| |||||||||||||||||||||||
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| |
| |
Monday, March 26, 2012
Gluten Free Spring Rolls & Gluten Free Events
Monday, March 12, 2012
Gluten Free Doesn't Have to be Boring!
Just because it's a Jungle out there in Gluten Free Land doesn't mean you can't enjoy it!
This amazing (and delicious) cake was made for our son's Blue and Gold Banquet by Shelia Cafferty of Gluten Free Living Now. The theme for the banquet was a Jungle theme and hence all the animals on the cake. The cake was intricate in all it's glory right down the signage of Pack 114 made with a Glutino pretzel and sugar paste. The adults and kids alike were dazzled and impressed with this cake. Everything on the cake was edible so there are NO plastic anmial replicas used here.
The bottom layer of cake was made with Bob's Red Mill Vanilla Cake Mix and the frosting was cool whip, powdered sugar and caramel. It had a wondeful taste and texture. The frosting was just the right compliment to the cake. The second and third layers were chocolate made from King Arthur's Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix. We had people asking for seconds who weren't normally chocolate fans. The chocolate cake was amazingly moist with a lighter chocolate taste. The frosting was a vanilla creme that was the perfect accent to the cake. The top layer of cake was once again King Arthur's Chocolate with chocolate icing.
The animals were made from sugar paste so totally edible. The kids didn't want to eat the animals, they wanted to keep them forever. It was fun to watch how excited the kids were over getting to keep a giraffe or a lion or monkey.
Look at these great animals! Lions, Monkeys and a Giraffe Oh My!
I had no idea you could make a Lion's Mane using a Garlic Press.
It was great that nobody could tell the difference from the old gluten filled cake. There was even a newly diagnosed Celiac child there that was having trouble finding good gluten free foods and she was so excited that she could actually have a good birthday cake for her birthday this coming weekend.
I know most of us can't make these types of creations but we can certainly use the cake mixes from Bob's Red Mill and King Arthur to make cakes taste like they used to before we all became gluten free.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Food Blog: Julian smart carb, Annie Chun's, Glutino, Red Apple, Miso Mayo and more....
If you like seaweed, and I definitely do, you will like these Annie Chun’s roasted seaweed snacks. Flat, thin, and delicate they come in 2 flavors, Wasabi and Sesame. My favorite flavor is Wasabi because, I admit……. I love spicy foods! If spicy is not your thing you would fare better with the sesame. Approximately 20 sheets come per package. Only 30 calories per 10 sheets.
Where to find this product: Nature’s Pharm in Castleton, Greenwood & Lafayette locations.
This wrap is interesting……wasn’t sure what to expect when I tried this product. I tried the Italian sausage pizza wrap. This product can be prepared by microwave or oven. The gluten free flour tortilla that this product is wrapped in is made from white corn masa and has a strong corn taste that is much similar to the taste that you would find in a tamale. The inside is filled with Italian sausage, rice, cheese, spices and tomato sauce. A marriage of Mexican meets Italian cuisine. Also comes in 2 other varieties, three cheese and pesto chicken.
Where to find this product: The freezer section of Nature’s Pharm/Castleton and Greenwood locations.
Glutino Gluten Free Bagel Chips
I really liked these products! These bagel chips are hard to put down and if it’s crunch you are looking for…..these deliver! The perfect chip for dips and bruschetta or pair them with your favorite soup. They come in 2 great flavors, Original and Parmesan & Garlic. My preference is the parmesan and garlic. 9 bagel chips have only 120 calories, now if only I could hide the box from myself before it’s empty!!
Where to find this product: You can find these products at Nature’s Pharm/Castleton
Tiger Tiger Microwave Rice Noodles
This product is convenient, only 2 minutes in the microwave and you have ready made rice noodles. Comes in 2 flavors from the Company web site’s South East Asian Noodle section. These products are dairy free, cholesterol free and made with rice bran oil. No artificial flavors or preservatives. Nature’s Pharm/Castleton carries the Pad Thai (which is spicy….I loved this flavor) and the Thai Sweet Chili which is not as spicy as the Pad Thai but it is just as flavorful.
Where to find this product: You can find these products at the Nature’s Pharm/Castleton and Greenwood locations.
I wasn’t sure what to think of this product until I tried it, but once I tasted the Spicy Red Pepper flavor I was sold! Use this as sandwich spread or dip, drizzle on anything from veggies to fish…..the possibilities are endless! This product is an all natural mayonnaise alternative that is soybean based, it is vegan and has no cholesterol. Comes in 3 flavors, original (which is a best seller), spicy red pepper, and garlic & dill. Love the spicy red pepper flavor!
Where to find this product: You can find these products in the refrigerated section of Nature’s Pharm/Castleton and Greenwood locations.
O’Doughs Gluten Free Flax Loaf Bread
This gluten free bread isn’t bad. The bread has a dense texture. Great flavor and holds together pretty well. Toasting this bread brought out a slightly nutty flavor and the top of the loaf is randomly sprinkled with poppy seeds. This bread is made with potato starch, soya, tapioca flour, whole grain rice flour, chickpea and cellulose fiber. 1 slice of bread has 120 calories and 22g of carbs.
Where to find this product: You can find this product in the freezer section of Nature’s Pharm/Castleton and Greenwood locations.
O’Doughs Double Chocolate Muffins
These Muffins have a great dark chocolate flavor, not too sweet and great in texture and quality. They do come in 3 varieties, banana chocolate chip, wild blueberry and double chocolate chip. I found these in the frozen food section of Nature’s Pharm/Castleton. Their products are certified gluten free.
Where to find this product: You can find these products at Nature’s Pharm/Castleton.
I have blogged about The Red Apple Lipstick Line before….I admit, I am a fan of their gluten free lipsticks and lip glosses. Their products are gluten free, paraben free, vegan and allergen free. Recently I tried one of their newest products, their Rallye lip balm which I just love!! Goes on silky smooth, is colorless and will leave your lips feeling extra kissable! Their line includes lip lining pencils in an array of colors….brick, chocolate and mocha. I have to mention this again, they pride themselves with great customer service and have a 100% money back guarantee.
Where to find this product: You can find their products on the website at www.redapplelipstick.com
Amy's Gluten free Burritos and Wraps
I can’t tell you how many times I have seen the Amy’s burritos and wraps in the grocery store and health food store and I have always passed on these. I really like the outer wrapping on their burritos and wraps….not much like a regular flour tortilla but it complimented the fillings well. They do make several varieties. Their products are made without peanuts, fish, shellfish or eggs. I did not try all the varieties, but here’s a list of the ones I did try:
Amy’s Gluten Free Cheddar Cheese Burrito: I really liked this burrito!! Made with organic beans and rice, this one had just the right amount of seasoning and spices. Pair this with your favorite salsa or guacamole.
Available at: Nature’s Pharm/Castleton and Greenwood locations.
Amy’s Gluten Free Non-Dairy Burrito: I liked this one too! This one left me asking who needs dairy? This too is made with organic beans and rice…liked it very much!
Available at: Nature’s Pharm/Castleton and Greenwood locations.
Amy’s Gluten Free Indian Aloo Mattar Wrap: If you don’t like Indian food you might not like this one. There is a definite flair of exotic spices and seasonings which is something I really love in this wrap. Made with organic potatoes, tofu and chickpeas, I really loved it!
Available at: Nature’s Pharm/Castleton.
Amy’s Gluten Free Teriyaki Wrap: This wrap was my favorite! Reminded me the most of the Teriyaki flavor I used to enjoy when I was eating gluten years ago. Made with organic tofu , brown rice and broccoli.
Available at: Nature’s Pharm/Castleton
Julian Bakery Smart Carb Gluten Free Bread
If you are watching your carbs this bread may be the way to go. The bread is sliced thin and is dense in texture. There is no xanthan gum or guar gum in this bread so it does not hold together as well as some of the other gluten free breads I have tried. It does hold together better when toasted. The flavor is slightly nutty, almost has a sourdough taste. Packed full of grains from millet, buckwheat, teff, chicory, arrowroot and flax. Per slice this bread is only 70 calories, 10g carbs, and 10g of protein.
Where to find this product: You can find this product in the frozen food section of Nature’s Pharm/Castleton, Greenwood and Lafayette locations.
Editor's Note: While we are reviewing products that are "gluten free" we would still suggest that you read labels thoroughly. Ingredients do change from time to time and we can not be responsible for reactions due to an ingredient change or the fact a product is made in the same facility or on the same equipment where products containing gluten are made. If you have questions regarding an organization's manufacturing practices or processes, please contact the manufacturer.
Celebrate Celiac Awareness month w/ a Fabulous GF Tasting Event on March 24th!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Gluten Free Living Now & GIG Indianapolis Host Gluten Free Brunch!
<
| Save The Date | |||||
| April 21, 2012 | |||||
Gluten Free Waffle Brunch Fundraiser  Presented by: GIG Indianapolis & Gluten Free Living Now.org | |||||
There will be raffles held at this brunch. If you have something you would like to donate for the raffle we would be most grateful. Raffle tickets will be available at the brunch. This is an effort to raise funds to put on more events like this for the gluten free community. There will also be local vendors present at this brunch....this is not something you will want to miss! If you need Dairy Free Options we will make these available to you. Please also let us know if you ave additional food allergies or sensitivities that need to be addressed. Please send those requests directly to shelia@glutenfreelivingnow.org. | |||||
| |||||
| Stay tuned on the site for more updates! | |||||
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Gluten Free Living Now blogs about LegoLand in Carlsbad California
Gluten Free at Legoland?  | |||||||
| On a recent excursion to California, friends invited us to go to The LegolandPark, located in beautiful Carlsbad, Calif. My first inclination was sure why not go? It was after all, my friend’s son’s 7th birthday and the little guy is more than obsessed with Legos. Tyler has put together more Lego sets than most stores have on their shelves. Being gluten intolerant for a number of years now, I have been adhering to a strict gluten free diet. I of course, wondered what I would eat at the Legoland Park, so just to be safe I packed along a medley of gluten free snacks to take along. We stopped to eat lunch at Castle Burgers located inside the park. I could not help but notice that there was a sign on the window that said “Gluten Free Buns Available Upon Request.” I was overjoyed when I saw this!! Immediately, my gluten free radar went up! What else here is gluten free? Are things here prepared safely? I would find out. It did take us a little more time to get our burgers and fries because the buns apparently are made off-site and were kept in a different location at the park. Also their fries are made in a separate dedicated fryer. The hamburger buns were a little denser than I anticipated but it really did hit the gluten free spot.lking through the park there were several stands where you could buy food and drink. I noticed that Oogie’s Gourmet Pop At Pizza Mania there was another sign up that said, “Gluten Free Pizza Available Upon Request.”
After talking to one of the managers at Fun Town Market, he mentioned that they were in the process of including gluten free bread in their deli section for sandwiches and he was quick to mention that the Ristorante Brickolini also served gluten free pasta. Gluten free hotdog buns are also available where they sell hotdogs. After doing a little more research I checked out their website: http://www.legoland.com/ And under the tab “Dining,” you will find that there are dairy free, egg free and nut free options available as well. The park itself is designed for kids of all ages, with more than 60 rides, shows and attractions……I was more than amused by all the intricate sculptures and creations that were made out of Legos throughout the park. From the Sidney Opera House, Mt. Rushmore, the Taj Mahal, even Las Vegas Landmarks and New York landmarks to name just a few…...you will be amazed by what can be made out of these little plastic blocks.
Set in beautiful Carlsbad, California and only a stone’s throw away from the ocean, there is truly something for everyone at this fun and interactive park. There is also a sea-life aquarium and water park close by. Other locations in the U.S. include Florida. I corresponded with Media Relations at the Legoland park after we had left. Here are some of the questions I asked of Julie Estrada, Legoland’s Media Relations Specialist below.
1) Can you tell me what the source/brand of the gluten free pizza is at Pizza Mania and can you tell me if the pizza crust in prepared on site? If it is prepared offsite what brand is it? French Meadow Bakery is the company we work with, we outsource all Gluten Free items to ensure there is no risk of cross contamination during production. 2) Can you also tell me the brand of the pasta that is served at the Ristorante Brickolini? I would also like to know what name brand the bread is at the Fun Town Market and the brand name of the gluten free hamburger and hotdog buns. Debole’s is the name of the pasta (however we do switch brands on occasion). Regarding Gluten Free breads, hot dog and hamburger buns we work with a local company G.N.I. bakery (gluten not included) in Escondido 3) What is done at your park to address safety in preparation of gluten free foods and cross-contamination issues? Are employees also inserviced or instructed on gluten free cross-contamination? Dedicated storage containers, dedicated and / or sterilized work, prep and cooking surfaces, equipment, proper labeling and dating. All food service employees who are not trained regarding GF policies and procedures are instructed to notify a team lead when a GF order is placed, and there is ALWAYS at least one team leader in every food and beverage location that offers GF food. In a situation of multiple allergies or any other dietary concerns a food service employees are trained to contact a restaurant supervisor although advanced notice through me via email(Julie.Estrada@legoland.com) is always preferred to ensure our Park guests the safest and most stress-free dining experience possible. 4) When were gluten free food options implemented at Legoland and why? A little more than five years ago if a guest wanted something gluten free they would order in advance through our Executive Chef, Paul Geasland. It got to the point where he was getting so many requests he decided to put it on the permanent menus. We started with pasta, then moved onto the buns, then we introduced grab-n-go items in The Market in The Beginning of the Park and the gluten-free pizza was introduced about six months ago. Ticket pricing is available on their website: http://www.legoland.com/ | |||||||
| |||||||
| Gluten Free Living Now, Ltd. | |||||||
Is a non-profit organization that hosts gluten free events in the Indianapolis, Indiana area. Our 2nd Annual Gluten Free Living Expo (the LARGEST in the state of Indiana) will be October 13-14, 2012. Click here for additional expo information. Volunteers, sponsors and exhibitors are still being requested for this year's Expo. This blog is brought to you by Shelia Cafferty and Tina Duncan, Co-Founders of Gluten Free Living Now, Ltd. Feel free to write comments regarding your experience with Lego Land or any other parks you have personally visited. We'd love to have your input and opinions. | |||||||
corn and Crisp Root
