Gluten Free Living Now & GIG Indianapolis Host Gluten Free Brunch!

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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.

DATE   Sat. April 21, 2012     TIME 10 am - 12 pm     PLACE   St. Marks United Methodist Church  4780 E. 126th St. Carmel IN 46032   RSVP via payment by April 9th Check $15/Paypal $16 The price is per person Kids 10 & under eat free       Payable to: Gluten Free Living Now Ltd     Mail Payments to: 13471 Clifty Falls Drive Carmel, IN  46032     Paypal Payments to: tina@glutenfreelivingnow.org                                                   Make Your Reservations Now Space is Limited!   Deadline to RSVP April 9, 2011 For More Info Contact: Shelia@glutenfreelivingnow.org Or GIGIndianapolis@Gmail.com This brunch has been made possible by generous donations Please make sure you visit or donors/sponsors below:         Copper Creek Farms   BRUNCH MENU   GLUTEN FREE WAFFLES   Fruit Toppings: Blueberry & Strawberry   Whipped Cream   Maple Syrup   Butter (Dairy Free & regular)   Scrambled Eggs   Bacon   Sausage   Beverages      Coffee (decaf & regular)   Orange Juice   Milk   Bottled Water

Stay tuned on the site for more updates!

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 Popcorn and Crisp Root 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.

 

Gluten Free Living Now 

Holiday Recipes from our house to yours!      

Happy Holidays to you!
 

Ingredients ¾ cup Brown Rice Flour ½ cup Sorghum Flour ½ cup Potato Starch Flour 1 ½ cup Sugar 1 cup of Unsweetened Pumpkin Puree 1 tsp Baking Powder 1 tsp Baking Soda ½ tsp Sea Salt 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon ½ tsp Ground Cloves ½ tsp Ground Ginger ½ tsp Ground Nutmeg 1 tsp Xanthan Gum 2 Large Eggs ½ cup Vegetable Oil 1/3 cup Water ½ cup Chopped Pecans (optional) ½ cup Raisins (optional)

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread   Preparation   1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  2.  Whisk together dry ingredients – flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt & spices.  3. In separate bowl cream together sugar and oil then add eggs, pumpkin puree and water.  4.  Slowly add flour mixture to batter and continue mixing until well blended then stir in raisins and nuts.  5.  Put mixture in Silicon loaf pan or regular loaf pan lined with parchment paper.  Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Let sit in pan for about 5 minutes then cool on a wire rack.                This recipe can be used to make pumpkin muffins instead of a loaf but the bake time will be shorter .

 

 

Gluten Free Sweet Potato Souffle    Ingredients 6 sweet potatoes (cooked) 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup milk or ½ cup Hemp Milk or Milk substitute of choice for Dairy Free 1/2 cup melted butter or ½ cup Earth Balance Buttery Sticks for Dairy Free 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 teaspoon salt Topping (Optional) 1 cup dark brown sugar 1/3 cup white rice flour 1/3 cup melted butter or 1/3 cup Earth Balance Buttery Sticks for Dairy Free 1/2 cup chopped pecans (Optional)

Preparation 1.    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease or butter one 2 quart casserole dish. 2.    Place potatoes in a mixing bowl and with an electric mixer, beat on low speed until potatoes begin to break up. Increase speed to medium high and blend until smooth. 3.    Reduce speed to low and add sugar, milk or milk substitute, butter or butter substitute, vanilla, eggs and salt. Mix well. 4.    Allow any potato 'fibers' to remain on the beater and remove. Pour sweet potato mixture into the casserole dish. 5.     Prepare the topping in a small bowl by whisking together the brown sugar, flour, butter or Substitute and pecans if you choose. Sprinkle mixture over potato mixture and bake for 40 minutes.

Ingredients:    2  16 oz. jars of Red Salsa ( I used               Meijer’s Organic Medium Salsa ) 2   15 oz. can tomato sauce ( I used Meijer’s Organic Tomato Sauce ) ½   medium onion finely chopped 1    4 oz. can green chilies chopped and peeled 1 tsp chili powder ½ tsp cumin 1   15 oz. can roasted green chili and lime refried beans ( I used Meijer’s brand ) 4    cups cooked turkey       1    cup grated Monterey Jack cheese       1    cup grated cheddar cheese       1    small can of chopped olives       1    package of 6 inch 24 count corn tortillas

Gluten Free Easy Turkey Enchiladas Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees In large size sauté pan, add salsa, tomato sauce, onion, green chili (drained), chili powder and cumin.Stir ingredients until well incorporated and simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes.Take two cups of this salsa/tomato mixture and set aside. Add cooked turkey to the sauté pan and stir together .Add refried beans and stir all of the ingredients together.Return the heat to low and allow the ingredients to simmer until heated thoroughly. Take the salsa/tomato mixture that you set aside earlier and pour it into a shallow baking dish. If you have a gas range, heat the tortillas one at a time on the gas burner for 3 seconds on each side.After the tortilla is heated dip it into the salsa/tomato mixture and lay on a 10 x 12 baking dish.Place a desired amount of the chicken and bean mixture on the tortilla spreading it the length of the tortilla.Add a sprinkle of the grated cheese and then roll up the tortilla. You will need two 10 x 12 baking pans to make about 24 enchiladas. When you are finished rolling up the tortillas pour some of the salsa/tomato mixture over the top and sprinkle with a little more of the grated cheese and chopped black olives. Place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes.   .

Ingredients: Mix 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Cornstarch 2 tbsp Butter or 2 tbsp Earth Balance Buttery Sticks for DF version 2 cups Organic Chicken Stock ( I use Pacific Foods) ¼ cup cold water Salt & Pepper to taste Pinch of garlic powder 1 tsp poultry seasoning Pinch of herbs – thyme, basil or rosemary works great (I used Basil)   Gluten Free Gravy     Preparation: Mix 2 tbsp of cornstarch with ¼ cup of cold water and set aside  Heat chicken stock and butter over medium heat until hot and then slowly add the cornstarch and water mixture stirring constantly.  Reduce heat and add seasonings and herbs and continue to simmer for about 10 minutes until desired consistency is reached.   Gluten Free Lentil Chili   Ingredients 2 Cups dry lentils, rinsed 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes 2 (32 oz) containers of gluten free vegetable broth or chicken broth ½ large onion finely chopped 1 tsp. cumin 1 tsp. chili powder ½ cup red wine ( I use Oliver’s Soft Red ) 2 stalks of celery sliced 1 cup of chopped baby carrots 2 bay leaves ½ tsp. garlic powder ½ tsp. onion powder 1 to 2 cups of cooked and chopped turkey (optional) salt to taste 2 tbsp. oil   Preparation:   Heat oil in large sauté pan.  Add onions, carrots and celery.  Stir over medium heat until carrots and celery are partially cooked. Add lentils, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, red wine and seasoning into a large saucepan.  Stir and bring to a boil.  Cover and let simmer for about 30 minutes or until lentils are cooked.   Note:  Add more broth or water if lentil chili reduces too much as it simmers.     Ingredients: 1 cup pecan halves 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted + 1 cup more for tossing 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons butter, room temperature   1/3 cup whipped cream cheese 2 teaspoons GF vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups + 2 Tablespoons sorghum flour, sifted (with the tapioca) 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons tapioca flour, sifted (with the sorghum) 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum   ** I didn't use pecans.  Instead I dredged the cookies in maple syrup before putting them in the bag of powdered sugar.  It holds the sugar on great and the taste is wonderful.          Gluten Free Mexican Wedding Cakes       Preparation: Toast the pecan halves over low heat until fragrant. (If you use them) Sift one cup of the powdered sugar. Process the toasted pecans and the 1 cup of powdered sugar in the bowl of your food processor until even and fine. Cream together the butter and cream cheese with the powdered sugar/pecan mixture. Add vanilla. Sift together the sorghum and tapioca flours. Add the xanthan gum to the sifted flours. Mix the dry ingredients in to the creamed/wet ingredients until it comes together as cookie dough (2-3 minutes on medium). Roll into 1″ balls and place the balls on a large plate. Refrigerate the 1″ balls for 30 minutes to 1 hour. (*NOTE: If you need to refrigerate them longer, please cover them with plastic wrap. You can freeze the balls at this point too, if desired.) Preheat the oven to 350F. Lay out the balls on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silpat about 1 1/2″ apart. Bake for 12 – 15 minutes (Mine bake for 13 minutes) and remove from the oven. Allow the cookies to cool 2-3 minutes before attempting to move them. Dredge the warm cookies carefully in powdered sugar. (I usually put a cup of powdered sugar into a baggie and then toss 4 or so cookies about in the sugar until well coated.) Allow the cookies to cool completely on a cookie rack. (See photo above.) Toss in powdered sugar again, if desired, before serving or packing in an airtight container.

Future Updates Stay tuned for more details.... ....  on a possible Indy Style Segment .... on vendors coming to the Expo in 2012 .... on presentations being offered October 13 & 14th at the Gluten Free Living Now Expo at the Fountains in Carmel.   ... on possible other events early in 2012 ... on more volunteer and learning opportunities.   Keep Visiting: www.glutenfreelivingnow.org Gluten Free Living Now 13471 Clifty Falls Drive Carmel, IN 46032 (317) 379-2350 or (317) 771-6506

Gluten Free Living Now Blog Product Reviews brought to you by        Shelia Cafferty           &          Tina Duncan Chobani Greek Yogurt "Hands down one of the best yogurts......" This yogurt is rich and creamy and low in fat! Comes in a variety of flavors from, banana and strawberry, blueberry, cherry, lemon, mango, pineapple, peach, plain, pomegranate, raspberry, strawberry and vanilla. Love the pineapple and mango!!  Only 140 to 160 calories per serving and 13- 14 gm of protein, this is a great snack that won’t expand your waistline. No artificial flavors or preservatives and is made from cow’s milk that is free of rBST. Hands down this is one of the best yogurts on the market and it is certified gluten free. I have purchased this yogurt at Nature’s Pharm and Whole Foods Markets. www.chobani.com Hol-Grain Rice Starch "This product is great as a thickener for gravy...."   One of Hol-Grain’s newest products, this is a great replacement for using corn starch. Especially great if you have a corn allergy or don’t like the starchy flavor that corn starch can impart….this is a great substitute. This product is also processed in a nut free facility and is certified gluten free. This product is great as a thickener for gravy, sauces, stews and more! www.holgrain.com Pastariso "If convenience is your  thing..." Another easy and great product to make. If convenience is your thing….this mac and cheese in a cup is the true on the go food item must have. Made with brown rice noodles, just add water and microwave. Reminds me a little of the Kraft Mac and cheese you can buy in a box, except this version is all gluten free!! Nature’s Pharm carries this product. www.maplegrovefoods.com .

 

Moondance  Heavenly Desserts "better than good......"  Their gluten free cheesecakes are the real deal. From pumpkin cheesecake to raspberry swirl cheesecake, these decadent desserts make you forget you were eating gluten free. Their chocolate chip bars were moist and chewy….all their desserts were better than good, they were great!   Their products debuted here in Indiana at our Gluten Free Living Now Expo this past October.  Green Bean Delivery is now carrying their cheesecakes.    www.moondancedesserts.com Explore Asian Authentic Cuisine "Easy to make...."   I love this product because it’s easy to make (just boil water) and it has a higher protein to carb ratio. I love the Organic Mung Bean Fettuchini noodles. Pair these noodles with your favorite asian sauce….and stir fry vegetables. I found this product at Nature’s Pharm Castleton www.opal-export.com Scott's Gourmet Cookies "beyond delish..."   Made with certified gluten free oats, these cookies are gluten free and dairy free. These cookie gems were a favorite at the recent Gluten Free Living Now Expo. Crispy and delicious we all agree their oatmeal cinnamon cookies were beyond delish! Nature’s Pharm carries their cookies. www.scottsgourmetcookieco.com

Red Apple Lipstick "I love this product......" Enriched with Vitamin E and it is mineral based. This lipstick goes on sheer and won’t dry out your lips……imagine that?! Comes in an array of lovely colors from Red, Love My Kiss, Ruby Slippers, Strawberry Lips and more. If you like lipgloss you won’t be disappointed by their lip gloss collection. Their lip gloss is smooth and silky, not the slightest bit sticky and will leave your lips feeling better than they were. They have a great customer service and return policy….put this item on your favorite gluten intolerant person’s Christmas wish list. I love this product!!. It’s a lipstick that is gluten free, paraben free and allergen free!   www.redapplelipstick.com