News Notes and Things to Know….. 12/2017

Mariann writes:

Holiday Greetings All!!  We hope you are having a wonderful season of preparing for your Holiday Celebrations!   Should you be in need of some gluten-free goodies here are some ideas to move you in the right direction!

At Cafe Avalaun they are hard at work creating yummy treats for our gluten-free needs – and they are a certified and fully dedicated kitchen!!

BUT, by the time this post makes it to your emailbox they will be at the final day of preorders so get moving – you don’t have much time – in fact, the time to make the call is…….TODAY!!

OR,  call Brian and very politely, very nicely, request your goodies reservation!

        https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/1601654cc4ecc8b5

On a serious note!!  Someone called me to suggest I read the following article.  I am sharing this with all of us because it is a serious issue that we need to be very conscious of AND make sure that we are not this behaving like this person described in this letter to Dear Amy!

Dear Amy: I have a friendship of more than 40 years with a delightful woman. We see each other about once a month, often at dinner in a restaurant with mutual friends. About six months ago, “Sandra” announced to us that she had just discovered that she is allergic/intolerant to gluten. This has become a focus of her life and often dominates the conversation. Since that time, every trip to a restaurant includes a very (VERY) long discussion with our waitperson and/or chef regarding each item on the menu and whether it fits into her gluten-free diet. Then the bread basket comes, and Sandra dives in because “it’s just too good to pass up.” Several of us, outside of Sandra’s presence, have commented that not only is the gluten conversation tiresome, but also embarrassing when held in a busy restaurant. Additionally, most people are aware that those who are truly gluten intolerant become very ill when they eat bread, and avoid doing so at all cost. We’d love to talk this out with Sandra, but are afraid she’ll become defensive and angry, although this is not her usual reaction to thoughtful criticism. Any advice? — Like Oprah, I Love Bread

from Mariann:    To be clear!  I am not saying that we should not advocate for ourselves when dining out.  This diet can be so limiting.  This diet can cause us to feel so left out.  This diet can be such a inconvenience.  This diet can be so unfair!  But, this diet is not the problem of our fellow diners and we should not make it theirs.  That is unfair of us.

So, here are some tips to make it more palatable (pun intended) for our own well being and for the well being of our fellow diners and for the well being of the serving and preparing staff!

  1.  Try to not corner the staff during a busy time to talk about the entire menu.  Rather, call ahead or check out the menu, on-line, and prepare yourself with a couple of items you would like.  Ask specifically about the options you have interest in eating.
  2. Do not ask to see the Chef during peak service hours – I’m sorry – that is just rude.  The folks in the kitchen are working hard on a very tight schedule so running out to the floor to talk with you throws everything out of whack! Again, call ahead and speak with the manager or the kitchen staff.  To consider, in order for a kitchen person to make their way to the dining area, it may be necessary for them to change out of their garments just to make that walk to your table.  And then, to change back in order to get back on the line.
  3. Do Not.  Do Not.  Do Not.  Under any circumstances, Do Not, eat the bread just because it looks too good to pass up.  Additionally, do not drink traditional beer just because.  And finally, do not order desserts that are not safe.
  4. Finally, unless you have checked in advance do not bring your own food with you.  There are laws that prevent consumption of outside food and beverages and many owners take that seriously.  Again, call in advance.

A thought…….I have asked, in advance, in some venues if I could bring a fresh – unopened box of chocolates to share at the table at the end of dinner with coffee or after dinner drinks.  Often the restaurant has been fine with that and my companions have happily shared in the tastings.  That being said, make the event one to enjoy with your family, friends, or colleagues!  Because after all Life (can be) Truly Like a Box of Chocolates:)

If baking is one of your ‘front and center’ activities for the season and you are looking at a fun activity to share with family and friends or you want to bring along something to share at an event take a look at the recipes in this post from GFF, gluten-free forever magazine!

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/160318684577d5a4

 

Finally, we are now fully connected to Gluten Intolerance Group!

GIG is a non-profit support and advocacy group for all things gluten-free!  Check out their page!  You’ll find listings for restaurants – useful for travel times – recipes, activities, coupons, certification standards and news.

If you are so inclined you can make a donation at their page to assist in the efforts of behalf of the community!

And, here is the link to sign up for the Gluten Intolerance Group monthly e-news:)

https://www.gluten.org/e-magazine/

 

Grand Oak Culinary Market – Canada

Canada

http://www.grandoakculinary.ca/

4600 Victoria Avenue
Vineland, ON
L0R 2E0

Canadian phone  T: 289.567.0487

Our guest Janden writes:
This is a great market, deli, and bakery. 
They serve wonderful GF wraps, sandwiches, and baked goods, with a full GF kitchen. 
My #1 stop on the way to Toronto!  I
n fact I usually call a couple of days ahead to have my favorite muffins ready for pick up.

News Notes and Things to Know…..11/17

Mariann writes:

If you are like me you have started already thinking about your pie baking for the holidays?  And, If you are like me you are trying a new recipe every year still searching for the crust outcome that you remember from you pre gluten-free days!  I’ve had some really good crust recipes over the past ten years of being gluten-free but what I like about this recipe from its first read is its simplicity.  This will be the recipe I reach for when making our Pumpkin  and Lemon Curd Pies this Holiday Season!  

https://simplygluten-free.com/blog/2013/11/perfect-gluten-free-pie-crust-recipe.html

Tricia Thompson at Gluten Free Watchdog has a tutorial on calculating the amount of gluten consumed based on the parts per million measure you will find after items have been lab tested.

Keeping in mind please!  There is no definitive number that has been determined to be a tolerable level for gluten exposure.

Video: Converting ppm of Gluten to mg of Gluten

November News from Cafe Avalaun….
Cafe Avalaun

Including New Hours!  Pizza Take and Bakes, Events, Catering, Holiday Ordering and Fresh Meals!

http://mailchi.mp/9b60b755bf8e/cafe-avalauns-super-amazing-november-newsletter-1091997

Cleveland.com
November G-F Review……

Breakfast Foods!

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/10/gluten-free_breakfast_foods.html

 

  Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG)

https://www.gluten.org/resources/lifestyle/restaurant-dining-seven-tips-for-staying-gluten-free/

More Discussion About…..

GLUTEN-FREE BEER!!

https://www.forbes.com/sites/samlemonick/2017/11/01/a-new-test-to-make-sure-your-beer-is-gluten-free/#3e0ea14e1981

Check it out!!  Free Italy vacation getaway via Jovial Pasta!  

https://getaway.jovialfoods.com/win-a-trip-2017/

Like all of the members of our Celiac Family kids have special needs and considerations for dealing with Celiac Disease!  See GIG’s report on what is going on in the world of CD and Youth!

AND THEN,  Let us know if you find an active group in NEO!!

News Notes and Things to Know…….7/17

Some interesting pieces of information from the gluten-free community….

If you’ve been following the controversy of gluten-free designation/FDA rules/foods in violation you can follow along on the latest in the discussion from Tricia Thompson founder of Gluten-Free Watchdog:

https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/encouraging-the-fda-to-investigate-when-products-labeled-gluten-free-appear-misbranded/

 

Here’s the link for the latest issue of GIG magazine including timely articles, coupons, recipes and more…….

http://www.gluten.org/cgf-june-2017/

 

Celiac Disease and the Gluten Free Diet Resources
Celiac Disease and the Gluten Free Diet Resources

This past month I’ve encountered a couple of news articles, both print and digital, where the information contained in them regarding the gluten-free diet was just plain wrong.  Where references were made to product and to diagnosis and to treatment that were old, out of date and still circulating.  But, just when you think folks are starting to ‘get it’ – smack – something else appears to reveal how far away the general population is  at ‘getting it’.

When dining out g-f there are so many; so,so,so,so many things to keep in mind.  Here’s an article that will highlight for you why you need to always be your own advocate; ask and ask again.  You never know just what that kitchen is doing……….

http://boredomtherapy.com/reuse-noodle-water/?pas=1&as=701aol

 

Will gluten-free make it to the list of Food Trends for 2018-19?  You might be following the shifts in the dining scene by going to restaurants and seeing the changes in the menu offerings.  Or you may be seeing the shift in the grocery store shelving.  You may also be seeing more advertising about g-f food items in magazines.  The big trend for restaurants in 2017-18 is ‘faux foods’ – things that look like foods you know but made with ingredients you might not realize could mimic those items – think tofurkey – with pizzazz!  Vegan food is on the rise, everywhere, and it took a long time to get there.  So, while restauranteurs may not yet be ready to accept that g-f needs their attention, the financial sector has noted the growth of the g-f products.

https://www.ft.com/content/5348432e-1a13-11e7-bcac-6d03d067f81f?mhq5j=e1

Cleveland.com post by Hannah Drown

Looking over this list and having just traveled across the country using Find Me Gluten Free I would have to say that my experience was successful.  If you’ve used any of these please share your favorite!

http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/07/the_best_gluten-free_phone_app.html#incart_river_home