also advertise GF baking guides, dining cards (to educate your servers), and GF stickers to mark your food if you live in a household which is not completely GF.

My final thoughts: I LOVE this guide! I can take it traveling with me, and feel secure in knowing wherever I go, I can find somewhere to eat and know what to expect. And my relatives will feel better knowing I can suggest places that we can go for dinner without feeling like I'm taking a crap shoot with my health! I've found places in my state where I didn't even know that they had a GF menu. Now I can explore, but with the knowledge and security of being properly prepared. Thank you, Triumph Dining, for doing all the work for me!

Fourth of July – Celiac Style!

Whether you're heading off to the beach, a cookout at a friend or relative's house, or staying home, Fourth of July is often a difficult time for a celiac, with gluten hazards around every corner. This year, take time to prepare ahead of time, so you can spend more time relaxing, and less time stressing.

This year, A&J Bakery, in Cranston, and EvaRuth's, in Middletown, are both offering GLUTEN-FREE HAMBURG BUNS. Make sure you bring your own hot dogs, and that they are gluten-free. Some brands to choose from include Ball Park Fat Free All Beef Hotdogs, Hebrew National and Oscar Meyer. Read the labels on your condiments closely: many have wheat ingredients. If you are grilling, make sure you have cleaned your cooking surface carefully, and keep a special place aside for your GF burgers and dogs, or wrap them in foil before placing on the grill. Check the ingredients in marinades as well – many contain gluten. If you are toasting your buns on the grill, make sure it has been thoroughly cleaned. If you are sharing a grill with others who aren't eating gluten-free, be careful to use separate tongs and spatulas to turn the meat. Remember: wood and plastic are porous and can retain gluten, so use metal utensils that have been properly cleaned. Pick up a six-pack of GF beer or hard GF cider, and make sure to bring yourself a dessert, so you won't feel so bad when everyone is having their goodies. Watermelon is naturally GF, and is really refreshing on a hot day, and corn on the cob is another delicious cookout food that is naturally gluten-free.

With a little preparation and an insulated cooler, you can have a safe and enjoyable cookout, without feeling anxious or deprived.

So on this Independence Day, enjoy your independence from gluten, and say a heartfelt thanks to the men and women in uniform who work tirelessly and risk or sacrifice life and limb for your freedom every day. God Bless, and enjoy your holiday!

Hamburg Rolls from EvaRuth's Bakery in Middletown RI

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