Disposable American Gluten-Free Dining Cards

I was lucky enough to get a sample pack of the Triumph Dining Gluten-Free Dining Cards a few years ago. They have come in handy both locally and internationally. The only thing I worry about is making sure to get my card back by the end of the meal. Luckily, I always have. Triumph Dining recently created tear-off copies of their English American-cuisine dining cards. I think this is a fantastic idea. Not only do you have to not worry about getting your card back, but it is also an excellent leave behind for a restaurant and a chef. Hopefully the chef will hang on to this card after you present him or her with it and use it as a future reference for gluten-free diners.

Here is some more information about the Triumph Dining Gluten-Free Dining Cards:

"Dog ate your Dining Card? Or, more likely – chef stole your Dining Card? We know, everyone else wants one of these handy little things, too. But that’s not a good reason for you to lose yours. So we’ve come up with a solution for everyone who loans out dining cards and never gets them back, and for the friend or wife who knows she picked her Dining Card up off the table when she left the restaurant, but somehow can’t find it in her purse. Our answer? Disposable Dining Cards.

B"uy a notepad of 50 Disposable Dining Cards, and never worry about losing them again. Just tear one off the pad, stick it in your pocket or purse, and know that you have 49 more standing by for the next time you dine out. Each card has English instructions on the front and Spanish ones on the back. They’re conveniently sized to fit in a wallet or a purse. These are limited edition, so get yours now by clicking here!"

Holton Farms CSA

Holton Farms is a CSA (community supported agriculture) truck that has recently started delivering to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. I heard about the truck coming to my neighborhood in Astoria on a local website but then noticed the truck across from my office about two weeks ago. I had the pleasure of meeting the friendly staff to learn more about their mission in New York City. They are basically bringing the farm to us urbanites who cannot get out of the city for fresh produce.

For those of you unfamiliar with CSAs, read on...

Holton Farms, located in Westminster, VT, is a family-owned farm run by eighth generation farmers—in other words, they take farming seriously. By practicing sustainable farming methods, their farm produces a diverse selection of agricultural products including vegetables, herbs and fruits, grass-fed beef cows, pigs, cage-free eggs, maple syrup and more!

Their goal is to produce and deliver wholesome food with integrity directly to the consumer. To make this happen, Holton Farms has come up with their own affordable and completely customizable CSA Select program. Their CSA Select program is different in that customers get to choose what and how much they want rather than taking home a box of whatever is given. This cuts down on waste and is also a better value. They've put together a simple diagram to explain how our CSA Select program works



The Holton Farms program will run from May 17 until November 21, bringing seasonal produce to the city each week at various drop-off locations (http://www.holtonfarms.com/map/). Although the season started May 17, you can sign up anytime you want as they do not have a cap on membership and your membership is YOUR money to spend as you see fit. Holton Farms is very excited about the program and think it'll encourage New Yorkers to cook great meals at home with fresh ingredients. More details, including the pricing plans, can be found on their website: http://www.holtonfarms.com/how-to-buy/csa-select/

The best thing about the extensive list of veggies, fruit and other non-grain related products from Holton Farms is that they are naturally gluten-free. They are looking to expand their baked good options to include gluten-free products, so stay tuned for this exciting news!

"The Holton Farms Farm Truck is a progressive mobile farm stand concept, that will operate throughout New York City, to serve as the main distribution point for their CSA Select program and restaurant wholesale clients. The Farm Truck allows access to neighborhoods throughout the Five Borroughs without having to open a store. Serviced by smiling Holton Farms employees dancing to happy reggae beats, the Truck will also sell products retail to non-CSA members assuming they are able to obtain the appropriate permitting from the City. Food Stamps will be accepted at the Farm Truck and prices will be discounted on fruits and vegetables by 20% for low-income New Yorkers."

Drop Off Locations:

• Mondays – Lexington and E96th St (12-1pm), Hunter College between E68th – E73rd St and Lexington Ave (2-3pm), E53rd – E56th St and Park Ave (4-5pm), Grand Central at E39th – E40th St and Park Ave(5:30-7pm)
• Tuesdays – W98th St and Columbus Ave (2:30-3:30pm), Bradhurst Ave and W148th Street (7-7:30PM)
• Wednesdays – 8th Ave and W38th St (4:30-5pm)
• Thursdays – Hudson Heights at W189th St and Cabrini Blvd (8-9am), Bryant Park at W40th St and 6th Ave (12-1:30pm), Columbus Circle at W57th St and 11th Ave & W63rd St and Broadway (4-5:30pm), Verdi Square at W72nd St and Broadway (6-7:30pm), W105th St and Amsterdam Ave (8-8:30pm)
• Fridays – Washington Square Park at E8th St and Broadway (12-1:30pm), 29th St and 5th Ave (2-3pm), Madison Square Park at E24th St between Park Ave and Madison Ave (4-5:30pm), Kips Bay at E32nd – E33rd St and 2nd Ave (6-7:30pm)
• Saturdays – Battery Park City (9-11am)
• Sundays – Long Island City at Arris Lofts (8:45am), Astoria at Steinway & 35th Ave (9-10am), Roosevelt Island (10:30-11:30am), Williamsburg at McCarren Park (12-1:30pm), Park Slope at Flatbush Ave south of Grand Army Plaza (2-3:30pm)

To sign up for a Holton Farms CSA membership, please visit their website. Once you have applied for the CSA Select Program, please send them an email and let them know that Erin S. from Gluten-Free Fun sent you their way. You can email Holton Farms at csa@holtonfarms.com

Pamela's Products New Single-Serve Packs

Pamela's Products Launches Single-serve Packs of Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix and Microwavable Chocolate Brownie Mix Just in Time for Back top School

Pamela's offers read-to-eat gluten-free snacks, sweet treats, savory and easy meal ideas for busy parents and on-the-go college students

(Ukiah, CA--July 2010) Pamela's Products, award-winning leader in the gluten-free food arena introduces single-serve packs of their top-selling customer favorites; Pamela's Chocolate Brownie Mix and Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix. By early September consumers will be able to find these two popular mixes, in their new convenient sizes, on store shelves. Created specifically for grab n' go ease, the single-serve packs makes a stack of four pancakes, or one microwave brownie in about a minute. Complete with simple, easy-to-follow instructions and made of all natural ingredients the single-serve packs are ideal for busy families, college students, and anyone looking for portion-control.

Available this Fall at natural food retailers as well as on Amazon.com, the single-serve packs will retail for about $1.99 each. As Pamela Giusto-Sorrells states, "I believe that quality food should be able to fit conveniently into a busy schedule. The single-serve pancakes and brownies are rationed perfectly so that anyone can easily enjoy a warm and delicious breakfast or snack without investing too much time in the kitchen. And, they are great for college kids, or anyone who travels, because they're so quick to make."

These single-serve packs will serve the needs of those 'on the go', including college students, overnighters, and travelers: an easy treat for any time of day or night. To quickly make up 4 wholesome pancakes just about anywhere, simply add water, oil, and an egg, and cook on an oiled griddle or pan. Egg-free recipes are also included. The company's Baking & Pancake Mix is a longtime favorite of those who are gluten-free, as well as those who are not. It has been rated the #1 Pancake Mix across the entire Natural Foods category for several years running.

For a quick individual brownie, just put the contents of a single-serve pack into a microwave safe cup or bowl, add water and oil and microwave. Quick, delicious brownies in about a minute. Pamela's Chocolate Brownie Mix is the #1 selling Brownie Mix in its category of all Natural Foods (SPINScan Data).

More than 200 user-friendly and easy-to follow appetizer, entrée and dessert recipes can be found on the Pamela's Products website. Pamela's Products recipes--using a wide range of her gluten-free, quick and versatile mixes--are designed to help busy people spend less time in the kitchen and more time with their families, and help college students make quick and healthful meals without sacrificing time or taste. With approximately 1 in 133 people diagnosed as Celiac Disease in addition to those suffering from gluten-intolerance, delicious convenient gluten-free food is becoming increasingly important.

Pamela's Products features a line of packaged cookies made with organic ingredients that are an easy and fun addition to any lunchbox. The pre-packed, single serving size option (2 cookies) is a convenient, delicious and smartly portioned snack that is easy to include in bagged lunches. The tasty flavors include Chocolate Chunk Pecan Shortbread, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Espresso Chocolate Chunk and Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Chunk.

Pamela's Products Simplebites cookies are the perfect bite-sized snack for little hands. Available in kid-friendly flavors like Chocolate Chip, Ginger Snapz and Extreme Chocolate, these cookies are ideal for any child to share on the playground without worrying about excluding peers with gluten intolerance.

Pamela Giusto-Sorrells, founder of Pamela's Products has appeared on NBC & ABC affiliates nationally, KRON and KTVK. Pamela's Products have been featured on the Today Show, The Doctors, in Gourmet Magazine, Woman's Day, Real Simple and many other outlets.

For additional information on Pamela's Products, please visit www.pamelasproducts.com. Recipe variations and baking information may be found at www.pamelasproducts.com/recipe_frames.html. Media inquiries, please contact Agnes Gomes-Koizumi (agnes@ agkmedia.com) or Julie Du Brow (julie@ dubroworks.com) at 323-937-5488 or 310-821-2463.

ABOUT PAMELA'S PRODUCTS
Pamela's Products (www.pamelasproducts.com) offers a complete line of Traditional Cookies, Organic Cookies, Biscotti, Simplebites Mini Cookies, Baking Mixes and Ready-to-Eat cakes. Award-winning, Pamela's Products can be found in natural food and grocery stores throughout North America and on the web at www.pamelasproducts.com. Setting the standard for great taste since 1988, Pamela's Products continues to create the most delicious wheat-free and gluten-free foods, with their Baking & Pancake Mix and Chocolate Brownie Mix consistently holding the #1 position in the entire Natural Foods category.

Pamela's Products are a tried-and-true staple for Celiacs. Celiac Disease is the world's most common autoimmune disease, with the only treatment today being a strict adherence to a diet devoid of gluten. Gluten is most commonly contained in wheat (durum, semolina, kamut, spelt), rye, barley and triticale. (For more complete information, please visit www.gluten.net, "About".) People with autism spectrum disorders, cancer, wheat allergies, alternative diets, and even those adhering to a Kosher or 'natural' diet, also frequently turn to Pamela's Products for satisfying that sweet tooth or simply for making bread or pancakes.

DeBoles Recall of Gluten-Free Corn Pasta

DeBoles(R) Nutritional Foods, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls One Lot Code of DeBoles(R) Kids Only! Gluten Free Tubettini Corn Pasta Due to the Presence of an Undeclared Allergen, Lot Code 30JUN11D1

SHREVEPORT, La., July 22, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/

DeBoles Nutritional Foods, Inc. announced that it is recalling one lot code of DeBoles(R) Kids Only! Gluten Free Tubettini Corn Pasta because it may contain undeclared whole wheat alphabet pasta. People who are allergic to wheat run the risk of an allergic reaction, which may be serious or life-threatening if they consume the recalled product.

The recalled lot was distributed to stores nationwide and through internet orders.

The product comes in a cardboard box, 8.5 ounce, with a clear plastic window.

The expiration lot code is on the top of the box and the UPC Code 087336638305 appears on the bottom of the box. No other lot codes are affected. This recall only affects: DEBOLES KIDS ONLY! GLUTEN FREE TUBETTINI CORN PASTA Lot code: 30JUN11D1 No illnesses have been reported in connection with this product. It appears that certain product boxes in lot code 30JUN11D1 may contain whole wheat alphabet pasta mixed with the gluten-free tubettini corn pasta in packaging that did not declare wheat as an allergen and, as a result, the product is being recalled.

The alphabet pasta is clearly visible and is a darker color and characteristic alphabet shape compared to the yellow corn small-tube pasta.

Consumers who have purchased 8.5 ounce packages of DeBoles(R) Kids Only! Gluten Free Tubettini Corn Pasta with Lot Number 30JUN11D1 are urged to return such packages to their place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-434-4246 during extended hours from Monday to Friday 9 am to 9 pm EDT, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.

SOURCE DeBoles Nutritional Foods, Inc.

Veronica People's Club Now Open

Photo from Zagat Buzz


I have always been a big fan of Heather's Bar in the East Village. Not only do I like the laid back attitude of the bar and the 2-for-1 (gluten-free) drinks during happy hour, but Heather (the owner) has always been such a great supporter of the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup group. Heather is on a gluten-free diet, so she always has some gluten-free ciders and beers ready for her customers. Heather and her staff also understand the need for dedicated taps for gluten-free ciders and they do their best to carry a couple of different gluten-free options behind the bar. Last time I was there, I had Bard's Tale and Redbridge during happy hour. Heather's Bar has also has hosted our group for multiple happy hours and we even had our 2009 holiday party at Heather's Bar.

I am excited to announce that Heather has expanded and has now opened Veronica People's Club in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Veronica People's Club will have gluten-free pastries in the morning from their coffee window. In the afternoon you can enjoy RedBridge GF beer and Blackthorn Cider in a can.

And for those of you that don't get the Heather and Veronica references, please go out and rent Heathers today. My best friend Trish and I watched this movie religiously in middle school and would quote the movie like it was going out out style. I do believe that some of the best movie quotes actually made it to our h.s. yearbooks as well. It's a classic.

Veronica People's Club
105 Franklin St
Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Zagat Buzz: Veronica People's Club

S'Mac Turns Four! $2 Gluten-Free S'Mac on July 27th

Happy 4th Birthday S'Mac!



In celebration of their 4th birthday, on Tuesday July 27, 2010 S'Mac will be offering the Gluten- Free All-American nosh for $2.00. Vegan is also available for $2.00 and the regular is only $1.00, so bring your friends.

Limit one All-American nosh per person.
Valid for takeout only, not for dine-in or deliveries.
Must pickup in person at the restaurant.
Not valid in combination with other offers.
Not available with multi-grain pasta.

Sarita's Macaroni & Cheese
345 East 12th Street
NY, NY 10003
212-358-7912
212-358-7917

Subway
The closest subway stop to S'Mac is on the L train at 14th Street and 1st Avenue. S'Mac is a short walk from the 6 train at Astor Place, and any of the trains that stop at Union Square.

http://www.smacnyc.com/

$2 GF ALL-AMERICAN S'MAC ALL DAY!!!

The New Performance Enhancer: A Gluten Free Diet?

Pro Cyclists Include Bakery On Main Gluten Free Granola in Their Recipe for Success

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Celiacs, you have company. Tour de France-racing company.

In 2008, the Garmin-Transitions US Cycling Team experimented with a gluten free diet as a way to improve performance by reducing inflammation, which is important for weeks-long races. The experiment was a success.

"My performance really improved a lot -- there was definitely a correlation," rider Tom Danielson told Men's Journal. "I think that my digestion is better, and because of that my sleep is better and my recovery is better."

Bakery On Main's Gluten Free Granolas in Nutty Cranberry Maple, Extreme Fruit & Nut and Apple Raisin Walnut, were selected for inclusion in the Garmin-Transitions US Cycling Team's gluten free anti-inflammatory diet by the team chiropractor, Matthew Rabin.

"Absolutely love the products," said Rabin. "Exactly what would be beneficial for our riders and sits perfectly alongside our dietary ethos."

Individuals with Celiac disease must follow a lifelong gluten free diet, and many believe that a gluten free diet can be beneficial to children with Autism. Recently the gluten free diet has gained popularity as a healthier way of eating, but the Garmin-Transitions cycling team is the first to publicly implement it to improve athletic performance.

"I created our gluten free granola as a way to give Celiacs something that was good for them but tastes like it isn't," said Bakery On Main founder, Michael Smulders. "It's exciting to learn that there are other ways our gluten free granola can be good for you."

For more information, please contact marketing@ bakeryonmain.com.

ABOUT BAKERY ON MAIN
Bakery On Main was founded in 2003 with a simple philosophy: food that's good for you should taste good too. It all started in the small bakery of a natural foods market on Main Street in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Founder Michael Smulders listened to his Celiac customers complain about many of the gluten free options available to them, and made it his mission to create products that were good for them but taste like they aren't. Today, the company's products are manufactured in a state-of-the-art facility just a few miles from the original bakery and are widely available in the U.S., Canada and the UK. For more information, visit www.bakeryonmain.com.

Using Celiac Disease as an Excuse

Shame on you Reader's Digest.

Today on rd.com, there is an article called "New Ways to Just Say No to Dessert." The author suggested to her readers one way to avoid eating dessert at a dinner party would be to suggest you had Celiac Disease to your host. WHAT?!?!

Here is the exact text from the article:

What’s a diet devotee to do when breath mints, gum, polite refusal, cleaning products and excessive condiments fail? Echlin hints at this at the end of her column when she says that the best desserts should be eaten. Why attend a dinner party if you don’t plan on eating what’s served? That said, "a host will understand if the dieter has just had triple bypass surgery or is suffering from gestational diabetes." The final way fervent dieters haven't tried is a simple way to shut people up: Chalk it up to an allergy or condition. Gluten intolerance, Celiac disease, allergies, lactose intolerance and diabetes will get you out of eating just about any dessert.

I think this is a completely asinine way for anyone to use to avoid dessert. How about simply and politely saying "no thank you" to your host? How about saying "I'm stuffed from your delicious dinner?" I can think of a bunch of other ways to avoid dessert without blaming it on a DISEASE!

As someone with Celiac Disease for over 30 years, I have spent many meals both frustrated and embarrassed when it comes to having to explain why I cannot eat something because it has gluten. To even suggest using Celiac Disease or a gluten-intolerance as an excuse just pisses me off. If everyone out there starts claiming a gluten allergy or celiac disease, it will start being like the boy-who-cried-wolf syndrome and servers and hosts will roll their eyes about being picky eaters even more than they do to us right now.

What do you think, dear readers? Tell me in my comments section what you think about this suggestion. Also, don't be shy and tell RD.com what you think on their page as well. I made sure to let Reader's Digest know exactly how I feel about this suggestion in their comments section. I was not letting this pass me by without butting in with my two cents.

Gluten-Free Surprise in Woodside, NY

When I got off the train yesterday in Woodside, I wanted to pick up some fruits and veggies for the week. Like in most of Queens and New York City, there are bodegas on almost every corner that sell produce. I was looking for a place to lock up my bike and noticed Jin's Big Apple Fruits Market on Roosevelt Ave. near the corner of 60th Street.

When I went inside, I picked up some fruit and then noticed a big display of Bob's Red Mill products. This display wasn't just the usual couple of bags of flour, but many of the gluten-free favorites including brownie mix, flax seeds, and even the All Purpose GF Baking Flour.

I literally must have passed this store 10 or 20 times in the past five years and never walked beyond their produce section in the front of the store. Big mistake! As I continued to walk around the store, I was pleasantly surprised by the huge selection of gluten-free food that they had in such an "average" looking store. It is so not just another bodega. ;-) They had products from Enjoy Life, Mary's Gone Crackers, Bob's Red Mill, San-J, and more. The prices were reasonable, but I only had a little cash on me so I didn't buy much.

With Jin's only a short bike ride away (and conveniently located off the 7 train and the LIRR) and lots of Irish pubs serving gluten-free Magner's on the same block, I am sure to head back to Woodside soon!

Jin's Big Apple Fruits Market
60-07 Roosevelt Ave @ 60th Street


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Suffolk County Celiacs Looking for Volunteers

As you faithful readers know, I am a huge fan of the Gluten-Free Vendor Fair put on by the Suffolk County Celiacs. This is their fourth vendor fair and I plan on being 4 for 4 in attending this fair. The thing that makes the vendor fair such a big success is their volunteer staff at the Vendor Fair. From helping vendors set up, to working the doors, to clean up each night, the fair could not go on without volunteers.

If you live in Suffolk County, New York or even nearby in Nassau or even the city, please consider volunteering at the fair. You will not be disappointed.

Date: August 28-29th, 2010, Saturday & Sunday
Time: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 25
370 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, NY 11788

For more information or to volunteer, please email: SuffolkCountyCeliacs@ gmail.com